Star Trek: Picard - Amazon Prime [** POSSIBLE SPOILERS **]

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118719332#Comment_118719332

Raffi. Yes I know I had her name somewhere in my brain. Let's not forget she was also part of that Surprise Lesbians twist nobody could have ever seen - cos the 2 characters barely interacted in the first place🙄

Evade

Don't forget Romulan Jaime and Cersei and Bean Uí Romuláin and her useless northerner. Hugh was there for some reason too.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118721058#Comment_118721058

I think you might be day early unless it's out at midday today. Might want to change does work plans.

pixelburp

According to the banner on my Prime Video, it's not out 'til 4th March here:

ilovesmybrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118724095#Comment_118724095

It releases (in the US) at 7:30 this morning, was waiting on my server when I was having breakfast!

AMKC

Awe very good.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118724288#Comment_118724288

Awe very good.

BruteStock

Ouch!

https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/03/02/star-trek-fan-launches-petition-to-have-kurtzmans-star-trek-designated-as-non-canon/

Why anybody watches this dreck is beyond me. Seems all you have to do is slap a babel on something and people will watch. Not me. My memory of the franchise won't be tainted by watching this drivel.

Drivel that only keeps being made because Les Moonves made a bad deal. Bad Robot have a contact that allows them them to keep making fake Trek. They have no inventive for it to be good as they clearly don't care about ratings or viewership.

Evade

Why? Morbid curiosity. Any bets on whether or not Q will suddenly always have been gay and has been in love with Picard this whe time?

ilovesmybrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118725265#Comment_118725265

Now, I will say that I was thinking earlier today (and more after the recent episode of Discovery) that I hope they will eventually find a way to sideline all of future Discovery trek. Can't do much with the first two seasons to be honest, but I do not like the way they've boxed in what the federation becomes.

I disagree with Picard though. Look, it might be my blinkers, but I'm not really seeing the sexism in Picard? Poverty, addiction, and bigotry all existed in TNG. Poverty not so much in the Federation, but I don't see Raffi as poverty per se, more that she dropped off the radar intentionally. For the Romulan worlds, of course there's poverty after a catastrophe, and that's a recurring problem for the Bajorans in DS9. Addiction see The Game in TNG, and bigotry The Drumhead.

I would be quite happy if they find a way to edge out Discovery, but the kind of arguments made on this petition is why supporters of Discovery are able to dismiss any and all criticism as just old, gatekeeping fans.

BruteStock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118725392#Comment_118725392

From my memory Raffi dropped off the radar for some utterly ridiculous and selfish reason regarding a difficult decision Picard had to make. I can't really remember and frankly I don't want to!

The petition wants Kurtzman Trek scrubbed from canon but Id argue it already suffered a fate worse than that with being scrubbed from public consciousness. Relegating the show to something called Pluto TV was the final nail in the pine box for that miserable show.

TheIrishGrover

Well, I haven't watched last night's yet. But the reliance on the trailer of time travel to 2024 or something is a bit ominous. Plotlines like that are usually a cost-cutting exercise. I was a bit underwhelmed by Picard at times. Especially as it went on. I actually liked Na Romulànì and their accents (Although I could really REALLY have done without "The cheeky feckers." That was the line too far 😀). And it certainly started strong. But kind of fizzled out. There was much to like, Seven especially, and.... stuff that didn't work out (That scenery chewing female Romulan. Seriously, now I know why this season is at least partially in 2024: She ATE all the sets!). So I was a bit underwhelmed as opposed to the dislike that grew with me for Discovery. I held on in there as long as I could but...

I have hopes for Brave New Worlds as that cast was VERY engaging when on Discovery (And sorely missed when gone). I hope Section 31 doesn't happen (As much as I like Michelle Yeoh) because it will be nothing but mustache-twirling as opposed to the (slightly) more nuanced approach on DS9. And we always have Lower Decks which is great.

ilovesmybrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118725961#Comment_118725961

If you could do without "cheeky feckers", then wait until you get to "Slainte"!

I get what you're saying about time travel being usually an indicator of cost cutting, but at least based on the first episode it seems that if they were using it to cut costs in some areas, they're using the savings in others. To me it seems that, unlike Discovery, the showrunners had a look at what worked, and what didn't, in season 1 and have taken that on board. From a few comments online from people who have seen a few episodes in advance almost all the trailers are based on the first couple of episodes, so I'll wait and see how much of this is actually spent in the past.

And yes, season 1 definitely fizzled out. They've at least learned from the copy-paste ship mistakes, so hopefully they also learn from that problem. Though I'm not particularly worried about that one at the moment since they filmed season 2 & 3 back to back, so I would hope that issue won't happen this time around.

I've so much hope for Brave New Worlds. Anson Mount hsa been the best part of Discovery. I definitely don't want section 31 or starfleet academy. I never liked section 31 in any iteration, and while academy may have merits I don't see them pulling it off. Though Lower Decks works amazingly, so who knows.

