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Star Trek: The Next Generation
All Good Things...
Captain Picard travels back and forth among his past, present, and future as he and the crew of the Enterprise fight to prevent the destruction of the human race
248 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1995
21 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jan Friedman
374 books205 followersMichael Jan Friedman is an author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction, half of which are in the Star Trek universe. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. Friedman has also written for network and cable television and radio, and scripted nearly 200 comic books, including his original DC superhero series, the Darkstars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 24, 2018
As I write this, Easter was just three weeks ago. For some reason, this particular Easter, a particular memory of another particular Easter sprang to mind. I don't know why, but I had a good laugh with my dear old mom about it.
So. It's Saturday night, April 15th, 1995. Easter Eve. My parents and I went out for the evening, like we so often did. I was a freshman in high school, not wanting to be out with Mom and Dad, but I knew that not only would we go to dinner at a restaurant (probably Applebee's or some other sports bar/family type place that had popped up all of a sudden in Toledo all over the place at the time), we would go shopping afterward. I always had a book or CD to buy (remember CD's?!), so for a 14 year old kid who couldn't drive and lived in a tiny suburb where the best I could hope for was the grocery store (long before the days of "grocery stores" having billions of items other than just food), I eagerly tagged along.
Anyway, we went to Target after eating, just perusing the aisles. Under the impression that my mom had already finished her Easter shopping (more than just candy, she love to get all sorts of crap for us and everyone else in the extended family), I figured we were just doing whatever we could.
In the book section, I found the novelization of the movie Stargate, and the novelization of All Good Things, Star Trek: The Next Generation's series finale that had aired almost a year prior. I was big into licesened properties, namely Star Trek, but also into movie novelizations for some reason. I really don't know why, but that was my jam at the time.
So I'm carrying these two books with me, and my parents find me. Mom asks what I've got, so I show her the books. She took them and put them in her cart, and I just didn't think about it. By the time we left, she had paid for them.
I didn't complain, because hey, free books. Not thinking, I didn't ask for the books when we got home. Chances are, I had been in the middle of another book at the time, and didn't feel the need to horde these on my already overstuffed bookcase.
The next morning, Easter Sunday, our parents woke us up to find our Easter baskets. You read that right--my at 14, my brother at 16, and my sister home from college at 19, were woken up early on a Sunday morning to find hidden Easter baskets. Adorable.
Oh yeah, the book itself.
I liked it. There was a lot more in the story than they could show on the television episode. I loved how characters that were somewhat prominent on the series but hadn't been seen for a while appeared, some getting a send-off, others just kind of...there.
To be honest, All Good Things wasn't the finale it could have been, and I attribute a lot of that to the fact that we knew Star Trek Generations was coming out six months after the episode. It wasn't like the last time we'd ever see these characters, although it did have a good, heartwarming feeling to it.
That said, the book to me was a bit of a tease, even though I had already seen the show and the movie. I read it expecting a big, hearty GOODBYE, LOYAL FANS! from all the characters, especially those tertiary characters like Dr. Pulaski, Wesley Crusher, and several others, but instead, it ended just like the show, fully prepared to usher us into Generations, and the next couple of movies.
Regardless, I enjoyed this. Maybe it was the memory of how I came to own the book, or maybe it was the nice, warm spring of 1995, a perfect end to a terrible freshmen year of high school, or maybe even something else I can't seem to recall at this moment.
TL;DR:
Good book. Great series. Happy Easter.
So. It's Saturday night, April 15th, 1995. Easter Eve. My parents and I went out for the evening, like we so often did. I was a freshman in high school, not wanting to be out with Mom and Dad, but I knew that not only would we go to dinner at a restaurant (probably Applebee's or some other sports bar/family type place that had popped up all of a sudden in Toledo all over the place at the time), we would go shopping afterward. I always had a book or CD to buy (remember CD's?!), so for a 14 year old kid who couldn't drive and lived in a tiny suburb where the best I could hope for was the grocery store (long before the days of "grocery stores" having billions of items other than just food), I eagerly tagged along.
