It's been over twenty years since Jean-Luc Picard last appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation as the captain of the Enterprise-D. Star Trek: Picard finds the stately hero far removed from Starfleet and the Federation, having long since resigned his commission and choosing to live out his days on Chateau Picard, his family estate in France. The first episode, which premiered on January 23rd on CBS All Access, saw Picard begrudgingly become entangled in the life he left behind when a mysterious young woman showed up asking for his help.
Many familiar faces from Next Gen have been promised to appear on the series as it progresses. Quite a few were prominently featured in the first episode (Data), while others will be more like cameos (Riker and Troi). Hugh the rehabilitated Borg is even said to have a prominent role in the plot. At the risk of the series becoming a Next Gen reunion, here are five TNG characters we hope to see return (& five we'd rather not).
10 HOPE TO SEE: Q
It would be criminal not to include the mischievous Q in a series centrally focused on Jean-Luc Picard, especially since the immortal trickster was so fond of making his life hell on Star Trek: The Next Generation. As a member of the Continuum, Q could rearrange matter and time whenever he wanted, causing no end of chaos aboard the Enterprise-D.
John de Lancie brought a jovial theatricality to the role that made it his own, and Star Trek fans began to look forward to the moment Q would randomly appear. As much as Picard loathed him, their interactions often fostered wonderful debates on morality and ethics. As a cosmic being, Q could even age himself to mock his old human nemesis.
9 WOULD RATHER NOT: WESLEY CRUSHER
Wesley Crusher is one of the most divisive characters in the Star Trek franchise. The wunderkind boy genius who somehow managed to receive bridge duty before he ever attended the Starfleet Academy, it seemed all Wesley was good for was appealing to a young demographic on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Though Wil Wheaton matured as he grew into the role, the episodes involving him relied heavily on Patrick Stewart's gravitas as a mentor figure. As much as a small contingent of fans would want to see Wheaton return as a high ranking member of Starfleet, an overwhelming majority would think, much like his initial appearance, it wasn't well deserved.
8 HOPE TO SEE: GUINAN
In an emotional recent episode of The View, guest Patrick Stewart formally invited host Whoopi Goldberg to return to the role she had on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Goldberg had previously played Guinan, a member of a mysterious race with incredible powers who tended bar aboard the Enterprise.
While trying to hold back tears, Goldberg accepted, citing the time she spent filming with Stewart and the rest of the cast as one of the most rewarding of her life. Captain Picard and Guinan shared a special connection that was "beyond friendship and beyond family," so we hope to see her don her purple robes and hat for Season 2.
7 WOULD RATHER NOT: WORF
Worf, the Klingon orphan raised by human parents who became the first of his kind to serve in Starfleet, is certainly a legacy character, and Michael Dorn's performance only got stronger as Star Trek: The Next Generation went on, continuing in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine until its final season.
Worf has appeared in the most Star Trek series of any character, and in a show that threatens to become a Next Gen reunion, letting him sit this mission out might be in Picard's best interest. Let other, less developed characters get a chance to complete their character's arc.
6 HOPE TO SEE: SIMON TARSES
In an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that is considered by many fans to be required viewing before watching Star Trek: Picard, the captain defends against a witch hunt involving the admiralty and a drumhead tribunal on the Enterprise-D.
As he explains to Lt. Worf, Starfleet cannot give into marginalization and paranoia. It must trust in truth and transparency to ensure justice is done. When medical technician Simon Tarses is accused of being a spy simply because he has a 1/4 Romulan ancestry, Picard defends the youth's integrity, and it would only be fitting that a mature Tarses come to Picard's aid.
5 WOULD RATHER NOT: BARCLAY
Lieutenant Barclay served as an incompetent engineering officer aboard the Enterprise-D, who managed on more than one occasion to put members of the crew in danger because of his own selfishness. It's astonishing that he was able to retain his rank during the entirety of Next Gen.
Aside from being a ridiculous character without any real charisma, it's hard to figure out how Barclay would figure into the new world of Star Trek: Picard. No doubt he'd be a boring lackey of the newly nefarious Federation, or devote his life to stalking Deanna Troi.
4 HOPE TO SEE: BEVERLY CRUSHER
Doctor Beverly Crusher and Captain Picard had an electric romantic chemistry on Star Trek: The Next Generation, despite the fact that her husband Jack was his best friend, and died on an away mission he commanded. The series never allowed anything serious to develop between the characters, but Beverly and Picard did remain steadfast friends.
Dr. Crusher was one of the captain's most trusted confidantes, and they regularly shared meals together, as well as concerts in Ten Forward. Fans have wanted the pair to finally reveal their feelings for one another, and for Picard to finally have a romantic relationship work out.
3 WOULD RATHER NOT: VASH
Vash was one of Captain Picard's few love interests on Star Trek: The Next Generation, whom he met on a much-needed shore leave to Risa. She was a spirited scholar of anthropology who was as intelligent as she was beautiful, and against his better judgment he agreed to help her find some ancient artifacts located in ruins on the planet.
Little did he know she was an infamous treasure hunter who sold priceless antiques on the black market. Though he swore to be done with her, whenever Vash would appear again, she always managed to charm her way back into his good graces. She broke his heart once — no one wants to see her do it again.
2 HOPE TO SEE: PHILLIPA LOUVOIS
Phillipa Louvois appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation as a Judge Advocate General, presiding over various tribunals throughout the series when Picard would run afoul of the admiralty. She and Picard always had a certain spark, and it was revealed at one point they dated when they were younger.
It would be fitting for him to return to his dalliance with Louvois now that he isn't a part of Starfleet and using duty as an excuse. Perhaps still part of the Federation and Starfleet somehow, she'd able to give him insider information or be a point of contact he knows is reliable.
1 WOULD RATHER NOT: GEORDI LA FORGE
As much as Geordi La Forge is a fan favorite, it's difficult to see exactly where he'd fit in on Star Trek: Picard. With a series already threatening to be overloaded with cameos by the likes of Riker and Troi, the addition of Geordi would just seem like too much of a fan service reunion.
Furthermore, unless Picard needed specific engineering assistance for his new ship, it's difficult to see how the engineer would be worked into the plot. If Geordi can't be included in a way that makes sense for the storyline, then we'd rather see him left out.
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