Fixing Star Trek (Picard)
Season 1 of Star Trek: Picard just wrapped, and as a lifelong fan, I’m left with mixed emotions. On one hand, I couldn’t help but feel goosebumps every time a familiar face from The Next Generation appeared on screen. But on the other, the show’s dark, brooding atmosphere left me feeling somewhat disconnected from the optimism that Star Trek once represented. At a time like this, especially in the midst of a global pandemic, we need stories that inspire hope, not ones that mirror the bleakness of our current reality.
One of the things I’ve always loved about Star Trek is how it portrayed a hopeful future. Starfleet was a symbol of what humanity could become if we kept striving for good — an intelligent, united society working together for the greater good. Star Trek has always been a beacon of hope, and that’s what the world needs now more than ever.
But Picard? It felt different, more dystopian than utopian. And that’s a shame. Our world already has enough darkness; we turn to Star Trek to remind us of the light.
How Can We Fix Star Trek: Picard?
Here are some suggestions to restore Star Trek’s hopeful vision:
Ditch the cliffhangers
One of the major problems with modern serialized storytelling is that it leaves the audience in a constant state of suspense. While suspense can be thrilling, it doesn’t offer the same kind of emotional satisfaction that earlier Star Trek episodes did. The beauty of pre-2005 Star Trek was in its episodic structure. Each episode was like a mini-movie with its own contained storylines — usually a blend of scientific intrigue and human connection. By the end of each episode, you felt a sense of closure and completeness.
The newer trend of multi-episode arcs is less rewarding. Instead of ending on a hopeful or thought-provoking note, we’re often left wondering what happens next, which diminishes the sense of optimism we crave. Picard could benefit from returning to a more episodic format, where each installment feels like a complete journey with its own challenges and resolutions.
Leave the Vices in the Past
Star Trek has always been about imagining a better future, one where humanity has evolved past its current flaws. But in Picard, there’s an excess of smoking, drinking, and cursing, making it feel too grounded in today’s world. In a future where humanity has advanced so far, wouldn’t we have left behind habits like smoking and excessive drinking?
The beauty of Star Trek lies in its optimism. It shows us a world where humans have become more enlightened, where we’ve transcended some of our more destructive tendencies. To truly feel like a future worth aspiring to, Star Trek should reflect a society that has grown past these vices.
Bring Back the Classical Score
Music is one of the most powerful tools a show has to create atmosphere, and the music in Picard feels… off. The original Star Trek series and The Next Generation were full of sweeping orchestral scores that made you feel like you were embarking on a grand, hopeful adventure. Those stirring violins, brass, and woodwinds contributed to the sense that we were watching something truly uplifting.
In contrast, the modern soundtrack feels more subdued, relying heavily on electronic elements. While these can work in the right context, they don’t evoke the same sense of wonder and optimism that the old scores did. We need those soaring, triumphant melodies back, the ones that remind us of the hope that Star Trek was built upon.
Shaping the Future Through Storytelling
Maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but the stories we tell — especially those as iconic as Star Trek — have a profound impact on how people perceive the world and what they aspire to. Our kids aren’t just watching TV; they’re learning from it, absorbing the messages these shows put out. As creators, you have the power to influence how we think about the future.
And that future should be bright.
Thank you
A 35-year-old fan who grew up watching The Next Generation with his dad and hopes to one day watch a hopeful Star Trek with his own kids.
