Star Trek: Picard
January 10, 2020 11:10 AM - Subscribe
We’re just about two weeks out from Star Trek: Picard, which will release in ten episodes on a weekly basis on CBS All Access.
The show has, roughly, telegraphed its’ intent to provide a final arc for Jean-Luc, with Michael Chabon writing directly about working on the show in the context of both his lifelong Trek fandom and the loss of his father, and Patrick Stewart drawing comparisons between the show and his last performance as Professor X in Logan.
My assumption has been that roughly the same crew of posters who populate the DISCO threads will show up here. Has anyone made plans to lead posting on the shows? Most importantly: what shall the three letter code be? STP? PIC? Something else?
A point that has arisen in publicity for the series is that Picard is “haunted by the destruction of Romulus”.
OK, folks, tune up your dilithium crystals, fire up your double-talk generators, invert the field polarity, pour a glass of Saurian brandy or brew a cup of Earl Grey, hot, and let’s gather in the forward conference room to figure this out.
A point that has arisen in publicity for the series is that Picard is “haunted by the destruction of Romulus”.
OK, folks, tune up your dilithium crystals, fire up your double-talk generators, invert the field polarity, pour a glass of Saurian brandy or brew a cup of Earl Grey, hot, and let’s gather in the forward conference room to figure this out.
Considering that STP is previously known as a brand of motor oil and additives whose logo appeared on a high quantity of racecar fenders, plus the established abbreviation for a lesser-used psychedelic drug and the acronym for Stone Temple Pilots, I would lean hard away from that. Still the PIC association with picture formats is also problematic. Not to mention some of the other organizations using PIC as an acronym, and it's already being used as an abbreviation for the geometric Picard Group. So it's a relatively close call. But then, if you go by Jean-Luc Picard's initials, JLP, there is much less ambiguity, unless you're an upscale British consumer who shops at John Lewis & Partners.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:22 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:22 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
I not only intend to watch Picard, I intend to enjoy it intensely, and post about it here. I haven't been this excited for a new Star Trek since, hm, probably First Contact.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 1:34 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 1:34 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
M-A rules the ah, DIScourse, so PIC it shall be. CoB, I tentatively accept. I do have time for this for now. I haven’t previously led threads in here but I have my MeFi FF Trek thread service stripes, to be sure. Who goes first? I suppose, in my status as junior threadstarter, the decision is yours.
I’ll try to stick to the editorial voice collectively developed here with decent amounts of linking, privileging Memory Alpha on the day after and so forth. Can we update the thread starters yet? I suppose I could just look at that Missing Link post I just threw up.
(PS, I was thinking a little bit about how FF and other media-discussion sites are similar to and different from entertainment-news sites like SyFy today, and sort of maundered my way to the conclusion that MetaFilter might benefit from some editorial systemization around certain events, in this case awards season. A round-up of posts concerning nominated properties, and the erection of stubs for vehicles that did not get posted prior to consideration, might be a valuable engagement technique. Just mumbling to myself, of course.)
posted by mwhybark at 2:55 PM on January 10, 2020
I’ll try to stick to the editorial voice collectively developed here with decent amounts of linking, privileging Memory Alpha on the day after and so forth. Can we update the thread starters yet? I suppose I could just look at that Missing Link post I just threw up.
(PS, I was thinking a little bit about how FF and other media-discussion sites are similar to and different from entertainment-news sites like SyFy today, and sort of maundered my way to the conclusion that MetaFilter might benefit from some editorial systemization around certain events, in this case awards season. A round-up of posts concerning nominated properties, and the erection of stubs for vehicles that did not get posted prior to consideration, might be a valuable engagement technique. Just mumbling to myself, of course.)
posted by mwhybark at 2:55 PM on January 10, 2020
I'm told also that the new Short Trek, "Children of Men," is something of a prequel to PIC.
Is Clive Owen in it? Catching up on Short Treks today. BTW, another show without posts here innit?
Gosh, maybe this will goose me to getting around to posting the Fan Trek stuff that I so dearly love.
posted by mwhybark at 2:59 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
Is Clive Owen in it? Catching up on Short Treks today. BTW, another show without posts here innit?
