TV: The All - Encompassing Star Trek Thread. Debate Long + Prosper
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Guardian17
Strong & Free
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Transplanted Caper
Registered User
- Feb 24, 2003
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Finale was...fine. The show is what it is. I still enjoy because I enjoy the characters and the nostalgia of it. Best not to take too seriously or to worry too much over lazy writing and some of the plot inconsistencies.
EDIT: Except for that police interrogation episode. That was objectively stupid.
EDIT: Except for that police interrogation episode. That was objectively stupid.
Osprey
Registered User
- Feb 18, 2005
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That finale was terrible, IMO. It didn't start out so bad, but it kept getting worse and worse.
The Borg queen giving them the Renee doppelganger plan is silly. If she knows that it was used, how does she know that? If she doesn't, why would she come up with that instead something more straightforward, like simply stopping Soong?
If Tallinn had the technology to disguise herself as someone else, couldn't she have shared that with everyone a lot earlier? Imagine all of the problems this season that they could've gotten out of more easily with that kind of technology.
Renee is about to launch into space, yet she's constantly by herself, the building is largely empty and there's no security.
Rios staying behind was pretty predictable. It was either that or bringing them to the future. Of course, he and the other crew would be OK with the choice that could screw up the timeline after they finally fixed it.
Also as expected since the moment that he died, Elnor came back. Did anyone really think that he was dead?
The Khan reference was totally unnecessary, as was the Wesley Crusher cameo. Both were just pure fan service.
I burst out laughing when Picard hugged Q. First, a quick chat convinced the Borg queen to become a good guy. Now, a quick chat convinced Picard that Q was a good guy. Characters this season are sure suddenly persuaded.
It looks like the Borg will now be members of the Federation. Stop and read that sentence again.
These writers apparently think that turning Picard's career-long antagonists into his friends is how you wrap up his character. Thanks a lot, Kurtzman and crew. Picard, the Borg and Q becoming BFFs is what I've been waiting for since I became a TNG fan.
If Tallinn had the technology to disguise herself as someone else, couldn't she have shared that with everyone a lot earlier? Imagine all of the problems this season that they could've gotten out of more easily with that kind of technology.
Renee is about to launch into space, yet she's constantly by herself, the building is largely empty and there's no security.
Rios staying behind was pretty predictable. It was either that or bringing them to the future. Of course, he and the other crew would be OK with the choice that could screw up the timeline after they finally fixed it.
Also as expected since the moment that he died, Elnor came back. Did anyone really think that he was dead?
The Khan reference was totally unnecessary, as was the Wesley Crusher cameo. Both were just pure fan service.
I burst out laughing when Picard hugged Q. First, a quick chat convinced the Borg queen to become a good guy. Now, a quick chat convinced Picard that Q was a good guy. Characters this season are sure suddenly persuaded.
It looks like the Borg will now be members of the Federation. Stop and read that sentence again.
These writers apparently think that turning Picard's career-long antagonists into his friends is how you wrap up his character. Thanks a lot, Kurtzman and crew. Picard, the Borg and Q becoming BFFs is what I've been waiting for since I became a TNG fan.
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Jussi
Registered User
They nailed the finale but not how they got there. LOVED what they did with Picard and Q (everybody knew this already in their last TNG encounters), seeing Wil Wheaton again and giving the Borg a peaceful purpose.
Canadiens Ghost
Mr. Objectivity
Commander Clueless
Apathy of the Leaf
- Sep 10, 2008
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A better finale than I was expecting, but to be fair that was a pretty low bar to clear. I enjoyed the Picard/Q interactions and it's just a treat to have De Lancie back in the role.
The storyline with Q should have been the focus of the season. Like S1, S2 suffers from way too many plot threads that go nowhere. It's a problem that seems to plague Kurtzman's team, and I can only assume it's a "too many cooks in the kitchen" scenario with a lack of overarching direction.
This results in a show so far that has had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer and depth and nuance of a blank sheet of printer paper. Their plot points are neither profound nor compelling in this format because very little time or discussion is spent on them. The subplots drag and then are anti-climactically resolved with the flip of a switch that seems to trivialize modern issues.
