I've been thinking S2 over even since it ended. While I am not its biggest fan, it partially has to do with how I look at the season. While its not the best companion piece for DS9's "Past Tense" despite the setting, it does work as a companion piece in regards to First Contact. Looking at this season in this light, it reveals a lot about both Trek's version of the 21st century and how the 24th-25th centuries have developed.
Like in FC with Picard, the Federation in PIC is afraid of XBs like Seven of Nine, although they are quite comfortable with using Borg tech itself. Showing a Federation that is xenophobic to the Borg, and an entire generation of Starfleet officers have been raised with this specific xenophobia. Which explains the shoot first, ask questions later mentality onboard the Stargazer.
Picard at the dawn of the 25th century is thirty years removed from the Battle of Sector 001 when he is called to the Stargazer to deal with a first contact situation involving the Borg. And while the fear was still there, Picard was also aware going in that the Borg were traumatized victims, and not just focused on a vendetta like in FC. Which is why he was open to dialogue with them.
In time traveling to the 21st century, he is placed a decade away from WW3 in FC. And in PIC S2, he is placed in the 21st century is both 30 years away from WW3 as well as 40 years away from first contact. He is far more easily able to absorb the 21st century in PIC; in FC and even in “Encounter at Farpoint”, his time spent in regards to the 21st century is quite limited and he's spouts historical dates and events in that century, instead of actually interacting with the time period he his in. Slowly, the 21st century is being humanized to Picard.
Elsewhere, nanoprobes from the Borg from an alternate timeline that were discovered on Io and brought back to Earth to solve climate change would justify the Borg’s interest in Earth. The Borg also seem to create alternate timelines at will (the Confederation timeline, and the timeline were Earth is assimilated by the Borg) and funny connection to time and time travel.
We see how Earth went from the technological advancements and inventions of Soong to the scraps Cochrane could find to build the Phoenix, revealing a significant and sudden collapse in technology. Far more severe than what was indicated in “Past Tense”.
In regards to comparing the inhabitants:
2060s
Cochrane – displays brilliance in creating a warp engine and a spaceship out of a nuclear missile that changed Earth for the better, but the reasons it was done were for women and money. He also struggles with alcohol, and was prepared to go up in the Phoenix alone. Also shows no inclination towards violence, at least in this universe
.
Lily – initially hostile to the unknown and to outsiders, but has no time for the BS of others either
2020s
Soong – a wealthy genius that wants to push the world forwards through science and believes himself to be misunderstood, but has questionable ethics. Is driven by Kore, who abandons him at the end.
Renee – Struggles with anxiety and depression. Experienced test pilot that is obsessed with her phone. Had an organized team behind her for the Europa mission and seemed to have lived a happy life upon return to Earth as an aunt to Ricardo.
Teresa – driven by a purpose to help others; first undocumented immigrants, and then those in the aftermath of the war. Has resigned herself to the fact that being arrested by ICE despite being a natural born citizen is a part of daily life for her. Also dedicated mom.
Wells – driven to uphold the law – aided by a surveillance state - and by trauma from meeting aliens in the ‘70s as a child.
From these individuals, we see a world that is more of a community in the 2060s than in the 2020s; everyone in the 2020s are in their own bubbles, living highly individualist lifestyles. While those in the 2060s can’t really afford that individualism; indeed WW3 ripped that all away, and forced everyone to come together to rebuild and look out for one another.
We also see a world that is more open to first contact with alien worlds; In the 2020s, the response is mixed, with them being comfortable with microorganisms, but meeting humanoid aliens like the Vulcans - even if decades ago - can be traumatic and linger for decades, indicating that the 2020s weren't quite ready for first contact.
And violence in the post-war environment seems to only happen to protect the community from those that may be hostile, particularly those considered the enemy. Violence in the pre-war environment is based on the fact that it is a police state that is supported by wealthy people. There are also a lot of desperate people that rob others for money.
