The new Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer finally reveals the plot - and here are all the main reveals, story details, and Easter eggs. Patrick Stewart played Captain Jean-Luc Picard for 15 years, and so when he met with CBS execs he intended only to pay them the courtesy of giving them a polite rejection face-to-face. Stewart changed his mind when he heard their plans, and signed up for what was at first called only a limited series. It soon became clear it would be far more, though, with CBS persuading Stewart to stick around for a second season. Viewers sensed they were in for something just as special as the first season.
Picard season 2 features the return of John de Lancie as the quasi-omnipotent Q, an extradimensional being who plagued Picard's life in Star Trek: The Next Generation, while it's recently been confirmed Annie Wersching will play the Borg Queen. The first two trailers have concealed as much as they have revealed, promising some sort of time travel adventure that seems to even bring Picard and his crew to the present day in a story that feels like a homage to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, but the precise plot has been a mystery - until the new Star Trek: Picard trailer released on Star Trek Day 2021.
Related: Picard Season 2 Trailer 2 Breakdown: 14 Secrets & Story Reveals
This new Star Trek: Picard trailer finally blows the plot wide open, promising a story that will test Jean-Luc Picard like never before - and has the potential to transform the entire timeline. Here's our full trailer breakdown.
29. Picard At The Vineyard
The Star Trek: Picard trailer begins with Jean-Luc Picard returning to his vineyard. As seen in season 1, Picard had quit Starfleet after the Romulan refugee crisis, dejected and discouraged. He had lived at the family vineyard for years, until he was finally persuaded to come out of retirement when a girl arrived seeking his help. But the trailer makes it clear the vineyard has changed somehow, in a manner that shakes Picard to the core. Something is terribly wrong.
28. Has Picard Been Seeking - Or Running?
Star Trek is more than just an action franchise; it has always been willing to ask deep philosophical questions, and those are the ones that seem to have attracted Patrick Stewart back to the iconic role of Jean-Luc Picard. In this case, the Star Trek: Picard trailer opens with a tantalizing question; has Picard been traveling to the stars because he is seeking - or because he is running away from something? No doubt Star Trek: Picard season 2 is envisioned as the answer to this question, another character study in Picard that puts his true motive under the microscope. It's unclear how the time travel adventure will confront that question, but there are some important clues nonetheless.
27. Picard's Childhood Remembered
In keeping with the central question, Picard finds himself remembering flashes of his childhood at the vineyard. Picard's childhood was tense and uncomfortable, because he simply didn't fit in with his family; his father wanted him to settle down and maintain the vineyard, whereas Jean-Luc's adventuresome spirit meant he longed to join Starfleet. It's possible Jean-Luc's childhood was even more difficult than has previously been revealed, though, and that some hidden trauma - something he has been running away from - will be revealed.
26. Q Returns In Picard Season 2
John de Lancie is back as Q, although interestingly the character hasn't been de-aged using CGI technology - as an immortal being, he really shouldn't have aged since he was last seen on TV. Still, Q is essentially a being who "fakes" corporeality by creating an appearance he finds pleasing, so it's possible he has aged himself as a way of mocking Jean-Luc Picard's own ageing. Earlier trailers have certainly suggested the dynamic will include his poking fun at Picard's age.
25. "The Trial Never Ends"
Q has always been interested in putting humanity to the test, and he considers Picard the best of humans - meaning he's been particularly interested in putting Jean-Luc through any number of trials. The all-but-omnipotent alien has been behind so many of Jean-Luc's most difficult tragedies, and the latent homoeroticism of the relationship between Q and Picard has always felt deliciously scandalous in the Star Trek universe. It seems Q left Picard alone during his years of loneliness and isolation at the vineyard - but now Jean-Luc is back in command of a starship, Q wants to resume their games. For his part, Picard is far from enthusiastic.
24. Q's Finger Snap
Q cuts Picard's objections off with a finger-snap. While this is typical for Q, such a snap has changed in popular culture as a result of the MCU, where such snaps were demonstrations of power by the bearers of the Infinity Gauntlet. This is a neat way of symbolizing both Q's power, and the idea all reality has been changed in accordance with Q's will. The trial has begun, and Picard and his crew have been thrust into a world that is both familiar - and so very strange.
23. A Mysterious Terrorist Attack
This is followed by a mysterious glimpse of an advanced city, presumably on Earth, and some sort of terrorist attack. This is one of the oddest shots in the Star Trek: Picard trailer, bereft of any context; it's not even clear whether it is in the main timeline or the one that has just been created by Q. Presumably this is significant in some way, and the context will become clear when Star Trek: Picard finally airs.
