Red Alert
For fans of immediate action, Season 2 of Star Trek Picard met you head on. The show started with an unknown ship (at that time) in Red Alert and apparently under attack. Security was racing to the bridge of the vessel to confront the cause of the Alert as explosions rocked the ship. The source appeared to be a Borg like being who had infiltrated the Bridge and was taking out crew members left and right. Rios is on the bridge as well as Admiral Picard, Dr. Jurati and Seven of Nine. With the intruder taking control of the vessel, Picard has ordered the ship’s self-destruct countdown. As it gets close to Zero-Hour, the intruder calls Picard by name…as the opening credits start. Welcome back to Star Trek Picard.
Fear of Commitment
From there, time shifts back 48 hours earlier. Picard is at his vineyard at harvest time. He is enjoying the experience as he walks the vineyard with his dog “Number One,” sampling the grapes as they are plucked by transporter devices and wine bottles are made and labeled. Later, he is sitting inside his house with Laris, drinking glasses of wine. They toast to the day, and Laris now departed partner Zhaban. How he died is not explained but since that time, it is apparent that she has developed feelings for Picard. He, however, seems unwilling or unable to pursue this relationship. All that life’s wisdom and he can’t seem to seize an opportunity when it is presented. C’mon Jean Luc! As for Laris, she appears disappointed but not surprised. However, the next morning she makes it clear that a line has been drawn between them. Shame.
Starfleet Academy
However, Picard had other responsibilities to occupy his time. He is now the Chancellor at Starfleet Academy and has a speech to make to the cadets. Among them is Elnor, the first full Romulan at Starfleet Academy. Also attending is Commander Raffi Musiker who watches the proceedings with the look of a proud Mom. Afterwards, Jean Luc presents Elnor with a book by Ambassador Spock. In it, Spock talks about the challenges of being set apart and fitting in. Elnor was honored by the gift, but he had to depart for the Excelsior. Commander Raffi also was bound for Excelsior but stopped to talk to Picard. They talked about relationships with Raffi chastising Picard about using his duties to avoid them and Picard doing the same about her and Seven. It’s pretty apparent that Starfleet is tough on relationships.
An Old Friend
After leaving Starfleet Academy, Picard transports to a new location. Its sign designates it as “Number 10.” Upon entering the establishment, Picard finds the El-Aurian Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), his old friend from the Enterprise-D. They hug and sit down to drink and talk. That IS what you do at a bar, isn’t it? Picard tells Guinan about his situation with Laris. Once again, Guinan is also not surprised. Picard has always had a problem with relationships. He chose to get involved only with people he knew were temporary in nature. As Guinan told him, he would sooner put his life at risk rather than his heart. Wise woman that Guinan.
Requested by Name
Meanwhile, Soji from Season One has been continuing to meet and greet different species, learning how to communicate with them and learn as much as she can. She talks briefly with Dr. Jurati who tells Soji that her relationship with Captain Rios has ended but she still works with him. Can NO ONE make a relationship work among these people? Regardless, Rios has requested that Jurati return to his ship, the U.S.S Stargazer. This was of course the name of Picard’s first command. Talk about Legacy pressure. In this case, during Seven’s ventures through space in Rios old ship, she had detected a Spacial Anomaly and Stargazer was ordered to investigate. Rios wanted Jurati’s expertise. Upon their arrival, they picked up a transmission. After analyzing it, they found it to be multiple languages laid over top of each other. It proved to be a communication, asking for help from Picard by name.
Aboard the Stargazer
This brings about a visit to Picard by Admiral Sally Whitley (April Grace). She explains the situation that Stargazer has discovered and wants Picard to join Captain Rios. Mainly to see what they want from Picard and by extension, the Federation. She offers him his Starfleet Communication device. Never let it be said that Jean Luc Picard would not answer a personal request. Especially when it means going back into space. So, he accepts and meets up with Rios and the Stargazer. Seven of Nine is also there and explains to Picard that Stargazer was fitted with technology gleamed from the Romulan’s captured Borg ship. She believes that because of that, the ship’s crew is uncertain of her. Especially since she still has some Borg implants.
Back to the Beginning
Picard attempts to make contact with whoever is calling him by name. As this happens, a Federation fleet also appears as backup. One of these ships is the Excelsior. After a couple of attempts, a vessel comes through the anomaly. A Borg vessel. It soon requests to send an emissary to negotiate directly with Picard. Captain Rios rejects the proposal but the Emissary somehow comes aboard regardless, defeating the Stargazer’s shields. Once aboard, it starts extending tentacle like appendages , plugging into the ships consoles. Soon, it is taking control of the Stargazer as well as the other Federation ships in the area. This is what started the beginning firefight, red alert and eventual auto self destruct command. As the countdown reaches Zero, the Borg entity tells Picard to look up.
Q Returns
Picard finds himself back home in France. But there are some subtle changes. As he is trying to decipher what happened, a familiar voice speaks: Q (John DeLancie). The omnipotent powerful being who has tormented Picard since his introduction in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Encounter at Farpoint. At first, Q looks like his younger self. But in seeing Jean Luc, he transforms himself to be more representative of Picard’s physical age. He is glad to see Picard but warns him, “The trial never ends.” At least Picard now knows what he is up against.
Thoughts
This was a great Season opener with action to start, old friends to connect with, and a visit with Q always makes for a fun time. As forementioned, one of the initial over-riding themes of this episode is that relationships are hard. Hard to maintain and sometimes, even hard to start. Picard was reminded of this by not only by Raffi but also by Guinan. It was great to see Whoopi and Patrick together again. Their chemistry and feeling of old friends united was effortless and comfortable. (Of course, I saw Patrick offer Whoopi the chance to be on Picard when he visited her on The View. “Please say, yes!” He was so excited when she agreed.) But I digress again. It was a great moment and hopefully not the last. Also, anytime I can see John DeLancie play the role of Q, it is an entertaining day. I look forward to seeing what the writers have in store for Picard. When it involves Q, its usually going to have some surprises in store. Can’t wait for the next episode.
Star Trek Picard can be seen on Paramount Plus, with new Episodes on Thursdays.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
