star trek new series seven

‘Star Trek: Picard’ Showrunner on Possible Spinoff, How [SPOILER] Returned for the Finale and Getting That Final Shot

By Adam B. Vary

Adam B. Vary

Senior Entertainment Writer

• Why ‘3 Body Problem’ John Bradley Could Literally See Himself in His Character 1 day ago
• ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Season 9 Queens Revealed, Will Compete for Charity for the First Time 4 days ago
• ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Cast Asks Lionsgate for Retroactive Residuals and ‘Meaningful Consultation’ on Future Projects 6 days ago

SPOILER ALERT: This story discusses major plot developments in “The Last Generation,” the series finale of “ Star Trek: Picard ,” currently streaming on Paramount+.

The last time the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” cast performed together on screen — in 2002’s “Star Trek: Nemesis” — it ended with a sour one-two punch: the sudden death of Data (Brent Spiner) and the financial failure of the film, which caused Paramount to stop making movies with the cast. Effectively, after a brilliantly successful seven-season run on TV, “The Next Generation” had been canceled from movie theaters.

Popular on Variety

In doing so, Matalas sought to rectify some of the perceived sins of the “TNG” movies: He resurrected Data and endowed him with a consciousness that allowed the android to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming fully human. And he brought back the Enterprise-D, the starship that had been destroyed in the climax of the first “TNG” film, 1994’s “Star Trek: Generations.” 

“In the most fanboy sense, I wanted to place the action figure set neatly and safely back on the shelf,” Matalas says. “If it’s the last we see of them, we see them in a wonderful grand moment together around the poker table. Not mourning the loss of Data. The Enterprise-D not crashed, but in a museum. Knowing that there is a bright future for ‘Star Trek’ and for their families. For me, that felt important as a fan, to feel like that’s where we left ‘The Next Generation.’”

If that wasn’t enough, in the aftermath of the battle with the Borg, the U.S.S. Titan is rechristened the U.S.S. Enterprise-G, and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) — the “Star Trek: Voyager” character who has been on “Picard” from Season 1 — is promoted to be its captain. Jack, a new member of Starfleet, is stationed on the ship, along with Geordi’s daughter Sidney (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut). Even Q (John de Lancie) — the omnipotent being who has been a “Trek” mainstay since the “Next Generation” series premiere “Encounter at Farpoint” — shows up in a post-credits sequence in which he tells Jack that his trials “have just begun.”

That certainly seems like the set up for a “Picard” spinoff series, but in his interview with Variety , Matalas says that wasn’t quite his intention. He also shares the scenes he wanted to shoot for the finale but couldn’t, and his unconventional approach to filming that poker scene.

How much of the finale did you have in your head when you were building out the season?

A very surprising amount, actually. I knew that the initial pitch to Patrick, that he would have to assimilate himself again, to face the big trauma of his life, to save his son. I knew that they would be in the Enterprise-D for the last two hours, reunited. I knew Seven of Nine would become captain of the Enterprise. That was a delightful thing to say to Jeri, who was my old friend from way back. I was like, “By the end the season, you’ll be captain of the Enterprise.” She was like, “Excuse me, what?! ” So there was quite a bit. Some of the how and why was why you need the brilliance of a talented writing room team to help you get there and figure that all out.

There was a moment in the finale where it seemed like Riker and Worf and Picard or some combination might actually die. Was that really on the table?

No, but I really wanted you to think that it might be for the drama. I don’t have it in me to kill my childhood heroes like that. I think some creators probably would. It felt like those characters would certainly feel like this is probably our last run. So I really wanted the surprise ending to be a happy ending.

Were there any other alternative endings that you considered?

There were things that we just simply didn’t have the time and money to shoot. In the very first iterations of script, we had discovered that Ro Laren had in fact survived, and had been beamed off of her shuttle and was still being used by the Changelings for information. It was already too ambitious of a schedule, so we weren’t able to be able to pull that off. We had a scene with [the Data-based android from Season 1] Soji and Data that we were also not able to shoot. We have wanted some more “Voyager” folks to come be part of Seven of Nine’s promotion to captain. It comes down to how many pennies you have left in the piggy bank after building a Borg cube and an Enterprise.

We had discussed it. We did toy with a different name, that it might be the Picard. But ultimately, it didn’t feel as genuine and as right for the legacy of “Star Trek” and Seven of Nine as the Enterprise. And certainly when you see the Titan with that name on its hull, you’re just like, yeah, it deserves that name. It just looks so right.

Did you always know you were bringing back Q after he supposedly died in Season 2 of “Picard”?

Yes. All the way from Season 2. John’s a dear friend of mine. On his last day [on Season 2], I said, “Look, I want to bring you back literally in the post-credit sequence for this final season. I will have no time and I will have no money, but I guarantee it will be one of the coolest Q scenes and it will be touching back to ‘Encounter at Farpoint.’” And he was like, “I’m in.” 

We only had 20 minutes to shoot that scene. Right after we shot the scene in which Picard tells Jack that he’s Borg, we ushered John in in that awesome new costume and we just banged out real quick.

You’ve mentioned on social media that you’d like to continue this story with a “Star Trek: Legacy” spinoff. Have you heard from Paramount or Alex Kurtzman about the possibility of doing that?

Alex and I talk all the time. If it’s something that’s going to be done, we want to make sure we don’t rush into it. We want to make sure we do it right. That’s where we’re at with it, I say coyly. At the moment, there’s nothing developed on it. But we talk all the time.

Part of why I’m asking is that I’ve rarely seen a finale set up a spinoff series more completely than you do with this one, with the scenes on the Enterprise-G. Am I right in thinking you wanted that to seed a future show?

Well, not specifically seeding for a spinoff, as lovely as that is to think about. I definitely wanted the feeling that it could go on, that it was a passing of the torch of the last generation to the next. That I really wanted. I think that’s the spirit of “Star Trek,” that they’re going to continue exploring strange new worlds. That’s a feeling of hope. So you want to get just a little taste of what that might be — for it to be a satisfying ending, it needed to be a satisfying beginning. Having said that, of course, I want to see Jack and Seven and Sidney and Raffi and everybody go on forever. But yeah, that was the creative impulse behind it.

Do you know what’s next for you?

I do not. Do you? 

I saw your tweet that you would love to work on the “Galaxy Quest” spinoff TV show .

Oh my god, “Galaxy Quest” is like my most favorite thing ever. I just literally was showing it to my kid the other day. It remains one of the most perfect movies of all time. And I just lived it! I actually just lived it in every way. So yeah, I said put me in coach. I know what that is.

Yes. To make this a little different than “All Good Things,” I wanted the audience to feel like they were really with this cast, to have a little wish fulfillment. So I actually ran the camera for 45 minutes and let them just play. Let them be themselves. I really wanted the audience to be immersed in what it’s like to hang out with Patrick, Jonathan, Marina, Gates, LeVar, Michael, Brent. So all those smiles and all those jokes are real. And so we hang on it much longer than you normally would, so that the smiles and the jokes are genuine. They were all playing a form of poker as best as they could, you know, because they like to monkey around. Maybe when the Blu-ray comes out, we’ll have a longer chunk of it so you could see more.

Do you remember who won the game?

They played so many rounds. But I think they always made sure Patrick won.

I’m laughing because I asked Patrick that question , and he said, “I think I won.”

Yeah, I think they rigged it a little bit so he would win.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

More From Our Brands

Jelly roll shares toby keith cover ahead of stagecoach debut, inside a $3.3 million one-bedroom condo in l.a.’s famed sierra towers, vince mcmahon lists final tko shares for sale, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, ratings: nfl draft, sheldon lead thursday; todd holds steady after cancellation, verify it's you, please log in.

‘Star Trek: Picard’ Series Finale Sets the Stage for a Big Spinoff

By Alan Sepinwall

Alan Sepinwall

This post contains spoilers for the Picard series finale, “The Last Generation.”

When this third and final season of Picard debuted earlier this year, I wrote that while on the one hand it was shameless fan service , on the other this was exactly what Star Trek fans wanted and needed after the show’s first two years were so disappointing. Simply bringing back the entire crew of The Next Generation — and giving most of them much better and richer material than what they got to play back in the Eighties and Nineties — felt like more than enough, even if the season’s conspiracy plot was largely gibberish.

Editor’s picks

The 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, the 50 worst decisions in movie history, every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term, kristi noem describes executing puppy she 'hated' in new book, billie eilish would like to reintroduce herself, kanye west announces 'yeezy porn' amid reports of adult film company, smashing pumpkins reveal kiki wong as their new guitarist after nationwide search.

On the whole, though, this is exactly what most Trekkies would have wanted from this season, and from Picard as a whole: one last chance to see these characters at their best, and to let the actors dig deeper into roles that were often much thinner than they should have been in the Eighties and Nineties.

Some more thoughts on the finale, and the season:

• The season used the Changelings from Deep Space Nine as red herring villains, finally roping the Borg back in for the last couple of episodes. This was a mixed bag, not only because it conflicted with what had happened previously on this very show, but because it feels like it is somehow always going to be the Borg with Jean-Luc. The Changelings were at least surprising, and also a small way for this season to pay homage to the wildly underrated Deep Space Nine , when otherwise it was made up of pieces of TNG and Voyager . (Heck, there was even an original series cameo of sorts, as Walter Koenig provided the voice of Pavel Chekov’s son, Anton — not a nod to playwright Anton Chekhov, but to the late Anton Yelchin , who played Pavel in the Chris Pine films.) Réne Auberjonois (whose Odo was the cleanest connection to the Changelings) has passed away, and Avery Brooks’ Ben Sisko is trapped in the wormhole, but couldn’t Nana Visitor have stopped by? (Colm Meaney who, like Michael Dorn, appeared on both TNG and DS9 , but was much more integral to the latter?) Plus, the nature of the Borg takeover of Starfleet made everyone — particularly Borg expert Elizabeth Shelby from the classic “Best of Both Worlds” two-parter — look very, very stupid.
• The relentless nostalgia did go over the line a bit at the end of the season’s penultimate episode, when Geordi brought his friends onto a rebuilt version of their old ship. Exciting as it was to see them back on the familiar Enterprise-D bridge, it didn’t feel like a time for gawking while the Borg had taken complete control of Starfleet and were preparing to destroy Earth.
• Boy, were Stewart and Michelle Forbes great together in the episode where Jean-Luc’s rebellious Bajoran protege Ro Laren returned. Ro was one of the better TNG recurring characters, and was meant to be the female lead on Deep Space Nine , but Forbes wasn’t crazy about committing years of her life to Star Trek . But she was very invested in the character here, and her argument with Jean-Luc about their former relationship was among the more complex pieces of old business the season did.
• Finally, before we see the Enterprise-D crew play one last round of cards together, we get set-up for a potential spinoff, where Seven of Nine is the captain of the newly-rechristened Enterprise-G, Raffi is her first officer, Geordi’s daughter Sidney remains at the helm, and the multi-talented but reckless Jack is, for now, the ship’s counselor. And later, he’s visited by his father’s old nemesis Q. (Q died at the end of Season Two, but Matalas picked and chose which aspects of the first two seasons he wanted to use and which he wanted to ignore.) On the whole, this feels like a mixed bag. Jeri Ryan can certainly carry a new series as the lead, and Ed Speelers had his moments as Jack, but Raffi has been a dud for three seasons now. If we do get a Seven-centric show, though, the good news is that it would keep pushing the timeline forward, where the otherwise-excellent Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks take place in the franchise’s past. 

What’s the Story Behind the ‘I Told Ya’ T-Shirt in 'Challengers'? 

