Is Picard really out of character in the Next Gen films?

[tim0122]

Many fans have decried Picard turning into an action hero in the Next Gen films. I would agree the writers did that to an extent, but lately, I've debated whether it's truly out of character for him.

In Generations, he acts as he does in the show. He does get in a fight at the end, but it's not like he didn't do that at all in the show.

In Nemesis, I only recall him getting involved in ship battles. Something he did all the time in the show.

That leaves FC and Ins. In FC, his drive for revenge, the enemy at hand, and the huge stakes could be said to overcome his usual tendency to talk things out. In Ins. he (and the rest of the crew) is having his judgement somewhat compromised by the effects of the planet (Data says as much), and we all know Picard was prone to fights in his youth. That youthful, prone to action habit could be being brought back to the surface due to the planet effects.

So, can Picard becoming a man of action in at least two of the films be explained away? Or do you not buy all that and think he's still out-of-character?

 

[CoveTom]

The biggest one that jumps out at me is the dune buggy scene of Nemesis. Not sure I can see TNG Picard doing that. Or even First Contact Picard.

 

[Nerys Myk]

We see hints of Action Picard!!!! in some TNG episodes. I suppose being indictive of Stewart's rising influence

 

[Newt]

I never thought as him out of charter. I've rewatched generations a first contact recently. Seems the same man to me.

The biggest one that jumps out at me is the dune buggy scene

Do you mean him having a good time racing about? Think most people enjoy a track day lol
Or bending the prime directive by being seen by a pre warp race?

 

[Nerys Myk]

I never thought as him out of charter. I've rewatched generations a first contact recently. Seems the same man to me.


Do you mean him having a good time racing about? Think most people enjoy a track day lol
Or bending the prime directive by being seen by a pre warp race?

And brewskis...

 

[Newt]

And brewskis...

Now that's out of character. He's a wine guy.

Also it is suggested Picard was brought up in England (the French man with an english accent explanation) So if that's the case his likely choice of beer should be Stella lol

 

[Nerys Myk]

Now that's out of character. He's a wine guy.

That's just how he gets chicks. He's a Yorkie at heart.

 

[Newt]

He's a Yorkie at heart

John Smith's or tetley's ale then?

 

[Nerys Myk]

John Smith's or tetley's ale then?

Made this one years ago.

 

[Newt]

Yorkshire puddings

 

[Alexander Corrino]

He IS shown to be rather fascinated by "au-to-mo-biles" as early as TNG's "The Big Goodbye" so I've never really understood why people hate the dune buggy scene this much. Not that I'm someone who defends Nemesis at all costs, I'm not much of a fan, but I CAN see TNG Jean-Luc trying out some nice cars on the holodeck, at least. That's probably where he learned to 'drive' like that. Has his own little Holo-GTA program.

 

[Tosk]

I have never been a fan of Patrick Stewart's increasing influence over Picard's characterization, but I mostly chalk up his movie era personality to a mid-life crisis partially brought on by the deaths of his only blood relatives.

 

[CommanderTrip]

His character could be John McClain, if the situation calls for it. TNG did give us a few glimpses of Action-Hero Picard, with "Starship Mine" and "Captain's Holiday." The films went ahead and turned the dial all the way up in that regard. I much preferred the Picard who could lay the intellectual smack down, as evidenced by his mic dropping in "Devil's Due" and "The Drumhead"

 

[Tosk]

The films went ahead and turned the dial all the way up in that regard.

Except Generations. He gets beat up twice by Malcolm McDowell in that.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Except Generations. He gets beat up twice by Malcolm McDowell in that.

He knows a thing or two about the old ultra-violence.

 

[fireproof78]

I think the biggest out of character moment is in First Contact, with an understandable explanation (sort of) and Nemesis, with a ridiculous justification that doesn't work because Picard violated the Prime Directive and kills innocent indigenous people.

Insurrection Picard would dress down Nemesis Picard for that.

 

[Tosk]

He knows a thing or two about the old ultra-violence.

Picard should count himself lucky all he got hit with is Soran's fist.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Picard should count himself lucky all he got hit with is Soran's fist.

 

[Dukhat]

I think the biggest out of character moment is in First Contact, with an understandable explanation (sort of) and Nemesis, with a ridiculous justification that doesn't work because Picard violated the Prime Directive and kills innocent indigenous people.

Insurrection Picard would dress Nemesis Picard for that.

I'd just like to analyze that scene for a second.

So Shinzon needs Picard's blood to survive, and he needs it NOW. So what does he do? He sends Picard on a wild goose-chase on some hostile planet where the inhabitants are shooting at him. Shinzon is wasting valuable time because of his lame-brained idea to disassemble B-4 and hide the parts all over the planet, making Picard take tons of time to find them, all while being in danger of dying from a gunshot by the locals, and then where would Shinzon be?

Oh, yeah, not to mention that they shouldn't have been on that planet anyway, because it was a violation of the Prime Directive, as you state.

 

[Uxi]

Yes, he turned into an action hero for whatever reason. First Contact and Nemesis are the most stark variations. The romance angle from Insurrection was as cringy as it was with Vash, though.