The second season of Star Trek: Picard is a bag of mixed beans.
While season one had a consistent storyline with a clear red threat, season two appears lost at times.
In some ways, it seems as if the writers just threw in random ingredients into the storyline because they weren’t sure where to take the story.
First, the viewer is treated to the return of Q (John de Lancie), everyone’s favorite, all powerful being. John de Lancie does a great job as usual, but the character has been changed significantly, which is unfortunate. Q used to be this flamboyant (who can forget the Mariachi band!) almost childlike character, who put the Enterprise crew in tough situations mainly because he was bored. This time, however, the character is significantly darker, almost sinister. While it is great to see him again, the audience feels a little cheated.
This encounter leads to the crew having to time travel (with the help of a Borg queen), which sets up the major storyline that takes place in a near future.
In many ways, isolating the crew in a different timeline gives the viewer the feeling that this was done due to budget restrictions, which might not even be true.
Star Trek time travel stories always have the same structure. Something must be done on the past to save the future. This one is no different, which is why it doesn’t feel new. A nice nod is the presence of the punk from Star Trek IV, whom Spock disables with his vulcan neck pinch.
The story generally offers little new, although it gives the viewer nice insights into Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) past and psyche. Patrick Stewart is stellar in season two and steals every scene. It would be easy for him to outshine the cast, but they are equally superb and up to the challenge.
Alison Pill’s performance is particularly powerful, especially as her character goes through a major development. She manages to be powerful and vulnerable in the same moment, especially during her scenes with the Borg queen.
The only downside were the romantic relationships, with the exception of Picard’s, as they felt forced and mainly seemed to be a fan service. A good romance adds to every story, but if it feels forced, it is better to forgo it.
Although season two lacks the brilliant story telling of season one, it still tells a solid Star Trek story and offers the return of many beloved characters.
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Maria is our resident nerd and passionate about all things fantasy and science fiction. She is Spanish and grew up in Germany, which is why she is a native speaker of both languages. Becoming a fantasy writer was only logical to combine her skills and passions. In addition, she is working on her English degree and loves to play tennis and dance Salsa. She is currently writing her first novel and will mainly be covering Star Wars, Star Trek and Shadow & Bone.
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