22. Rios & His Crew Have Been "Moved"
The Star Trek: Picard trailer focuses in on Cristóbal Rios, Picard's navigator and pilot, on the bridge of his ship La Sirena. He's wearing a Starfleet uniform with a slightly different comm badge, and he's visibly shaken to be back on the bridge. "Something moved us," he tells the crew over the comm, a line of dialogue that suggests whatever Q has done to Jean-Luc Picard has affected all the rest of the crew as well. This is followed by a shot of the crew members being jolted by something, which may be connected to Q's actions - or may be a misdirect due to the way the trailer has been put together.
21. A Dystopian Timeline In Picard Season 2
At last, the core concept of Star Trek: Picard season 2 is revealed. Q has changed history around the crew of the La Sirena, essentially transporting them into a timeline where the Federation was never founded - but instead became a totalitarian regime that swept out across the stars. The concept is similar to that of the Mirror Universe, but this feels different, as though the prime timeline itself has been completely rewritten.
20. Picard Is The Ruler Of Season 2's Dystopian Regime
In its most shocking twist, the Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer reveals Jean-Luc Picard is the central figure in this totalitarian regime. Picard's mind appears to have been transported into the body of his doppelganger from this timeline, meaning he is living the life of a despot, and must no doubt be on his guard lest he betray himself to those who would usurp his throne and kill him. Conceptually this is similar to the Guardian of Forever plot in Star Trek: Discovery season 3, where Empress Georgiou was transported into the mind of a doppelganger in a version of her universe.
19. A Possible Resistance Movement
There are hints all is not well in Picard's dystopian regime, though, with heavily-armed guards opening fire on mysterious characters who are on the run. These are presumably members of a resistance movement, and it would be interesting if the crew of the La Sirena had been scattered between two warring factions; Picard's dominant one, and a desperate resistance. That would make it particularly challenging bringing them back together.
18. Seven-Of-Nine's Role In Picard's Dystopian Timeline
No member of Picard's crew has it harder than Seven-of-Nine. Clearly in this new timeline, Seven-of-Nine was never kidnapped by the Borg and instead grew up among the human race. What's more, she is married, as seen by the ring on her finger. Seven will find it especially difficult to fit in, because she has never cultivated the kind of social skills necessary to fit in with this civilization, and her entire character will be changed because of her adjusted history. But who is Seven married to? Star Trek: Picard season 2 will continue Seven and Raffi's love story, so it's possible they're married in this timeline.
17. "Time Has Been Broken"
Trust Seven-of-Nine to be the one who figures out what has happened. "Time has been broken," she tells her friends, setting them on a course to repair the damage. Seven's word-choice is most curious here, because she would choose her words with care; she describes time as "broken," not just "changed." It's possible whatever Q did in the past has disrupted the entire spacetime continuum, and there are more exotic effects emerging in this dystopian regime as well.
16. Picard's Promise - To Get Them Home
Ever the captain, Picard promises to get his people home - all of them. There's a certain casual arrogance in his statement, given he honestly believes this is a promise he can make, but it's a characteristic one; Jean-Luc has always considered himself master of his own fate, even in the face of Q. What's more, he's absolutely right to believe this whole insane scenario is centered upon him, because he is the one Q wants to test, and he is the one who has also been placed in charge of all the resources of a totalitarian regime. It will be interesting to see whether the mission breaks down some of this arrogant presumption, though.
15. Picard's Plan - To Rewrite History
But how will Picard make good on his promise? The solution is simple in concept, but difficult in execution; discover what exactly Q changed in the past, and correct it. Q will most likely have left a breadcrumb trail through history for Picard to follow, eager to see whether "Mon Capitan" can pass the test. But the challenge will be for Picard to uncover these clues without betraying his change of character to his subjects.
14. Why The Borg Queen Is Needed
Most viewers had assumed Annie Wersching's Borg Queen would be a major villain, but the Star Trek: Picard trailer suggests her role will be very different. Once Picard and his crew have figured out the change Q made to the timeline, they need to find a way to travel back - and Jean-Luc knows the Borg possess time travel technology from Star Trek: First Contact. It seems that, in this timeline, humanity managed to defeat the Borg and capture the Borg Queen, so Picard takes his team to meet her. Agnes will be fascinated to encounter the Borg Queen, having studied such cybernetics all her life. There's a certain degree of dramatic irony in seeing the Borg Queen in a story featuring Q, given the powerful alien was responsible for introducing Picard to the Borg in the first place.
13. Picard Uploads His Memories Into The Borg Queen
The Borg Queen will naturally need to be persuaded to help, and the Star Trek: Picard trailer suggests Jean-Luc believers there is only one way to win her round; show her the timeline as it was meant to be. He does this by plugging his own mind into the Borg Queen's so she can access his memories. This will be a traumatic experience for Picard, reminding him of his own assimilation all those years ago.
12. Welcome To The 21st Century
It seems Q's changes were made in the 21st century, in something similar to our own world. Star Trek has frequently explored the possibility of time travel stories, with the crews of the Enterprise and Voyager both arriving on Earth in the present day; the most famous of these stories is Star Trek VI: The Voyage Home, in which Captain Kirk traveled back in time to pick up a whale. Now it seems it is Picard's turn.