• Game, Set, Match!
• By Kalia Richardson and Sage Anderson

SZA and Keke Palmer Land Lead Roles in New Issa Rae-Produced Comedy Film

• TriStar Trifecta
• By Larisha Paul

Aaron Sorkin Blames Facebook for Jan. 6 and He's Trying to Write a 'Social Network' Sequel About It

• Drop The 'The'
• By Jon Blistein

Bon Jovi, Forever Young, Comes Face-to-Face With Mortality in 'Thank You, Good Night'

• By Joseph Hudak

'Challengers' Is Sex, Tennis and Zendaya in Full Beast Mode, Not in That Order

• MOVIE REVIEW
• By David Fear

Most Popular

Anne hathaway says 'gross' chemistry test in the 2000s required her to make out with 10 guys: that's the 'worst way to do it' and 'now we know better', 'the lord of the rings' trilogy returning to theaters, remastered and extended, louvre considers moving mona lisa to underground chamber to end 'public disappointment', sources claim hugh jackman’s worrying behavior may have something to do with his breakup, you might also like, at bmac event in l.a., mickey guyton, ink and other panelists assess what beyoncé’s ‘cowboy’ moment means for black female country artists, victoria justice shimmers in sequins at latin american music awards in dazzling cutout dress, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, ‘what’s the matter with helen’ is a quotable midnight movie ritual made for two, vince mcmahon lists final tko shares for sale.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

A prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, the show follows the crew of the USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike. A prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, the show follows the crew of the USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike. A prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, the show follows the crew of the USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike.

• Akiva Goldsman
• Alex Kurtzman
• Jenny Lumet
• Anson Mount
• Christina Chong
• 1K User reviews
• 38 Critic reviews
• 9 wins & 32 nominations total

Episodes 31

• Captain Christopher Pike …

• La'an Noonien-Singh …

• Lt. Erica Ortegas …

• Una Chin-Riley …

• Nurse Christine Chapel

• Nyota Uhura …

• Dr. M'Benga

• USS Enterprise Computer …

• Lieutenant George Samuel 'Sam' Kirk

• Jenna Mitchell

• Captain Batel …

• Admiral Robert April

• Captain James T. Kirk …

• T'Pring
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Bruce Horak , the actor who plays Hemmer, is legally blind, just like his character's species, the Aenar, who are also blind.
• Goofs There are some rank insignia mistakes. Number One is introduced as "Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley" yet she is wearing the rank insignia of a full commander: two full stripes. A Lieutenant Commander's rank insignia is a full stripe under a thin stripe (in TOS it is a full stripe and a staggered stripe). It is not uncommon for a ship's first officer to be a Lt. Commander if they have not been in the position long. Spock at this point is a Lieutenant but he is wearing Lieutenant Commander's stripes; a Lieutenant just has one stripe. La'an is the ship's chief of security and the ship's second officer. She is also wearing Lt. Commander stripes but is addressed as a Lieutenant, but it would make more sense for her to be a Lieutenant Commander. Either way both of their rank insignia are not matching the rank they are addressed by. Ortegas is addressed as a Lieutenant but is wearing Lieutenant Commander's strips. A Lieutenant Commander may be addressed as a Commander or Lieutenant Commander but never as just a Lieutenant, so either her rank insignia or the manner she is addressed by the rest of the crew is in error.

[opening narration]

Captain Christopher Pike : Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.

• Connections Featured in Nerdrotic: Woke Hollywood is FAILING, and That's a Good Thing (2022)

Technical specs

• Runtime 52 minutes
• D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Atmos

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

'Star Trek: Picard' Season 3 Showrunner on Seven of Nine's Emotional Promotion

"The rules she breaks, maybe they were broken to begin with."

[Editor's Note: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of Star Trek: Picard] The final episode of Star Trek: Picard is here at long last, and it delivered a satisfying conclusion to an action-packed last season. Along with an epic final showdown with the Borg for Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) and the crew of the Enterprise-D, "The Last Generation" saw Seven of Nine ( Jeri Ryan ) take command of the USS Titan after seizing it back from the young assimilated crew. Seven took the con after Captain Shaw ( Todd Stashwick ) died getting our heroes off the ship in the penultimate episode, and she handled the crisis with all of the power and grace that we've always known she was capable of.

After the Enterprise crew defeat the Borg, Seven is all set to turn in her resignation from Starfleet, knowing that she practically threw the rulebook out an airlock in the previous days and weeks leading up to this final battle. However, in a touching moment with the real Tuvok ( Tim Russ ) , Seven learns that Starfleet is far from finished with her. Her old friend reveals a holo-recording of her officer review from her former captain prior to the events of the series. In it, Shaw acknowledges all of the ways in which she is so very unlike him , and though he often clashed with her while they served together, he ultimately commended her skills as a leader, recommending that she be promoted to captain up on their return.

Collider's own Maggie Lovitt recently sat down with Star Trek: Picard Season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas to discuss the series finale, including this momentous promotion for Seven, and what went into creating this emotional scene. Matalas told Lovitt that this scene is one of the few that "chokes [him] up," saying he loves Tuvok's "resignation denied" moment. He continued on saying: "I also like that what it says about Shaw is, even with his aggressions that he had towards her, he always knew how amazing she was."

RELATED: 'Star Trek: Picard' Season 3 Finale Review: One of the Most Satisfying Series Endings Ever

Seven of Nine's Bright Future as the Captain of the Enterprise

Though Seven and Shaw never saw eye to eye while he was alive, and it often appeared that he hardly even respected her as a person , this final moment immortalizes his belief in her. Matalas explained:

"Well, first of all, he handpicked his first officer and was intending to give her this incredible promotion to captain even before this whole adventure. And I think that that helped solidify, in her mind, her place here, in ways. For as much as she disrespected Shaw, she respected Shaw as what he was as a captain, strategically, and for his crew, not necessarily for how he treated her. He is a complicated man. It was something that we always knew we wanted to do, and Todd [Stashwick's] performance is so, so wonderful, and her reaction is so genuine and perfect in that moment."

Matalas also notes the incredible musical score for this moment. Crafted by Stephen Barton and Frederik Wiedmann , the composition calls upon both the past and the future to bring a swell of emotion to the audience. The showrunner told Collider, "One of the other things that I quite like about it is, Stephen Barton does this thing where he takes the Titan theme and the Voyager theme and plays them both on top of each other, and it works. It's almost like the two themes were written to complement each other, it's incredible. So listen for that."

All 10 episodes of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 are now available on Paramount+. Don't miss Lovitt's full conversation with Matalas when it goes live, and in the meantime, you can watch our previous chat with Ryan and Stashwick down below.

• April 26, 2024 | Michael Dorn Wanted Armin Shimerman To Play The Ferengi That Worf Killed In Star Trek Picard
• April 26, 2024 | Podcast: All Access Gets To Know The Breen In ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ 505, “Mirrors”
• April 25, 2024 | Prep Begins For ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 3 Finale; Cast And Directors Share BTS Images
• April 25, 2024 | Jonathan Frakes Sees Opportunities With Streaming Star Trek Movies, Weighs In On “Filler Episodes”
• April 25, 2024 | Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Reflects On Its Choices In “Mirrors”

Interview: Jeri Ryan On Taking Seven From Borg To Bi Captain Of The Enterprise To ‘Star Trek: Legacy’

| February 15, 2024 | By: Anthony Pascale 108 comments so far

This year, Jeri Ryan received her fifth Saturn Award nomination for playing Seven of Nine in two different Star Trek series. She won in 2001 for Voyager and then again this year for the third and final season of Picard , which ended by setting her up as captain of the newly christened USS Enterprise-G. TrekMovie spoke to Ryan before and after her Saturn win about the character’s arc and asked if she is ready to lead the much-discussed Star Trek: Legacy spin-off.    

Along with yours, Star Trek has 15 total nominations tonight. Do you feel that Picard and Star Trek are having a moment and getting some of the recognition that the franchise deserved back in the ‘90s?

I think it’s definitely getting a little more mainstream notice, which is cool. I think I think genre TV and films as a whole, I think are more mainstream now than I think they used to be.

Your fellow nominee Jonathan Frakes has said he did his best Star Trek work in season 3 of Picard . Do you feel you did your best work as Seven in season 3 or in all 3 seasons of Picard ?

I think it was some of my best work as this character because we had some of the best writing as this character. I’ve been so lucky. She’s had such an arc over the years, starting out not even human 20-something years ago, and to end up as the captain of the Enterprise was pretty big character growth.

Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine in “The Next Generation”(Paramount+)

Speaking of being captain of the Enterprise, I did s peak to Terry [Matalas] and I know Legacy isn’t real yet, but if it happens, are you ready to lead a show as captain of the ship?

You know, I have learned one thing with this franchise, which is: never say never. So we’ll see.

If it were to happen, what would you like to see for the character?

I am not a writer, I have no illusions about being a writer. There are people like Terry and our amazing writing staff who do that very, very well. I trust this character to be in good hands with them. So I don’t have any story ideas to pitch. This is not a route that I would have ever imagined for her and I think it’s amazing.

But if Legacy happened, are you ready to go?

Jeri Ryan accepting the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress (Saturn Awards)

QUICK CHAT WITH JERI IN THE PRESS ROOM AFTER SHE WON THE SATURN AWARD

You also won a Saturn for playing Seven on Voyager , how does it feel to do it again over two decades later?

It’s a huge honor. It was such a rare gift to have this much growth and character arc. It’s pretty cool. I feel lucky. And congratulations to all the other nominees. I am in huge awe of their work.

Looking back to Voyager, how do you think [co-creator/executive producer] Jeri Taylor would feel about where Seven has gone and the rejuvenation of the character in Picard ?

I think Jeri especially would be thrilled with Seven’s development. I know that she was a big champion for Seven from the beginning. I think that she would be thrilled that Seven is a bi captain and character. It is my understanding that is something she championed from the beginning as well. I think at the time the network felt that they weren’t ready for that yet. But I think she would be thrilled. I hope she would be.

Michelle Hurd as Raffi Musiker and Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine in “The Last Generation” (Paramount+)

More red carpet interviews from the Saturn Awards

TrekMovie spoke to more Star Trek presenters, nominees, and winners at the Saturn Awards, so come back for more interviews and updates.

Check out our earlier Saturn Awards interviews:

• Doug Jones on Discovery
• Tawny Newsome on Lower Decks and Starfleet Academy
• Terry Matalas on Picard season 3 and hopes for Legacy
• Paul Wesley on Strange New Worlds season 3 and beyond
• Nicolas Cage’s desire to be in Star Trek
• Danai Gurira’s almost casting for Star Trek 4
• Wil Wheaton on playing Wesley in Lower Decks , and Ready Room update

You can hear audio from these interviews and more in the latest All Access Star Trek podcast .

Keep up with news for the  Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com .

Related Articles

DS9 , Lower Decks , Star Trek: Picard

Michael Dorn Wanted Armin Shimerman To Play The Ferengi That Worf Killed In Star Trek Picard

Lower Decks , Section 31 , Star Trek: Legacy , Strange New Worlds , TNG

Jonathan Frakes Sees Opportunities With Streaming Star Trek Movies, Weighs In On “Filler Episodes”

Discovery , Interview

Interview: Sonequa Martin-Green On Facing Her Past On ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ And Her Hopes For The Future

Interview: Wilson Cruz On How “Jinaal” Sets Up The Rest Of The Season For Culber On ‘Star Trek: Discovery’

I know this isn’t the popular opinion, but I don’t feel PICARD did right by Seven, and I’m not entirely sure why people keep praising her use on that show. In season one, she was great, but in season two she had a meandering plot with Rafi that went nowhere, and in season three she was far less interesting and important than the TNG crew. For me, Seven was a side character on PICARD after season one, not the Second Coming of Star Trek everyone makes her out to be. I actually think she was a much better character on VOYAGER. It’s a shame, too, because season one showed so much promise for her arc.

After season one? She wasn’t in the first half of season one. She was a supporting character throughout all three seasons. I agree with you about season 2 but I liked her in season 3, especially her interactions with the real and fake Tuvoks.

I liked her arc, having to serve under a Captain who didn’t give her the proper respect she deserved.

