Why is the "feel" of the show so different compared to TNG/DS9/VOY?

[GotNoRice]

This has bothered me about Picard (the show) since Season 1. TNG/DS9/VOY always felt like an optimistic portrayal of what humanity could evolve into. In contrast, Picard really seems to go out of it's way to be as pessimistic about everything as possible. There is also that awkward horror/thriller element that is very present in Picard but didn't really exist in TNG/DS9/Voyager with maybe a few exceptions. It seems almost like any scene where there is even a chance of there being something that might seem happy, optimistic, or fun, they have to introduce a sub-plot just to make sure it meets it's pessimism/sadness quota. In Season 1, they brought Icheb back JUST so that we could watch his eyeball get ripped out of it's socket??? The re-union with Riker I guess would have been too happy of a scene so they made sure to to insert that sub-plot about Riker and Troi having a kid that died. Hugh was re-introduced only to have him get killed off. They spent a ton of time in Season 2 focusing on a ret-con sub-plot involving Picard's mother killing herself... Seven tells us about her past and of course it's a sad story about Starfleet not allowing her to join because she was Borg. There are lots of scenes with blood and gore, swearing, drugs, etc. Most scenes have dark lighting for no reason. The show feels like it it was inspired by Stephen King rather than Gene Roddenberry.

And beyond that, this is probably the most serialized trek I've ever watched. TNG/DS9/VOY made a strong effort to have each episode stand on it's own to a large extent. Of course there were plots that spanned multiple episodes but there was always a main plot that was unique to each episode. Even during the heart of the Dominion war, which was as serialized as trek ever got in that era, each episode still stands on it's own more than anything we saw in Picard. Each season of Picard is like a long movie unceremoniously cut into small pieces with a knife. So much so that each episode had to spend considerable time at the beginning re-hashing everything that came before otherwise it would be unwatchable to those who hadn't seen prior episodes.

There are also lots of awkward ninja-fighting scenes in both seasons. Every computer interface was needlessly re-designed to have flashy holographic controls for no reason without ever explaining why the existing LCARS interface became obsolete so quick.

I don't think that Picard is totally terrible but I am a bit bitter that I spent 20+ years wondering what would happen to various storylines from TNG/DS9/VOY but so far every single storyline that they have continued, they did so simply to give it a sad and depressing conclusion. Is it really that bad to have episodes every once in a while that are fun and put a smile on your face? What's the deal with going all-in with the horror/thriller aspect of things and giving up on any optimism whatsoever? Nevermind anything actually having to do with science...

 

[donners22]

The re-union with Riker I guess would have been too happy of a scene so they made sure to to insert that sub-plot about Riker and Troi having a kid that died. Hugh was re-introduced only to have him get killed off. They spent a ton of time in Season 2 focusing on a ret-con sub-plot involving Picard's mother killing herself... Seven tells us about her past and of course it's a sad story about Starfleet not allowing her to join because she was Borg.

Ah yes, sad backstories are so un-Trek like.

If only it could have been more like TNG where...um...
Tasha was orphaned as a child and pursued by rape gangs.
Worf was orphaned as a child (and, per DS9, killed a child himself)
Beverley was orphaned as a child, and her husband/Wesley's father died tragically
Troi's father died when she was a child, as did her sister.
Riker's mother died when he was an infant, and he was estranged from his father
Geordi was born blind

[Seriously, those TNG writers could have used a bit more imagination when it comes to backstory]

Oh, and later all Picard's family burn in a fire.

As for Seven, both she and her parents were assimilated as a child which is a rather sadder story than her not joining Starfleet.

Incidentally, bringing back characters to kill them off is hardly new in Trek. Hell, 'member when Joe Carey disappeared for years, then they finally brought him back, gave him a little bit of a personality for the first time and then killed him off pointlessly [apparently forgetting that Seven could raise the dead]? Then Janeway made some ludicrously dumb comment about how exploration wasn't worth a single life. Hugh’s return was infinitely better handled than that nonsense.

 

[Tuskin38]

I don't remember any horror or thriller and either season.

Every computer interface was needlessly re-designed to have flashy holographic controls for no reason without ever explaining why the existing LCARS interface became obsolete so quick.

Why do we need an explanation? Technology evolves. The series is 2 decades after Nemesis, plenty of time for hardware upgrades.

Also, please rewatch Episode 1 of Season 2, the Stargazer bridge was all 2D controls except for one holographic screen Jurati pulled up over one of the railings. So no, 'every computer interface' was not replaced with holographic controls. Even on La Sirena there was still a 2D interface on the surface of those forward consoles

Even La Sirena used them less. The only holographic controls we saw were the pilot controls, the ones over the 2 front consoles were gone/never used.

 

[fireproof78]

TNG/DS9/VOY always felt like an optimistic portrayal of what humanity could evolve into.

But that's not all Star Trek is. TOS could end on downer notes. As did a lot of TNG, and Voyager famously killed off yellow shirts quite often.

But, to answer your OP Picard is NOT TNG and isn't meant to be. The different feel is a feature, not a bug.

 

[Tuskin38]

If you want a more optimistic feeling, go watch Prodigy, Lower Decks or Strange New Worlds.

Picard isn't that kind of show.

 

[GotNoRice]

Ah yes, sad backstories are so un-Trek like.

