Picard 2x01 - 'The Star Gazer' ~~ { Spoilers Within }

ilovesmybrick · 03-03-2022 10:20AM #1

Picard 2x01 - 'The Star Gazer' ~~ { ** Spoilers Within ** }

Warning: This thread will contain spoilers for the episode. Spoiler tags will not be used, so if you don't want to be spoiled read no further.

ilovesmybrick · 03-03-2022 11:27AM

Now, I'll preface this with saying that I was looking forward to Picard as it was, but I really enjoyed that episode. Yeah, some of the emotional beats were a bit clunky, but I think they work in the context of what we know about Picard previously, don't work so much in terms of the other character relationships but I'm happy to ignore that..For now.

Visually it looked great, initially I was a bit peeved at the start when it was obvious that this was a Borg incursion, but based on the limited amount we see they seem to have recaptured the inherent menace of the Borg. I wonder if this related to unimatrix zero. Fleet looked great, and I think I quite like the new Stargazer. I do wonder if that's the original Excelsior they're talking about, or an Excelsior-A. A century would be a long, long time for the prototype of that class to still be in service (went back and paused, yup, it looks like an original).

I think the de-ageing/ageing up of Q was a pretty neat little sidestep, less clunky than the explanation for Guinan at least. At least this first episode has me hooked. Now I need to steel myself to endure the next episode of Discovery...

Also, Slainte!

eadrom · 03-03-2022 09:34PM

Oh, wow! I thought that was great!

A proper ship!!!

THE STARGAZER!!!

It looked fantastic. Uniforms and everything looked great. And a whole fleet of proper starships at the end. I get the impression they were taking notes from the season 1 feedback onboard, not just about the starships, and the actors seemed a lot more settled in their roles too. I enjoyed the lab-coat lady's throw away line about not technically being responsible for murdering that guy in Season 1.

Story is fine and interesting so far. Enjoyed how it was presented, Borg felt like a threat for the first time in a long while, and I like that the promo-clip they released was actually the very first scene.

I love that I didn't know the Stargazer was going to be in this. That reveal was great. When it was obviously something, I was expecting the Enterprise and not sure I would have liked that. Stargazer is a good choice though.

Could probably have done without Guinan but it was fine.

Really had a lot, including a general tone, which I thought most of season 1 was missing. I really hope the rest of the season holds up! It could easily not, considering they've just shifted dimensions and/or time from where they were.

Agent Coulson · 03-03-2022 09:36PM

Orla Brady hitting on him and he runs away.

Very disappointed in Jean-Luc

breezy1985 · 03-03-2022 10:50PM

Loved it. Have to laugh at more new uniforms but man I do love the new ones. Loved pretty much everything about it except the look of the Borg Queen which was just generic looking and the mask is clearly hiding an "OMG" big reveal. Probably God Emperor Burnham 🤣

_Kaiser_ · 03-03-2022 10:54PM

So against my better judgement after the mess that was season one, I decided to watch this tonight...

And wow. It actually feels like what it should have been originally. The proper starships (love the new Stargazer), the dramatic toning down of the massive flaws in the supporting cast, and Picard actually seemed like Picard! Even Seven being on that ship without any other humans about and independent felt like a more organic move given her trepidation around life on Earth in Voyager and how it might have turned out given (as she says in this episode), Starfleet still fears the Borg.

John deLancie of course is always fantastic as Q. Even in the brief scene, he was played perfectly.

I'm not just pleasantly surprised, I'm shocked!! My one fear is it'll go rapidly downhill after the first episode - we've been here before with this show.. But, I am very impressed with what I've seen tonight.

breezy1985 · 03-03-2022 11:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118728487#Comment_118728487

You've been here before not "we've" don't be speaking for the rest of us

_Kaiser_ · 03-03-2022 11:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118728581#Comment_118728581

I'm sorry, who are you now?

This is a discussion thread. Opinions may differ but that's not only to be expected, it's healthy and to be encouraged. There's probably a "Picard (positive reviews only)" thread opportunity if you want to create one.

If you enjoyed season one then that's great (honestly) however the general reaction was that it could have been a LOT better to say the least. Thankfully, season 2 seems to have taken note of some of the feedback (as was suggested above) which is definitely a good thing.