I agree, rooted in bigotry really based on his prejudices toward ex-Borg. Gutsy story for Captain and first officer.

Gutsy and brilliant IMO. I’ve never seen Seven bow down to anyone like that before. Not even Janeway.

I loved her S3 arc with a Captain that doesn’t trust her, but she rises to the occasion anyway. S2, well, no one had a great story arc, so that season is a complete throwaway for the entire cast in my book. S1 she was just a guest star in a couple eps, so I don’t think that really counts.

I love her as Captain of the Enterprise. I just don’t like the actual ship at all.

Yeah the ship blows. Agreed my friend.

Right? I get that Matalas likes the TOS movie ships and he wanted a return to that. And in a way I agree that ships like the Enterprise E were a bit too sleek looking for me. But this was such an over exaggerated design IMHO

Agreed, that ship does not live up that the name Enterprise whatsoever. There was word they almost named it the ‘Picard.’ Admittedly that may have been a bit cheesy, but I would have liked it better.

Actually that may have been a better idea and name it after Picard as a thank you for saving the galaxy once again and a nice way for the show to go out.

And we seen other ships named after Starfleet officers.

Just 2 thoughts. I may be wrong on this cause I am not military but I think IRL ships are christened after famous officers only after the die. But could be totally wrong. The other thing I was thinking like just now is that although a USS Picard would be Epic, they might have felt it would demean Seven’s character in a way if her first command is still under the shadows of Picard. Even if he isn’t there.

I’d wager if they didn’t have the idea in the back of their heads for Legacy they would have done just that. After all Discovery has a USS Janeway and a Space Station Archer. but those are not the hero ships/stations of the series so its easier to get away with

She’s a bit meh in Picard, kinda just ‘there’. Lost all charisma.

I think it might have felt that way at first because Seven was totally bowing down to Shaw’s authority, even when it comes to her own name! But when she got a whiff Picard and Riker were up to something and confronted them I was like, there’s Seven!!!

In season 1 she was difficult to recognize as even being Seven of Nine apart from her makeup and being played by Jeri Ryan. The character’s voice is so radically different from what it was on Voyager, and Ryan has said she had a full on panic attack over not being able to reconcile how much she had changed. What I do like about season 3 (and the season 2 premiere) is how the freer and more raw Seven has been melded with the unique and tightly controlled character from Voyager. They found a balance I could live with, but I still think it’s a shame to have lost so much of what made the character so memorable.

Interestingly I read about something similar happening to Gillian Anderson when she returned to X-files after so long. Sometimes it becomes really difficult to get back those original character beats.

And in both Ryan’s and Anderson’s case, they went on to play completely different characters in their careers. Jeri Ryan was playing a defense attorney on law and order and I don’t remember what in Boston Legal but prob something similar.

Absolutely, but with Ryan she’d come back to voice the character occasionally for video games. The main issue was that Seven in Picard was a radical departure from what she was like in Voyager. So she and Jonathan Frakes had to create the idea that she’s just pretending to fit in. Otherwise it was too hard for her to reconcile the change, which is totally understandable to me. It was so odd to take away that much of a character’s unique voice and replace it with something we’ve all seen before – cocky, damaged, vengeful soldier.

To me, the best writing for her character was in season 3. It was interesting for the first half of season 1, as others have said, but then it and the rest of the story crashed and burned. Season 2 was so bad, I didn’t even bother watching the last two episodes, and what I did watch was a tedious mess. Season 3 was her shining moment, imo.

Oh I agree I still think she was more amazing on Voyager without a doubt. But loves her on Picard as well although season 2 they did NOTHING with her…sigh.

And I think a lot of people want to see Seven be a leader. It is amazing where her arc has gone and I definitely want to see that continue personally.

Seven was such an interesting character on VOY. One minute she is every bit as logical and forthright as Tuvok. The next she could flip out as hard as B’lanna. It was played so well that her human and borg sides were at war.

shame she was stuck in that darn catsuit…

I don’t think a Saturn award is enough to push a Legacy series forward, but it’s certainly nice to see people recognized for a job well done.

I don’t think it is so much whether a Saturn could push them forward as much as it is the days of a Trek show all year around are over and P+ already has a full slate of upcoming projects.

Yes, that’s very true as well. Just nice to see Jeri get recognized, spin off or no spin off.

Totally agreed.

The fact that Picard ended production almost two years ago is a major obstacle.

Ya but due to the strikes that’s kind of a problem for everyone right now. I mean I know Picard ended way before that and maybe they took down the sets and stuff for S31 but who knows..

Seven in S3 of PIC IMO felt like the Seven from Voyager vs whatever we got in S1 and S2 i have done my best to try and forget exists. i’d love to see Janeway show up from time to time in Legacy if that ever gets greenlit, as a mentor

Especially that scene between Seven and Tuvok in PS3. THAT was the 7 of 9 we knew from Voyager.

I love Seven’s arc this season. She definitely earned that chair.

Absolutely agree on all points! 👍

“I think it was some of my best work as this character because we had some of the best writing as this character.” I agree. The writing was much improved this season.

Right, she basically said it herself. Glad she feels the same way about it I do.

Absolutely loved Seven in Picard, especially the last season where it was amazing to see her in command. Our girl did great!

NOW GIVE US THE LEGACY SHOW PARAMOUNT!!!

Legacy characters. Gotta have legacy characters.

Honestly as a regular 7 is the only legacy character I care about returning. The others can guest star here and there.

Exactly. There is one Legacy character.

Yep. And that’s all we (or I should say I) need :)

I told you to stop talking to me because you’re past annoying. 🙄

Emily you’re happy to have Kirk on SNW which shouldn’t even be in the show and last time I checked was a legacy character. So stop being a hypocrite about it.

And as stated Seven is the only official legacy character we know will be on the show. Not sure why people think the cast of TNG/DS9/VOY would all have main roles. Matalas gave 20 interviews saying the show is about the next NEXT generation. He used those words specifically so get a grip please.

SNW is well made though, with good story-telling and good crew dynamics, so it gets somewhat of a pass.

Discovery is just a terrible show with a terrible cast of characters more interested in being diverse than being compelling, interesting or likeable.

And Picard S3 is literally just fan service, with nothing else to it.

So you admit to being a hypocrite? 🙄

A legacy character gets a pass because you happen to like the show they are on but want to chastise others for doing the same thing over and over and over and over and over again?

I try to be as fair minded to everyone but people like you is why message boards sucks.

But you also lump LDS into the same fan service nostalgia critiques despite it being aggressively new and different to any other Trek show. Your criteria is always shifting even though you keep saying the same refrain, so it’s hard to take you seriously.

I am confident we will get Legacy in some fashion … my hope is a series … but I don’t think any future show/movie/miniseries announcements are coming until the S31 film is “in the can,” meaning all post-production is finished and they’re waiting to drop it. That way they can reevaluate costs/budgets. Kurtzman isn’t stupid … he knows fans want this. I’m sure if he were pulling the purse strings Mr. Matalas would already have an office, a writing staff, etc.

I am confident too my friend. They have to wait to see what happens with this other stuff first. Many believe we probably won’t hear anything until SFA gets on the air but I would love it to be after S31 airs. So I hope you’re right.

Kurtzman sees what an easy lay up this would be.

Yep me too but TBH given all the financial trouble at Paramount his might not be in his pay grade right now.

Sadly agree. And you know anytime I root for Kurtzman proves the Apocalypse is almost here. 😂😐

HAHAHAHAHA I remember all too well my friend!

To be honest I think it’s probably a bit too soon to expect to hear anything about ANY new project after S31 unless it’s another TV movie (which also could be possible). I think that really only exists because of Yeoh and kind of a special project.

I think I’d we hear anything about Legacy it will be after SFA starts or maybe the next show that gets cancelled.

But sure I would love for your theory to be right as well.

And I agree about Kurtzman I’m pretty sure if it was up to him it would be the next project going forward. But things are more iffy right now.

Why they are wasting time with the useless Academy show when so many people want the Legacy show is beyond me?

They seem to be a clueless lot over there.

To be fair about it we have to remember they been trying to get the Academy show off the ground since 2018. I read they had multiple pitches on it and it sounds like the idea evolved in time.

That’s the main issue, Paramount already decided this was a go before Picard season 3 even finished. People act like it’s a competition. No, they been working on one idea for a long time and there was never a plan for a Picard spin off. Everyone has made that clear.

And I think both the reception of Picard and the demand for a spin off just caught them off guard. I think they just thought people accepted Picard ended and just went on to the next thing. But Matalas planted a spin off idea in people’s heads and here we are lol.

And these shows probably cost $80-100 million a season. There is only so much money they have for Star Trek these days.

But that doesn’t mean that will always be the case either. Fans should keep pushing for it then anything is possible.

I didn’t know they been trying to make this show for that long.. I understand better now. Still a bad idea though haha.

I will always keep pushing for Legacy since it’s the only show I even care about.

All probably true, but they did go another way when people wanted the Pike show over S31. I was hoping that would happen again with SFA. Guess not. 😥

Yeah I actually thought that might happen but looks like SFA is coming regardless!

And of course we don’t know exactly what happened with S31 and we probably never will. But my speculation ONLY, but I think there was a much bigger divide over Section 31 than there is for the Academy show. And Section 31 may have been the more expensive show to produce. Again no proof of anything or that I even believe it, just throwing it out there.

But I think the biggest difference is besides SFA gestating so much longer that’s probably Kurtzmans baby. Remember he’s going to be a show runner on this one too. The only other show he’s been a show runner on was Discovery and that was out of circumstance.

And yeah it’s probably just cheaper as well.

So I don’t think it was ever going to be the Legacy show over SFA because that show has been on the books for so long.

But what comes AFTER that is the main question and why I have confidence Legacy could be next. Could I be wrong? Since I’m rarely right, sure. 😆

But I’m really hoping not to be this time lol.

In fact the concept of a Star Trek Academy goes back all the way to Star Trek 6. I believe one of the first pitches to that movie was to make it a Kirk and Spock in the Academy movie.

Yeah also true. They been trying with this idea for decades now.

But honestly never really liked it, but suspected one day it may happen and here we are.

Now I do like the idea they came up with and why it interests me more today. But maybe more people would like it if it was back in the 23rd or 25th century. Not for me personally but it would probably go over bigger for some of the doubters.

She was one of the great performers in Picard S3. The cast’s performances saved the space-opera mishmash, nonsensical story and gave us a great sendoff for TNG cast.

NOW GIVE US THE ACADMEY SERIES AND SECTION 31 MOVIE PARAMOUNT!!!

I liked the story plot of season 3 but it there was way to much fan service moments and pointless easter eggs for the sake of fan service especially on daystrom station they did not need to bring back all the tng main characters or they could have killed off a couple like Worf and beverly and troi and maybe even riker leaving only data and picard and la forge at the end also card game at the end was again pointless and fan service

while I would love a series set on the ent-g with captain seven and her crew I don’t want it loaded with pointless fan service and Easter eggs each episode that really do not add to the plot and I can’t wait for the section 31 movie still wish it could have been a 10 episode mini series but at least we get a movie and I can’t wait for the discovery seasons 4/5 spin off starfleet academy hopefully we get guest appearances of the burn ham and the other discovery crew maybe being a guest lecturer on a particular subject at the academy hear and there

Michelle, I don’t say this very often to people here (lol), but I agree 100% with every single thing you bring up here!

Hopefully that SFA show isn’t full of Spock/Chapel awful teenage like romances as I don’t think I can take anymore. Not much interested in that one at all really as it is probably aimed a a younger audience. At least it is not set in another friggin prequel timeline though so small positive. I am looking forward to the S31 movie though and am glad it’s a movie and not a sequel. There are way too many Discovery spin off to be honest.

Seven has always been one of my favorite characters, in my top 10. Jeri Ryan has made her iconic and a well deserved win.

