DVD Corner's blog

Star Trek: Picard Season 2 DVD Review

Sophomore slump.

In the 10 episode second season of ‘Star Trek: Picard,’ Picard and company investigate an anomaly which somehow involves the Borg. After the situation goes south, Picard, Raffi, Ricos, Elnor, 7 of 9, and Agnes find themselves in a dark alternate timeline where an organization called Confederation of Earth exists. It seems Q has put them there and Picard and co. need to find a way out. They discover they might be able to fix the timeline by traveling to Los Angeles in the year 2024 (with the help of a Borg Queen). While there, they face numerous issues including immigration, the Borg, a geneticist named Dr. Adam Soong (who is being used as a pawn in Q’s game), the FBI, attempting to find The Watcher (who may hold the key to fixing the timeline), and keeping Renee Picard safe (who is an important figure in history). As Q’s game lingers on, Picard discovers that it may be a test for him to face his past (which has haunted him). 

The first season of ‘Star Trek: Picard’ was uneven but there was a lot to celebrate including closure with Data, an update on Picard’s character since ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’ (and the return of Patrick Stewart in the role), the appearances of Riker and Troi, the surprise return of 7 of 9 and Hugh along with some new characters (including the scene-stealing Santiago Cabrera as Rios and the holograms). While season 2 does include the anticipated return of Q, Guinan and a certain cameo by a long absent ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ character (which was the highlight of the entire season for this reviewer), the season never lives up to its potential.

After a promising opening episode, ‘Star Trek: Picard’ quickly goes off the rails with rehashed time travel plots, poor pacing (to put it kindly), a long and drawn out exploration of Picard’s issues, childhood and parents which was underwhelming to say the least, a lack of Q, another Soong being shoehorned into the series, and Elnor essentially being sidelined for much of the season. The only characters who benefited in season 2 were Agnes (as her alignment with the Borg Queen gave actress Alison Pill something to work with) and Orla Brady (in dual roles as Laris and someone else). It’s a shame because there is so much that could have been done with the dynamic between Q and Picard. The possibilities are endless, but the results from showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Terry Matalas couldn’t have been more slapped together.

Even though season 2 missed the mark, the good news is the third and final season looks to be one big TNG reunion. The trailer for season 3 alone is better than the entirety of season 2.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: Widescreen. Grade: A- Note: this title is also available on Blu-ray.

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. Grade: A-

Extras:
* Featurettes on the production design titled ‘The USS Stargazer’ and ‘The Chateau,’ the aptly named ‘Picard Props,’ Picard’s history in ‘Picard Passages,’ Q’s character arc in ‘The Trial Is Over’ and ‘Rebuilding The Borg Queen’ character design.
* Deleted and extended scenes
* Gag reel

October 1, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Borg, Guinan, Q, Star Trek, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Picard Season 2 DVD Review, Star Trek: Picard Season 3