Star Trek is one of those franchises that has a life of its own, sprawling several generations and inspiring so many stories and even more fans. Speaking of fans, they are absolutely over the moon for the upcoming Star Trek: Picard series. As one of the most revered and beloved Starfleet captains, his comeback is a big deal to so many Trekkies.
Since Deep Space 9 ended over a decade ago, this will be the first time the franchise goes into the future of the Federation after the Dominion War. Because of that, Picard will have endless possibilities for connecting itself to all the history behind it. However, we only know so much until it premieres.
So, here are 10 ways Picard connects to the other Star Trek series.
Seven Of Nine
Jeri Ryan has become a completely new Borg, and it shows.
When fans last saw Seven of Nine, she was starting a budding relationship with Commander Chakotay. She was still stilted and awkward, but she was finding her place as a mentor for Icheb and enjoyed singing and music.
However exciting it is to see her again, Seven of Nine is very different than the last time fans saw her. She's wearing new, loose clothing, she has an accent, and she swears. Her entire personality has loosened up. It'll be fascinating to see how this Voyager favorite turned into the woman she is in Picard.
Director Jonathan Frakes
After TNG, Star Trek legend Jonathan Frakes preferred being behind the camera instead of in front of it. He's famous for directing Trek episodes through several series. The last time he played his beloved Commander Riker was in the early affected and he hasn't gone back to acting since. He's preferred helping direct Discovery nowadays.
True to form, Frakes will be directing a few episodes of Star Trek: Picard, too. However, there's bonus Frakes goodness when it comes to Picard. He also will step back into Commander Riker's shoes for the first time in nearly 15 years.
Data
For a long time, Brent Spiner insisted he would never play Data ever again. After all, not only did the fan-favorite android sacrifice himself, but he was aging. An android isn't supposed to do that.
Things must have changed, though, because Spiner will be coming back for the new Picard series. The trailers show him and the captain playing chess together. Nobody knows if this is Data's copy, B-4, or the real one, but it'll be fascinating to see him on screen again.
As one of the most captivating parts of Star Trek: TNG, Data will be a welcome return, even if fans don't know how much of him will really be returning.
"All Good Things..."
The final episode of TNG explored Picard sliding through his own timeline, supposedly due to a brain disease he has late in life. After Starfleet, the captain supposedly retires to his old family vineyard and spends some of his final days working there. His crew has drifted apart, only visiting each other every so often. They stayed in the stars, exploring their lives, and he ended up grounded.
Though the episode uses this as some sort of depressing future of Picard's to be avoided, it seems in Picard that this is exactly where he ends up. Grounded, away from his crew, and back at Chateau Picard. Makes the already bittersweet ending of TNG even more so; knowing that he couldn't change his fate.
The Destruction of Romulus
One of the biggest moments in the Kelvin-verse Star Trek movies was the destruction of Romulus. This led the time-traveling Nero starting his campaign to destroy the Federation.
In Picard, it seems this event is canon. The world is completely gone and it's greatly effected the galaxy. While the Romulans were xenophobic and often antagonistic, them losing their world sends ripples throughout the universe. It also seems to have greatly affected Picard, which will bring whole new layers to the character.
A Borg Named Hugh
After The Enterprise met the Borg for the first time, they became staple villains of several series and movies. The relentless and frighteningly intelligent species became the boogeyman of The Federation, an enemy they weren't sure they were fully equipped to stop.
However, their relationship with the Borg became a lot more nuanced when the Enterprise picked up an abandoned and damaged drone. After studying and working on him, Geordi and Dr. Crusher grew a rapport with the lone Borg. Out of The Collective's influence, he was able to build a sense of self and become a unique, compassionate being.
Named Hugh, Picard saved his life by sending him back without a cube-destroying virus. Hugh later became their ally and friend. Seems he's back, and that's more than any Borg fan could ask for.
Number One
Throughout Star Trek, Number One has become a common, respectful name that captains call their first officers. Captain Pike, Georgiou, and Picard all called their first commanders that. While Riker is set to appear in the series, Picard has an even more important tie to the "Number One" moniker: Picard's dog.
Apparently, after leaving The Enterprise, he got himself a friendly pooch and named him after his most loyal and headstrong first officer, Will Riker. The homage is sufficiently satisfying and fun for fans. They can't wait to meet Picard's new Number One.
Mysterious Cameos
While a few old-school cast members have been confirmed for Picard, like Seven and Data, there has been a lot of mystery and secrecy about other possible cameos. With Star Trek: Discovery set before TOS, the showrunners can avoid too much overlap with all the other series. However, now that Voyager is home, the Dominion War is over, the Enterprise crew moved one, and more, Picard has a lot more potential cameos.
Both Riker and Troi have been confirmed to be in the show in some way, and Geordi, Worf, Crusher, and others have all been left unaccounted for. No one knows how many old faces we might see in Picard. But from the way Star Trek actors are dedicated to the franchise, there could be so many favorites on the way.
The Picard Vineyard
Picard spent his entire life running from Chateau Picard. Though he loved his family and Earth, he always felt more at home among the stars. However, the vineyard still ended up appearing several times in the series because, no matter where he went, Picard always ended up back there.
It seems that Picard, in his own way, has finally stopped running from the vineyard and accepted it as another place he calls home. Despite that, yet again, he'll have to leave it. He can never run from the vineyard or the call of the stars, can he?
Captain Picard Day
In one of the cutest episodes of TNG, the children of The Enterprise have a Captain's day, much like American kids have president's day. While Picard gets involved (because he has to), he's not too fond of children. It's hilarious, watching him interact with all these art projects and essays made for him.
The Picard trailer seems to have carried on the tradition of having kids admire this hero. There's a Captain Picard Day sign hanging up in one of the shots. Hopefully Picard has at least gotten a bit better at pretending he likes kids.