Picard and Soji arrive on the planet Nepenthe, where their confusion and self-doubt
are assuaged by the planet’s atmophere, by the love of trustworthy old friends,
and by some really good wood-fired pizza. Meanwhile, Agnes vomits two or three times,
a beloved secondary character is horribly murdered, and a pretty young Romulan
is trapped on a Borg cube with little hope of escape. On balance, we think it’s a win.
This week, Joe and Nathan are on the edge of our seats, wondering what insignificant event will tip the twenty-first century over the edge — turning it from a punishing ordeal into a shrieking hellscape of fascism and climatic disaster. Fortunately we’re able to distract ourselves from all this with a really enjoyable episode of Star Trek: Picard.
In one episode’s time, Star Trek: Picard will become, for the first time, a television event, but for now, we’ve got some plot to wrap up, some sad farewells to make and a new relationship to start. And a point, however muted, about living an extraordinary life.
This week, an episode of Star Trek: Picard makes a compelling case for the existence of 21st century Trek, as familiar and well-loved characters find themselves in a show with dramatic lighting, beautiful special effects and witty and clever dialogue. But even more than that, they learn that no matter how bleak or unwinnable a situation, as long as you and your crew remain steadfast in your dedication, one to another, you are never ever without hope. Or giant squid.