Anyway, we went to Target after eating, just perusing the aisles. Under the impression that my mom had already finished her Easter shopping (more than just candy, she love to get all sorts of crap for us and everyone else in the extended family), I figured we were just doing whatever we could.
In the book section, I found the novelization of the movie Stargate, and the novelization of All Good Things, Star Trek: The Next Generation's series finale that had aired almost a year prior. I was big into licesened properties, namely Star Trek, but also into movie novelizations for some reason. I really don't know why, but that was my jam at the time.
So I'm carrying these two books with me, and my parents find me. Mom asks what I've got, so I show her the books. She took them and put them in her cart, and I just didn't think about it. By the time we left, she had paid for them.
I didn't complain, because hey, free books. Not thinking, I didn't ask for the books when we got home. Chances are, I had been in the middle of another book at the time, and didn't feel the need to horde these on my already overstuffed bookcase.
The next morning, Easter Sunday, our parents woke us up to find our Easter baskets. You read that right--my at 14, my brother at 16, and my sister home from college at 19, were woken up early on a Sunday morning to find hidden Easter baskets. Adorable.
Oh yeah, the book itself.
I liked it. There was a lot more in the story than they could show on the television episode. I loved how characters that were somewhat prominent on the series but hadn't been seen for a while appeared, some getting a send-off, others just kind of...there.
To be honest, All Good Things wasn't the finale it could have been, and I attribute a lot of that to the fact that we knew Star Trek Generations was coming out six months after the episode. It wasn't like the last time we'd ever see these characters, although it did have a good, heartwarming feeling to it.
That said, the book to me was a bit of a tease, even though I had already seen the show and the movie. I read it expecting a big, hearty GOODBYE, LOYAL FANS! from all the characters, especially those tertiary characters like Dr. Pulaski, Wesley Crusher, and several others, but instead, it ended just like the show, fully prepared to usher us into Generations, and the next couple of movies.
Regardless, I enjoyed this. Maybe it was the memory of how I came to own the book, or maybe it was the nice, warm spring of 1995, a perfect end to a terrible freshmen year of high school, or maybe even something else I can't seem to recall at this moment.
TL;DR:
Good book. Great series. Happy Easter.
February 4, 2019
A solid, efficient, smooth adaptation of the final TNG story, worthy of "Doctor Who" master Terrance Dicks. However, it's not as successful as Michael Jan Friedman's previous novelization of "Relics". There he comes up with a unique sub-plot based on a minor walk-on character in the episode. Here he does add some extra colour, but with such a rich script he could have gone to town with even greater enthusiasm. The best bits are the book-ends with Q's thoughts, but a number of other additions just feel like glorified cameos that only exist to shoe-horn in past characters (the Pulaski/Lwaxana & Gomez/Lefler scenes are particularly grating). It's certainly enjoyable for what it is, but I wish it were so much more.
February 21, 2025
Super fun, with some nicely added scenes not in the TV ep to expand the family.
May 19, 2022
This is a serviceable novelization of the final episode of Star Trek: TNG. It follows the TV episode closely with only a few, brief, inconsequential additional scenes. There isn't much of a value-add for people who have watched the episode. Your time is better spent watching the show or reading an original story.
December 4, 2022
Missed opportunity for more development. Probably just watch the episode again, instead. But, onward; I still have more than a dozen in the box that I inherited!
I did like old Worf, demoted to governor, musing "It was a good day to be dismissed."
I did like old Worf, demoted to governor, musing "It was a good day to be dismissed."
May 6, 2021
A true classic with an ending that has to be one of the best I've ever read AND watched.
November 26, 2024
Based on the final episode of Star Trek The Next Generation, this is the story of Captain Jean Luc Picard travelling through time. He shifts from Past to Present to Future and back and forth and so on. All three Picards are trying to solve a singular problem. A time displacement anomaly has appeared in the neutral zone that threatens the existence of humanity. Jean Luc and the crew of the Enterprise old and new are out to solve this dilemma.
