Picard's Perfect Mate

[JustKate]

See, it is exactly those characterizations and relationship dynamics between Picard and Vash I dearly love, like Han Solo to Princess Leia Organa or SG1's Vala Mal Doran to Dr. Daniel Jackson. Picard and Vash have a very compelling 'battle of wills' dynamic to their relationship. Vash's brazenness complements Picard's more sedate personality perfectly. She is the ideal foil for Picard's straight man.

Vash breaks into the captain's quarters. Does Picard call security? Does he have her thrown in the brig? No, the good captain beds her and makes her breakfast the next morning. This woman is just too cool!

Yeah, but...

Breaking into the captain's quarters once is cute and romantic. Not so easy to live with day to day, though.

To me "perfect mate" means someone Picard could actually have a long-term relationship with - not merely an affair or fling. I'd say Vash fits into one of the latter two categories. And, just so you'll know that I don't have anything against her, that's probably all she'd want, too. She's not really a long-term relationship kind of gal herself, IMO.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

Yeah, but...

Breaking into the captain's quarters once is cute and romantic. Not so easy to live with day to day, though.

To me "perfect mate" means someone Picard could actually have a long-term relationship with - not merely an affair or fling. I'd say Vash fits into one of the latter two categories. And, just so you'll know that I don't have anything against her, that's probably all she'd want, too. She's not really a long-term relationship kind of gal herself, IMO.

I know you don't have anything against the character and enjoy character because you've said so before. And even if you hated the character, no big deal. Everyone has characters they don't particularly like.

I don't see Picard as really being the picket fence type. As Vash so succinctly told him "You need excitement." I think it would take someone like Vash to challenge him and keep him interested long term. Jenice Manheim said it best in the first season episode 'We'll Always Have Paris' when she told Picard that he never met her that last day in Paris because of his greatest fear, "The real reason you left … is that life with me would some how have made you ordinary."

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[JustKate]

Nellie...there's a difference between "long-term relationship" and anything involving picket fences. I agree with the challenging part, though. That's why I picked Phillipa.

 

[Geckothan]

Beverly for sure. It's a real shame they didn't really do anything worthwhile with the Picard/Beverly relationship.

 

[Red Ranger]

Oh, Phillipa, definitely - I agree with Tomalak, Red Ranger and (halfway ) with WillsBabe.

There is such a thing as too much history, and I think that's what Beverly and Jean Luc have. And Vash, while I enjoy her as a character, is just too...conniving and unprincipled.

As for Nella...you know, I enjoy that episode but I found her soooooo annoying. Apparently Jean Luc didn't, but I just can't see it. Also...is it just me or does she look a bit too much like Beverly? Kind of weird.

But Phillipa is his equal in every way, and she seemed to see both his strengths and his flaws, which I don't think everybody does. What fun that would have been to see!

You know, of all those potential mates for Picard, I'm warm for the form of Nella Darren! Hotter than Phillipa Louvois! -- RR

 

[The Grim Ghost]

Anybody other than boring Beverly. Sure they've known each other for a long time and care about each other, but I never saw any sparks flying there.

I think Nella was the one. They had the physical and intellectual chemistry going. There was chemistry with Vash too, but I see her as too unpredictable for the stolid Picard.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

I agree with the challenging part, though. That's why I picked Phillipa.

Phillipa was a cool character and certainly works on the challenging aspect. I love her line about Picard being "A damn sexy man." In fact I have that sound bite on computer. However, we weren't really told much about her other than she's a tough lawyer.


In my opinion, Vash provides the challenge Picard needs while their shared interest in archaeology and exploration gives them a great deal in common.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[The Grim Ghost]

I kind of like the Vash pairing, but an important part of a relationship is trust and Vash simply can't be trusted. I can see Vash as a fling for Picard or as some kind of on again off again love interest, but never a stable long term relationship.

Vash is like the fun girl you call up on Saturday night at 3 am or something!

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

In the words of Miles O'Brien, "the captain likes a good challenge"

It's Vash all the way.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I feel stupid. Who is Lily Sloane?

 

[Michael]

I feel stupid. Who is Lily Sloane?

Memory Alpha is your friend: Lily Sloane worked with Zephran Cochrane to build the Pheonix in Star Trek: First Contact. She spent a great bulk of the movie together with Picard up aboard the Enterprise.

 

[Red Ranger]

I feel stupid. Who is Lily Sloane?

