Enterprise's Captain Archer Advocated for the Star Trek Aliens Who Captivated Picard's Heart

Article Overview

Captain Archer defended Nausicaans in "Fortunate Son" to prevent a conflict and save the Fortunate Son and its crew.

Jean-Luc Picard had been stabbed by Nausicaans on separate occasions, leading him to acquire an artificial heart in the episodes "Samaritan Snare" and "Tapestry."

However, the significance of Picard's artificial heart has become obsolete in Star Trek: Picard seasons 2 and 3, as he now possesses a new body composed of synthetic materials and powered by positronic technology.

Captain Jonathan Archer of Star Trek: Enterprise defended the aliens who had stabbed Captain Jean-Luc Picard through the heart in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Despite the 200-year gap between their respective voyages, both Captain Archer and Captain Picard encountered the Nausicaans, albeit with vastly different outcomes.

In an episode titled "Fortunate Son" from the first season of Star Trek: Enterprise, Captain Archer's NX-01 Enterprise is diverted to assist the ECS Fortunate Son, a cargo ship that had been attacked by Nausicaan pirates. The Fortunate Son's Commander Matthew Ryan had secretly captured a Nausicaan and planned to use him for vengeance. Upon discovering the Nausicaan prisoner, Archer intervened and successfully negotiated a truce. The agreement involved returning the captive Nausicaan in exchange for the pirates sparing the human freighter and its crew. Archer and Ensign Travis Mayweather strongly objected to Ryan's actions, arguing that taking prisoners and seeking personal revenge went against their mission to protect Earth ships from future attacks.

Enterprise’s Captain Archer Had A Different Experience With Nausicaans Than Picard

Nausicaans stabbed Jean-Luc Picard in the heart.

In "Samaritan Snare," an episode from season 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Captain Picard shared with Wesley Crusher (played by Wil Wheaton) the story of how he was stabbed in the heart by Nausicaans when he was a young officer. In the later episode "Tapestry" from season 6, Q (portrayed by John de Lance) gave Picard, who was believed to be dead, the chance to relive this crucial moment in his life, which Jean-Luc deeply regrets. Seeking revenge for the Nausicaans' deceit towards his friend Cortin Zweller (played by Ned Vaughn), the young Picard (Marcus Nash) confronted them at a bar in Starbase Earhart. This encounter with the Nausicaans almost proved fatal for Jean-Luc, resulting in the need for him to rely on an artificial heart from that point onward.

The young Jean-Luc Picard shared a desire for retribution with Commander Matthew Ryan on Star Trek: Enterprise. Both men were determined to confront the space pirates from the Beta Quadrant, albeit for different reasons. In the meantime, Captain Archer possessed a broader perspective that eluded Ryan. Not only was Ryan driven by vengeance in seeking a confrontation with the Nausicaans, but it was an unwinnable conflict that would result in the destruction of not just the Fortunate Son and its crew, but also in escalating violence between the Nausicaans and Earth vessels. Although Captain Archer harbored no particular fondness for the Nausicaans, he recognized that the humans were as much to blame as the pirates. It is safe to assume that if he had been at Starbase Earhart in the 24th century, Captain Archer would have sought to prevent the young Picard from provoking the Nausicaans.

Picard’s Artificial Heart Story No Longer Matters In Star Trek

Picard's body is now synthetic and positronic.

The fact that Jean-Luc Picard had an artificial heart in Star Trek: The Next Generation is no longer significant in the current Star Trek era. In the first season of Star Trek: Picard, Admiral Picard was believed to have died from Irumodic Syndrome. However, Dr. Altan Inigo Soong (played by Brent Spiner) promptly brought him back to life by transferring his consciousness into a synthetic body called a golem, which resembles Jean-Luc's original form in old age. In Star Trek: Picard season 3, it was revealed that Picard's supposed death was actually a retcon, resulting from residual organic Borg DNA in his brain from his time as Locutus of Borg.

Interestingly, Jean-Luc Picard had artificial enhancements throughout his time in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He possessed an artificial heart during the 7 seasons of TNG and the subsequent 4 movies. When he became Locutus, he was almost entirely a cyborg. In Star Trek: Picard seasons 2 and 3, Admiral Picard is now completely positronic. He has also learned the importance of avoiding conflicts with the Nausicaans, a lesson shared by Captain Archer in Star Trek: Enterprise. Stream Star Trek: Enterprise and Star Trek: The Next Generation on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Star Trek, I find it fascinating to explore the contrasting encounters between Captain Archer and Captain Picard with the Nausicaans. These encounters not only highlight the evolution of the Star Trek universe but also shed light on the growth and development of these two iconic characters.

Captain Archer's encounter with the Nausicaans in "Fortunate Son" showcases his diplomatic and compassionate approach to resolving conflicts. Despite the Nausicaans' hostile actions, Archer prioritizes the safety and well-being of both the human crew and the Nausicaan prisoner. He recognizes that seeking vengeance and taking prisoners will only perpetuate violence and hinder the mission of protecting Earth ships. Archer's ability to negotiate a truce and find a peaceful resolution demonstrates his maturity and understanding of the complexities of interstellar relationships.

On the other hand, Captain Picard's encounters with the Nausicaans in "Samaritan Snare" and "Tapestry" depict a young officer driven by a desire for revenge. Picard's personal vendetta against the Nausicaans stems from their betrayal and the near-fatal stabbing he endured. This experience leaves a profound impact on Picard, shaping his character and leading to his reliance on an artificial heart. However, in the present timeline of Star Trek: Picard, the significance of Picard's artificial heart becomes obsolete as he transitions to a synthetic body. This transformation symbolizes a new chapter in Picard's journey, transcending the limitations of his physical form and embracing a more advanced existence.