September 28th 1987. This was the premier date for Star Trek The Next Generation. I was almost 24 years old. I was both excited and worried at the same time. Excited because it was the first revisit to the Star Trek Universe on television since Star Trek The Animated Series. Worried because I had learned that a Klingon would be on the bridge of the Enterprise and it’s Captain, would be an older, bald guy. A far cry from the energetic, charismatic ladies man that we were used to with William Shatner’s Captain Kirk. Although some might question the balding point. But that’s a discussion for another time.
Encounter at Farpoint
So when Encounter at Farpoint premiered, I was underwhelmed. Our new Captain was rather strait-laced and hardly charismatic. The ship’s councilor was weepy and their android crewman was seemingly monochromatic in delivery and in manner. Although I was excited about DeForest Kelley’s cameo.
I needn’t had worried. It was basically just growing pains. As time went on, I grew to love the Captain and the crew. And that new Klingon guy? He became my favorite character. So much so I followed him to Deep Space Nine when he transitioned there. For seven seasons I followed the Enterprise D and crew as well as their cinematic adventures. I then followed Mr. Worf to Deep Space Nine but when that ended, that was it. I never really watched Voyager, Enterprise, or Discovery (that will change). So I was very excited when Patrick Stewart announced he was returning to his role as Picard. I was counting the days.
Picard’s Debut
So as each trailer was released, and news of cameos from familiar faces were revealed, it became must see TV. Well we have reached that time and the first episode of Picard has aired. I will not attempt to explore the episode as our new writer @AaronFurq has already done that. I do, however, want to discuss some of the connections to the past. So let’s do that.
Poker and the Enterprise D
Poker was an integral part of crew bonding on the Enterprise D. Especially for the senior staff. This was first introduced in the episode The Measure of the Man. The episode was introduced with Data playing Poker with the crew. This is echoed in an opening scene in Picard. A dream sequence involving Data playing Poker with Picard. When Data calls Picard’s bet, The Captain hesitates. When asked why he was “stalling,” he responds that he doesn’t want the game to end. That would make sense as Data, as we know, was killed at the end of Star Trek Nemesis. So having him back was a good memory. As one ages, we tend to cling to those memories. Score one for normalcy.
Bruce Maddox
This episode also introduced the character of Commander Bruce Maddox android expert. He was the one that elicited the need for Picard to defend Data’s rights to choose. In this case, to yield to Commander Maddox’s experiments. Picard won that case and Data refused his request.
The Need for Family
Another thing we learned as the series progressed was the need for Data to live beyond his own existence and the desire for family. It is why that he pushed for the activation of another Soong Android in the episode DataLore. Lore was a pre-Data version that was considered to be “too human” as Lore described it.
Data later on wanted to experience the “joys of parenthood” by creating his “offspring”Lal. This happened in the 3rd season Episode The OffSpring. Lal was initially a non-descript Android that decided for itself to choose a female form. This episode ended on a sad note as Data explains that despite his best efforts, Lal as she advanced, suffered complete neural system failure at 13:00 hours. Captain Picard tells him how much the crew is saddened by his loss. Data thanks him for the sympathy, but points out that she is there with him: that her presence enriched his life so much that he could not allow her to pass in oblivion. That is why he transferred her memories into himself. So the concept of family was not uncommon when it comes to Data or Picard.
Connections
So while only one episode of Picard has been released, already a number of connections have been established. Connections that tie the past with the present. Enough to intrigue those familiar with the original Next Generation and also help drive the new series. I look forward to what’s next with Picard. As a traditionalist, I love links to the past.
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.