It's a shame because I think there was a lot of potential in that Q/Picard/Guinan storyline that was frequently distracted by a mess of nonsense.
It will be interesting to see what they do with the full TNG cast next season. I'm hoping for a more restrained, more focused, more lighthearted story line.
In the meantime I'm looking forward to SNW. I haven't seen any yet but I'm hoping it scratches the ol' Trek itch.
The storyline with Q should have been the focus of the season. Like S1, S2 suffers from way too many plot threads that go nowhere. It's a problem that seems to plague Kurtzman's team, and I can only assume it's a "too many cooks in the kitchen" scenario with a lack of overarching direction.
This results in a show so far that has had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer and depth and nuance of a blank sheet of printer paper. Their plot points are neither profound nor compelling in this format because very little time or discussion is spent on them. The subplots drag and then are anti-climactically resolved with the flip of a switch that seems to trivialize modern issues.
It's a shame because I think there was a lot of potential in that Q/Picard/Guinan storyline that was frequently distracted by a mess of nonsense.
It will be interesting to see what they do with the full TNG cast next season. I'm hoping for a more restrained, more focused, more lighthearted story line.
In the meantime I'm looking forward to SNW. I haven't seen any yet but I'm hoping it scratches the ol' Trek itch.
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Commander Clueless
Apathy of the Leaf
- Sep 10, 2008
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Side note: why is everyone weirded out by the
Was I the only one who watched/remembered Enterprise? I know it wasn't great but still....
Khan easter egg? I'm pretty sure that's a reference to the Soong involvement with the augments.
Was I the only one who watched/remembered Enterprise? I know it wasn't great but still....
johnjm22
Pseudo Intellectual
- Aug 2, 2005
- 21,601
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Jussi
Registered User
Guardian17
Strong & Free
That finale was terrible, IMO. It didn't start out so bad, but it kept getting worse and worse.
The Borg queen giving them the Renee doppelganger plan is silly. If she knows that it was used, how does she know that? If she doesn't, why would she come up with that instead something more straight forward, like simply stopping Soong?
If Tallinn had the technology to disguise herself as someone else, couldn't she have shared that with everyone a lot earlier? Imagine all of the problems this season that they could've gotten out of more easily with that kind of technology.
Renee is about to launch into space, yet she's constantly by herself, the building is largely empty and there's no security.
Rios staying behind was pretty predictable. It was either that or bringing them to the future. Of course, he and the other crew would be OK with the choice that could screw up the timeline after they finally fixed it.
Also as expected since the moment that he died, Elnor came back. Did anyone really think that he was dead?
The Khan reference was totally unnecessary, as was the Wesley Crusher cameo. Both were just pure fan service.
I burst out laughing when Picard hugged Q. First, a quick chat convinced the Borg queen to become a good guy. Now, a quick chat convinced Picard that Q was a good guy. Characters this season are sure suddenly persuaded.
It looks like the Borg will now be members of the Federation. Stop and read that sentence again.
These writers apparently think that turning Picard's career-long antagonists into his friends is how you wrap up his character. Thanks a lot, Kurtzman and crew. Picard, the Borg and Q becoming BFFs is what I've been waiting my whole life for.
You nailed pretty much all of my points!
So Q can just bring Elnor back from the dead.
Isn't Elnor's body on the Rio's ship that the Borg Queen took at the end of the last episode?
None of these writers have been near any sort of space program.
The is no way anyone, even a donor like Soong, would get access to astronauts in quarantine!
I laughed at Guinan's all the predictable clichés about Rios and Teresa's life.
-Her son grows up to save the planet.
-She can consume more alcohol than Rios.
No one in France wonders why their are four Borg drones imbedded in the walls of Chateau Picard from last episode?
No one in the US government questions Soong why a team of military personnel are dead in France with Borg implants?
Some will ask "If I dislike Discovery and Picard so much why am I watching it."
I've been watching Star Trek since I was a child.
