The cast and crew were on contract to run for eight seasons, but they cancelled after season 7, disappointing and/or puzzling most of them, as it was an out-of-the-ordinary decision to make for a show as successful as it was. According to the rest of the franchise's developers, though, the decision was made because Deep Space Nine premiered in the shadow of season 6 of The Next Generation, so it would've allowed some to watch more of the then-new show. Plus, they were also making the first plans for Star Trek: Voyager. Although the cinematic torch had been passed from the crew of the Original and Animated Series in Star Trek: Generations, knowing of this, coupled with all the unmade episodes, kind of makes me wonder a little what Star Trek might've been like season 8 had been allowed to proceed, and if they still would've made the T.N.G. films, and what forms they would've taken if season 8 had proceeded as originally planned. (That's not to say that I regret getting Star Trek: Picard or Strange New Worlds or any of the T.N.G. films, 'cause I don't; I'm just contemplating the possibilities, that's all).