Welcome back to Character Insight! I apologize for my absence over the holidays and past few weeks as I dealt with a bug that took my voice away with coughing fits most days, but I'm back for the new year just in time for new Trek. To that end, This week, we provide some guidance on what to re-watch in preparation for Star Trek Picard, which launches later this week.
Whether you are binging some content before Picard begins or you are seeking some filler to spend the long hours between each week's episode release, a good way to spend this time is watching the best Picard content previously released. So with that in mind, and looking at some of the characters and themes that appeared in the trailers for the new show, here are some suggestions for episodes and movies to catch up on. I've split these by some themes rather than by chronological order, as you may want to focus on particular themes especially after they come up in the new show.
Picard
Family, TNG S4
Tapestry, TNG S6
Starship Mine, TNG S6
All Good Things, TNG S7
These Picard-centric episodes provide some of the best glimpses we have into the multi-faceted Captain. Family is probably the must-watch here for the new series, but the TNG finale also provides a similar future vision to what it appears we will end up with in the new series.
Borg
Q Who, TNG S2
Best of Both Worlds, TNG S3/4
I, Borg, TNG S5
First Contact (movie)
For the Borg, these selections hit the beginning and the high points of Picard's interaction with them. As it is confirmed that the former Borg drone Hugh will be in the series, the one episode you should definitely refresh is I, Borg.
Data
The Measure of a Man, TNG S2
Data's Day, S4
Descent, TNG S6/7
Nemesis (movie)
Turning to Data, I've selected a sampling showing the many investigations we have into Data's journey and desire to become more human. The new series will certainly pick up on the threads left by Data's demise in Nemesis, but even the other movies Generations and First Contact are helpful in refreshing yourself on Data's storyline.
Romulans
The Defector, TNG S3
Unification, TNG S5
Face of the Enemy, TNG S6
Inter Arma Eni Silent Leges, DS9 S7
Star Trek (2009 movie)
Reading the earl grey tea leaves, it seems the Romulans will play a central role in the new series following the events of the Abrams 2009 movie, so that's required viewing. Just like Klingons in Discovery, it may be helpful to have some background on what we know about how Romulans work, and that's why these episodes have been identified. Of course, I would also expect the new series to provide its own background on Romulans if relevant.
Seven of Nine
Scorpion, VOY S3/4
The Gift, VOY S4
One, VOY S4
Infinite Regress, VOY S5
Finally, we also know Seven is coming back, and much like the Borg episodes, this selection both shows the high points of her character development and more background on the all-important Borg.
Even if some of this material is not that relevant to the new series, it will be enjoyable to visit these high points in the series coming back together in the new show. For those of us who grew up on TNG and the like, this is what we've been dreaming of, so let's get excited and enjoy the next chapter for our Captain and the rest.
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