Fri Sep 20 11:45:00 UTC 2024: ## “Star Trek: First Contact” Almost Had a Medieval Borg Invasion, Thanks to Patrick Stewart’s Tights Aversion
The writers behind “Star Trek: First Contact,” Ron D. Moore and Brannon Braga, initially envisioned a much different time-traveling adventure for the USS Enterprise crew. Instead of their iconic trip to the birth of Starfleet in 2063, they considered a bold move: sending the Borg back to 16th-century Europe.
The concept, which was brainstormed for a few weeks, was ultimately scrapped due to one major obstacle: Patrick Stewart’s aversion to wearing tights on screen. The actor, known for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, reportedly vetoed the medieval setting, leaving Braga and Moore to search for a new time period.
This wasn’t the first time the writers had explored the possibility of time travel in “Star Trek,” as their experience with “Generations” – where they felt constrained by mandate-filled storytelling – taught them the importance of creative freedom. After “Generations,” they were free to embrace a Borg-centric narrative, initially pushing the boundaries of their imagination.
Despite Stewart’s hesitation, the writers went through various time periods, ranging from the Italian Renaissance to the Civil War, ultimately realizing that most time travel scenarios had been explored already. They ultimately decided to go with the near future, which allowed them to witness the origins of Star Trek’s utopian society.
While the medieval Borg invasion may have been a missed opportunity for fans of historical fiction, the writers ultimately chose a path that expanded the Star Trek universe in a more meaningful way. “Star Trek: First Contact” became a landmark film, introducing the Borg to a larger audience and showcasing the importance of First Contact in establishing peace and prosperity across the galaxy.
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