Star Trek Changes Picard's Starfleet Captain Legacy (Because Of Pike?)
Does Star Trek: Picard subtly refocus Jean-Luc's legacy as a Starfleet captain… and is a certain Christopher Pike partially to blame? Few within Starfleet's upper echelons boast a career quite so decorated as Jean-Luc Picard. Played by the evergreen Patrick Stewart, Picard's in-universe reputation is built upon his exceptional command, his first contact missions, his ambassadorial work for the Romulans and Synths, and his contributions to Starfleet Academy as an Admiral. For Star Trek's audience, however, Jean-Luc Picard is remembered chiefly for one specific chapter in his career — captaining the Enterprise during Star Trek: The Next Generation and ensuing movie spinoffs.
When Star Trek: Picard season 2 begins, our titular tea-sipper is enjoying a much better relationship with Starfleet compared to season 1, where he was practically exiled as a guilt-ridden conspiracy loon. Consequently, premiere episode «The Star Gazer» provides a much clearer picture of how Admiral Picard is viewed among his Starfleet underlings and comrades in the present timeline. There's respect, admiration and reverence by the bucket-load, sure, but whereas Star Trek's audience might assume Picard's legacy as a captain resonated strongest on the Enterprise, Star Trek: Picard suggests the ship he's most associated with in-universe is actually the Stargazer.
Related: Star Trek: Picard Season 2 Cast Guide: All New & Returning Characters
The Stargazer was referenced numerous times during The Next Generation, and plays a vital role in building Picard's pre-Enterprise backstory, but only appeared onscreen once, and has been decommissioned by the time TNG begins. Star Trek: Picard season 2's «The Star Gazer» — beginning with the episode's very title —
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