Susan Granger’s review of “Star Trek: Picard – Season Three” (Paramount+)
Confession: I have been an ardent “Star Trek” fan ever since Gene Roddenberry’s epic sci-fi classic began in 1966, continuing through “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine” and “Voyager.”
Each original episode began with: “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise….Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
Now – after two middling but gradually improving seasons – “Star Trek Picard” – under showrunner Terry Matalas – is back with its third and farewell season, starring Sir Patrick Stewart as Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, who was trying to enjoy retirement on his French vineyard when he was called back into Starfleet action on the USS Titan-A.
This new season finds Picard joined by his old cohorts William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), empathic Deanna Troi (Marina Sirkis), Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), Worf (Michael Dorn), and Seven-of-Nine (Jeri Ryan). Plus there’s Picard’s old flame Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), the synthetic lifeform Lore (Brent Spiner, (the android Data), and always-annoying Raffi (Michelle Hurd).
Causing concern, there’s creepy, revenge-obsessed Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer) on the Shrike (FYI: Amanda’s father, Christopher Plummer, was the villain in “Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country”).
There’s great camaraderie as Picard and his team face a splinter faction of the Changelings, who have already launched an attack on Starfleet ‘s recruitment center. Previously, benevolent Odo (Rene Auberjonois) was the only one of these Gamma Quadrant aliens who surfaced. Now these shapeshifters abound and they’ve taken possession of Dr. Crusher’s grown son Jack (Ed Speelers).
What’s particularly remarkable is how this season utilizes James Horner & Jerry Goldsmith’s previous “Star Trek” musical cues to once again evoke awe and wonder.
Since its inception, the “Star Trek” franchise has encompassed 11 television series, 13 feature films and numerous books, toys and games. It’s generally considered one of the most popular and influential television series of all time.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Star Trek Picard” is a nostalgic, satisfying 8, streaming on Paramount+.