I truly hope the Legacy show happens and have faith it will. It’s the show most fans seem excited about and for good reason.

Everyone who wants it should continue to push for it. I certainly will.

Lol you don’t have to worry about that. Many fans constantly are, especially in places like Twitter.

Legacy is really the only thing I care about. I’ll watch S31 and SFA and stay open minded but most people definitely want Legacy over those two.

Obviously agree. And I’m looking forward to both of those. And I get it they were obviously the next things up and they could be great. I didn’t think anyone thought Picard season 3 would get the reception it did, certainly not after season 2 lol.

But I think if Legacy is the thing they announce next it would excite the fan base the same way when the Picard show was announced.

But we have to see where the franchise will be another year given everything. They may cut back on more shows in the future. But it doesn’t stop them from licensing the show for other streamers like Netflix or Amazon to make either.

But let’s hope we’re not still talking about it 8 years from now like the next Kelvin movie…or any movie for that matter. 🙄

LOL talk about something that will never happen. They turned these movie announcements into a complete joke. They announced the prequel movie a month ago already and still not a peep since. Unless they are making it for $80 million or something that will probably be DOA too like JJ verse currently is.

I am hoping Legacy will be the next show announced obviously, especially if something like SFA falls flat on its face since hardly anyone seems excited about it. I do hope it will be good though, but it’s currently just a big shrug to me right now.

I stopped caring about the films long ago. Been saying this for literally 5 years now and that Paramount has no idea what they want to do with them and probably because they are clearly afraid the next one will flop and just keep throwing mud at the walls. And 5 years later this still seems to be the case.

As far as SFA I think it will do fine as long as it’s good. If it gets the goodwill as shows like SNW, LDS and PRO have all gotten it will probably be a hit even if people don’t love the premise or setting. But yes if it’s good. If it’s not I don’t know but we’ll all be watching lol.

And that’s the thing if we want the Legacy show then people have to watch that show! I don’t believe if one fails then Paramount will just replace it with another one, not anymore. It’s obvious Star Trek is no longer the priority like it was in 2020 or we would have the Legacy show now or at least it being discussed.

Star Trek has to really produce and keep people excited. Now I am very sure the Legacy show has a much better chance of doing that than SFA since that already has a built in audience and a hungrier one obviously but here we are. But yeah if people truly want that show then we have to prove we are just hungry for more Trek in general because I think it’s easier to just give it less attention to the franchise now that they have bigger hits that probably drives up more subs then Star Trek ever did.

I don’t want to sound overly cynical but Legacy show or not I don’t want the shows to fall to the dreary wayside the movies are in now.

Agreed on all counts! 😀👍

Prodigy proved how quickly they are willing to shove anything to the side if it’s not performing well enough out of the gate.

If Academy sucks I don’t know how many people will care given everything. But you’re right everyone here will be watching anyway. I’m still watching Discovery and I don’t know why? 😂

I’ll give Academy about 3 or 4 episodes, then make my decision about sticking with it. I trudged through the first two seasons of DSC and that was a huge waste of time for me, I hate watching bad scripted television when there’s so much better out there. It’s a shame, because before that I would have never considered giving a Trek show an episode limit, but here we are. PRO and SNW were happy surprises, hopefully the Academy show will be, too.

Yep not really feeling Academy show at all. It just doesn’t appeal to me for so many reasons. Maybe if it at least took place in 25th century I can care a little more.

But I’ll definitely give it a real chance. I didn’t think I was going to love Prodigy and that ended up being awesome. So who knows? But Kurtzman himself is running it so that is already some serious red flags for me.

I was hoping maybe they do what they did with S31 when that show got killed off for SNW and SFA would be killed off for Legacy but didn’t happen.

the section 31 movie is not a theatrical movie but a made for streaming movie akin to a made for TV movie or a direct to video movie so it will not have to worry about a box-office take and things a normal trek movie does in the theaters

A lone voice of reason in between all the “Legacy is going to be big” over the top, wishful thinking posts. Lol – thank you!

It’s kind of sad that even when people involved with Trek at Paramount specifically tell us that Legacy is not in the cards, that so many fans still keep promoting it when we’ve got these other great offerings like the Academy series and Section 31 to look forward to. It’s doing a disservice to all the great people in the Kurtzman franchise who are working on those projects — fans need to be getting behind them and showing them the love they deserve.

Star Trek fans need to stop chasing windmills here. Time to grow up, accept things as they really are, and move on.

Sure and exactly why it’s happening at light speed because it’s probably just a basic TV movie budget and they can really market it for P+ which can always use more content.

To be honest that’s probably more ideal in the long term instead of trying to finance $100+ million movies that may earn just a little profit at the end of the day. Just make event TV movies with scales down budgets.

And they still could do something similar like what they did with Picard and Lower Decks and put it in a few theaters for a day and have the hardcore fans check it out that way. I would certainly go. But it would just be a promotion thing obviously.

I would definitely be down for a Legacy TV movie as well! 😎🖖

Lots of ideas out there.

So would I. I think that would be a great idea and do a TV movie. AND that could be a back door pilot type of thing and see how well that does without ordering a full season first. And if that goes over big then make it a show if its viable.

There are lots of ideas out there if P+ can’t make a lot of shows but still want to capitalize on the demand. That beats doing another over bloated theatrical movie half the base doesn’t even seem to care about anymore.

So something smaller and fan oriented they know will watch it would be a great middle ground.

Best of both worlds to me. 🙂

Agreed, at this point I could care less if we ever see a Trek film again, Especially if it’s going to feature the TOS crew again, in any incarnation. Let’s move on. Sec. 31, even though I wouldn’t have picked it and though not a theatrical film, will at least be a step in ‘some’ direction, forward.

Never cared much about the movies and been over JJ verse since Star Trek Into Dreckness came out 11 years ago.

And you can tell fans are over these movies because they just announced a NEW movie a month ago and no one cares. 😂😴

No one is talking about it at all. Probably because we been D.I.C.K.E.D around so much most just think it’s more trolling. And because it’s a PREQUEL! Get a clue Paramount most fans are sick of prequels already. At least make something going forward again.

Maybe the Legacy show won’t happen but the difference between that and another tired movie is fans are excited about the prospect of the show. That’s why it’s a no brainier to do. There is real momentum behind it. Especially on social media.

At least do a TV movie and see how that goes over. That would be much more smarter than making a $150 million movie that will probably just bomb just like the last one did.

I have no idea why they keep pushing more prequels either? Just more proof how out of touch Paramount is and why no one should hold their breath for another film.

It’s just amazing how inept these people have been.

Me and you both bro. You’re just telling a lot of the fanbase to stay home and wait for it to arrive on streaming. It’s hard to get fans excited for something they been saying they are sick of seeing for 20 years now. We don’t anymore origin stories. Been there done that.

I think you are well aware of my thoughts on this right now. I really wouldn’t mind seeing another Kelvin movie, but stop wasting everyone’s fcking time.

At this point it’s clear they don’t have the money, ideas, motivation, faith or all the above in making another one so move on. The director for that movie dropped out in 2022. It’s now 2024 for Kahless sake and still just as dead as ever. And yes no more TOS reboots. No more reboots of anything. Go forward with new ideas please.

And if that also means no Legacy show in order to do something TOTALLY NEW AND POST NEMESIS also fine. But I think something in the 25th century would be more ideal for most than the 32nd century which probably feels too disconnected for some people.

I’ll remain optimistic about Section 31 but it’s obvious for most fans it’s just a side thing for now.

Dunno if this is gonna happen IF we get a 25th century show, but moving forward is not the only reason I want one. I want them to somehow bring the Federation and StarFleet back to their former 24th century glory before the destruction of Romulus screwed everything up.

Yeah same. But that’s why the 25th century is so appealing and can do things the Picard show just touched upon.

Same. I think the Legacy show could really reenergize the Federation after everything that’s happened since the Romulan explosion and make the 25th century the new golden age of space exploration.

There is no more movies because fans voted with their wallets last time and stayed home. They stopped caring about them. Why they want to still make more is beyond me?

I don’t care about the Section 31 movie but they were smart enough to keep it low budget and on streaming. I don’t expect it to be good but I’ll watch it since I don’t pay for Paramount Plus but use my brother’s account.

I grew up with TOS, I don’t need anymore more of it either. Especially since the people making Star Trek today don’t seem to have a clue what made it special in the first place.

They turned those characters either into silly action stars or into a bad melodrama and comedic farce.

Very well put, Legacy. My thoughts exactly. They have absolutely NO clue about what made it special in the first place.

For me SNW is enough TOS. I really want to go forward again when it’s over and I really like that show. But we know what happens to everyone else in TOS. Just doesn’t excite me enough but I know it would for some old TOS who wants more nostalgia.

Agreed. Jeri Ryan deserves all the accolades. I’m hoping for a Legacy show primarily because of her and because other than SNW and S31 I want Trek to start moving forward again in the timeline.

Agreed with all of this. And while I think there is a huge part of the fanbase who what this specific project with Seven, I do think most would be just as happy with a general 25th century show as well, new characters as well.

I just want a 25th century show and open to any form it takes.

In the back of my head I was hoping for the 31 movie to be 25th century as well. But that was if we could get Bashir and Sloan back and neither were announced. Oh well.

Me too. Being in the 25th century would be more interesting to me. Oh and having Bashir back would be a great idea.

Sloan is already dead so don’t see him back unfortunately.

Oh, that’s too bad about William Sadler. I didn’t know :(.

But like imagine having Georgeou in the 25th century and she goes back to the Mirror Universe on a mission for *reasons*. There she finds that the Emire collapsed long ago and humanity is enslaved by the alliance. That alone might make the movie for me lol

No I just mean the character. Didn’t he die in his last appearance on the show? I’m sure he did.

I don’t care about the Space Nazis but that would be delicious.

Ohh… Ummm IIRC Sloan died near the very end when Bashir and O’Brien were in his mind trying to get the changeling cure. While they were in there, Sloan did one of those spy things where he released a deadly toxin into his system. Bashir and O’Brien made it out in time but when they woke up Sisko informed them that Sloan died a few minutes or seconds or whatever ago.

But here is the rub LOL. That happens in spy novels all the time. Faking one’s death. I don’t think it would be a canon retcon to get him back given the nature of S31!!!

Didn’t like where they took her character in Picard. The less said about that first season the better. I liked her in S3 well enough, but 🤷 she was better in Voyager

When we look at the big picture of the Trek universe I think Spock, Seven and Worf had the best developments and character arcs throughout. From where they started to where they ended up. Congrats to Jeri Ryan for the much deserved win and for taking this character so far.

Absolutely adores Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine. Such a great actress and hope she continues in Legacy one day.

The headline says she’s bi, I thought she was a lesbian

Well in Voyager she was with Chakotay. I suppose you could make the argument that she hadn’t fully realized her own individualism yet back then and she later came to the realization?

Seven had a few male relationships on Voyager including Chakotay as Amirami mentioned. We also saw her trying to go on a date with a man (although it didn’t go well lol).

So Bi sounds right to me.

the one in ‘unimatrix 0’ was the longest lasting.

…and the blandest. Seven had more chemistry with her alcove than that guy.

The Chakotay romance was absolutely terrible in Endgame (Worf/Deanna and Ezri/Julia also get outsized finale attention but it’s nowhere nearly as forced and awkward as this), but mildly interesting in Human Error only because it was an insight into her private thinking.

The disastrous date in Someone to Watch Over Me and the Doctor’s unrequited love for her remain the best-realized explorations to do with her love life. The relationship with Raffi could have been so good, but it too comes out of nowhere and then is fumbled constantly in season 2.

It is quoting her response about Jeri Taylor…

I think Jeri especially would be thrilled with Seven’s development. I know that she was a big champion for Seven from the beginning. I think that she would be thrilled that Seven is a bi captain and character . It is my understanding that is something she championed from the beginning as well. I think at the time the network felt that they weren’t ready for that yet. But I think she would be thrilled. I  hope  she would be.