Gosh, maybe this will goose me to getting around to posting the Fan Trek stuff that I so dearly love.
posted by mwhybark at 2:59 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
Expect me posting about PIC just about one month before the finale airs, as I can't justify paying for 3 months of CBSAA for one show. It's gonna suck to miss out on the discussion of the first 6 episodes, but dem's the breaks.
posted by Gaz Errant at 5:19 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Gaz Errant at 5:19 PM on January 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
I done posted the post for "Children of Mars" (note the correct title).
And I am super-fine with someone else doing the posts for STP/PIC/JLP/whatever. I plan on seeing ENT through, unless someone else steps up (which wouldn't surprise me, as we're just starting S4, when the show really pops into gear, hint hint). My only concern is that the poster(s) not do a half-assed or cursory job of it. (Which is not at all the same as saying that you have to like the show; as some of you know, I can be very critical of individual episodes, especially with ENT. But if you decide that you don't want to really bother, you can pass it on to someone else. Otherwise, I may take umbrage.)
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:36 PM on January 10, 2020
And I am super-fine with someone else doing the posts for STP/PIC/JLP/whatever. I plan on seeing ENT through, unless someone else steps up (which wouldn't surprise me, as we're just starting S4, when the show really pops into gear, hint hint). My only concern is that the poster(s) not do a half-assed or cursory job of it. (Which is not at all the same as saying that you have to like the show; as some of you know, I can be very critical of individual episodes, especially with ENT. But if you decide that you don't want to really bother, you can pass it on to someone else. Otherwise, I may take umbrage.)
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:36 PM on January 10, 2020
FWIW I do also plan to continue alternating ENT posts.
"Children of Mars" (note the correct title)
That's what I get for posting in haste just before rushing out the door!
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 10:40 AM on January 11, 2020
"Children of Mars" (note the correct title)
That's what I get for posting in haste just before rushing out the door!
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 10:40 AM on January 11, 2020
CoB messaged me requesting clarification of my gnomic query above.
Can we update the thread starters yet?
I was wondering if the original poster in a FF thread can easily edit and update the initial post yet. If FF works more like the Blue than like, oh, FB, the answer is the post is unlikely to be editable.
It would be convenient in FF because it would allow posters to create a episode’s post prior to release and update with other resources and links after release. It would also contribute to and possibly encourage live-blogging, which can be problematic from the perspective of future readers. So on balance, I do not think it’s likely that the OP in FF can easily edit and update the initial post on a FF thread.
As noted above, I could just go check the post I recently created for Missing Link.
BRB.
posted by mwhybark at 11:30 AM on January 11, 2020
Can we update the thread starters yet?
I was wondering if the original poster in a FF thread can easily edit and update the initial post yet. If FF works more like the Blue than like, oh, FB, the answer is the post is unlikely to be editable.
It would be convenient in FF because it would allow posters to create a episode’s post prior to release and update with other resources and links after release. It would also contribute to and possibly encourage live-blogging, which can be problematic from the perspective of future readers. So on balance, I do not think it’s likely that the OP in FF can easily edit and update the initial post on a FF thread.
As noted above, I could just go check the post I recently created for Missing Link.
BRB.
posted by mwhybark at 11:30 AM on January 11, 2020
Update: as predicted, FF threadstarters are non-editable.
posted by mwhybark at 1:54 PM on January 11, 2020
posted by mwhybark at 1:54 PM on January 11, 2020
It would be convenient in FF because it would allow posters to create a episode’s post prior to release and update with other resources and links after release. It would also contribute to and possibly encourage live-blogging, which can be problematic from the perspective of future readers. [...] FF threadstarters are non-editable.
Ah, I get you now. Yes, with new Trek episodes, it's been strange (yet understandable) how some of the initial posts are short on details. IIRC, in the DISCO threads, lots of those types of resources got built in later in comment form, which makes the overall discussion occasionally more chaotic than is customary in legacy-Trek threads, but then, they were probably always going to be that way—and really, should be, if it means lots of participation from non-Trek-FF-regulars.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:45 AM on January 12, 2020
Ah, I get you now. Yes, with new Trek episodes, it's been strange (yet understandable) how some of the initial posts are short on details. IIRC, in the DISCO threads, lots of those types of resources got built in later in comment form, which makes the overall discussion occasionally more chaotic than is customary in legacy-Trek threads, but then, they were probably always going to be that way—and really, should be, if it means lots of participation from non-Trek-FF-regulars.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:45 AM on January 12, 2020
PleaseDon'tBeCrap.PleaseDon'tBeCrap.PleaseDon'tBeCrap.PleaseDon'tBeCrap.PleaseDon'tBeCrap.
