Today is Captain Picard Day! And no self-respecting Trekkie blogger would ever let the day go by without doing something to celebrate! Not. Ever. As one of the biggest Trekkies I know, I thought that it would be fun to take a look at some of the better Picard episodes through the ages.Why? Well, because then I get to talk about Star Trek, that’s why! Also, it plays to one of the greater strengths of Star Trek. There are always more things to analyze. No matter how many times you’ve watched an episode, there’s always something new to discover if you look at things from a different angle. In the spirit of fun, there aren’t any criteria attached to this exercise. This is purely subjective. *GASP!* Also, these are really in no particular order, but if they end up making sense by in the order of presentation, then I totally planned that. ;)
Episode 1: “The Big Goodbye”:
This isn’t your typical Picard entry, which is a little premature since this is a season 1 episode. However, from my viewing perspective, Picard was always very prim and proper when it came to how he conducted himself in front of his crew. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First a brief recap! So the Enterprise crew is on their way to open negotiations with an insectoid race that are the epitome of butt hurt. Picard finds himself burned out as he tries to prepare for the greeting, which he must recite perfectly the first time lest he insult these bugs and they go back into isolation.
To take his mind off of things, Troi suggests that he take a gander at the newly upgraded holodeck, which is weird because the episode where the Binars upgrade the computer doesn’t happen for another three episodes, but whatever. So Picard goes to play Private Eye in his favorite novel series Dixon Hill. What makes this episode most fun, and fascinating is what happens on the holodeck. He winds up a fish out of water as he bumbles around the mid-20th century in his ‘Halloween costume”. After the initial experience, he invites the crew to join him. He, Data, Dr. Crusher, and the guy that you know will probably die go to enjoy some down time, but there’s a malfunction, and they get trapped! With the safety protocols disengaged! And throw away guy gets SHOT! But Wesley saves the day, stupid jerk, and everything works out okay!
What I like about this episode, and what puts it on this list is how we get to see Picard loosen up, and really enjoy himself. Typically, he can come across as a little stuffy, but in this episode, he’s jubilant, and energetic, and it’s a side of that character that we don’t get to see terribly often. Picard gone wild, as it were.
Episode 2: “The Measure of a Man”:
Okay, who doesn’t know this episode? Be honest, now. Even if you don’t count yourself a Trekkie, you’ve probably at least heard of this episode before now. The basic premise is, a scientist from Starfleet wants to dismantle, and study Data in order to build more Datas. Picard has to defend Data in court, and Riker has to prosecute. It’s chock full of drama, and themes, and it’s just a great episode. If you haven’t seen it before, go watch it. Right. Now… For real, what are you still doing reading this article? Go watch this episode!
Anyway, what really makes this a great Picard episode is that we get to see a protracted example of Picard protecting his family. Data’s very continued existence hangs in the balance, and that weight is extremely well depicted by Patrick Stewart. But the futility as experienced by Picard, and his doubt over the whole situation is what really makes this episode a great Picard episode. Of course, in the end, Picard does save the day, and Data even ends up being a pretty good sport towards the guy that wanted to dissect him so it’s cool.
Episode 3: “Family”:
Okay, so it feels like we were just here, but I promise, it’s different… Sort of… So previously on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Earth was attacked by the Borg! And Picard was ASSIMILATED! The Borg nearly would have assimilated the whole darn planet, except that Data, Crusher, and LaForge were able to de-assimilate Picard, who was able to give them some great insider advice on how to defeat the Borg. But that was previously. This episode is about the aftermath. Picard is forced to take some leave to decompress, and so he decides to go home, and I think that’s really what makes this a great Picard episode. Firstly, we get to see some of Picard’s background, and secondly, we get to see Picard start to come to terms with his own frailties and his mortality. At any rate, Picard goes home, and we see as he grapples with the notion of moving back to Earth to do sciency stuff. He has a fight with his brother, and flirts with his sister-in-law, and it’s all good fun to behold.
However, it’s all of that character building stuff that really makes this an interesting watch. There’s a vulnerability, and an insecurity to Picard in this episode. And why not? He had his very being raped, and ripped away from him. All of the things that made him the person that he was got buried, and usurped by cold cybernetic programming. He hides it well, but when it finally boils to a head, boy is there a fallout. Accompanying Picard on this journey is supremely satisfying, again, because Patrick Stewart puts up such a great performance. And also again, Picard is always so measured, and proper. But the vulnerability we see, and the broken man that’s presented to us in the beginning of the episode are hugely impactful, and extremely poignant.
Episode 4: “Chain of Command, Parts I & II”:
Fair warning, these last two entries will be cheats somewhat, but mostly because they’re two part episodes. That’s okay though, they’re great episodes. So if you’ve ever happened to run across the “There are four lights!” meme, then you’ve unknowingly brushed elbows with this episode. In this episode, Picard, Crusher, and Worf are sent to infiltrate a Cardassian establishment. Picard is captured, and spends the better part of two episodes being being broken down in some of the most demeaning and grotesque ways that could possibly be portrayed in 1993. David Warner puts in an amazing performance as Gul Madred, and by the end of the episode, you just want to murder him with your bare hands. But this is not about him, it’s all about Picard.
The reason this episode stands out is because of how ruthlessly Picard is broken down. He’s subjected to sensory deprivation, sensory bombardment, forced nudity, stress positions, dehydration, starvation, physical harm, and cultural humiliation, according to Wikipedia. It’s brutal, and heart wrenching to watch. I’m starting to see an emerging theme here, but you gotta admit, Picard episodes are at their best when Picard is being broken down, and used as a painful microscope into the complexities of human existence. This episode out of all of them, really brings this point home. In the end, Picard is beaten down, nearly broken, and filthy, but he does beat his captor in this twisted battle of will. It’s a powerfully emotional episode, and it frames Picard in a light that brings him a little closer to our own level of existence.
Episode 5: “All Good Things…”:
I’m about to lay out an opinion that may not be terribly popular about die hard Trekkies, but I think it needs to be said. I was not entirely satisfied with the finale of Next Generation. There we go. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great episode. My biggest beef with it is that there isn’t much by way of adequate closure to the episode. And that’s all. I just wanted to see my beloved Next Generation cast get a proper, and final send off. Other than that, this episode is fantastic! Picard finds himself tripping through time between his past, present, and possible future. In the process of this, he’s expected to solve the ultimate puzzle as devised, and presented by Q. In this regards, the episode is a great bookend to the series. That’s why it’s fantastic. Picard has to utilize the tools that he has in each time period, and in the case of his past, his crew didn’t trust him terribly much. But, as Picard usually does, the conundrum is solved, with a little help from his friends, and everything ends on a high note.
What I really enjoy about this episode is the way that it presents what was, what is, and what could be with Picard, and with the show in general. We get to see a green crew with little experience working together that’s trying to learn how to become one unit. Then there’s the seasoned crew that we have come to know and love over the years. But then there’s the crew that’s been pulled apart by the passage of time. Some have retired, others have been promoted, and Picard has gone senile. It’s a winner takes all situation, and watching Picard work through the puzzle, not to mention the final solution to said puzzle, is supremely entertaining to watch. And it is a good finale, even if it’s not quite as final as I would prefer.
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