AMKC

Spoiler Warning

Well after watching that first episode and I must say it was really good certainly no cost cutting. Even some backstop and a little character development. Strange the way they done it do but I think after a 2nd watch it will make more sense. I hope it can keep up the good work for the rest of the season. Of course nothing hard about identifying the villain

Spoiler Warning

Talk about a weird Borq Queen. I wonder is she from the future and why she really needed Picard?

I guess we will find out in the next episodes.

Also I love how it's like a fresh start over. You do not need to have seen season 1 to see this one but it can help with some things. It had a very Star-Trek 2009 vibe off it.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118722750#Comment_118722750

I have had 0 interaction with Jeri Ryan. I would also bang the shte out of her in a heartbeat. Why do sxy people need anything more than being in the same room for 5 mins to do it.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118725692#Comment_118725692

Anyone who makes petitions about Star Trek canon is a fking loser and not in the fun way the rest of us Trekkies are losers.

Evade

I have no idea how the season will pan out but a few niggles aside that was pretty good. There were a few scenes that were almost a mea culpa about some of the complaints about the first series.

Useless Lump

I think I asked this before very recently but don’t know if I got an answer or have forgot the answer :p

Will Paramount+ have Picard season 2 when it launches here or does a Amazon have streaming rights for all three seasons for a few years?

Stark

It's on Prime at the moment.

Useless Lump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118734291#Comment_118734291

Yes I know that but I am asking if anyone knows whether this will be on Paramount+ at launch or if Amazon has it exclusive it for the next few years.

Paramount pulled Discovery from Netflix so season 4 can be shown at launch but they left Picard and Lower Decks on Amazon’s service. I was told this might be because the deal is different than with Netflix - that is why I am wondering will Picard season 2 be available at launch.

Evade

Watching it again and is it me or does everyone look better? Softer lighting or focus or different make up or something.

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118735177#Comment_118735177

The camera work was a good deal better. I’m guessing their Photography Directors are finally the kind who know how filmmaking is supposed to be. The teaser trailer from the ship appeared to have been re-edited into a very shaky visual mess, but the episode itself wasn’t that bad visually.

Unlike with Discovery there was never a moment where the camera direction wasn’t *noticeably* bad. It was easy to follow the starships or the action in general. Much better.

pc7

Really enjoyed the first episode, great bit of escapism form all that’s going on, very good first episode.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118735264#Comment_118735264

The Discovery camera crew have this odd habit of shooting all action scenes from weird diagonal angles to make everything look more hectic.

flazio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118735715#Comment_118735715

There was a bit of that here in Episode 1 as well. It's just a standard Sci fi "We're on a rotating ship" kind of trope.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118735837#Comment_118735837

Ya the opening scene was very Disco.

eadrom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118736061#Comment_118736061

Although here at least it really was just an action teaser, and an effective one at that. The same scene later, in context, wasn't entirely dissimilar but was less frantic and easier to track.

I didn't really get the JJ or Disco vibes from this one tbh, or certainly less than usual these days - including last season. This actually felt/looked more like an updated TNG to me.

And I really like those new Starfleet uniforms.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118736337#Comment_118736337

Love the nev uniforms too. Less a fan of the STO ships and the fact that every single ship now seems to be named or of a class based off an older ship.

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118736337#Comment_118736337

There were hints of Discovery styling but it was toned down a lot, and mostly came in the form of those Pew-Pew Phasers. But far better put together than most action scenes in that other show.

I do also like the uniforms. Very much a spiritual successor to the early DS9 / Voyager uniform. I especially liked Picard’s black admiral’s jacket with hints of the shoulder pattern.

This reminds me a little of the surprise of seeing them all back in the fold of Starfleet so quickly after the events of Season 1. Admirals weren’t calling Picard out for his “Sheer f*cking hubris”, and Raffi & Rios were somehow fully commissioned again with high ranks & serious responsibility within the Fleet. It suits them, but it seemed very quick. Only about a year had passed in-universe.

eadrom

@breezy1985 - every single ship now seems to be named or of a class based off an older ship

Not every ship though, and there was a USS Constitution and a USS Galaxy in Star Trek history too so it's not a new thing.

@Rawr - It suits them, but it seemed very quick. Only about a year had passed in-universe.

It does suit them! I had no idea we'd be getting everyone in Starfleet this season. Retcon or not, I'm all for it. Laris does mention to Picard that Zhaban had passed a year and a half ago, and I think he was presumed alive at the end of season one, so a while has gone by anyway.

I'm fearful that the upcoming trip to the "past" and the alt universe stuff means that the tone and visuals might change drastically for most of the season but looking forward to seeing more 25th century Trek whenever we can.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118736476#Comment_118736476

I think you misunderstood me. The ships in the new fleet were a Reliant class which was old Reliant shape, Gagarin class which looked like an update of the ship of that name in DIS, Sutherland class looked just like the Nebula class U.S.S. Sutherland that Data briefly captained. We got 2 new Stargazers which are a 23rd and 25th century 4 nacelle lookalike of Picard's one.

