Unveiling Picard’s Mysterious Absence in Star Trek First Contact

Captain Cristóbal "Chris" Rios found himself in the 21st century at the end of Star Trek: Picard season 2, giving him the opportunity to experience the events of Star Trek: First Contact. He made the decision to remain in this era because he had developed a deep affection for both the century itself and Dr. Teresa Ramirez. Rios lived alongside Teresa and her son, Ricardo, during a challenging time in Star Trek history when humanity was striving towards the optimistic ideals of the Federation.

During this tumultuous period, Dr. Zefram Cochrane successfully achieved the first warp flight, an accomplishment that caught the attention of a passing Vulcan delegation. This momentous event brought humanity together like never before, as they began to comprehend their place in the vast universe. Although Rios was left in 2024, he potentially had the opportunity to witness this historic occasion on April 5th, 2063. However, the intervening decades between 2024 and the invention of warp flight in 2063 were far from easy for Rios and his newfound family, as they had to navigate the challenges of World War 3.

Where Picard’s Captain Rios Was In Star Trek: First Contact

In the final episode of Star Trek: Picard season 2, titled "Farewell," Jean-Luc pays a visit to Guinan (played by Whoopi Goldberg) in Ten Forward. During their conversation, Guinan shares the post-departure experiences of Rios, Teresa, and Ricardo after Picard left them in 2024. While it is known that World War 3 broke out two years later, Guinan refrains from delving into the gruesome details of how they survived the devastating conflict. Instead, she highlights the positive contributions they made, such as founding a medical movement called the Mariposas (Spanish for butterfly) and Ricardo's efforts in utilizing the findings from Picard's Europa mission to develop a practical method for purifying the air from pollution and, presumably, nuclear fallout.

Guinan also discloses that Rios met his demise in a bar brawl over medical supplies sometime during the mid-21st century. Remarkably, this fatal fight occurred in Morocco, thousands of miles away from Montana. Considering that Cochrane's first warp flight wasn't scheduled until 2063, it can be inferred that Rios had already passed away nearly a decade prior to the events of Star Trek: First Contact. However, Teresa and Ricardo would likely have been aware of Cochrane's historic flight and his subsequent encounter with the Vulcans through the news.

Rios Still Had A Link To Star Trek: Picard Season 3

In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Santiago Cabrera did not reprise his role alongside Isa Briones, Alison Pill, and Evan Evagora. However, there was a small connection between his character and the main storyline involving Dr. Beverly Crusher and her son Jack Crusher. In the season premiere, Beverly and Jack were attacked while delivering medical supplies. A subtle reference revealed that Beverly's ship, the SS Elios XII, had ties to the Mariposas, the medical movement founded by Rios and Teresa.

This nod acknowledges the significant impact Rios had in the aftermath of World War 3. Despite not being alive to witness Zefram Cochrane's first warp flight, Rios' vision of providing medical assistance to all continues to shape the 25th century in Star Trek. The fact that the renowned Dr. Beverly Crusher associates herself with the Mariposas serves as a profound tribute to Teresa and Rios' work. It solidifies the legacy of Star Trek: Picard's charismatic but reformed Captain of the La Sirena.