posted by lalochezia at 9:14 AM on January 12, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by lalochezia at 9:14 AM on January 12, 2020 [7 favorites]
So this isn't going to be Jean-Luc hanging around on a vinyard making wine, having dinner parties, watching the sun set from a veranda, occasionally dealing with a minor pest problem or an overzealous local politician?
posted by ODiV at 12:22 PM on January 16, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by ODiV at 12:22 PM on January 16, 2020 [4 favorites]
So this isn't going to be Jean-Luc hanging around on a vinyard making wine, having dinner parties, watching the sun set from a veranda, occasionally dealing with a minor pest problem or an overzealous local politician?
Alas, that's where my enthusiasm takes a major hit.
posted by sonascope at 7:04 AM on January 17, 2020
Alas, that's where my enthusiasm takes a major hit.
posted by sonascope at 7:04 AM on January 17, 2020
Came for the Stone Temple Pilots, received "PIC or it didn't happen". Left more than satisfied!
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 7:53 PM on January 17, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 7:53 PM on January 17, 2020 [1 favorite]
Around 1:20 in the linked video, Picard orders "Tea, Earl Grey, Decaf." OMG
In this clip, Picard speaks French to Number One (the dog) and I CANNOT EVEN
It needs to be Thursday, like, now.
posted by dhens at 5:16 PM on January 20, 2020
In this clip, Picard speaks French to Number One (the dog) and I CANNOT EVEN
It needs to be Thursday, like, now.
posted by dhens at 5:16 PM on January 20, 2020
I was somewhat taken aback by how much a native French Picardy accent has drifted to sound like that of a Twenty-first Century native Anglophone speaking French by the Twenty-Fourth Century, franchement.
posted by mwhybark at 11:50 AM on January 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by mwhybark at 11:50 AM on January 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
I don't see why that would be so surprising, do you think 21st century French sounds like 18th century French? I rather suspect it does not.
Also, Picard has always been speaking French, except perhaps when he's directly quoting Shakespeare.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 3:56 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also, Picard has always been speaking French, except perhaps when he's directly quoting Shakespeare.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 3:56 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
10:06 West Coast time! CoB, let the franglophone dogs slip at will, sir.
We're somewhat uncertain when the episode drops. I have celebrated with Viv via a dinner-hour rescreening of Galaxy Quest, as advertised, even better after mellow aging en caveau.
posted by mwhybark at 10:09 PM on January 22, 2020
We're somewhat uncertain when the episode drops. I have celebrated with Viv via a dinner-hour rescreening of Galaxy Quest, as advertised, even better after mellow aging en caveau.
posted by mwhybark at 10:09 PM on January 22, 2020
Franklin Dixon, un locuteur directe. Je vois bien, bien observé.
posted by mwhybark at 10:11 PM on January 22, 2020
posted by mwhybark at 10:11 PM on January 22, 2020
It's up!
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 5:33 AM on January 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 5:33 AM on January 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
Too late to suggest ST:JeLuPi?
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 8:40 PM on January 24, 2020
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 8:40 PM on January 24, 2020
So this isn't going to be Jean-Luc hanging around on a vinyard making wine, having dinner parties, watching the sun set from a veranda, occasionally dealing with a minor pest problem or an overzealous local politician?
If we go by Dr. Sarah Taber, perhaps that's for the best. It's always interesting to see professionals look at how a SF show approaches their profession.
But it is sad we don't have a quiet BBC style drama facing slice-of-life drama in the future. I mean how does this socialist future work? Especially in regards to something as regressive politically and economically as agriculture? For a start, why does Picard own this land?
posted by happyroach at 3:03 AM on January 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
If we go by Dr. Sarah Taber, perhaps that's for the best. It's always interesting to see professionals look at how a SF show approaches their profession.
But it is sad we don't have a quiet BBC style drama facing slice-of-life drama in the future. I mean how does this socialist future work? Especially in regards to something as regressive politically and economically as agriculture? For a start, why does Picard own this land?
posted by happyroach at 3:03 AM on January 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
For a start, why does Picard own this land?
