Here at Treknobabble we were saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart. To say that the character he created played a formative role in our childhoods would be underselling the point. For me (Matthew), he was one of my two major pop culture touchstones for non-toxic masculinity (the other being Christopher Reeve's Superman).
So in discussion with my fellow Treknobabblers Kevin and Beth, we thought we would celebrate some great "Picard Episodes" of TNG. But not perhaps the ones that get all of the press. We decided to eliminate from our lists all of the shows on Paramount's list of "essential Picard episodes." So here, with a bit of synopsis and discussion, are ten somewhat unsung episodes that feature a great story for the character or performance by the actor.
Engage!
Allegiance
Season 3, episode 18
In fact... ales for everyone!
Matthew: When I was thinking of Picard Episodes, I didn't want to rely just on the "Big Picard Speech" or Picard suffering some particular tragedy or challenge. I was thinking of his presence. What kind of leader was he, and why was this so resonant with the audience? For every "Yesterday's Enterprise," there are a dozen other shows like this one, "Allegiance."
What strikes me about Picard in this show is his quiet resolve and his steel-trap intelligence. Picard finds himself in a strange prison with no idea of his captors, his fellow prisoners, or even the planet he is on. And so we see him piece together with a calm self-assuredness as much information as he can gain. He finds himself with a timid Tydarian, a Bolian Starfleet cadet, and an aggressive Chalnoth warrior. His experience and knowledge of each species allows him to communicate diplomatically with them, and to lead them in working together to gather information and effect an escape.
What makes this episode particularly interesting as a look at Picard and an acting showcase for Stewart is the Picard double that the aliens have placed on the Enterprise. His portrayal is subtly different - a real achievement because we have to believe that the crew only very vaguely suspect that something is amiss with their captain. The bar scene pictured above and his seduction of Dr. Crusher are juicy scenes, as is his eventual triumphant return to the ship, in which his entire crew responds to a mere glance on his part. This is a fun "Picard episode" that I never skip.
Beth: I won't usually refuse an opportunity to hear Patrick Stewart sing, as he has a sonorous baritone voice... but it is just jarring enough to the viewer that the seeds are sown for the crew's doubt. This episode perfectly demonstrates Picard's intelligence and leadership skills, both while captured and upon his return to the Enterprise. Stewart manages to balance these subtle differences in a spectacularly subtle way, and shows his skill has an actor.
Kevin: I find awkward singing so incredibly awkward that I often skip past that scene, but other than that, yeah this is a quiet showcase for Stewart. I like watching Picard balance the conflicts in the cell well and his reveal of the mole in really fun. I also think it's no small feat to portray just a slightly different version of yourself in a way that doesn't make the other characters idiots for not catching it sooner.
The Defector
Season 3, Episode 10
Maybe the should have kept this look?
Kevin: This was the first one I picked for a strong Picard episode that was not in that first tier. It doesn't have a speech as grand as BoBW or Measure of a Man, but it has what I think defines a lot of these episodes here: a great two person scene. I think the list we've assembled really showcases Stewart's ability to elevate a scene he's in when he's not the primary focus. This is an episode about Jarok, with Picard and Data serving as foils over the course of the episode. I really love the scene in Picard's ready room where he forces Jarok to confront the reality of what he has done. It's heightened, but feels appropriately so. Sloyan obviously crushes it in this episode, but without Picard to ground the stakes for him and the viewer, this could have been episode with Sloyan crushing his monologues in a vacuum. And we get Stewart doing Shakespeare! The whole Picard character serves as a meditation on the burdens of command, and Stewart really did a great job driving it home in his scenes challenging Sloyan. I'll have more about this in my other picks, but I think the mark of a great actor is not just your ability to be the focus, but your ability to share focus and elevate the actors around you.
Matthew: Yeah, the Shakespeare Holodeck teaser is amazeballs, and really shows Stewart's range with accents and delivery. You could almost be forgiven for not recognizing him. And boy, is this a Ronald D. Moore episode or what? As usual, he gives all of the actors dramatic, politically charged lines to dive into. I love it when Picard says "You've made your choices, sah!" I'm glad they had dropped any pretense of his being French by this juncture.
Beth: I'll be honest here, any episode that has Picard doing Shakespeare is a guaranteed winner in my book. As we all know, Patrick Stewart became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and acted with them for 16 years. Stewart became renowned for his Shakespearean roles, almost as much as he became known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Xavier. When Stewart was able to act within Star Trek as Shakespearean characters, or just within a fictional theatrical setting, you could see the joy that he had for the genre.
