Star Trek: Picard — Series 1: Episode 1 — Remembrance — A Review

17th March, 2020.

Yes: Britain is — at least in theory — in some sort of lockdown.

Because of Covid 19: the Corona virus.

I’m feeling … in two minds.

I’m aware it’s going to be nasty: especially for those of us in vulnerable groups.

But … ?

I’m in a weight management class: I’m obese, diabetic and Lord knows what else.

And appreciate the fact I’ve somewhere to go: in order to monitor my weight, while I’m trying to lose the gut.

And it’s been cancelled.

Cancelled!

Because of the Corona virus.

I can appreciate the outbreak’s seriousness, I really can.

But, as someone also struggling with his health, I’m bloody annoyed!

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve been stuck indoors for a while: not having the money to go out.

I do know I’ve still got things to do.

Quizzes to write, jobs to hunt, laundry to dry … 

And media to rifle through.

One particular series I’ve been meaning to catch up with … ?

Is the 2020 Star Trek spin off, Star Trek: Picard

.

The first episode of series one, as you’re asking.

~≈¥≈~

Episode 1 — Remembrance — opens with a long shot: one that eventually closes in the USS Enterprise D.

And shows us a near empty Ten Forward Lounge, occupied only by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) playing poker with Lieutenant Commander Date (Brent Spiner).

A game that rapidly comes to an end, when the Enterprise goes into orbit around Mars: a Mars that is soon revealed to be under attack.

~≈¥≈~

We realise this is a dream, however … 

As Picard awakens in his bedroom at Chateau Picard, the family estate: many years after he has retired from Starfleet.

Retired … after helping to rescue many Romulans, after a super nova has destroyed Romulus, after the genuine attack on Mars by synthetic lifeforms — androids — and after a major arguments with his former bosses.

He’s to be interviewed about the anniversary of the Supernova: an interview that goes into some unexplored territory.

~≈¥≈~

The scene shifts: to the bedroom of Dahj (Isa Briones), and her boyfriend.

Just after she announces her big news — that she’s been accepted in to the Daystrom Institute, the Federation’s premiere robots institute — her flat is attacked, her boyfriend killed … 

And she finds that she’s more than capable of dealing with her attackers.

Dealing with them, and fleeing the scene … only to end up — after seeing the interview — at the home of Admiral Picard … 

A men she’s never met … but in whose company she feels very safe.

All Admiral Picard can do … ?

Is offer to help a young woman who seems very familiar.

~≈¥≈~

Now … 

Have I enjoyed Star Trek: Picard’s opening episode?

Yes I have, thanking you.

I remember Sir Terry Pratchett one saying that the Discworld was escapism: with the definition that well performed escapist literature enabled you to escape to somewhere, rather than from somewhere … 

With the subtext that seeing familiar characters was part of the appeal.

So watching Star Trek: Discovery?

Was a pleasure: seeing the Trek background explored and expanded, but also seeing new characters introduced.

Seeing this opening episode of Star Trek: Picard?

Is another pleasure.

With the added bonus that we get to see an old friend: Admiral Picard, no less, becoming involved with the mysterious Dahj.

And we get to see a mystery: who are Dahj and her sister, what IS going on … 

And why are there refugee Romulans … on an abandoned Borg cube?

We’ll see in episode two … !