Picard Season 3 Episode 1 Review The Next Generation, Plot and More
by Ushapriyanga | Updated Feb 17, 2023
Picard Season 3 Episode 1
In the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, which is set in the 25th century, Jean-Luc Picard reunites with his former command crew from the USS Enterprise - Geordi La Forge, Worf, William Riker, Beverly Crusher, and Deanna Troi. However, they are being pursued by a new enemy named Vadic. The season is a joint production between CBS Studios, Secret Hideout, Weed Road Pictures, and Roddenberry Entertainment, with Terry Matalas serving as showrunner.
Patrick Stewart returns to his iconic role as Picard from the Star Trek series The Next Generation, along with several other cast members from the same series, including LeVar Burton as La Forge, Michael Dorn as Worf, Jonathan Frakes as Riker, Gates McFadden as Crusher, Marina Sirtis as Troi, and Brent Spiner as the android Lore. Jeri Ryan, Michelle Hurd, and Ed Speleers also feature in the cast. Production for the third season was informally green-lighted in January 2020, allowing it to be filmed back-to-back with the second season, with some third-season scenes filmed during the production of the second. Filming for the third season started in September 2021, and it officially concluded in March 2022. Stewart announced the season's return, with the rest of the Next Generation cast members confirmed to return a month later. Matalas aimed to provide a satisfying conclusion to Picard's story and the whole Next Generation cast. Additionally, the season includes guest appearances from other actors reprising their roles from previous Star Trek media.
Picard Season 3 Episode 1 Review
Although Star Trek: Picard's third season marks the end of the show, its season premiere, titled "The Next Generation," feels like a fresh start. This is partly due to the fact that the majority of its main cast left the show after the season two finale, and most of the overarching plotlines were wrapped up neatly. Additionally, the show's lead character, Jean-Luc Picard, now seems like a more positive version of himself, as opposed to the somewhat melancholic individual he was last season when he was contemplating his mother's suicide. The only significant changes are the introduction of a romantic relationship between Picard and Laris, and the continued presence of Seven of Nine and Raffi. Initially, there appears to be little connection between this season and previous storylines, which is not necessarily a bad thing, given that some of those previous stories were of questionable quality.
Despite its unevenness, Picard's first two seasons did have their moments, such as the charming found family dynamic in the first season, the well-crafted arc of scientist Agnes Jurati in the second season, and the powerful bond between Picard and Seven that is evident in the third season premiere. However, as a series, Picard has struggled to define its identity. Is it a contemplative exploration of legacy and regret, a drama about a second chance at a family, a psychological journey of inner trauma, or a study of how one man overcomes his troubled past? The show has attempted to be all of these things, but its inconsistent and indecisive approach has made it difficult to fully engage with its larger narrative and thematic ambitions.
The season 3 premiere of Picard seems to mark a significant departure from the previous two seasons and feels like the beginning of a new show altogether. However, this shift is likely to be what many viewers had hoped for all along: a more mature version of Star Trek: The Next Generation in the form of a movie. The episode titled "The Next Generation" is entertaining and not particularly groundbreaking but has many references to the original series, and we get a glimpse of what happened to the beloved characters since it aired. The opening scene, where Beverly Crusher sends a distress signal to Admiral Picard from deep within Federation space, followed by an attack from an unidentified alien race, is thrilling and compelling. Picard's determination to rescue his former chief medical officer, even after two decades of no contact, is emotionally impactful. Fans of the Picard and Crusher romance subplot may have a lot to look forward to this season.
The Picard season 3 premiere successfully provides viewers with what they may have wanted from the show all along - a more mature version of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode is fun, with callbacks to the original series, and hints at what has happened to the beloved characters since then. The emotional weight of Picard's determination to rescue his former chief medical officer Beverly Crusher is palpable, even though they haven't spoken in two decades. There are many entertaining and nostalgic moments, from Picard's reunion with Riker to the pair's attempt to con their way onto a starship, with the help of Seven. However, Raffi's plotline is the weakest part of the episode, feeling disconnected from the larger story and bringing the narrative momentum to a halt. Nonetheless, the premiere sets the stage for the rest of the season, as Riker and Picard discover Beverly gravely injured and accompanied by her previously unknown twenty-something son while being hunted by a heavily armed alien race. The season promises to answer the questions surrounding Beverly's secrets, her son's existence, and the dangerous situation they are all in.
"At the end of the day, though, “The Next Generation” is good enough to make fans of both Picard and the original The Next Generation series happy at the prospect of the season to come. Yes, we’ve all been burned by this show before—I also thought “The Star Gazer” had tremendous promise last season, more fool me!—but it’s almost impossible not to look at the long-awaited reunion and feel anything other than hope."
Picard Season 3 Plot
There has been much discussion surrounding whether Star Trek: Picard's third season can strike a balance between emotional storytelling and fan service. However, showrunner Terry Matalas has made a deliberate effort to infuse the series with nostalgia, just as every iteration of the Star Trek franchise seeks to cater to both new and long-time fans. While the upcoming season may not appeal to everyone, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The first episode of season three, entitled "The Next Generation," begins with a nod to Fallout, showcasing a cluttered spaceship filled with various items, including one with Jack Crusher's name on it. The first character we see is Beverly Crusher, wielding a phaser rifle in a shootout, setting a tone for a season that will be different from previous ones. When Bev is seriously injured, she reaches out to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard for assistance.
Picard Season 3 Episode 1 Overview
With just a week left until the premiere of Star Trek: Picard Season 3, fans are eagerly anticipating what the season has in store. The season will feature 10 episodes and will debut on February 16th, 2023, on Paramount+. For international audiences, the show will be available on Amazon Prime Video. The titles and details of the episodes have already been revealed, but with a review embargo lifting soon, fans can expect even more news and details about the upcoming season. The first four episodes will be the start of the first arc, followed by a new arc beginning with episode 5. Let's take a closer look at the episode titles for Season 3 of Picard, starting with the first episode titled "The Next Generation." This debut episode is written by Showrunner Terry Matalas and directed by Doug Aarnioksoki, who has previously directed three episodes of the series. Given his history of delivering high-quality episodes, we are eager to see what he has in store for us.
Picard Season 3 Episode 1 Review - FAQs
In the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, which is set in the 25th century, Jean-Luc Picard reunites with his former command crew from the USS Enterprise - Geordi La Forge, Worf, William Riker, Beverly Crusher, and Deanna Troi.
Although Star Trek: Picard's third season marks the end of the show, its season premiere, titled "The Next Generation," feels like a fresh start.
There has been much discussion surrounding whether Star Trek: Picard's third season can strike a balance between emotional storytelling and fan service.
With just a week left until the premiere of Star Trek: Picard Season 3, fans are eagerly anticipating what the season has in store. The season will feature 10 episodes and will debut on February 16th, 2023, on Paramount+. For international audiences, the show will be available on Amazon Prime Video.