REVIEW: ‘Picard’ Season 3 Boldly Goes On One Last Adventure

It’s hard to accept that Picard Season 3 will be the final voyage for Patrick Stewart and this series, as it’s been such a source of comforting, high-quality Star Trek content. Sadly this revival was never destined to be a multi-season powerhouse. While the prior season was a welcomed return for fantastic sci-fi storytelling with movie-level visuals, season 3 instead pivots to capture the more classic feel of Star Trek: The Next Generation, with a greater focus on character development as the old crew of the Enterprise joins up for one more adventure.

Focused on the later life of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Stewart), the series spotlights that after a long-standing career in the Federation, retirement isn’t a term that really exists. After surviving the time-traveling exploits forced upon him by Q and resolving the combative nature of the Borg, Jean-Luc is now attempting to finally settle down with his partner Tallinn (Orla Brady). But trouble is never far away, and when he receives an encoded distress call from Doctor Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), he jumps to action with the help of his old friend and trusted number 1, Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes). The pair quickly learn of the return of a species long thought lost to the deep recesses of space that now threatens the very stability of order in the galaxy.

While Picard as a series has never shied away from embracing its past stories and characters, season 3 is a no holds barred flashback to the old days with numerous cameos and references whichever way the showrunners can make it work. It’s a strange situation when you break it down to individual elements of where the show shines, and where it hits bumps. Season 2’s finale with Q had such a beautiful weight to it and the writing of the dialogue was superb. The series could have ended right there and I don’t think anyone would have had any qualms with it. Yet, while the third season doesn’t quite have a megalith of an overarching plot to back it up, bringing back the original cast and watching those character interactions unfold is the huge injection of energy the show thrives on.

This is really where the strength of season 3 is found. It’s the dynamic of these characters, these actors, coming together once more and immediately picking up where they left off. There’s a gorgeous line in the first twenty minutes of Episode 1 that subtextually epitomizes the very essence of why this story needs to be told. Picard turns to Tallin and says, “I’m not looking for a legacy, I just want another adventure.” I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it since I heard it. While the series could have ended with season 2, season 3 has almost the same level of warmth, excitement, and action, dripping with that sense of familiarity. The banter that flows between Picard and Riker left me with the biggest, stupidest grin. The interaction with these two— the delivery of their dialogue and their non-verbal cues—are worth the price of admission alone. It’s simply joyous.

I did find myself wishing for a stronger villain at times, but the direction to highlight the call to action of his beloved crew takes full focus. While the plot is sacrificed, I still found myself fully on board and just enjoying watching the cast interact once more and find their groove.

If you’ve seen the promotional social media posts you’re well aware of the litany of cast members returning for their swan song, but each of them brings a lot of baggage with them. These are not the same young mavericks who are willing to risk it all and dive into danger. While stories may end, the lives of these people in reality have length beyond their initial adventures. So it’s fascinating to watch these actors pick up where they left off decades ago and not only bring that wealth of experience and knowledge into their acting, but pour it into their characters as a way to mirror the changes around them.

Season 3 does seek to challenge its characters, particularly when it comes to Picard himself. It’s more of a commentary on the passage of time and how those experiences can not only inform decision-making but also distort it. When it’s revealed to Jean-Luc that he must find a way to cross the galaxy to save his old flame and colleague Beverly Crusher, he’s confronted with a decades-long secret that will turn his world upside down. Watching Stewart process this and handle the news is a series-wide event and puts him in a position we’ve never seen before. It’s similar with Riker, who went on to be a Captain of the USS Titan. He had his own successful career, but when Picard steps up to lead and take charge, there exists a power struggle over what is the correct course of action to be taken. Witnessing these two at loggerheads was actually very unnerving, but incredibly enticing to watch unfold.

Picard Season 3 is a testament to the fact that it doesn’t have to be one big cinematic event that leaves a last legacy on us as an audience. The legacy of the show lives in its characters and is composed of all of those moments and episodes that are carried with it still. It’s the need for one more adventure, not because it’s what this crew has always done but more because it’s who they are at their core as they continue to boldly explore where no one has before.

Picard Season 3 is a weekly series that will debut its first episode on February 16th exclusively available on Paramount+.