Star Trek: Picard brought back a number of familiar faces in its first 10 episodes, so which Star Trek characters should appear in season 2? Patrick Stewart made his return to the Star Trek franchise with the release of Star Trek: Picard, a series that followed the life of Jean-Luc Picard years after the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The first 10-episode season came to its conclusion with the final episode "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2", which received mixed reviews from both fans and critics. However, on the whole, Picard was regarded positively by fans and drew significantly less criticism than the other Star Trek show currently on the air, Star Trek: Discovery. There were many things that made Picard great, but one of the things that generated the most excitement from fans was its use of pre-existing characters.

Of course, the show's titular character returned, but some were surprised (and delighted) to see other major characters from Picard's life like Will Riker and Deanna Troi return as well. Even more surprising was the return of Seven of Nine, a character from Star Trek: Voyager who never interacted with Jean-Luc prior to Picard. While this means some of the most popular faces from Picard's past have already came back, there are a lot more who should do so in Star Trek: Picard season 2.

Guinan - Star Trek: The Next Generation


One of Picard's closest companions (and the most likely candidate to actually appear in season 2) is Guinan, known to most Star Trek fans as the bartender of Ten Forward in the Enterprise-D, Jean-Luc Picard's ship for the majority of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Although she wasn't part of the main cast, Guinan made a big impression on both fans and characters, and was a trusted confidant for a majority of the bridge crew.

Additionally, Guinan's actress (EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg) recently had Patrick Stewart on her show "The Talk", where she accepted an invitation to reprise her role in Star Trek: Picard season 2. Guinan served as a sort of advisor of Picard during The Next Generation, and she often helped guide him in moments of weakness or moral issues when he wasn't sure where to turn. In Picard, Jean-Luc often acts as a mentor or voice of reason for the rest of the crew, but he himself doesn't have very many people to turn to when he needs advice.

By including Guinan, season 2 of Star Trek: Picard would add a new dynamic of someone older and wiser than Picard, so that when he questions what he stands for, there's a trusted friend to guide him towards making the right choice. Guinan would also be right at home with the tone of Picard - the story of her people is one tinged with tragedy, so she would fit in with the darker mood that Picard has established.

Dr. Beverly Crusher - The Next Generation


Another major part of Jean-Luc Picard's life that would fit right in during season 2 of Star Trek: Picard is Doctor Beverly Crusher, played by Gates McFadden. Doctor Crusher was the CMO of the Enterprise-D, and also frequented the bridge, serving as a bridge officer during night shifts. She was the mother of the often-ridiculed Wesley Crusher, and a member of the Enterprise's infamous poker group.

Dr. Crusher was a mainstay in The Next Generation, and a close personal friend of Jean-Luc Picard, much like Troi and Riker, both of whom were featured in Star Trek: Picard. During The Next Generation, there was also a romantic aspect teased to Crusher and Picard's relationship, so bringing her back for season 2 of Picard would allow the show to explore Picard in a light in which fans rarely see him - a romantic one.

Almost every major character on Star Trek: Picard had a romantic interest - Dr. Jurati and Captain Rios, Seven and Raffi, Soji and Narek. Notably, the titular character had no romantic inclinations whatsoever, but re-introducing Dr. Crusher would change that, as well as heighten the stakes for Picard if the woman he loves was put in danger - it could drive him to do things he may not have otherwise been capable of.

Geordi LaForge - The Next Generation


Geordi LaForge (played by LeVar Burton) was the enterprise's chief engineer in Star Trek: TNG, and also had a close friendship with Data, who was central to the plot of Picard. He mourned the death of Data more than anyone during the TNG movies, so bringing him aboard for season 2 (especially when Soji was so important in season 1) would be a natural progression.

Additionally, Geordi has another tie to Picard - it was revealed in the official comic tie-in Star Trek: Picard Countdown that Geordi LaForge was heavily involved with the rescue fleet that was assisting the Romulans when Mars was destroyed by the synths. It's a significant detail to go unmentioned in the show, so it leaves the door open for Geordi to be involved. Star Trek: Picard explored how the Mars attack impacted the new characters introduced in Picard, but it has yet to take a look at how the attack impacted characters audiences already know.

Geordi didn't receive very many arcs during his time on The Next Generation, so exploring his struggles and feelings about the destruction of Mars would continue Star Trek: Picard's trend of exploring classic characters in a new light. Geordi's close friendship with Data could also spark an interesting relationship with Data's daughter Soji, especially now that she's grappling with the fact that she's an android. Just as Geordi helped guide Data when he struggled to understand humanity, Geordi could help guide Soji as she comes to terms with her new identity - and to take it even further, he may have some advice for Picard, who was also turned into a synth in the season finale.

Dax - Deep Space Nine


Dax, the Trill symbiont featured in Deep Space Nine, was hosted by Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) before her death, at which time the symbiont was transferred to the host for the remainder of the series, Ezri Dax. The beauty of the Trill is that (similar to the Doctor in Doctor Who) the character can continue on while being played by several different actors.

Because it's unknown what happened to Dax after the events of Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Picard could bring back the Dax symbiont as Ezri, played Nicole De Boer, or a new Trill host, while still maintaining the memories of all the previous hosts that fans love, like Jadzia and Ezri. In terms of how Dax could fit into the landscape of Picard season 2, their old age and centuries of experience could lead to them playing a role similar to that of Guinan - a trusted advisor with knowledge far beyond Picard's years. Given how many lives Dax has lived, they would be able to help guide all the members of Picard's crew - Ezri served as DS9's counselor, so she could help give advice to characters like Raffi and Seven, both of whom have struggled with serious mental health issues.

Alternatively, the Dax symbiont has also always had a playful aspect about them - introducing Dax would be a great way to integrate a little more humor in season 2 of Star Trek: Picard, and lighten things up if the showrunners were looking to provide some contrast to the often dark and gloomy tone from season 1. The Trill are a species with endless potential but very little exploration, so bringing back Dax would not only bring back an old friend with a new face, but it could also allow Picard to integrate such an interesting species in the most modern era of Star Trek.