It's a family plot, and in Europe; stands to reason that such legal traditions may have been preserved in the Federation charter. IIRC it's never been said that people can't own things in the UFP.
The bigger question is, why are his vines tended by hobbit slaves!
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:05 AM on January 26, 2020
It's a family plot, and in Europe; stands to reason that such legal traditions may have been preserved in the Federation charter. IIRC it's never been said that people can't own things in the UFP.
The bigger question is, why are his vines tended by hobbit slaves!
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:05 AM on January 26, 2020
In this clip, Picard speaks French to Number One (the dog) and I CANNOT EVEN
For whatever reason, the version of the full show I saw didn't subtitle this. The link has subtitles fortunately.
Speaking of the dog - Patrick Stewart made a point of insisting that Number One be a pit bull, since he's become something of a pit bull advocate after fostering one. Wil Wheaton has a post-show discussion series for the show, and they discussed the pit bull further - the dog "Playing" Number One is a rescue, named "DeNiro".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:59 AM on January 26, 2020
For whatever reason, the version of the full show I saw didn't subtitle this. The link has subtitles fortunately.
Speaking of the dog - Patrick Stewart made a point of insisting that Number One be a pit bull, since he's become something of a pit bull advocate after fostering one. Wil Wheaton has a post-show discussion series for the show, and they discussed the pit bull further - the dog "Playing" Number One is a rescue, named "DeNiro".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:59 AM on January 26, 2020
Someone mentioned in the Ep. 1 post that we've never done a watch of TNG on fanfare. That surprised me!
Anways, PIC has inspired me to start a re-watch of TNG for the first time in decades, so I would be completely up for that.
posted by fimbulvetr at 11:40 AM on January 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
Anways, PIC has inspired me to start a re-watch of TNG for the first time in decades, so I would be completely up for that.
posted by fimbulvetr at 11:40 AM on January 29, 2020 [1 favorite]
I was taken aback by it too! Let's do a separate talk thread; I'm thinking the right timing for it will be after the current Enterprise thread concludes, and presumably after PIC s01 completes. I'll start an FF talk thread like... mmm, Friday? Unless there's one already up.
I could totally see doing a Duffer's Guide for TNG.
I suppose in the spirit of proper nerdery I should do one for ENT too, even though the shorter run of that show makes it easier to hack through everything.
posted by mwhybark at 1:20 PM on January 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
I could totally see doing a Duffer's Guide for TNG.
I suppose in the spirit of proper nerdery I should do one for ENT too, even though the shorter run of that show makes it easier to hack through everything.
posted by mwhybark at 1:20 PM on January 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
Oh, and speaking of Enterprise, Ethan Philips is on Avenue 5 as a ponytailed ex-astronaut!
posted by mwhybark at 1:22 PM on January 29, 2020
posted by mwhybark at 1:22 PM on January 29, 2020
I've listened to all of The Greatest Generation and I am already ready to visit TNG yet again.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 2:05 PM on January 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 2:05 PM on January 29, 2020 [2 favorites]
oh for spocksake. I of course was thinking of his role in Voyager. Sorry, Neelix!
posted by mwhybark at 4:07 PM on January 29, 2020
posted by mwhybark at 4:07 PM on January 29, 2020
Oh my God, either this person is trolling Twitter (I haven't looked for a source) or the showrunner basically wanted the same thing I did. And probably a lot of other people.
https://twitter.com/topherflorence/status/1242907914676908032
I won't transcribe it, but it's a screenshot of someone basically describing a quiet retired life.
posted by ODiV at 7:51 PM on March 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/topherflorence/status/1242907914676908032
I won't transcribe it, but it's a screenshot of someone basically describing a quiet retired life.
posted by ODiV at 7:51 PM on March 25, 2020
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I'm told also that the new Short Trek, "Children of Men," is something of a prequel to PIC.
As a loyal TNGer from its original airing—and consequently an almost-too-into-it Trekkie today—I will watch PIC not just dutifully but eagerly, critically, and clinically.
My work schedule is lightening up for the next several months, so I am happy to contribute to posting duties somehow. For example, you and I could alternate, mwhybark.
In summary, PIC or it didn't happen. I just wanted to be the first to make that joke
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 11:55 AM on January 10, 2020 [4 favorites]