Picard's wisdom/reasoning - a strength or a vice?

[indolover]

Some people say that Picard would often give "speeches" on topics, and perhaps even seem moralising on an issue. I'm not sure if I agree with that. I think Picard, as a wise and reasoned man, was able to size up situations well and suss out the true nature of a scenario.

As an example, I find his "speech" in The Drumhead was an example of this, when he was being questioned by Satie and the Betazoid.

Do you think Picard's ability to size up a situation was a strength or a weakness/vice?

 

[BillJ]

Both.

 

[JennaL]

Definitely more of a strength than a weakness I'd say.

 

[SiorX]

Generally speaking, I think it's a strength. His ability to reason through a situation and reflect before charging in is one of the greatest things about the character. It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome. At his best, Picard is a moral and intelligent leader who doesn't jump to conclusions before examining the evidence.

Unfortunately, sometimes he gets too caught up in abstract concepts, which can lead down bad paths. cf The Perfect Mate aka 'that episode where Picard rationalises human trafficking'.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome.

I must admit I'm quite baffled by the whole debate over 'Erudite Picard' versus 'Action Picard.' I've always seen both those facets combining to create the whole. With Picard, TNG canon has given us a rich, multi-faceted character; one who reads ancient Greek and Latin classics and Shakespeare as well as hard-boiled detective novels. He plays the flute as well as rides horses, fences, and does a little rock climbing. He drinks tea as well as Aldebaran whiskey. He is a diplomat who appears to have a certain degree of special ops training. Like the TOS episode "The Enemy Within" did with Kirk's character, TNG's episode "Tapestry" does a beautiful job of showing that it takes both the erudite and well as the "Hell bent for leather" ensign who was stabbed through the heart in a barroom brawl facets to make Picard the flagship captain. Picard is the erudite who can rise to the role of action hero when the situation requires.


Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[ReadyAndWilling]

Generally speaking, I think it's a strength. His ability to reason through a situation and reflect before charging in is one of the greatest things about the character. It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome. At his best, Picard is a moral and intelligent leader who doesn't jump to conclusions before examining the evidence.

Unfortunately, sometimes he gets too caught up in abstract concepts, which can lead down bad paths. cf The Perfect Mate aka 'that episode where Picard rationalises human trafficking'.

does he ever mention where he gets his reasoning from?

 

[CommanderRaytas]

It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome.

I must admit I'm quite baffled by the whole debate over 'Erudite Picard' versus 'Action Picard.' I've always seen both those facets combining to create the whole. With Picard, TNG canon has given us a rich, multi-faceted character; one who reads ancient Greek and Latin classics and Shakespeare as well as hard-boiled detective novels. He plays the flute as well as rides horses, fences, and does a little rock climbing. He drinks tea as well as Aldebaran whiskey. He is a diplomat who appears to have a certain degree of special ops training. Like the TOS episode "The Enemy Within" did with Kirk's character, TNG's episode "Tapestry" does a beautiful job of showing that it takes both the erudite and well as the "Hell bent for leather" ensign who was stabbed through the heart in a barroom brawl facets to make Picard the flagship captain. Picard is the erudite who can rise to the role of action hero when the situation requires.


Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

What she said.

 

[SiorX]

It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome.

I must admit I'm quite baffled by the whole debate over 'Erudite Picard' versus 'Action Picard.' I've always seen both those facets combining to create the whole.

I didn't present them as a dichotomy.

Picard is a character who values both physical and intellectual challenge. Action!Picard does precious little philosophising.

 

[Distorted Humor]

he is a warrior poet...

 

[Canadave]

Generally speaking, I think it's a strength. His ability to reason through a situation and reflect before charging in is one of the greatest things about the character. It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome. At his best, Picard is a moral and intelligent leader who doesn't jump to conclusions before examining the evidence.

Unfortunately, sometimes he gets too caught up in abstract concepts, which can lead down bad paths. cf The Perfect Mate aka 'that episode where Picard rationalises human trafficking'.

does he ever mention where he gets his reasoning from?

... his brain?

 

[ReadyAndWilling]

Generally speaking, I think it's a strength. His ability to reason through a situation and reflect before charging in is one of the greatest things about the character. It's why I find action!Picard in the movies so irksome. At his best, Picard is a moral and intelligent leader who doesn't jump to conclusions before examining the evidence.

Unfortunately, sometimes he gets too caught up in abstract concepts, which can lead down bad paths. cf The Perfect Mate aka 'that episode where Picard rationalises human trafficking'.

does he ever mention where he gets his reasoning from?

... his brain?

i meant what set of principles does he use to make decisions?