TheValeyard · 03-03-2022 11:44PM

Really liked it. Finally some ships!!!

Uniforms are good. Plot is fine, Q is always good.

Picard definitely sounds old.

Borg Queen helmet thing seems pointless.

Why is the not the Stargazer - A, since it's a new ship?

TheValeyard · 03-03-2022 11:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118728848#Comment_118728848

Edit, refit, but Discovery got a name change?

breezy1985 · 03-03-2022 11:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118728848#Comment_118728848

Trek always had ships of the same name with new registrations. None of the many Defiants had an A or B.

I think only 1701 got letters (until 32nd century Discovery but fk Discovery)

pah · 04-03-2022 12:18AM

That wasn't bad at all. Could have done without fat old Guinan and her bullsh1t excuse for looking older.

I hope that flashback isn't what it looks like.

Picard never opened his heart to love because his mother was murdered by home invaders? I really don't need Picard to have this tragic backstory crap the ST writers are weaving into all the Discovery characters. It's unnecessary.

Optimus Prime · 04-03-2022 12:26AM

I figured that was his father and he was abusive unless I read it wrong. Loved that ep. Best episode of the new treks. Wasn’t Expecting much after season one

breezy1985 · 04-03-2022 12:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729007#Comment_118729007

Why would you have home invaders in the age of replication and abundance. Unless his family were into some shady sht but ya it's a bit much and him never marrying cause of the job is enough you don't need a tragic story.

I loved seeing Guinan again.

eadrom · 04-03-2022 01:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729039#Comment_118729039

Yeah, abusive father is what I thought. Will be surprised if that's not it. Patrick Stewart has spoken about his own abusive father and has supported women's shelters and charities for years.

I wasn't happy with the blurring of the lines between Patrick Stewart and Picard in season 1 but I'm actually, potentially and after seeing this strong first episode, okay with this one. It's a new and heavy topic for Star Trek and I'll be interested to see how they do it.

AllForIt · 04-03-2022 02:16AM

Poor Guinan has turned into a fat alcoholic lol

Maybe because noone listens to her wise words anymore...hehe

TheValeyard · 04-03-2022 02:19AM

This is me just nitpicking.

But I really think those science ships should have carpet.

ilovesmybrick · 04-03-2022 08:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729426#Comment_118729426

Or at least not be so glossy. It would be like a slip and slide in battles!

FutureGuy · 04-03-2022 09:56AM

What a turnaround from season 1. Night and day. They have rebooted the aesthetic, the ships, the setting, the characters (Jurati instantly more likeable, Picard actually acts like Picard and not Stewart). I think the beauty shot of the Stargazer basically screamed "we listened, we understand".

With Discovery also being great this week (and Prodigy, SNW and LD all coming this year), I have so much excitement for Star Trek.

Literally, what a difference a year makes.

_Kaiser_ · 04-03-2022 10:19AM

One thing I don't get...

Why did Picard have to activate the auto-destruct sequence? Couldn't it's captain have done that?

breezy1985 · 04-03-2022 10:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729633#Comment_118729633

I hate the high polished floors this era of Trek uses. It looks like the floor is made of the same stuff as the computers.

pah · 04-03-2022 12:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729089#Comment_118729089

What about Raffi living in a trailer and complaining about Picard in his "Fine Chateau" in Season 1.

breezy1985 · 04-03-2022 01:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118730662#Comment_118730662

Ya that scene is daft. In my head I'll just put it down to Raffi being off her box at the time.

The other weird bit is that we know Picards mother lived to old age so what is the tragedy if not her death.

eadrom · 04-03-2022 01:19PM

Just started watching this a second time. God I hope they maintain some of this quality throughout the season. Really feels like I'm watching Jean-Luc Picard again, and 24th (or is it 25th?) century Star Trek again, in a way that season 1 never really did.

Stewart seemed a little "too old" in the scene talking to Elnor at Starfleet Academy, but Elnor is a bit of a charisma vacuum anyway so that didn't help either. Apart from that he was great. Having an active role in Starfleet from the outset and stepping into an authoritative role on the Stargazer like it's second nature, as it should be, rather than the shopping-bag, giddy-grampa grin, and smiling nods from everyone when he was allowed to say "engage" in season 1.

