"Star Trek: Picard" is a Groundbreaking Show

[Danja]

Sir Patrick Stewart has to be the oldest actor ever cast in a leading role in a Star Trek series.

The Berman-era days of actors having to be young and smokin' hot are over. Seventy-year-old Carol Kane has just been cast as Chief Engineer Pelia in S2 of Strange New Worlds:

Would this have been possible had not Sir Patrick broken down the door?

 

[Alexander Corrino]

Hmm. Jean-Luc was in his very late 50s when he took over command of the Enterprise and he was in his mid 70s when we saw him last in command of a ship in Nemesis, so, from an in-universe point of view, an older chief engineer doesn't strike me as super unusual. (Let's not forget that Jean-Luc IS over a decade older than Sir Patrick.)

I'm not sure this is that easy to compare tho - PIC is literally BASED on the idea that Jean-Luc is much older now, just like Sir Patrick. These two have always been in a "symbiotic relationship", and it continues now, too.

And casting such an "old" actor was both a blessing and a curse - they did their best to accomodate him but I do know that the whole thing demanded every last ounce of his strength. LeVar Burton even made a remark that, by the end of season 3's shooting, the entire rest of the TNG cast had to help Sir Patrick in various ways because he was struggling so much with everything (I absolutely cannot blame him, I'd crumble after two DAYS of shooting and he endured shooting two whole SEASONS back to back). Casting a much older actor in a leading role also comes with certain restrictions - they also had to accomodate the shooting schedule of the show because Sir Patrick gets too tired in the afternoons. So, they started extremely early in the mornings. Etc etc. You have to be willing to go to these extra lengths, and sadly, a lot of studios are not, and I'm not sure if casting Sir Patrick will pave the way for more shows like this, or if it even paved the way for casting an older actress for SNW - she's 70 and not the leading role, I therefore don't see any of the "accomodation issues" popping up that they had with Sir Patrick.

But, of course, if it turns out that Sir Patrick paved the way for this decision I'm all for it (I'm just not sure if these two cases can be compared directly because it's a different setting and a different premise and a different kind of role). I absolutely loathe Hollywood's obsession with youth.

 

[Danja]

I won't deny Sir Patrick was lightning in a bottle.

 

[KennyB]

Hmm. Jean-Luc was in his very late 50s when he took over command of the Enterprise and he was in his mid 70s when we saw him last in command of a ship in Nemesis, so, from an in-universe point of view, an older chief engineer doesn't strike me as super unusual. (Let's not forget that Jean-Luc IS over a decade older than Sir Patrick.)

I'm not sure this is that easy to compare tho - PIC is literally BASED on the idea that Jean-Luc is much older now, just like Sir Patrick. These two have always been in a "symbiotic relationship", and it continues now, too.

But, of course, if it turns out that Sir Patrick paved the way for this decision I'm all for it (I'm just not sure if these two cases can be compared directly because it's a different setting and a different premise and a different kind of role). I absolutely loathe Hollywood's obsession with youth.

I agree, I do not see Picard equalling or leading to the casting of Kane. While I love the show I would hardly call it groundbreaking. If anything I think the Chief Engineer casting may have been to have someone older (close to retirement) to mentor and be replaced by a younger bloke named Scott at some point......without having to kill another engineer.

 

[Danja]

I agree, I do not see Picard equalling or leading to the casting of Kane. While I love the show I would hardly call it groundbreaking. If anything I think the Chief Engineer casting may have been to have someone older (close to retirement) to mentor and be replaced by a younger bloke named Scott at some point......without having to kill another engineer.

That's going to be a while (Uhura is still a cadet).

 

[KennyB]

That's going to be a while (Uhura is still a cadet).

We don't really know when anyone joined the crew........but it could be a few seasons.

 

[Tosk]

I think it's awesome that we're getting Carol Kane in SNW.
No, I don't think it has anything to do with Patrick Stewart reprising the role he started in 1987.

