Spoilers Star Trek: Picard 1x04 - "Absolute Candor"
- Thread starter Commander Richard
- Start date
I thought Stewart's performance felt a little more like Picard in this episode, particularly when he chewed out Elnor for killing the Romulan senator. But by and large, I agree with your earlier assessment that Stewart's performance as Picard has been underwhelming and that there are issues with how his character is portrayed here.
Like, Picard's appeal to save the Romulans was rejected and the story then says he became a failure, a reclusive and a dottering old fool.
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Gonzo
Guest
He has essentially lost everything except for the one thing he never really wanted, which was the Chateau, hence why he ended up there as he had no alternatives.
No family left, no children and no legacy to speak of, he gave everything he had to Starfleet/Federation and its ideals but to his horror he found out that those ideals were only applicable when everything was going their way, it must have been a terrible shock to realise that it was all just talk and they never really believed in the cause like Picard did.
Just imagine the political win if they had succeeded, it could have triggered reunification or a full alliance along with the Klingons changing the face of the Alpha/Beta quadrants forever, that kind of possibility is probably what triggered the attack on Mars as it would have threatened the interests of other more shadowy organisations.
Dahj's appearance has given him one last chance at redemption, the question is what will be the price of that redemption and who is going to have to pay it, that is why he has not asked for help from his crew and only approached those who have nothing left to lose.
Its going to be all or nothing, with a glimmer of a chance at a restoration of fortunes for Raffi and Rios, Picard knew he had a good chance of getting help from someone on Vashti as they favour lost causes.
Very much like "The Forlorn Hope" of the Napoleonic Wars on the continent, where a group of individuals all agree to be the first to the breach knowing that there is a high chance of a glorious death or a promotion if they survive.
If Picard succeeds and also identifies who was really behind the attack on Mars his star will be in the ascendancy and Raffi/Rios will rise with him, if he fails he will take them with him.
All or nothing.
Simple:
Picard was clearly fundamentally damaged, if not broken, by Data's death. Having perpetual, unresolved and unexpressed guilt really, really changes a person.
When you then are faced with having the organization that you have dedicated your life to, sacrificed friends for, given up family for, for the last 55 years suddenly cuts you back down to reality and you realize that you now no longer have Starfleet, that home in the stars..that lifes purpose...all you're left with is your grief over your lost friend and nothing to distract you.
You spend your days no longer living, simply .."waiting to die".
You're right this isn't the Picard from TNG and the movies..this is a man broken by life.
Edit: Sniped in subtance by Gonzo
Maybe...I dunno. In my imaginings even a busted up Picard wouldn't have taken that lashing quite as easily from Admiral what's-her-name...
I don't necessarily argue with any of that (except maybe that Data seems to have a far more elevated position in Picard's emotional state than I would have expected given the entirety of TNG) - frankly you make it all sound better than it is actually conveyed on screen - at least to me!
Picard still has plenty of dignity. It's just not dialed up to 11 like it used to be.
Maybe this guy.
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Gonzo
Guest
Except Picard was right in broad terms as the potential gains were huge, Adm Clancy is going to be in trouble if/when he succeeds.
I think the Romulans were sacrificed due to Starfleets and the Federations internal faction politics, I can certainly understand why Picard could not believe they would go back on their word after all it was a purely humanitarian operation.
I have no doubt that others profited in Picards fall from grace (especially those who set the attack on Mars in motion), it also makes sense that they will take steps to ensure he stays down.
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Well yeah, i wasn't saying I didn't think Picard would be right in the end..but the arrogance I am meaning is when he thought *he* alone was more valuable.
Additionally we don't know what planets threatened to leave the Federation..it could easily be seen as the more critical need to keep them
Additionally we don't know what planets threatened to leave the Federation..it could easily be seen as the more critical need to keep them
Has anyone been in reading The Last Best Hope? Una McCormack who wrote it is a Cambridge-trained sociologist, creative writing professor and has been an Arthur C. Clarke prize judge - she's one of the best (or the best) of the recent/current crop of Trek novelists (The Never-Ending Sacrifice is beautiful, as are Brinkmanship, The Crimson Shadow, and Enigma Tales and her other works too).
