February 21, 2020 - Thoughts on Star Trek: Picard - Episode 5

 I admit, I have not yet viewed 'Stardust City Rag' even though it's on my PVR rewady for me to watch. I also admit that I check the recaps of the episodes each week before I watch them on CTV Sci-Fi just so I can have a sense of what I will be viewing. The episode photos intrigued me, but that intrigue was quickly replaced by solemn remembrance once I read the most detailed episode recap I could find. What happened in the episode reminds me very much of a past that I have worked hard to heal from, but still retain the memories and feelings of. I do not hate Picard; I actually quite enjoy it, but this kind of a subject being addressed in a supposedly utopian future makes me pause and consider things. I know it's a science-fiction television show and nothing in it is real, but the subject of addiction and that which it affects is a very real subject that does provoke memories of a different era in my life. I have found peace with it, but it's invited a definite need for reflection.

I need to develop the courage to watch this episode, as it reminds me very much of the pilot episode of 'The Conners' in that Roseanne Conner died of an opiod overdose, a fatal consequence of an untreated addiction that she managed to get others to feed. It seems that everyone in the series, whether they be a visitor or part of the main crew, seems to struggle with addictions or pains that have turned them into shells of the individuals they once were. Picard is addicted to this mission and completing it before his condition incapacitates him; Raffi is addicted to substances; Rios is addicted to both substances and chronic cynicism; Jurati is addicted to being untruthful and covert; Elnor is addicted to finding a place where he belongs; Seven is addicted to angry vengeance in that she murdered Icheb's killer without so much as an inch of remorse; and Starfleet itself is addicted to doing and being the opposite of who they once were even to the point of self-destructing. I'm sure Laris and Zhaban also have their vices, but we don't know as much as I would like to know about them because they are back on Earth babysitting Chateau Picard and Number one while Picard is out questing. The past has fed the warping of personalities and the present is continually providing opportunity to go on as they have become even though all can do better.

I was in the position that Raffi's son was in, but my parent did not survive his addiction; he let it destroy him. I can understand, however, why Raffi's son was so unforgiving and unhappy to see the recovering addict that was his parents after developing a life, developing a personality based on years of broken promises. Part of me is who I am because I developed a guarded nature as a result of repeated broken promises and abuse by the addict who was in my life, but is no longer alive. If he had continued to live on, however, there is little doubt in my mind that he would have continued on in the mess he had made his life. As much as I like Raffi, I have to wonder if she can actually hang on to her sobriety for the duration of the mission ahead given that she has not fully resolved her bitterness and anger against both Starfleet and Picard. Her son's rejection of her existence may prompt her to return to her vices despite the fact that Picard needs her help. Despite the past, I consider myself fortunate simply because I was able to forgive my addict and use the experiences brought on by him to bring strength to myself and bring compassion to others. Many cannot forgive such pain and instead condemn themselves to a lifetime of guardedness, bitterness, and an unwillngness to forgive. Raffi and her son are alike in that they cannot forgive the past or themselves for what the coldness of life has made them.

In terms of Icheb, I do not understand why they had to kill Icheb off in such a way instead of giving him a more respectful role in Picard. Seven emotionally adopted him as her offspring during the course of Voyager and it was obvious that the familial closeness still existed. I have heard rumors that Manu Intirayami is into some bad crap and that's why Icheb was killed, but I have personally met Manu and he was a very nice individual to be around. How was Icheb even captured and why did Starfleet not care to stop it? Since Voyager made it home while he was on board, it's obvious that they know about him and he perhaps could have been useful in helping Starfleet and Janeway in particular develop their resources and knowledge about the Borg. Perhaps Starfleet decided to send him to the wolves as his parents once tried to before Voyager intervened? Will we ever know the greater story?

Finally, questions come to mind that hopefully will be answered in the second half of the first season:

*Why did Jurati murder Maddox in private and decieve Picard into thinking that they were former lovers? I do not believe he will react well to Maddox's death and I do not believe Jurati will be able to keep it a secret for long as to who she really is.

*Who is Jurati really and who are the 'they' who told her the reality of Maddox?

*Will Picard and crew find Soji in time or will Narek and his creepily violent sister get in the way?

*Will Commodore Oh and her weak minion meet up with the crew at all?