She was Zephrem Cochrane's associate in ST: First Contact, played by Alfre Woodard. They didn't have a romantic relationship, and she was a mid-21st century woman, but I can see it, as she's the one who helps Picard realize he's become Captain Ahab and the Borg have become his White Whale. -- RR

 

[tomalak301]

Kamala, because the episode said so. And also because Famke Janssen is hot.

Seriously though, probably Crusher.

 

[The Grim Ghost]

I feel stupid. Who is Lily Sloane?

You probably aren't connecting it because she wasn't one of Picard's love interests. She was just a supporting character. The TC included some people Picard was never actually involved with, like Guinan for example.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I feel stupid. Who is Lily Sloane?

You probably aren't connecting it because she wasn't one of Picard's love interests. She was just a supporting character. The TC included some people Picard was never actually involved with, like Guinan for example.

I think Sloane was what was throwing me. I kept thinking "Bill Sadler's wife?"

 

[kitsune]

Beverly might be the logical choice, but she's b-o-r-i-n-g, so I picked Vash. Vash would keep Picard on his toes. Never a dull day.

 

[LaBarre]

I happen to agree with Patrick Stewart himself. In December of 1998, Patrick Stewart was quoted in the Calgary Sun as saying "I personally like to think Picard and Vash had a very active sex life. I can't believe Picard just read Shakespeare up there in his room all those years." Hands down it's Vash!

In canon, Vash was Picard's only reoccurring love interest.

That same interview went on to say:

Stewart was convinced romance lurked for Picard in the Generation film franchise, but in the first two films, he was too busy saving mankind to romp in the boudoir. Stewart let his feelings be known so, for Insurrection, screenwriter Michael Piller gave Picard a love interest on a distant planet inhabited by the Ba'ku, a race of beautiful, youthful people. The alluring lady is Anij (Donna Murphy), who looks 35 but is actually 350 years old.

Of course, at the relevant time, i.e. the introduction of Vash to ST:TNG, it appears to be accepted that it came about as the result of what The TNG Companion states: "grew out of Patrick Stewart's desire for more 'sex and shooting' for Picard."

And, in keeping with that wish, canon went on to establish Vash as Picard's only recurring implied sex interest.

But "sex and shooting" do not a "perfect mate" make, IMO.

For "romance" there are plenty of contenders.

But for "perfect mate" there is only one possible candidate. Canon-wise she was a critically important part of JLP's life long before he took up captaincy of the Enterprise, and there she remained critically important to him and his welfare (don't get picky about Season 2) until the end - and she ain't Vash.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

And, in keeping with that wish, canon went on to establish Vash as Picard's only recurring implied sex interest.

Agreed. In canon Vash is Picard only implied recurring sex partner.

But "sex and shooting" do not a "perfect mate" make, IMO.

Let's look at the definition of the word mate. According to the TheFreeDictionary's general English dictionary:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mate

mate 1 (mt)
n.
1. One of a matched pair: the mate to this glove.
2. A spouse.

3.
a. Either of a pair of animals or birds that associate in order to propagate.
b. Either of a pair of animals brought together for breeding.

Vash is the only reoccurring character that fits the third definition of the term mate (the sexual implication of the term). Beverly does not fit this definition of the term. In canon (season seven episode Attached) she turned down this type of a relationship with Picard.

4.
a. A person with whom one is in close association; an associate.
b. Chiefly British A good friend or companion.
c. A person with whom one shares living quarters. Often used in combination: advertised for a new flatmate.

Beverly certainly fits the a and b part of this definition (the platonic connotation) but so does Riker, Data, Worf, Geordi, and Deanna.

5. A deck officer on a merchant ship ranking next below the master.
6. A U.S. Navy petty officer who is an assistant to a warrant officer.

But for "perfect mate" there is only one possible candidate. Canon-wise she was a critically important part of JLP's life long before he took up captaincy of the Enterprise, and there she remained critically important to him and his welfare (don't get picky about Season 2) until the end - and she ain't Vash.

IMO, your description here more accurately fits Guinan than Beverly Crusher.

Edited to add: Using the 3rd definition of the term mate (the sexual connotation) the answer as to who would be Picard's perfect mate IMO is Vash.

Using the 4th definition of the term mate (the platonic connotation) IMO the answer is Guinan.


Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[es!]

^ a scientific reply, woot!
Imagining Worf as Picard's mate was a lil bit weird though

 

[Whoa Nellie]

^ a scientific reply, woot!

Thank you.

Imagining Worf as Picard's mate was a lil bit weird though

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie