Picard begins the legendary Captain’s exploits some 20 years after we last saw him. He is now retired on his family’s vineyard quietly living out his days. It is not long before we find out it’s not as pleasant as one might think.
The show builds off the tragedy of Romulus’ sun going supernova, which prompts Jean-Luc to leave the captain’s chair and accept the position of Admiral in order to lead a massive rescue mission. Further tragedy strikes shortly after as the shipyards of Mars, who were underway constructing the rescue ships, were destroyed by rogue synths assigned to work there. In the aftermath, synths are banned and Starfleet, without a rescue fleet, decides to cancel aid to Romulus. This prompts Picard to voice his discontent against Starfleet and lay down his ultimatum. Resume the rescue or accept his resignation. Starfleet goes with the latter. What follows is Picard completely removing himself from the landscape and withdrawing to his own ruminations and bitterness.
The show is ignited as he learns about the existence of Commander Data’s daughters, and the chance to save a life. Picard is shown to have deep remorse over the loss of his old friend. As the show blossoms, it is unabashed in its portrayal of redemption as seen from Picard as well as the other characters.
A criticism of the show was in its portrayal or lack thereof in Starfleet’s ideals, most notably seen as they abandoned the Romulans their fate. As well as Picard himself, in his act of abandoning the good fight by resigning from Starfleet and the rest of the universe. Understandably disturbing points.
How could Starfleet come to this place? Where pragmatism dominates and the one preaching idealism is effectively sidelined. Though Picard resigns, they wholly accepted it and quickly moved on. Then you have Picard, the captain that saved the known universe on more than one occasion, the fixed and unshakeable beacon of Starfleet’s values time and time again, just turn his back and walk away. These are both undeniably events and portrayals seldom seen in the “Star Trek” universe and now we see they have respectively come to pass. The show starts with a heavy feeling of loss and pain that weighs down considerably on the viewer, as it should, it’s been weighing down on the characters for 20 years. With all this laid into the blueprints of the show, I counter the criticism and say that’s exactly what makes the vision of Star Trek shine even more brightly.
“Star Trek” has always been relatable to viewers in that the show is a mirror to the world we live in while pushing forward to realize the best of ourselves. From the original series through “Voyager;” even “Discovery,” the tonality changes but the message is always the same.
Imagine a Starfleet that always makes the right decision, that always rises above to the fullest realization of our finest values, and you will have a universe that in no way reflects any of our frailties and shortcomings. This, then, is not a mirror to our world at all and how can it reflect our struggles to be the best we can be.
Picard takes the path less traveled in the “Star Trek” mythos, one of redemption. Picard realizes that in turning his back on the world he turned his back on every opportunity since to help those he cared for and those who needed him. Throughout the show, he is shown vulnerable and humble in his acceptance of his faults and then slowly resolute in his determination to redeem his actions. The cast that assembles around him are all birds of a feather. Each with their own personal trauma and guilt. Each with sufficient reasons not to care and still they rise up to the occasion in their own way to stand behind Picard. He in turn stands before them with full transparency.
Starfleet’s actions depicted 20 years ago were not its finest moment and like all things, it faltered. Jean-Luc walking away proved something, one man can make a difference. He only finds that out as he realizes what his absence has caused. This journey is his carrying the torch of all that “Star Trek” holds dear and holding it against the darkness now in this universe, as well as a darkness of his own guilt. Failure and remorse are ever-present in the human condition but redemption is rarely sought.
There is plenty to offer fans throughout the season; the Borg and Seven of Nine, Data and his legacy, Riker and Troi, plus a great new cast of characters to add to the mythos. The most enriching however is the performance of Sir Patrick Stewart, eloquent and evoking at the same time. My major critique was, as a character piece with so many potentially strong characters, 10 episode limit handicapped potential development as well as a stunted story arc.
If nothing else Picard is at its heart, a reclamation of the core “Star Trek” ideals and the fact that there was some stumbling along the way just goes to prove whether, in our world or Gene Roddenberry’s, we’re only human.
Written by Victor Mercado