It's a STO thing where every ship has a variant for each Trek era. It's like Voyager J looks just like Voyager.

Evade

At least the ships are distinct now.

fritzelly

Gotta say I like the new intro!

Rawr

I haven't been down to that metro station yet, but the painful Trek-pun advert had started appearing on busses, so I took this on the way into work:

It's just...I know they're jokes...and they are supposed to be funny but...no.

It's kind of like when you watch the filler-acts on Live at the Apollo. They are technically comedians, and they are telling jokes, but...no.

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118738905#Comment_118738905

It's not bad, and has some good stuff going on. However, I find myself preferring the sweeping nature of the Season 1 theme. That said, just like the Season 1 intro I find myself not wanting to skip over this, unlike the Discovery intro which I started avoiding after Episode 2.....Season 1.

Evade

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118744082#Comment_118744082

The silhouettes aren't even Star Trek themed just generic stock images

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118744093#Comment_118744093

Oh no way. I much prefer this season 2s theme over season 1s theme.

Rawr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118744801#Comment_118744801

And not even all in the same style of silhouette as you would normally see on transport signage (which is the thing I think they are trying to emulate). Smacks of a rush-job at Prime-Video's marketing.

flazio

During their review of episode 1 of season 2 Trek Culture's Seán Ferrick mentioned an audio tie in that was released earlier this year. Now normally I don't bother with Star Trek audios as they just tend to be Robert Pekoff reading a tie in novel but this latest one "No Man's Land" piqued my interest as it was Co written by one of the show runners Kirsten Beyer and instead of it being one reader reading prose it was actually a full cast audio drama. Anyone familiar with Doctor Who might have heard of the audio company Big Finish who make new audio stories with the older Doctors without having to worry about the actors looking much older.

So I decided to give it a punt and.....It's not great, I'll be honest.

OK first off Patrick Stewart is not in this one. Michelle Hurd and Jeri Ryan are the only actors from the show in this. It's set after the season 1 final episode but before the events of season 2. Bit of an adventure and a bit of exploration as to where the Rafi/Seven relationship is going, nothing vital for season 2, just a couple of nods. The adventure didn't really capture me to be honest. 3/5

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Star-Trek-Picard-No-Mans-Land-Audiobook/B09NNZJS6W?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp&shareTest=TestShare

Useless Lump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118678081#Comment_118678081

Thanks.

Strange New Worlds and Yellowstone (I’ve only seen a few minutes - Costner has a confrontation with trespassing bikers) are the reasons I will sign up to Paramount+.

I have a lot of shows to watch at the moment and if Picard was was going to be on Paramount+ anyway I would wait to watch it - drop Prime for a while, sign up to Paramount+ at launch and lather ate every few months.

But if Picard will only be on Prime I might as well watch it there.

flazio

<deleted debunked rumour>

Spoiler Warning

BruteStock

3d printed Picard is a show made by damaged nihilistic people who must hate the franchise. Does nobody remember Agnes murdered Maddox. I dont believe that anybody actually likes this show. It's objectively crap

Evade

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118763031#Comment_118763031

I didn't like the first season at all but the first episode of the second season is a huge improvement.

pixelburp

Season 3 wrapped BTW; so presumably, all going well the final(?) season will air around the same time 2023.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118763031#Comment_118763031

It's a hell of a lot better than that Discovery rubbish. Now that is crap. Season 2 of Picard has been a big improvement on season 1 and while there were parts of season 1 I liked there was lots I did not like.

There is only going to be 1 more season of Picard after this anyway so I am going to watch it all.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118767451#Comment_118767451

It's just the usual old gaslighting bllsht from grumpy old fans informing us that we don't like the show despite what our brains say.

pixelburp

I mean, it has its flaws, big ones at that (JFC that finale in season 1) but does people a disservice to denigrate their opinions that - oh - they don't really like the show. Objectivity isn't a concept with art or media. It's possible to have conflicting opinions, or feel the good outweighs the bad - which would be where I sit along the fence.

Evade

There absolutely can be objective criteria for art and media. There's no objective standard for liking something but there are for the mechanical aspects. Asspulls, for example, are objectively bad from a writing point of view.

flazio

A look through Brutestocks posting history shows them to be a far right troll and is better off getting ignored.

_Kaiser_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118763538#Comment_118763538

Yup I'd be in this category as well. Season 2 actually feels like Trek and is pretty much a soft reboot from what I've seen so far.

pixelburp

I just wish American dramas weren't so tied into contracts or, whatever it is that forces characters, whose stories are done, to return ad nauseum.

Jurati's tale was told, completed and hers was the weakest reset of the core cast; oh, alien induced madness, please. To be fair, probably a common event in Starfleet that it would be a legal exemption... but we didn't need her back. And while I like Allison Pill, her performance is all over the place.