Why Star Trek: Picard Relied on 3 Crucial TNG Nostalgic References

Star Trek: Picard was greatly influenced by a classic episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This episode played a significant role in shaping the story of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who first appeared in TNG as the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-D. Fast forward twenty years after his last adventure on the big screen, we find Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard as a retired Admiral residing on his family's vineyard. As he embarks on new adventures with old and new friends, Picard must face his past while also looking ahead to the future.

During its seven-season run, Star Trek: The Next Generation not only introduced beloved characters but also set the tone for Trek shows in the 1990s. One particular episode, "The Measure of a Man" from TNG season 2, left a lasting impact. This episode raised concerning the rights of the android Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner). It also introduced Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) and the Daystrom Institute, along with the iconic TNG poker game. These elements from the classic episode have played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Star Trek: Picard across its three seasons.

Bruce Maddox Is Introduced In TNG & Is Crucial To Star Trek: Picard Season 1

The brilliant cyberneticist calls Data's rights into question.

Star Trek TNG Measure of a Man Bruce Maddox - The brilliant cyberneticist calls Data's rights into question. - Bruce Maddox Is Introduced In TNG & Is Crucial To Star Trek: Picard Season 1

Dr. Bruce Maddox's arrival on the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Measure of a Man" sets off a chain of events. He immediately announces his intention to dismantle Data for further study, causing Data to object. This disagreement escalates into a tense trial with long-lasting consequences. Maddox's demeanor is off-putting from the start, appearing arrogant and indifferent to those around him. He consistently refers to Data as an "it" throughout the episode, only relenting after losing the trial to postpone his experiments for further research.

After the events of "The Measure of a Man," Dr. Maddox starts corresponding with Data to learn more about the android. In TNG season 4, episode 11, "Data's Day," Data writes a letter to Maddox detailing his daily activities.

Maddox, whether liked or not, was undeniably brilliant. His return in Star Trek: Picard season 1 showcases this brilliance. After the events of TNG, Maddox developed a way to create two clone androids from one of Data's positronic neurons. Collaborating with Dr. Altan Soong, the son of Data's creator, they established a community of organic androids on the planet Coppelius. Maddox's creation of Data's "daughters," Soji and Dahj Asha, was prompted by a group of rogue synths attacking Mars. The storyline of Picard season 1 revolves around Maddox's androids, all made possible by the groundwork laid in TNG season 2.

The Daystrom Institute Is First Mentioned In TNG's "The Measure Of A Man"

The Daystrom Institute and Daystrom Station play a major role in Star Trek: Picard.

Richard Daystrom and Daystrom Station in Star Trek - The Daystrom Institute and Daystrom Station play a major role in Star Trek: Picard. - The Daystrom Institute Is First Mentioned In TNG's "The Measure Of A Man"

The Daystrom Institute, named after Dr. Richard Daystrom, is a Federation research facility known for inventing comptronic and duotronic computer systems for Federation starships. It plays a key role in several Star Trek stories, with its first mention in "The Measure of a Man." Bruce Maddox, Associate Chair of Robotics at the Institute, testifies at Data's trial. The Institute has colleges and annexes across the galaxy, attracting some of Starfleet's brightest minds for study and work.

Richard Daystrom made an appearance in the second season, episode 24 of Star Trek: The Original Series titled "The Ultimate Computer." In this episode, he attempted to recreate his past successes by creating a multitronic computer. Unfortunately, the computer failed during its field test, leading to Daystrom being committed to a mental rehabilitation facility.

The Daystrom Institute is mentioned in several Star Trek episodes, but it is not shown on-screen until the first episode of Star Trek: Picard season 1 called "Remembrance." The synthetic androids responsible for the Mars attacks prior to Picard season 1 were created at the Institute. Following the attacks, Daystrom's Division of Advanced Synthetic Research was largely shut down. Dr. Agnes Jurati, who collaborated with Dr. Maddox, remained as one of the few researchers, focusing on theoretical work. One of Dr. Maddox's androids, Dahj, had been accepted into a fellowship at the Daystrom Institute but tragically died before being able to attend.

In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Captain William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Captain Worf (Michael Dorn), and Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) visit Daystrom Station to investigate the theft of Federation technology. Daystrom Station is where the Daystorm Institute carries out top-secret research for the Federation. Riker, Worf, and Raffi explore the station and uncover that the AI security system holds a part of Data's personality. This discovery leads them to Daystrom Android M-5-10, also known as Data in a new synthetic body that includes memories of the Soong androids and Dr. Altan Soong. Eventually, Data's personality becomes the strongest, and he joyfully reunites with his former Enterprise-D crew members.

At Daystrom Station, the original human body of Jean-Luc Picard, along with the body of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), were stored for a mysterious reason. Picard's body was taken as part of a Borg/Changeling plan to bring harm to the Federation.

TNG's Classic Poker Game Debuted In One Of Data's Best Episodes

Both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard end with the Enterprise-D crew catching up over a game of poker.

Star Trek TNG Measure of a Man poker game - Both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard end with the Enterprise-D crew catching up over a game of poker. - TNG's Classic Poker Game Debuted In One Of Data's Best Episodes

In TNG's "The Measure of a Man," the crew of the USS Enterprise-D plays poker on screen for the first time. Poker becomes a recurring theme in Star Trek, especially in TNG. This poker scene in the episode highlights Data's journey to understanding his humanity. Data, who has all the information about poker downloaded into his system, mistakenly believes it is a simple game. However, he loses the first round because Commander Riker successfully bluffs him, showing that there is more to poker than just rules and strategies.

"All Good Things..." ends TNG on a high note, and Star Trek: Picard season 3 delivers a near-perfect season finale for the Enterprise-D crew.

Throughout TNG, Data and the Enterprise-D crew enjoy playing poker together. In the series finale, "All Good Things...," Captain Picard finally joins them for a game. As the episode beautifully wraps up TNG, Star Trek: Picard season 3 provides another memorable finale for the crew. After saving the galaxy once more on the rebuilt USS Enterprise-D, Admiral Picard and his friends gather for a game of poker. As they share laughs and jokes, Picard season 3 comes to a satisfying close, bringing the saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation to an end.

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

Editor's P/S:

This article provides an insightful examination of the significant influence that the classic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "The Measure of a Man," has had on the narrative of Star Trek: Picard. The article effectively traces the connections between the characters, concepts, and themes introduced in the TNG episode and their subsequent development in Picard. The inclusion of supporting images and specific references to episodes enhances the analysis and provides a more immersive experience for readers.

Overall, the article highlights the enduring legacy of Star Trek: The Next Generation and its continued relevance in shaping the storytelling of the Star Trek universe. It is a testament to the enduring quality of the franchise that elements from a single episode can have such a profound impact on subsequent series, particularly when those elements explore fundamental questions about humanity, technology, and the nature of existence.