Star Trek: Picard is a series I fully admit brings the inner child out of me as I’m raring to watch my favorite heroes of the 90s save the day. The series has had ups and some very low downs, but I still can’t help but want to go for another ride with Captain Picard and his amazing friends. That’s never more the case than with Star Trek: Picard season 3, which brings back the entire The Next Generation (TNG) cast for “one last ride” that’s can’t-miss television.
Having watched the first six episodes, I can say with certainty this is the strongest season of Picard yet. The opening episode firmly establishes where key characters are at, that they’re a bit older, and also that they are the underdogs of this story. The show juggles a few different plot lines expertly with the intention of bringing the entire crew back together one last time. Thankfully nothing feels forced with earned moments throughout and much better writing than we’ve seen for the series.
Contrary to previous seasons, there’s a good balance of Picard and other characters. He’s less the main character here, giving room for Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), and new characters to take up space and be explored. Picard is still the central focus with one of the bigger storylines, but he’s not carrying most episodes for very long. That’s no slight on Patrick Stewart’s depiction, but Star Trek has always been best as an ensemble, and it shows with this new season.
Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) continues to play a crucial part as one of this series’ ongoing main characters. She keeps the tough exterior believable while also showing she won’t ever give up. Part of an ongoing subplot in the season, Hurd does a great job in the role helping drive the plot forward while her storyline shows off the seedier side of the Star Trek universe.
New characters add good depth to the show, playing off the cowboy heroes like Picard and Riker. Todd Stashwick, for instance, does well to come off as a real jerk, which isn’t the type of character you usually see in Star Trek.
Ed Speleers also plays a brand-new character, and he’s got a lot of swagger. He is a good guy with a vibe similar to what you’d find in Guardians of the Galaxy, especially at the start of the season. He’s likable and compelling, and I’d argue Paramount has a character here who could be in future Star Trek shows or movies. He also gives a Star Trek smuggler feel and embodies the heroic cowboy traits many Star Trek captains exhibit. He’s an adventurer who understands you must have a little fun with the missions, unlike Stashwick’s by-the-numbers character.
Speaking as a fan of Star Trek who hasn’t loved the darker take on the future — Gene Roddenberry meant for this series to be a more hopeful future — you don’t have too much to worry about with Picard season three. The Federation isn’t necessarily trustworthy, but there are no future evil news organizations or depressing truths to worry about. This season is largely a celebration of what makes Star Trek great, be it the ships, the cast, or the wonderment of discovering new life forms. It also helps that there appears to be a shady and mysterious alien threat as the main villain. I say appears, as there is a decent mystery afoot with details sprinkled throughout the season.
If you were a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation, you will also be in very good hands with this season. As we know from the poster and trailers, every major cast member appears, along with some surprises along the way. That’s not all, as it’s not just cameos or appearances, but direct callbacks to key TNG episodes further cementing this show is for the fans. Contrary to the first two season so of Picard, this season feels like a natural continuation of TNG.
Picard season three exemplifies how you balance sci-fi, action, and good character writing. It’s a wonderful return for the main TNG characters while reminding us good Star Trek balances smart storytelling and edge-of-your-seat thrills. Season three is everything we wanted from Picard since it was announced, celebrating the past and its rich characters and ability to inspire hope. If you’re like me, you’ll be adding this new season to the list with one of my favorite Star Trek shows, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
The season three of Star Trek: Picard premieres February 16 on Paramount+.
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