Needing Some Honest Opinions

[Bry_Sinclair]

Picard S1 I found very 'meh'. Certain elements of the story never gripped me and some of the characters weren't all that engaging, but it looked good and also it was led by Sir Patrick, though I was never really blown away by the show to the extent that I've not watched S2 yet (reasons to follow). But having seen a few tiny snippets and promo pics of S3 I'm interested to see what its about (as it reunites the TNG cast for one last hurrah, with Crusher seemingly playing a far more substantial role than she has previously, so yay).

My reasons for not really going near S2 yet are that there are lots of elements that have really been done to death so far (with more time travel and even more Borg) as well as having to suffer through more Q, whilst I've also read/seen about story elements that really seem more problematic than anything else (the whole thing around Picard's mother), though I've not done any sort of deep dive so most of the season remains a mystery to me.

My question is thus, should I give S2 a shot in order to go into S3 (is it essential viewing) or would I be able to pick up the final season and just enjoy it for what it is?

I'm looking for some honest opinions here, so please no bashing one another. For all those who've enjoyed all of Picard, I'm happy for you, please don't take any of this as an attack against yourselves.

 

[fireproof78]

My question is thus, should I give S2 a shot in order to go into S3 (is it essential viewing) or would I be able to pick up the final season and just enjoy it for what it is?

Just take season 3 as is.

 

[Alexander Corrino]

Every single reviewer who has seen either the first six episodes or the entire third season already has said that it’s not necessary to watch either season 1 or 2 before watching season 3. So no, they don’t seem to be essential.

 

[Tuskin38]

Every single reviewer who has seen either the first six episodes or the entire third season already has said that it’s not necessary to watch either season 1 or 2 before watching season 3. So no, they don’t seem to be essential.

I'd have to disagree with them, Raffi's story in the first season at least helps with context in Episode 1.

 

[Markonian]

I'd have to disagree with them, Raffi's story in the first season at least helps with context in Episode 1.

True, but Raffi ist just some new character. One can just accept she’s there and doing some plot stuff while also experiencing drama. Season 3 is about the legacy cast.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Every single reviewer who has seen either the first six episodes or the entire third season already has said that it’s not necessary to watch either season 1 or 2 before watching season 3. So no, they don’t seem to be essential.

Good to see there is some consensus there

I'd have to disagree with them, Raffi's story in the first season at least helps with context in Episode 1.

Well I have seen S1 and Raffi was one of the more interesting new characters so she won't really come as a surprise.

 

[Lord Garth]

You can skip Season 2 completely. Picard and Laris are together now. That's all you need to know and I just told you. So put on Season 3.

 

[fireproof78]

I'd say watch it. If confused watch season 2 and ask questions

 

[urbandk]

S2 is a bottle episode stretched into an entire season, so you can skip it. FTR I am a fan of S2

 

[fireproof78]

S2 is a bottle episode stretched into an entire season, so you can skip it. FTR I am a fan of S2

All seasons are just episodes.

 

[Relayer1]

I really liked season one, but season two really dropped off.

I loved the first episode of season three - I have high hopes !

I'd never pass on watching any Trek (well, Lower Decks excepted) but I don't think missing season two would be an issue for you.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I'll be waiting until it's fully released and then see about giving it a binge.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

You can skip Season 2 completely. Picard and Laris are together now. That's all you need to know and I just told you. So put on Season 3.

Laris was definitely a highlight of S1, I never knew I needed an Irish Romulan in my Trek until she came along, hehe!

 

[flandry84]

You won’t find a bigger Trek fan than me and yet...despite having both seasons right there at the touch of a button I haven’t gone past two episodes of either.

 

[Judith Sisko]

Skip Season 2 for now. You can always go back and watch it later, iyw.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

You won’t find a bigger Trek fan than me and yet...despite having both seasons right there at the touch of a button I haven’t gone past two episodes of either.

Had it not really been for Sir Patrick I probably wouldn't have watched all of S1.

 

[El Maestro]

Just read a wiki. We'll see how season 3 goes after a pretty promising start. The problem with S2 and S1 is that Patrick Stewart agreed to do the show but doesn't seem to want to play the actual character. This is not to argue that he should be exactly the same as he was on TNG but the characterization of JLP has been off since the TNG movies.

 

[Anduinel]

From all reports, S2 is completely superflous when it comes to viewing S3. If you're not a fan of Q, Picard's Borg trauma, or time travel (and it wasn't even good time travel), best to avoid. S1 isn't supposed to be essential, but it helps give a little background that might be useful like Data's death, Raffi's intro, etc. and you've got all that.

 

[Campe]

I think it’s way too early to tell if season 3 is worth it. We’re 1/10 of the way through the story. But you definitely could skip season 2 if you wanted to and not miss much.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Just read a wiki. We'll see how season 3 goes after a pretty promising start. The problem with S2 and S1 is that Patrick Stewart agreed to do the show but doesn't seem to want to play the actual character. This is not to argue that he should be exactly the same as he was on TNG but the characterization of JLP has been off since the TNG movies.

The whole universe just seems a little off at times, from the sweary admiral (whose name I can't even begin to recall) believing it was Starfleet's right to correct all the wrongs in the universe (she seems to have slept through the class on the Prime Directive), to androids being used as slave labour (when VOY was heading down the path of equal rights for holograms for goodness sake). I know the UFP has endured the Dominion War (though that wasn't their first war not even the longest they've ever fought) and the destruction of Romulus is going to have drastically altered the balance of power in the Quadrant (though before this steps were being made towards more peaceful co-existence with the Romulan Empire), it always just felt to me that the series needed a made for TV movie or something before it to bring forward the universe, and set out how things had gone so badly, so that when the show started they could jump right in to the characters (some of whom could've featured/starred in the TV movie) and plot without the need for lots of exposition and backstory.