WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.010 Star Trek: Picard is back! 2 00:00:02.010 --> 00:00:02.843 This week I chat 3 00:00:02.843 --> 00:00:05.160 with Admiral Jean-Luc Picard himself, Patrick Stewart, 4 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:08.190 and Gates McFadden, AKA Dr. Beverly Crusher, 5 00:00:08.190 --> 00:00:09.990 AKA my Spacemom. 6 00:00:09.990 --> 00:00:11.850 Showrunner Terry Matalas stops by to chat 7 00:00:11.850 --> 00:00:12.683 about Season 3. 8 00:00:12.683 --> 00:00:15.090 We look at the relationship between Admiral Picard 9 00:00:15.090 --> 00:00:17.490 and his faithful Number One, Captain Riker. 10 00:00:17.490 --> 00:00:19.230 And we take a deep dive into the history 11 00:00:19.230 --> 00:00:21.810 of everyone's favorite intergalactic doctor, 12 00:00:21.810 --> 00:00:23.910 the aforementioned Beverly Crusher. 13 00:00:23.910 --> 00:00:24.990 So commandeer a shuttle, 14 00:00:24.990 --> 00:00:27.147 and make your way to The Ready Room. 15 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:35.550 Hey nerds, I'm Wil Wheaton, 16 00:00:35.550 --> 00:00:37.230 and this is The Ready Room, 17 00:00:37.230 --> 00:00:39.090 your official behind-the-scenes hub 18 00:00:39.090 --> 00:00:40.860 for all things Star Trek Universe. 19 00:00:40.860 --> 00:00:42.240 This week's Season 3 premiere 20 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:43.500 of Star Trek: Picard sees 21 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:45.420 Admiral Picard and Captain Riker embark 22 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:47.760 on an urgent mission to rescue an old friend. 23 00:00:47.760 --> 00:00:50.010 But if you need a 20-year-old codec to decipher 24 00:00:50.010 --> 00:00:51.180 the mission's details, 25 00:00:51.180 --> 00:00:52.777 now might be a good time 26 00:00:52.777 --> 00:00:54.150 for a red alert! 27 00:00:54.150 --> 00:00:56.640 We'll be conducting a senior officer inspection 28 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:57.997 of Season 3 Episode 1 29 00:00:57.997 --> 00:00:59.160 "The Next Generation", 30 00:00:59.160 --> 00:01:00.690 best episode title ever, 31 00:01:00.690 --> 00:01:03.330 that will take us deep into spoiler territory. 32 00:01:03.330 --> 00:01:05.550 So, if you haven't had your mind blown 33 00:01:05.550 --> 00:01:07.980 by this kickoff to the epic final season 34 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:09.090 of Star Trek: Picard, 35 00:01:09.090 --> 00:01:11.040 meet up with your BFF, watch it, 36 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:13.463 and report back here to The Ready Room. 37 00:01:13.463 --> 00:01:14.940 I have been looking forward 38 00:01:14.940 --> 00:01:17.250 to this season of The Ready Room for months. 39 00:01:17.250 --> 00:01:18.307 As I'm sure you can understand, 40 00:01:18.307 --> 00:01:20.400 The Next Generation is dear to me, 41 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:22.860 and there is not another person on this planet 42 00:01:22.860 --> 00:01:24.960 who is more excited than me to talk 43 00:01:24.960 --> 00:01:28.050 to the cast and creators about the next adventure 44 00:01:28.050 --> 00:01:29.370 in Picard's story. 45 00:01:29.370 --> 00:01:32.340 I'm joined this week by two people I love deeply. 46 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:33.780 Patrick Stewart, who, of course, 47 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:35.370 plays Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, 48 00:01:35.370 --> 00:01:38.430 and Gates McFadden, who is back as Dr. Beverly Crusher, 49 00:01:38.430 --> 00:01:40.560 to talk about everything that went down 50 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:41.880 in the season premiere. 51 00:01:41.880 --> 00:01:44.400 Executive producer Terry Matalas is also here 52 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:45.480 to talk about what's ahead 53 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:48.030 in the final season of Star Trek: Picard. 54 00:01:48.030 --> 00:01:49.350 This week's episode sees 55 00:01:49.350 --> 00:01:51.600 Jean-Luc Picard and William T. Riker set off 56 00:01:51.600 --> 00:01:54.090 on an old-fashioned road trip together. 57 00:01:54.090 --> 00:01:56.880 Later, we'll explore the decades-long friendship 58 00:01:56.880 --> 00:01:58.620 between the Captain of the Enterprise 59 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:00.570 and his former First Officer. 