For every Yesterday's Enterprise there is a Code Of Honor.
Star Trek is in the middle of a terrible period right now.
When this Woke Era finally passes, Star Trek will return to its glory.
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Mimsy
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2015
- 434
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Short on time at the moment, but some thoughts on the finale.
Some major weaknesses, but season overall gets a thumbs up from me. It gives me TNG feels.
Enjoyed it, especially the Borg storyline. "Peaceful Borg" is a good thing. We've known them only as the enemy since TNG. It's time to try something new. Voyager practically neutered the Borg to the point where they were barely a threat. Alison Pill was fantastic this season. Loved everything about her storyline.
The Khan reference is fine. As noted above, it's a nod to Brent's guest spot on Enterprise, and a Eugenics wars reference. Small easter egg.
I'd assume there are no dead Borg remaining in the walls of Chateau Picard. Picard et al travelled to the past from the Confederation timeline, so they weren't in the 2024 prime universe. Q returned them to prime universe, so Chateau Picard should be Borg-free. Same goes for any dead Borgified super soldiers.
Wesley seemed more like Wil Wheaton than Wesley. He hasn't acted in awhile.
Soong's season arc was weak, as was his effort to sabotage the Europa mission. I'm glad the Europa scenes were rushed, because we knew Soong would fail anyway. I like the actress who played Renee Picard. I wasn't initially interested in meeting another new character this season, but she emotes so well that I found her sympathetic.
The FBI episode should have been scrapped for more Jurati wreaking havoc in LA, or fleshing out any of the other dangling story threads, and giving Seven/Raffi/Rios something (anything) tangible to do. Episode 8 was unacceptable.
The Picard/Q scenes don't contradict anything we've seen previously. Their hug felt a bit forced, but I'm not sure how anyone watches TNG's "Tapestry" without seeing the kinship between the two. I came away from "All Good Things" thinking Q has a genuine fondness for Picard.
Stewart's line delivery was sometimes forced. It's probably best season 3 was filmed concurrently. He did a lot of chair sitting this season.
I was indifferent to Orla Brady last year. Thought she was excellent this time around.
The Khan reference is fine. As noted above, it's a nod to Brent's guest spot on Enterprise, and a Eugenics wars reference. Small easter egg.
I'd assume there are no dead Borg remaining in the walls of Chateau Picard. Picard et al travelled to the past from the Confederation timeline, so they weren't in the 2024 prime universe. Q returned them to prime universe, so Chateau Picard should be Borg-free. Same goes for any dead Borgified super soldiers.
Wesley seemed more like Wil Wheaton than Wesley. He hasn't acted in awhile.
Soong's season arc was weak, as was his effort to sabotage the Europa mission. I'm glad the Europa scenes were rushed, because we knew Soong would fail anyway. I like the actress who played Renee Picard. I wasn't initially interested in meeting another new character this season, but she emotes so well that I found her sympathetic.
The FBI episode should have been scrapped for more Jurati wreaking havoc in LA, or fleshing out any of the other dangling story threads, and giving Seven/Raffi/Rios something (anything) tangible to do. Episode 8 was unacceptable.
The Picard/Q scenes don't contradict anything we've seen previously. Their hug felt a bit forced, but I'm not sure how anyone watches TNG's "Tapestry" without seeing the kinship between the two. I came away from "All Good Things" thinking Q has a genuine fondness for Picard.
Stewart's line delivery was sometimes forced. It's probably best season 3 was filmed concurrently. He did a lot of chair sitting this season.
I was indifferent to Orla Brady last year. Thought she was excellent this time around.
Some major weaknesses, but season overall gets a thumbs up from me. It gives me TNG feels.
Osprey
Registered User
- Feb 18, 2005
- 28,135
- 11,102
Some thoughts on the season overall:
Picard appeared lost all season, like someone on the verge of dementia. He was in his own little world (the distant past) for much of it. He even forgot a life-changing moment, which supposedly traumatized him, even though it never manifested itself until now. It was more pathetic than revealing or interesting.
