Should I watch Picard?

[Lord Garth]

"They made it woke!" is just today's version of "They made it too PC!"

"They made it too PC!" was something I used to hear all the time about TNG, DS9, and VOY.

 

[cal888]

If the OP is concerned about "woke" political messaging, and ends up watching PICARD season 2, be on guard for episode 204...

 

[DonIago]

If the OP is concerned about "woke" political messaging, they picked the wrong franchise.

 

[fireproof78]

If people are concerned about woke messages they probably don't understand a lot of other things Trek tackles.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I loved TNG, DS9, Voyager, and enjoyed Enterprise. I never really got into TOS, but did enjoy the TOS movies (for the most part, anyway). I like the Kelvin universe, even though it has a very different "feel" to me, like a different take on the universe that is still respectful of the source material even as it shifted into less intelligent, more action, territory.

I refuse to touch Discovery and haven't tried (or even learned about) Strange New Worlds. I was very excited for Picard but felt massively disappointed; I made myself finish the first season and haven't returned to watch the rest. To me, the first season did to Picard what Star Wars Ep8 did to Luke: took a beloved character and broke him just to be different. I won't get into all the things I dislike about Picard (I suspect they've been discussed ad nauseum), except to say I disliked more than just the portrayal of Jean Luc himself. I have heard season 3 is better, but I'm afraid it will be like Star Wars Ep9, where the creators realized people were mad so they pretended the earlier stuff didn't happen, threw fanservice at us, and hoped we would forgive them.

Should I watch Picard seasons 2-3? Or from what you know of my opinions above, am I likely to hate it like I did season 1? Is it worth my limited free time, or would I be better off rewatching the TOS movies I haven't seen in 20 years?

There's a few audiences who somehow believe it was The Last Jedi and the sequel ruined Star Wars but failed to see The Force Awakens was equally worthless and damaged the franchise. Picard season 1 was fine, and I liked the new characters introduced, its fluff storytelling and shouldn't be taken seriously. I completely disagree of your assessment in comparison to character assassination of Luke Skywalker, Picard was older but still had his principles.

Based on the CBSALLACCESS Trek line of series development I knew what to expect, the dialogue is grounded and very hip, and the stories were agenda based. There's still a lot to look at, the new characters conclude their arches, and transcend to something new, and the special effects are something to behold. I think the productions are incredible and its a must see. Not to mention TNG returns for the final season and seeing them one more time is nice to see. Give it a try, I'm not sure how you'll take it, but for me the last 2 seasons were a mixed bag - full of remember berries and could've done something special. If you're looking for compelling Star Trek from days past, CBSALLACCESS Trek is not it and it never will be.

 

[fireproof78]

If Star Trek is constantly compared to days past it will never move forward.

The past has become concrete shoes weighing the franchise down, like an athlete recalling "glory days" rather than focusing on the present.

 

[BillJ]

I watched part of season two and none of season three beyond clips widely available on the internet.

Should you watch? Only you really know.

 

[trekfan39]

Yes, you should watch it but only season 3. Don't waste your time on season 1 and 2, they are as bad as Discovery, and you don't really need to see them to understand season 3.

 

[Takeru]

Don't bother because:

I refuse to touch Discovery and haven't tried (or even learned about) Strange New Worlds.

You seem to be biased against modern Trek and I doubt you're interested in giving it a fair chance.

To me, the first season did to Picard what Star Wars Ep8 did to Luke: took a beloved character and broke him just to be different.

Decades have passed and he changed, that's normal. But if you have a problem with how Picard changed you won't like how the rest of the TNG characters changed either.

As for Discovery... everything I heard about it on release was bad. The plot, the acting, the Klingons, the woke, most especially how the main female lead acted (not the actress, but how the character was written).

Using "woke" to criticize the show is a huge red flag for me, this is not valid criticism.

 

[BillJ]

Using "woke" to criticize the show is a huge red flag for me, this is not valid criticism.

This. Star Trek has always been openly "woke". Not sure why people are criticizing it over the last few years?

 

[fireproof78]

This. Star Trek has always been openly "woke". Not sure why people are criticizing it over the last few years?

Because people learned a buzz word and use it without grasping the meaning.

Like "politically correct " use to be.

 

[Orac]

Star Trek The Next Generation is so woke, if you watch an episode you won't be able to sleep for a week.

 

[fireproof78]

Star Trek The Next Generation is so woke, if you watch an episode you won't be able to sleep for a week.

That's were my insomnia came from.

 

[Brainsucker]

I loved TNG, DS9, Voyager, and enjoyed Enterprise. I never really got into TOS, but did enjoy the TOS movies (for the most part, anyway). I like the Kelvin universe, even though it has a very different "feel" to me, like a different take on the universe that is still respectful of the source material even as it shifted into less intelligent, more action, territory.

I refuse to touch Discovery and haven't tried (or even learned about) Strange New Worlds. I was very excited for Picard but felt massively disappointed; I made myself finish the first season and haven't returned to watch the rest. To me, the first season did to Picard what Star Wars Ep8 did to Luke: took a beloved character and broke him just to be different. I won't get into all the things I dislike about Picard (I suspect they've been discussed ad nauseum), except to say I disliked more than just the portrayal of Jean Luc himself. I have heard season 3 is better, but I'm afraid it will be like Star Wars Ep9, where the creators realized people were mad so they pretended the earlier stuff didn't happen, threw fanservice at us, and hoped we would forgive them.

Should I watch Picard seasons 2-3? Or from what you know of my opinions above, am I likely to hate it like I did season 1? Is it worth my limited free time, or would I be better off rewatching the TOS movies I haven't seen in 20 years?

The question : Should I watch Picard season 2-3?
My Answer : NO. Don't watch it. Because if you really want to watch it, you have already watch it. Why ask the forum about what do you want to watch, and not?

 

[Richard S. Ta]

The question : Should I watch Picard season 2-3?
My Answer : NO. Don't watch it. Because if you really want to watch it, you have already watch it. Why ask the forum about what do you want to watch, and not?

The best answer.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Using "woke" to criticize the show is a huge red flag for me, this is not valid criticism.

Yep. As soon as that shit comes along, I'm done.

 

[StarMan]

Yes. Absolutely watch.

Picard. I can say without a doubt it is a TV show. There are actors, CGI FX - several of the actors were in TNG. It is definitely a Star Trek.

 

[cal888]

Wow, lots of political gatekeeping... Star Trek has historically appealed to leftists, liberals, moderates, and conservatives. One political faction shouldn't enjoy a monopoly on the fandom.

PICARD season 3 can appeal to multiple groups luckily...

 

[fireproof78]

Wow, lots of political gatekeeping... Star Trek has historically appealed to leftists, liberals, moderates, and conservatives. One political faction shouldn't enjoy a monopoly on the fandom.

You have no idea.

PICARD season 3 can appeal to multiple groups luckily...

As Star Trek always has.

 

[Cortez]

Utterly hated season one so avoided the second, only came back onboard because the old guard was coming back (and even then it was very hesitatingly so) and then got spoon fed this abomination. Watch the old stuff on repeat... Picard is a disgrace.