As a longtime Star Trek fan, I was excited to hear about the return of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew in Star Trek: Picard’s third season. After watching the season, I can say with complete honesty that I was not disappointed. I know I’m biased, having grown up with the show, but this season was everything I hoped for and more. I rate it 11 out of 10, and the appearance of the USS Enterprise-D is without a doubt the highlight of the season for me.
The season begins with a bang as we see Gates McFadden return as Doctor Beverly Crusher, on the run with his son Jack, who turns out to be the love child of Jean-Luc Picard. Picard is seen sitting in his vineyard, reflecting on his past life and adventures. Throughout the season, Picard enlists friends old and new to help save his loved ones and the Federation itself, which is under threat from a malicious force. The return of the Next Generation cast and the changes in the characters since we last saw them was a joy to watch, with each actor given a lot to play.
The theme of legacy is evident throughout the season, and we see each character grapple with their legacy and responsibilities. Geordi’s daughters are introduced, Seven of Nine grapples with his legacy of Starfleet responsibilities, and Riker and Troi continue to deal with the loss of their son. The legacy of the Borg Queen also comes into play, fighting to preserve her race while devouring her “children” to do so. The whole season was a trip down memory lane, and I appreciated the callbacks to previous Star Trek series.
At times, the plot feels uninspired, and there are episodes where our heroes are stuck in a cat-and-mouse game in a nebula that doesn’t quite make up for the tension of Wrath of Khan. However, the introduction of a rogue faction of Deep Space Nine villains is an interesting development added to the storyline. Amanda Plummer’s Vadic, the leader of this new breed of Changeling, gives an incredible performance, and her homage to her real-life father, Christopher Plummer, who was Klingon General Chang in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country , touching.
In conclusion, Star Trek: Picard season three is a satisfying ending to the series, and as a Star Trek fan, I can say that it was everything I wanted. The appearance of the USS Enterprise-D was a happy moment that brought tears to my eyes, and I am grateful for the trip down memory lane. If you’re a Star Trek fan, I recommend giving this season a watch.
