Watched that earlier. I really hope he's right. He went to some length in his first review summary of episodes 1-6 acknowledging that having been treated to early access people may consider his objectivity compromised - and I do wonder, because there's other reviews which would suggest this has the same problems as S1 and S2. Certainly the trailer makes it look no better really with absurdly dark sets, generic dialogue and the mere fact we know it has to follow on from the dodgy events of those first two seasons.
Watched that earlier. I really hope he's right. He went to some length in his first review summary of episodes 1-6 acknowledging that having been treated to early access people may consider his objectivity compromised - and I do wonder, because there's other reviews which would suggest this has the same problems as S1 and S2. Certainly the trailer makes it look no better really with absurdly dark sets, generic dialogue and the mere fact we know it has to follow on from the dodgy events of those first two seasons.
RMB and the Treksperts wouldn’t be bought. They care to much for Trek and have been very vocal in their dislike. Many of the people who were vocal about not liking the first 2 seasons of Picard have said the new season is a return to how Trek storytelling used to be. Terry Matalas was pretty much left alone to craft the story he wanted to tell. Which is a minor miracle when you look at how Kurtzman has been trying to control Trek.
Ignore the conspiracy theories and leave your preconceptions if the previous seasons behind. Watch with an open and clear mind.
I just finished episode one, here are some thoughts:
1. This is very much set in the universe of new Trek. The sets are as dark as the trailers suggested.
2. I do not dig the stuff about Raffi so far. Maybe it will pay-off, but I don't like where her character is. It feels like a regression. I also wish she'd swear less. That said, it is in character for her to do so.
3. I am not sure if I like where Riker's character is too with regards to the "status" of his relationship with Deanna and his child.
4. I like how Jean Luc is back to his more optimistic self. He's old, but he has some of that bravado I loved from TNG here.
5. Picard and Riker together was so wonderful to watch. I'd watch an entire season of just these two together.
6. The Beverly storyline is intriguing.
7. Captain Shaw is annoying. He's meant to be annoying, but you'd think as a "Starfleet" officer, he'd be more pleasant.
8. Seven is awesome as always.
Overall, it was a solid first episode. This is the version of Picard we should have gotten in Season 1.
Edit: I forgot to talk about the ships:
The Titan being a modern version of the Constitution was a blatant grab for nostalgia. While I do think the design looks wonderful, it does not make sense for that era of Starfleet.
The interior was pretty bland, more militaristic I thought. You can argue it was not a flagship like the Enterprise, but neither was Voyager. This almost felt like the NX-01. The bridge itself felt like a redress of the Discovery.
Crusher's ship I can't really judge for now. Judging on the size of the shuttle versus the saucer, this ship is tiny. Probably smaller than the Protostar. It looks like a Starfleet vessel, but I doubt it is anywhere near a modern one. I wonder if she stole this ship given the lack of crew.
There’s a lot packed in this first episode that calls back to the TNG era. Even the movies. Lots of little touches like the opening with the In the 25 th century, to the background sounds that we are all familiar with. The score….was perfect touching on all the eras of Trek. Make sure to watch the end credits not only are you treated to more of the glorious score, but also you get some eye candy from the various lcars screens (all Okuda designed) plus some quick fan service if you are paying attention to some of the ships, and words on the screens.
The episode didn’t feel rushed. It gently eased into the story catching us up on what’s happened. We get the traditional A and B stories. A being Picard and Riker, B being Raffi. I’ll start with Raffi. Picard Season 1 I thought she was alright but nothing too great. Season 2 I hated her. She was useless and incompetent. Season 3…well I’m liking her more here then I did in Season 1. She has a purpose. I won’t go any further than that. I’ll just say there’s character growth for her and we get to see what her skills really are.
Picard and Riker Loved every minute and I would gladly take a series of these two, which is really what Picards season 1 and 2 should have been.
Aesthetically the show is dark, but that’s more of a modern aesthetic, and it’s not like we haven’t seen dark sets before in the movies and TV shows. The new ship looks great to me. It’s no refit Enterprise or Defiant, but it’s not an eyesore like I felt the Discovery was. It’s got alot of tiny details and they even give us a mini TMP style look at the ship although it’s nowhere near the length of TMP. Felt like maybe 30 seconds of cycling through angles.