 

[Alexander Corrino]

I won't deny Sir Patrick was lightning in a bottle.

Absolutely. His portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard was so unique and so amazing that he got his own spin-off show focused on his character and not a starship or a space station. A first in the franchise. Come to think of it... THAT one might actually now pave the way for more shows like PIC.

 

[Agony_Boothb]

Sir Patrick Stewart has to be the oldest actor ever cast in a leading role in a Star Trek series.

The Berman-era days of actors having to be young and smokin' hot are over. Seventy-year-old Carol Kane has just been cast as Chief Engineer Pelia in S2 of Strange New Worlds:

Would this have been possible had not Sir Patrick broken down the door?

I don't think this had anything necessarily to do with Picard. Star Trek is just finally being progressive in it's casting choices. Gone are the days of needing to sex up a show with a blonde woman in a catsuit that restricts her ability to breath or telling another actress that her bust needs to bigger.

 

[Rahul]

I thought it was "groundbreaking" because in the new trailer Starfleet headquarter literally get's it's ground beneath broken to be swallowed by the earth.

 

[Tosk]

Gone are the days of needing to sex up a show with a blonde woman in a catsuit that restricts her ability to breath

And yet here we are, adding blonde woman Carol Kane in a very tight suit.

 

[Agony_Boothb]

And yet here we are, adding blonde woman Carol Kane in a very tight suit.

I'll be happy if i look half as good as Carol Kane when I'm 70

 

[Tuskin38]

I thought it was "groundbreaking" because in the new trailer Starfleet headquarter literally get's it's ground beneath broken to be swallowed by the earth.

I mean, we don't know if that's Starfleet HQ :P

 

[Danja]

I mean, we don't know if that's Starfleet HQ :P

Or even if it's going to be blown up?

They weren't kidding when they said the villain would be Khan-level bad!

 

[STEPhon IT]

I thought the series could've been ground breaking if the showrunners stuck to their guns and kept developing Rios, Raffi, Agnes, Laris, Elnor, and Soji; there's so much there to be explored. What could've been if they if they stayed the course by exploring a new corner of the Star Trek universe. I liked the SS La Sirena, outside and inside it was very different and presented the possibilities of something fresh and it was. Another take on expanding the complexities of the EMH was a step forward on the concept. We do have one more season, I would like to see it one last time. Bring back Rios.

 

[Ragitsu]

What is youth but a time to spend cruelty and save wisdom?

 

[fireproof78]

Bring back Rios.

He's dead.

 

[shapeshifter]

Would this have been possible had not Sir Patrick broken down the door?

It was probably the casting producer that got it done, but Stewart agreed to have a go so good on him too.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Kane is a legend and I fucking love her, but I don't know if I'd call her casting "groundbreaking," especially in a franchise like Star Trek -- who built an entire film series around its aging cast. Doohan was in his mid-seventies by the time they filmed GEN.

Even if limiting it to women, both Jens and Fletcher were in their 60s during DS9s run, with Jens even returning to voice her role for Star Trek Online in her late 80s.

Star Trek may have a historic tendency to self-aggrandize its progressivism, but its push against Hollywood ageism is one place it actually holds up. And Berman may have been a creepy, sexist pig, but even during his heyday, Star Trek was a haven for aging actors to consistently find work in guest roles where they likely would not have elsewhere.

 

[KennyB]

And yet here we are, adding blonde woman Carol Kane in a very tight suit.

Has there EVER been a baggy Starfleet uniform?

I thought the series could've been ground breaking if the showrunners stuck to their guns and kept developing Rios, Raffi, Agnes, Laris, Elnor, and Soji; there's so much there to be explored.

While I agree with your basic point........season 2 & 3 had a different showrunner than the 1st season.....I would have loved if Michael Chabon had plotted out and ran all three seasons. However they went a different direction and I hope they stick the landing. I have no desire to see another Soong or Data.........or Yar really.