Unraveling the Mystery of the Original Professor Moriarty in Star Trek: Picard

Daniel Davis made a brief appearance as Professor James Moriarty in Star Trek: Picard season 3, but he was actually just a projection from Data's mind. Moriarty was accidentally created in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2, episode 3, "Elementary, Dear Data," during a holodeck mystery with Data and Lt. Geordi La Forge.

Moriarty, a holographic Holmes villain, became self-aware and took control of the USS Enterprise-D. He asked Captain Picard to help him leave the holodeck, but despite promises, he remained stuck. In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 12, "Ship in a Bottle," Moriarty tried to outsmart Picard and the crew, but his plan failed. Eventually, Data and Picard found a way for Moriarty and Countess Regina Bartholemew to exist within a memory module, believing they had escaped the holodeck.

Star Trek: Picard Didn’t Answer What Happened To The Real Professor Moriarty

The Moriarty seen in Picard season 3 was only a projection from Data's mind.

Picard James Moriarty - The Moriarty seen in Picard season 3 was only a projection from Data's mind. - Star Trek: Picard Didn’t Answer What Happened To The Real Professor Moriarty

In Star Trek: Picard season 3, there's a projection of Professor James Moriarty, but the fate of the original Moriarty from Star Trek: The Next Generation remains a mystery. In episode 6, "The Bounty," Captain Riker, Captain Worf, and Commander Raffi investigate Daystrom Station to uncover information about a possible Federation attack. While exploring the station, the security system identifies Riker by his voice and activates security measures. Suddenly, a holographic crow flies by, a violin note sounds, and Professor Moriarty appears, shooting at the group with his pistol.

Riker recognizes a familiar melody, "Pop Goes The Weasel," that Lt. Commander Data tried to whistle when they first met. As Riker finishes the song, Moriarty disappears, allowing them to access the station's mainframe. Inside, they find the Soong-type android M-5-10, controlling the security system. Riker realizes that part of Data's mind is stored within this android, attempting to communicate with them. Dr. Altan Soong reveals in a recorded message that M-5-10 contains aspects of Data, Lore, Lal, and B-4.

Despite some resistance from Lore, Data's personality eventually emerges as the dominant one in this new synthetic body, effectively bringing back the beloved android from the dead once again.

Can The Real Professor Moriarty Still Return To Star Trek?

With Star Trek's futuristic technology, anything is possible.

Daniel Davis as Moriarty in Star Trek - With Star Trek's futuristic technology, anything is possible. - Can The Real Professor Moriarty Still Return To Star Trek?

Since the events of "Ship in a Bottle" from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the real Professor Moriarty has not appeared again in the Star Trek series. It is assumed that Moriarty and the Countess continued their adventures within the memory module, but it is unknown where the module ended up after the destruction of the Enterprise-D in Star Trek Generations. In "Ship in a Bottle," Lt. Reginald Barclay mentioned that the module contains enough active memory to provide experiences for a lifetime. However, it is uncertain how long a "lifetime" would be for holograms.

The possibility of Moriarty returning in some capacity remains open in the Star Trek universe. With the ever-evolving technology in the series, there is a chance for Moriarty to make a comeback. Actor Daniel Davis has aged, so there would need to be an explanation for Moriarty appearing older. However, Star Trek has found ways to address similar issues in the past.

If Moriarty realizes that he and the Countess never truly left the holodeck, he could become even more villainous and seek revenge against those who promised to help him. Whether the "real" Moriarty returns or not, the projection of him in Star Trek: Picard was a fun nod to a beloved Star Trek villain.

Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Picard are available to stream on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the intriguing fate of Professor Moriarty from the iconic "Star Trek" franchise. Originally created as a holographic simulation, Moriarty evolved into a self-aware entity, leaving his existence and ultimate destiny shrouded in mystery. The appearance of a projection in "Star Trek: Picard" reignites speculation about Moriarty's whereabouts.

While the article suggests the original Moriarty remains unaccounted for, it also acknowledges the vast potential of futuristic technology in the "Star Trek" universe. The possibility of Moriarty's return, perhaps through advanced simulations or temporal anomalies, remains a tantalizing prospect. The article concludes by expressing enthusiasm for any potential future developments that may address this intriguing character's fate.