Picard 3x01 "The Next Generation"

[Sithborg]

Glad I found this clip. Good lord, I can help smiling hearing that music and then seeing Picard and Riker meeting one of Geordi's daughters. Season has already won me over.

 

[misjuevos]

Good first start. Still has some baggage to shake off from the other 2 seasons. Seems like a soft reboot though. Riker and Picard together are good. They are different than when we saw them at Riker's house. I don't care for Raffey's character or story, she kind of drags you back to the first 2 seasons of Picard. If they would just stay with Picard and Riker this whole episode, we might have had a complete 180 from what we got.

The only issues I had was the bridge was so dark, not to mention the entire ship. I don't know if that is a preference of the Captain or just maybe we caught the crew on the night shift. Another issue was the beginning with the doctor. I just thought the opening of the show, and we get some very out of place gunshot sounds from the bad guys weapons. Just didn't sound like Star Trek. It really was a minor issue since the universe is filled with all sorts of weapons, just was an odd contrast to start with for me. Just something that was noticeable.

There were some issues I thought I might have, but the show actually addresses them right away. That is a credit to the writers, because they understood the hierarchy and decorum of a Starfleet vessel. I am talking about the way the Captain of the Titan spoke to Picard and Riker, and the way Seven also spoke to Picard. Both are addressed right away. It may seem like a minor thing, but that shows the writer of the scene understood there is rank, decorum, and that is how Starfleet should be.

When they pay attention to the smaller things the larger things usually fall in line as well. So over all I would say a good first start. I am interested in watching more.

 

[Holy Slapper]

Good first start. Still has some baggage to shake off from the other 2 seasons. Seems like a soft reboot though. Riker and Picard together are good. They are different than when we saw them at Riker's house. I don't care for Raffey's character or story, she kind of drags you back to the first 2 seasons of Picard. If they would just stay with Picard and Riker this whole episode, we might have had a complete 180 from what we got.

The only issues I had was the bridge was so dark, not to mention the entire ship. I don't know if that is a preference of the Captain or just maybe we caught the crew on the night shift. Another issue was the beginning with the doctor. I just thought the opening of the show, and we get some very out of place gunshot sounds from the bad guys weapons. Just didn't sound like Star Trek. It really was a minor issue since the universe is filled with all sorts of weapons, just was an odd contrast to start with for me. Just something that was noticeable.

There were some issues I thought I might have, but the show actually addresses them right away. That is a credit to the writers, because they understood the hierarchy and decorum of a Starfleet vessel. I am talking about the way the Captain of the Titan spoke to Picard and Riker, and the way Seven also spoke to Picard. Both are addressed right away. It may seem like a minor thing, but that shows the writer of the scene understood there is rank, decorum, and that is how Starfleet should be.

When they pay attention to the smaller things the larger things usually fall in line as well. So over all I would say a good first start. I am interested in watching more.

Depends on the ship type. If you've played Star Trek Online, you'd know how many different bridge types the ships have. Some are brighter, some are darker.

 

[misjuevos]

Depends on the ship type. If you've played Star Trek Online, you'd know how many different bridge types the ships have. Some are brighter, some are darker.

Yeah I have played STO, but a long time ago. I just took it as we sometimes saw on TNG when the night shift was on.

 

[Perfect Cell]

I enjoyed the first episode. I'm still incredibly wary, given the first two seasons, but I am at least cautiously optimistic. 1 for 3 is a good average in baseball, at least. The Picard/Riker dynamic is still strong, all these years later, and it's always fun to see them bounce off each other.

I also liked Captain Shaw. He's just so fed up with the "protagonist" crews' cavalier ways, and he's decided to be an ultra ******* about it. I love it. Such an easy character to look at and say "**** this guy".

 

[Holy Slapper]

Yeah I have played STO, but a long time ago. I just took it as we sometimes saw on TNG when the night shift was on.

I thought the ship in the beginning of season 2 had a darker bridge as well. When you think about it, it kind of makes sense to not have bright lights near the main display screen. When you're mostly looking at space and stars, darker surroundings help.

