The Star Gazer

Methinks the haters doth protest too much -- otherwise why take the time to write a review? -- gotta give credit where credit is due -- this is likely the greatest "nostalgia" exercise in the history of TV -- if you are are under 30 you may not get the endorphin rush, and that is perfectly fine -- but old timers are going to get a kick from this season -- Patrick Stewart at 81 is at an age where finding your car keys is a victory, saving the future is merely optional -- Jeri Ryan at 54 still has that IT factor -- and, extra bonus, this harks back to a time before wokeness so (hopefully) we can skip the mandatory mixed marriages and assorted bizarre self-identifications. Sweet!((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

What a great first episode. Really getting Trek back to its roots.

I loved all the little nods to past Trek for those of us that have watched it all.

The rest of this season looks amazing and I can't wait!

We knew this was going to be The Borg from the intro animation- I just wasn't expecting it.

We are given imagery of an idyllic federation, A year and a half after last seasons events.

As each former member of Picard's previous crew checks in, we see that things had been going very well for them.

7-of-9 is still working with the Fenris rangers, Rios is now a cigar chomping Captain, with Jurati in tow... on a really cool new ship bearing a famous name.

Raffi has her old job back, and Picard even has a highly respected post at Starfleet Academy. As well as his wine business in France.

Elnor has an interesting new job, as does Soji. We even check in with Quinan who is now allowing herself El-Aurian self to age gracefully (to make humans more comfortable in her new bar in Los Angeles). And the Enterprise D old transporter chief (after O'Brien left) played by April Grace, is now an admiral, who comes to fetch Picard to show him some anomaly that is calling him by name.

Which turns out to be the Borg queen (and we also already knew that from the shows' intro animation as well). I mean, any anomaly that glows fluorescent green is probably the Borg.

But nothing we have ever seen before, they have abandoned the cube shape for some thing that fits into the anomaly. Rios is extremely ill equipped to deal with this, and 7 just reacts. Picard really doesn't know what to do about it, except for one thing...

When the dust clears, Picard finds himself on an earth that bears no resemblance to the 24th (25th?) century we are familiar with.

When Picard finally does look up, he does not see what he expects to see. But he does see an old friend.

"Wait, what?"

Well when it comes down to it, stories about a perfect federation are boring. Stories about fixing a federation gone awry are better.

I went through this and since I didn't really leave any important spoilers, I am switching this back to None. Didn't give any details.

With the somewhat odd feeling from season one, this this first episode blast you right back to The Next Generation and the feel of that series. If this season can keep the exitement and feeling of this first episode, were in for one Hell of a ride.

Season 1 was a disaster and while this is only the first episode, it's much better. The writing is better, the pacing is better, it's just all around better. Let's hope they keep it up.