The Women of Star Trek: Picard
It is that time of year and the Emmy buzz is loud and proud among the different outlets promoting certain shows and actors that made an impact during their season. I agree with a lot of the articles that I have seen. However, there is one thing that is missing in their spotlight: The women.
As a Star Trek fan, the hype of the Final Season of Star Trek: Picard not only succeeded in their approach but they went above and beyond. The nice mix of new and nostalgia to the story was blended well and it deserves “Outstanding Drama Series” in the upcoming Emmys. The problem that I am having is not what we saw in the Season but how the Women of the series seem to be missing in that hype Star Trek: Picard is getting.
I agree that Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton, and Michael Dorn were fantastic this season and do deserve to be recognized for their new approach to their characters, but the women were just as equally if not more deserving because the story mostly revolved around them.
Let’s start with Jeri Ryan. The beginning of Seven’s story started with controversy due to how they approached her character during her time in Star Trek: Voyager. As much as fans wanted to see the former Next Gen characters when Picard was announced, it was nice to see another character outside of that particular show, as all the characters in the Star Trek universe are important to the story. Seeing Seven as a rogue Fenris Ranger, going outside the law to do the greater good, was fantastic. It showed a different side to the character and the way Jeri approached that character was a breath of fresh air to those who adored her on Voyager. With the series ending, It was nice seeing the conflict with Seven on wanting to do the greater good but being stuck with regulations. Her performance in showing Seven’s struggle was brilliantly done. We knew why she did what she did and didn’t question her one bit. That was based on how Jeri approached it and seeing now Captain Seven, and wanting more of Captain Seven, is all to Jeri’s credit.
Michelle Hurd was new to the franchise but you never would have known. Her character Raffi worked so well with Picard, that you forgot she was never around during the TNG days. You bought that she had a history with Picard, even if we didn’t see it. The emotional turmoil her character went through brought Star Trek to a new level and it was character development that fans longed for. I give that credit to Michelle's approach to that. She embodied the struggle that Raffi was going through. The emotional roller coaster we saw was not only entertaining on so many levels, but it invoked emotional and tear-jerking scenes that the fans could feel and understand. When fans can relate to a character, you know the actor and the writer are doing their job.
Of course, fans not only wanted to see past and new characters in the franchise, but we wanted great stories as well. During the TNG days, some stories fell flat as they didn’t bring the characters to the level that the fans felt they should have. What was interesting about the final season of Star Trek: Picard is the writers decided to not only take that extra step but put the characters through those emotional scenes that the fans waited 35 years for. Gates McFadden was a fan favorite to return and she did not disappoint with those types of scenes.
Giving her character a complete 180 backstory, allowed Gates to showcase just how great an actress she is. With over 40+ years under her belt, Gates brought everything she had ever done in her career and embodied it in the character of Dr. Beverly Crusher. A character that she holds dear to her heart, she wanted to make sure that the fans understood the love and heartbreak of Beverly. She had scenes that required no words but it tugged on the heartstrings of the viewer that we wanted to see more. Her chemistry with Patrick Stewart only highlighted his scenes for the better. Ed Speelers, who plays her son Jack Crusher, mixed well with how Gates approached this side of Beverly and it was the Mother Son scenes that fans longed for. This season not only went down as one of the best in the Star Trek Franchise but for Gates as well. The emotion she played, minor details of a chin quiver, or even a small smile, really brought out why Beverly Crusher is the fan's character. They can relate to her on so many levels and it is that acting that deserves to be recognized among her fellow peers and the industry.
And let's not forget, more powerhouse women showcased their chops in every scene they were given. Amanda Plummer as the new villain, Vadic, made fans delight in her sarcastic demeanor. Even though it was one episode, the return of Michelle Forbes as Ro Laren, was the highlight as her character was redeemed in a way that fans always wanted. Seeing Deanna Troi, played by Marina Sirtis, was more in tune with her empathic side, and being one of the instrumental heroes of the season was also a highlight we wanted to see. The industry can not forget how much the women impacted this season and with an award season causing so much buzz, It is important we focus on why.
All in all, the entire cast of Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard was the best mix anyone could hope for. We already knew that the TNG cast was perfect, but adding the new characters just focused more on that. We love these characters and we love the actors that play them. Let’s give them the attention they deserve because, without them, Season 3 wouldn’t have been what it was.