11. Echoes Of A Voyage Home
The Star Trek: Picard trailer echoes Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, with Picard and the crew of La Sirena struggling to fit in with the present-day world. There's a particularly exciting car-chase, with Seven-of-Nine proving not to be the best driver. It's worth noting this part of the plot probably explains why Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan will be returning in season 2, with the actress won over by Stewart himself; Guinan is an immortal being in her own right, so she'll be present in the twenty-first century.
10. Picard In A Suit
One of the most delightful shots in the Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer shows Jean-Luc Picard wearing a suit. There's no context for this, although it will be revisited later in the trailer, but this specific shot stands out because of the sense of joy and exuberance Picard is displaying. It's not just that something has gone right, but that Picard has somehow found himself again as a result of the time travel adventure, letting go of the maudlin sorrow that had stalked him since the Romulan tragedy. Though Picard would be loathe to admit it, Q's test has done him good.
9. Picard Has Three Days To Save History
According to dialogue, Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of La Sirena have only three days to save history. Whatever time travel technique they used to go back in time, it has landed them just days before the event that rewrote history, and they need to put it right. But the change was done by Q, a being who is far too powerful to be defeated by any conventional means, and so Picard and his friends must figure out what the trickster wants them to do. Time is dangerously short.
8. A Shot Of Soji
The android Soji finally appears in the trailer. She was central to Star Trek: Picard season 1, but hasn't been featured much in trailers for season 2 - and indeed has mainly appeared in scenes that seem to be set in the 21st century. It's possible she has somehow been manipulated into serving Q's purpose, unwittingly helping to change the timeline. That would add a nicely personal touch to Picard's quest, because it would mean one of his own crew was an opponent rather than an ally.
7. La Sirena Over Earth
One brief shot in the Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer shows a spaceship hovering over Earth. The distinctive red and white markings confirm this to be the ship Picard and his crew used in season 1 - La Sirena - suggesting it is this ship they also use to travel back in time.
6. Q in Europa Garb
Supporting that theory, the Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer shows Q has inserted himself into Europa - just as he inserted himself into the Federation in Picard's day. It's possible the change in the timeline is because Q engineered a first contact between humanity and some dangerous alien race, a first contact that wasn't supposed to happen for a long time to come. Q may be trying to fit in, but he still can't resist exercising his powers, and he's shown performing another finger-snap.
5. An Alien Encounter On Earth?
A couple of shots in the Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer do indeed suggest there will be a first contact, with mysterious lights shining in a wood. This scene seems to be a riff on classic TV shows such as The X-Files, where alien lights were seen on the horizon but the creatures themselves were never revealed. If there are aliens in the woods, the trailer is careful to avoid showing who they are, keeping that a secret; if Q wants this whole thing to be personal to Picard, though, they could well be Romulans.
4. The Borg Queen & Agnes
Agnes has spent so much of her life studying the Borg, and the Star Trek: Picard season 2 trailer shows her spending some quality time with the Borg Queen. She would be wise to be wary of any show of affection on the Borg Queen's part, though, because the Queen could be taking the opportunity of physical intimacy to introduce nanoprobes into Agnes' body and begin to assimilate her. There's no context for this shot, so it may well happen in the alternate future timeline before the time travel adventure; alternatively, the crew of La Sirena could have brought the Borg Queen back with them, perhaps needing her to interact with the technology they used to go back in time in the first place. It would be ironic if Picard's attempt to save history unwittingly unleashed the Borg upon it.
3. Picard & His Crew At An Unknown Event
Picard and his crew clearly find the time to have a little fun while in the 21st century, dressing up glamorously for an unknown event - something that, in an amusingly meta touch, feels a little like a Hollywood ceremony. Jean-Luc is wearing the same suit from earlier in the trailer, suggesting his moment of joy is from around this point in the series. Presumably that means this part of the mission goes well.
2. Action In The Past (And The Present)
This is followed by a number of action shots, both in the past and the alternate timeline created by Q. None of these have any context, so it's impossible to say how important any of the individual scenes are; they include more clashes with local law enforcement in the twenty-first century, as well as hints of spaceships being damaged by conflict. There aren't any space battles, but it's safe to assume those will happen as well; Star Trek: Picard isn't due out until February, so they may not have been created yet.
1. The Promise Of A Voyage Home
Star Trek: Picard season 2's trailer ends with the familiar promise, as Jean-Luc Picard himself takes the controls of a starship and tells his crew he is taking them home. Again, it's impossible not to see echoes of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in this shot, which caps the trailer off on a triumphant note and seems to promise Jean-Luc Picard will pass Q's test and rediscover his inner joy. The plot may seem fairly predictable, but the trailer invites viewers to revel in the journey, to rediscover Captain Picard as he does himself. Hopefully this promise is one Star Trek: Picard will deliver on.