Star Trek: Picard season 3 premiere’s on Paramount+ in the US on February 16, 2023, the series returns to screens in the UK on Paramount+ and Prime Video on February 17.
Synopsis
In the epic, thrilling conclusion of Star Trek: Picard, a desperate message from a long-lost friend draws Starfleet legend Admiral Jean-Luc Picard into the most daring mission of his life, forcing him to recruit allies spanning generations old and new. This final adventure sets him on a collision course with the legacy of his past and explosive, new revelations that will alter the fate of the Federation forever.
First Impressions
Here we are. Journey’s end (maybe). The final season of Star Trek: Picard is almost upon us and today I’m bringing you my first impressions. At the time of writing I have seen six of the ten episode of season 3 and I’m here to tell you to prepare the edge of your seat. It’s going to be heavily occupied over the next ten weeks.
Terry Matalas, soon to be elevated to god-like status amongst Trek fandom, takes over the captain’s chair for this third season. Matalas previously wrote the first two episodes of Picard’s second season on which he also acted as executive producer. Now offered the keys to the kingdom, Matalas is making the dreams of many Trek fans a reality.
Each season of Star Trek: Picard has been its own entity. Almost three chapters in an anthology. Season 1 explored Admiral Picard’s (Sir Patrick Stewart) place in the world, seen through a socio-political thriller lens. Season 2 shifted focus even more inwards and the character came to grips with his past. Now we find ourselves in the centre of a huge, legacy-spanning action-adventure in season 3.
Some of that change in season 3 is down to Matalas shaking up the production team. Working with previous collaborators and also legends of Trek-history both in front of and behind the camera. One of those is composer Stephen Barton whose season 3 score will blow the socks of any Trek fan tuning in. But it’s not just the music, everything about season 3 feels bigger, bolder and braver.
Some of the success of season 3 is inherent to its setting, taking place what could be considered the “present day” and picking up plot threads which were sewn all across the 90’s and 00’s era series. Picard season 3 is, in many ways, the Star Trek: Legacy series that many have clamoured for. A season whose plot threads aren’t just original but also tied to moments from The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager.
Matalas and the writers room also aren’t in a rush this season. There was an urgency and a pacing to the previous seasons that sought to grab the audience and pull them through a ten episode arc. Season 3 drip feeds information to the audience beautifully. Each episode has a defined focal point, a beginning, middle and end that always leaves the audience wanting more. Somehow it’s both heavily serialised but satisfyingly episodic.
Season premiere “The Next Generation” is a prime example of this. Centred on Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), the episode really only lays breadcrumbs for what is to come with each subsequent episode drawing back the curtain just a little further. It’s easily the most complex, nuanced season of the three and effortlessly weaves in a number of compelling sub-plots.
One of the most impressive feats of season 3 is its ability to weave in appearances by so many legacy characters. It’s been widely publicised that Admiral Picard is to be joined by his entire Next Generation family this season. What will surprise many is just how seamlessly the writers are able to do this. It isn’t simply a case of each of these familiar faces just dropping in to say hello, neither are the crew of the Enterprise-D all appearing in every episode.
The lions share of the “Special Guest Star” credit goes to Jonathan Frakes. Riker appears in all six episodes that I have seen, shouldering almost as much of the narrative weight as Picard. Frakes also directs two incredible episodes this season, once again pulling double duty. Season 3 is introducing a somewhat new concept to the TNG cast, internal conflict. After twenty years there are burned bridges and emotional gaps need to be healed and that concept is explored across the season elegantly.
Each of the returning characters, from what I have seen, is given the same level of grace and reverence. As with the rest of the narrative, there’s no urgency to get to seeing each character. Their appearances are earned and reward the audience for coming along on this journey.
I can’t ignore the new cast members joining this season either. The bridge of the USS Titan is inhabited by a handful of great characters, each of whom are given the chance to make their mark. It evokes the classic ensemble nature of The Next Generation and could easily lay the groundwork for a Titan-based show in the future.
Standouts are, of course, the brand new captain, Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick) who certainly doesn’t suffer fools. His lack of reverence for Riker and Picard is a brilliant source of conflict and humour in early episodes but does translate into something much more meaningful down the line. Then there’s Ensign Sidney LaForge (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut) whose presence on the bridge is felt right from episode one. Much like her fictional-father, Sidney brings a warmth and levity even during darker moments of the season.
Ed Speleer’s immediately inserts himself in to Trek history playing a role which still remains top secret. Across the six episodes there is a lot for Speleer’s to do, rubbing shoulders with cast members old and new which he does with a Robin Hood-esque charm and vigour. I really can’t say any more about him until after episode two.
All this and we still haven’t gotten to Amanda Plummer as Vadic. She is a classic-Trek villain in all the best ways. Her presence looms large over the season even more appearing on screen. Plummer clearly loves playing the role and is comes across in a larger-than-life performance.
Any fan of modern-era Trek knows how lush these productions are and this season is no different. The production of the Titan sets is exquisite. The bridge is a thing of pure beauty, taking the design of last season’s Stargazer one step further. The LCARs displays are beautiful and incredibly immersive to the eye. They’re also the most interactive we’ve ever seen for the classic design. Early episodes are heavily set on board the ship and it certainly stands up to the challenge.
Likewise, costume and makeup design is flawless. There are plenty of different uniform designs seen between the Titan, Starfleet Intelligence and legacy cast. Small details are beautiful and there’s plenty to pick up on multiple re-watches.
Finally, this is clearly a visual effects heavy series. The season looks every bit the rival to its big screen counterparts, utilising its budget to the best of its ability. Later episodes include some awe inspiring shots of key locations. There’s also no shortage of battle sequences that are all capably rendered to put you on the aforementioned edge of your seat.
Verdict
The final season of Star Trek: Picard is destined to go down in history as one of the best the franchise has ever produced. Heartfelt, earnest and hugely compelling. If this is truly the end of the TNG-era then what a way to go!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
