the appeal of Picard

[indolover]

Why did you like Picard? For me, it was because he was a man of reason and you could count on him to reason out a situation and come up with a capable plan of action. The crew respected his judgement because of this.

I think also that Sir Patrick acted the hell out of Picard. I think Picard (along with Brooks/Sisko) is probably the best acted Captain, and I can think of many scenes were "boy, that's good acting". I can't think of many cases with Shatner/Kirk, Mulgrew/Janeway or Bakula/Archer of outstanding acting.

 

[T'Cal]

Certainly the actor was top notch, but the writing and direction were right there too. His crew respected him and he respected them as well. He was written as the consummate captain - leader, mentor, coach, father figure, tactician, ambassador, diplomat, etc. Any boss can demand work, but few know how to get people to want to work hard for them. Crew members wanted to work for Picard, to make him proud, to satisfy him.

 

[TiberiusMaximus]

Because he's awesome...what do you mean that's not specific enough?
He's level-headed, reasonable, diplomatic, and brilliant. He's also a lot tougher than most fans give him credit for, physically as well as emotionally and morally. He's a good captain, too, not commanding but earning and deserving the respect of his crew. He'll always be my favorite captain.

 

[Rek]

I agree. Patrick's acting was amoung the best out of all the captains of Star Trek - Sisko would be second best acted.

Picard was just the voice of reason and when he had to be pushy - he did it in a elegant way, he wasn't a "I'm going to punch your face in" kind of guy. Q would agree with that and even commented on it to Sisko in DS9 when he was taunting Sisko and Sisko punched him. Q said "You...actually hit me! Picard never hit me!"

TNG wasn't my favorite show because DS9 made it seem slightly outdated and boring in some aspects but I still see Picard as a way better captain even with that.

 

[Shatnertage]

He projects an image of resolution, even when everything is chaotic. Favorite moment:

"Attention all hands. As you know, we could outrun the Klingon vessels. But, we must protect the Enterprise-C until she enters the temporal rift. And we must succeed! Let's make sure that history never forgets... the name... Enterprise. Picard out."

Yes, it's an alternate timeline Picard, but this to me is the core of the character: the kind of man who could compel his crew to stay at their posts in the face of certain destruction.

And I like that he's not always right. He totally got pwned by Jarok in "The Defector." It just makes the character's strengths all the more believable.

 

[Lor'Vela]

For me, he was the most Captain-like of all Captains in Star Trek. Rarely did he leave the ship on an away mission and he wasn't an action hero like other Captains. His place was always on the bridge and you sensed his life was more valuable because of it.

He also had some great lines too. I think the best line that summed him up was what he told Kamala, that whilst he may appear a compex man on the outside, he is just a simple, dull person in the inside.

 

[Too Much Fun]

He also had some great lines too. I think the best line that summed him up was what he told Kamala, that whilst he may appear a compex man on the outside, he is just a simple, dull person in the inside.

That line "sums him up"? No way, man. He was just being modest.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

Pure masculine virility!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard was a rich, multi-faceted character; one who reads ancient Greek and Latin classics and Shakespeare as well as hard-boiled detective novels. He played the flute as well as rode horses, fenced, and did a little rock climbing. He drank tea as well as Aldebaran whiskey. He was a diplomat and explorer with a love of archaeology who also appeared to have a certain degree of special ops training. The erudite captain who easily rose to the role of action hero when necessary.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[BillJ]

Which one?

The season 1/2 Picard, the one who had a zest for exploration and definitely was a multi-dimensional character.

or

The season 3 - forward Picard, the one who followed the Prime Directive like a religious zealot and really became a one dimensional character.

 

[RyuRoots]

Which one?

The season 1/2 Picard, the one who had a zest for exploration and definitely was a multi-dimensional character.

or

The season 3 - forward Picard, the one who followed the Prime Directive like a religious zealot and really became a one dimensional character.

No way. Season 1 Picard was often an insufferable dick. S2 and onward he was written much better and really grew more as the series went on. The PD was always a problem, not just 3-onwards (Pen Pals, anyone?). And what, he LOST his zest for exploration for...most of the show? I must have been watching a different TNG altogether.

 

[Ghrakh]

I agree. First season TNG was a bit rough with the cast "finding" their characters imo. Also, I don't think the PD should be brought in...that's more of a script issue. I think this thread is about Stewart's portrayal of Picard, what kind of character he made Picard into. You can't just write a character like Picard and have anyone play him convincingly (and perhaps exceed expectations), but Stewart did.

Anyway, Picard ftw.