The Aisle Seat: Home Edition series continues, as we take a peek at what Beach Radio listeners are watching while at home. Today’s suggestion comes from Dan (thanks, Dan!) who recommended the sci-fi series, ‘Picard’, currently playing on CTV’s Sci-Fi Network and streaming on Crave.
One thing is for darn sure – ‘Picard’ ain’t your granddaddy’s Star Trek.
Set at the end of the 24th century, close to two decades after the events of ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’, ‘Picard’ revolves around the title character (a returning Sir Patrick Stewart), now a retired admiral who seemingly wants to put his feet up and enjoy the golden years at his family’s French vineyard – but as usual, trouble seems to come looking for our hero.
The situation is this; the destruction of Romulus by a freak supernova created a refuge crisis that spun out of control. And more recently, a terror attack by ‘rogue synths’ on Mars has the Federation spinning. Jean-Luc is crankier than we’ve ever seen him. But then, he has good reason; Starfleet has become intolerant of individuals like him, despite the numerous sacrifices he has made. When Picard is visited by Dahj (Isa Briones), a mysterious girl who is being hunted and can become a superhuman fighting machine in the blink of an eye – but doesn’t know why – it becomes clear that it’s time for him to swing back into action. But with the Federation giving Jean-Luc the cold shoulder….hey, why not go rogue?
So with a brand new crew (including Alison Pill, Michelle Hurd and Santiago Cabrera), and the promise of a few older familiar faces here are there, it’s time for Picard to once again boldly go where no man has gone before. And man, do they GO there. I can’t recall the Star Trek franchise ever being as on-the-edge as this (are those F-bombs I hear? Spock would be rolling in his sunglasses case!), but the grit works. The first few episodes might have a bit too many layers of plot and not enough action….but when it does let off the fireworks, it’s good stuff.
You like Star Trek? This is for you. Engage!
