Star Trek: Picard sees the return of one of the Star Trek franchise's most beloved characters in Jean-Luc Picard. Set 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis, the show is a grittier take on the familiar Trek lore.
Once finished with Picard, fans may find themselves clamoring for more sci-fi action to tide them over. Whether it be classics like Babylon 5 or modern hits like The Expanse, there is a plethora of great sci-fi TV for fans of Star Trek: Picard to enjoy.
Travelers (2016–18)
Stream On Netflix
Though short lived, Travelers had a lot of offer for science fiction fans of all kinds. The show, set in the distant future, sees the last group of surviving humans as they find a way to send their consciousnesses back in time. By doing so, they hope that they can alter the course of humanity to change the future for the better.
Bringing in elements of shows like Quantum Leap and Sliders, Travelers is an interesting blend of science fiction and fantasy ideas. Though time travel was used frequently in Trek, Star Trek: Picard has diverged from the usual sci-fi formula by bringing in ideas of consciousness transfer as well.
The Expanse (2015–Present)
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
While many fans of Star Trek gravitate towards the franchise because of the space action, it is the intrigue and diplomacy that adds spice. The Expanse is set in the distant future where humanity has spread across the solar system but exists in a state of Cold War. A rag-tag group of travelers sets out to unravel a mystery which threatens to ignite the conflict between humans throughout the solar system.
Though the scope is much smaller in The Expanse, the fragile state of affairs within the show is reminiscent of many of the best episodes of Star Trek. It is fascinating to see a future where things are less structured and more volatile than the pristine future presented in Trek, and that volatility provides suspense throughout the series.
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001–05)
Stream On Paramount+
Though the events of Star Trek: Picard take place in the furthest reaches of the Trek chronology, Star Trek: Enterprise rewound the clock to the early days of warp travel. Enterprise follows the adventures of the crew of the famous starship, a century before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series.
Relying more on their wits than their technology, Enterprise offered a unique view of the Star Trek universe and the early days of the Federation. Like Picard, the show differs from the usual visual style of familiar Star Trek shows. With looser camera work and a more industrial look to the ships, Enterprise and Picard are visual companions.
Farscape (1999–2003)
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Though Picard was an integral part of Star Trek, he is essentially a fish-out-of-water character in the show that shares his name. Farscape is the story of an astronaut who is accidentally hurled across the universe and into the middle of a band of fugitive aliens on the run.
Like Picard, Michael Crichton acts as a fish-out-of-water and helps to act as a liaison between the audience and the strange aliens he encounters. Picard's adventures in his series find him a step behind the events which helps keep the audience up to speed. Like Star Trek's many interesting alien species, Farscape features a wide array of fascinating creatures.
Stargate SG-1 (1997–2007)
Stream On Netflix
Many of the best sci-fi shows are hinged around the idea of exploration, whether it be on a starship or through a strange transportation gate. Stargate SG-1 tells the story of a military group who is tasked with exploring new worlds that are on the other side of a mysterious Stargate.
The beauty of Stargate SG-1 is the nearly limitless possibility for exploration. Like the many strange new worlds of Star Trek, the opportunity to a plethora of different types of stories is present. Also, the presence of a military structure within the world of Stargate is reminiscent of Trek's familiar Federation.
Babylon 5 (1993–98)
Stream On HBO Max
Babylon 5, like a lot of science fiction, acts as a microcosm of the real world and uses its stories to reflect real conflicts. The show is set upon the Babylon 5 station which acts as a neutral zone where many alien races meet to trade and conduct diplomatic business. Hanging over them all is the constant threat of reignited aggression from previous conflicts.
Much like the familiar stories of Star Trek, Babylon 5 hinges upon diplomacy and the fragile relationship between alien races. Though they go about it through different means, the human characters of Babylon 5 are as committed to the preservation of peace as Captain Picard, and often have to make very difficult moral decisions to keep it.
Battlestar Galactica (2004–09)
Stream On Peacock
Unlike the ambitious future predicted in Star Trek, many classic science fiction stories focus on the much darker possibilities. Battlestar Galactica follows the humans aboard the last remaining transport ship headed for Earth. Amidst interpersonal squabbles, the crew of the ship must also deal with the deadly Cylons who are bent on destroying all of humanity.
Battlestar Galactica's less than glorious future is a change of pace from the utopian science fiction of Trek, and yet also resembles elements of Star Trek: Picard. Much like the unbelievably strong aliens known as the Borg, Battlestar's Cylons are fearsome foes. Outside of the accoutrements of the show, Battlestar is also a gripping drama with a lot of story elements to keep any viewer invested.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–94)
Stream On Netflix
After enjoying the later adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, it is important to turn back the clock and explore the adventures that made him famous. Star Trek: The Next Generation follows the crew of the U.S.S Enterprise-D as they embark on their own exciting adventure into the outer reaches of space in search of new worlds and new civilizations.
Often starring in some of the best episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is the heart of TNG and it is his moral guidance that directs the crew. As a point of reference, it is important for fans of Picard to follow Picard's arc from beginning to finish, and it shines a light on his decisions in the newer show.
The Orville (2017–Present)
Stream On Hulu
By bringing in elements of humor, The Orville manages to be both a touching tribute to classic sci-fi, as well as a biting parody of the same. The show follows the titular ship and its crew as it explores the outer reaches of the galaxy in search of new scientific discoveries.
With a twist on the classic Trek formula, The Orville is not only funny but also fills the void that was left when no new Star Trek series were available. Often pulling from some of the most memorable moments from Star Trek, The Orville often feels more like classic Trek than many of the modern shows in the franchise.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017–Present)
Stream On Paramount+
Star Trek: Discovery was the triumphant return of the franchise to TV, over a decade after Enterprise was taken off the air. Star Trek: Discovery follows the crew of the U.S.S Discovery as they explore the galaxy a decade before the events of The Original Series.
Though nearly unrecognizable to fans of the older Trek shows, Discovery set the pace for which Picard would eventually follow. Opting for quicker paced stories, and a more action based concept, Discovery is the template for modern Star Trek television properties. Though the show eschews the cerebral elements of the classic shows, there is still enough of the Trek universe to keep fans engaged.