The Captain of the Titan is a complete a-hole but in a way that I found smart and even kind of funny. Especially with how he treated Riker and Picard.
There are a few surprises dropped in the episode and one bombshell at the end. I’m not spoiling them.
I am left with one confusing part. Riker is a Captain here and I thought he was an Admiral in Picard Season 1. Maybe there’s a story there to explore later, definitely need one concerning his family.
For a first episode it’s off to a great start. And is a welcome palate cleanser from Season 2.
Block season 2 from your mind go into it with an open mind and I think you will enjoy this first episode.
I can go on and on about the the score for the whole episode. It’s so refreshing to hear music that complements and enhances the scenes we are watching. I missed that so much in alot of todays movies and TVs.
So much of modern releases music scores are forgettable and barely even noticed when watching, or worse not used at all.
I’m still waiting before I watch this season. Likely until the season is finished. Until I see some reviews from people I trust.. nah. The first two seasons were so bad and tarnished Picard. I’d rather not see more of that.
I’m still waiting before I watch this show. Likely until the season is finished. Until I see some reviews from people I trust.. nah. The first two seasons were so bad and tarnished Picard. I’d rather not see more of that.
Watched it again and paused and looked at all the ships (I’m a major fan of Trek ship designs). If I’m not mistaken a lot of these new ships are ship designs from the Star Trek Online MMO. Which I think is a nice touch. Not all of their ship designs from the game are winners but many of them are good successors to the classic ships from the TNG and TOS era of Trek.
I know for a fact that the Enterprise F that we’ve already seen in the commercials is the same Enterprise F from the game but to see some of the lesser known ones is really cool IMO.
Liked it, but couldn't buy into the fact that they just roll up to this ship and expect the captain will do whatever they want. Really bizarre. You'd think there would be some sort of forwarded information/notification from the powers that be that they'd (the ship) would be receiving "visitors."
Minor gripe, just think there surely could have been 1000 better ways to get where they needed to go.
Watched it again and paused and looked at all the ships (I’m a major fan of Trek ship designs). If I’m not mistaken a lot of these new ships are ship designs from the Star Trek Online MMO. Which I think is a nice touch. Not all of their ship designs from the game are winners but many of them are good successors to the classic ships from the TNG and TOS era of Trek.
I know for a fact that the Enterprise F that we’ve already seen in the commercials is the same Enterprise F from the game but to see some of the lesser known ones is really cool IMO.
After all the buzz and positive reviews, I have to say I was a bit... underwhelmed by this first episode. And actually thought the Season 2 opener was a lot more compelling with a more ominous threat (and also a much cooler looking starship in the Stargazer).
And aside from some movie-era music here and there this didn't feel different tonally from previous seasons either. Still overly dark with lots of bitter and angry characters that don't really seem to act much like Starfleet officers, and who all speak in way too modern and casual a way for my taste.
But it's still early and there's supposed to be lots of fun surprises coming, so I'll try to remain optimistic.
I’m curious what bitter and angry characters you are talking about? Other then the Captain Shaw, who really isn’t any different then a Jellico, or Tracey what characters did you find angry and bitter?
I’m curious what bitter and angry characters you are talking about? Other then the Captain Shaw, who really isn’t any different then a Jellico, or Tracey what characters did you find angry and bitter?
I agree Jellico wasn’t bitter but he was arrogant, and that’s how I found Shaw. Just with more of a a-hole side then Jellico.
How would you feel if the former Captain of your ship showed up with his buddy who was also a living legend for a “surprise” inspection? Knowing there was more to it then what they were saying.
I agree Jellico wasn’t bitter but he was arrogant, and that’s how I found Shaw. Just with more of a a-hole side then Jellico.
How would you feel if the former Captain of your ship showed up with his buddy who was also a living legend for a “surprise” inspection? Knowing there was more to it then what they were saying.
It's not only that though, how he treated Seven was not good too. He basically imposed upon her what name she is to use rather than use what name she preferred. All that because of his prejudice against ex-Borg.
It's not only that though, how he treated Seven was not good too. He basically imposed upon her what name she is to use rather than use what name she preferred. All that because of his prejudice against ex-Borg.