When Q first appeared, Picard got angry with him and escalated the situation. That wasn't the reaction of a diplomat or someone who had softened on Q in later TNG episodes. That reaction is also largely why the hug in the finale was so unbelievable.
Picard didn't act authoritative and no one had any respect for him. His friends and crew frequently interrupted him and questioned what he said. Raffi even angrily said to his face that she had an intense disappointment in his leadership. She was supposed to be one of his best friends and she accused him of playing games with Q instead of seeing it from his perspective, like a friend would. In the very same scene, she cried over Elnor, whom she first met only last season and seemed to become friends with only this season.
The crew often fought with and contradicted each other, and not in a fun way like Spock and Bones. Raffi unleashing on Picard was one example. Another was how Raffi and Seven often argued. Come to think of it, I guess that Raffi was the main problem and the one who acted the least like a Starfleet officer.
I couldn't get over how many times the characters brought up the importance of not standing out and not disrupting the timeline and then did exactly the opposite. Early on, someone (I think Picard) gave a speech about it and then, a minute later, Seven got beamed right in front of a little girl and Rios was beamed 15 feet in mid-air over a public sidewalk. Way to be extra careful.
Jurati reminded me of Tilly at times. It's hard to believe that a murderer from Season 1 was made the comic relief and expected to be the most likable character this season. Her transformation reminded me of alternate universe Tilly. These writers must think that it's funny to turn the comic sidekicks into evil versions of themselves.
Young Guinan didn't act like the older Guinan or even the younger Guinan from Time's Arrow. I'm not sure why they cast a buff and sexy actress to play her when Whoopi has never been either and isn't in great shape now. It just made it harder to see it as the same character.
It wasn't much fun to see Q again because he felt more serious and cruel than playful and mischievous.
How many "watchers" from the future are there on Earth? I counted three: Guinan, Tallinn and Wesley. Are there more, do they get together and compare notes and were they on the sidelines during Star Trek IV and First Contact?
Whenever the show wanted to stir up some emotion, it played a snippet of classic ST music.
Picard appeared lost all season, like someone on the verge of dementia. He was in his own little world (the distant past) for much of it. He even forgot a life-changing moment, which supposedly traumatized him, even though it never manifested itself until now. It was more pathetic than revealing or interesting.
When Q first appeared, Picard got angry with him and escalated the situation. That wasn't the reaction of a diplomat or someone who had softened on Q in later TNG episodes. That reaction is also largely why the hug in the finale was so unbelievable.
Picard didn't act authoritative and no one had any respect for him. His friends and crew frequently interrupted him and questioned what he said. Raffi even angrily said to his face that she had an intense disappointment in his leadership. She was supposed to be one of his best friends and she accused him of playing games with Q instead of seeing it from his perspective, like a friend would. In the very same scene, she cried over Elnor, whom she first met only last season and seemed to become friends with only this season.
The crew often fought with and contradicted each other, and not in a fun way like Spock and Bones. Raffi unleashing on Picard was one example. Another was how Raffi and Seven often argued. Come to think of it, I guess that Raffi was the main problem and the one who acted the least like a Starfleet officer.
I couldn't get over how many times the characters brought up the importance of not standing out and not disrupting the timeline and then did exactly the opposite. Early on, someone (I think Picard) gave a speech about it and then, a minute later, Seven got beamed right in front of a little girl and Rios was beamed 15 feet in mid-air over a public sidewalk. Way to be extra careful.
Jurati reminded me of Tilly at times. It's hard to believe that a murderer from Season 1 was made the comic relief and expected to be the most likable character this season. Her transformation reminded me of alternate universe Tilly. These writers must think that it's funny to turn the comic sidekicks into evil versions of themselves.
Young Guinan didn't act like the older Guinan or even the younger Guinan from Time's Arrow. I'm not sure why they cast a buff and sexy actress to play her when Whoopi has never been either and isn't in great shape now. It just made it harder to see it as the same character.
It wasn't much fun to see Q again because he felt more serious and cruel than playful and mischievous.
