Star Trek: Picard season 3 streams new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+ in the US and on Paramount+ and Prime Video in the UK on Fridays.
Synopsis
Aided by Seven of Nine and the crew of the U.S.S. Titan, Picard makes a shocking discovery that will alter his life forever – and puts him on a collision course with the most cunning enemy he’s ever encountered. Meanwhile, Raffi races to track a catastrophic weapon – and collides with a familiar ally.
Review
“This is Jack Crusher on Mariposa medical vessel designation Elios 12…”
It’s reveal time as Star Trek: Picard finally lifts the lid on just who it is that Ed Speleers is playing. The reveal itself is perhaps not too difficult to work out. The secrecy around a young, male actor joining the cast in a season which puts focus on a love-interest of Picard’s does tee up the big reveal. But under the watchful eye of writers Christopher Monfette & Sean Tretta and returning director Doug Aarniokoski, it’s very capably managed.
Still there is plenty to get through in the second episode of season 3. Picking up right where we left off, the SS Elios is in the crosshairs of a ship we will come to know as the Shrike. “Disengage” also introduces us to Vadic, the de-facto villain of the season played by Amanda Plummer. Given that there’s Trek villainy in her blood it’s no surprise that Plummer makes one hell of a first impression. Her distinctive voice is a brilliant weapon in her arsenal and she uses it so well when posturing against Picard and the crew of the Titan.
Much like the season premiere, “Disengage” gently pushes the narrative forwards without an over reliance on shocking twists. Whilst the identity of Speleers’ character looms large, it’s this week’s equivalent of a centre piece. As you’ll see from each of the upcoming episodes, the axis of the season shifts around a focal point. Last week it was rescuing Beverly (Gates McFadden). This week it’s the question of “who is Jack Crusher”.
There’s plenty of action in this week’s episode. The Shrike faces off against both the Elios and the Titan with an impressive show of force. It’s visually very exciting to watch play out. But it also sets up just how formidable Vadic and her crew will be as the season progresses. In fact, there is a moment when the Shrike performs a manoeuvre that I’m not sure we’ve seen in Trek before.
The action in “Disengage” challenges the series’ production values but I’m happy to report that it all looks great. The action in space continues to rival much of what we’ve seen in Trek on the big screen. Likewise the physical set design and practical effects are all top-notch. Whilst many long for the days of seeing the cast lurching from left-to-right, Star Trek‘s modern era is certainly giving us some of the best action ever set in space.
In its closing moments, “Disengage” circles back to Jack’s identity. A touching moment between Stewart and McFadden need only be communicated with a passing glance which feels incredibly touching given their long history. It leaves us with a mild but still tantalising cliffhanger going in to episode 3.
Verdict
An excellent follow-up to last week’s premiere. “Disengage” continues to raise the stakes through some intense action as well as finally revealing just who Ed Speleers’ actually is.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
