Exploring the Casts of Star Trek: TNG and Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek is a beloved franchise with a rich history of iconic characters and storylines. Many fans wonder about the connections between different series within the franchise, particularly as Star Trek: Picard and its cast bring back some familiar faces. In this article, we'll delve into whether any members of the Star Trek: TNG cast appeared in Star Trek: Picard, besides Patrick Stewart's iconic Jean-Luc Picard.

The Desire for a 'Young Picard' Series

There's a growing demand among Trek fans for a 'young Picard' series. This idea is not only appealing due to the intriguing character but also because it opens up a wealth of new stories exploring how Jean-Luc Picard became the revered captain we know from Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). A pivotal point is mentioned in the Star Trek: Enterprise where Picard, before becoming Enterprise-D's captain, had a full command tour on the outdated Stargazer. This era before TNG involves interactions with Beverly Crusher and Guinan, providing an intriguing backstory that fans would love to see.

A Comprehensive Series Without TNG Cast Members

Some fans dream of a new Trek series that wouldn't incorporate any characters from the original shows. This vision aligns with a sentiment of wanting to explore new territory and avoid the familiar protagonists from TNG. One such fan suggestion was a Discovery-inspired series that would jump directly to the time of TOS (The Original Series). However, plans for character reunions and placing key figures like Sarek, Christopher Pike, and Spock in the first season of Discovery somewhat dashed this dream.

Although Discovery made a bold move to introduce important Trekkies from the past, Star Trek: Picard took a different approach. The series focused on Patrick Stewart's portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard, maintaining the legacy of TNG. Despite this, there has been speculation around other TNG cast members appearing in Star Trek: Picard.

Brent Spiner's Potential Guest Appearance

A recent piece of news hinted that Brent Spiner, best known for his roles as Riker in TNG, might be making a guest appearance in Star Trek: Picard. While this adds intrigue to the series, it does not guarantee a starring role. The possibility of any other TNG veterans joining the show remains uncertain at this point.

The decision to have Brent Spiner in a potential guest role raises questions about how much Star Trek: Picard is willing to deviate from the core TNG experience. This aligns with the broader discussion of whether the show should focus on new characters and storylines or maintain connections to its predecessor.

Conclusion

The ongoing narrative of Star Trek is fundamentally about exploration and expansion. Whether fans of TNG hope to see more of its cast in Star Trek: Picard or prefer a fresh new direction, it's clear that Star Trek: Picard is leaning towards the latter. Brent Spiner's potential involvement is a tantalizing prospect but does not negate the focus on a new, standalone story for Star Trek: Picard.