With season two of one of the most exciting Star Trek shows to date around the corner, fans can expect nothing less than a wild, exciting ride with Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and company in Star Trek: Picard. While there were so many twists and turns from the first season, it appears as though season two has decided to challenge the already established standard for excellence.
Last season, fans saw the inclusion of many favorites from The Next Generation era, including Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and everyone's favorite android, Commander Data (Brent Spiner). Upon close examination of the final trailer for this season, Picard and crew will be full of more surprises and visits from old friends.
Cast: Who Do We Expect to See?
Speaking of old friends, one of the first guest stars announced for season two is Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), who described her relationship with Picard as "closer than friends, and closer than family." Last year on Whoopi Goldberg's talk show The View, Patrick Stewart, who plays the legendary Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, asked his close friend Whoopi to return to the show as Guinan. She was beyond surprised and happy when the offer was made. Fans can only imagine what Guinan will be up to, considering the nemesis she will meet again on the small screen. Who, pray tell, could that be?
If fans hear the name John de Lancie, they instantly smile. For those who are not aware, de Lancie is the actor who plays the most mischievous, arrogant, yet occasionally good-hearted omniscient entity, Q. While Q does appear on other Star Trek titles, he began tormenting the crew of the Enterprise during the first season of The Next Generation. He put then-Captain Picard and crew on trial for the "crimes of humanity," which fans will remember Q stating something to the effect of the trial not ending. According to the trailers for the show, the entity is correct.
He is visiting our now-converted android to wreak havoc once again on the universe. Initially, Star Trek fans may ask why bring Q back into the fold, but the question should be more like, why not? John de Lancie has played the role with such passion and joy his on-screen presence makes for good entertainment. Additionally, Q has presented ethical dilemmas that taught the audience valuable life lessons. Without a doubt, we can expect nothing less than the usual from Q and company. However, with that said, Q could be appearing for a darker purpose, given the nature of previous storylines for Picard.
While we do know Brent Spiner will return for season two, it will not be as Data. Instead, Spiner returns as "a member of the Soong family" and confirms, "I'm not playing a character I've ever played before." Fans have also wanted to see LeVar Burton (Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Worf), and other characters from the Star Trek universe. Let's hope that happens!
Plot: What Can We Expect?
The trailer also features some familiar faces for the new season. Raffi (Michelle Hurd), Picard's friend and former subordinate, along with Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), appears to travel back in time to 21st century San Francisco. More than likely, this time path is the doing of the mischievous Q (directly or not) to correct mistakes of the past. There are no clues in the trailer that give a specific issue to resolve. However, Picard has some unresolved feelings toward some characters who sacrificed themselves for him last season.
One big remaining question for the upcoming season would be how they intend to address Picard's transformation last season, and will he keep all his memories intact? It would be an interesting plot twist if the season opens with Picard's android body malfunctioning because of a design flaw. Some questions about the ability of the body to function in the manner of a live human being call into question the work of Dr. Soong and his predecessors. The trailer has left fans with extraordinarily little to go on, but it is a mystery that will unfold over time. If the second season matches the first or surpasses the quality, casual audience members have something to look forward to during the spring streaming season.
According to many fans, the first season was a look inside humanity itself to discover that it just not merely exists in one species. Data was the epitome of humanity, though he was a machine. Picard is not the best of both worlds: he is a human being with his consciousness in an artificial body. It sounds like another sub-plot happening on another Star Trek series. Science might be closer to reality than the public believes.
Premiere Date
Star Trek: Picard season 2 will premiere on Thursday, March 3rd on Paramount+. The new season will consist of 10 episodes and release a new episode weekly.