Patrick Stewart is undoubtedly an acting genius, and his work on Star Trek: The Next Generation as Captain Jean-Luc Picard is widely celebrated. His performance in the series is often hailed as one of the best in television history. However, one episode featuring Stewart stands out among fans for its remarkable writing and chilling sequence.
Some Reddit users have even argued that the premise of the episode was so frightening that it could have easily supported an entire season.
A Star Trek Episode That Deserved a Whole Season
Star Trek: The Next Generation, created under the cinematic canvas of Gene Roddenberry, ran for a total of seven seasons from 1987 to 1994. It also boasted a star-studded ensemble, the most notable of which was Patrick Stewart. The actor played the iconic Captain Jean-Luc Picard and brought a great depth and nuance to the show.
However, one particular episode of his had the capacity to helm an entire season of its own, as pointed out by a user on Reddit. He added, “The plot of TNG’s Conspiracy is an easy one—it could have been a seasons-long arc” or even integrated with the Borg arc for a more detailed narrative.
What episode, plot, etc, do you consider Trek’s biggest missed opportunity?
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In the said Conspiracy episode, Captain Picard receives an urgent and confidential message from Captain Walker Keel of the USS Horatio. Keel is alarmed by suspicious orders from Starfleet Command and the mysterious deaths of Starfleet officers. He further hints at a possible conspiracy, and given the gravity of the situation, he asks Picard for a face-to-face meeting to discuss his concerns.
But before the duo gets a chance to discuss the matters, the USS Horatio is completely destroyed. Picard then asks Captain Data to examine all Starfleet orders issued in the last six months. This further uncovers a series of unusual directives from high-ranking officials. Picard mounting with concern commands the Enterprise to Earth.
Further, upon their arrival, the crew receives an unexpected transmission from three Starfleet officials named Savar, Quinn, and Aaron, who then invite Captain Picard and Commander Riker for a meal.
However, during the dinner, Dr. Crusher discovers a parasitic, bug-like creature. This creature is attached to Admiral Quinn’s brain and is thus controlling him. Further, the parasites attempt to take over Starfleet by using humanoids as hosts. To subdue the infected Admirals, Picard and Riker act quickly.
They try to force the creatures to detach and flee, with one of them escaping into a room where Quinn’s assistant Remmick is found eating the parasite. In a dramatic showdown, Picard and Riker destroy Remmick, who had been transmitting a signal to attract more such creatures.
One Childhood Mistake That Patrick Stewart Still Regrets to This Day
A person’s past always catches up to them, and in a unique turn of events, Patrick Stewart revealed a terrible detail about his own childhood. In a documentary named #NOJOKE (via Too Fab), he revealed that he used to be a bully. He added:
I was a bully. (Further) We had one guy who had a deformed hand, and we used to catch him and hit his hand against the wall until it bled, because we said that’s not a hand, we can do whatever we like with it.”
In the documentary, the actor reflected on his own tumultuous past and revealed how his early exposure to violence at home influenced his aggressive behavior. He then also added, “I’m ashamed of all these incidents.” Stewart talked about the same subject while promoting The Kid Who Would Be King.
He added that he used to bully people because, as a young teenager, he felt the need to assert control over others to feel superior. While this was the story of his past, the actor changed for the better and has taken on the role of a passionate advocate against bullying and domestic violence.
You can stream Star Trek: The Next Generation on Paramount Plus and rent it on Apple TV.