 

[Gaultheria]

I'm happy to hear the old themes, and I'm glad that they've moved beyond the opening credits style of the first two seasons.

There are HAL 9000 interface panels all though the Titan.

Dating couples still make mix tapes for each other in the 25th Century.

Bolian steak?

They recreated Captain Styles' "Sir, someone is stealing the Enterprise!" scene from Star Trek III.

Seems like a soft reboot though.

I think so. There are discontinuities between this and previous seasons. Laris is still part of Picard's life, and either Riker was busted permanently back down to Captain for stealing the fleet last season, in which case we ought to hear some of that backstory, or else his rank is a hint that this season takes place in a nearby universe where he never became an admiral and where other things might also be different from what we've seen.

The only issues I had was the bridge was so dark, not to mention the entire ship. I don't know if that is a preference of the Captain or just maybe we caught the crew on the night shift.

Do you mean like Lorca's preference?

In the confrontation between Seven and Riker and Picard, it seemed as if the show was trying replicate the disembodied floating heads look of Star Trek novel covers.

 

[Perfect Cell]

I'm happy to hear the old themes, and I'm glad that they've moved beyond the opening credits style of the first two seasons.

There are HAL 9000 interface panels all though the Titan.

Dating couples still make mix tapes for each other in the 25th Century.

Bolian steak?

They recreated Captain Styles' "Sir, someone is stealing the Enterprise!" scene from Star Trek III.


I think so. There are discontinuities between this and previous seasons. Laris is still part of Picard's life, and either Riker was busted permanently back down to Captain for stealing the fleet last season, in which case we ought to hear some of that backstory, or else his rank is a hint that this season takes place in a nearby universe where he never became an admiral and where other things might also be different from what we've seen.


Do you mean like Lorca's preference?

In the confrontation between Seven and Riker and Picard, it seemed as if the show was trying replicate the disembodied floating heads look of Star Trek novel covers.

Laris and Picard got together at the end of season two. Also, I'm pretty sure Riker was never an admiral. He left the service before he could advance that high. This is definitely not taking place in a different universe than season 1 or 2.

 

[Sithborg]

Good premiere. Starting slow with the reunions, but I can wait for the rest of the cast. Picard and Riker are amazing enough to carry.

I do look forward to seeing Rafi together with Seven again. I am glad the intimation that she had a relapse and really broke up with Seven was likely a cover.

Loved the Titan stuff. Felt bad for Seven being forced to use a different name and just having a captain who hates ex-Borg. I did like that Shaw didn't have hero worship for Picard and Riker. A nice dynamic. And once again, they Sydney LaForge stuff was just amazing, I loved it.

And the young dude in the trailers? So Picard and Crusher's son. And given what happened to her other son, who had Picard as a father figure, don't blame her for cutting away from the rest of the bridge crew.

I did laugh at the weapon of mass destruction ending up being a Portal gun.

Also, calling all the jazz stuff on the Titan's computer systems, which Shaw had to remove, as a Lower Decks reference.

I think so. There are discontinuities between this and previous seasons. Laris is still part of Picard's life, and either Riker was busted permanently back down to Captain for stealing the fleet last season, in which case we ought to hear some of that backstory, or else his rank is a hint that this season takes place in a nearby universe where he never became an admiral and where other things might also be different from what we've seen.

I mean, it wouldn't have been the first for a Captain to lead a fleet action. Sisko was never an Admiral, and he lead numerous fleet actions in the Dominion War. Hell, Picard showed up late during the second Borg invasion and took command of the remaining ships there. And they kept the Laris stuff from the end of season 2.

 

[Gaultheria]

Laris and Picard got together at the end of season two.

"Laris, her bags packed."

They still had feelings for each other at the end of Season 2, but Laris was about to depart for, as she put it, adventures of her own. That's not to say she couldn't change her mind, even right then and there when Jean-Luc showed he'd grown up from his attachment issues, but Laris's reappearance in Season 3 felt to me like a reset button.

