Exciting Insider Scoop: Season 3 Secrets & Jaw-Dropping Enterprise-D Set

Summary

The highly anticipated season 3 of Star Trek: Picard can now be enjoyed on Blu-ray, DVD, and SteelBook formats, allowing devoted fans numerous avenues to immerse themselves in the brilliant craftsmanship of production designer Dave Blass and his talented crew.

Blass and his team successfully transformed the sets of the USS Stargazer into the USS Titan-A for season 3 within a tight timeframe. To accomplish this, Blass enlisted renowned Star Trek creatives such as John Eaves, Doug Drexler, and Michael and Denise Okuda. Their efforts even involved recreating the bridge of the USS Enterprise-D entirely from scratch.

Star Trek: Picard season 3 is now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and limited edition SteelBook, giving fans more opportunities to appreciate the remarkable work of production designer Dave Blass and his team.

In season 2, Dave Blass joined the Star Trek: Picard team as a production designer and played a crucial role in designing the USS Stargazer, the series' main starship. With the filming of seasons 2 and 3 taking place consecutively, Blass and his team faced a tight schedule to transform the sets of the Stargazer into the iconic starship of Picard season 3, the USS Titan-A. To pay homage to the return of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast in season 3, Blass enlisted the help of esteemed Star Trek creatives such as John Eaves, Doug Drexler, and Michael and Denise Okuda for the final season. Their crowning achievement was the meticulous recreation of the USS Enterprise-D's bridge, led by art director Liz Kloczkowski.

Dave Blass Discusses The Production Design Of Star Trek: Picard Season 3

Screen Rant: I remember hanging out with you in Las Vegas.

Dave Blass: I know. It seems like so long ago, but really, it wasn't.

Yeah, it was just two months ago. And you and Liz, you got that rock star reception in Vegas.

Dave Blass expressed his satisfaction with the situation where they were the only ones discussing Star Trek amidst a multitude of actors. He further mentioned the appreciation they received from many people for their work on the show. This recognition was especially significant as it acknowledged the technical crew's efforts, considering the actors' limitations in discussing Star Trek. Despite this, Blass believed that their exceptional work in Picard season 3, including ship designs and overall craftsmanship, allowed them to rightfully claim the spotlight they deserved.

Dave Blass: It was great to see the team come together during the process. Having members like Michael Okuda, Doug Drexler, John Eaves, and Todd Marks there was really important to me. Initially, they had asked only me to be on various panels, but I insisted on including as many people as possible. It was crucial for everyone to have a chance to shine and for people to recognize the collaborative effort that went into creating all the sets.

A few months ago, I had a conversation with Gates McFadden, and she mentioned how much she loved the show because it brought together both the legacy cast and newer actors, representing two generations working together. It struck me that we did the same with our team. We had both experienced individuals like the Okudas and John Eaves, as well as Liz and myself, who were newer to the field. Bringing together different generations was a key aspect of our approach.

Dave Blass: Yeah, actually, during the trailer release for season 3, we made sure to include all the legacy individuals, even those who had made lesser-known contributions like Dan Curry, the designer of Worf's weapon. When we reached out to Dan, some people doubted it because he's no longer in the industry. However, it didn't matter because he's the creative mind behind the Klingon weapons, so why wouldn't we involve him? We made an effort to involve as many people as possible, although it wasn't feasible to include everyone given time, budget, and the impact of COVID-19.

Unquestionably, your work in Picard, particularly the Enterprise-D set, captured the hearts of everyone. Even catching a glimpse of it still evokes emotions. Can you share where the D is currently located? Where can we find the set?

Dave Blass revealed that the set for the show was stored in the Archives. The decision was made to hold on to it, although it was uncertain what future use it would have. It is crucial to note that seasons 2 and 3 were filmed consecutively. Therefore, while viewers enjoyed watching Jurati, the Borg Queen, and Soong bustling about in the lab, the shooting for season 2 had already concluded. This meant that no one was aware of the potential of the set as they were not anticipating its greatness. It was only almost a year later when the audience finally saw it, that the realization hit that the set must have been saved. Dave Blass then confirmed that he had thrown a tantrum, ensuring the preservation of the set.

This is amazing! I would gladly pay a significant amount, along with millions of others, just to have the opportunity to walk through and experience that set.

Dave Blass: In fact, they did offer a similar experience in Las Vegas. However, I must say that our version is exceptionally more genuine when compared to the Enterprise set they designed.

Certainly. I dedicated my entire weekend to binge-watching the third season of Picard on Blu-ray, immersing myself in the special features. One feature that stood out to me was the behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Enterprise-D set. I recall you being present when the cast first laid eyes on it. Can you describe what that experience was like for you?

Dave Blass: It was honestly the pinnacle of my professional career. As a devoted Star Trek fan, being able to give back to the beloved characters and witness their emotional reactions was a truly extraordinary moment. Seeing them enter the set, overcome with nostalgia and full of tears, transported them back to their earlier years and showcased the immense personal growth they had undergone. Providing them with this precious gift was an overwhelming experience. In fact, they all paused to honor us with a round of applause. Standing there with Liz, it was truly a remarkable and unforgettable moment.

Patrick was discussing "The ramp is too steep," but he didn't mention it to me. He only commented on his belief that the jump seats weren't present. Gates insisted that they were indeed there, but it seems that their presence changed over time. It's important to remember that everyone's memory can be unreliable, especially when looking back at events that occurred 30 years ago. The set underwent significant changes throughout the seven seasons and the movie, causing everyone's recollections to be somewhat distorted.

