REVIEW: Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book

Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book is a non-fiction, companion piece magazine to the CBS show. The magazine is published by Titan and written by Ian Spelling and Jay Stobie. The 100+ page magazine contains interviews with all of the main cast of the series, as well as behind-the-scenes photos and insights.

The interviews are incredibly detailed conversations with the cast and crew (that’s the crew of the show, not a starship). The best one is dedicated to Sir Patrick Stewart, the lead actor. His interview begins with discussing Stewart’s opinions on leaving Star Trek: The Next Generation. This was very appreciated as it felt like it was closing that particular era. If there were any fans of that series who were potentially unaware of the actor’s reason for leaving the show, it is cleared up within his opening answer. 

Another thing that I like is the way that Stewart’s jovial attitude and cheerful personality is allowed to be expressed freely. The opening line of one of the pages talks about Stewart’s laughter, creating a sense of warmth.

There are other fascinating interviews with Stewart’s classic cast members within the pages of Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book, including Marina Sirtis (Troi) and Jonathan Frakes (Riker), among many others. Spelling and Stobie’s excellent skills as both interviewers and writers are obvious in the articles. They are exceptional at instilling feelings of nostalgia towards these returning actors and characters. The conversations spread from their memories of the original series and their relationship with the fandom to their roles within the new series. Frakes’s chapter was very intriguing because he was asked not only about reprising his fan-favorite character, but also his position as director of two episodes of Star Trek: Picard. 

Alongside the returning characters, the sections about the new characters and actors, for example, Santiago Cabrera, and their admiration for the show is delightful to read. The actors all have this deep respect and just outright love for Stewart. As a big fan of the actor myself, it brought a huge smile to my face whenever I saw it.

Some pages of the magazine were also dedicated to senior members of the production team. The showrunner, executive producer and director of the first two episodes are featured, making Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book particularly enjoyable for fans wanting to know how TV shows are created. The Director, Hannelle Culpepper was my favorite of the interviews because she takes time to mention other members of the production team, such as the costume and production designer. I always find these shoutouts very important because they highlight how essential every member of a production team is to making sure the whole thing doesn’t fall into a black hole.

Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book is attractively laid out, too. Each person interviewed has a different color for the headings and borders on their pages, making each one feel unique and different just from the page’s look. The magazine is also filled with hundreds of gorgeous photos, either stills from the show itself or from production. Even if you don’t read every paragraph, it’s a beautiful book to flick through.

Overall, Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book is a must-have for any die-hard Picard fans. The interviews give backstory and depth to the much-loved characters while providing introductions to those just joining in. The whole magazine feels like a celebration of Stewart’s career, personality, and aura. Every single person featured showers the man with adoration, creating a united feeling throughout. Whether you’ve finished the series already or are waiting for a binge, this book will add to your excitement either way.

Star Trek: Picard Official Collector’s Edition Book is available where magazines are sold.