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Patrick Stewart seemingly hated one aspect of Star Trek: The Next Generation the most

BBG News

As a dedicated Trekker who grew up with Captain Picard at the helm, I can attest to Patrick Stewart’s undeniable impact on the Star Trek universe. Yet, it’s fascinating to learn about his complex relationship with the franchise and his performances within it.

For many years, Patrick Stewart has been prominently associated with the Star Trek franchise, succeeding William Shatner in that role. Over seven seasons, four films, and a reboot series, he’s guided his unique take on Star Trek. He’s widely recognized as one of the most dedicated advocates for the brand, and his charisma has been instrumental in fostering the camaraderie among the Next Generation cast.

Indeed, Stewart’s stance towards the franchise has often been quite critical, or so it was in the past. At a certain point, he seemed to have no interest, or even an aversion, to the franchise. His desire to leave was so strong that the writers and producers were considering writing him off at the end of part one of the “Best of Both Worlds” two-parter during season three.

If Patrick Stewart hadn’t returned for season four, Jonathan Frakes would have taken over as the main character, possibly with Elizabeth Dennehy joining as Shelby, the new second-in-command of the ship. However, that didn’t transpire, and Stewart continued to be associated with the franchise for many years. Nevertheless, Stewart wasn’t always enthusiastic about his acting on the show, often disliking watching himself perform.

It appears that the issue isn’t primarily about the show but rather Stewart’s discomfort with his own acting. It’s surprising that someone who is critical would voluntarily subject themselves to watching their performances if they find it uncomfortable, as suggested by his role in the production.

Indeed, it was precisely what he did when given the directing responsibilities on Star Trek: The Next Generation. In an interview at The Captain’s Summit in 2018 (through Fandom Wire), Patrick Stewart confessed that he disliked acting so much that he aimed to minimize his own role in those specific episodes.

All so he didn’t have to suffer through his own work. He’d go on to say;

I felt I couldn’t play the captain and take on that responsibility. I don’t know how it was for you when we were directing episodes, I hated the days when I had to act, and furthermore, I couldn’t act in the episodes I directed. … I was so stiff in my own episodes and I tried to get them to cut my scenes down – they would do that anyway, they would give you an episode in which you were light.

It’s quite engaging to notice Stewart openly criticizing himself as an actor. Most people would agree that he’s one of Star Trek’s most valuable talents. So, it’s understandable when he feels uneasy watching his own performances, a feeling many of us share. Few would enjoy replaying their performances like that. Add to that the pressure of judging if your work is good enough to make the final cut – that’s quite another level!

Even as an artist, executing a scene to your satisfaction can be challenging. But if you constantly doubt your abilities during the scenes you direct, it’s crucial to learn self-acceptance. If not, you may find yourself endlessly reshooting the same scenes.

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2024-10-05 21:23

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