Why is Picard portrayed as a man without charisma and authority through out this series? People can grow old and change their view of the world, can become more fragile but charisma and authority are part of being, part of character. That's why we loved Picard in TNG series and movies. Now there is no such thing. Why? It doesn't feel right. When we see Riker he's the same guy as he always was.
When we saw Picard in TNG he was at the peak of his career in the prime of his life. In the movies he was even an Action Hero! Setting aside the android nonsense the writers seem to want to ignore themselves, he is now in the twilight of his life. It’s kind of painful to see, for I find the passage of time can be a terribly sad thing when you see people age and decline. Part of Picard’s authority and charisma was Patrick Stewart’s bold, vibrant voice and timbre. Now, through no fault of his own, Stewart’s voice is notably weaker and almost raspy. That alone changes his performance considerably.
Yes. Voice was a great factor of his charisma and authority. But it is compensable. Instead of compensation for his voice, writers killed every aspect of his charisma and authority for sure.
He's a very passive character here. It's not their intention that he appear doddering, I'm sure, but it's how he comes across.
To be fair, the previous writing teams have been making a lot of characters passive. I know they wanted to 'humble' Picard in past seasons https://www.startrek.com/news/the-humbling-of-admiral-picard for whatever reason. Season 3 gives Picard his spine back and I'm loving it. 3x02 Spoiler clip: There's also some major arguments coming this season that allows Patrick to really deliver.
I think some of it might be that Stewart is just to old at this point. He has lost his voice as people tend to do as they get older and we are seeing more Stewart than Picard in the show. Plus lets not forget that when he season 1 came around it had been a very long time since he last played the character.
I'm curious as to what people resent the representation of the passage of time in fiction. He's lost his "authority". Well yeah, he's not in charge anymore. He can't make anyone do anything without charming then into it. Speaking of which...he lacks "charisma"? I've never been more charmed by the man. And considering the hoops he's been able to get people to jump through, they haven't either.
It's simply that seeing a hero age is uncomfortable. Aging can make people uncomfortable and I would imagine that Picard not looking like his younger self is not meeting expectations for many who want TNG as it was presented back in the day. Which isn't possible, but speaks to an unconscious expectation.
Yes this is very true. I long ago divorced myself from the trials of fictional characters (ok that's not entirely true, but I've tried to as much as possible). I expect them to change, be weak, in peril, etc.
Same. It is my preference for my fiction to be consistent with a measure of reality, rather than deny it to the Nth degree.
I don't think that is the case. I think in terms of Trek though they kind of already did this best with KIrk and the TOS crew in the movies. One of the things that made Wrath of Khan really great was they allowed the characters basically be old. Kirk was great as old Kirk if you will, in the movies.
I mean, the entire point of Star Trek: Picard is to explore who Jean-Luc Picard is if age and the passage of time means he is no longer the powerful starship captain. He's a person who has become more gentle in his golden years. There's nothing wrong with that.
It was a great premise. It's just not one they really pulled off that well. IMO the show would have been better if Picard never left earth and was totally set with him trying to find purpose while living in his Vineyard knowing is days of adventure in space are past him. Lets not forget I think part of the selling point was that we would be seeing Picard much like we saw him as his character in "Logan."
Indeed. And I think, missteps and all, it has given me a greater appreciation for Picard than TNG ever did. As well as very much reflective of psychosocial stages of development.
I think it’s pretty awesome that Stewart is playing Picard as an older man who has made some big mistakes. It’s a reversal of the infallible, god-like Captain Picard of TNG. I doubt Shatner would ever have allowed Kirk to be seen like this. I’m not sure if there would be much point in just bringing him back and he’s still the same guy, commanding a starship. I’m guessing that’s where this season is ultimately heading, but I hope it’ll have been earned. Early signs are positive.