by Matt Sernaker, Managing Editor

We barely survived Frontier Day and have finally made it to the Series Finale of Star Trek: Picard – Season 3. Today’s release, Episode 10 “The Last Generation”, can be summarized very simply: it was absolutely wonderful. Directed & Written by Terry Matalas, the crew of the Enterprise-D must face their darkest hour and save the universe one last time.

The cast and crew of Star Trek: Picard have achieved what the Borg could not…perfection.

This final chapter isn’t just a regular episode, but a culmination of 35 years of storytelling. Over the last few months, Terry Matalas and his crew have crafted a unique experience that is on par with previous pop culture events like LOST Season 1, Heroes Season 1, or Game of Thrones (everything before the final season). This season of Picard has achieved a status that few shows are able to accomplish. This isn’t just about must-see TV, but instead elevates to a cultural moment where viewers new and old are excited to discuss, speculate, and celebrate their heroes. We’ve seen reboot after reboot over the last decade that don’t value why their respective characters and stories were so beloved, and this particular instance shows how well a return to a story can be, even if it is 20 years later and long overdue. 

While many Star Trek: Picard fans were disappointed that many of the cast members from Seasons 1 and 2 were cut from the final season, it was truly an impossible task to balance Jean-Luc’s new crew with his former cast in order to create this type of story. Although I would have liked to have seen some of the former team members make appearances in the final 10 episodes, it might have have felt organic with the amount of content and interactions that were required to get us to our destination. 

By now, you have probably watched Episode 9 (“Vox”), you are aware of the impending doom that culminated from Frontier Day. The Borg are back after playing the long game, and fans of Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Voyager will be thrilled by the connective tissue. Admiral Janeway’s final act in “Endgame” had major repercussions for the cybernetic threat, and it is interesting to see just how the Borg have been impacted as a result of her actions nearly 20 years earlier. The Borg Queen in particular is incredibly creepy this time around, and the visual choices for her return were particularly impressive. 

Visually, “The Last Generation” is gorgeous. There is a pull-back early in the episode that is particularly daunting and will leave you gasping. If episode 9’s final sequence was the perfect example of the hero shot, the Borg get their equivalent moment with this specific imagery that will shock and awe. Without spoiling, there is an action-packed flight sequence with the returning Enterprise which took full advantage of its CGI return, adding a thrill-ride element that was pleasantly unexpected. 

With only one episode remaining, my recommendation is to look at these final episodes as a cinematic event. In most cases, we get a complete story in just about two hours. With Picard, we have had the opportunity to spend more quality time with our favorite TNG characters (and our newer friends), and now we are ready for the grande finale. I was only slightly concerned that the wrap up would rob us of enough time to gain a true sense of closure, but boy was I wrong. The episode as a whole was expertly designed, allowing for a satisfying story conclusion, individual character spotlights, and momentous epilogues. And like a movie…there might be a post-credit scene that you do not want to miss. 

The final hour is filled with impressive acting from each of the talented members of the cast. Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, and LeVar Burton took advantage of every second of screen time. Enthusiasm is truly infectious, and you can tell just how much fun they had with this final adventure. The crew of the Enterprise-D gave this episode their all to ensure that viewers received the best possible conclusion for their iconic characters. It is not an exaggeration when I say that everyone got a chance to shine, with characterization and career-defining performances that will surely be regarded as the best that Trek has ever featured.

The episode also features standout performances from Jeri “Give This Captain a Show Now” Ryan, Michelle Hurd, Ed Speleers, Todd Stashwick, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, and Mica Burton. The next next generation truly shines bright with these characters (except for Todd…because spoiler…he’s dead), and I think we would all pay good money to see their respective stories continue after this episode airs. Also, I’m sure the creative team could find some way to revive Shaw should the new show proceed…Just saying.

Which leads me to my only remaining question: When will Paramount+ announce development for Star Trek: Legacy with Terry at the helm? The finale acts as the perfect setup for a logical continuation, and you will be screaming at your screen when you see the tease for what the future could potentially hold. As you will see in the episode, names are very important, and I don’t think that we could ask for a better group (and ship) to explore the final frontier with. Besides, who doesn’t want to see what happens with “LaCrush”?! This creative team has proven time and again how impactful these characters can be, and there is still a whole universe to explore. To Paramount+, a quote from one of my favorite Saturday Night Live sketches come to mind:

Episode 310 – THE LAST GENERATION (Streaming on Thursday, April 20, 2023)

In a desperate last stand, Jean-Luc Picard and generations of crews both old and new fight together to save the galaxy from the greatest threat they’ve ever faced as the saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation comes to a thrilling, epic conclusion.

Overall

Congratulations to the Cast & Crew of Star Trek: Picard – Season 3 on crafting a phenomenal ending to an incredible season. You all absolutely stuck the landing and found the perfect balance to wrap things up.

Mark my words, future media/film studies courses will use Star Trek: Picard– Season 3  as THE example of how to craft the perfect season of television.

Rating:  
ComicsOnline gives Star Trek: Picard – Episode 10 “The Last Generation” a celebratory 5/5. You couldn’t ask for a better series finale.

Now, let’s get Star Trek: Legacy trending people!!!