How many "watchers" from the future are there on Earth? I counted three: Guinan, Tallinn and Wesley. Are there more, do they get together and compare notes and were they on the sidelines during Star Trek IV and First Contact?
Whenever the show wanted to stir up some emotion, it played a snippet of classic ST music.
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Complete dumpster fire. What an embarrassing way to destroy a beloved figure.That finale was terrible, IMO. It didn't start out so bad, but it kept getting worse and worse.
The Borg queen giving them the Renee doppelganger plan is silly. If she knows that it was used, how does she know that? If she doesn't, why would she come up with that instead something more straight forward, like simply stopping Soong?
If Tallinn had the technology to disguise herself as someone else, couldn't she have shared that with everyone a lot earlier? Imagine all of the problems this season that they could've gotten out of more easily with that kind of technology.
Renee is about to launch into space, yet she's constantly by herself, the building is largely empty and there's no security.
Rios staying behind was pretty predictable. It was either that or bringing them to the future. Of course, he and the other crew would be OK with the choice that could screw up the timeline after they finally fixed it.
Also as expected since the moment that he died, Elnor came back. Did anyone really think that he was dead?
The Khan reference was totally unnecessary, as was the Wesley Crusher cameo. Both were just pure fan service.
I burst out laughing when Picard hugged Q. First, a quick chat convinced the Borg queen to become a good guy. Now, a quick chat convinced Picard that Q was a good guy. Characters this season are sure suddenly persuaded.
It looks like the Borg will now be members of the Federation. Stop and read that sentence again.
These writers apparently think that turning Picard's career-long antagonists into his friends is how you wrap up his character. Thanks a lot, Kurtzman and crew. Picard, the Borg and Q becoming BFFs is what I've been waiting for since I became a TNG fan.
Mimsy
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2015
- 434
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Picard is always upset when Q appears. "Tapestry" begins with an angry Picard and ends with an acknowledgement that he owes Q a debt of gratitude (similar sentiment in All Good Things). Here, in S2, Picard carries a lifetime of baggage from guilt over his mother's suicide. Q creates an elaborate trial to force Picard to face his past. I'm glad he's darker in tone. His serious TNG episodes are his most impactful. How many Enterprise crew members died at the hands of the Borg, only so Q could teach Picard that the universe is a dangerous place? In Voyager, Q was mostly a goofball. DeLancie didn't want to play that version of himself again and said so.
Transporting Rios and Seven into random locations was a ship malfunction. Systems were down and glitching after the crash. It's explained in the episode. Following warnings about not stepping on butterflies, having the crew thrust into chaos was entirely the point. Having a child witness Seven materializing was also pointed. It's a kid. No one will believe her. The child thought Seven was Wonder Woman. If these scenes are an affront, or "bad writing", then there are a sizeable number of 90s Trek episodes to avoid. Lots of butterfly stepping there, too.
Raffi is presented as a hot mess in season one. Broken marriage. Alcoholic. She's introduced as someone who has a past with Picard, and who doesn't appreciate seeing him at her doorstep. In season 2, she lashes out in anger over Elnor's death. It's a normal reaction caused by grief. I'm sure we've all said hurtful things to people we care about. It's human. Raffi admits being selfish and using people (like Elnor) to get what she wants. She's imperfect. She knows it. So do Picard and the rest of the crew.
The writers gave Jurati a great arc this season. Her personality turn happens only after she's assimilated. I criticized her character in season one. Called her Tilly-lite. She's MVP in Season 2 and had to do a lot of heavy lifting, Tour de force.
Do the critics think the season did anything right? One character? One scene? Any constructive criticism, or is it just grievances?
Transporting Rios and Seven into random locations was a ship malfunction. Systems were down and glitching after the crash. It's explained in the episode. Following warnings about not stepping on butterflies, having the crew thrust into chaos was entirely the point. Having a child witness Seven materializing was also pointed. It's a kid. No one will believe her. The child thought Seven was Wonder Woman. If these scenes are an affront, or "bad writing", then there are a sizeable number of 90s Trek episodes to avoid. Lots of butterfly stepping there, too.
