Evolution (Star Trek: The Next Generation) neutronium as a result of a stellar explosion that occurs every 196 years and is due to occur in the next few hours. Stubbs plans to launch a probe, dubbed the Egg, to gather the data, a result of a lifetime's development. Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) has returned to her duties on the "Enterprise" after a stint at Starfleet Medical. As the expected time of the stellar explosion nears, the ship malfunctions in odd ways, and the issue is traced to the computer core. Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), who had been working on a
Star Trek: The Next Generation viewers. "TNG" premiered the week of September 28, 1987, drawing 27 million viewers, with the two-hour pilot "Encounter at Farpoint". In total, 176 episodes were made (including several two-parters), ending with the two-hour finale "" the week of May 23, 1994. The series was broadcast in first-run syndication with dates and times varying among individual television stations. Several "Star Trek" series followed "The Next Generation": "" (1993–1999), "" (1995–2001), "" (2001–2005), and "" (2017–present). The series formed the basis for the seventh through the tenth of the "Star Trek" films, and is also the setting of numerous novels, comic books,