Star Trek: Picard marks the only time a series has been devoted to one particular character in Star Trek history, but the distinction couldn't have been reserved for a more beloved one. Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation reluctantly came out of retirement to save the galaxy, and in so doing gave fans a chance to see what twenty years had done to their intrepid leader.
Amidst tired plotlines involving Romulan subterfuge and Borg assimilation, there were moments around Picard's growth that provided genuine surprise, such as his metamorphosis from intensely private captain to avuncular mentor. Season 2 of the series promises even more startling changes to his character development, which has naturally got Star Trek fans theorizing at Warp 10.
MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE: HE WILL BE AN EMISSARY FOR SYNTHETIC LIFE FORMS
In the exciting finale for Season 1, Picard sent an urgent distress call on a subspace channel to the Federation declaring Coppelius to have diplomatic immunity and pose no further threat to those under its protection.
With that action, Picard all but declared himself an emissary for the synthetic life forms on the planet, who were placed under his protection. His own synthetic transformation would go on to make him well-suited to the position, which fans anticipate will be explored further in Season 2.
MAKES NO SENSE: PICARD WILL REJOIN STARFLEET
Some fans have been curious as to Picard's future with Starfleet, the exploration and pseudo-military arm of the Federation, considering he abandoned it when it failed to maintain the Romulan Rescue Armada.
It's been theorized Picard will now join Starfleet again, as he tentatively proposed in the beginning of Season 1, though this time reinstated to his full rank as Admiral. This seems incredibly unlikely now that the mission to find Soji doesn't dictate he return to Starfleet's jurisdiction.
MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE: PICARD WILL WORK WITH THE FENRIS RANGERS TO HELP THE EX-B'S
Seven of Nine, leader of the Fenris Rangers and momentary Borg Queen in Star Trek: Picard may find herself putting off patrolling what remains of the Neutral Zone in favor of helping Picard reintegrate the Ex-B's back into Federation society.
After the death of Hugh, Director of the Borg Reclamation Project, the Ex-B's will need guidance on how to behave in a society divorced from their Collective. Seven of Nine and Picard are perfect candidates to help them given their prior Borg assimilation.
MAKES NO SENSE: PICARD WILL MAKE A CAMEO IN DISCOVERY SEASON 3
As Star Trek: Discovery prepares to embark on its third season, there's been talk among fans that Picard might make a cameo appearance despite the fact that the setting it takes place in is hundreds of years in the future when the Federation is a shadow of its former influence.
The Star Trek franchise is no stranger to cross-overs, and characters from several different series frequently make appearances in each other's programs, but there isn't a way Picard could realistically appear hundreds of years in the future when his synthetic body specifically has a mortal human's life span.
MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE: PICARD WILL GET A SHIP NAMED AFTER HIM
In a theory that's been gathering more and more momentum since Season 1 wrapped, fans postulate that in typical Picard fashion the steadfast former Starfleet hero will sacrifice his life for the galaxy and/or his friends, resulting in his death and receiving as the ultimate homage a ship - possibly even the La Sirena - in his honor.
Obviously this won't happen until at least Season 3, as Patrick Stewart is contractually obligated to appear in three seasons, but it would make the perfect send-off for one of the franchise's most popular characters.
MAKES NO SENSE: PICARD WILL DISCOVER HE HAS A SON WITH BEVERLY
Fans have much maligned the fact that Picard never had a long term romantic relationship that led to any meaningful companionship. The closest he came to finding a partner was Dr. Beverly Crusher, but his commitment to duty prohibited him from acting on his impulses where she was concerned.
In future seasons of Star Trek: Picard, fans have wondered if she won't make an appearance along with the long lost lovechild of her former captain (some believe it will turn out to be Wesley Crusher). The chances of squeezing in this sort of radical subplot seem unlikely since Elnor was established as his stand-in son.
MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE: PICARD WAS LOST WITHOUT GUINAN
Picard was a guiding force for so many aboard the Enterprise, and though he enjoyed a great friendship with Will Riker, he was always his mentor. In the absence of a trusted confidante like Guinan, the best qualities of Picard's character atrophied while he became a recluse in his chateau.
Guinan was the only person who could hold him accountable for his actions if they deviated from his principles. The return of Whoopi Goldberg in the part for Season 2 will undoubtedly see Picard's character make a much needed course-correction.
MAKES NO SENSE: PICARD WILL ENCOUNTER Q
John de Lancie has long been a fan favorite for his portrayal of the omnipotent and omnipresent celestial trickster Q. The episodes involving Q terrorizing Picard aboard the Enterprise are considered highlights of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Picard encountering Q again in a subsequent season of Star Trek: Picard seems highly unlikely because Q is not only supposed to look immortal and de Lancie has aged, but more specifically the whimsicality he brought to TNG wouldn't fit with the current tonal shift of the series.
MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE: PICARD WILL HAVE TO REPAIR MORE OF HIS LOST FRIENDSHIPS
For much of Season 1 of Picard, the former Starfleet hero was depicted as a man who'd lost his integrity. He had let friendships fall by the wayside in favor of closing himself off from the universe after a betrayal from the Federation. He had to learn how to make amends with those he'd grievously disappointed.
His first step was to heal the emotional wounds he'd inflicted on one of his former officers, Raffi Muskier, and he continued to perform damage control with Elnor. In Season 2, no doubt he'll have to reach out to other friends from his past, as he did Deanna Troi and Will Riker, to make up for his alienating behavior.
MAKES NO SENSE: PICARD WILL HAVE TO RENDER AID DURING A PANDEMIC
Star Trek: Picard is a series known to address topical issues through its fictional narratives, will be one of many that are expected to feature a pandemic storyline.
Not only has Patrick Stewart gone on record to dismiss a pandemic plot from being featured in future episodes, but a better in-universe explanation for that theory being shot down is the fact that the bio-filters on transporters would remove perceived pathogens.