Raffi is presented as a hot mess in season one. Broken marriage. Alcoholic. She's introduced as someone who has a past with Picard, and who doesn't appreciate seeing him at her doorstep. In season 2, she lashes out in anger over Elnor's death. It's a normal reaction caused by grief. I'm sure we've all said hurtful things to people we care about. It's human. Raffi admits being selfish and using people (like Elnor) to get what she wants. She's imperfect. She knows it. So do Picard and the rest of the crew.
The writers gave Jurati a great arc this season. Her personality turn happens only after she's assimilated. I criticized her character in season one. Called her Tilly-lite. She's MVP in Season 2 and had to do a lot of heavy lifting, Tour de force.
Do the critics think the season did anything right? One character? One scene? Any constructive criticism, or is it just grievances?
Jussi
Registered User
That took place in 2024, it's very likely corruption really IS that rampant in the US then.You nailed pretty much all of my points!
So Q can just bring Elnor back from the dead.
Isn't Elnor's body on the Rio's ship that the Borg Queen took at the end of the last episode?
None of these writers have been near any sort of space program.
The is no way anyone, even a donor like Soong, would get access to astronauts in quarantine!
I laughed at Guinan's all the predictable clichés about Rios and Teresa's life.
-Her son grows up to save the planet.
-She can consume more alcohol than Rios.
No one in France wonders why their are four Borg drones imbedded in the walls of Chateau Picard from last episode?
No one in the US government questions Soong why a team of military personnel are dead in France with Borg implants?
Some will ask "If I dislike Discovery and Picard so much why am I watching it."
I've been watching Star Trek since I was a child.
For every Yesterday's Enterprise there is a Code Of Honor.
Star Trek is in the middle of a terrible period right now.
When this Woke Era finally passes, Star Trek will return to its glory.
"Woke era"
STAR TREK IS LITERALLY THE ULTIMATE OF "WOKE"! The fact that there weren't more ethnicities or minorities represented in the original series, was a sign of the times when it was filmed. Grow up from the 50's/60's already!
Guardian17
Strong & Free
That took place in 2024, it's very likely corruption really IS that rampant in the US then.
"Woke era"
I completely disagree.
The original series had a crew composed of men and women of all creeds.
They all worked together and they all got along.
There was no highlighting people based on skin color or sexual orientation because by that time, humanity outgrew racism and sexism.
Woke is different.
Woke means singling out one specific group of people, specifically white, heterosexual males and demonizing them.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Osprey
Registered User
- Feb 18, 2005
- 28,135
- 11,102
I wouldn't characterize Picard at the start of "Tapestry" as angry. He was more stern, like a commanding officer who's tired of his subordinates goofing around. At the start of "Penance" (this season's 2nd episode), there's a look of anger and disgust on his face towards Q. It's a different, more emotional reaction... and since he acknowledges at the end of "Tapestry" and "All Good Things..." that he owes Q a debt of gratitude, why such bitterness now? Q seems bitter now, himself, as well as a bit menacing. He's supposedly dying, but he and Picard just being bitter towards one another wasn't much fun to watch.
The ship malfunctioning isn't a good excuse, IMO. If it could've resulted in them being transported in front of hundreds of people or into a solid structure or higher in the air, killing them, they shouldn't have risked it and should've fixed the transporter first. Obviously, that isn't good for the progression of the story, but they shouldn't preach all season long about the importance of being careful if they're just going to take risks like that left and right. Making the characters look like hypocrites is what makes it bad writing.
Pointing out that Raffi was a hot mess, an alcoholic and someone who's selfish and uses people to get what she wants supports my point that she doesn't act like a Starfleet officer.
I thought that Jurati's arc was terrible. She was the quirky, nervous comic relief who somehow had the courage to connect her mind to the Borg queen and then sing a 20th-century song on stage in a sexy red dress in front a hundred people. That performance was also the big moment responsible for the Borg queen gaining control of her, so she basically became assimilated thanks to Pat Benatar. Next, after the queen used her body to smash up Los Angeles and mortally wound her friend, Jurati was able to convince her with a short speech to listen to reason and become a good Borg (which raises the question, if she's that good at persuasion, why didn't she just persuade the queen to give them the location of the Watcher in the first place instead of risking being assimilated?). Pill did her best, but her character's arc was absurd, IMO.
