I don't know if this is a new theory or something somebody else has already mentioned in the forum but I had an idea about the opening dream sequence wherein Data lays down five Queen of Hearts. I wonder if this was Picard's subconscious referring to the "queen of his heart," Beverly Crusher. Something may have happened between Picard and Beverly in the 20 years since NEM and her going back to Starfleet Medical. He may have a lot of regrets about their relationship that have only worsened in the two decades since they last served together aboard the Enterprise-E.