Lessons
Season 6, episode 19
"Hey baby, do you like my flute?"
Beth: This is an episode where we can watch Picard fall in love with a new crewmember, and be very satisfied with the journey to love and a conclusion of the relationship, all within 44 minutes. The story begins with Picard trying to pursue some personal interests and research, which is lovely character development. When his research efforts and desire to drink a cup of his beloved "Earl Grey, hot" are stymied by Stellar Cartography, Picard decides to figure out what they're doing. This leads to the meet cute between Captain Picard and Lieutenant Commander Nella Darren.
From there, the viewer gets to witness the subtleties of Picard falling in love with Darren. We see them share their love of music, Picard feeling uncomfortable with how to handle the rest of the crew seeing his romantic relationship with another officer, and even consulting with Counselor Troi on how to best move forward.
The scene that gets me every time is when Picard is convinced that Nella died in the firestorms on Bersallis III, and he quietly closes the case to his Ressikan Flute. You can see on Stewart's face just how devastated Picard is, and the implication is that he'll never be able to play music again, for he'll always think of his lost love. Simply put, if it weren't for Stewart's impeccable acting, this is an episode that may not have worked as well as it did.
Matthew: The fact that Stewart can sell this romance, when many if not most fans (but certainly me) were screaming at the void internally that they cast a different redheaded scientist as his love interest, is a testament to his ability to draw us into his character's inner world. The music scenes are just divine, and Stewart clearly put some research into how to play - the penny-whistle style flute prop is non-functional.
Kevin: I don't mind the similarity between Darren and Crusher. In fact, I think it makes everything more believable. Picard has a type (hyper-competent scientist, apparently). The obvious workplace problems aside, the romance itself sings because Stewart does such a good job letting his vulnerability out. And it's a testament to years of work on the character that we believe he has such a rich inner life even if he doesn't share it, rather than thinking the episode invented it for the sake of this story.
Captain's Holiday
Season 3, Episode 19
You want me to put this where?
Matthew: TNG's comedy episodes are generally unsung, and Patrick Stewart's comedy chops even more so. He so convincingly portrays the put upon stick in the mud here that the episode is an utter delight from start to finish. From Picard's resistance to going on the vacation, to his interactions with the sexy Risan hostess, to his meet cute fireworks with Vash, it just feels like one of those great Tracy-Hepburn comedies of yore.
Season 3 did so much to flesh out the characters, and giving Picard his passion for archaeology was a masterstroke (it comes back in other good Picard episodes like Gambit and The Chase). But even moreso, I love that his passion for philosophy (mentioned in his standout shuttle scene with Wesley in "Samaritan Snare") has him carrying a giant paper hardback book of Vulcan ethics.
Kevin: Who wears short shorts? Captain Picard wears short shorts. Yeah, this episode is super fun, top to bottom, even if it is very silly. Again, with lesser writers and actor, this could have felt character breaking, but it fits of a piece with the man who got stabbed in a bar fight as an undergrad but grew up takes his job very seriously now. This is a little scene facet of Picard, but it doesn't feel invented out of whole cloth for the episode. Add some chemistry with Jennifer Hetrick, and it's just a delight.
Beth: This is just a fun episode! Stewart's chemistry with Jennifer Hetrick was something special. We get to see a side of Picard that isn't frequently shown within the show's 176 episode run. How fortunate are we as Star Trek TNG fans to have been able to enjoy Stewart's delightful comedy chops from time to time?
The Pegasus
Season 7, Episode 12
"I'm a role model."
Kevin: It's no surprise that I love this episode. It's a great story for Riker that really shows how he's matured over the course of seven seasons and it's a banger of a taut political story. I love Stewart in this for his scenes separately with Pressman and Riker. Picard is something of audience stand in here, and he plays it beautifully. He doesn't know what's going on, and neither do we, so Picard gets to lead us through piecing it together. The highlight of the episode for me is Picard confronting Riker in his quarters. "I'm taking this up with you, Will!" is a great line, and Stewart delivered it perfectly. It's the only time he yells the whole episode and it feels like the difference of your dad being normal mad at you and when you are really in trouble. There's a real sense, if only for a moment, that their relationship has been materially damaged, and it just elevates all the pontificating on treaties and good faith signing of treaties. It's not just a cloaking device; it's whether Picard will reasonably trust Riker from now on.
