Star Trek Picard — Series 2 Episode 7 — Monsters — A Review

5th August, 2022.

It’s got to be said, it’s Friday, again!

You know that: you’ve looked at the calendar, in the same way I’ve done!

If you’ve read today’s Teaser?

You’ve possibly worked out I had a couple of phone meetings: which went well enough.

And — if you’ve been following me a while — that I like a TV show or two.

Currently?   I’m watching series four of Stranger Things on Tuesdays, and releasing my reviews on Wednesdays.

Fridays?   Today, in other words?

I’m doing my usual thing … 

Watching the next episode of Star Trek Picard.

Once the chips are done!

~≈🖖≈~

6th August, 2022.

Episode 7 — Monsters — opens with the usual summary of earlier episodes.

Then shifts.

To show us a sun through the window of an anonymous office … one where Admiral Picard (Patrick Stewart) is talking to an unnamed counsellor (James Callis).

The pair are discussing the Admiral’s fear of outside spaces: and the apparent mismatch between this fear, and the Admiral’s career in deep space … on ships with holographic playgrounds capable of projecting as much ‘outside’ as needed.

The Admiral isn’t happy: as the counsellor’s line of questioning seems highly irregular.

Which is where the counsellor intervenes … and asks the Admiral to tell him a story.

So the Admiral does: telling the tale of a redheaded Queen who enjoyed telling stories, and painting glass for her young son.

Reminding him that, sometimes?

There is no better teacher than ones enemy.

And that, sometimes?

The monster are all too real.

~≈🖖≈~

Post titles?

And back in the real world?

We find that Admiral Picard is still unconscious.

So?

Raffi and Seven (Michelle Hurd and Jerry Ryan) decide to make theselves useful: trying to trace what’s happened to Dr Jurati (Alison Pill).

Whilst Rios (Santiago Cabrera) keeps watch?   Tallinn (Orla Brady) uses some of her equipment: to connect herself to the deeply unconscious Admiral Picard … and try to help his younger self deal with the painful memories of his mother’s illness … 

And with the actions of his father, Maurice (James Callis, the counsellor).

There are things the Admiral really didn’t know he has to deal with … until he’s shown.

~≈🖖≈~

Now … 

Good, bad or indifferent?

Star Trek Picard has done another extremely good episode!

Monsters is incredible.

We get to see;

• Raffi and Seven’s relationship develop: the look on Seven’s face when Raffi says “… and everyone loves hearing about it,” is priceless.
• Find out more about the Watcher, Tallinn: the clue was in the shape of the earpiece Tallinn’s wearing.
• And find out a little more of the El Aurian relationship with the Q: there’s a ritual Guinan can use to summon one, after her people made a truce with the Continuum.

So there’s a little world building here: something I’ve always felt Star Trek does better than many other franchises.

There’s also something else.

Monsters is one hell of a well written episode: with an incredibly strong ensemble cast.

The episode that cast working very well.

But the stand-out performance?

Was James Callis as Maurice Picard.   I only know the man from his slimy performance as Gaius Baltar in the rebooted version of Battlestar Galactica … and an equally slimy merchant in an episode of Merlin.

So seeing his incredibly sympathetic performance?   As a man desperately worried for his ill* wife, and equally as concerned for his son?

Is much appreciated.

As was this week’s cliffhanger of an ending: Seven’s realisation of what’s happening to Jurati, combined with Guinan and the Admiral, getting arrested?

Means next week’s episode, Mercy, is going to be something to look forward to.

~≈🖖≈~

Which brings me to my last thought.

You’ll’ve realised I’m watching Stranger Things’ fourth series, at the moment.

I’ll be watching the next episode, The Massacre at Hawkins Lab, on next Tuesday, 9th August: and releasing my written and video reviews on the 10th.

I’ll be watching Mercy, the next episode of Picard, on Friday, 12th August: and telling you what I thought on Saturday, 13th August.

I’d love it if you joined me: I’ll see you then.

Monsters.

★★★★

*        At one point?   Maurice says “Your mother suffered cycles of terrible darkness, and irrational exhilaration.   She needed help, but wouldn’t accept it.”   I believe Maurice is telling us Yvette Picard suffered with a form of bipolar disorder.   Star Trek’s usually good at drawing attention to things.