CBS All Access’s new Star Trek show, Picard, has three things going for it right out of the gate that will likely mean the show becomes a success, loyal Star Trek fans, people pulled in from the nostalgia of The Next Generation, and what appears to be a great budget.
Let’s face it, the first two elements don’t mean much without a good budget. If a cheap, badly written Star Trek series was released with poor special effects, no one would care. Star Trek fans, especially, would eviscerate a half-hearted attempt at a show set in their favorite universe. However, Picard proves to be much better than that. The producers of the show, as well as CBS, appear to have faith in Picard. The writing of the first episode is top notch. The show is beautifully shot, with special effects that already promise to be some of the best seen on a Star Trek TV series yet. Also, let’s not forget the cast. None other than Sir Patrick Stewart himself reprises one of his most famous roles.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard returns to TV having retired from the Starfleet. He spends his days on Earth, in France, where he owns a vineyard. This is such a fitting retirement scenario for the Picard we all love, the Captain with a soul of a poet. However, he still mourns the loss of Data during the events of Star Trek: Nemesis and is tormented with dreams about Data as well as the Romulans.
Also, some may say "fan service", but I say "I can’t wait" as Picard is set to have guest stars that fans of Star Trek will love to see. Data already appeared on the first episode, if only as part of Jean-Luc’s dreams. However, Ryker, Troi, and even Seven-of-Nine are set to make appearances as well.
In the first episode, Picard agrees to an interview where he is questioned about his resignation from Starfleet. His response proves how sensitive the subject is to him and how far he believes Starfleet has strayed from where they should be. I believe this is laying the groundwork for his re-involvement with Starfleet. Either he’ll fix the atrocities he believes Starfleet has let happen, fix Starfleet itself, or both.
One thing I, personally, hope is fixed in this series is the story of Data. Nemesis left us with a lesser Data. Although he sacrificed himself in an explosion that saved Picard and the crew of the Enterprise, Data uploaded his memories into his “brother” B-4. To me, this was kind of an Old Yeller ending. Sure, the character we love died, but his puppy is still there. That's supposed to leave us with a happy ending. With B-4 as that puppy, I had always hoped that Data’s memories would eventually surface, making B-4 essentially turn into the Data we’d watched for years.
With Jean-Luc still very upset about Data’s death, I’m guessing that didn’t happen. However, Data factors heavily into the plot of Picard. Will we see him return? Only time will tell.
Speaking of time, Picard focuses on the man, Jean-Luc. He’s older and knows he doesn’t have a long time left. He was a great hero but has many things in his life that he regrets. This creates a bittersweet aspect of the show, a man self-aware of his own mortality.
Aside from Jean-Luc, the show also focuses on a person who may or may not be Data’s daughter. After the events of Nemesis, Androids are illegal. So, if she is what Jean-Luc thinks she is, her existence is a mystery Jean-Luc intends to figure out.
With that, the new show delves deeply into the character of Picard. While The Next Generation was beloved for its characters, its weekly episodes were often leaning to a procedural structure. Picard looks as if it will instead devote itself primarily to characterization, specifically of Jean-Luc, with procedural elements possibly being a thing of the past. Instead, Picard may end up falling into a different type of action altogether.
Whereas most Star Trek shows operate inside of Gene Roddenberry’s initial premise of a militaristic, rule-based organization that explores and protects the universe, Picard is shaping up to be an oddball of sorts in comparison. Picard is no longer part Starfleet, so he doesn’t have to follow their rules anymore. In the first episode, he already shows his desire to right Starfleet’s wrongs. He also shows no hesitation against pressing forward to find the answers at the heart of the mystery that is Data’s daughter.
This abandonment of rules will give Picard its own identity within the Star Trek universe making it an exciting installment. With Jean-Luc as a rogue operator off on his own trying to solve a mystery unique to this series, Star Trek may have found its Mandalorian.
However, fans will have to wait and see if Picard proves to be a success while waiting to see the old Captain of the Enterprise discover the answers to the mystery he’s found. Jean-Luc’s self-awareness of his own mortality, combined with his lamentation of the fate of Data, looks as if he’ll be rushing to get answers with more of a sense of desperation and urgency than we’ve seen before. He’ll need to hurry too, because the cliffhanger at the end of the first episode leaves viewers with the promise of Borgs to come.
Picard has all the hallmarks of a great show. Patrick Stewart’s return as the famous Captain Picard should be enough to get any Star Trek fan rabid to see more, but thankfully the show doesn’t rely on that alone. Picard is exciting, yet character driven. It’s action-packed, yet mysterious. With just the first episode out, I can’t wait to see more. So, Jean-Luc Picard, you “don’t want to see the game end?” Neither do we.
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