And again, for an episode where Picard is not the main focus, you never get the sense that Stewart is just marking his lines. He is present with Frakes in those scenes and the emotional stakes become the narrative stakes for the episode. Also, a lot of stories have been shared recently about how the younger, more rambunctious TNG cast got the stuffy Brit to loosen up in the early seasons, and it pays dividends here in the Captain Picard Day teaser. Patrick Stewart was by all accounts a warm, funny man and it comes through in his shy smile. "I'm a role model." Indeed, sir.
Matthew: I'm getting the impression Kevin likes Ronald D. Moore episodes, here. The "Captain Picard Day" intro is such a classic "Piller Filler" type scene - that tangentially ties into the episode theme, but also makes the ship feel alive with people and their daily routines. I love their final scene, in which Picard is visiting Riker in the brig like a parent who loves his wayward child and wants to reassure him. Without yelling or crying or any histrionics, both actors play their characters' relationships in an utterly real and compelling way. There's a reason people still obsess over these characters even (almost) 40 years on.
Beth: This is definitely an episode where Picard isn't the main character, but his character's involvement is absolutely necessary to drive the plot - both with Riker and with Admiral Pressman. Kevin hits the nail on the head here, "I'm taking this up with you, Will!" is an absolutely devastating line read. In the hands of a lesser actor, it may have seemed too over the top, but with Stewart... it's sublimely crushing. When Admiral Pressman says, "I have a lot of friends at Starfleet Command, Captain," Stewart's quiet delivery of the line, "You're going to need them," is a masterclass in acting.
Family
Season 4, Episode 2
Want to hear a dirty joke?
Two Frenchmen with English accents fell into the mud. Kevin: I debated including this one only because I think there's a strong case it should go in any Picard top ten. Science fiction for me is at its best when it uses the settings and technology and moral quandaries to explore something about real humans and their feelings. Taking the time to explore the obvious impact of his experience with the Borg was a master stroke for the serialization-averse show. In a way, I think Family retroactively makes BoBW an even better episode because I have some insight into what Picard the man was experiencing during an already gripping episode. Much like Chain of Command's final scene where he admits to Troi that he was in fact broken by the torture, admitting that this experience has also broken him far from making him seem weak, feels incredibly brave, for both the character and the actor. Stewart is great not just at the grand speeches and philosophizing, but at the smaller, vulnerable stuff too. He really broke down in that scene with Robert in the vineyard, and the older I get, the more affecting it becomes.
And again, I think Stewart is a scene partner anyone would want. He locks in immediately radiating the mix of love and annoyance and resentment that defined his relationship with his brother, a character we had never met, or even heard of I think. I think it's his theater training, but he was great at entering a scene or a relationship fully realized.
Matthew: I think this is probably Stewart's finest performance on the show (and I say this even though he pronounces "Robert" in the English manner during his breakdown). Anyone who knows me well knows I have a.... fraught relationship with my brother. So this episode really speaks to me. Robert envies Jean-Luc's many gifts and sees him as a haughty jerk. And Stewart plays that haughtiness just a bit, he doesn't make Jean-Luc some paragon of kindness and virtue. It's like him slipping into old habits with his family. His scenes with all of the guest stars just feel so real. We see Picard in practically every phase of his life, and Stewart gives each version of Picard a different shade of reserve and emotional output. A real masterclass.
PS: leaving this off of an "Essential Picard Episodes" list is a real indictment of whoever is running Paramount Plus - if the list was even created by a human at all.
Beth: Speaking as Matthew's other sibling, I am fortunate to not have such a fraught relationship with him (Matthew). What we do have has siblings is certainly a bit of normal sibling bickering and knowing exactly which buttons to push... age never prevents siblings from falling back into old patterns. Siblings also know exactly how to provide comfort, even if it doesn't seem obvious. Stewart is able to use the perfect pitch to depict those dynamics, while also recovering from a trauma that was so absolutely consuming and devastating. These shades are exactly what makes Stewart such a phenomenal talent.
P.S. Of course leaving it off of an "Essential Picard Episodes" is a major omission, but let's not give whatever AI bot created that list any ounce of credit for otherwise unimpeachable choices.
Booby Trap
Season 3, Episode 6
We are going to sidestep the discussion of Geordi kissing a holographic representation of a real person...