60 00:02:00.570 --> 00:02:02.910 But first, can I just say 61 00:02:02.910 --> 00:02:05.130 how happy it makes me to see 62 00:02:05.130 --> 00:02:07.830 my Spacemom back in action, 63 00:02:07.830 --> 00:02:10.800 kicking ass and taking names on a starship? 64 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:13.710 She's brilliant, strong, fearless, 65 00:02:13.710 --> 00:02:15.510 and she says I'm cool. 66 00:02:15.510 --> 00:02:17.781 Well, don't let it go to your head. 67 00:02:17.781 --> 00:02:18.614 But for those of you 68 00:02:18.614 --> 00:02:21.090 who may not be as familiar with Dr. Beverly Crusher, 69 00:02:21.090 --> 00:02:22.650 we've put together a special look 70 00:02:22.650 --> 00:02:24.660 at the galaxy's finest physician 71 00:02:24.660 --> 00:02:26.580 to help bring you up to speed, 72 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:29.370 Control room, engage. 73 00:02:29.370 --> 00:02:31.050 [Eleos] Warning. Security breach. 74 00:02:31.050 --> 00:02:33.060 Hull damage. Unauthorized docking. 75 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:34.560 They found us. 76 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:36.840 I think I heard first from Jonathan, 77 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:38.670 who said, "Hey, they're thinking of asking 78 00:02:38.670 --> 00:02:39.540 some of us back." 79 00:02:39.540 --> 00:02:41.730 Eleos. Activate warp drive. 80 00:02:41.730 --> 00:02:44.130 [Eleos] Stand by. Warp drive charging. 81 00:02:44.130 --> 00:02:46.110 I had no idea that I was going to be asked. 82 00:02:46.110 --> 00:02:47.607 So, that's what happened, 83 00:02:47.607 --> 00:02:49.389 and that was just fantastic. 84 00:02:49.389 --> 00:02:52.388 [Off-screen] No! No! 85 00:02:52.388 --> 00:02:54.510 Eleos, divert all power to the warp core. 86 00:02:54.510 --> 00:02:56.010 - Working. - [Off-screen] Let me out! 87 00:02:56.010 --> 00:02:57.180 One of the best things 88 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:00.630 about seeing Gates in Picard Season 3 89 00:03:00.630 --> 00:03:04.020 was that she was a badass action hero when we met her. 90 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:06.270 She was on sort of a renegade ship. 91 00:03:06.270 --> 00:03:09.240 She looked like a hired gun. 92 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:11.100 [Eleos] Unauthorized docking complete. 93 00:03:11.100 --> 00:03:12.696 Intruder alert. 94 00:03:16.950 --> 00:03:19.740 It was an entirely new Beverly Crusher, 95 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:21.150 which I think she enjoyed, 96 00:03:21.150 --> 00:03:23.517 and I think the fans are going to enjoy as well. 97 00:03:32.190 --> 00:03:33.023 We knew early on 98 00:03:33.023 --> 00:03:34.410 we wanted to kick off the season 99 00:03:34.410 --> 00:03:35.790 with Beverly Crusher. 100 00:03:35.790 --> 00:03:39.600 It's something that was very near and dear to all of us, 101 00:03:39.600 --> 00:03:42.690 and even the first shot of Beverly popping up 102 00:03:42.690 --> 00:03:44.550 into frame was one of the first things 103 00:03:44.550 --> 00:03:46.496 we talked about in the writer's room. 104 00:03:46.496 --> 00:03:48.810 We didn't want to wait. 105 00:03:48.810 --> 00:03:50.367 They found us. 106 00:03:50.367 --> 00:03:53.160 And I think the first thing you notice is 107 00:03:53.160 --> 00:03:54.660 she's not in Starfleet. 108 00:03:54.660 --> 00:03:56.820 It's not the Beverly Crusher you remember. 109 00:03:56.820 --> 00:04:01.410 And the first thing that she's doing is defending her home, 110 00:04:01.410 --> 00:04:03.183 her ship the Eleos, 111 00:04:04.149 --> 00:04:04.982 in a rather aggressive way, 112 00:04:04.982 --> 00:04:08.880 in a way you've never really seen Beverly do before. 113 00:04:08.880 --> 00:04:10.800 It's been 20 years, 114 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:12.000 25 years almost, 115 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:13.800 since we've last seen her. 116 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:17.820 So, we wanted to make it clear there's some story here. 117 00:04:17.820 --> 00:04:20.430 What happened to Beverly Crusher? Why? 118 00:04:20.430 --> 00:04:21.450 There's no better way to do it 119 00:04:21.450 --> 00:04:24.000 than drop her right in the middle of a gun battle. 120 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.176 [Director] Action. 