Warning: contains spoilers Star Trek: Lower Decks #2!
Star Trek I just named one of Captain Picard's worst quirks, and honestly, he deserved it. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is rightfully considered one of Starfleet's greatest captains, a seemingly endless well of wisdom and inspiration. Still at the beginning Star Trek: The Next Generation run, Picard was different - and not necessarily in a good way, and that gets attention Star Trek: Lower Decks #2.
Star Trek: Lower Decks #2 was written by Ryan North and drawn by Derek Charm. The “Lower Deckers” have been kidnapped by Excalibans, who are forcing Boimler and company to fight holographic replicas of key Starfleet personnel in an attempt to understand human nature. The Excalibans create a duplicate of Captain Picard for Boimler, basing it on his inner thoughts. Excalibans reveals Boimler specifically wanted “super badass Picard who just took command of the Enterprise and it's really cruel for some reason. Certainly, the stern and grumpy Picard irritates Boimler.
Captain Picard was a different kind of Star Trek Captain
Captain Picard acted very differently in The Next Generation First episodes In the 37 years since the premiere of Star Trek: The Next GenerationCaptain Picard has become a pop culture icon, thanks in part to Patrick Stewart's incredible portrayal of the character.
In the 37 years since the premiere of Star Trek: The Next GenerationCaptain Picard has become a pop culture iconthanks in part to Patrick Stewart's incredible portrayal of the character. When Gene Roddenberry was creating The next generation, he wanted a captain who would be a thoughtful foil to the rougher Kirk. Picard perfectly embodied these qualities: he read classic literature and drank Earl Gray tea, among others. These characteristics endeared Picard Star Trek fans and helped ensure The Next Generation success.
Still, at the beginning The Next Generation run, Captain Picard acted a little differently. Picard apparently had a chip on his shoulder about something, and it showed in his interactions with his new team. Unlike Kirk, Picard kept his distance from the crew. This would continue throughout The Next Generation executed, but in the early season episodes, Picard's impartial nature is even more pronounced. Picard also barks orders and also has little patience with people. Picard also attacks people, something that would be shocking to fans today.
Perhaps the greatest aspect of Picard's personality was his dislike of children, and this was even more evident in the early episodes of The next generation. Picard mentions his feelings for the children to Riker in the pilot episode, and is initially extremely hateful towards Wesley Crusher when he sneaks onto the bridge. In that same episode, Wesley's mother, Dr. Crusher, speculates that Picard's line of work prevents him from having a family, and this bothers him. When Picard enters the Nexus in Star Trek: Generationsher desire for a family is apparently confirmed.
Picard (thankfully) mellowed out - a lot
Picard had problems, especially with children, to solve
There's a simple explanation for why Picard acted so differently in the early episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation: Both Stewart and the writers were feeling their way around the character, developing his backstory and mannerisms as they went along.
There's a simple explanation for why Picard acted so differently in the early episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation: Both Stewart and the writers were feeling their way around the character, developing his backstory and mannerisms as they went along. As the writers became more comfortable with him, they thankfully toned down the harsher aspects of his personality. Picard still acted aloof and distant, but by the end of the show's first season he had at least become more approachable. Softening PIcard helped make him a better character.
Doctor Crusher would later name her son Picard Jack, in honor of her late husband.
However, there was never a canonical on-screen explanation for Picard's general grumpiness in the early episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Picard gradually softened as the season progressed. Picard's attitude may have resulted from his lingering guilt over the loss of the stargazer and the death of his friend Jack Crusher. Although they were years ago, both events were definitive for Picard. Picard was also the captain of Starfleet's flagship, which may have added even more pressure, further influencing his mindset.
Captain Picard's attitude towards children took a little longer - but it was shown on screen. Wesley Crusher, whom he reprimanded The Next Generation pilot, would eventually find his way to the bridge crew. Slowly, Wesley showed Picard that children weren't necessarily a bad thing. Finally, in the season five episode "Disaster," Picard was forced to reevaluate his opinion of children after he and three of them became trapped in a turbolift. Picard and the children had to work together to escape, and the experience broke their barriers even further.
Star Trek Reminds fans of Picard and his cranky ways
Picard himself might even be a little embarrassed
Today, Star Trek Fans know Captain Picard as a thoughtful leader, someone who can look at all sides of an issue and take definitive action. This has always been true, but back in the day Picard was much ruder. This arrogant attitude is hardly mentioned by fans today, possibly because it was thankfully eliminated early on. Lower decksspecialized in Star Trek deep cuts, is the perfect vehicle to remember this curious moment in Captain Picard's career, which didn't last long and may even seem shocking today.
Star Trek: Lower Decks #2 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!