It might have been years since Patrick Stewart has played Jean-Luc Picard for the Star Trek franchise, however, the Star Trek legend has just recently made a phenomenal return to form in Picard. The series has been nothing but a success for CBS All Access, winning the favour of critics who enjoy how the show provides fans with a slower, serialized story that tackles timely themes pushing the envelope of the franchise.
Speaking in an interview with PLAYBOY, Stewart not only talks about the success of Picard but the entire Star Trek franchise. While the original Star Trek series only lasted for three seasons, the franchise has given birth to quite a number of films, books, and TV series, including the successful Picard.
According to Stewart, the reason why the Star Trek franchise remains so strong and relevant is because of its social commentary. It offers fans a connection between the past and present.
"We live in a complicated world in which the need for care and concern for other members of society is much more potent than it ever was before," Stewart shared in his interview with the entertainment news outlet, "My wife and I went to Italy earlier this year: Florence, Bologna, and Ravenna. I'd never reflected much on these cities, so when I saw they were ancient towns — not just a church here, an old building there — and still vibrant parts of Italian society, I was astonished. The connection between past and present was so strong. Star Trek offers this too. And the connection to [co-star] Whoopi's [Goldberg] comment is that it will get better. Though right now it doesn't feel like that."
Of course, another element that help keeps the franchise relevant is its fictional technology, some of which have become utilized in the real world.
The Star Trek film franchise might have problems right now producing Star Trek 4, but all in all, Star Trek is still doing really well with shows like Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery.
Star Trek: Picard debuts new episodes on CBS All Access every Thursday.
Read: William Shatner has No Plans for a Star Trek Return
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