Beth: This is another episode where the main character is not Picard, but in this case is Geordi. The main plot begins though, by exploring Picard's archaeological passions when a perfectly preserved Promellian cruiser is found in an asteroid field that the Enterprise is charting. Stewart depicts Picard's enthusiasm at the finding the relic with such innocent glee, and it is just so refreshing. There also are some wonderful comedic line reads, such as, "It is exactly as they left it Number One, in the bottle. A ship in a bottle, good Lord didn't anybody here build ships in bottles when they were boys?"
But even better, is an incredibly nuanced reaction Picard had to the hologram of Leah Brahms that Geordi was working with in the Holodeck. There is subtle confusion when Picard enters the Holodeck and sees a completely unfamiliar "person" working with Geordi. He is introduced to the holographic representation of Brahms, but he only provides two brief and sharp glances at her, while conversing with Geordi about giving control over to the computer. Perhaps others will interpret this differently, but I've always felt that it was an expression of disdain, or perhaps an acknowledgement of what is "real" versus what is "not real." This is certainly a topic that is extremely relevant in 2026, and it's surreal that this is a subject being explored in (reads my notes)... 1989.
Finally, early in the episode, Geordi asks Guinan about what it is that she wants in a man and what is the first thing that she looks at. She answers, "His head." Geordi thinks she means a man's mind, but she clarifies that she is attracted to bald men. She says, "Maybe because a bald man was kind to me once when I was hurting. Took care of me." This isn't an acting moment for Stewart, but it is an interesting line that is finally explained in Part II of "Time's Arrow," at the start of the sixth season.
Matthew: For me, the most fun scene is Picard discussing "the ship in the bottle" in the transporter room. It shows what kind of manager Picard is that he is willing to be a little bit familiar with his subordinates, at least when he is enthusiastic. O'Brien's seemingly obsequious confirmation of the hobby is taken by Picard perfectly. The way he plays "that was... thrilling" upon his return was excellent, too. It's like he knows he's had his indulgence and needs to lock back in to "Serious Picard" mode. That modulation makes the character feel more real.
Kevin: Stewart selling his interest in the history and his sympathy for the captain in the same situation plays really beautifully. It's not even the point or biggest part of the episode, but it's great texture for the episode and the character. This list has been interesting to compile, since picking outside of the Top Ten gets you a lot of supporting roles, and it's really made me appreciate how good Stewart was at making the world of the Enterprise feel like a real place.
Time's Arrow
Season 5, Episode 26
Season 6, Episode 1
Beth: I initially chose just the second part of this two-parter, but both Matthew and Kevin said the two-parters should be considered one story. Who am I to argue with that? Honestly, there are great Stewart moments in both, so it isn't a stretch to include both parts on this list.
I'd try this cocktail, especially if it was made by Guinan!
Part I
It is quite easy to say that the first part is very much a Data-centric episode, with the plot being driven by the unearthing of Data's head in a cavern underneath the city of San Francisco, having been there since the late 19th century. This is a time traveling mystery! The crew of the Enterprise need to uncover why there are traces of an alien species having visited 19th century Earth and explain (and possibly avoid) how Data's head ended up there. Quick detective work sends them to an alien planet called Dividia II. Picard sends an away team to investigate the surface, but Riker doesn't include Data. Picard provides a weak excuse, and Data calls him out on it, telling Picard, "There is no rational justification for this course." Picard replies, "Then I'll be irrational." That line read is phenomenal. It clearly conveys Picard's desire to protect Data while also showing that it is an emotional decision, rather than logical. It's an example of Stewart's ability to layer his performance in ways that the viewers instinctively understand the emotions without relying purely on exposition.
Another standout moment is Picard's conversation with Guinan in Ten Forward. After providing a lengthy explanation concerning the complicated drink she is creating, Guinan questions Picard about the away team that he is sending down to the surface of Dividia II to travel back in time to rescue the now missing Data. "Well, now this is rather unusual, you to be curious about an away mission." The resulting conversation has Guinan insisting that Picard must accompany the away team to 19th century Earth. She asks if Picard remembers the first time they met. He replies, "Of course." His delivery of those two words is so soft and affectionate, that it really speaks to the relationship that he and Guinan have. It's just another one of those brief and subtle Stewart moments that makes Captain Picard so special.
Part II
First a Booby Trap and now a Tit..ania?
