Picard’s Crystal

[Philip Guyott]

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Just for fun, I was wondering how many people remember Picard’s crystal, because I don’t and it would appear from reading YouTube comments on the video above and a Reddit page on this topic, that I am not the only one. I also have spoken to a few Star Trek fans in person and out of seven only one of them remembers the crystal . Like most people here I am a huge fan of TNG and have seen every episode multiple times, yet this is the first I am hearing about this, which I don’t mind as always fun to notice something new about a show that you love.

According to shop.roddenberry.com where a replica of the prop is available to buy, it “appears prominently in no fewer than 78 episodes”, and is seen in Picard’s “hands during the iconic speeches on moral and ethical issues that are so fundamental to the character of Star Trek’s most ruminative captain.”

If this is the first time you have noticed this, does it change the character for you? One fan of the show commented “...Picard wasn't a worrier or one to fidget. This kinda changes his character! Does the crystal bring him solace while he makes decisions?”

Personally I kind of like the fact that Picard and Sisko have something in common. They both keep things on their desks that they like to play with.

 

[Jayson1]

Of course I recall the crystal. It bothers me that it doesn't look enough like our famous penis rock to get any jokes out of it!

Jason

 

[Kor]

I guess there's just something indistinct and unmemorable about a new-age crystal.

Perhaps it should have been an antique pistol or something.

Kor

 

[Mojochi]

Perhaps it should have been an antique pistol or something.

He's not really a weapon guy. I'd think something more like an archeological artifact, a figurine, a token/relic, maybe even a big old tarnished coin or funky old amulet.

I never gave the crystal much thought. I probably noticed him fidgeting, which never made much of an impression on me, but never thought about with what, because honestly, it's just an arbitrary hunk of elongated glass, & we're really not even meant to notice it. There's nothing special about it at all. I'd hope there's some kind of Picard the archeologist story behind it, at least

 

[May 20]

No! I don't recall this crystal. I guess it's time for a series rewatch to look for it. Crystal hunting is as good a reason as any, right?

 

[Marynator]

I very clearly remember his crystal, I admired its elegance numerous times and I thought it looked lovely. I'd like to have that, but I don't feel I'd spend $100 for it, however nice it may be. I also don't see why his crystal might not be some sort of artifact, just because you don't know what its significance is to him that doesn't mean it doesn't have any.

 

[Mojochi]

I very clearly remember his crystal, I admired its elegance numerous times and I thought it looked lovely. I'd like to have that, but I don't feel I'd spend $100 for it, however nice it may be. I also don't see why his crystal might not be some sort of artifact, just because you don't know what its significance is to him that doesn't mean it doesn't have any.

Oh. I know. I'll just hope/assume it does have some significance, but there really is nothing remarkable about it at all, & as a whatsit to figet with, it leaves much to be desired lol

 

[JesterFace]

I have wondered the story of the crystal when Picard has it in his hands.

 

[Jayson1]

Would it be to morbid to think it's a dead baby Tholian or a souvenir from the Crystaline Entinity? Perfect material for the new darker edgy Picard we about to see that we find out was always there.

Jason

 

[Mojochi]

Maybe he just keeps a little spare dilithium on hand... literally

 

[Jayson1]

There is that but it could also be future meth. People keep wondering when we will see recreational drugs on Trek. Someone with photoshop skills needs to show us him wearing Walter White's hat.

Jason

 

[Lance]

Maybe this is why he's such a temperamental ass in the TNG movies, he never recovered the crystal after the crash so was a constant nervous wreck.

 

[Qonundrum]

He's a witch!!!!!!!!!

Well, in seriousness the crystal in some of the scenes could be representing Citrine or Celestite... Quartz is too generic but it's all good. It can't be made out of plastic, though.

http://themagicofcrystals.com/
(no sales pitches present in the site that I could find in a brief search)

The quiz is next week...

 

[JesterFace]

I wonder, will the crystal make an appearance in the new Picard show...

 

[Mudd]

Never noticed it.

 

[Sgt_G]

Ditto ... I never noticed it before.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I love the term "fidget crystal."

 

[Gary7]

I always thought it was some kind of space age fingernail filing implement.

 

[danellis]

I always took it for a data crystal.

dJE

 

[Jayson1]

Picard liked to fiddle with lots of things like a cup of Earl Grey Tea or books or a padd or his computer or his Picard manuever. I think actors like having something to do with their hands especially when you don't allow them to have pockets. Some scenes look really bad with everyone's arms just dangling by their sides which isn't really how people behave. I think we are constantly holding stuff or touching stuff all the time out of habit.

Jason

 

[Tosk]

I always took it for a data crystal.

dJE

Only if he got it on that visit to Krypton.

 

[at Quark's]

Maybe he just keeps a little spare dilithium on hand... literally

I can see a silly episode based on that….. LaForge makes an stupid mistake and breaks the dilithium crystals. Fortunately they are due to a Starbase anyway, where he can replace it without anyone really noticing (as it would look bad on his service record). However, to get there they'll still need warp for a few hours, so he 'borrows' the crystal on Picard's desk. Can he keep Picard away from his ready room in those few hours?