Sitting on the sidelines observing all the action in all three timelines is, as you may have guessed, the omnipotent being known as Q. He is the one that allows Picard to time shift from past to present to future and back to past and so on and so forth.
What I liked about this book first and foremost is the interaction with the characters. One of the things that keeps you grounded in the Star Trek universe is the relationships that exist between the characters. Not only do they evolve within the story but also within the relationships they have with each other.
I also liked that this specific story ties in with the first Episode of Star Trek The Next Generation in that Q is doing this to Picard because technically Picard is still on trial for humanity. To understand this you really need to be a fan of the series or at least watched the first episode.
There is only one thing I didn't like about this story. They had to rely on technology to solve the dilemma. I am a detailed oriented reader. This author expected me to believe that the technology that was readily available in the present and future existed in the past. At the very least I expected to devote a chapter where Data and O'Brien (La Forge was not available in the past) had to work a substitute solution to equal the technology of the present and future. There was none of that. And how they got the technology in the past was really never explained. So, you can say that this was a minor complaint (and it is) but if you are asking me to suspend belief in the story at least be consistent.
This was a good read and I highly recommend it especially if you are a Star Trek fan.
Sitting on the sidelines observing all the action in all three timelines is, as you may have guessed, the omnipotent being known as Q. He is the one that allows Picard to time shift from past to present to future and back to past and so on and so forth.
What I liked about this book first and foremost is the interaction with the characters. One of the things that keeps you grounded in the Star Trek universe is the relationships that exist between the characters. Not only do they evolve within the story but also within the relationships they have with each other.
I also liked that this specific story ties in with the first Episode of Star Trek The Next Generation in that Q is doing this to Picard because technically Picard is still on trial for humanity. To understand this you really need to be a fan of the series or at least watched the first episode.
There is only one thing I didn't like about this story. They had to rely on technology to solve the dilemma. I am a detailed oriented reader. This author expected me to believe that the technology that was readily available in the present and future existed in the past. At the very least I expected to devote a chapter where Data and O'Brien (La Forge was not available in the past) had to work a substitute solution to equal the technology of the present and future. There was none of that. And how they got the technology in the past was really never explained. So, you can say that this was a minor complaint (and it is) but if you are asking me to suspend belief in the story at least be consistent.
This was a good read and I highly recommend it especially if you are a Star Trek fan.
June 7, 2023
"Star Trek: All Good Things" by Michael Friedman serves as a fitting conclusion to the beloved Star Trek: The Next Generation series. The novel successfully captures the essence of the show and offers fans an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
Friedman's storytelling shines as he adeptly navigates multiple timelines, effortlessly taking readers on a journey through different eras of the Star Trek universe. The narrative is skillfully crafted, maintaining reader interest and anticipation throughout.
The author's deep understanding of the characters is evident, as he brings them to life on the pages, capturing their distinct personalities and dynamics. Fans will appreciate the genuine portrayal of their favorite crew members, complete with their individual quirks.
"All Good Things" explores themes central to Star Trek, such as time, humanity, and unity, in a compelling manner. Friedman strikes a balance between weighty concepts and lighter moments, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable read.
The novel successfully combines nostalgia with fresh storylines, making it accessible to both long-time fans and newcomers to the Star Trek universe. It provides a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends while leaving room for reflection and speculation.
In summary, "Star Trek: All Good Things" by Michael Friedman is a satisfying conclusion to the Star Trek: The Next Generation series. With its adept storytelling, well-developed characters, and exploration of meaningful themes, this novel is a recommended read for Star Trek enthusiasts and science fiction fans.
June 12, 2022
All Good Things is a fantastic episode of TV, so there's a limit to how bad this could be. Friedman's novelisation gives some good extra character work through internal monologues, but other than that he doesn't really add a huge amount - that said its difficult to judge that, with this having been abridged for the audiobook version. It's possible that anything added got chopped for the abridgement.