121 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:28.710 What is clear is that 122 00:04:28.710 --> 00:04:31.980 she's had a lot of combat now, 123 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:34.320 because she's been running away 124 00:04:34.320 --> 00:04:36.810 from people trying to kill her son and her, 125 00:04:36.810 --> 00:04:37.977 for awhile. 126 00:04:50.826 --> 00:04:53.310 I don't think she has changed in certain ways, 127 00:04:53.310 --> 00:04:55.110 not in terms of action. 128 00:04:55.110 --> 00:04:57.330 I think she had had some action before. 129 00:04:57.330 --> 00:04:59.190 I think what's changed is that 130 00:04:59.190 --> 00:05:03.270 she is allowed to be more involved, 131 00:05:03.270 --> 00:05:05.160 and be more there on the bridge, 132 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:08.310 and that she has a range of skills. 133 00:05:08.310 --> 00:05:10.110 Which when you think about it, 134 00:05:10.110 --> 00:05:11.490 anyone up on the Space Station, 135 00:05:11.490 --> 00:05:13.920 they have to be able to take over for anybody. 136 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:15.540 So, you have to know how to pilot a ship. 137 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:18.900 You really do have to know how to do many different things. 138 00:05:18.900 --> 00:05:22.530 Eleos, prepare to send a transmission. 139 00:05:22.530 --> 00:05:25.170 Subspace frequency myriad codec. 140 00:05:25.170 --> 00:05:27.330 [Eleos] System prepared to transmit. 141 00:05:27.330 --> 00:05:28.683 State your recipient. 142 00:05:29.640 --> 00:05:32.613 This message is for Admiral Jean-Luc Picard. 143 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:35.823 Admiral Picard. 144 00:05:36.990 --> 00:05:39.390 I'm encoding this transmission with coordinates. 145 00:05:40.320 --> 00:05:41.940 Beverly. 146 00:05:41.940 --> 00:05:46.920 Picard's relationship with Dr. Crusher, I think, 147 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:51.630 had aspects that many of our fans wanted to see develop 148 00:05:51.630 --> 00:05:55.451 into a much closer and stronger relationship. 149 00:05:55.451 --> 00:05:58.560 Now that we know how each of us feels, 150 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:02.133 perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings. 151 00:06:06.038 --> 00:06:11.038 And in Next Generation, it never really did. 152 00:06:11.730 --> 00:06:15.325 You even tried to be lovers, didn't you? 153 00:06:15.325 --> 00:06:18.753 Tried is the operative word. 154 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:21.120 But maybe you're the one person 155 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.103 she still feels she can trust. 156 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:29.960 I think they have a complicated relationship, 157 00:06:31.290 --> 00:06:33.210 and that makes it really interesting. 158 00:06:33.210 --> 00:06:36.210 I think we see him disturbed 159 00:06:36.210 --> 00:06:38.490 by what he receives, 160 00:06:38.490 --> 00:06:41.010 and what might be the problem with her, 161 00:06:41.010 --> 00:06:45.060 coupled with the fact that he's also angry with her, too. 162 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.670 She disappeared out of his life. 163 00:06:47.670 --> 00:06:51.813 Jean-Luc, why did she cut everyone off? 164 00:06:52.830 --> 00:06:54.587 Me, Deanna, and Geordi. 165 00:06:55.805 --> 00:06:57.810 There had to be a reason. 166 00:06:57.810 --> 00:07:02.670 I think he knows that she would not be contacting him 167 00:07:02.670 --> 00:07:04.650 just to say "Hi." 168 00:07:04.650 --> 00:07:06.030 So that changed everything, 169 00:07:06.030 --> 00:07:10.440 to realize that there's this whole other story 170 00:07:10.440 --> 00:07:11.613 that's been going on. 171 00:07:12.952 --> 00:07:13.785 I loved that idea, 172 00:07:13.785 --> 00:07:15.000 that she's been off 173 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.190 and we don't even know everything that she's been doing. 174 00:07:17.190 --> 00:07:20.883 All the actors were looking for opportunities. 175 00:07:21.750 --> 00:07:25.080 Opportunities to find something new, 176 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:27.420 to find something unexpected. 177 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:30.360 I've really had fun this this whole time. 178 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.996 I've had a blast. 179 00:07:31.996 --> 00:07:33.690 I love Terry. 180 00:07:33.690 --> 00:07:36.420 I love the writers. 181 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:38.400 And the whole production staff 182 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:40.170 and the crew are so lovely. 