It’s kinda funny to me how people have shifted from “Picard will die” to “nah not Picard”. (Is this because people think in TNG nostalgia terms again now because the crew is back? You can’t kill the captain? Because sorry, but you totally can nowadays. This ain’t TNG anymore.) Because from what we know so far they seem to be setting up exactly that. Maybe with a twist tho, I’ll grant them that.
Jean-Luc talks about not needing a legacy - well, it seems he now has one. Killing off his son makes very little sense since they’ve said repeatedly that this season is about setting up the next next generation. And RMB has said that Laris doesn’t appear again in season 3. Doesn’t sound like as if there’s going to be a reunion there, at least not on screen. This makes it kinda likely that Jean-Luc is going to sacrifice himself for his son. For a legacy he at first claimed he didn’t need. Character arc right there. Remember, they have all said there is a maaaaaassive threat to the Federation this time (sigh) and the final two episodes are basically like a movie on its own. And from what we know so far the aliens seem to be after Jean-Luc’s son. So, what better way of ending things than throwing himself in front of his son when Vadic finally gets the chance to grab him. Or throwing himself and Vadic into the Trek equivalent of a volcano in order to prevent her from harming his son. Whatever it takes - we ARE living in Trope City in season 3.
I mean let’s be realistic here. Sir Patrick is 82 years old. He said in an interview the other day that he now wants to return to the stage. It sounded very much like as if he sees this as the final part of his career and he wants to end it where it began - on the stage. And he has said there are no plans in place for anything beyond season 3. The planning phase they’d need at this point. Hiring writers. Shooting schedule. Casting. Etc etc. He would be what, 85 when they finally start shooting, maybe? His TNG co-stars had to help him over the line at the end of season 3 already (as LeVar Burton stated). He can’t do this anymore. Not as a series lead. Add to that the whole theme of “this Picard story has ended” that everybody is saying. I SINCERELY doubt they’ll make a fourth season. (Another show with regular TNG guest stars I can see tho, absolutely.) Add to all this Matalas’ remarks about some of the TNG cast projecting on Spock coming back from the dead. When he said that, only Frakes, McFadden and Sir Patrick had loudly expressed the desire to return, with Sir Patrick being the loudest of the bunch.
However. There is apparently a post credits scene. RMB has also said there’s a small time jump at the end of the season. So, who knows. Jean-Luc might sacrifice himself but they could always have added a post credits scene that indicates that he isn’t as dead as everyone thinks he is. Just to keep the door open for a possible return in whatever capacity. But honestly, it’s extremely unlikely that this capacity would be as a series lead. I just can’t see this happening. And the guest star thing? I can see him doing that but at the same time they’d have to approach him with a REALLY damn good plot reason, he won’t do it just so that they can check a “brought Picard back” box. What I’m saying is that a death-but-not-quite-death like that would be exactly what Sir Patrick likes - it would be a dramatic character arc ending for Jean-Luc AND it would leave a return up entirely to Sir Patrick and whether he thinks it’s justified or needed.
I love Sir Patrick to bits but I also know that he has a habit of forgetting his age (he always says he remembers his 40th birthday vividly and thinks it was just yesterday, bless him) AND of being so enthusiastic about things he enjoyed doing that he’ll yell all over the place how he wants to do it again but then ends up not doing so for various (usually practical) reasons. Wouldn’t be the first time. I’m not saying he won’t return, I’m saying that “I would love to do more Star Trek” and then actually DOING it are two entirely different things. Especially when you’re his age and when you already have other plans in place for the next chapter of your career and when the show seems to have set up a legacy character arc that gives a way of continuing with a younger actor.
I mean let’s be realistic here. Sir Patrick is 82 years old. He said in an interview the other day that he now wants to return to the stage. It sounded very much like as if he sees this as the final part of his career and he wants to end it where it began - on the stage. And he has said there are no plans in place for anything beyond season 3. The planning phase they’d need at this point. Hiring writers. Shooting schedule. Casting. Etc etc. He would be what, 85 when they finally start shooting, maybe? His TNG co-stars had to help him over the line at the end of season 3 already (as LeVar Burton stated). He can’t do this anymore. Not as a series lead. Add to that the whole theme of “this Picard story has ended” that everybody is saying. I SINCERELY doubt they’ll make a fourth season. (Another show with regular TNG guest stars I can see tho, absolutely.) Add to all this Matalas’ remarks about some of the TNG cast projecting on Spock coming back from the dead. When he said that, only Frakes, McFadden and Sir Patrick had loudly expressed the desire to return, with Sir Patrick being the loudest of the bunch.
However. There is apparently a post credits scene. RMB has also said there’s a small time jump at the end of the season. So, who knows. Jean-Luc might sacrifice himself but they could always have added a post credits scene that indicates that he isn’t as dead as everyone thinks he is. Just to keep the door open for a possible return in whatever capacity. But honestly, it’s extremely unlikely that this capacity would be as a series lead. I just can’t see this happening. And the guest star thing? I can see him doing that but at the same time they’d have to approach him with a REALLY damn good plot reason, he won’t do it just so that they can check a “brought Picard back” box. What I’m saying is that a death-but-not-quite-death like that would be exactly what Sir Patrick likes - it would be a dramatic character arc ending for Jean-Luc AND it would leave a return up entirely to Sir Patrick and whether he thinks it’s justified or needed.
I love Sir Patrick to bits but I also know that he has a habit of forgetting his age (he always says he remembers his 40th birthday vividly and thinks it was just yesterday, bless him) AND of being so enthusiastic about things he enjoyed doing that he’ll yell all over the place how he wants to do it again but then ends up not doing so for various (usually practical) reasons. Wouldn’t be the first time. I’m not saying he won’t return, I’m saying that “I would love to do more Star Trek” and then actually DOING it are two entirely different things. Especially when you’re his age and when you already have other plans in place for the next chapter of your career and when the show seems to have set up a legacy character arc that gives a way of continuing with a younger actor.