Part II is where Stewart has more moments to truly shine... and have fun. Picard, Geordi, Troi, Crusher, and Riker have traveled back to 19th-century San Francisco, and are staying in a rented apartment that is owned by Mrs. Carmichael. The Landlady is displeased that Picard is late with paying their rent. Picard explains that his "troupe" in rehearsals for a new production... a Midsummer Night's Dream. I can't quite explain why I enjoy his pronunciation of "Milan," but I love it every time. What does stand out here is the look on Picard's face as Mrs. Carmichael leaves in a huff, unmoved by his charm. It's just a great tiny comedic moment.
When Mrs. Carmichael returns later to collect the still unpaid rent, Picard, Geordi, Troi, Crusher, Riker, and now Data launch into a rehearsal of a scene from a Midsummer Night's Dream. This is where you can really see how much Stewart loves theater. Picard tells Mrs. Carmichael that they need her to read a part, the part of Titania. She does a very stiff and awkward reading, but Picard praises her performance as "truly unique." His delivery of the line, "Well, there you aRRRe," is just so delightful!
The next scene has Data bringing Picard to see 19th century Guinan. Picard removes his hat to reveal his bald head. She does not know who he is and asks, "Do you know me?" He warmly replies, "Very well." She asks, "Do I know you?" Picard replies, "Not yet, but you will." The affection in which Stewart delivers those lines just underlines how loving and warm that relationship is, despite Picard otherwise being a very reserved character.
We can now move on to the payoff of Guinan's line from Booby Trap, where she says that a bald man was kind to her once when she was hurting. The hurt took place in the 19th century cavern under San Francisco. She was injured in the aliens' attempt to return to Dividia II, and the rest of the crew, plus Samuel Clemens, are able to return to the Enterprise in the 24th century, but Picard chooses to stay behind to care for a badly injured Guinan. Guinan doesn't know Picard (yet), but this is the act of kindness and care that resulted in her lasting attraction to bald men.
I love it when Star Trek shows respect to long term continuity, and ties together plot lines from previous episodes, despite TNG actively avoiding serialized stories (aside from the two-parters).
Even more important though is the very kind and affectionate way that Picard stays behind to care for Guinan. The way that Stewart depicts that love, even if it is currently non-romantic love, is just very nuanced and genuine. It is this level of acting that makes Patrick Stewart a truly special talent.
Matthew: Playing a relationship that isn't on the page is one of the ways good actors can make their characters feel alive. It carried so much water in the Troi/Riker relationship and in the Picard/Crusher one. Picard and Guinan is the most mysterious one of all - even with this explanation of their first meeting, we get none of the intermediate scenes that occurred between the 1890s and Season 2 of TNG. How did Guinan meet the younger Picard and how did she become such a confidante of his? It's a fun, time dislocated friendship that resides almost entirely in glances and line readings, which is amazing. It goes to show you what two consummate professionals like Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg (who is underappreciated, I think, given her post-acting career) can bring to a script.
Kevin: Much like the Doctor and River Song from Doctor Who, another non-linear friendship, I do think their history plays better the less we know. Narrowing their relationship to its details would take something away, I think. Both Stewart and Goldberg crush every scene they share together, and both perfectly pitch the correct amount of 'difference' in the relationship. I started watching TNG right toward the end of fifth season, so I got this episode pretty early in my viewing, and despite not knowing any of the lore, nine year old Kevin understood the importance of this relationship, and that is a credit to the actors behind it.
Devil's Due
Season 4, Episode 13
You are not Fek'lhr!!!
Matthew: This is one of those episodes that never makes anyone's top ten or twenty, but I just love it as good, meaty, funny, entertaining "basic Trek." It's got the themes of rationality and secular humanism being opposed to superstition and fakery, but it's also got a villain dressed in an ankle length see-through romper nightie demanding to own the Captain's soul after sex that will light fires in his dreams for a thousand years.
Anyway, from a Patrick Stewart perspective, we get Captain Picard doing courtroom scenes, which is always a plus. We also get him sniffily dismissing the religion and superstition of a less advanced world, another plus. We get him stonily turning down Ardra's attempts at seduction (pictured above). Probably the most fun aspects here are Picard dealing with Data as arbitrator - Data of course takes his commitment to the rules utterly seriously and impartially, which leads to Picard butting comedic heads with him several times.
It's these sorts of episodes that really flesh out Picard for me - not the "Picard Focus" ones, but those in which his character is important and very finely drawn. There are so many more to mention, such as "Hollow Pursuits," in which he is shown as a compassionate manager; "Contagion," where his curiosity over exo-archaeology takes over; "Pen Pals," in which he has to balance the compassionate and practical voices in his crew... he's just such a wonderful character, and it's the efforts of both the writers and the actor that bring him to life.
