Picard is my introduction to Star Trek. I’ve seen the movies, but I wasn’t a fan of the movies. As someone who is unfamiliar with the show, this was a great place to start. While it is a little preachy at points, it did make me start watching some of the older shows. If you are a long-time fan, you might be disappointed by the series, but at least it is better than the movies.
I will say that the first season is the only one that is worth watching. The acting is fantastic, the action is fun, and the story is engaging enough. It isn’t perfect, it makes a lot of weird choices, and the ending is disappointing, but it got me interested in the series.
One issue that might arise is with the references made to the original show. I felt a bit alienated when they would introduce an old crew member or reference certain events, but it wasn’t bad enough that I couldn’t understand the story. They exist as nods to the fans of the show and add little to the plot. My biggest issue is how much it addresses social justice issues. While appreciated, these moments get tedious and overbearing. I love Patrick Stewart, but he doesn’t need a speech every time he is on screen. There are moments in this show where Picard is more white guilt personified than the great captain the show wants him to be. The first season isn’t perfect, but it is good enough for casuals.
However, do not waste your time on the second season. I have personally created my own ending to the first season to cope with the disappointment that comes with watching the second season. The second season discards everything that makes Star Trek unique and fun and turns into a generic social justice action thriller no one asked for. While I do appreciate the sentiment, the messaging should be a lot more subtle. I didn’t like how the crew kept getting thrown from social issue to social issue as if they were collecting hashtags in their desperate attempt to stay woke and relevant. It isn’t fun, it isn’t interesting, please skip it.
You can watch this show on Paramount+. Watch it if you are interested in sci-fi but don’t know where to start. This is science fiction for casuals. If you are in the mood for sci-fi that requires little investment, Picard is a good place to start. The only problem is, you might not want to stop.
My husband watches this. I told him they should have called it, “Star Trek: The Elderly Generation.”
Ha! That’s pretty accurate. I liked the first season but it’s hard to believe that the senior citizen squad can save the universe. There are scenes where Patrick Stewart can barely stand, poor thing.
And he can barely talk!
It is kind of funny that they made him robot, but they had to explain that he was still going to be an old man.
My husband is watching this now, too. I love the actors, but the show is driving me nuts! I told him to watch without me. The dialog and dramatic presentation make it feel like a sci-fi telenovela.
Oh it gets worse. I love the acting but everyone gets a dramatic so each where I want to see more space stuff. Sci-fi telenovela is pretty accurate
I watched midway through the second season before financial restraints caused me to have to forego Paramount. I actually really liked the show. Then again I am a huge fan of Startrek.
The first season was way better. You aren’t missing much from the second season. They really drop the ball by dragging it out.
I am so tired of fighting. The gun fights, the fist fights. That is one thing I liked about The Next Generation it was not all fist fights and stuff (that I can remember –?), Picard seemed so much more violent. I was disappointed in Picard. And I am not sure I will last through more of the new show that just started. Le Sigh.
As an intro to the series, the first season isn’t terrible. I don’t blame you for leaving though, it gets bad. I started watching the older ones and I agree, Picard has too much fighting. But I think they are trying to pull a different demographic which is a shame because the stuff that makes Star Trek cool isn’t the fighting
I just watch it because my husband likes it.
Just started watching Season 2. It’s a bit uneven, but I’m a longtime fan, and love the way they’ve brought back the Next Generation characters from the 80s.
Yeah I thought the first season was great because I haven’t seen any, the second one doesn’t feel as epic though. But it did get me to start watching the original and I love it.