Maurice and Yvette Picard - How do we interpret them?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I mean, again, even in the 21st century you can't force your relatives to get treatment unless you're their parent.

The idea of forcing someone to accept treatment is a very dangerous thing indeed. A metric fuckton of caution is called for at all times.

Obviously Yvette Picard had a serious condition, but ultimately the choice of whether or not to accept treatment is, and should always be, up to her. As the patient, Yvette’s wishes must be respected above all else. If she doesn’t want treatment, she can’t be forced to accept it. That’s the bottom line.

I mean, we know that Maurice is a good man who would never willingly harm his wife, but there are too many situations where this is not the case. Forced treatment can be, and often is, used as a terrible weapon. Not just by family members, but also authoritarian governments….so the idea of forced mental health treatment should always be viewed as a horrible thing.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Throughout the majority of TNG the extent of Deanna's counselling was basically just "I sense hostility." "Yes, so I gathered when he attempted to punch me."

Or saying "He's hiding something" unless the plot requires them to be hiding something in which case it zooms right past her.

 

[fireproof78]

….so the idea of forced mental health treatment should always be viewed as a horrible thing.

Not in the enlightened 24th century. For reasons.

 

[Guy Gardener]

He's twice as old as she is.

But that could just be Picard using an older version of dad that he is more used to than young James Callis from Bridget Jones Diary.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

@Mark 2000 wrote an excellent piece on this very subject and why it doesn't really work as a whole.

Everything about Yvette’s graphic death was pointless, and its message was completely unsound.

Read the rest here: http://trekcomic.com/2022/05/17/picard-twists/

 

[Deks]

I mean, again, even in the 21st century you can't force your relatives to get treatment unless you're their parent.

There are major differences between the 21st century and the 24th though.
For one thing, since there is no money when the UFP formed, medical care is free and accessible to everyone (not to mention the fact there are practically no waiting times and body scans are very quickly done with scanners).

Second, everyone would be exposed to relevant general education, critical thinking and problem solving (in fact, given the kind of radical socio-economic shift Earth went through after WWIII (eliminating poverty, wars, disease, etc. - I suspect many things like medical care and basic necessities were accessible to everyone even at this stage - aka, during ENT run - and once again when UFP was established) you wouldn't expect of these people to develop anti-tech sentiments to begin with - or if some have, they wouldn't aschew ALL technology and science... but mainly restrict stuff they deem to 'rob them of joys of living' (as they explain it).

But from what I can tell, the Picard's weren't originally that anti-tech. They had modern technology and we saw Jean Luc using pads as a kid after all. So, not complete Luddites or anti-tech environment (they also had lights, electricity, etc. - I mean, those are an extension of technology after all, so even the house itself would be considered 'technology').

It seems more anti-tech views developed in Maurice (and Robert) after his wife died... prior to that he may have been more open and only limited certain tech as he didn't seem to find it particularly useful for him or took something away from him.
Later on he may have developed more stringent views of limiting use of most technology 'that made life too easy or robbed a person of certain things' (in his view).

Also, I don't think anyone in the UFP would force people to take medical treatment... there would be no need to because the majority are educated to understand the importance of frequent medical checkups (and its accessible to anyone who needs it)... in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if people go do medical checkups every few years or so (given the state of medicine in general and preventative measures taken early on, serious issues would be happening infrequently which would reduce the need for visits to the doctor).

In space (when serving on a ship), things are different. Some times people can go for weekly checkups, but it seems most of the time, people do monthly checkups... or a few times a year (barring any issues).
I suspect checkups might be a bit more frequent after away missions, but would soon go back to routine (but that's space).

 

[TedShatner10]

Not essentially bad, but their fixation on being old fashioned and prideful destroyed their bloodline, IMO.

 

[fireproof78]

and once again when UFP was established) you wouldn't expect of these people to develop anti-tech sentiments to begin with - or

Dr. Servin waves hi.

 

[The Wormhole]

Also, I don't think anyone in the UFP would force people to take medical treatment... there would be no need to because the majority are educated to understand the importance of frequent medical checkups (and its accessible to anyone who needs it)... in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if people go do medical checkups every few years or so (given the state of medicine in general and preventative measures taken early on, serious issues would be happening infrequently which would reduce the need for visits to the doctor).

In space (when serving on a ship), things are different. Some times people can go for weekly checkups, but it seems most of the time, people do monthly checkups... or a few times a year (barring any issues).
I suspect checkups might be a bit more frequent after away missions, but would soon go back to routine (but that's space).

It's been a running joke throughout TOS, TNG, DS9 and Voyager that whenever it's time for the characters to have their annual medical check-up they always try to find a way to avoid it. Indeed, in Endgame, Future Janeway voluntarily getting her checkup done on time was a red flag to the Doctor that she was up to something.

 

[Charles Phipps]

Also, I don't think anyone in the UFP would force people to take medical treatment... there would be no need to because the majority are educated to understand the importance of frequent medical checkups (and its accessible to anyone who needs it)... in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if people go do medical checkups every few years or so (given the state of medicine in general and preventative measures taken early on, serious issues would be happening infrequently which would reduce the need for visits to the doctor).

I mean, this is a tautology isn't it?

"The Picard parents would be smart enough not to have the horrific tragedy that resulted from them being dumb happen because in the future, if someone was that dumb, it would result in a horrific tragedy."

 

[Brennyren]

If she doesn’t want treatment, she can’t be forced to accept it.

I mean, again, even in the 21st century you can't force your relatives to get treatment unless you're their parent.

I'm pretty sure you can if you can demonstrate they are at significant risk of harming themselves or others -- which is an issue Maurice clearly knew was in play here.