For New Zealand subscribers, all three seasons of Picard have just dropped on TVNZ+ where they will feel right at home.
I wrote about the show for RNZ last year in a piece about fan service and why some shows do it well, some over-do it, and some don’t need to:
The three seasons of the Star Trek spinoff Picard were a real mixed bag tonally but linked by an easy-going nostalgia for a simpler time in television. I was never a Next Generation watcher – I am the wrong generation for the Next Generation – but I enjoyed the films that featured those characters which means when they turn up in this series, I get that slight frisson of recognition which equates to pleasure in this context.
The reason why Picard works and Ahsoka doesn’t – and I know I’m setting myself up for some pushback here – is that Star Trek has always been character-first. We watch these shows because of the relationships and (even for non-human characters) the human drama.
Star Trek has never prioritised the franchise’s lore over a good story, while Star Wars remains obsessed by a wafer-thin religion and each character’s control over their magic powers. Star Trek will happily throw a whole story arc under the bus – retconning they call it – if it means we all get to move on with our lives.
In season one of Picard, Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc has retired to his vineyard but is called back to help the ‘daughter’ of his old friend Data, who ‘died’ in the film Nemesis (2002). It’s good old fashioned thoughtful sci-fi with cameos from a few Next Generation cast members.
Season two is like those comedy episodes of Star Trek where the crew travel back in time to present day Earth and get up to hijinks with the incredulous locals. It’s fun but looks and plays like 80s episodic TV – William Shatner’s T.J. Hooker came to mind for some reason.
But season three really leans in to the nostalgia, bringing the entire crew from the Next Generation back together for a challenge that is the usual yawn of ‘saving the universe’ but also quite moving when you consider the impact on these ageing characters.
But you don’t need to have watched every episode of the Next generation to enjoy it. The characters are so well drawn, and so well inhabited by these veterans, that it’s easy to follow along. I enjoyed this a great deal and if I really thought this was them signing off for one last time, I’d be content with that.
The other two shows featured in that column are Ahsoka (from the Star Wars franchise on Disney+) and Marvel’s Moon Knight (also Disney+).
Where to watch Star Trek: Picard
Aotearoa: TVNZ+ (free with ads) or Prime Video
Australia, Ireland & UK: Paramount+ or Prime Video
Canada: Paramount+ or CTV
USA: Paramount+
Editor’s note
I do try and get to everything that is released theatrically in Wellington but sometimes I am thwarted. The Lie and The First Omen simply haven’t been given enough sessions – and in the case of The Lie, only in Masterton and Waikanae. It blows my mind that a well-reviewed recent horror in a prominent franchise like The Omen should be so hard to find.
Further listening
Last Friday’s chat with Emile Donovan on RNZ Nights was a lot of fun. As well as Anselm, The Fall Guy and Sherlock Jr. that have been mentioned here, Emile had seen Civil War so we got into it over that, too.
I actually enjoyed Ahsoka as a Star Wars fan, and even I have to agree; little more than an excuse to introduce new characters and expand lore. (In saying that, I loved Andor, and I’m interested to see how The Acolyte plays out.)
Btw, I’m in East Auckland, and The Lie appears to only be playing at our local boutique cinema The Monterey in Howick.
Picard is so good. Trek 4 life.