Alex Kurtzman Explains Why Star Trek Still Needs Jean-Luc Picard

There is little doubt that Jean-Luc Picard is one of the most memorable characters in the Star Trek Universe. But does the franchise really need to keep bringing back the character? Alex Kurtzman offered an awesome explanation of why Patrick Stewart needs to keep playing Picard.

Kurtzman recently spoke to Comicbook.com and he confirmed that there isn't quite anyone like Picard.

"First of all, there are not a lot of franchises that allow you to have your lead be a 92-year-old man," Kurtzman said. "It's a very unique and interesting challenge. 92 by Starfleet years. Star Trek has always been -- while being wildly entertaining -- a political statement. It mirrors the issues of the day. We are living in incredibly divided and divisive times and Picard always had this incredibly unique ability to be thoughtful and thorough in his assessments and judgments before acting in moments of incredible moral ambiguity and incredible pressure."

Kurtzman continued by stating that Stewart's character is someone everyone can look up to and can inspire people to do greater things.

"To me, and I think to all of those who love him as a captain, he not only represents the best in Starfleet, he represents the leaders that we need now in the world more than ever, leaders who are thoughtful and who give real weight to the choices they make and how those choices will impact generations now and generations in the future and he's the captain we need," he said.

That's probably the best way to describe Picard. Needless to say, we can't wait for Stewart's return as the beloved captain next week.

Stewart returns in Star Trek: Picard, which will premiere on CBS All Access on January 23.

Related: Star Trek: Alex Kurtzman Confirms Connection Between Picard and Discovery Season 3

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