And I can't get over the ships, uniforms, sets, and overall tone. Like, what the hell have they been playing at for the last few years?! What in the world was that fleet of nonsense ships at the end of season 1?? DO MORE OF THIS INSTEAD!! If they don't have more planned for this timeline now, they're crazy.

breezy1985 · 04-03-2022 01:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118730920#Comment_118730920

The fleet of nonsense was because they had to do it in like a week or two because of a late script change and couldn't get more CGI ships done in time.

Man Elnor really is a charisma vacuum. He is so wooden I keep getting surprised when people point out he is Romulan and not Vulcan.

eadrom · 04-03-2022 01:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118730974#Comment_118730974

Any idea what the original intention was for the end of the season?

breezy1985 · 04-03-2022 02:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118731126#Comment_118731126

Don't remember but I think it might have just been a single ship or something.

They couldn't use older CGI because of different definition levels and ownership issues iirc.

Spear · 04-03-2022 04:56PM

It was a good opener, addressed the passage of time, updated just about every thread. And casually offed Zhaban.

A few of the elements almost seemed like an apology or rowback on some of the elements of season 1. The Rafi/Seven relationship is as suddenly curtailed as it was introduced. The Starfleet task force seems to almost be making up for the copy and paste antics of the season finale.

There's plenty of lore references, with them being well used in the episodes themes, such as the stargazer callbacks.

Hopefully it'll remain this consistent for the rest.

AMKC · 04-03-2022 05:01PM

Well after watching that first episode and I must say it was really good certainly no cost cutting. Even some backstop and a little character development. Strange the way they done it do but I think after a 2nd watch it will make more sense. I hope it can keep up the good work for the rest of the season. Of course nothing hard about identifying the villain

SPOILER WARNING

Talk about a weird Borq Queen. I wonder is she from the future and why she really needed Picard?

I guess we will find out in the next episodes.

Also I love how it's like a fresh start over. You do not need to have seen season 1 to see this one but it can help with some things. It had a very Star-Trek 2009 vibe off it.

I was not mad on the Queen. I know they had to do something different but she reminded me of a Sheliac. I wonder did the Borg assimilate them.

They had to be from the future. The Queens plan would have worked had she not looked for Picard.

I hate the pew pew phasers. Taken straight out of ST09. Another thing I think is gas is Picard saying its a fine ship when all he has seen is the outside of it, a hanger and a corridor. Would have been far better if he said that on the bridge. That would have made more sense.

ilovesmybrick · 04-03-2022 05:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118732376#Comment_118732376

Sheliac is a good call. I was thinking either Unimatrix Zero since they seem to be more individualistic Borg ( I know that sounds weird, but the communicating in multiple languages at once, unless they're retconning the Borg, implies to me that they're more individualistic). The ship also reminded me of the liberated drones in Descent. Maybe the remnants of the collective collapsing or something? I'm not gone on her design either, even though the cogs working on the face mask were a cool visual effect. I'm going to guess that this is a different type of queen, who when the mask drops turns out to be 7 or Jurati and it ties into the going back to the past. Based on the trailers I'm guessing Jurati, I hope not, but at least, with absolutely no other information, it makes sense to me.

I'm not too annoyed by the pew pew phasers, though that being said it could be because I watched Discovery after and the design of those phasers is just so bad. Personally all phasers should be modelled after the Bajoran ones-if the phaser runs out of charge they can still be a decent knuckle duster!

Rawr · 04-03-2022 08:03PM

Now that was a good bit of Trek. I am quite glad. Although I am torn a little; they did this to us last time too…but I pretty much enjoyed that entire first episode as opposed to about half of the season 1 opener.

The Guinan bit was OK character development wise, although a bit fan-servicey in the grand scheme of it. If they bring her back in this alternative reality it might be worth it.

The only negative I feel was Alison Pill’s character, I just can’t stand her. At least they finally address the Maddox murder, but beyond that I just can’t gel with her. Maybe they make her into a new Borg Queen later, she’d work better as a villain I feel.

In summary, there is hope. They did a piss-poor job with the trailers and the final product was miles better. I look forward to next week.

Picard 2x01 - 'The Star Gazer' ~~ { ** Spoilers Within ** }

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Picard 2x01 - 'The Star Gazer' ~~ { Spoilers Within }