Why Picard Season 3 Missed Out on Maximizing Star Trek's Biggest Enterprise

Summary

Star Trek: Picard season 3 introduced the USS Enterprise-F, but its appearance was ultimately a waste of potential.

The USS Titan-A, led by Captain Liam Shaw, was the primary setting for the majority of the action.

In a surprising twist, Admiral Picard and the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation found themselves aboard the fully restored USS Enterprise-D.

Star Trek: Picard season 3 introduced the USS Enterprise-F, the largest Starship Enterprise ever seen. However, its appearance was disappointingly brief, squandering its potential. Most of the action in Picard season 3 centered around the USS Titan-A, a Neo-Constitution Class starship commanded by Captain Liam Shaw. The Titan carried on the legacy of Captain Will Riker's Luna Class Titan. The biggest surprise came at the end of Picard season 3, when Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation once again saved the galaxy aboard the USS Enterprise-D.

In Star Trek: Picard season 3, multiple Starship Enterprises made appearances, culminating in the rechristening of the Titan as the USS Enterprise-G. The beloved Enterprise-D, affectionately known as "The Fat One," was restored by Commodore Geordi La Forge after being destroyed over 20 years ago in Star Trek Generations. Geordi also had other iconic Enterprises, such as Captain James T. Kirk's USS Enterprise-A and Captain Jonathan Archer's NX-01 Enterprise, displayed at the Fleet Museum. However, before the unveiling of the Enterprise-D in Picard season 3, episode 9, "Vox," the Odyssey Class USS Enterprise-F made its long-awaited debut in the Star Trek canon, albeit in a rather underwhelming manner.

Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Wasted USS Enterprise-F

Admiral Elizabeth Shelby captained the USS Enterprise-F, the renowned flagship of the United Federation of Planets. In Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 9, the Enterprise-F was scheduled to lead the Starfleet procession during the Frontier Day celebrations. Tragically, the Borg infiltrated the fleet, assimilating all Starfleet Officers under 25 and taking control through the automated Fleet Formation. As a result, the Enterprise-F was their first conquest, and Admiral Shelby's fate was uncertain. The ship's intended final appearance was actually its first, preventing fans from witnessing its true magnificence. The Enterprise-F was initially featured in the Star Trek Online video game, before being officially recognized in Picard season 3. Regrettably, its legacy from the game, in which it was helmed by the first Andorian Captain, was disregarded. Instead, the Enterprise-F's defining moments revolve around its assimilation and subsequent use as a powerful Borg weapon, posing a grave threat to Earth.

Why Picard Season 3 Turned The Titan Into The Enterprise

Including the USS Enterprise-F in Star Trek: Picard season 3 was a nod by production designer Dave Blass and the show's creative team, however, it was always meant to be a minor role. The Enterprise-F was never intended to be the main focus of the Star Trek franchise moving forward. Instead, the return of the USS Enterprise-D was planned to be the climactic highlight of Star Trek: Picard season 3, with the USS Enterprise-G, previously known as the USS Titan-A, being its true successor.

From a storytelling perspective, it made sense for the hero ship of Star Trek: Picard season 3, the Titan, to be rewarded and become the new Enterprise. This decision aligns with showrunner Terry Matalas' desire to explore the Titan's narrative further in the proposed spinoff, Star Trek: Legacy. The transformation of the Titan into the Enterprise also complements Seven of Nine's (Jeri Ryan) ascension as the new Captain, inheriting the G and carrying on the legacy of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Unfortunately, the appearance of the USS Enterprise-F in Star Trek: Picard season 3 was limited and did not fully utilize its immense potential. As a result, the Enterprise-F joins the Enterprise-B and the Enterprise-C as lesser-known contributors to the starship's illustrious history.