'Star Trek: Picard': Patrick Stewart says new show is his response to Brexit and Trump
Patrick Stewart could play the role of Jean-Luc Picard, the ever-reliable Starfleet captain from the 'Star Trek' franchise in his sleep. And after what seems like an excruciatingly long gap, Stewart is all set to reprise his role in the CBS series 'Star Trek: Picard' and fans could not be more excited. Stewart has essayed the role for seven seasons of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and four films that concluded in 2002.
In the series that will release on January 23, fans will see a retired Picard relaxing in France, away from all the action. He has isolated himself from Starfleet and can't move on from some haunting experiences, one being the death of his colleague Commander Data in 'Nemesis', and the discovery of some painful truths on a Romulan Mission. However, he decides to return to action, only to realize that the Starfleet's moral compass isn't exactly pointing north.
In an interview to Variety, Stewart asserted that the new series is different from 'Next Generation'. The world of 'Next Generation doesn't exist anymore, he says. "It’s different. Nothing is really safe. Nothing is really secure."
He added, "In a way, the world of ‘Next Generation’ had been too perfect and too protected. It was the Enterprise. It was a safe world of respect and communication and care and, sometimes, fun In “Picard,” the Federation has taken an isolationist turn. The new show, Stewart said, “Was me responding to the world of Brexit and Trump and feeling, ‘Why hasn’t the Federation changed? Why hasn’t Starfleet changed?’ Maybe they’re not as reliable and trustworthy as we all thought."
Stewart also mentioned that he had rejected any Star Trek-related offer from producers in the past. In 2017, he agreed to meet writers Michael Chabon and Akiva Goldsman as a mere courtesy. "I explained to them all those elements of ‘Next Generation’ which belong in ‘Next Generation,’ and why I didn’t want to go near them again,” he says. “But they talked about it in such an interesting way. And they talked for a long time." At first, Stewart said no. However, he then had a change of heart. He asked his agent Kurtzman to write his ideas down. 48 hours later, Kurtzman gave him a more-than-30-page packet, which had the makings of a possible 'Picard' series'.
'Star Trek: Picard' will release on January 23 on CBS.