Why Do You Like Picard, & What Do You Like About Him?

[Mojochi]

Being that this character's future will dominate the conversation around here far more than is likely healthy, I thought that instead of yet another thread about what demands, dreams or expectations we all have, we could instead talk here on what it is about this character that we find valuable, & why we like him. Think of it as a love letter to everyone that has or had anything to say about this character, who it would appear will exist again. Feel free to offer some things you aren't as fond of too (Within reason, so not to trash the guy lol) Ultimately, we should share what we think of him, & why he's important to us. This way, whatever becomes of him, we know where the majority of us stand as of now

For me, being a fan that predates TNG, what was particularly engaging about him, is that while I always liked Kirk, & found him to be a charismatic hero, that was fun to watch, I never wanted to BE Kirk. In all his stories, Kirk never made me feel "I should be more like this guy? Picard did, maybe more than any television character ever, & that's not to say he's perfect. What good would it be if he were? However, at the end of the day, TNG was a show that, even more than its predecessor, wanted us to inspire to be better people, & in fact be an altogether better people.

I see no other character, closer to who we are, on that show, which better represents what we ought to aspire to be, than him. He is the benchmark for what the show was trying to do imho. However, if I'm being critical, I honestly felt much less of that in the movies. Not to say it was altogether gone, just diminished for glamour's sake imho, but even still, I honestly think I learned from his example, & he played a role in my youth that helped me decided to be as good a person as I could be, because it made me feel for myself the way I felt for him... respect.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

There are so many reasons for which I like Picard...lol ! It's hard to list them all !

I think he has an amazing personality. He's very intelligent, he has such culture and knowledge, and I really value his leadership skills. He also has strong ethics and will try as hard as possible to follow his ethics, which is a noble personality trait. He's very open minded too, I love the way he respects and celebrates other cultures (ie Klingon).

Hierarchy wise, he's an amazing leader ! He always knows how to gain his crew mates' trust and respect. He values their opinions and tries to keep many decisions democratic. To some, he acts like a father figure and will help them grow and become better (like with Data and Wes).

I could carry on for hours ! Picard is such an amazing captain !

 

[tomalak301]

I loved Picard because he was the ultimate diplomat. Negotiate first, than if that fails, fire phasers. He had great intuition, like in Defector when he knew he needed an ace up his sleeve and made Tomalak quiver without even firing a shot. He was intelligent, skillful, and I would love to serve under him because I know he has my best interests in mind.

With that said, I don't know if he would be a good war time captain (That's Sisko's job) but he showcases what the Federation is really there for.

 

[Mojochi]

He values their opinions and tries to keep many decisions democratic.

It's actually jarring how often that is the case. It almost defies conventional hierarchal wisdom. Yet he makes it seem not only natural for an institutional organization, but like the only real course an evolved people would choose

 

[TribbleFeeder]

I always appreciate positive threads. Thanks @Mojochi

Picard was a leader. Everything about him was professional and dignified. As a civilian, I would have felt the most safe on his ship, of all the Trek captains. His demeanor demanded respect. He was a strong person, and I agree, I think he was really inspirational. The kind of person I want to be more like too (especially when it comes to work).

He does come off impersonal, but I think that his emotions and his love life were sacrifices he chose to make in an effort to be a better captain. There’s nothing more honorable than that, IMO.

 

[NigellaDeanna20]

the reason I love Picarad is simply the fact that of all the starfleet captains, he was the most moralistic. He was also an excellent diplomat and every TNG episode had an important moral lesson somewhere in it. Additionally he was also a great leader as well.

 

[Marynator]

I love how he doesn't view himself as superior to others, and he doesn't believe his own way of thinking is all that's valid, he genuinely really respects other people and cultures. He doesn't have an attitude of putting his own survival above others' right to life, and he's willing to sacrifice himself instead of killing or harming others. He doesn't demonize his enemies but instead he respects their rights to exist, like with the Borg and Crystalline Entity, and I feel many people seem to struggle understanding like he does. I love his conflict resolution, he's more about peace than victory, which I feel is a failing of later captains. I love how he always listens to his crew's viewpoints, which are really very different, and he gives them respect even if he has to make a different decision. And he also is humble enough to accept and admit when he's wrong. I feel one way you really show you respect other cultures is when you allow them even when you strongly disagree, and I think he might be the only captain who really does that.

 

[Mojochi]

I love how he doesn't view himself as superior to others, and he doesn't believe his own way of thinking is all that's valid, he genuinely really respects other people and cultures. He doesn't have an attitude of putting his own survival above others' right to life, and he's willing to sacrifice himself instead of killing or harming others. He doesn't demonize his enemies but instead he respects their rights to exist, like with the Borg and Crystalline Entity, and I feel many people seem to struggle understanding like he does. I love his conflict resolution, he's more about peace than victory, which I feel is a failing of later captains. I love how he always listens to his crew's viewpoints, which are really very different, and he gives them respect even if he has to make a different decision. And he also is humble enough to accept and admit when he's wrong. I feel one way you really show you respect other cultures is when you allow them even when you strongly disagree, and I think he might be the only captain who really does that.

