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The changes Star Trek: Picard went through between seasons is emblematic of its failings

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The changes Star Trek: Picard went through between seasons is emblematic of its failings

As a lifelong Trekkie who’s been following Star Trek since the original series premiered, I must admit that Picard’s third season left me more bewildered than a Romulan navigating the Alpha Quadrant. It wasn’t a disaster on par with the Nexus, but it certainly wasn’t the Voyage Home either.

The shift from Star Trek: Picard‘s second and third seasons significantly improved its public image, though it didn’t make it the greatest show in the franchise by any means, far from it. It’s still considered a subpar series. The third season was chaotic, with complex storylines, poorly crafted character exchanges, and an intention to undermine some of the most iconic characters ever created. It mirrored Star Trek’s modern equivalent of the contemporary Star Wars trilogy; a franchise struggling to move beyond nostalgia without a clear direction.

In a similar fashion to the latest Star Wars movies, Picard aimed at accomplishing just two objectives: generating material for a sequel and reintroducing classic elements that perhaps should have remained in the past for 30 years. However, it fell short in numerous aspects. Some viewers found pleasure in the nostalgic references presented, but upon closer examination, Season 3 did not meet expectations, particularly because of the portrayal of Picard as a distant father figure.

Despite what some might say about the third season being overly focused on a reunion, the true downside was the heavy cost they incurred to make it happen. This wasn’t just an issue of the show leaning too heavily on a reunion season; it was a genuine misstep. Even Patrick Stewart, the series lead, agreed to do the show only if it wouldn’t be primarily a reunion for the cast of The Next Generation.

Initially, it appeared to be something fresh, surpassing the realms of Star Trek: The Next Generation, with novel ideas in play. Characters like Raffi and Elnor were unlike those we’ve encountered before, while Picard stepping out of the Federation and relinquishing his command role provided him with a fresh narrative arc.

Instead, rather than using him as an inspiration for the fresh cast, he ended up having the most on-screen appearances. Essentially, the focus shifted towards his character, overshadowing others. While it’s understandable given the show is named after Picard, there was a missed opportunity to develop new characters who could flourish independently of a series that originated over 39 years ago.

The problem seems to be similar to what the initial movie series encountered when it came to figures like Savvik and others. Rather than allowing individual characters to stand out, they were often paired up with better-known characters, leaving them with limited opportunities to truly shine independently.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but notice the buzz surrounding the supposedly new character that caught everyone’s attention—Captain Liam Shaw. He was more than just a sidekick; he stood toe-to-toe with Picard and had a valid beef against the icon. His unique presence and charisma set him apart, making him truly unforgettable.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel that every character could have had such a rich, consistent journey if the series hadn’t been in such disarray. It felt like showrunners were changing hands more frequently than the weather, and no single individual seemed capable of weaving together three seasons with a sense of continuity. Each season felt like a stark departure from the one before it.

From dropped characters, like the aforementioned Elnor, Dr. Agnes Jurati, and Cris Rios, to the dropped story lines of Picard’s Romulan love-interest and of course the likes of Soij and her entire family line. The lack of any consistency from season one to season three will forever haunt the Picard franchise.

Initially, watching the new episodes was quite enjoyable, much like getting regular doses of dopamine. However, future generations may look back unfavorably on this series, as they come to understand that it was merely a blatant attempt to capitalize on nostalgia. This is reminiscent of the recent Star Wars trilogy.

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2024-10-12 03:25

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