Spoilers Star Trek: Picard 3x01 - "The Next Generation"

[captainkirk]

My thoughts are mixed. I really didn't like season 1 or 2, but I thought they both had really strong opening episodes. I'd say this felt like a step down from those two, we'll see if the rest of the season improves or if it nosedives like they did.

The nostalgia bait such as "In the 25th century" does absolutely nothing for me anymore. I just roll my eyes now when I see stuff like that.

The same goes for the music. The Goldsmith themes are so much better than the Russo ones, but it's not Jerry Goldsmith writing new music, it's someone else just recycling his greatest hits.

There's still plenty of stuff I liked, but given the quality of the previous seasons it'll take a lot to win me back over. I hope subsequent episodes can do that like they seem to have for many critics.

 

[captainkirk]

What’s the new series? Captain Seven of the Starship Titan with Sidney LaForge as helmsman and maybe Dr. Jack Crusher/Howard/Picard and Cadet Kestra Riker in the mix somehow with all the new crew? I’d go for it.

Don't forget, Soji is kind of Data's daughter and she's still around somewhere.

 

[Tallguy]

The same goes for the music. The Goldsmith themes are so much better than the Russo ones, but it's not Jerry Goldsmith writing new music, it's someone else just recycling his greatest hits.

OTOH rather than bringing back any Horner themes (which have never had anything to do with TNG) they simply went for "Horner-esque".

I've decided I'm just hear for the Riker snark. It's so good.

 

[James Cole]

Positive reviews for the episode from
The New York Times
New York Magazine / Vulture
Collider
Den of Geek

 

[fireproof78]

Just really don't like Captain Shaw.

You're not supposed to unless you like assholes.

See also Jellico.

 

[Citiprime]

I really liked this episode and hope it builds to a good conclusion.

• Agree with others who've said Shaw's behavior is both understandable and abhorrent.
• On the understandable side, if a visiting admiral and captain had tried to pull the same scheme on Picard when he was captain of the Enterprise-D, pushing to alter his orders with little in the way of justification, I'm guessing he would of denied it too.
• But even before that, his behavior is rude to the point of wondering how the man ever became a captain. He began dinner before Picard and Riker arrived, as an obvious power-move-dick-measuring show of bravado. He insults Picard's gift. He insults Riker's appreciation of Jazz. And he puts highly-decorated officers in Lower Decks accommodations.
• All of that might have worked better if they had justified it somehow. Maybe Shaw's parents were killed at Wolf 359 and he's resentful of Picard? Or maybe Riker had stood in the way of him becoming captain of the Titan? But as it is, Shaw is just a dick because he's written as a jerk. Telling Seven of Nine she can't use the name identifies with and insulting both her and Picard as "former ex-Borg" was just way over the line.
• I wondered of what we're supposed to think of Riker's pull within Starfleet between seasons 1 and 2. Riker has gone from being able to summon a fleet of dozens of ships to now unable to get even his former command to alter course as a favor. Has something happened?

 

[fireproof78]

Agree with others who've said Shaw's behavior is both understandable and abhorrent.

This is one of Star Trek's great strengths and when it does it it is absolutely my preference. Too often there is a strong effort to sanitize, or at least make less painful, how humanity really is. If there are negative attributes experienced then it's a guest star, or bad admiral of the week, or someone who dies so we are able to put distance between their behavior and our own humanity. But, it exists in all of us to be a jerk. Hell, routinely people disparage others on this forum for their different likes an interests in Trek. It's a part of us. Shaw is like us, a reflection of our humanity. I welcome that.

I wondered of what we're supposed to think of Riker's pull within Starfleet between seasons 1 and 2. Riker has gone from being able to summon a fleet of dozens of ships to now unable to get even his former command to alter course as a favor. Has something happened?

No? Picard sent a message to Admiral Clancy, and Riker was given the task of supporting his friend with a task force. That's it.

 

[Tallguy]

I have no problem with everyone not being in love with Our Heroes. And I don't mind officers who have a different way of getting the job done, even seeing through some blind spots that the regulars have. (See: Jellico.)

But Shaw is a cartoon. He's about as well written as the racist buffoons from The Undiscovered Country.

The actor isn't bad, actually.

For a show that has for DECADES told us how we should get along with each other because everyone has a point of view it seems Shaw (and some characters in previous seasons) is clearly deplorable because why else wouldn't someone love Picard. We don't have to listen to anything he says because he's just an invalid and stupid person.

There was a lot of really lazy writing in the last two seasons so this might not be the worst. But it's the one we're going to have to watch for the next however long he lasts.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

Good episode! Lots of fun. Nods to the movies everywhere, specifically TWOK and TSFS. The final scene was a duplicate of Kirk et al. combing through Regula I and the Genesis cave, right down to the disarming of David Marcus Jack Crusher and the revelation that he's Carol's Beverly's son.

I haven't gone through all 36 pages of this thread, so I don't know if this has been brought up. Concerning Jack Crusher: I'm wondering if he's either some kind of Borg, or has Borg tech in him. There must have been a reason Bev was playing that specific ship's log entry. I'm sure it wasn't just for old time's sake. It would explain why someone is hunting them down.

Given the mention of Rachel Garrett, this strengthens my opinion that Vadic is the offspring of someone from the Enterprise-C, likely Tasha Yar.