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Gonzo
Guest
The problem with the Federation and by extension Starfleet is its size and bureaucracy, every planet that joins makes it harder to balance its members wants and needs, some would jump at the chance to bring the Romulans in from the cold but others will be dead set against it for all sorts of reasons.
One size doesn't fit all, balancing it out is a nightmare and its a constant fight that never ends, just imagine the complexity when dealing with hundreds of planets all with unique species.
If you try to please everyone you end up pleasing no one.
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I'm reading it right now. So far not one of her better works, but it's not bad.
I finished it the other day, nice setup to the show.
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Gonzo
Guest
Absolutely, its highly likely that there were political ramifications that Picard was unaware of.
Even if he did know of them he would say the humanitarian aspect trumps all others but that is easy for him to say as he doesn't have to deal with the consequences.
I don't actually think it was hubris, I just think he was a true believer and thought that Starfleet and the Federation was too.
It has to be said that its risky either way, big gains to be had but there was a lot to lose as well.
The whole enterprise was a big gamble but on balance the potential benefits did outweigh the risks, until the attack on Mars.
But doesn't that imply that the concept of the Federation itself is untenable? I mean why now and not at any other point in Federation history? Fallout of the Dominion war? Some other factor?
You see these are the elements of the story I think would be far more fruitful to explore as ideas. I'd much rather see that than have it all as background to the whole Soji/Dahj destroyer of worlds mystery-box...
The "true believer" analogy is a good one and his devastation is the symptom of a broken or misplaced faith.
Totally agreed. The Destroyer of Worlds mythical storyline isn't really a good fit for Star Trek.
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Gonzo
Guest
To an extent yes, sometimes negative events can bring groups together when the intent by their opponents was to split them apart, I bet the Dominion did not anticipate that the Romulans would join the war so soon but its just another case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", all the Romulans needed was a nudge and Garak provided it.
The Romulans made it worse by causing so much trouble over the centuries as well, not to mention the huge resources required to build enough ships in time to make a difference, I have no doubt there would be factions within the Federation/Starfleet who think those resources would be better used for their own projects or plans.
Quite frankly its highly likely that some Federation members would be quite happy to see the Romulans go the way of the dodo, others would be on the fence and open to being swayed for the right price.
Its a constant balancing act both within and without.
Some don't need a reason, all they need is an excuse.
Its also a bit too early to be able to say where the plot is going, as I have said before a lot depends on whether the attack on Mars was connected to the Supernova or just a coincidence, I would think it was connected but its too early to tell.
I would dearly like to know who was on that Romulan ship that was assimilated and exactly when the synths on Mars were compromised.
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Gonzo
Guest
Yes I think he was but it had become a crutch and its no surprise that he fell when it was kicked from underneath him, compare him to Kirk who never really bought into the Federation ethos, then again Kirk was a soldier not a diplomat like Picard.
No flies on Kirk, if there were he would have charged them rent.
This certainly was my reaction to first hearing about his resignation. It seemed naive, self-important, and childish. But I have to admit, after the first sight of him back at the vineyard (no, impossible!) I'm kind of enjoying the mental gymnastics it takes to accommodate this I-hit-a-wall Picard. As someone who was never overly crazy about the whole self-satisfied air of Picard and TNG in general, I'm finding/hoping it adds some interesting complexity.
As for the resignation, when I thought about some of the things he'd ACTUALLY DONE, it made a little more sense; also in light of his "all-in" initial scene. It was important enough to stake everything on, up to and including his identity. If Star Fleet had still been what he hoped it was, it would have been a wake-up call for them. When they accepted his resignation, it proved they were no longer what they seemed.
