My Take On Star Trek: Picard

I just recently finished the first season of Star Trek: Picard. As a long time Trekker (or is it Trekkie?), I've been longing for a descent new Star Trek show. Despite its flaws, Star Trek: Picard was the first show in a long time I was excited about seeing once it aired. In fact, it was the only reason I even purchased Amazon Prime!

Now that I've seen the entirety of the first season, this is my rundown of the series.

1. For the first time in history, we see a Federation that is unlike anything seen before. Prior Star Trek shows depict the Federation as a cheery place of progress. In Star Trek: Picard, the Federation is seen as an apathetic shadow of its once former self.

2. Picard's age is shown accurately. In The Next Generation, Picard was seen as capable of keeping up with his crew. Now, he is a tired old man having to put up with Starfleet's disinterest in anything.

3. I must say depicting entire cities and planets is very good. In previous Star Trek shows, viewers were only given a glimpse of some random planet. Now, we are treated to cities which depict the 24th Century in all its futuristic glory. Even if that glory is a facade.

4. Characters in Star Trek: Picard are now able to curse freely. Perhaps this is to show the Federation's increasing decadence. Then again, Star Trek: Picard is not being aired on television, so I guess that could be the case.

Also, the level of violence dwarfs anything ever seen on Star Trek before. In any given episode, expect a high level of blood, guts, and outright violence. I am willing to state that Gene Roddenberry would have disliked Star Trek: Picard for its outright brutality. Yet, Mr. Roddenberry should have known even in the future, nothing would be as pristine as imagined.

5. Despite the dreary atmosphere, there are still moments of humor. Check out episode five entitled, "Stardust City Rag". If you've ever wanted to see Picard deliver a French accent, now you have your chance.

6. I must say how Star Trek: Picard references other Star Trek shows is impressive. Just watching characters from other shows within the franchise is quite an impressive feat. Though we are introduced to new characters, old, familiar faces show up from time to time.

Though, I still ponder about the fates of other characters. What has become of Worf, La Forge, Dr. Crusher...what of her son, Wesley? What about O'Brian? If anything, the one Star Trek character I would love to see make a return would be Q! Those associated with Trekdom are all too familiar with Q and his manipulation of space, time, and matter.

7. I miss the physical control panels. All of these touchscreens really make the ships look very spartan. Back in the day, Star Trek was notorious for its elaborate star ship bridges. Now everything looks empty.

8. I will say that at least Star Trek: Picard is a true sequel to The Next Generation. There are no retcons, nor anything added after the fact. To be honest, I've never much liked retcons because they generate more questions than answers.

9. Finally, for the first time, we hear Romulan spoken in all its glory! Before then, it was always Klingonese being spoken. Now Romulan has a turn at being heard for once!

10. Every episode of Star Trek: Picard is interconnected. Therefore, it would be difficult for one to watch a single installment. One has to watch the entire season to fully understand the events within.

11. The last episode of the first season, "Et in Arcadia Ego: Part 2", has left me pondering deeply. Perhaps the only solution would be the await season two. Yet, to me it would seem everything pertaining to the overall story line was wrapped up nicely.

If anything, Star Trek: Picard is very good. While not as memorable of its predecessor, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Picard still has its moments. Even then, I believe The Next Generation to be a far superior show. Long after its gone off the air, Next Generation still had lines and story lines that resonate to this day. Not sure if Picard will live up to its prequel series.

Despite this, I am happy to know Jean-Luc Picard is back.