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The final episode of Star Trek: Picard season 3, titled “The Last Generation,” initially had a different conclusion planned by Patrick Stewart. However, this concept was set aside for a clearer goodbye. I find Stewart’s idea intriguing, but I believe the series made the right choice with its ending. Over the course of three seasons, Picard skillfully led the Star Trek: Picard cast. The show’s finale, though, focused less on the title character and more on the relationships that shaped the esteemed Starfleet officer.

Winning the part of Captain Jean-Luc Picard within the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” propelled Patrick Stewart into his defining role. He continued to appear in all four movies set during the TNG era after the series ended, only to seemingly bid farewell. However, the opportunity to return to the franchise surfaced in 2020 when Star Trek: Picard was launched. Although the show initially steered clear of a “TNG” reunion, the final season eventually transformed into one. In his 2023 autobiography, “Making It So: A Memoir,” Stewart shares how he nearly saw his ideal “Picard” ending realized.

Patrick Stewart’s Pitch For Star Trek: Picard Season 3’s Ending Explained

The actor wanted Admiral Picard to end the show at his vineyard

Beyond discussing his decision to reprise the role of Jean-Luc Picard after nearly two decades, Patrick Stewart’s book, “Making It So,” also presents his ideas for how he envisioned the end of “Star Trek: Picard.” According to Stewart himself, the final scene showing the crew of the USS Enterprise celebrating over a game of poker was not initially planned as the conclusion for Picard. Instead, he successfully argued for an additional scene depicting Jean-Luc Picard in a more peaceful setting.

I shared my preference for the show’s conclusion,” I said, “and that was a calm and composed Jean-Luc Picard. I didn’t want to see him stressed, agitated or downhearted. And I believe this could imply the presence of a spouse in his life.

In a beautiful scene, the authors depict dusk at Jean-Luc’s vineyard. Jean-Luc stands there, gazing out, with his faithful companion by his side. Suddenly, from off-screen, a woman’s tender voice echoes: “Jean-Luc? Dinner is served!

Is it Beverly Crusher’s voice? Laris’s? Someone we don’t know? It isn’t made clear.

– Patrick Stewart, Making It So: A Memoir (2023)

The original scene featuring Sunny Ozell reading from an unidentified wife character of Picard (Stewart’s fictional spouse) was intended to add to the mystery surrounding the off-screen woman. However, this scene wasn’t filmed due to scheduling conflicts on the final day of shooting for Star Trek: Picard. Stewart pledged to come back later and film the vineyard scene, as he needed to catch a flight.

The intended reading by Sunny Ozell of a line from Picard’s undisclosed wife was meant to create confusion about the identity of the off-screen woman. Regrettably, this unfilmed scene was scheduled on the last day of Star Trek: Picard filming and clashed with Stewart’s remaining tasks. He agreed to return later to shoot the vineyard scene because he had an upcoming flight.

It turned out that the studio decided not to have Stewart rejoin for filming the poker scene because they considered it both too costly and unnecessary. Consequently, Picard’s storyline concluded with this particular scene featuring Picard himself. Although Stewart felt his idea was essential to wrapping up Picard’s narrative, he acknowledged that the show’s finale was a “warm, emotional farewell” to his cherished Starfleet team.

Star Trek: Picard’s Real Ending Worked Far Better

“The Last Generation” ends with a massive nod to The Next Generation’s finale

It’s entirely reasonable that Patrick Stewart desired to refocus on Jean-Luc prior to the conclusion of Picard, as he was, indeed, the main character in the series. However, I’m relieved that Paramount decided against incorporating the vineyard scene. While Picard’s original actor initially balked at making the show a reunion of Star Trek: The Next Generation, if the crew’s reunion in season 3 had never occurred, the show would have fallen short. Essentially, Star Trek: Picard season 3 took on the role of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 8, and that’s perfectly acceptable.

In light of this, the poker game at the end of “The Last Generation” gains even more significance. The Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) crew concludes their journey together over a round of poker, with Patrick Stewart’s character eventually accepting the long-standing invitation to play. This poignant goodbye was remarkably echoed in Picard’s final moments. It served as a subtle reminder that although they may be leading separate lives now, they remain a close-knit family. Leaving Jean-Luc in his vineyard immediately following this scene would have diminished the emotional impact of the TNG reunion.

Patrick Stewart Still Isn’t Done With Jean-Luc Picard

A Star Trek: Picard movie could be on the way

After some persuasion, Stewart agreed to reprise his role as Jean-Luc for Star Trek: Picard. Yet, as revealed in Making It So, he found joy in refining his acting for the mature version of the character. Moreover, he joined the series under the condition that it would not extend beyond a single season. This entire scenario makes it intriguing to learn that he is eager to portray Jean-Luc Picard once more in a full-length film production.

It seems that Jean-Luc Picard’s story may be nearing its end, but who knows what the future holds? I’m hoping to persuade Paramount to allow us to create a standalone Picard film. This wouldn’t be another Next Generation movie as we’ve already made four of those. Instead, it would broaden and enrich the universe we’ve explored in Star Trek: Picard. I’ve chatted about this idea with Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, and LeVar Burton, and they are all on board. My top pick to direct it is Jonathan.

– Patrick Stewart, Making It So: A Memoir (2023)

The conclusion of Star Trek: Picard paves the way for a more rational continuation, such as the eagerly awaited (yet not yet confirmed) Star Trek: Legacy, which would center around the crew of the USS Enterprise-G, led by Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine. Picard‘s showrunner Terry Matalas has been unsuccessful in launching Legacy, but it’s something that many Star Trek fans are eager for. While Picard’s story found a satisfying conclusion in the series named after him, there’s still a possibility that another film could bring the character back again according to Patrick Stewart’s suggestion.

Despite rumors about a script emerging for a “Star Trek: Picard” film, Paramount has yet to officially approve it. If it does come to fruition, I imagine Patrick Stewart might advocate for his tranquil vineyard finale once more. Additionally, I feel that neglecting to incorporate aspects from “The Next Generation” in the potential movie would be unwise, as it was the reunion of Picard’s crew that ultimately brought out the best in “Star Trek: Picard.

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2025-05-29 00:38

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