STAR TREK: PICARD SEASON 3 (2023)
(SCI-FI/ DRAMA )
CREATOR - GOLDSMAN, CHABON, BEYER, KURTZMAN
STARRING - PATRICK STEWART
MY RATING - 8 / 10
Yes! Yes! Yes! Which quadrant of the galaxy has this version of the show been hiding in? Either this iteration of Star Trek: Picard has been making use of a cloaking device, or it’s slid in from a different timeline where the writers know how to treat characters of sci-fi legend.
Sure, it would have been a little much to come out of the gates with this. But come on. Did we really have to suffer through two seasons of mediocre action before we got our reward?
Sure, it would have been a little much to come out of the gates with this. But come on. Did we really have to suffer through two seasons of mediocre action before we got our reward?
This season left dry dock at warp 9 (never warp 10 - remember the lizards?) and the deuterium never ran dry. This time, we finally had something that had been missing for the rest of the run of Star Trek: Picard. Season 3 had stakes.
There was something to fight for. Something to lose. It paid homage in all the right ways, while still standing strong as a show of its own. Maybe we thought we wanted TNG S8. It wasn’t what we got, and it worked out so much better for that fact alone.
There was something to fight for. Something to lose. It paid homage in all the right ways, while still standing strong as a show of its own. Maybe we thought we wanted TNG S8. It wasn’t what we got, and it worked out so much better for that fact alone.
A Slow Burner For Those Seeking Nostalgia
When the first Star Trek: Picard season 3 trailer dropped, it was glaringly obvious what the showrunners were trying to do. They were twirling their lasso of legacy and trying to ensnare the TNG fans that had already stopped watching.
Fans got what they wanted eventually, but not before a sweeping (and accidental) mission across the quadrant for Picard to get the old gang back together. Riker was permitted an immediate entrance to show - seeing as he and his former captain had already reconnected way back in Picard season 1
Fans got what they wanted eventually, but not before a sweeping (and accidental) mission across the quadrant for Picard to get the old gang back together. Riker was permitted an immediate entrance to show - seeing as he and his former captain had already reconnected way back in Picard season 1
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But the arrival of everyone else had to be organic in order to feel earned. And boy, did they pull it off. Not only was there a slick reveal of Worf, but Star Trek: Picard brought back Data, Geordie, and the rest of the Enterprise bridge crew.
Wesley was an odd omission, especially since his reintroduction at the back end of season 2. But his wasn’t the only narrative tie that was cut. There was a feeling at times that the writers were treating Star Trek: Picard season as a beast all of its own. For how it turned out, we’ll forgive the “oversights”. |
New Additions To The Starfleet Family
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It may feel bold at first to add new main characters to a show’s final season. But, if it’s done correctly, it can add a last minute burst of fresh air. In ST:P, this injection of new energy comes in the form of Captain Liam Shaw.
Todd Stashwick plays the role with an initial unlike-ability that paints him as the apparent villain the show has been desperate for. Not only that, his character arc is one of the best and most rewarding in Trek history. |
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Seven of Nine isn’t close to being a new character, but having her as an official member of Starfleet is a welcome progression for her. Voyager fans especially will be ecstatic to see her following in her former mentor’s path and taking command of her own ship.
One of the biggest plot devices dropped into the canon is Picard’s surprise son, Jack Crusher. Unbeknownst to him, Jean-Luc’s progeny grew up without him, but with the guidance of his mother. The reworking of his father’s irumodic syndrome storyline to be a biological borg virus is a great twist.
The downside is that Jack’s fall to and from the Borg ranks feels almost embarrassingly easy - if not a little rushed.
One of the biggest plot devices dropped into the canon is Picard’s surprise son, Jack Crusher. Unbeknownst to him, Jean-Luc’s progeny grew up without him, but with the guidance of his mother. The reworking of his father’s irumodic syndrome storyline to be a biological borg virus is a great twist.
The downside is that Jack’s fall to and from the Borg ranks feels almost embarrassingly easy - if not a little rushed.
A Celebration Of Star Trek
ST:P does not just reference its parent show. Although, The Next Generation does receive a healthy revival with cameos from characters like Ro Laren. However, Voyager, Enterprise, and Deep Space Nine fans will all find plenty to cast their eyes over.
With Star Trek: Picard, the Dominion war fallout may not have been the obvious port of call as far as motives for revenge go, but DS9 fanatics will certainly be in the crowd of people not complaining.
With Star Trek: Picard, the Dominion war fallout may not have been the obvious port of call as far as motives for revenge go, but DS9 fanatics will certainly be in the crowd of people not complaining.
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The stop by the fleet museum is one of the most pause-worthy scenes in the entire series. Monologue from Commander Seven notwithstanding, the presence of the ships from throughout Star Trek history is enough to bring a tear to the eye of any sci-fi aficionado.
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Captain On The Bridge
We may not have seen it coming, but the level of fan service was unreal. Whoever thought we’d find ourselves back on the bridge of the Enterprise-D? Not only that, with a full compliment of her command crew?
Writing for nostalgia can go one of two ways - lazy writing for a joyless cash grab, OR thought-out logic that makes sense with a resurrected property. Star Trek: Picard sits firmly in the latter camp. Even Alice Krige’s return as the Borg Queen felt organic.
Writing for nostalgia can go one of two ways - lazy writing for a joyless cash grab, OR thought-out logic that makes sense with a resurrected property. Star Trek: Picard sits firmly in the latter camp. Even Alice Krige’s return as the Borg Queen felt organic.
The power of the bridge scene was so immense that it made the penultimate episode impossible to beat. Whilst the finale pulled at the heartstrings too, they’d already been slackened past the point of no return.
The Show’s Legacy
The thing about Star Trek, especially lately, is that there’s always room for more. With more active shows than in the franchise’s storied history, it looks like another is set to join the ranks.
The post-credit scene all-but-guarantees that the Titan-turned-Enterprise is due to embark on another adventure. Not only with Captain Seven at the helm, but with John De Lancie’s Q back to torture the next Picard along in the family tree.
The post-credit scene all-but-guarantees that the Titan-turned-Enterprise is due to embark on another adventure. Not only with Captain Seven at the helm, but with John De Lancie’s Q back to torture the next Picard along in the family tree.
So, are we getting a Star Trek: Picard season 4? No. But we were never going to, and we knew that going in. That doesn’t stop Alex Kurtzman and friends using the show to launch yet another spin-off.
As we await on official confirmation, we continue to set sail among the stars with the franchise’s other live properties.
- Dan Bibby
Check out some of our other reviews:
Season 1 of Strange New Worlds
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
The Last Of Us: Part II
As we await on official confirmation, we continue to set sail among the stars with the franchise’s other live properties.
- Dan Bibby
Check out some of our other reviews:
Season 1 of Strange New Worlds
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
The Last Of Us: Part II