“The Next Generation” is the first episode of the third season of the TV show “Star Trek: Picard”, which restarts after “Farewell“. It’s available in various countries on the Paramount+ streaming platform and in many other countries on Amazon Prime Video.
Note. This article contains some spoilers about “The Next Generation”.
When Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) receives an encrypted transmission from Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) after twenty years of silence, it’s clear there’s danger not only for her but it must be something big because the woman warns not to involve Starfleet and to trust no one.
The production team of “Star Trek: Picard” had announced that the third and final season of the show would have important connections with the show “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. The title of the first episode and the music explicitly recall that show and the plot has strong connections as well, not only in the presence of familiar faces and names.
“The Next Generation” has all the features needed to introduce the season’s story-arc. It opens showing immediately Beverly Crusher in danger and her distress call to Jean-Luc Picard. The danger and mystery behind it calls to action Picard, who thought he could enjoy his retirement with Laris (Orla Brady) while also enjoying Saurian brandy.
The presence of William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Annika Hansen / 7 of 9 (Jeri Ryan) in this show is now consolidated and the only novelty is that the two characters appear together. The real new generation is represented by Alandra La Forge (Mica Burton).
The plot has what it takes to titillate old fans while building interest in the mystery behind Beverly Crusher’s personal story and her warning regarding Starfleet. Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick) of the USS Titan acts less than friendly towards our heroes leading us to wonder whether he’s somehow connected to the danger or just an asshole.
“The Next Generation” ends with a few moments that offer more questions than answers, connected to the presence of Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) and the man traveling with Beverly Crusher. In short, there’s everything needed for a good story-arc but the links with the past will not be enough if the development is hit and miss.
