The Character of Star Trek

[iconoclast]

Imagine a TNG series without Stewart as the Captain; imagine a North American male spouting Gilgamesh to a bemused Tamarian Captain (Darmok, season 5.2). Sound bizarre? I don't think we can quite fathom the stark difference between these two TNG alternates; much of the quality in TNG was in Picard�s cultivation-of-the-mind: reading Shakespeare with Data, practicing equestrianism, gentlemanly swordplay, Greek literature (actual Greek, no translations!).

What has been created in the eighties is a unique precursor to a modern trek phenomenon, with Stewart as the nucleus. Of course, we have recreated the ethos of Star Trek in other series (DS9, Voyager), but somehow, despite the beautifully unique sci-fi foundation, nothing can really match up to the 'linear', exploratory direction of TNG. Picard and Co were going forward, whereas Janeway and Co wanted nothing more than to reach home: earth.

TNG somehow managed to create an epic 'feel' of deep space, with a flourishing system of piracy, political intrigue, and isolated utopias. The 'Gambit' introduced a feel of insecurity to the far reaches of space, with the stealth raider giving a somewhat unique nuance to the drama (Gambit, season 7.4). We had places like Torman V, showing a multicultural element in the vastness of space; we had the lovely Argus Array, which perhaps was being used for spying, yet we never really knew. When Picard said the words 'subspace telescope' I just knew that this all was something quite unlike most if not all other sci-fi dramas; it was his English accent, and his supercilious dismissal of the wolf-like Gul (Parallels, season 7.11).

It's difficult to describe the feeling one gets from watching Picard in TNG; but if one imagines the show with a different captain, perhaps one with a US accent, the value of having such a strong Shakespearean presence behind the camera, begins to surface; of course, Americans will not be able to appreciate Picard from the point of view of a brit. And they may sppreciate it in much the same way they appreciate Voyager. For a Brit such as myself, it's quite refreshing to hear a powerful Shakespearean actor in the role of Captain; it gives the drama a distinct higher class quality; it's not mere science fiction drama, like all the rest: it's a unique Shakespearean drama with all of Picard's high culture up front. None of us shall ever reach that level of erudition � presumably � yet it's refreshing to watch, none the less.

[magenta]

WOW I totally agree!I have just never seen it put into such a great explanation of his character before!He really put 'class' into Star Trek didnt he!
They couldnt have picked a better actor to play the role!
Well Written Terrorist!!!

[Cathexis]

Hehehe, sorry.......lol it's just the username that's gettin' me....

Quite intelligent for a terrorist....no offense meant.

I agree with everything you said about Stewart. He just......moved me.........in everything he said and did...he lived and breathed his role and the vision behind his character.

HOWEVER, I will always love Voyager more. I just will.


Nice thread,Terrorist!

[Founder]

Since you people love Picard so much, here is a tribute to him.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/2005/12/piccardtechno.html

[Voyager2004]

[MakeItSo]

[captain_kay]

if patrick stewert didnt play picard then i dont think it would be good at all i think it would have sucked big time

[Voyager2004]

You can't say that. They could have found someone just as capable of playing Picard. Now, if they brought in someone to TAKE HIS PLACE, then ya it would be stupid and suck. But if they started from the beginning and never had Stewart play Picard, then we would have NEVER known the difference between Stewart and the other guy. We would have thought he was just as good...or bad. Who knows. We won't, that's for sure.