New Trek show...

[Anomalocaris]

I don't know how famous Stewart was across the pond before TNG, but in the states he was just a dude who had small parts in that crappy Dune movie and that trippy Excalibur movie.  TNG offered him a way to increase his fame and bank account with very little risk (he could always simply go back to theater and small movie roles).  That the role became iconic is a testament to both the writers of that era, and his performances (especially season 3 forward), but I neither doubt nor begrudge him for taking the role because he wanted to get paid for his craft.

I have no problem with people wanting to make money, but, after encountering the visionary Gene Roddenberry, I would have thought that Mr. Stewart would have had something a little "deeper" to say while on national television.

It is better to just admit one is in it for the money, then to take the money and bite the hand that gave it, as William Shatner did by making fun of his audience on Saturday night live.