Since you asked for a positive, I'll say that the acting was OK, aside from Spiner, and I was surprised that John de Lancie was as good as he was, considering that I haven't seen him in anything in decades. It looks like he's mostly done voice work, so that explains why I haven't seen him and he didn't seem rusty.
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Jussi
Registered User
No, it doesn't. They're doing it themselves because they're just fragile, Walter Pecks who see women and other races as threats.I completely disagree.
The original series had a crew composed of men and women of all creeds.
They all worked together and they all got along.
There was no highlighting people based on skin color or sexual orientation because by that time, humanity outgrew racism and sexism.
Woke is different.
Woke means singling out one specific group of people, specifically white, heterosexual males and demonizing them.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
In the world of Star Trek those kind of men would be outside of the society, because there's no need to complain.
That's because he thinks this is his fault.
Nolan Bombgardener
Registered User
- Dec 23, 2005
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Commander Clueless
Apathy of the Leaf
- Sep 10, 2008
- 16,027
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I think there were some good scenes for sure. De Lancie and Whoopi's returns were really fun. They did a better job with Jurati's character in S2 (though S1 sort of set a low bar for her I thought).
Once again, to their credit, I think they had some interesting ideas. A modern rehash of "Tapestry" / "All Good Things" is a great idea for this type of show IMO.
However, the execution was pretty poor in my personal opinion....to the point of being my personal least favourite season of Star Trek I've ever watched (which is pretty much anything TNG and beyond, not including the most recent season of Discovery or any of Prodigy)
I'm not a hater of all modern Trek. I am very critical of Discovery but enjoyed sections of S1 and S2 a fair bit. I love Lower Decks (maybe a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I think it does what it sets out to do wonderfully).
I desperately, DESPERATELY want to love Trek. I don't watch much TV at all but Trek is my favourite franchise by a mile.
My constructive criticism (for both seasons, but particularly S2) would probably be:
1) Focus. Too many ideas, too many threads, too many cooks in the kitchen is a major problem with both seasons of Picard. There are a lot of interesting ideas here but they tried to cram them all into one season and then tie them together. The problem is, they don't flow well together at all and any connections seem like a stretch at best...not enough is done to flesh out the ideas so they end up shallow and the connections that tie them together are nonsensical and half of the characters seem to have nothing to do at any given time.
For example, S2's Q/Picard/Guinan alternate history plot, the Borg Queen plot, and the Watchers/Traveller (apparently that's the same thing now?) plot are three interesting ideas that could be three separate seasons/arcs/episodes, but instead are tied together like a plot Frankenstein that ends up messy enough to hurt the overall story.
This criticism is why I'm interested in SNW, because I think these writers would do better with an episodic format where they could tell multiple stories that are only somewhat tied together.
2) Likely a more sensitive item, but If you want to have a message in your work, make sure you're actually saying something. This probably directly ties into trying to do too much and not fleshing things out well enough, but most of the time the commentary/allegory on modern issues are either incomplete so as to say not much of anything and not be very compelling as a result, or in some cases can even come across as the opposite of what they are trying to say.
Trek has always had plenty to say politically and ethically, and was fantastic at making it compelling and thought-provoking by showing complexity and perspective. Picard falls very short of that level of quality (see: Rios ICE subplot).
------
One more minor item:
3) I know they are trying to do their own thing, but if you're going to rely extensively on existing characters and callbacks, maybe do a few minutes of research to understand basic existing details about your characters. The show loves its references but sometimes makes you wonder if they understand what they are referencing. Some big examples are Q's existing family, Seven's opinions on Borg, Guinan's previous experience with Earth and its problems...
You can call it nitpicking and I would understand your point, but if you're making these deep references to begin with you are obviously trying to invoke something in the Trek nerd crowd and...well, it comes across as sloppy and low effort.
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