183 00:07:40.170 --> 00:07:41.850 I do think it's a generational thing. 184 00:07:41.850 --> 00:07:43.920 I think there's much better balance 185 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:46.470 of female characters, much better balance. 186 00:07:46.470 --> 00:07:47.970 And that's important. 187 00:07:47.970 --> 00:07:49.257 We've had Discovery, 188 00:07:49.257 --> 00:07:50.760 we've had all these other wonderful shows, 189 00:07:50.760 --> 00:07:54.450 and I feel you've had some incredible female characters, 190 00:07:54.450 --> 00:07:55.860 and that's super. 191 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:58.650 So yes, I'd love to join the ride on that, 192 00:07:58.650 --> 00:08:00.630 and not just be only the doctor 193 00:08:00.630 --> 00:08:01.650 who's just diagnosing, 194 00:08:01.650 --> 00:08:02.885 but actually someone who knows 195 00:08:02.885 --> 00:08:04.680 how to do all kinds of things. 196 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:07.261 The character is more fully realized, I believe. 197 00:08:07.261 --> 00:08:09.319 You see more facets of who she is, 198 00:08:10.604 --> 00:08:12.270 and you see her strengths, 199 00:08:12.270 --> 00:08:13.593 and you see her intellect, 200 00:08:14.650 --> 00:08:16.083 and you also see her love. 201 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:20.760 I feel that's been a gift I've really enjoyed. 202 00:08:20.760 --> 00:08:23.871 I've really had fun this whole time. 203 00:08:24.990 --> 00:08:27.323 Get us the hell out of here. 204 00:08:33.013 --> 00:08:35.220 I am thrilled to welcome 205 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.750 two very dear friends 206 00:08:36.750 --> 00:08:38.070 to The Ready Room, today. 207 00:08:38.070 --> 00:08:41.591 My Captain for 35 years, Patrick Stewart, 208 00:08:41.591 --> 00:08:43.187 and of course, my Spacemom, Gates McFadden. 209 00:08:43.187 --> 00:08:45.162 Aw, Spaceson, I love you. 210 00:08:45.162 --> 00:08:45.995 I love you, too. 211 00:08:45.995 --> 00:08:48.330 I'm so happy that you are both here. 212 00:08:48.330 --> 00:08:49.980 It's just always a big deal for me 213 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:52.230 when any of us are together in the same place. 214 00:08:52.230 --> 00:08:53.640 And it's just been so rare 215 00:08:53.640 --> 00:08:55.110 for the last several years. 216 00:08:55.110 --> 00:08:56.070 I'm just really happy to be 217 00:08:56.070 --> 00:08:57.420 in the same room with both of you. 218 00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:58.260 It's lovely to see you. 219 00:08:58.260 --> 00:08:59.190 Thanks for being here. 220 00:08:59.190 --> 00:09:01.680 Likewise. It's really a nice feeling. I love it. 221 00:09:01.680 --> 00:09:04.110 It's a beautiful feeling. 222 00:09:04.110 --> 00:09:07.530 I miss our collective. 223 00:09:07.530 --> 00:09:10.122 It doesn't happen often enough. 224 00:09:10.122 --> 00:09:11.192 That we can be together. 225 00:09:12.300 --> 00:09:14.700 Sometimes I will watch an episode, 226 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:16.833 just so that I can see everybody. 227 00:09:16.833 --> 00:09:17.853 I do the same thing. 228 00:09:17.853 --> 00:09:19.020 I'm glad I'm not the only one. 229 00:09:19.020 --> 00:09:20.520 Sometimes I feel a little weird doing that, 230 00:09:20.520 --> 00:09:22.080 but I'm glad that I'm... - It is. Oh, it's weird. 231 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.280 - Okay, but we're weird together. 232 00:09:23.280 --> 00:09:24.580 Which makes it cool. 233 00:09:26.430 --> 00:09:28.230 I have so much that I want to talk to you 234 00:09:28.230 --> 00:09:29.760 about just life in general, 235 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:31.170 but I'm going to stay on the cards, 236 00:09:31.170 --> 00:09:33.000 and talk about this episode. 237 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:34.230 Gates. 238 00:09:34.230 --> 00:09:38.010 When did Beverly Crusher become this crazy badass? 239 00:09:38.010 --> 00:09:39.330 When did that happen? 240 00:09:39.330 --> 00:09:41.010 I think for the last 20-some years 241 00:09:41.010 --> 00:09:42.990 she's been doing martial arts, 242 00:09:42.990 --> 00:09:43.830 and you know, 243 00:09:43.830 --> 00:09:45.330 a lot of things like that. 244 00:09:45.330 --> 00:09:47.070 No, I know. What a surprise. 245 00:09:47.070 --> 00:09:49.410 This whole other side of her we know nothing about. 