Where the audiobook falls down is in the decision to make it a 'dramatic reading by Jonathan Frakes', rather than a standard narration. Bits of this work - mainly the sound effects of turbolifts, consoles and the swooshes to indicate timeshifts - but then there's the accents. Oh, the accents. Frakes does a British accent for Picard, complete with overly rolled r's, for some reason. He does Worf, which is pretty much just his Picard but slower. He does O'Brien - yikes. And he does Troi. Oh god, he does Troi. Not that it sounds remotely like Troi, but god. I very nearly gave up within a couple of minutes.
I stuck with it, and once you get used to the accents, you cringe a little less, and remember it's a decent story under it all. I'm still a little scarred from Frakes's Troi though.
Where the audiobook falls down is in the decision to make it a 'dramatic reading by Jonathan Frakes', rather than a standard narration. Bits of this work - mainly the sound effects of turbolifts, consoles and the swooshes to indicate timeshifts - but then there's the accents. Oh, the accents. Frakes does a British accent for Picard, complete with overly rolled r's, for some reason. He does Worf, which is pretty much just his Picard but slower. He does O'Brien - yikes. And he does Troi. Oh god, he does Troi. Not that it sounds remotely like Troi, but god. I very nearly gave up within a couple of minutes.
I stuck with it, and once you get used to the accents, you cringe a little less, and remember it's a decent story under it all. I'm still a little scarred from Frakes's Troi though.
June 16, 2025
Michael Jan Friedman deserves credit, he reportedly had just two weeks to write this novelization of All Good Things…, and the fact that it’s even readable (let alone cohesive) speaks to his skill as a tie-in author. The bones of the finale are all here: Picard’s time-hopping, Q’s cryptic trial, and the existential threat to humanity. It hits the emotional beats of the episode well enough and adds some nice internal reflection from Picard that the show simply didn’t have time for.
That said, the rush job does show.
Friedman pads the book with scenes involving secondary characters like Wesley, Pulaski, Guinan, and even Mr. Mot, many of which are fun in isolation but feel tacked on. These additions don’t advance the plot, and they’re not well integrated into the main narrative. They read more like bonus features than essential components of the story. You can almost feel the word count being met in real time.
Still, for TNG fans looking to spend a little more time with the crew, it’s an enjoyable enough read. Just don’t expect it to add much beyond what you already saw on screen.
That said, the rush job does show.
Friedman pads the book with scenes involving secondary characters like Wesley, Pulaski, Guinan, and even Mr. Mot, many of which are fun in isolation but feel tacked on. These additions don’t advance the plot, and they’re not well integrated into the main narrative. They read more like bonus features than essential components of the story. You can almost feel the word count being met in real time.
Still, for TNG fans looking to spend a little more time with the crew, it’s an enjoyable enough read. Just don’t expect it to add much beyond what you already saw on screen.
January 11, 2021
STTNG is one of my all-time favorite tv shows. This is the novelization of the final episode of the series. I was only luke warm on the episode. I am not sure why I thought the book would be "better." This was okay for me, but just okay. I miss these characters and the series. It is hard to believe it has been so long since it was on. I realize I am talking more about the show than the book, and it is kind of hard for me to separate them out.
I would be open to reading more stories like this that are "based on" the series but not related to any particular episodes.
I would be open to reading more stories like this that are "based on" the series but not related to any particular episodes.
July 19, 2021
I liked this one. Out of all the novelizations of movies and episodes, this one was fun to read but I felt it was missing something. I think because so many of the shows characters have moments, I wanted more depth—maybe a longer novel? I know this expands upon the teleplay, but I felt like I still wanted more.
I haven’t seen the episode yet. This is my first time reading one of these before watching—maybe that makes a difference.
I haven’t seen the episode yet. This is my first time reading one of these before watching—maybe that makes a difference.