If only it could have been more like TNG where...um...
Tasha was orphaned as a child and pursued by rape gangs.
Worf was orphaned as a child (and, per DS9, killed a child himself)
Beverley was orphaned as a child, and her husband/Wesley's father died tragically
Troi's father died when she was a child, as did her sister.
Riker's mother died when he was an infant, and he was estranged from his father
Geordi was born blind

I never implied that everyone from TNG/DS9/VOY had an amazing childhood, but I don't remember any episodes devoted to any of those backstories the same way so much of Season 2 was devoted to Picard's dark past. Instead the TNG episodes focused on how those people overcame their tragic past and all of the good things they did with their life later on.

Oh, and later all Picard's family burn in a fire.

This happened in Generations (the movie), not during the show. Many/most of the TNG movies were terrible because they tried to introduce these types of things into the movie and/or take the movie in a different direction than the show.

As for Seven, both she and her parents were assimilated as a child which is a rather sadder story than her not joining Starfleet.

And the way her character was depicted in Voyager was all about how she rose above that tragedy.

 

[fireproof78]

I never implied that everyone from TNG/DS9/VOY had an amazing childhood, but I don't remember any episodes devoted to any of those backstories the same way so much of Season 2 was devoted to Picard's dark past. Instead the TNG episodes focused on how those people overcame their tragic past and all of the good things they did with their life later on.

Which was the purpose of the season. To revisit old pain and for Picard to heal himself in the process. It isn't for everyone but for those who struggle it means a great deal.

 

[GotNoRice]

If you want a more optimistic feeling, go watch Prodigy, Lower Decks or Strange New Worlds.

The first two are cartoons and the 3rd has nothing to do with the TNG/DS9/VOY era which is where all the story-lines I care about came from.

 

[Tuskin38]

The first two are cartoons

And the problem with that is...? They're some of the best Trek stories in decades.

 

[fireproof78]

The first two are cartoons and the 3rd has nothing to do with the TNG/DS9/VOY era which is where all the story-lines I care about came from.

Cartoons are still Trek.

 

[GotNoRice]

And the problem with that is...? They're some of the best Trek stories in decades.

I guess the idea that the only way to watch a Star Trek show that isn't sad and depressing is to literally watch a Nickelodeon cartoon is in-itself rather depressing, but maybe I'll give them a shot.

 

[fireproof78]

I guess the idea that the only way to watch a Star Trek show that isn't sad and depressing is to literally watch a Nickelodeon cartoon is in itself rather depressing, but maybe I'll give them a shot.

Depressing? Oh what bullshit. If a TV show is causing mental health disorders then perhaps it is time for seeking professional help.

 

[Tuskin38]

I guess the idea that the only way to watch a Star Trek show that isn't sad and depressing is to literally watch a Nickelodeon cartoon is in itself rather depressing, but maybe I'll give them a shot.

Strange New Worlds isn't sad and depressing. I know you said you don't want that the era, but you're literally ignoring what you want in Trek outside of that.

Prodigy, while geared towards the younger side, has things for all ages.

And Lower Decks is hilarious, and not a kids show.

I also didn't find either season of Picard sad or depressing. No more than DS9.

 

[GotNoRice]

Depressing? Oh what bullshit. If a TV show is causing mental health disorders then perhaps it is time for seeking professional help.

If a difference of opinion provokes that kind of hostility on your part, then maybe you should look in the mirror with regards to "mental health disorders".

 

[fireproof78]

If a difference of opinion provokes that kind of hostility on your part, then maybe you should look in the mirror with regards to "mental health disorders".

More a matter of use of the correct terminology for the emotion generated. "Depression" has a specific meaning. It's not hostility; it's a desire for precise language for effective communication.

So, I'll ask, genuinely-does the state of Star Trek depress you?

 

[GotNoRice]

More a matter of use of the correct terminology for the emotion generated. "Depression" has a specific meaning. It's not hostility; it's a desire for precise language for effective communication.

So, I'll ask, genuinely-does the state of Star Trek depress you?

I feel no need to play word games with you, as I feel it was pretty clear exactly what I meant in my previous posts. If you truly believe that experiencing temporary sadness after watching something depressing is comparable to someone who actually has Depression issues, then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

I will say however that for you to take a mental illness and attempt to weaponize it during a petty disagreement is incredibly disrespectful to those who actually suffer from that illness.

 

[fireproof78]

feel no need to play word games with you, as I feel it was pretty clear exactly what I meant in my previous posts. If you truly believe that experiencing temporary sadness after watching something depressing is comparable to someone who actually has Depression issues, then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

Agreed.

will say that for you to take a mental illness and attempt to weaponize it during a petty disagreement is incredibly disrespectful to those who actually suffer from that illness.

And I think using the term is equally disrespectful to those who struggle with depression.

I get not liking a show but sadness isn't a descriptive enough term? Sorry but I see the term thrown about so casually it comes across as highly inappropriate.

ETA: My initial response is way more hostile than I meant. Apologies.

 

[plynch]

The word "depressing" has a general meaning in our society other than "literally causing depressive disorder."

C'mon.

 

[fireproof78]

The word "depressing" has a general meaning in our society other than "literally causing depressive disorder."

C'mon.

I think it's inappropriate to use. It's poorly done and rude and disrespectful. Yes, I feel strongly about it.

 

[Tuskin38]

To actually answer the question in the title, because that's what they wanted to do. Patrick Stewart also didn't want to do TNG style show again.