Something about the character in the way he played it, maybe it was the uniforms, the design of the sets, but it was the only show that I could ever put on and it just deeply calmed me at a psychological level.
Star Trek is often used by people as an example of elitist science fiction, perhaps because of the deep integration of jazz, architectural aesthetics, Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes, and diplomacy in space in the show. Along with the society of no money. But to many people combination of these things ended up being very intellectually soothing, to those of us that like to think forward and peacefully, it was like being wrapped in a blanket of reason and culture. It gave us a vision of future that wasn’t entirely hinged around war or explosions to sell a narrative. It had its moments of intrigue, war and political strife but the base feeling in the show was always, when out of conflict, at peace, and deeply involved in the enjoyment of exploring the universe without blowing everything up like space hillbillies.
I would be overjoyed to see Patrick Stewart return to the role that gave me the ideal archetype of a man I wanted to become. So long as the direction style does not cheapen what was done with his character and turn this into some sort of Michael Bay shallow series, I would relish watching Stewart just kicking back in his vineyard for a few episodes, musing over Shakespeare and warp physics to start the show.
I remember reading a Trekker proposing a show that focused on the challenges and opportunities associated with a Federation first-contact/diplomacy starship and its crew. That would be an appropriate premise for this new show, too.
Maybe a whole season of him in a smoking jacket, sitting in an armchair in front of a fire with a glass of claret discussing archeology, trans warp theory and diplomacy to officers seeking command level assignments.
Assuming he’s playing the version of Picard who appeared in the TV series and not the version of Picard who appeared in the movies, because that guy was totally different.
It’s a superficial analysis, even though we take comfort in the superficial trappings you mention. The society of the Federation doesn’t exclude anyone from the benefits and refined pleasures it offers unless they’re obvious arseholes (e.g. bigots, greedpigs, powermongers, violent abusers, grifters … basically anyone the current GOP would consider a suitable candidate for office).
Yes, that’s the problem. At some point the movies just forgot all about who Picard was and just became content to let Stewart & friends goof off on camera. It would be like if they put a scene in The Force Awakens where Han Solo just flies a vintage biplane around the Pacific Northwest for no particular reason.
Huh what a strange feeling… I’m not getting that feeling of intense cynicism as I usually do when hearing news like this. He can’t possibly still be a starfleet officer though (maybe admiral at a push) so I’m happy with him in an ambassadorial role. Not a disgraced officer thrown out of starfleet! I hate that idea, he’s Jean-Luc Picard for gawd’s sake. So an ambassador role with some archaeological adventuring thrown in but at some point he must go aboard whichever version of the enterprise* is then in service.
ETA: *Ooh! I bet there’ll still be some old galaxy class ships still in operation…
I totally agree. I love Star Trek and I love Picard, but we are putting those things in the hands of people that just don’t get it and I have zero faith this new show will get it either.
Besides, we already have Star Trek on television. It’s called The Orville.