Beth: This is definitely a fun episode where we get to watch Picard outwit the devil. It almost seems as that Picard's hubris will get the better of him, yet he emerges victorious. The character of Picard has been accused of making God-like decisions that impact others in ways he doesn't seem to understand... but the victory here doesn't feel hollow. As Kevin mentions below, it's fun to see the glimmer in his eye when he knows he is able to prove that Ardra is not who she claims to be. Any time Stewart is able to use that special mischievous glint in the eye... it's fun to watch!
Kevin: The highlight for me is when he knows he has Ardra beat and is delivering his victory with a little panache. First season Picard is a bit more uptight and I'm glad that the portrayal and the writing eventually loosened him up a little. Episodes like this help round out the character, as silly as the episode is. There are flashes of the cocky ensign picking a bar fight with a Nausicaan in this performance. In a lesser actor, it would just feel incongruous, but with the twinkle in Stewart's eye, you just have a ball.
QPid
Season 4, Episode 20
I'm... too sexy for this cap...
Matthew: Since humans evolved with ten fingers and thus prefer things to be grouped in tens, we all agreed on this episode to round out our list. After a mild debate over text, we settled on Qpid.
There are a lot of things going for this episode. It follows up on two episodes that were really enjoyable in their own rights: Deja Q and Captain's Holiday. It is a comedic episode, which is a nice break from some pretty heavy material in the latter half of Season 4. But also, I mean, come on.... it's got the crew in Robin Hood getups, Q riding a horse, swordfights, and some of the all time great Worf one-liners.
I rewatched the episode for this writeup (I didn't need much of an excuse) and one thing that stands out is how good-looking Patrick Stewart is. I think people got caught up in the whole bald head thing, but the dude has quite the jawline. Put him in a tricorner cap with a goatee (or is it a Van Dyke?) and it really underscores his attractiveness. Stewart also just nails his stick-in-the-mud straight man comedy here. The scene in which Dr. Crusher interrupts his post-coitus breakfast with Vash is just [chef's kiss] perfection.
Something I noticed for the first time in this watch - Data as Friar Tuck has a big old seam on the top of his bald cap head.
Beth: I hadn't watched this episode in quite some time, so I did a rewatch before writing my comments. This episode is such a gas to watch! I had forgotten about the early scene with Picard and Vash dining in his quarters when Crusher shows up. The comedy showed up earlier than I remembered with the "love that got away" escorting the "holiday lover" around the ship. Stewart does a fantastic job of showing Picard's annoyance, concern, at chagrin at a piece of his personal life showing up to interact with his professional life - all while realizing that Vash's motives are far from pure.
I agree with Matthew on this - Patrick Stewart was a really attractive man! Somehow this episode highlights this fact rather uniquely. I also did the mental math, and Stewart was only about 50 when he filmed this episode... and the fact that I am far closer to Stewart's age now than I was in 1991 is frightening - but perhaps it helps me appreciate the hunk that he was!
All of the Sherwood Forest scenes are absolutely delightful. This is Star Trek going "back in time" for a period piece at its absolutely finest! TOS did it first, but TNG did it better. It is very obvious that the entire cast had a great time filming this - this is the first time I noticed McFadden laughing in the background as Worf smashed Geordi's fiddle. I'm pretty sure she broke.
The sight of Patrick Stewart awkwardly climbing through a tower window is forever burned in my memory - for all the right reasons.
Kevin: Apparently neither of you have recently watched I, Claudius, where Patrick Stewart plays the nefarious praetorian guard Sejanus. Otherwise, you not need any reminders that Patrick Stewart earned that Sexiest Man Alive title back in the 90s.
He plots murder with Patricia Quinn, Magenta from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Anyway, we all agree that Patrick Stewart could get it. And back to this episode, this is just a great showcase for Picard's comic chops and he plays the straight man to perfection. His awkwardness at breakfast is leavened by his genuine affection for her he expresses in private. And again I think this is his theater training, but he just commits so deeply to the silly set up that it becomes, if not exactly serious, certainly genuinely entertaining and not in a so-bad-it's-good way. Looking over this list, we have a lot of moments of Stewart being silly or sweet, very not the stuffy perfect captain, and it's a credit to Stewart's performance that they never feel out of place with the more serious episodes.
No comments:
Post a Comment