So there is a new Picard trailer out and it reveals a couple of new things for the series
that I thought we could look at, but more than that, I thought I could do a primer on
what the crew are up to, just prior to the release of this season, that we know of.
There will be rampant speculation and picking up on things the cast and crew have said in
this video, not spoilers but drawn on what we already know.
Starting with the trailer, then.
we had already met XO, commander Seven of Nine, or Commander Nine?
Commander Hansen?
But now we get a glimpse at its captain, Captain Shaw (I believe he is named).
This captain seems to take issue with the more combative aspects of Picard and Riker’s
portfolio, which was definitely the case in the later half of their careers in the films.
But of course they accomplished far more than just conflict.
We get to see more of the crew of the Titan-A, some variant uniforms for Non-commissioned
officers, and a specialist outfit for Commodore LaForge.
Speaking of, it looks like hes not happy with what goes down on the Titan at laters stages,
I’m guessing the rescue of Beverly Crusher goes awry and another Federation ship is sent
to intercept the Titan after the event, I guess Geordi is annoyed as the Titan’s helm
officer is one of his two daughters, Ensign Sydney La Forge, and clearly this mission,
an initial easy flight escalates into a life or death situation.
We also get a faint look at Mica Burton, who seems to turn up in all my favourite franchises
and that’s a positive.
The character of Lore appears again, and we’re still assuming this is who it claims to be.
However, if so, he has had some changes.
I suspect this is a Golem recreation of Lore, built by Altan Soong and restored from a disassembled
backup of Lore after he was defeated by Data in 2370.
He appears in a Starfleet uniform, lacking a badge which signifies him as a specialist
so I do wonder if he is actually working alongside Starfleet in some restrained capacity while
they think they have a handle on him.
The presence of Moriarty too suggests a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence as both the
Soong androids and Moriarty were far ahead of their time and subjects of intense research
from Starfleet RnD.
Now the ban on that field has been lifted, it looks like Starfleet has delved back into
it with a vengeance and maybe a rashness.
The Titan-A itself also features prominently in this trailer, in both its launch from the
Sol system and in warp showing signs of damage, presumably after the collision of the vessel
with Crusher aboard.
The Titan A, as a reminder, is a Neo-Consitution class, not sure if that is a working title
but we’ll see.
The smaller ship that houses Bevlery’s stasis pod is seen under attack by these craft and
I think inadvertently acts as bait to lure out Picard which too is a new class of vessel
a lot smaller and probably merely a science or scout ship.
We also get to see a new type of vessel.
Initially I thought this was an Excelsior II class, but there are a number of differences
so I think this is yet another new vessel.
This series along with the prior season two are doing a far better job of fleshing out
the Starfleet navy, first with importing a bunch of existing beta content designs from
Star Trek Online, and now with new designs altogether.
The Enterprise F gets an extended flyby and considering its entourage I think this is
a test flight and that the Odyssey class is still new and seeing the working out of any
issues.
It’s probably not going to feature much in the show.
So as for the characters themselves, Beverly Crusher has not actually seen Picard for several
years, and apparently there was a reason for that.
Something happened in Crusher’s recent history that had her path diverge from Picard but
of course some level of responsibility and loyalty remains between the two.
It looks like she ended up still working if not in Starfleet, then alongside them.
Geordie La Forge from 2382 to 2385 was promoted to Commander and placed in charge of the Evacuation
fleet constructed at Utopia Planitia.
This was interrupted by the attack from the Zhat Vash compromised synths but he did survive
this.
In 2399, Picard still considered him a friend and it looks like LaForge has worked his way
through the ranks and I would guess was still in some form of administrative or overseer
role within the corps of Engineers.
It would be cool if he was the commander of Earth Space Dock or something.
It looks like his daughters followed him into Starfleet, both with presumably a love of
ships considering Sydney takes the pilot career path and Alandra follows engineering gold.
Worf in the meantime left DS9 to act as the Federation-Qo’nos ambassador but returned
to service in 2379 for the wedding of Troi and Riker.
He remained on the Enterprise for a further year as its first officer until Picard stepped
away to take the admiral position and helm the Romulan evacuation.
This left him in charge of the Enterprise E for some time but it looks like with the
decommissioning (or destruction?) of that vessel, he has returned to an ambassadorial
position or at least back to Klingon society.
Returning now could be as a favour to Picard and it looks like he will embark on a mission
to locate or assist Raffi.
Troi and Riker we caught up with already and it appears that Riker has retained is reactivated
commission at captain rank and is present for the launch ceremony of the Titan-A, the
ship bearing the legacy registry of his own first command.
Honestly I think Troi is along for the ride because it does not look like she is in Starfleet
uniform at all.
I have also heard that Riker and Picard may butt heads in this series, which overall looks
to be a series of attacks directed personally at Picard and all he holds dear.
Including his friends.
I hope that the cause of this potential rift is not Troi being injured or taken out of
action.
But that would certainly strain Riker and Picard’s relationship.
Seven was granted a field promotion to Captain of the Stargazer by Admiral Picard, however
field promotions are not a guarantee, so it looks like she was bumped down to Commander,
but given official posting to the Titan as its executive officer.
Something I bet Janeway was chuffed with.
I honestly thought the denial of her application because she was formerly a Borg drone was
a bit weak of an excuse originally but here we are with a Starfleet Seven at last.
I’m honestly surprised we don’t see her in science blue considering her historic skillset,
but command makes sense for her role.
As for the antagonists, we still have the mystery woman, Captain Vadic, scarred and
angry, and with lots of muscle aimed specifically at the TNG crew, for which she has a personal
vendetta.
I spent a long time pouring over images and stills for identifying marks on her clothing,
but it really all looks rather mercenary.
As for the people she is working with, they have cool masks and are trying to lure Picard
away from Starfleet safety to not only defeat him, but hurt him.
We also get the reveal of a new antagonist, this fella who takes Riker hostage at one
point.
Clearly he too has inside knowledge of Picard’s past, citing how much everyone he knew has
changed in the past 23 years.
Picard has done much in his life, so it really could be anyone from his past that has come
back to correct a perceived wrong.
All in all, the trailer looks to be setting the tone for a series where Picard’s integrity
is pulled into question by old gripes and those closest to him may even have to see
how far their loyalty to their old friend and captain will go, now 23 years later, they
have all moved into their own lives with their own important aspects to them.
Will Geordie still help if it puts his daughters in harm's way for example?
I am curious to see how this pans out and maybe this series can stick the landing after
both series 1 and 2 stumbled around the midway and point towards the endings for me.
I’m excited to see the cast reuniting, and the notions that they may return, even as
just guiding characters for a new cast moving onwards makes me happy.
I would very much like to see a continuation of live action Star Trek moving forwards within
the timeline, even if they do end up overwriting the universes of things like Star Trek Online
with new lore.
I’ve been Ric, thanks for watching this breakdown, theories and your ideas are welcome
and once more, thanks and goodbye!