‘Star Trek: Picard’ Brings Back ‘The Next Generation’ for a Grand Final Season

Alci Rengifo

For viewers who have grown up with “Star Trek” as a constant pop cultural presence, there is an irresistible sense of being stirred when the orchestral score swells and we get a glimpse at a starship being prepared for a new adventure. The third and final season of “Star Trek: Picard” taps into both nostalgia and what has always made this a lasting franchise. When the show first premiered in 2020, it was a welcome return for Patrick Stewart to the sci-fi world that made him a household name. The showrunners were smart enough not to pretend this was a reboot, but a realistic continuation of a character’s timeline. This holds true for this third season, which begins by openly bringing back characters from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” which reflects on the passage of eras.

The season opens in the far edges of Federation space, naturally, where “Next Generation” veteran Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) is rudely awakened by an alarm. There is a breach on her ship by some mysterious intruder. After an ensuing battle, she sends a distress signal to Jean Luc-Picard (Stewart). The iconic captain just happens to be at his vineyard, reminiscing on the past with partner Laris (Orla Brady) and pondering his memoirs. While rummaging through old objects, Picard notices his old communicator badge is receiving a signal. Sure enough, it’s the urgent message from Beverly, with coordinates and a warning to trust no one, even at Starfleet. Immediately Picard contacts old Enterprise crew member Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes). They are sure whatever happened to Beverly might be connected to their great old enemy, the Borg. The two legends talk their way into boarding the U.S.S. Titan, under the guise of assuring it is fully functional for Frontier Day celebrations. But getting to where they need to go will require convincing the hostile Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick). 

Season three of “Picard” promises to be a refreshing return to the classic “Star Trek” mold while keeping the show’s more unique features. The first two rounds were more in line with recent Peak TV, full of angst and dark, overly serious plotting (one of the creators is acclaimed novelist Michael Chabon). Now the series has more of a cinematic feel, as if it were an extension of the last “Next Generation” movies. There’s also a feel of the original “Trek” movies in how Picard and Riker are the seasoned, rebellious legends who are not too old to hustle their way into a starship. It’s a wonderful transition from the early scenes packed with nostalgia. Picard looks at a painting of the old Enterprise in his home, preparing to send it off to Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), who now runs the Fleet Museum. He and Riker sit at a bar reminiscing about old times while feeling their age. A younger bartender irritates Riker by saying no one wants the “fat” collectible models of the ship that made him famous.

It isn’t all memories. Picard and Riker are placed in a new adventure surrounded by strong supporting roles such as First Officer, Seven of Nine, now going by Annika Hensen (Jeri Ryan), per Shaw’s mysterious orders. Todd Stashwick will surely make a good rival and antagonist as Shaw, who likes structure and considers his older legends onboard as reckless thrill seekers. He instantly dismisses their invented reasons for wanting to go to the edge of Federation space, while admitting a big grudge with the parasitic Borg (if you don’t know what that means, this show is not for you). This has always been a generational franchise and a great new addition is crew member Alandra La Forge (Mica Burton), daughter of Geordi. She’s following in her father’s footsteps by joining Starfleet, and later on no doubt by getting into big cosmic battles. Stewart looks right at home sitting in his deck chair, instructing Annika to give the command for warp speed. 

A bit clumsily thrown in is a whole other side plot involving Raffi (Michelle Hurd), the other series regular. She’s now undercover in District Six, posing a drug addict and searching out a mysterious persona known as the “Red Lady.” It is actually the code word for a particular statue that will be unveiled on Frontier Day, which is instead absorbed into a portal opened by a mysterious weapon. This angle feels like the series is attempting to keep some of the sci-fi noir feel of the first season. Hopefully it connects in a stronger fashion to the larger journey involving Picard returning to the vast reaches of space. Hurd is still excellent in the role, getting to dabble in some duality, first fooling us as an addict and then revealing she’s still her old self, but with a new identity to track down this fresh threat.

As a franchise, “Star Trek” has always been protected from the pitfalls of revivals and reboots because of its very nature as a story. The various shows and movies all skip around centuries. Here we’re in the 25th and 20 years removed (in the world of the series) from the events of “Star Trek: Nemesis,” the last movie featuring the “Next Generation” crew which remains divisive with fans. Picard and Riker know they are not the same men, but they still have the adventurous spirit to go seek out their friend and help her. As the space dock opens its doors and the music takes on that grandiose scale, we as viewers also feel at home with these characters. Good adventures, when done well, never grow old.

“Star Trek: Picard” season three begins streaming Feb. 16 with new episodes premiering Thursdays on Paramount+.