I've got to wonder how they're going to square the circle of Star Trek's 21st Century versus the real 21st Century? The more I think about it, the less I believe them to be compatible. Terry Metalas has a tall order ahead of him. Not an impossible one, but a tough one.
In Star Trek's 21st Century, there's a United Earth by 2036. ("Encounter at Farpoint") In the real 2036 -- 15 years away -- there's NO chance that's going to happen. None.
In Star Trek's 21st Century, things have devolved into World War III during the middle portion. In the real 21st Century, I think we're never going to have a World War III. Let me explain why: Mutually Assured Destruction is what kept the USA and USSR from going into an actual war during the Cold War. If there was ever going to be a WWIII, it would've happened some time from the 1950s to 1980s. But it didn't. As much as groups of nations of the world don't get along with other groups, we depend on each other for global trade and the global economy too much now. A world war would disrupt and destroy all of that. It isn't going to happen.
Then there's the idea that Humanity will unite when they find out they're not alone. Humanity can't even agree about basic facts and what the truth is anymore. Nothing is universal. Some would embrace the Vulcans and others would completely hate them. The split in opinion would turn the Vulcans into a wedge issue, driving further tension.
So, basically, Picard Season 2 has a very challenging story to tell. Q is sitting in judgment of Humanity ("the trial never ends"), the 21st Century isn't what Star Trek depicted it as, and Humanity during the later stages of the 24th Century has taken a tumble with tragedy and war. No doubt Q will judge that too. Q in Picard criticizing Humanity will probably be a metaphor for criticizing all Star Trek post-TNG/Roddenberry... and Picard will have to defend it.
EDITED TO ADD: Picard is uniquely suited to have the defensive position for the Star Trek Franchise. He's the only character to be a Main Character underneath Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Alex Kurtzman.
In Star Trek's 21st Century, there's a United Earth by 2036. ("Encounter at Farpoint") In the real 2036 -- 15 years away -- there's NO chance that's going to happen. None.
In Star Trek's 21st Century, things have devolved into World War III during the middle portion. In the real 21st Century, I think we're never going to have a World War III. Let me explain why: Mutually Assured Destruction is what kept the USA and USSR from going into an actual war during the Cold War. If there was ever going to be a WWIII, it would've happened some time from the 1950s to 1980s. But it didn't. As much as groups of nations of the world don't get along with other groups, we depend on each other for global trade and the global economy too much now. A world war would disrupt and destroy all of that. It isn't going to happen.
Then there's the idea that Humanity will unite when they find out they're not alone. Humanity can't even agree about basic facts and what the truth is anymore. Nothing is universal. Some would embrace the Vulcans and others would completely hate them. The split in opinion would turn the Vulcans into a wedge issue, driving further tension.
So, basically, Picard Season 2 has a very challenging story to tell. Q is sitting in judgment of Humanity ("the trial never ends"), the 21st Century isn't what Star Trek depicted it as, and Humanity during the later stages of the 24th Century has taken a tumble with tragedy and war. No doubt Q will judge that too. Q in Picard criticizing Humanity will probably be a metaphor for criticizing all Star Trek post-TNG/Roddenberry... and Picard will have to defend it.
EDITED TO ADD: Picard is uniquely suited to have the defensive position for the Star Trek Franchise. He's the only character to be a Main Character underneath Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Alex Kurtzman.
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