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Star Trek: The Next Generation Cast Gave Input on Picard Season 3 Return
The Star Trek: The Next Generation reunion in Picard season 3 was crafted with input from TNG's cast. In The Next Generation, Gene Roddenberry continued the adventures of the starship Enterprise in the 24th century with a new crew of Starfleet officers led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). The series found incredible popularity and, like Star Trek: TOS, garnered several feature films for its characters. Then, in 2020, Stewart reprised his role as Jean-Luc in Paramount+'s Star Trek: Picard.
While Picard tells an original story that delves deeper into Jean-Luc as a character, Picard season 3 will use the help of some familiar faces to continue doing so. LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, and Marina Sirtis from Star Trek: The Next Generation will reprise their roles as Geordi, Worf, Riker, Dr. Crusher, and Troi, respectively. Brent Spiner will also return, although not as Data as he died in Star Trek: Nemesis and was given a final farewell in Picard season 1. Notably, Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher, who appeared in Picard season 2 as a Traveler, has not been reported to be part of season 3's TNG reunion.
Picard season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas discusses the upcoming TNG return on the Inglorious Treksperts podcast (via Collider). During the podcast, Matalas reveals that TNG's cast was crucial to determining where their characters would be in Picard's 25th-century setting. He sought out their input to help craft their upcoming arcs. Check out Matalas' full explanation below:
Quote:
"I didn’t want to make anything that they didn’t want to make… They all have big things to do. We all meet them and find out where they are now. And some of those answers as to what they’re doing now are unexpected. So I wanted them to be happy and have input… They’ve lived with these characters. They go to the conventions. They know the stories that matter to these people."
Matalas' consideration of TNG cast's own ideas demonstrates his understanding of the personal impact the Star Trek franchise has on its fans. While much of the cast has reprised their TNG roles in various other Star Trek properties, their final film, Nemesis, disappointed many fans of The Next Generation who wanted to see the characters given a proper sendoff. Picard season 3 should bring closure to Star Trek fans and give a satisfying end for Picard and his former crew; allowing the cast to help shape their characters should ensure that.
Story details for Picard season 3 have not yet been released, but considering how much seasons 1 and 2 differed, the TNG crew could be facing anything. It will be especially interesting to see what brings all these characters together so many years after their last mission. Additionally, Matalas did previously tease the arrival of a new villain played by an iconic actor new to Star Trek, so Picard season 3 won't be without its challenges. With that in mind, fans of The Next Generation and Picard should be in for an exciting new season.
