Spoilers Star Trek: Picard | Countdown Comic #2

[picardjean-luc]

A review of Countdown - Part #2 is now posted at https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2019/12/comic-book-review-star-trek-picard-countdown-2/

Spoiler

The Romulan Governor of Yuyat Beta is still holding both Admiral Picard and Commander Musiker captive on the doomed planet, only willing to allow the Starfleet evacuation of the Romulans to begin if Picard disregards the planet’s original inhabitants during the evacuation. Picard stands firm in his decision, highlighting both the urgent timetable and the rancid views held by the Governor.

As the argument escalates between both heads of power from Starfleet and the Romulan Empire, an unexpected uprising takes both by surprise and what’s even more surprising – for Picard and Musiker – is who actually started it. Meanwhile, the Romulan Governor sees the perfect opening mid-chaos and brings forward the true plans, which involve herself, the Romulan settlers and the U.S.S. Verity......

Though not as ‘exciting’ as the initial opening delivered in issue #1, this shows how the Romulan Empire wants to survive by any means necessary, either welcoming all help offered or ready to plunge the knife in the back of a Samaritan and revealing that although the Empire is in a state of upheaval, it’s still just as cunning.

 

[locborg]

Just downloaded it from the Kindle store. IMO, it is a forgettable filler comic without much substance. Not much what could lead us to the premise of ST PIC.
Only interesting part is the ending which implies that there might be a romulan offensive, in wake of the impending supernova to destroy the federation. It appears that many romulans still think that the hobus event is a federation scheme to destroy the empire.

And maybe their allegations even hold some truth... This would be a cool premise for the show... Could also be the reason for releasing Countdown #3 after the premiere of the first Picard episode.

 

[picardjean-luc]

Only interesting part is the ending which implies that there might be a romulan offensive, in wake of the impending supernova to destroy the federation. It appears that many romulans still think that the hobus event is a federation scheme to destroy the empire. And maybe their allegations even hold some truth...

My thoughts exactly. "The unthinkable event" spoken by the Admiral to Picard could well be a Romulan offensive against the Federation rescue fleet --- and beyond (I think the 'Picard' trailer shown Romulan fleet invading Mars), leading to heavy Federation casualties. The Admiralty blames Picard for the invasion based on his conduct in the Romulan planet highlighted in the comics, leading to his Starfleet resignation.

 

[Dukhat]

Why am I starting to feel like nothing in these comics is going to be addressed in the actual show, just like the Countdown comics for Star Trek ‘09?

 

[Tuskin38]

And maybe their allegations even hold some truth

Eh I doubt it

 

[eschaton]

Why am I starting to feel like nothing in these comics is going to be addressed in the actual show, just like the Countdown comics for Star Trek ‘09?

One thing is pretty clear now: Stewart has mentioned that two Romulans work with him on the vineyard in the show. Those two Romulans are almost certainly the Tal Shiar agents in the comic series.

The question is, will Elnor also be their son?

 

[WarpFactorZ]

What a disappointment. I'm glad I got $2 off from Amazon, so I don't feel guilty about overpaying. I think the speculation that it's the Romulans turning on the Starfleet armada that might be the "unthinkable". Note that also adds to Nero's story, since it wouldn't just be him blaming the Federation for the disaster.

The question is, will Elnor also be their son?

That would make sense, timeline wise, assuming that Elnor is a teenager.

 

[StewMc]

The only interesting thing in the issue was talk of some mysterious benefactor that apparently helped the Romulans take over the Verity...

 

[Yistaan]

One thing is pretty clear now: Stewart has mentioned that two Romulans work with him on the vineyard in the show. Those two Romulans are almost certainly the Tal Shiar agents in the comic series.

The question is, will Elnor also be their son?

Strange way to live in peace, with 2 ex-Tal Shiar agents working on your farm. Garak tried to be a simple tailor and got attacked every other week. Does Chateau Picard get weekly attacks from the Tal Shiar as well? (although to be fair with Romulus' destruction they probably have more pressing things to worry about)

 

[valkyrie013]

Still think the Federation may just say.. Welp we tried, and stop any rescue effort, and thats when Picard retires becasue thats not his federation intent..

 

[DarKush]

I enjoyed this issue, though it didn't provide much insight into what the show will be about, IMO. We did get to see more Musiker and she displayed her knowledge of the Romulans, which was touted in the first issue.

Spoiler

The twist with the two Tal Shiar was interesting. And the governor's plan did feel like something the Romulans would do, Sela in particular. With her flaxen hair, there was one cover with the governor on it that did remind me of Sela. I guess if she had been the governor in this book Picard wouldn't have been duped so it wouldn't work, but I do think she could've fit nicely here.

Spoiler

Unfortunately we didn't get any more cameos from TNG or other Trek characters. It would be nice to get Sela or Donatra here, especially if they aren't in the Picard series. The issue was too slender, but at least it was fast-paced. I do wish this story had another two or three issues.

It feels like they are doing a rush job only making this miniseries only three issues.