Also, I'm pretty sure Riker was never an admiral. He left the service before he could advance that high. This is definitely not taking place in a different universe than season 1 or 2.

Hmm... I thought Season 1 had some reference about Riker having retired as an admiral, maybe not mentioned by name but as an old friend of Picard's. Might just be my memory playing tricks on me.

 

[Perfect Cell]

"Laris, her bags packed."

They still had feelings for each other at the end of Season 2, but Laris was about to depart for, as she put it, adventures of her own. That's not to say she couldn't change her mind, even right then and there when Jean-Luc showed he'd grown up from his attachment issues, but Laris's reappearance in Season 3 felt to me like a reset button.

You should re-watch the final scene of season two again. She was about to leave, but he finally opened up to her and said he was asking for a second chance. The season ends with him stepping closer to her and her smiling and nodding.

Edit: I mean, come on... this is the final shot of the season before it pans out to lush future-French countryside:

 

[Gaultheria]

You should re-watch the final scene of season two again. She was about to leave, but he finally opened up to her and said he was asking for a second chance. The season ends with him stepping closer to her and her smiling and nodding.

No need, I watched that scene just before I wrote about it. It had all the appearance of a bittersweet breakup.

 

[Perfect Cell]

No need, I watched that scene just before I wrote about it. It had all the appearance of a bittersweet breakup.

Yeah, I strongly disagree with your interpretation of that scene. He literally asks for a second chance, and she tearfully nods and smiles. Then he holds her hands and places a hand on her cheek. I don't really see any vision of that where that's not them getting together.

 

[Perfect Cell]

And just to wrap up this discussion, the writers clearly intended for the season two finale to mean they were getting together, as the premiere of season three continued that storyline. If you interpret a scene differently than as was intended, that doesn't make it a continuity gaffe or a retcon. You just didn't read their initial intent properly. This isn't a sign of some big change to Picard's story bible.

 

[Morg]

Picard: Shut it, Will

love that

 

[Gaultheria]

And just to wrap up this discussion, the writers clearly intended for the season two finale to mean they were getting together, as the premiere of season three continued that storyline. If you interpret a scene differently than as was intended, that doesn't make it a continuity gaffe or a retcon. You just didn't read their initial intent properly. This isn't a sign of some big change to Picard's story bible.

I haven't read or watched any interviews where the writers discuss their intentions for that storyline, so I can only comment on what the episode showed, and a gentle touch at the end of a relationship isn't completely unheard of. Plus, I mentioned upthread that Laris could have changed her mind about leaving, just that I found the transition from amicable breakup dialogue at the end of Season 2 to the happy domestic scene at the start of Season 3 to be abrupt.

 

[Perfect Cell]

I haven't read or watched any interviews where the writers discuss their intentions for that storyline, so I can only comment on what the episode showed, and a gentle touch at the end of a relationship isn't completely unheard of. Plus, I mentioned upthread that Laris could have changed her mind about leaving, just that I found the transition from amicable breakup dialogue at the end of Season 2 to the happy domestic scene at the start of Season 3 to be abrupt.

Because it wasn't a breakup at the end of season 2. They were literally committing to be together. He asks for a second chance, and she nods. She says yes. The people at Memory Alpha are often ****heads, but they seem to agree on the meaning:

Laris

During Picard’s trip to the past Laris arranged for the solarium of Chateau Picard to be restored to its former glory. She also began preparing to leave the chateau for good. Before Laris left, Picard returned home. Having come to understand the origin of his difficulties regarding long-term relationships, Picard admitted his foolish behaviour and asked Laris for her forgiveness and a second chance. Laris agreed.

I mean, hell, even the Wikipedia summary recognizes that Picard was asking for a chance at a relationship.

Star Trek: Picard (season 2) - Wikipedia

After reuniting with the older Guinan and learning about Rios's life in the 21st century, Picard returns to his chateau and asks Laris for a second chance at being together.

And Laris' response to that question is to nod. To agree. To say yes, happily. It's really black and white. This is what they intended.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I enjoyed it, nice to see old faces.

