Star Trek: Picard is the Star Trek series that many purists might not want, but it is exactly the kind of Star Trek we need today. Set after the Romulan supernova in the 2009 film, Picard stays the course of the original timeline instead of diverging into the Abrams/Kelvin one. In my opinion, this is a great take since not only do the effects and technological advances make more sense, but it allows the viewer and production team to explore a much more familiar unknown rather than carve up new ground in an alternate reality.
As far as the titular character is concerned, Jean-Luc Picard has become what I am affectionately calling the Bernie Sanders of the Star Trek universe. He has become an angry and stubborn old man who no longer gives a care about regulations, rules or, frankly, even common sense as long as it doesn’t serve the moral good. In a sense, the show is one old man’s odyssey to right the wrongs of his past, and I think it works great.
However, it’s not just about Old Man Picard. Many other new characters and crew line the former captain’s exploits. A grizzled Captain Rios, synthetics specialist Dr. Agnes Jurati, and former Starfleet admiral- and frenemy to Picard- Raffi round out the main cast as they pursue Dr. Bruce Maddox and the mysterious Soji, a daughter of Data. I think that this cast of unique characters is what truly makes the show feel like a classic Trek endeavor. Yes, the show is about Picard’s past and future at its core, but that would be unachievable and frankly quite one note without the crew. Thankfully, most of the auxiliary characters are wonderfully fleshed out and unique. Everyone has a role to play and does not disappoint. The interweaving and coincidences that bind them are a bit much, but nothing that a seasoned Trek fan can’t get behind.
Of course the enigmatic and legendary Picard cannot possibly ignore his fabled past, and the show delivers in that regard. Seven of Nine, Riker, Troi, and Data among others make appearances. While it is nice to see some familiar faces, I don’t see this as a real highlight of the show and I think the show realizes this. The past is always looming over the story, but not restrictively so. It’s not an extension of The Next Generation. It could never be that because the world has changed. It’s nice to see that Star Trek can change to fit our current times and still stay true to the core identity. It might be darker and more gritty than what came before, but it seems right.
My main problem is with the ending. While I will not spoil it, I must say that something happens that changed the whole way I looked at the series and left a sour taste that I fear will never quite come out. It is rare for me that I let a single bad decision inform my larger opinion, but this was egregious.
Overall, I still recommend Picard. It is still as good of a Star Trek entry as ever and enjoyable to boot. Picard is far from perfect, but then again that is its’ greatest strength. Seeing Picard back in the saddle was always bound to be bittersweet. Bitter for it not being worthy of the name, sweet for seeing what the future held. It couldn’t be worse or better. Like the legendary namesake, it is what it is and unapologetically so. I like it that way.
Calm and Cultured 