If nothing else, they could pad it with familiar characters that aren't going to be in the series but that fans might want to see what they've been up to, and also exposition to help set up the ST: Picard series.

 

[picardjean-luc]

Those two Romulans are almost certainly the Tal Shiar agents in the comic series.

The question is, will Elnor also be their son?

That's what I thought too. Elnor was characterized by the show-runners as a young Romulan in his late teens/early 20s, which fits the timeline of the Romulus destruction.

The bigger question is whether he's aware of whichever plots his parents are cooking by enlisting him as a member of Picard's A-team crew. It would also be interesting to see whether Elnor's parents are still active Tal Shiar agents (if it's still exist post-Romulus destruction) or are they working with one of the Romulan factions that were formed right after Romulus was destroyed.

 

[picardjean-luc]

Strange way to live in peace, with 2 ex-Tal Shiar agents working on your farm. Garak tried to be a simple tailor and got attacked every other week. Does Chateau Picard get weekly attacks from the Tal Shiar as well? (although to be fair with Romulus' destruction they probably have more pressing things to worry about)

The Tal Shiar as an institution is most likely destroyed after Romulus destruction - although presumably some of its operatives and agents (including Elnor's parents) survived and are now living scattered across the galaxy as refugees. Whether they're still working as a single entity post the destruction or whether they're now divided into several factions each w/their own agenda is of course anyone's guess - my own guess it's the latter.

It would be interesting to see how would they reacted to Dahj's arrival in Chateau Picard as hinted in the trailers. Presumably one of them contacts the entity that had detained Dahj, leading to the fighting scene b/w her and presumably several Romulan agents as seen in the trailer.

 

[Lord Garth]

I don't think this Countdown is going to be what makes Picard leave Starfleet. I think it's only part of what sets the stage for him to leave.

On another note (meaning speculation outside of this issue): If Elnor was born in 2386 (or late-2385 if this takes place in early-2385), then that would make him 14 at most. He could be 14. Lots of people, including myself, reach their adult height at that age. But I thought he was a bit older.

Hmmm. I think there's something else. Why would Elnor be like a Romulan Samurai if he grew up in the Vineyard? Once again, not impossible but it seems strange. I think this is barking up the wrong tree.

 

[picardjean-luc]

I don't think this Countdown is going to be what makes Picard leave Starfleet. I think it's only part of what sets the stage for him to leave.

On another note (meaning speculation outside of this issue): If Elnor was born in 2386 (or late-2385 if this takes place in early-2385), then that would make him 14 at most. He could be 14. Lots of people, including myself, reach their adult height at that age. But I thought he was a bit older.

Hmmm. I think there's something else. Why would Elnor be like a Romulan Samurai if he grew up in the Vineyard? Once again, not impossible but it seems strange. I think this is barking up the wrong tree.

Some Trek-verse alien race like the Klingons did grow faster than humans (remember Alexander?) Romulan society is so secretive that we don't know much about their biological features and how they grow up to adulthood, I could see the show-runners adopting the Alexander's explanation (Klingon grows faster than humans) to explain Elnor's aging as well.

If his parents are former spies, I guess that's how he picks up his martial arts skills - by learning from them. How much Elnor knew about his parents' former lives - I suppose would be something we'll find out in 'Picard' (apparently they're defecting from the Tal Shiar after they fell in love together while on duty on the Yuyat colony)

 

[WarpFactorZ]

If Elnor was born in 2386 (or late-2385 if this takes place in early-2385), then that would make him 14 at most. He could be 14. Lots of people, including myself, reach their adult height at that age.

Romulans aren't humans. Who knows how fast they reach adult size. After all, some species can still look like babies at 50 years!... #MandalorianShade

 

[Danja]

Why would Elnor be like a Romulan Samurai if he grew up in the Vineyard?

I know a lot of teenagers who are infatuated with the warrior culture.

Seven of Nine would eat him for breakfast. If he acts up, I picture her doing something along the lines of what Indiana Jones did in Raiders of the Lost Ark:

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(Of course, the phaser would be set to Stun. )

AFASC, you aren't a real warrior unless you've (1) drawn blood and/or (2) fought an opponent who wasn't made of bamboo.

 

[NCC-73515]

In the 2009 Countdown comics, the Tal Shiar had a secret cloaked base with advanced technology in case of a catastrophic empire-wide desaster. The senate was supposed to flee there, but Nero killed them. That base then upgraded the Narada with Borg tech.

 

[Therin of Andor]

If nothing else, they could pad it with familiar characters that aren't going to be in the series but that fans might want to see what they've been up to, and also exposition to help set up the ST: Picard series.

Which people would then complain about if the writers of "Picard" chose to use them next season, but in different ways.

Kirsten Beyer knows what she's doing.

 

[picardjean-luc]

In the 2009 Countdown comics, the Tal Shiar had a secret cloaked base with advanced technology in case of a catastrophic empire-wide desaster. The senate was supposed to flee there, but Nero killed them. That base then upgraded the Narada with Borg tech.

Thanks much for reminding us about this . Wondering if we'll see the base again in Part 3 of the 'Countdown,' but most likely we won't be .