‘it’s been a long road…..’

PIC S3 wasn’t exactly my cup of chai, but if Jeri Ryan’s happy, I’m happy.

It was a fun ride for Picard! Now, #startreklegacy, please. Ready for Capt. Seven and Rafi’s continuing adventures. PLEASE!!!

I honestly want to see the reaction of the young Starfleet officers to the situation. You just had a compromised Picard and his son hand them over the Borg, then have the Borg force them to blow up their commanding officers and friends, forced to take out other ships and the Earth spacedock only to find out Picard son gets a promotion, a compromised Picard gets a pass and Seven who is attached to a name honoring her time where she was forced to commit genocide promoted all on the fast track. Oh and Shaw’s and Riker’s legacy mysteriously replaced. Crazy set up, I see morale on the low and maybe explaining some of the upcoming burn and why the UFP just disintegrates. Unlike most I love the Ent-G!! That’s the next gen Ent-A we should have got under Captain Saavik in the 90s!!! Love that ship, just lose the horrid horrid bridge.

Having a non-gay actor playing gay, a bit iffy these days. Sorry.

Star Trek: Picard perfectly set up a Raffi/Seven of Nine spin-off

By rachel carrington | apr 20, 2023.

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 10 “The Last Generation.” 

Star Trek: Picard wrapped its three season run today with an episode that was full of drama, action, nostalgia, and heart. To say that it went out with a bang is an understatement as the credits rolled on the final scene of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew playing poker (one year after the events of the season had come to a conclusion) as they had on the finale of The Next Generation. Prior to that, though, viewers watched as Seven of Nine’s life went in a new direction with Raffi at her side.

After helping to save the universe, the USS Titan was rechristened the USS Enterprise, and Seven of Nine, now promoted to captain, took command with Raffi as her second-in-command or her “Number One.” Also beaming aboard the ship was Ensign Jack Crusher who’d gone through an accelerated program at Starfleet and would now serve as special counselor to the captain. And there are the beginnings for the spin-off that viewers have asked for since season two of Star Trek: Picard.

Star Trek: Picard ended on a high note for Seven of Nine and Raffi

Though we didn’t get to see a resolution to Raffi and Seven of Nine’s relationship (are they back together or have they simply remained friends?), the fact that the pair are now working together aboard the new Enterprise says a lot about where things stand between the two of them.

Obviously, relationships between captains and their seconds-in-command would be frowned upon in Starfleet…at least they would before the Borg tried to obliterate the world. Perhaps now, Starfleet has gotten a little more lenient, knowing how Seven of Nine and Raffi helped to save billions of lives.

As the USS Enterprise prepares to leave spacedock, Seven of Nine is asked to choose a phrase to tell the pilot it’s time to move. Would it be “Make it so,” “Engage,” or “Take her out?” We don’t know…at least not right now as the scene cut away before Seven could make the choice. But that’s something we could see on a spin-off that, by now, practically everyone has to be desperately hoping for. All I can say is I’m there if it happens!

Next. Where Starfleet has taken Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Picard. dark

Upcoming Star Trek TV Shows: What's Ahead For The Sci-Fi Franchise

Here's what's ahead for Star Trek.

It’s a golden era for Star Trek tv shows, as the franchise is churning out more content than ever before. Fans with a Paramount+ subscription can stream a plethora of old and new content from one of the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time.

There’s a ton of new Star Trek content coming in the future, including the debut of a new show as well as the return of all the ones fans already know well. For those who need a breakdown of what all to expect, look no further because here’s where and when all the new Trek will arrive in 2023 and beyond. There’s even some information on planned shows that aren’t quite ready yet, but hopefully, we’ll see them soon enough. 

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 - Premiering On April 4th 2024

Captain Michael Burnham and the crew are back, and based on what we've seen and heard about Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 so far, some changes are on the way. Season 5 will see the crew race against others in an attempt to secure an ancient power, and will apparently have a tonal shift that will skew more toward action and adventure. We also learned that this coming season will be the final adventure , as Paramount+ decided to end the series after this coming season. The final season will kick off in April and, fingers crossed, leave an avenue open for more stories with these characters in the 32nd century. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 - In Production

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is coming back for Season 3, and is currently filming for the upcoming season. It's likely the season will kick off with the second part of the adventure started in the Season 2 finale . Pike must decide whether or not he's going to listen to Starfleet and retreat to avoid further conflict with the Gorn or to stay and try to save the kidnapped crew members. I have a hunch I know what decision he'll make, but I'm also very invested in seeing if Scotty will remain with the crew and what other adventures will come as well. 

Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 - Coming In 2024

Paramount+ originally renewed Star Trek: Prodigy for Season 2, but announced later that it had been canceled alongside other shows on the platform. While the news was a bummer to many and encouraged responses from stars like Kate Mulgrew , there is a silver lining. After some talk with other companies, Paramount managed to negotiate a deal where the series will transition over to Netflix , and Season 2 will release over there. At this time, it's unknown whether or not this will lead to more seasons of Prodigy , but fans are thankful they'll at least get to see the season that was being worked on coming up in 2024. 

Section 31 Movie - Production Underway

Section 31 was one of the first Star Trek spinoffs announced after Discovery , and yet it took the longest to get off the ground. The series was supposed to Michelle Yeoh ’s Phillipa Georgiou and her efforts in the secret ops Starfleet faction that does the jobs that others in the organization would rather not know about. Other former Discovery stars, like Shazad Latif, were involved at one point, but some believed the odds of it happening aren't great after Michelle Yeoh's Oscar win .

It turns out Yeoh was interested in making it happen, and Paramount+ decided to alter the idea to a movie . Fans are excited about the project all the same, and ready to see Michelle Yeoh back in her role. Production on the film is officially underway, and it's looking like a premiere sometime in late 2024 to 2025 is likely.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

Starfleet Academy - Production Starting In 2024

Alex Kurtzman revealed not long ago that Star Trek is actively working on another new live-action series , and it’s going to be set at Starfleet Academy. Of course, we don’t know exactly what era this series is set to take place during or who is going to star in it yet. We don’t really know much of anything, though it’s worth noting that Star Trek: Discovery did write off its character Tilly when she took an offer at Starfleet Academy. The episode where that happened seemed like it could be a backdoor pilot for the show, but again, we have no idea. We do know that the writer's room is underway, but details are scant beyond that.  

As shown above, there’s still a ton of Star Trek on the way in 2024, and beyond. The only way to watch these shows is with a Paramount+ subscription , which is totally worth picking up with the increasing amount of shows and movies available to watch. 

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.

Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2: What We Know So Far

That Time Joseph Quinn Realized He Was Getting Famous Thanks To Stranger Things, And How Jack Black Was Involved

After New Details About Game Of Thrones’ Scrapped 10,000 Ships Spinoff, Here’s How Faithful It Would Have Been To George R.R. Martin’s Source Material

Most Popular

• 2 Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2: What We Know So Far
• 3 Billie Eilish Opens Up About Sexuality After Being Outed On A Red Carpet: ‘The Whole World Suddenly Decided Who I Was’
• 4 As James Gunn Celebrates The Joker's 84th Anniversary, I Have Ideas For Who Should Play The DCU's Clown Prince
• 5 The Masked Singer’s Miss Cleocatra Was Recovering From Major Accident During Performances: ‘I Was Still On A Little Morphine’

Jeri Ryan's 25-Year 'Star Trek' Legacy: Seven of Nine's Best Moments on 'Voyager' & 'Picard' (Flashback)

‘star trek’s jeri ryan on bringing seven back for ‘picard’ (exclusive), 'rhoc' alum taylor armstrong reacts to shannon beador and john janssen-alexis bellino romance drama, why da'vine joy randolph has her awards season trophies packed away (exclusive), joe alwyn 'not in touch' with taylor swift following 'tortured poets' release (source), anthony ramos & reba mcentire on getting emotional over 'the voice' singers' 'heartbreaking' stories, matthew mcconaughey makes rare red carpet appearance with all 3 kids, jon bon jovi is leaving another tour ‘up to god’ as he recovers from vocal cord surgery (exclusive), king charles returning to royal duties amid cancer battle, colman domingo reacts to rumors he'll replace jonathan majors as mcu's kang (exclusive), ellen degeneres addresses 'getting kicked out of show business' in stand-up comedy comeback (report), madonna pays tribute to her kids for uplifting her following a 'near-death experience', ‘the traitors' star parvati shallow gives update on relationship with ‘perfect’ mae martin (exclusive), phaedra parks confirms ‘married to medicine’ return, hints at ‘rhoa’ reunion with porsha williams, why emma stone wants fans to call her by a different name, ciara shares her weight on a scale after declaring she's trying to lose 70 pounds, reba mcentire spills on reuniting with melissa peterman for new nbc sitcom pilot (exclusive), taraji p. henson on her heartfelt secret to 'staying so young' (exclusive), 'fire country': bode and eve get into heated argument (exclusive), why brandi glanville feels ‘sad’ amid 'rhugt' legal drama (exclusive), 'dance moms' cast slams co-stars who skipped out on reunion special, ‘dance moms: the reunion’: jojo siwa defends abby lee miller's past behavior to co-stars, the actress shared her biggest moments behind the scenes, including when she was taken to the hospital after fainting on the set.

Jeri Ryan kicked off a new chapter of Star Trek: Voyager when Seven of Nine, an ex-Borg drone on the long road back to her humanity, was transported onto the wayward Intrepid class ship 25 years ago.

To celebrate this milestone and the indelible mark the character left on Gene Roddenberry’s universe, ET is looking back at Ryan’s groundbreaking introduction and Seven’s journey to becoming one of the franchise’s most important stories. 

In VOY ’s season three finale ("Scorpion" Part I"), a game-changing cliffhanger teased a brand new era for Captain Janeway ( Kate Mulgrew ) and crew. As part of a peace agreement, the Borg offered a liaison to Voyager as the ship continued traversing the Delta quadrant. While expanding a core  Star Trek ensemble had been done before -- Worf (Michael Dorn) hopped off the Enterprise to join the cast of Deep Space Nine just a couple years earlier -- introducing an original character mid-run was a brand new move.

“I think after our first three years, the feeling was we wanted to add a bit of pizzazz to the show,” Star Trek executive producer Rick Berman explained to ET in 1997. “We all agreed that we needed something to bring something fresh to the fourth season.”

As Berman told it, VOY was lacking one of Star Trek ’s most successful archetypes. The Next Generation had Data (Brent Spiner), an android embedded with the pursuit of what it means to be mortal. The original series had Mr. Spock ( Leonard Nimoy ), whose inherent half-Vulcan, half-human dichotomy highlighted both the grace, as well as the faults, of the former and latter. 

In search of what next iteration of this tradition could be, VOY producers flipped the script. “When we looked at what was possible, we realized the Borg were a group who had never failed to excite both the fans and the non-fans alike,” Berman said.

In June 1997, Ryan’s casting as Seven of Nine was officially announced.

“I don't think there's anybody in my generation who is not at least familiar with Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry and his vision,” Ryan told ET that summer. While Star Trek auditions are legendary for being quite the ordeal, she said her consideration was “not that arduous of a process,” which involved just a few readings for producers and the network (UPN, which later combined with The WB to become The CW) before landing the role. 

For Ryan, a lot of the TV landscape at the time was “dark” and “really pessimistic,” which made her excited to expand the franchise’s sincere, optimistic view of the future. “It should open up some interesting possibilities with the storylines, because [Seven] was raised, basically, as a machine… It should be really interesting,” Ryan said. 

IT GETS INTERESTING

Shortly after filming began on the season 4 premiere, “Scorpion Part II,” Ryan ended up in the hospital. 

While Seven’s mainstay wardrobe throughout the series had its own brand of infamy, Ryan’s full-body Borg costume and makeup prosthetics for her character’s introduction proved to be the most dangerous.