You know, one of the most underrated character building episodes, is Conundrum. You get to see who these people without any of the fronts they apply to themselves. Picard is a great example. When he thinks it's entirely likely that he isn't the top officer, his negotiating & conflict resolution come straight to the foreground. He manages to lead those people without even needing to be in charge. It, more than any other episode, made me realize that were he not their commanding officer, he might easily be close friends with them all, already

 

[BillJ]

Patrick Stewart.

I love how he doesn't view himself as superior to others, and he doesn't believe his own way of thinking is all that's valid...

Eh... I think he was someone who only was concerned with what he thought. There are several instances where this occurred. The big one was Insurrection, where he thought his views should trump those of his superiors and his government.

 

[Marynator]

Oh I totally believe he's a completely different character between the show and the movies, and I don't really care for any of the Next Generation movies at all. I mean he like doesn't put his values above others', he really respects other cultures like no one else does, and I feel he's one of the few commanders willing to admit when he's wrong.

 

[Armus]

Picard was the reassuring father figure of TNG, and he was fit, well read, intellectually inquisitive, philosophical, urbane, and even tempered. When he did lose his cool, it was because something unjust had provoked him. Patrick Stewart gave him the right amount of authority; He was the Captain right from the start of Encounter At Farpoint. He made bald men look good too.

 

[Kerock]

The loyalty he inspired in others, the wonder he had in exploration of the unknown and the fist in the velvet glove.

 

[Armus]

You know, one of the most underrated character building episodes, is Conundrum. You get to see who these people without any of the fronts they apply to themselves. Picard is a great example. When he thinks it's entirely likely that he isn't the top officer, his negotiating & conflict resolution come straight to the foreground. He manages to lead those people without even needing to be in charge. It, more than any other episode, made me realize that were he not their commanding officer, he might easily be close friends with them all, already

Good point. Picard shows he is the Captain in Conundrum even when he doesn't have the rank to back him, and he shows his graciousness to Worf when he does resume his position of authority.

 

[mos6507]

On a lighter note...

I used to not like Picard because he was so uptight. Then over time they made the fact that he was so by-the-book a running gag. Therefore Picard became more of a straight-man (with Q being his perfect foil). It's really the interaction of Picard with other characters that makes him work, whereas Kirk could steal scenes more easily in monologue.

 

[Mojochi]

On a lighter note...

I used to not like Picard because he was so uptight. Then over time they made the fact that he was so by-the-book a running gag. Therefore Picard became more of a straight-man (with Q being his perfect foil). It's really the interaction of Picard with other characters that makes him work, whereas Kirk could steal scenes more easily in monologue.

You have to look for Picard's character in the nuances imho. It's not openly on display. That he is willing to sit there in the holodeck with Data playing Shakespeare, or sit patiently during a poetry reading. That he wants to have breakfast with Beverly, wants to have a confidante on board like Guinan. It's in those moments you realize he's not uptight. He's maybe conservative (& knows it's something he should work on) but I think he shows a lot of compassion, but it's not as heavily externalized as someone like Kirk or McCoy. Heck, Spock says there's almost a Vulcan quality to the man. I always took that to mean "Controlled"

Picard IS very controlled with himself, his job/duty, his ship etc..., but with other people? I mean, he seems pretty pissed off at Will in The Pegasus at one point, but by the end, when the chips have fallen? He's nothing but forgiving & understanding

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Patrick Stewart.



Eh... I think he was someone who only was concerned with what he thought. There are several instances where this occurred. The big one was Insurrection, where he thought his views should trump those of his superiors and his government.

Thete’s lots of cases where he insisted on respecting the views and sovereignty of local alien races even when they were harming others. The Outcast, Half A Life. Insurrection isn’t a case of not respecting others views, it’s a case of refusing immoral orders.

We can agree he does not respect the chain of command.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I liked his moral strength and confidence. The way he’d always put right over convenience. He didn’t waffle, second guess. He had a philosophy and stood up for it with a hard stand, and didn’t put it aside for politics or because he had to go against an admiral. Made stronger by Patrick Stewart’s amazing performance.

 

[Makarov]

My entire interest in Trek hinges on Picard because he kind of represents all their evolved ideals. He upholds Starfleet ideals to such a degree that people try to argue Picard is some kind of outlier out of touch with the reality of the federation, which I really disagree with. "Open your mind to the past. Art, history, philosophy. And all this may mean something"

 

[Paradise City]

Can't beat that blasted salubrious accent, that shiny egg head and the 'make it so' delivery. Why I burst into riotous applause every time JLP orders that ship into warp to the synchronised eye rolling of everyone that happens to be in the room with me.

 

[Ghrakh]

The big one was Insurrection, where he thought his views should trump those of his superiors and his government.

Which Kirk are you referring to?