I am curious to hear your thoughts on Picard season 3. Did you have a favorite episode or moment?

Dave Blass: "No Win Scenario" is definitely among my top two favorite Star Trek episodes from any series. For The Original Series, I adore "Arena," "The Corbomite Maneuver," and "The Doomsday Machine." However, Jonathan Frakes truly excelled in "No Win Scenario." The two episodes he directed were exceptional, as they created a gradual rise in intensity. It was truly incredible to witness and be a part of that experience alongside him. I must say, it was the best portrayal of Riker to date, and his talent as both a director and actor was simply phenomenal.

Additionally, the commentary discussed how this version of Riker was deemed the best due to the increased presence of Frakes. His persona was seamlessly integrated into the character, thanks to Terry Matalas' insight in bringing out the essence of each character and witnessing their growth. Jonathan, once again, effortlessly portrayed the role and continues to be an incredibly remarkable individual.

How did it feel to hear Jonathan Frakes and the cast praising you in the commentary?

Dave Blass: It was like a dream come true. When I met LeVar Burton, we had a small scene together in his office. He noticed the Zefram Cochrane statue and immediately hugged me, saying, "You understand! You really get it!" It was incredible because I'm a fan, and it was LeVar Burton, which made it even more special. Coincidentally, it was my birthday that day. But it wasn't just him, all the cast members were incredibly kind. Working with each one of them was an absolute joy. As a fan, it was surreal to have such an amazing experience on a daily basis. It was truly remarkable.

There's also the featurette on the Blu-ray about Captain Vadic. And Amanda Plummer says the nicest things about you, and the chair you built for her. Tell me about the chair.

Dave Blass initially planned for the content fragment to be a simple view screen shot. However, upon seeing Amanda Plummer's impressive performance on her first day of work, they decided to expand her role. They took inspiration from her father's famous line in the films and wanted to incorporate it into her character's chair. Amanda expressed her vision for how she wanted to sit, and Dave, who is a fan of her work in The Fisher King, enjoyed collaborating with her. Despite her kind and pleasant nature, Amanda delivered a powerful performance in her role. Due to budget constraints, they focused their resources on creating a remarkable chair for her character, while the rest of the set differed in design. This particular part of the set was located at the bottom of the La Sirena set.

Dave Blass stated that it is typical for Star Trek fans to accept and embrace remakes and changes in the franchise's history. He mentioned that this allows them to cut costs and allocate resources, such as bringing the Enterprise-D to the set for a limited time. Additionally, he mentioned that there is optimism regarding the end of the writer's strike, which could potentially lead to the production of Star Trek: Legacy.

Dave Blass expressed uncertainty about his future projects, stating that it was beyond his jurisdiction. Following his involvement in Picard, he relocated to Toronto, where the other Star Trek shows are filmed. However, he indicated that he was unable to join Section 31. Nonetheless, he speculated that this might be because he is being considered for a more prestigious project, such as Legacy. Dave mentioned that Starfleet Academy and other ventures are still in active development, leaving the possibility open for his involvement. He expressed optimism that he may receive a phone call regarding these opportunities. Dave also inquired about potential plans for upgrading the new Enterprise if Legacy were to materialize, mentioning his desire to once again work with the nacelles.

Dave Blass expressed his eagerness to work on Legacy and mentioned that due to the back-to-back production of season 2 and season 3, there was limited opportunity to modify the bridge from the Stargazer to the Titan. However, if Legacy progresses into a series, he intends to make significant adjustments. Additionally, over the weekend, he shared a thought-provoking Tweet stating that The Two Towers surpasses The Empire Strikes Back as a sequel.

Dave Blass: I'm rewatching it because it's an absolutely fantastic and timeless movie. Personally, I believe that when comparing these two elements, the film Two Towers is vastly underappreciated.

It's quite amusing that even Terry Matalas had some concerns regarding that.

Dave Blass: Although Terry is a massive Star Wars enthusiast, I proudly hold the record for capturing the highest number of photographs in Hobbiton within a single 24-hour period. Moving on, reflecting upon your two seasons of Picard, what achievements from season 2 and season 3 bring you the greatest sense of pride?

Dave Blass: I am most proud of the Stargazer in Season 2. It is a flawless starship that combines the talents of Doug Drexler, John Eaves, and myself. Creating this ship from scratch and achieving its perfection is a major achievement in my career. In Season 3, my focus was on incorporating legacy characters into a legacy world and upgrading all the sets to resemble an enhanced version of Star Trek The Next Generation. I believe we were successful in accomplishing this goal. Additionally, bringing the characters back on the Enterprise D was a significant highlight. Having millions of fans approach me and express their gratitude, with hundreds of people sending emails thanking me for my work, has been truly humbling. It is fulfilling as a filmmaker to connect with and touch people on such a profound level. Star Trek has always been my ultimate aspiration in the film industry, and to excel in contributing to a franchise like Next Generation is truly remarkable.

About Star Trek: Picard Season 3

Discover our collection of interviews from season 3 of Star Trek: Picard here.

Showrunner Terry Matalas on the finale

Jonathan Frakes

Showrunner Terry Matalas

Jeri Ryan

Daniel Davis

Gates McFadden

Todd Stashwick

Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Red Carpet

The premiere and finale of Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season can now be enjoyed on DVD, Blu-ray™, and a special limited-edition Blu-ray SteelBook from Paramount Home Entertainment. Additionally, the entire Star Trek: Picard series titled Star Trek: Picard – The Complete Series is now available. Coming soon on November 7th, fans can get their hands on the exclusive Star Trek: The Picard Legacy Collection.

Source: Screen Rant Plus