“The costume is very snug. And it's rubber and it's very thick,” Ryan explained to ET weeks later. As she recalled, the Borg costume was especially constrictive around the neck and the on-set emergency stemmed from moving her head in one direction just a little too long. “It apparently cut off my carotid artery and brought on a blackout,” she said.

There were other issues with Seven’s costume in that first week, but, thankfully, they were simply the result of Ryan having fun with her new castmates.

”It's their fourth year together, so it could have been very awkward,” Ryan said. “[But] they couldn't be any nicer. Any more welcoming. And every single one of them is a comedian, so it's a lot of fun. A lot of laughing. They kept making my eye piece pop off when I was in the Borg costume, because I kept laughing.” 

As for Seven’s captain, her integration was a welcome change of pace on-screen and behind the scenes. 

“It's impossible not to be nice to her. She's a kick. She's my kind of gal, frankly,” Mulgrew told ET in 1997. “I think the idea behind it was that Janeway would finally have somebody, as Picard had Data, to relate to in terms of developing relationship. And Seven of Nine is half-Borg, half-human. It's wonderful. It's filled with conflict and tension to begin with."

Mulgrew also revealed her words of wisdom to Ryan upon joining the ensemble. “I think what I said to her originally was, first of all, laughter is the only balm. It's the only way to get through this,” she recalled. “And I said take a deep breath, because this will end soon. And then you can relax and fly with it.” 

THE DELTA CHRONICLES

When it came to Seven fostering a relationship with Janeway, as well as her attempts to be more human, VOY opted for a slow and steady approach. As Ryan’s finished out her first season, she said the character is picking up where her six-year-old, pre-Borg self left off. 

“This is Seven experiencing a lot of growing pains, because emotionally she's a child,” Ryan told to ET in 1998. “This is her sort of hitting her preteen years and not really knowing where she belongs. She's not really a Borg. She's not really a human. How does she feel about potentially going back to Earth? And she lashes out at the authority figure -- Janeway. “

She added, “It has been a wild ride. That's for sure. It's been a lot of fun. I've enjoyed myself, but it has been crazy.”

The next few years wouldn’t get any less intense for Ryan or her on-screen counterpart. In the seasons that followed, Seven found herself wrestling with one existential crisis after another. Whether it was fending off the Borg Queen’s temptations to rejoin the collective or preparing to go on her first date, she always came out the other end a little less broken or, at least, a little less Borg.

There was also that time she wrestled The Rock . 

“[I’ve] beaten Stone Cold Steve Austin on numerous occasions. The Undertaker. Mankind. The list goes on and on and on,” Dwayne Johnson told ET on the set of "Tsunkatse" in 1999. “But [Ryan,] she's probably one of the toughest, if not, dare I say, the toughest The Rock has ever faced.”

Alongside the character’s many breakthroughs, Ryan noted that what made Seven’s journey unique was her passive attitude toward recapturing her humanity.

“I don't think it's so much that Seven really, really wants to be human. It's the fact that she is and she doesn't really have a choice now that she's not a Borg anymore,” she told ET in 1999. “She realizes that the Borg wasn't such a great thing in hindsight. She's just sort of taking what she sees as an inevitable course.”

THAT’S A WRAP

In 2001, the Voyager crew was set to finally return to the Alpha Quadrant. And like TNG and DS9 before them, VOY prepared to say goodbye to fans after seven seasons on the air.

“We've had a couple days that were a little bittersweet,” Ryan told ET on the set of “Endgame,” VOY ’s series finale. “I've been with these people for four years and they've been together for seven. And you really do become like a family, because you see them more than your family.”

Ryan added with a laugh, “I won't miss the corset.”

At VOY ’s wrap party, Ryan reflected on the end of her four-year journey, which also corresponded with the beginning of the end for Star Trek ’s television renaissance at the time.  

“This has been a wonderful, wonderful ride and I will miss these people so much, because I've made such dear friends,” Ryan said. “But I think it's time to move on. “

HELLO, CHATEAU

Nearly 20 years after VOY ended, Ryan was called back into service. Following the debut of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017, Sir Patrick Stewart returned to help shepherd another pivotal moment for the franchise. To everyone’s complete surprise, the first trailer for Star Trek: Picard in 2019 revealed Seven of Nine was part of the new series. But as Ryan tells it, no one was more shocked than her to see the character on TV again.

"I did four years on Voyager and I really thought that was it," Ryan explained to ET  in March . "And when I said goodbye to the character, then I really thought that was it. I was saying goodbye to that character."

Bringing the two characters together made sense to fans on many levels, but no more so than their shared history as victims of the Borg. As one moment in season 1 of STP conveyed (“Stardust City Rag”), both characters live with PTSD from their experiences.

Seven: After they brought you back from your time in the Collective, do you honestly feel that you've regained your humanity?

Picard: Yes.

Seven: All of it?

Picard: No. But we're both working on it, aren't we?

Seven: Every damn day of my life.

"[Stewart]'s a legend, obviously, and these two characters, it was exciting to get these two characters, especially, together in this world," she shared. 

On STP , Ryan’s been able to perform several full-circle moments for the ex-Borg-formerly-known-as-Annika, as well as portraying some of her most evolutionary and unbeknownst insights. Some of these are tragic, such as the death of her ex-Borg protege, Ichab, while others are well-deserved new horizons. Even amid the chaotic events of season 2, which saw Q (John de Lancie) throwing nearly every trademark Star Trek crisis at the La Sirena crew, Seven cultivated her romance with Raffi (Michelle Hurd) and re-upped her commitment to Picard’s latest band of interstellar explorers. 

"It's crazy. That's a really rare gift as an actor," Ryan said. "It was a rare gift to begin with to have a character that was so beautifully written and had so much growth, since she didn't even start out human. But then to be able to revisit her this many years later and continue her journey, It's been pretty astonishing."

Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Picard both stream on Paramount+. 

RELATED CONTENT

'Star Trek' Icon Nichelle Nichols' Ashes to Be Launched Into Space

‘Star Trek’ Reveals Crossover Event With ‘Lower Decks’ and ‘Strange New Worlds’ During Comic-Con

How 'Star Trek VI' Said Goodbye to Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and the Original Enterprise Crew (Flashback)

• Star Trek: Picard

Latest News

Updates on celebrity news, tv, fashion and more.

Star Trek's Seven of Nine returns in new novel 'Picard: Firewall' (exclusive)

Acclaimed author David Mack invites fans on a bold new mission into the final frontier.

Beaming in from the Delta Quadrant and straight onto your bookshelf is prolific "Star Trek" author David Mack's latest sci-fi jewel, "Picard: Firewall," a 336-page hardcover coming Feb. 27, 2024  

In this compelling story set before the unfolding events of the premiere season of Paramount+'s " Star Trek: Picard ," "Firewall" focuses on the former Borg character of Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) as she links up with a notorious band of space vigilantes and we have an exclusive chapter excerpt to share below.

Mack is a multi-award-winning science fiction master who's authored 38 novels in the arenas of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure, including the "Star Trek Destiny" and "Cold Equations" trilogies. His impressive resume of writing credits includes episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and consultant work on the debut season of the hit animated series, "Star Trek: Prodigy."

Related: Star Trek streaming guide: Where to watch the Star Trek movies and TV shows online

Star Trek: Picard: Firewall: $27.99 from Amazon

Two years after the USS Voyager's return from the Delta Quadrant, Seven of Nine finds herself rejected for a position in Starfleet … and instead finds a new home with the interstellar rogue law enforcement corps known as the Fenris Rangers. The Rangers seem like an ideal fit for Seven — but to embrace this new destiny, she must leave behind all she's ever known, and risk losing the most important thing in her life: her friendship with Admiral Kathryn Janeway.

Here's the official publisher synopsis from Pocket Books:

"A thrilling prequel adventure based on the acclaimed TV series ' Star Trek: Picard! '

"Two years after the USS Voyager's return from the Delta Quadrant, Seven of Nine finds herself rejected for a position in Starfleet and instead finds a new home with the interstellar rogue law enforcement corps known as the Fenris Rangers. The Rangers seem like an ideal fit for Seven—but to embrace this new destiny, she must leave behind all she's ever known, and risk losing the most important thing in her life: her friendship with Admiral Kathryn Janeway."

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

What Mack found most compelling about writing "Firewall" was the need to make a deep dive into the psychology of Seven of Nine during a critical phase of her life. 

"Because she and Kathryn Janeway are the only two major canon "Star Trek" characters in the novel, and most of the book is told through Seven's perspective, I needed to immerse myself in Seven's point of view as a queer woman on a journey of self-discovery as well as that of a heroine on an adventure," Mack tells Space.com. 

"It gave me a chance to connect with much of what makes Seven such a great character: her intelligence, her integrity, and also her hidden vulnerability. She is a richly layered person, able to contain seemingly contradictory multitudes, and that made it a joy to explore her psyche during her transition from ex-Borg to a fully empathetic human being."

Here's our exclusive excerpt from "Picard: Firewall" courtesy of Pocket Books:

She switched back to the team's channel. "Everyone! Use the storm as cover!"

The team responded in overlapping transmissions — " Are you crazy?" "Oh, hell no." "You’ve gotta be kidding!" — until a fresh barrage of disruptor pulses from the fighter quelled dissent and spurred them all into powered dives toward the thunderhead.

"Don't cluster! Split up and regroup on—"

Another fusillade of disruptor blasts cut across the strike team’s descent vector—and one tore through Ellory's thruster pack, which exploded in a burst of sparks and shrapnel.

Seven struggled to see past the inky plume of smoke pouring from Ellory's fragged suit. "Ell! Talk to me, Ell! Ell, can you hear me?"

Harper cut in: " Her suit’s offline! No power, no comms! Anyone got eyes on her?"

"Affirmative," Speirs said. " No movement, falling like a rock."

"About to lose her in the clouds," Ballard said.

Seven keyed her suit's thrusters to maximum. "Everyone, get clear. I’m going in." Hands outstretched and pointed ahead of her, she chased after the unresponsive Ellory and speared her way into the thundercloud just a second behind her.

Everything went pitch-black, and then the world flared blinding white—lightning slashed in great forks all around Seven, and entire banks of black cloud pulsed with inner light, all of it followed by crushing roars of thunder that hit her with walls of sonic force.

Her eyes pulsed with green and purple afterimages, and her head spun from the shock of thunderclaps, but she forced herself not to blink, not to pass out, not to pull inward or do anything to slow her dive. Hands first, head lowered, she arrowed through another wall of roiling black and gray vapors—to see Ellory just a hundred meters ahead of her, tumbling wildly, out of control, with no sign of consciousness.

Beneath them, the belly of the cloud flared white with electrical fury.

 —  Star Trek movies in order: Chronological and release

 — New 'Star Trek' movie featuring Picard is on the way, Patrick Stewart says

— 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' will get a choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel

Seven accelerated directly into Ellory and wrapped her arms around her, and then her legs.

"Computer! Shields!" Her suit's command system activated the low-power shield normally used for extra protection during the most perilous moments of atmospheric entry.

Please be enough—

She and Ellory plunged through the bottom of the cloud as it resounded with thunder and flashed—just for a few milliseconds—with sheet lightning hotter than the surface of a star.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Jeff Spry is an award-winning screenwriter and veteran freelance journalist covering TV, movies, video games, books, and comics. His work has appeared at SYFY Wire, Inverse, Collider, Bleeding Cool and elsewhere. Jeff lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon amid the ponderosa pines, classic muscle cars, a crypt of collector horror comics, and two loyal English Setters.

