Ricky Church revisits the essential Jean-Luc Picard episodes as we count down to the premiere of Star Trek: Picard…
As we ready ourselves for Patrick Stewart’s return as Jean-Luc Picard in the upcoming Star Trek: Picard, the latest television series in the Star Trek franchise, we’ll be discussing the most essential episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation that focuses on the 24th century’s captain of the USS Enterprise in the lead-up to Picard’s next adventures.
First up in The Essential Picard – the Star Trek: The Next Generation series premiere ‘Encounter at Farpoint’.
Unlike the original Star Trek, TNG‘s premiere began with a true origin story for Picard and the new Enterprise crew as they made their way to Farpoint Station to begin relations with a newly discovered civilization that developed a unique way to utilize energy sources in the construction of their station. Along the Enterprise’s maiden voyage, they also come into contact with the omnipotent being known only as Q who can change matter at will and has a very low opinion of humanity. Set to prove humanity has not evolved to a worthy existence, Q uses their mission at Farpoint as a test for humanity’s survival with Picard standing in as a defendant for the species.
As the beginning of TNG and Picard’s captaincy, ‘Encounter at Farpoint’ serves as a very good introduction to the new crew. It doesn’t take very long to adjust to a new captain of a very different Enterprise. Throughout the premiere Picard shows he has a very different style than the infamous James T. Kirk. Whereas Kirk was aloof with the rules and procedure, Picard tries to follow the book to the letter. Where Kirk was serious yet had a sense of fun with the job and his crew, Picard is stern and disciplined, preferring to keep most of his relationships more professional than personal. The only member of the crew who he’s willing to lower his guard around a little is Doctor Beverly Crusher, but only because they have a prior history through Crusher’s late husband.
The one similarity between Kirk and Picard is just how stubborn they equally are. Throughout the episode Picard is adamant that humanity has moved beyond their savage nature and found enlightenment through their interactions with other species and voyage among the stars. His arguments against Q’s belief also say just as much about Picard himself as they do about how much humanity and the Federation has evolved: he’s strong-willed, well-spoken, faithful to the Federation’s principles and loyal to his crew. The fact he chose William Riker as his first officer simply because Riker argued against an order from his previous captain shows Picard isn’t egotistical, but wants people around him who will make him a better captain.
‘Encounter at Farpoint’ is also notable for the introduction of one of Star Trek‘s most beloved ‘villains’ – John de Lancie’s powerful trickster Q. Where Q comes from exactly or who he is no one really knows, but his opinion of humans (and most intelligent life in general) is held very low. In many ways he is the antithesis to Picard: sarcastic, uncaring, obnoxious, cruel and not above playing loose with the rules to ensure he gets what he wants, especially if he has to resort to cheating. Though Q isn’t as central of an antagonist as say the Romulans or Borg, the impact he makes on Picard and The Next Generation is significant as his friendship – at least as he puts it – with Picard grows from here.
‘Encounter at Farpoint’ places the foundation for The Next Generation through its origin story of the new Enterprise crew, but it is incredible how strong Picard is just in one episode alone due in no small part to Patrick Stewart’s caliber as an actor. The other cast members of TNG have gone on record saying Stewart’s presence on the show forced them to raise their own game in order to both impress him and make the show as great as it could be through their characters. Stewart wastes little time ensuring Picard’s credibility in captaining a vessel worthy of the name Enterprise and displays many of the best qualities often associated with heroic Star Trek characters.
The series premiere of TNG was simply the beginning of what would become a great and essential piece that both reinvigorated the franchise and pushed it in some new directions. It is easy to think how the show might have failed without a captain as memorable as Kirk, but Stewart’s performance as Picard in the pilot is enough to know he can hold his own against Starfleet’s greatest, making ‘Encounter at Farpoint’ an important step in the journey to Picard.
Ricky Church
