The Epic Conclusion to Star Trek: The Next Generation Unfolds in Picard Season 3’s Mind-Blowing Adventures
Picard Season 3's thrilling adversaries revitalize Star Trek: TNG's narrative, crafting an extraordinary continuation An enticing blend of familiar faces and new challenges awaits, as Q's return brings excitement while the absence of the Borg ensures fresh and captivating storylines
Summary
The return of Q in the after-credits scene of Picard season 3 finale completes a story that began with the pilot episode of TNG, when Q first put humanity on trial.
Picard successfully rescues his son, Jack, from assimilation by the Borg and successfully eliminates the Borg menace. Although Q's reappearance in Star Trek: Legacy brings excitement, the Borg narrative finds a fulfilling resolution. However, the enigmatic tale of Dr. Agnes Jurati and her seemingly altruistic affiliation with the Borg Collective remains open-ended, offering possibilities for future exploration.
The conclusion of Star Trek: Picard season 3 expertly concluded a narrative that spanned over 35 years by bringing back two of Jean-Luc Picard's most formidable adversaries. Admiral Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise-D come together once again to confront the Borg, a well-known villain in the Star Trek universe. The Borg first made their appearance in the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation in an episode called "Q Who," where the omnipotent Q thrusts the Enterprise into an unknown part of the galaxy. It is fitting, therefore, that Q also makes a comeback in an after-credit scene in the season 3 finale.
Captain Picard's initial encounter with Q took place during the series premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation, where the omnipotent being subjected Picard and his crew to a trial evaluating the crimes of humanity. Q continues to visit Picard throughout the course of TNG, much to the annoyance of Jean-Luc. While Q eventually develops a begrudging respect and even affection for Picard, the same cannot be said for the Borg. In their second appearance in the third season of TNG, an episode titled "The Best of Both Worlds," the Borg assimilate Captain Picard and utilize him as a vessel in their devastating assault against the United Federation of Planets.
How Picard Season 3’s Enemies Complete Star Trek: TNG’s Story
The Borg in Star Trek: Picard season 3 have significantly lost their power and require assistance from the Changelings, known as the villains from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, to carry out their plan. Similar to Picard's past experience of being assimilated into Locutus, his son Jack Crusher (played by Ed Speleers) becomes Vox, the only other Borg to receive a name besides his father. Picard continues to deal with the aftermath of his assimilation for years, finally finding closure in season 3 of Picard. Not only does Picard save his son from becoming fully Borg, but he also eliminates the Borg threat once and for all.
Following the defeat of the Borg by Picard and his crew, Ensign Jack Crusher joins the crew of the newly renamed USS Enterprise-G. Though the exact nature of Jack's role as Special Counselor to Captain Seven of Nine (played by Jeri Ryan) is not yet known, Q seems to be accompanying them. In the concluding moments of the Picard season 3 finale, Q appears before Jack and informs him that while Jean-Luc's trial may be over, Jack's is just beginning. Q's appearance in the final scene of Picard season 3 provides a satisfying ending to the story that originally began with TNG's pilot episode, where Q first placed humanity on trial.
Q Should Return In Star Trek: Legacy, But Not The Borg
The after-credits scene in the Picard season 3 finale hints at the return of Q for the potential spin-off, Star Trek: Legacy. Having more of Q in Star Trek is generally a great idea, as John de Lancie brings such an enjoyable energy to the character. Similar to how Q once took a special interest in Captain Picard in TNG, it seems that he has now shifted his attention to Ensign Jack Crusher. The implications for Jack and the Enterprise-G are still unknown, but any journey with Q is sure to be an exciting one.
Although Q's comeback would be well-received, the Borg's storyline has come to a satisfying conclusion. The TNG crew utilized the rebuilt USS Enterprise-D to defeat the Borg Queen (played by Alice Krige) and her Collective, effectively putting an end to this highly destructive species. The malevolent faction of the Borg has been eradicated, but the narrative surrounding the other Borg Queen, Dr. Agnes Jurati (portrayed by Alison Pill), and her seemingly benevolent Borg Collective, introduced in Star Trek: Picard season 2, is still unresolved. While there is potential for Jurati's Borg Queen to appear in Star Trek: Legacy, Star Trek: Picard season 3 provided a beautiful conclusion to Jean-Luc Picard's involvement with the Borg.