ULA chronicles the rise of Vulcan rocket in new employee-drawn comic book

'The New World on Mars' offers a Red Planet settlement guide (exclusive)

Alien Day 2024: 'Alien' bursts back into theaters today

Most Popular

• 2 Satellite images overlay 2024 and 2017 total solar eclipses sweeping across US
• 3 Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is 'go' for May 6 astronaut launch
• 4 Russian cosmonauts make quick work of space station spacewalk
• 5 Curiosity rover may be 'burping' methane out of Mars' subsurface

• More to Explore
• Series & Movies

Published Mar 6, 2019

Dynamic Duos: Seven of Nine and The Doctor

Author Mary Fan considers how The Doctor and Seven of Nine compelled Trek fans to ask, "What makes us human?"

StarTrek.com

One of the many things that makes Star Trek special is its willingness and ability to explore complex emotions and relationships against a science-fiction backdrop. In fact, the franchise often takes it a step further by weaving sci-fi elements into these very human stories — which are made all the more interesting when the participants aren’t actually human.

The relationship on Star Trek: Voyager between The Doctor (Robert Picardo), a sentient hologram, and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), a cyborg, is fascinating and wonderful on many levels. Both are rooted in humanity. The Doctor was originally a virtual copy of his human creator, Dr. Zimmerman, and Seven of Nine was born human and then assimilated into the Borg collective as a child. And both exhibit many human traits, even as the world or even they themselves deny their own humanity.

It’s intriguing — almost ironic — that their relationship begins with an artificial being helping a woman reclaim the humanity that was stolen from her. The Doctor literally removes Seven’s Borg implants, extracting those parts of her that had suppressed her humanity for so long. However, he’s unable to completely return her to an organic state, as some of the Borg technology has become so integrated into her body that removing them would have killed her.

This parallels her personality; she’s now an individual and not part of the Borg collective, and yet being essentially raised by the Borg has impacted her personality and the way she interacts with the world. Even after her escape, the Borg have forever shaped her, inside and out — something that’s metaphorically acknowledged in her decision to remain “Seven of Nine,” her Borg designation, rather than reclaiming her human name, Annika Hansen.

Meanwhile, throughout the series, The Doctor is constantly working to improve his own humanity, adding subroutines and exploring new dimensions of himself. In fact, his desire to help Seven rediscover her humanity through social lessons is, in a sense, him projecting his desires on to her. This is made the most apparent in the episode “Body and Soul,” where he inhabits her body and indulges in the physical sensations he can’t experience as a hologram, most notably by overeating (and giving Seven the mother of all stomachaches). Though she (understandably) objects, she comes to appreciate his perspective that eating can be for pleasure, and not just as a way of refueling.

The Doctor is arguably the first one to appreciate just how dynamic a person Seven can be. Through their social lessons, they both discover elements of her that were previously buried. While Seven explores her identity, the Doctor eventually falls in love with her, adding a new level of complication to their relationship. Especially since his feelings are not requited.

It’s rare, truly rare, in any media to see a close emotional relationship between a man and a woman that doesn’t end with a mutual romance. It’s become expected that if a man and a woman are depicted as being so close that they’ll eventually fall for each other and live happily ever after (or at least want to until circumstances rip them apart). Yet, unrequited love between friends is something that happens in the real world. While it may not be as satisfying to watch, it’s certainly worth exploring through storytelling.

I, for one, appreciated that Seven and the Doctor did not end up in a romantic relationship, even though that seemed like the obvious conclusion to their story. It made their friendship far more interesting, especially since they remained friends even after Seven made it clear that she wasn’t romantically interested in the Doctor (who was crestfallen). I also appreciated that Seven didn’t take offense when she glimpsed the Doctor’s daydreams about her via the holodeck; she acknowledged that these were only fantasies and trusted him enough to know that they wouldn’t impact their interactions. The mutual respect they show for each other throughout this sticky emotional situation is admirable.

Picardo and Ryan did an absolutely phenomenal job of bringing these two complex characters to life, and making their interactions ring so true. Picardo’s combination of irritability, dry humor, wit and slight insecurity made him truly believable as a person always trying to better himself, while Ryan’s ability to display cold intelligence while hinting at the vulnerability beneath is what makes Seven such a compelling character. It couldn’t have been easy to bring all the layers of the Doctor and Seven’s evolving relationship to life on screen, and both actors managed it with charm and subtlety.

Like all good teachers, The Doctor eventually has to acknowledge that Seven has outgrown him. What started out as social lessons evolves into a true friendship, complicated by romantic tensions, that survives several fraught circumstances. And along the way, we, the audience, are invited to ask questions about what makes us human as we watch two non-humans figure it out.

Mary Fan is a sci-fi/fantasy writer hailing from Jersey City, NJ. She is the author of the Jane Colt sci-fi series, which comprises Artificial Absolutes (2013), Synthetic Illusions (2014), and Virtual Shadows (2015), and Starswept (2017), and Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil (2018), a YA dark fantasy and the first novel of the Flynn Nightsider series. Due out in 2019 is Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon , a YA steampunk fantasy. Check out her official page at www.maryfan.com/ .

Get Updates By Email

Here's the reason 5 seasons is not the new normal for a Star Trek series

S tar Trek: Discovery and Lower Decks were both canceled this year, bringing an end to an unprecedented era of Star Trek television. At one point the franchise had five shows in active development with the idea of having 50 weeks of Trek in a given year, with Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds essentially running back to back to back to back to back.

From October 28, 2021, to Dec. 29, 2022, all five shows released new seasons, with Star Trek: Prodigy going first with the first half of season one which went until Feb. 3, 2022. Discovery hopped in with season four on Nov. 18, 2021, and wrapped up on March 17, 2022. Picard launched its second season on March 3, 2022, and concluded on May 5, 2022, just in time for Strange New Worlds to begin. That show would go from May 5 to July 7, 2022, with Lower Decks then starting on August 25, 2022. This marked the longest break between shows in nearly a year. Lower Decks would go until October 27, 2022, when, surprise, Prodigy's second half of season one would also start. Lower Decks would conclude on Dec 29, 2022, of that year.

That idea was extremely expensive and extremely short-sighted, as not every show brought in the same amount of fans, but all largely cost relatively close to one another to produce. It was a bad idea and by the end of 2023, only three shows would remain.

Picard was closed out in season three after Paramount+ essentially rejected the desires of Patrick Stewart and Terry Matalas to keep going. Prodigy was canceled during the production of season two. The long-forgotten Short Treks only got two seasons, while Discovery and Lower Decks each got five.

Some believe that the new standard for Star Trek's success is no longer the seven seasons it used to be on television, but five seasons; however, that's just not the case. Star Trek shows never went past seven seasons because that's what they were contracted for initially. The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine were sold as seven-season shows. Voyager was lucky to hit that mark because unlike The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, Voyager was not a syndicated series. This means they could be canceled prior to season seven.

It was just the best-performing show on UPN at the time, and the channel needed a big-ticket item like Star Trek at the time. Enterprise, and the Original Series, were not sold as seven-season shows for syndicated purposes. Enterprise was picked up with similar contracts in place that Voyager had, while The Original Series was a season-to-season order.

The cancelations of Lower Decks and Discovery doesn't mean that the new "standard" is five seasons, it's a sign that these shows were under-delivering in viewers and were costing too much. There's a reason that four of the five shows that were anchoring Paramount+ just under two years ago are all gone; they're expensive as heck to make.

This had nothing to do with a show hitting a natural stopping point and concluding the series because it got it's seven seasons (or in this case five seasons) in. This is a case of private equity firms and debt holders coming to collect the money that outfits like Paramount+ owe.

This is a financial issue more than anything, so to basically say because two shows got canceled heading into season five, that it's the new standard, is to severely miss just how problematic the entire situation at Paramount+ truly is. Every show is on the chopping block; that's not a standard of success, that's a failure of finance.

Don't try to spin this into something it's not. These shows were canceled because the money was gone and the viewership was gone. If it was anything other than that, then Picard and Prodigy would be on their way to five seasons still.

This article was originally published on redshirtsalwaysdie.com as Here's the reason 5 seasons is not the new normal for a Star Trek series .

Hi, what are you looking for?

TREKNEWS.NET | Your daily dose of Star Trek news and opinion

New photos from Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4 “Face the Strange”

Star Trek: Discovery “Under the Twin Moons” Review: Clues among the moons

New photos from the first two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5

First Photo from Star Trek: Section 31 revealed, legacy character confirmed

New Star Trek: Discovery posters revealed ahead of final season premiere

Star Trek: Discovery “Mirrors” Review: Navigating Reflections

Star Trek: Discovery “Face the Strange” Review: Embarking on a Temporal Odyssey

Star Trek: Discovery “Jinaal” Review: One step forward, two steps back

Star Trek: Picard — Firewall Review: The Renaissance of Seven of Nine

From TNG to Enterprise, Star Trek VFX Maestro, Adam Howard, shares stories from his career

Strange New Worlds director Jordan Canning talks “Charades,” the versatility of the series & Star Trek fandom

‘Star Trek Online’ lead designer talks the game’s longevity, honoring the franchise, and seeing his work come to life in ‘Picard’

Gates McFadden talks Star Trek: Picard, reuniting with her TNG castmates, InvestiGates, and the Human Condition

Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating talk ‘Enterprise’, their relationship with Star Trek in 2023 and their first live ‘Shuttlepod Show’

57-Year Mission set to beam 160+ Star Trek guests down to Las Vegas

John Billingsley discusses what he’d want in a fifth season of Enterprise, playing Phlox and this weekend’s Trek Talks 2 event

Veteran Star Trek director David Livingston looks back on his legendary career ahead of Trek Talks 2 event

ReedPop’s Star Trek: Mission Seattle convention has been cancelled

56-Year Mission Preview: More than 130 Star Trek guests set to beam down to Las Vegas convention

New photos + video preview from Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 “Mirrors”

2023: A banner year for Star Trek — here’s why [Op-Ed]

‘Making It So’ Review: Patrick Stewart’s journey from stage to starship

54-Disc Picard Legacy Collection, Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Complete Series Blu-ray box sets announced

Star Trek: Picard series finale “The Last Generation” Review: A perfect sendoff to an unforgettable crew

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds arrives on Blu-ray, 4K UHD and DVD this December

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds “Hegemony” Review: An underwhelming end to the series’ sophomore season

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 finale “Hegemony” preview + new photos

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 209 “Subspace Rhapsody” Review: All systems stable… but why are we singing?

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds “Subspace Rhapsody” preview + new photos

Star Trek Day 2021 to Celebrate 55th Anniversary of the Franchise on September 8 with Live Panels and Reveals

Paramount+ Launches with 1-Month Free Trial, Streaming Every Star Trek Episode

Paramount+ to Officially Launch March 4, Taking Place of CBS All Access

STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS Season 2 Now Streaming For Free (in the U.S.)

[REVIEW] STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS “Children of Mars”: All Hands… Battle Stations

‘U.S.S. Cerritos Crew Handbook’ Review: A must-read Star Trek: Lower Decks fans

New photos from this week’s Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 finale

Star Trek: Lower Decks “The Inner Fight” Review: Lost stars and hidden battles

New photos from this week’s episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek: Prodigy begins streaming December 25th on Netflix

Star Trek: Prodigy lands at Netflix, season 2 coming in 2024

Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 sneak peek reveals the surprise return of a Voyager castmember

Star Trek: Prodigy canceled, first season to be removed from Paramount+

Revisiting “Star Trek: Legacies – Captain to Captain” Retro Review

The Wrath of Khan – The Making of the Classic Film Review: A gem for your Star Trek reference collection

The events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture to continue in new IDW miniseries “Echoes”

Star Trek: The Original Series “Harm’s Way” Book Review

William Shatner’s New Book ‘Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder’ Review: More of a good thing

Star Trek: Infinite release date + details on Lower Decks­-themed pre-order bonuses

‘Star Trek: Infinite’ strategy game revealed, set to be released this fall

Hero Collector Revisits The Classics in New Starfleet Starships Essentials Collection

New Star Trek Docuseries ‘The Center Seat’ Announced, Coming This Fall

Star Trek Designing Starships: Deep Space Nine & Beyond Review: a Deep Dive Into Shuttlecraft of the Gamma Quadrant

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Illustrated Handbook Review: Terok Nor Deconstructed in Amazing Detail

Robert Beltran Is Officially Returning to Star Trek as Chakotay on ‘Prodigy’ + More Casting News

Robert Beltran Says He’s Returning to Star Trek in ‘Prodigy’

John Billingsley Talks Life Since Star Trek: Enterprise, Going to Space and Turning Down Lunch with Shatner and Nimoy

Star Trek: Enterprise Star John Billingsley Talks Charity Work, Upcoming TREK*Talks Event

Preview: Star Trek: Discovery 504 “Face the Strange”

Star Trek: Discovery returns for the fourth installment of the series’ fifth and final season with “Face the Strange” this Thursday, April 18 . The episode is written by Sean Cochran and directed by Lee Rose .

