Make It Show.
10 Episodes. Starring: Patrick Stewart, Alison Pill, Isa Briones, Evan Evagora, Michelle Hurd, Santiago Cabrera, Peyton List, Harry Treadaway & Jeri Ryan. Creator: Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, Kirsten Beyer & Alex Kurtzman.
Baby Data. That's how 'Star Trek's' Picard at warp could keep up with the hyperspace of Disney+'s' 'The Mandalorian' in a flash of a Gordon like sci-fi serial, now Walt's wonders are finally available worldwide. But how about the discovery of the next generation of this enterprise? As Amazon like Netflix know that the prime directive in this binge culture age is to give us these voyages week-by-week, to leave us Trekkies tapping our badges over our hearts in eager anticipation for more. Its been a long time, but the legend Patrick Stewart-who as equally cult iconic also built an Academy of Gifted Youngsters as Professor Charles Xavier for the X-Men-has finally made it so in this energized reboot of the engines and his out of this world weary, but fine wine 'Logan' like run. Swoosh smooth automatic door opening, despite replicating everything you need, quarters in living arrangement 'Star Trek' history has always confined a solitary sense of loneliness. And in Picard's final season the former captain is an ambassador of this. Retiring to the French vineyard countryside in a tunic like maroon turtleneck with number one, his best friend, by his side, wagging his tail...hang on a second that's not the Riker maneuver we know and meme like the questions of that old Johnathan Frakes presented show (although YES he's here too like his directed episodes like his 'Discovery' ones that are even better than his beard. And how about his number one too?). And if one out of ten of his old crew isn't enough then how about Seven of Nine? As the 'Voyager' star on her own new ships voyage like Jean Luc shares roots in the Borg's mainframe which is cubed here. Assimilate.
On screen this is one of the darkest but greatest chapters in Gene Roddenberry's 'Star Trek' yet, piloted by a creation crew of Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, Kirsten Beyer and 'Discovery's' own Alex Kurtzman. And it all begins with Picard and Patrick. The classically trained actor who right now at home in old blighty is reading us Shakespeare sonnets like a boss (or a captain) to help us pass the time during quarantine in our quarters. He's always known how to lead the way. And how fitting is his quote about life being not just ones right, but one's responsibility right now? The man in charge whose been busy as Bosley lately-in the updated and underrated reboot of the same 'Charlie's Angels' franchise that was spied in the seventies, golden era of American televisions like CBS after the Shatner sixties of 'Star Trek' went out of space-is on the finest vineyard form. As it's this trek that boldly goes where no captain has gone before-even the game changing Janeway's voyages-in 'Star' making history. Sir Patrick with some of that explicit 'Logan' R-rated behaviour drops more F-bombs than Wade Wilson as he breaks balls and boundaries, let alone Federation directives...not fourth walls. And you can tell like "Good morning Charlie" he's having so much fun with it. But with more lines on his face that map his galaxy guest across the solar system like stargazing at the plough of the big dipper, this lived in, lost in space life has given him the weariness of a thousand worlds all dotted across the universe. And it's that plus the mainframe of the Borg in his blood that allows for the into darkness (how about the Picard poster overlooking shades of Benedict Cumberbatch's classic re-take on the villain Khan) recesses of his mind to be explored like an endless black hole of emotion. Imagine beaming onto that at warp.
Make it so though, because Picard's show isn't a solitary mission, or even a greatest hits tour for your box set platinum package. 20 years after the 'Nemesis' of Tom Hardy, a lot has changed in the 24th century. Especially the personnel with a little grey in their beard. Just like the cigar chomping captain of this new La Sirena shuttle like ship, Santiago Cabrera of 'Heroes', 'Merlin' and 'Musketeers' fame and his holographic, me, myself and I associates, which allow the compellingly cool Cabrera time to play. But it's 'Milk', 'Vice' and 'Scott Pilgrim' actress Alison Pill who is the most famous face, rising to her greatest occasion. That is until the 'American Crime Story' to her 'American Horror Story', 'The Assassination Of Gianni Versace' actress Isa Briones makes her coming out party breakthrough here. The soul of this series as as synthetic, she's as real as it gets. Just like the 'Law and Order' of 'Blindspot' actress Michelle Hurd's Raffi...the heart of this show. 'Fantasy Island's' Evan Evagora looking like Legolas from 'Lord Of The Rings' is your fantasy pick too in this season that chooses to live. Even with the perfect pairing of one of Hollywood's Peyton List ('Gotham's' own grown Poison Ivy) and the Victor Frankenstein of 'Penny Dreadful's' Harry Treadaway making for one hell of a villainous power couple. But for all that's come back this generation after so many light years, it's the voyager like Jenny Lewis of Jeri Ryan's 'Seven Of Nine' who like a fine wine, gets better with this new age. Getting deeper and darker into her compelling character, decades later, she swaps the iconic bodysuits for some even better, space vigilante leathers. Stealing the show at any given moment she owns it, you may know the metal that leeches the side of her face, but do you know the mechanics skin deep, inside? The tinkering and workings of her heart? The former rebel warrior turned soldier of the resistance. You're about to. So much so, Seven deserves her own 10 part spin-off season. You know resistance is futile for this resurgence. Just call it 'Se9en'. And with more about of the old generation coming back for this new 'Star Trek' how about Michael Dorn? Or is this another Supercut case of Commander Worf being denied again? "No!" But without warping into spoiler territory this show has all the answers aside a Q. But when it all comes together in a beautifully moving ending will this enterprise have more voyages? Or is this the final frontier? Now that's one made so, warp signature. Engage. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Star Trek: Discovery', 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', 'Logan'.
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