In both Picard and the 21st century, we see healing take place over a period of time, with a significant event dividing those eras (21st century = WW3, Picard = the Romulan supernova). The only ones that have struggled to heal in a sense is the Federation, which has only embraced fear as time has gone on.
Like in FC with Picard, the Federation in PIC is afraid of XBs like Seven of Nine, although they are quite comfortable with using Borg tech itself. Showing a Federation that is xenophobic to the Borg, and an entire generation of Starfleet officers have been raised with this specific xenophobia. Which explains the shoot first, ask questions later mentality onboard the Stargazer.
Picard at the dawn of the 25th century is thirty years removed from the Battle of Sector 001 when he is called to the Stargazer to deal with a first contact situation involving the Borg. And while the fear was still there, Picard was also aware going in that the Borg were traumatized victims, and not just focused on a vendetta like in FC. Which is why he was open to dialogue with them.
In time traveling to the 21st century, he is placed a decade away from WW3 in FC. And in PIC S2, he is placed in the 21st century is both 30 years away from WW3 as well as 40 years away from first contact. He is far more easily able to absorb the 21st century in PIC; in FC and even in “Encounter at Farpoint”, his time spent in regards to the 21st century is quite limited and he's spouts historical dates and events in that century, instead of actually interacting with the time period he his in. Slowly, the 21st century is being humanized to Picard.
Elsewhere, nanoprobes from the Borg from an alternate timeline that were discovered on Io and brought back to Earth to solve climate change would justify the Borg’s interest in Earth. The Borg also seem to create alternate timelines at will (the Confederation timeline, and the timeline were Earth is assimilated by the Borg) and funny connection to time and time travel.
We see how Earth went from the technological advancements and inventions of Soong to the scraps Cochrane could find to build the Phoenix, revealing a significant and sudden collapse in technology. Far more severe than what was indicated in “Past Tense”.
In regards to comparing the inhabitants:
2060s
Cochrane – displays brilliance in creating a warp engine and a spaceship out of a nuclear missile that changed Earth for the better, but the reasons it was done were for women and money. He also struggles with alcohol, and was prepared to go up in the Phoenix alone. Also shows no inclination towards violence, at least in this universe
.Lily – initially hostile to the unknown and to outsiders, but has no time for the BS of others either
2020s
Soong – a wealthy genius that wants to push the world forwards through science and believes himself to be misunderstood, but has questionable ethics. Is driven by Kore, who abandons him at the end.
Renee – Struggles with anxiety and depression. Experienced test pilot that is obsessed with her phone. Had an organized team behind her for the Europa mission and seemed to have lived a happy life upon return to Earth as an aunt to Ricardo.
Teresa – driven by a purpose to help others; first undocumented immigrants, and then those in the aftermath of the war. Has resigned herself to the fact that being arrested by ICE despite being a natural born citizen is a part of daily life for her. Also dedicated mom.
Wells – driven to uphold the law – aided by a surveillance state - and by trauma from meeting aliens in the ‘70s as a child.
From these individuals, we see a world that is more of a community in the 2060s than in the 2020s; everyone in the 2020s are in their own bubbles, living highly individualist lifestyles. While those in the 2060s can’t really afford that individualism; indeed WW3 ripped that all away, and forced everyone to come together to rebuild and look out for one another.
We also see a world that is more open to first contact with alien worlds; In the 2020s, the response is mixed, with them being comfortable with microorganisms, but meeting humanoid aliens like the Vulcans - even if decades ago - can be traumatic and linger for decades, indicating that the 2020s weren't quite ready for first contact.
And violence in the post-war environment seems to only happen to protect the community from those that may be hostile, particularly those considered the enemy. Violence in the pre-war environment is based on the fact that it is a police state that is supported by wealthy people. There are also a lot of desperate people that rob others for money.
In both Picard and the 21st century, we see healing take place over a period of time, with a significant event dividing those eras (21st century = WW3, Picard = the Romulan supernova). The only ones that have struggled to heal in a sense is the Federation, which has only embraced fear as time has gone on.