Im in desperate need of a Seven spinoff though.

 

[Sithborg]

I will always love the subtle reminders to the haters that this show is CANON.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Man, the musical score in this episode inspired by James Horner and Jerry Goldsmith just lifted this season above everything else Star Trek in the past few years lol

 

[misjuevos]

Do you mean like Lorca's preference?

Yes and no, Lorca's was more necessity, but I get your meaning. Yeah maybe the current captain of the Titan just preferred the lighting, or like I said before on TNG the night shift actually dimmed the lights. Then the day shift would come on and bump them back up. But the real reason is I think the show is still stuck in the aesthetic of this dark bridge style.

I thought the ship in the beginning of season 2 had a darker bridge as well. When you think about it, it kind of makes sense to not have bright lights near the main display screen. When you're mostly looking at space and stars, darker surroundings help.

i think usually the crew use the instrument consoles rather than the actual main view screen. I think only the helm and Captain actually look out the view screen alot. But yeah it would make sense to not have bright lights near the view screen. I am mostly talking about the bridge just being darker overall not any one area.

 

[misjuevos]

Man, the musical score in this episode inspired by James Horner and Jerry Goldsmith just lifted this season above everything else Star Trek in the past few years lol

Not to mention we get some actual episode titles back on screen again.

 

[Perfect Cell]

Yes and no, Lorca's was more necessity, but I get your meaning. Yeah maybe the current captain of the Titan just preferred the lighting, or like I said before on TNG the night shift actually dimmed the lights. Then the day shift would come on and bump them back up. But the real reason is I think the show is still stuck in the aesthetic of this dark bridge style.

i think usually the crew use the instrument consoles rather than the actual main view screen. I think only the helm and Captain actually look out the view screen alot. But yeah it would make sense to not have bright lights near the view screen. I am mostly talking about the bridge just being darker overall not any one area.

Yeah, they love the mood lighting in these newer shows. It's a little weird. It almost feels like over compensation after people kept saying the Abrams bridge looked like an Apple Store.

 

[Gaultheria]

Yes and no, Lorca's was more necessity, but I get your meaning. Yeah maybe the current captain of the Titan just preferred the lighting, or like I said before on TNG the night shift actually dimmed the lights. Then the day shift would come on and bump them back up. But the real reason is I think the show is still stuck in the aesthetic of this dark bridge style.

Yeah, I think Jean-Luc would be reminding Data to turn up the stage lighting for this production. The gloominess sort of worked for showing how much Captain Shaw respected his first officer and welcomed the inspection team, but here it’s so realistic that it’s breaking the fourth wall.

I like how the comics portray the Terran Empire, that by the TNG era it hadn’t been completely defeated, only pushed back to its core worlds. There’s even some evidence for this in DS9, which showed Mirror-Tuvok wearing his Imperial uniform. If the Terran Empire of the 25th Century is looking to expand its territory interdimensionally by replacing key Starfleet personnel with their Mirror counterparts, it could explain why Beverly trusts no-one in Starfleet. Maybe she even suspected Jean-Luc for all those No Contact years.

 

[misjuevos]

Yeah, I think Jean-Luc would be reminding Data to turn up the stage lighting for this production. The gloominess sort of worked for showing how much Captain Shaw respected his first officer and welcomed the inspection team, but here it’s so realistic that it’s breaking the fourth wall.

I like how the comics portray the Terran Empire, that by the TNG era it hadn’t been completely defeated, only pushed back to its core worlds. There’s even some evidence for this in DS9, which showed Mirror-Tuvok wearing his Imperial uniform. If the Terran Empire of the 25th Century is looking to expand its territory interdimensionally by replacing key Starfleet personnel with their Mirror counterparts, it could explain why Beverly trusts no-one in Starfleet. Maybe she even suspected Jean-Luc for all those No Contact years.

That's interesting, so you think the bad guys are the mirror-verse people? I was thinking maybe the founders came back since they mention the villains having different faces each time. They did it before in DS9 with the founders infiltrating Starfleet.