Today, we have a clip along with two new photos from the episode — featuring Eve Harlow as Moll and Elias Toufexis as L’ak.

You can check out the new photos below. Please be aware of some minor spoilers.

Official description:

On the way to the next clue, the  U.S.S. Discovery  is sabotaged by a mysterious weapon, leaving Captain Burnham, Rayner, and Stamets as the only crew members who can possibly save the ship in time.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 castmembers include Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker), Blu del Barrio (Adira) and Callum Keith Rennie (Rayner). Season five also features recurring guest stars Elias Toufexis (L’ak) and Eve Harlow (Moll).

Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Prodigy , Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Star Trek: Picard , Star Trek: Lower Decks, and more.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending Articles

Review: Star Trek: Picard – Firewall Seven of Nine, a heroine who has resurged in popularity thanks to Jeri Ryan’s return to the franchise...

An article celebrating the longevity of the Star Trek franchise has given us our first look at Michelle Yeoh’s upcoming Star Trek: Section 31...

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 stumbles with “Jinaal” Discovery’s voyage to the ultimate treasure brings Captain Michael Burnham and her crew to Trill, where...

Preview: Star Trek: Discovery 505 “Mirrors” The fifth episode of Star Trek: Discovery’s fifth and final season “Mirrors” premieres this Thursday, April 25. The...

Screen Rant

7 biggest star trek secrets spock kept.

From Star Trek: The Original Series to Strange New Worlds, Mr. Spock has been able to keep some of Star Trek's most important secrets to himself.

• Spock kept many secrets to maintain continuity with Star Trek TOS, only revealing what was relevant or life-threatening.
• Lt. Spock's tight-lipped nature and trustworthiness were evident in keeping Number One's love for musicals a secret.
• Spock's knowledge of Pike's tragic future and encounters with Lower Decks ensigns were also secret-keeping priorities.

Star Trek 's Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) kept a surprising number of secrets over the course of his long life. In Star Trek: The Original Series , Spock volunteered very few details about his own life, and the crew of the Starship Enterprise rarely pried into the Vulcan's private affairs. Those who did ask generally received sideways answers or a raised eyebrow that said enough. Instead, Spock only disclosed personal information if it was relevant to the Enterprise's current missions , if people from Spock's past came back into his life as a plot point, if it was a matter of life and death -- or, in at least one case, all three.

The inclusion of Ethan Peck's younger Lieutenant Spock in the streaming era of Star Trek , starting in Star Trek: Discovery season 2, and continuing in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , all but assured that more new stories featuring Spock would translate into more secrets for Spock to keep in order to maintain continuity with Star Trek: The Original Series. Obviously, the things that were invented for new shows couldn't be referenced in Star Trek: The Original Series, so there had to be reasons that Spock never spoke again about meetings with new characters, insights into the future, and even some of Spock's own relationships. Fortunately, Mr. Spock has always been relatively tight-lipped.

Star Trek’s Ethan Peck: Strange New Worlds’ Spock Actor Explained

7 commander una chin-riley is a fan of gilbert & sullivan, spock kept number one's love of old musicals a secret until her hearing..

Admittedly, it's not one of Star Trek 's biggest secrets, but by keeping Number One's secret love of theater to himself, Lt. Spock proves his trustworthiness to Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) and Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). Spock keeps this tidbit of personal information about Number One locked tight until Una's hearing in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 2, "Ad Astra Per Aspera" , when Spock is asked if he ever believed that Una was hiding something. Lieutenant Spock is beholden to the truth, so he must answer in the affirmative: Commander Chin-Riley is hiding the fact that she loves old musicals.

In Star Trek: Short Treks season 2, episode 1, "Q&A", Commander Una Chin-Riley encourages a fresh-faced young Ensign Spock to ask questions to the point of being obnoxious. Spock takes that advice to heart when he finds himself trapped in a turbolift with Number One shortly thereafter. While Spock's questions steer clear of digging for personal information about Una herself, the time in the turbolift drags on, and Number One willingly confesses her love for Gilbert & Sullivan musicals with a rendition of "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General", which Spock is ordered to forget.

Number One's penchant for Gilbert & Sullivan is referenced in Una's duet with Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9, "Subspace Rhapsody", in the style of the song itself and also a lyric.

6 Captain Pike Will Suffer A Tragic Accident

Spock kept his knowledge of pike’s future in a wheelchair a secret..

In Star Trek: Discovery season 2, episode 8, "If Memory Serves", Captain Christopher Pike encounters a Klingon time crystal in the temple on the planet Boreth, and learns of the horrifying future that awaits him after Pike saves Starfleet Cadets during a terrible accident. Pike's knowledge of his future becomes a major theme in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, as Chris ruminates on whether his fate is actually sealed or if it can be changed.

Captain Pike met his future self in Star Trek: Strange New World s season 1 finale and learned that if he tries to change his destiny, it will be Spock who would be horribly disfigured instead.

Rather than bear the burden of this knowledge alone, Captain Pike decides to tell Commander Una Chin-Riley and Lieutenant Spock about the vision of Pike's future in a wheelchair that the time crystal revealed in the Klingon Temple. It's a risk, but Pike trusts both Spock and Number One to keep the secret of Pike's future, so they can help Pike navigate the present.

5 Spock Met Star Trek: Lower Decks Ensigns Beckett Mariner and Brad Boimler

Spock kept meeting the 24th-century ensigns from star trek: lower decks a secret..

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2's crossover episode, "Those Old Scientists", the USS Enterprise crew under Captain Pike come face to face with Star Trek: Lower Decks ' 24th-century Ensigns Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) and Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome). After Mariner and Boimler accidentally activate a time portal that takes them into the 23rd century, both Starfleet Officers end up on the 23rd-century Starship Enterprise. What could have been a temporal catastrophe is, thankfully, avoided.

Boimler telling Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) that none of the books he read about Spock in the future mention her leads to Chapel breaking off her romance with the Vulcan.

Of course, Boimler can't help being excited about working with Spock, one of his personal heroes, and Mariner says young Spock is hot with a certain amount of surprise, implying that Spock's legacy lasts well into the future. Although the Temporal Prime Directive hasn't been invented yet, Spock knows that he'll have to keep anything that Mariner and Boimler say about the future a secret, and won't even be able to speak of the meeting after they return to their own time.

Mariner and Boimler prove they can keep a secret too, when Mariner reminds Boimler about "the Pike thing we're not supposed to talk about" in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 1, "Twovix".

4 Spock Knows About Talos IV

Spock risks his career to give captain pike peace on talos iv..

In Star Trek: The Original Series , season 1, episodes 10 & 11, "The Menagerie", Spock comes under fire for violating Starfleet's General Order 7, which states, " No vessel under any condition, emergency or otherwise, is to visit Talos IV. " Spock is one of the few officers to have actually been to Talos IV before its very existence was classified as Top Secret, and the ban on landing there was established, having previously visited Talos IV with Captain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter) and the USS Enterprise. In keeping with the spirit of General Order 7, and to disavow anyone but himself from coming under scrutiny for violating it, Spock remains tight-lipped about what is actually on Talos IV, and why Spock must take Captain Pike there after Pike's disfiguring accident.

Spock's motive for committing mutiny by taking Fleet Captain Pike (Sean Kenney) to Talos IV is sound, however. The Talosians' are powerful psychics who would allow Christopher Pike to live the rest of his days peacefully in an illusion instead of in agony after his accident. Because Spock also knew that Captain Pike's accident would happen, it's likely Spock had the return trip to Talos IV already planned well before the accident actually occurred.

Leonard Nimoy Always In Ethan Peck's Head Is Why Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Spock Is So Good

3 star trek: discovery's michael burnham is spock's adopted sister, spock kept the uss discovery's fate a secret after star trek: discovery season 2..

Star Trek: Discovery reveals that Spock's adoptive sister, Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) , comes to live with Spock's family on Vulcan after Michael's scientist parents were killed by Klingons. Although Spock is originally skeptical of Michael's presence in his family's home, Spock and Michael eventually come to regard each other as siblings, thanks in part to the intervention of Spock's human mother, Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner).

Spock's visions of a lifeless future play a crucial role in Star Trek: Discovery season 2's Red Angel mystery, which reunites Spock with Michael after years apart. In the final battle against Section 31's threat assessment AI, Control, the USS Discovery leaps forward in time, so Discovery's crew, including Michael Burnham, are officially declared dead. All information about Discovery is classified by Starfleet , ensuring that Spock would have to keep Michael Burnham a secret after Star Trek: Discovery season 2.

2 Spock Has A Vulcan Fiancée, T'Pring

Spock kept t’pring a secret from kirk’s enterprise until “amok time”..

One of Spock's closely-guarded secrets is revealed early in Star Trek: The Original Series season 2, episode 1, "Amok Time", when Spock's mysterious illness turns out to be pon farr , the onset of the 7-year Vulcan mating cycle. The existence of pon farr isn't widely known at this point, which is how Spock would prefer it, but Spock also knows that he must redirect the Enterprise to Vulcan in order to cure this ailment, so Spock has to come clean about another secret: Spock has a wife, T'Pring (Arlene Martel), who lives on Vulcan.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds explores Lieutenant Spock's doomed relationship with T'Pring (Gia Sandhu) before TOS. Thus far, Strange New Worlds takes care to preserve the fact that most of the officers serving on Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) USS Enterprise, including Kirk himself, don't know that T'Pring exists in Star Trek: The Original Series.

Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) serves with Lt. Spock on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ' USS Enterprise but, conveniently, Uhura has not seen T'Pring, preserving Lt. Uhura's (Nichelle Nichols) surprise in Star Trek: The Original Series' "Amok Time."

1 Spock Has A Rogue Half-Brother, Sybok

Spock kept sybok a secret until star trek v: the final frontier..

In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier , the USS Enterprise is pulled out of drydock to pursue a renegade Vulcan who has kidnapped ambassadors on Nimbus III, and the target of the chase turns out to be Spock's half-brother, Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill). With Sybok's existence now relevant to the current mission, Spock is a little more forthcoming with information about his previously unmentioned sibling, who rejects the traditional, logical teachings of Surak in favor of unbridled emotion. Spock's half-brother Sybok was disowned by their father, Sarek, for his dangerous philosophy, and Spock was instructed to do the same. Because Sybok had no place in Spock's family due to his beliefs, it makes perfect sense for Spock to keep the secret that he even had a brother in the first place.

Sybok makes a brief cameo in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 7, "The Serene Squall", but doesn't appear in Strange New Worlds season 2.

As a private person by nature, Spock is predisposed towards keeping his personal life secret to focus on the matters at hand, from missions to cultivating more current friendships. Spock's exemplary record as a Starfleet officer also demonstrates that Spock will abide by orders from superior officers to keep their personal secrets, as well as secrets that are necessary to ensure the safety of the timeline. Between Star Trek: The Original Series , Star Trek: Discovery , and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Mr. Spock shows that he can be trusted with Star Trek 's important secrets, regardless of the reason for keeping them.

Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are streaming on Paramount+.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is streaming on Max.