May 6, 2024
TNG: All Good Things novelization by Micheal Jan Friedman
I’ve found myself reading a lot of novelizations this year for some reason! I decided to give the TNG finale novelization a try and it was great! It made the episode even better than it already was. It added nice bits here and there and Friedman was above average form when it comes to his writing, although probably it helped it was based on a sprict. Easily one of the best Trek books I’ve read this year.
8/10
I’ve found myself reading a lot of novelizations this year for some reason! I decided to give the TNG finale novelization a try and it was great! It made the episode even better than it already was. It added nice bits here and there and Friedman was above average form when it comes to his writing, although probably it helped it was based on a sprict. Easily one of the best Trek books I’ve read this year.
8/10
April 3, 2025
I really liked it. The start was a bit shaky as I didn't think Jonathan Frakes could do a good reading, but I was wrong. Once you get going, you're locked in all the way.
My only problem is that as someone who's actually seen the episode, I was a bit disappointed by the ending as it cut the final scene. Though I think this may be because it's an abridged cassett audio recording with time restrictions.
My only problem is that as someone who's actually seen the episode, I was a bit disappointed by the ending as it cut the final scene. Though I think this may be because it's an abridged cassett audio recording with time restrictions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
I wanted something easy to listen to on a drive... while the narration from Frakes is FANTASTIC (his Patrick Stewart impression is, well, impressive), this is just a straight novelization of the final episode of TNG, one I didn't even really LOVE in the first place. It's probably my fault for not looking closely enough!
September 6, 2025
Q sends Picard on a wild goose chase to stop the total destruction of all humanity in three time periods Past Present and Future and with the help of hos crew and friends they must stop the anomaly that will destroy everything human in the galaxy a 3 hour abridgement of the episode written by Michael Jan Friedman read by Jonathan Frakes
April 9, 2019
I always love any Q Episodes, Picard thinks he is crazy until things start coming together, and a great ending destroying more Enterprises in one episode than Kirk was able to do in almost all of his movies put together. This was a Good Read.
Read
December 11, 2019Nothing really earth-shattering was added to this but it was an entertaining novelization of one of my favorite TNG episodes. You do get a little more perspective on Q’s character but honestly I felt my interest in him waning with each subsistent post-TNG appearance he had.
November 19, 2020
A bit of nostalgia. Picked up in a job lot of books. It`s no great surprise the novelisation of the series finale of Star Trek:TNG All Good Things... What can I say not going to set the world on fire, and most people will stream the episode. I enjoyed it ideal for night time reading to switch off.
June 15, 2022
This was an excellent novelisation of the last episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I loved how Jonathan Frakes was the narrator, making this audiobook so great to listen to. Overall, I enjoyed this.
October 21, 2022
Fun, easy, and fast as a book. It's been so long since I actually watched the farewell episode of the series that this was basically a clean start for me. It's something I should have done before starting the Picard show or books a few years ago.
August 12, 2025
I feel like I’ve owned this book for eons and thought I’d read it before. Perhaps it was before the advent of Goodreads.
It’s as good as any Star Trek novelization is going to be. Entertaining with familiar characters.
It’s as good as any Star Trek novelization is going to be. Entertaining with familiar characters.
January 27, 2018
A very simple read, but very entertaining. I relived the entire story in my head as it was shown on the show.
September 23, 2018
3.5 / 4
October 23, 2018
Did not do the audio. Read the hard cover. The last show was so good I needed to read this to relive it.
January 13, 2019
This a alright read
April 9, 2019
This is a pretty good adaptation to the series finale.
August 22, 2020
Not bad. Adds some interesting context and fills in some plot holes. Worth my time.
June 13, 2021
From my original thoughts in 1997
'Eight pages of photos! What else can I say? Don't tell anyone I read it, twice.'
'Eight pages of photos! What else can I say? Don't tell anyone I read it, twice.'
July 16, 2022
Star Trek will always be my favorite books to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews