Picard

The last time we saw the cast of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, the beloved ensemble was on the cusp of scattering to the winds. Yes, that’s because (in real world terms) 2002’s ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’ ended up being their final cinematic outing, but it was also the case in-story. After all, in addition to the death of Data, ‘Nemesis’ also saw the newly married Riker and Troi leave the Enterprise as the former prepared to assume command of the Titan and deleted scenes set up Crusher’s plans to return to Earth to accept a post at Starfleet Medical. While that movie may not have offered as satisfying a farewell as ‘Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country’ did for the original cast, it nonetheless saw an era draw to a close. For a time, at least.

Now, sixteen years later, fans are anticipating the launch of a new ‘Star Trek’ series seems poised to revisit those characters. Announced this summer, the as yet untitled show is set to focus on Jean-Luc Picard (played once again by Patrick Stewart) in the next stage of his life. But what does that mean for the rest of the cast? Maybe something, maybe nothing. It is, frankly, too early to say. But that didn’t stop fans the world over from lighting up with excitement when Marina Sirtis posted the following tweet earlier this month.

With most of the ‘Next Generation’ cast (with the notable exceptions of Jonathan Frakes and Wil Wheaton) assembled in one place and a Picard-centric series in development, the natural assumption was that this might be some sort of tease of or prelude to a full-blown ‘TNG’ reunion. Not so fast, though! The ‘TNG’ cast, it should be noted, has always been a particularly tight-knit group, so the sight of them reuniting for dinner is hardly Earth shattering.

Speaking at Rose City Comic Con, Sirtis further pumped the brakes on that bit of fan speculation, saying that “When Patrick said “Jean-Luc Picard is back,” he didn’t say ‘TNG’ is back.” Per Stewart’s own comments, the new show is “something very, very different,” a statement clearly meant at least in part to quell talk of a ‘TNG’ reunion. Sirtis’s co-stars Gates McFadden and Michael Dorn were also present at the panel, and when asked both Sirtis and Dorn stated outright that they hadn’t been asked to participate in the Picard series, while McFadden joked that her cat had been offered a contract.

Very little has been announced about the Picard show at this point, to the extent that it can more or less be summed up in the phrases “it exists” and “Patrick Stewart is in it.” This renders it nigh impossible to offer any sort of informed speculation on what the show may have in store for us. But that being said, it would be shocking if at least a few members of the ‘TNG’ cast didn’t turn up sooner or later, even if it’s just a guest spot.

Time will tell.

Be sure to check back with ScienceFiction.com for more on this and other upcoming ‘Star Trek’ projects – including future films and the upcoming second season of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ – as it becomes available.

Source: Trek Movie