January 30, 2020 - Thoughts on Star Trek Picard Episode 2

I watched Episode 2 of Star Trek: Picard and I must say, I am very fond of the fact that Laris also seems to be a master hacker of communications terminals! The treachery within Starfleet is a troubling pattern that seems to be repeating itself throughout the generations and that may be why the Federation appears to be drastically diminished at the point in time where Michael Burnham and the Discovery crew end up.

There have been endless episodes and movies centering on members of Starfleet turning their back on their ethics and oaths in order to get what they want and the behavior of Commodore Oh and Admiral Clancy is no different; they are into secret combinations and betraying whatever and whoever they can to conceal duplicitous actions and plans. Commodore Oh and her little minion are clearly up to no good and they apparently have nasty plans for Picard as he strives to uncover the truth. The minion is, in fact, Narek's sister and it seems both Narek and his sister are servants of this Commodore and I see bad things on the horizon for or because of their treachery.


Starfleet's cold response to Picard's return and request shows how interoverted and lifeless the organization has become since the attacks on Mars. The android ban was an example of them bowing to pressure like sheep acquescing to slaughter instead of rising above pressure like Jonathan Archer once did when the Vulcans attempted to intimidate him off of his mission. Picard wanted to return to his roots and be re-planted so he could live out the rest of his days pursuing exploration and mystery, but the roots had dried up and were no longer open to that nourishing touch he offered.


Perhaps Picard was greatly motivated to pursue this quest by his health condition, but so what? He was pursuing a legitimate lead and counted on Starfleet to share his passion in pursuing the adventure like they used to. Instead of being keen on exploration and adventure, however, Starfleet has turned the corner and is drastically going downhill to where they only care for conformity, a quiet existence, and monotony.

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