 

[Nerys Myk]

There's no version of Starfleet we've ever seen where a ship won't have accomodation suitable for a visiting dignitary (or two in this case). It's such bad world building, all for a bad joke version of characterisation. Shaw would be eligible for a reprimand for that behaviour.

He very well might be. But given the circumstances, probably not. Who's gonna report him?

 

[Tuskin38]

The films used proper contrast lighting because they could, you know, afford a DP.

Picard has a DP. Why are you being such a ninny.

Also please rewatch those movies. Someone even posted a comparison picture of the lighting of the movies. (I apologize I forget who made this)

 

[TRON JA307020]

Good episode! Lots of fun. Nods to the movies everywhere, specifically TWOK and TSFS. The final scene was a duplicate of Kirk et al. combing through Regula I and the Genesis cave, right down to the disarming of David Marcus Jack Crusher and the revelation that he's Carol's Beverly's son.

I haven't gone through all 36 pages of this thread, so I don't know if this has been brought up. Concerning Jack Crusher: I'm wondering if he's either some kind of Borg, or has Borg tech in him. There must have been a reason Bev was playing that specific ship's log entry. I'm sure it wasn't just for old time's sake. Although I also like the theory that he's another clone of Picard rescued from the Romulans.

Given the mention of Rachel Garrett, this strengthens my opinion that Vadic is the offspring of someone from the Enterprise-C, likely Tasha Yar.

Yeah I heard the C theory. That's possible. I think we are going to see multiple big bads here. Possibly lore will be the ring leader in at least getting all the factions together.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Picard has a DP. Why are you being such a ninny.

Also please rewatch those movies. Someone even posted a comparison picture of the lighting of the movies. (I apologize I forget who made this)

Yeah Picard looks darker than all of them.lol

 

[Precious Tritium]

The lighting thing is so strange because the scenes on the Stargazer in season 2 didn’t look anywhere near this dark. It’s ostensibly the same set, except they like… moved a couple of chairs or something, yet you can’t see shit this season.

Maybe it’s supposed to be a thematic choice, but there’s way to shoot stuff like this where you can still make out the details.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

The lighting thing is so strange because the scenes on the Stargazer in season 2 didn’t look anywhere near this dark. It’s ostensibly the same set, except they like… moved a couple of chairs or something, yet you can’t see shit this season.

Maybe it’s supposed to be a thematic choice, but there’s way to shoot stuff like this where you can still make out the details.

Shaw is from the Mirror Universe... Just kidding... I hope.

 

[Tuskin38]

Frontier Day is celebrating the 250th anniversary of Starfleet
https://twitter.com/gaghyogi49/status/1626627786956734479

Crossfield class?

Yeah Picard looks darker than all of them.lol

Nope. Compare the corridor shots.

 

[fireproof78]

Shaw is from the Mirror Universe... Just kidding... I hope.

Probably not.

Largely because Terry (all hail his lordship) has stated he wants to explore the fallout of incidents in the prime universe. So, Shaw being from the MU would undermind that. Shaw will be like Cartwright, or Maddox, or even that prejudiced officer against Data.

 

[Tuskin38]

Man, not only does Jorg have a good eye, he has a good ear as well

"Pay close attention when Laris and Picard talk about old and new friends and living in the present in #StarTrekPicard's "The Next Generation" and you will briefly hear the theme from "Star Trek Insurrection" that is also heard as Anij slows down time. A poignant tribute!"

https://twitter.com/gaghyogi49/status/1626635336033107968

 

[RuleofAcuisition17]

• All of that might have worked better if they had justified it somehow. Maybe Shaw's parents were killed at Wolf 359 and he's resentful of Picard? Or maybe Riker had stood in the way of him becoming captain of the Titan? But as it is, Shaw is just a dick because he's written as a jerk. Telling Seven of Nine she can't use the name identifies with and insulting both her and Picard as "former ex-Borg" was just way over the line.
• I wondered of what we're supposed to think of Riker's pull within Starfleet between seasons 1 and 2. Riker has gone from being able to summon a fleet of dozens of ships to now unable to get even his former command to alter course as a favor. Has something happened?

I'd say we're going to see it as the season unfolds hopefully. I'd certainly like to see how Shaw operates more and why he has such a hatred for Borg no matter what. It's slightly shocking that we've never really explored it too deeply outside of Voyager, but with what The Collective has managed to assimilate its honestly surprising that there's not more suspicion and worry from people in The Federation. Several times Seven herself went rogue and would modify if not annex systems and other shenanigans that, elsewhere might've seen her thrown in the brig under constantly armed guard with anyone not Janeway (or beholden to the ratings which always went up with her on screen).

By 2401 Riker was in the reserved fleet so could be reactivated if needs be. If it's 2405 or so as we suspect it is? That's another 4 years of age, time and as many captains and others who likely enter the reserve themselves. Meaning Riker's probably gone from the "A" list to C/D his power's definitely waning despite his seniority and skills. He's very much "out to pasture".

 

[UssGlenn]

All of that might have worked better if they had justified it somehow. Maybe Shaw's parents were killed at Wolf 359 and he's resentful of Picard?

I'm sure that reveal will come later. And I find your theory here very likely.