246 00:09:49.410 --> 00:09:51.810 At the very top of this episode, 247 00:09:51.810 --> 00:09:54.120 when we, like, first kind of crash 248 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:56.880 into Dr. Crusher, kind of like in medias res, right? 249 00:09:56.880 --> 00:09:59.700 Like there is just crazy action going on. 250 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:00.533 Yep. 251 00:10:00.533 --> 00:10:03.660 I don't recall you doing that level 252 00:10:03.660 --> 00:10:05.700 of intense physical action 253 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:08.340 when we were on the series. - Spaceson. 254 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:09.480 Am I not remembering it correctly? 255 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.014 You're not remembering, Spaceson. 256 00:10:11.014 --> 00:10:12.087 - Okay, remind me, remind me. - You might be off, 257 00:10:12.087 --> 00:10:13.650 you might be with The Traveler by then. 258 00:10:13.650 --> 00:10:15.240 So kicking ass is not new for you? 259 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.680 - No, I love that. - Cool. 260 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:18.403 Talk to me about kicking ass in this episode. 261 00:10:18.403 --> 00:10:19.530 I just loved it. 262 00:10:19.530 --> 00:10:21.060 You couldn't have given me a better gift 263 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:23.310 than to come back doing action. 264 00:10:23.310 --> 00:10:24.720 I love doing action. 265 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:25.950 I loved, though, 266 00:10:25.950 --> 00:10:30.300 the fact that she was in the universe 267 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:33.630 in a way that was really still exploring 268 00:10:33.630 --> 00:10:35.940 new planets, new places. 269 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:38.966 Places that not everybody went to a lot, 270 00:10:38.966 --> 00:10:40.440 and doing no harm, 271 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:43.050 trying to help people with medical supplies, 272 00:10:43.050 --> 00:10:43.883 and things like that. 273 00:10:43.883 --> 00:10:47.580 Very complicated, what unfolds for her, 274 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:49.110 why she went off, 275 00:10:49.110 --> 00:10:50.910 why she left the Federation, 276 00:10:50.910 --> 00:10:53.163 but, really interesting. 277 00:10:54.150 --> 00:10:56.370 We'll see how it unfolds. 278 00:10:56.370 --> 00:10:58.050 I know how it unfolds, but. 279 00:10:58.050 --> 00:11:02.100 The revelation that Picard and Beverly have not spoken 280 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:05.010 in 20-something years, 30-something years, 281 00:11:05.010 --> 00:11:08.195 was like cold water to the face for me, 282 00:11:08.195 --> 00:11:09.473 because I just presumed, 283 00:11:09.473 --> 00:11:11.401 "Well, of course we all talk to each other." 284 00:11:11.401 --> 00:11:12.234 I had no idea. 285 00:11:12.234 --> 00:11:14.430 They have not been in touch for such a very long time, 286 00:11:14.430 --> 00:11:15.829 yet Picard gets this message 287 00:11:15.829 --> 00:11:17.790 and just springs into action 288 00:11:17.790 --> 00:11:19.680 like, "She needs me. I'm here. 289 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:20.727 I'm ready to go." 290 00:11:21.961 --> 00:11:23.027 - No. - Well. 291 00:11:23.027 --> 00:11:24.330 It wasn't that fast. 292 00:11:24.330 --> 00:11:25.770 No, it wasn't, actually. 293 00:11:25.770 --> 00:11:26.640 - Really? Okay. - Yeah. 294 00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:28.087 Correct me. 295 00:11:28.087 --> 00:11:28.920 I was very pleased 296 00:11:28.920 --> 00:11:31.512 that there were tortured moments for him. 297 00:11:31.512 --> 00:11:32.712 That he didn't know 298 00:11:32.712 --> 00:11:34.230 what he should do. 299 00:11:34.230 --> 00:11:36.690 And should, there's always been 300 00:11:36.690 --> 00:11:40.473 a big and significant word for Jean-Luc. 301 00:11:41.718 --> 00:11:42.930 And her request, 302 00:11:42.930 --> 00:11:45.120 and it was a weird request, 303 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:48.090 with its conditions attached to it. 304 00:11:48.090 --> 00:11:49.887 No Starfleet. 305 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:53.730 Trust no one. 306 00:11:53.730 --> 00:11:56.077 Yes, of course, that first impulse was, 307 00:11:56.077 --> 00:11:57.690 "I must go to her." 308 00:11:57.690 --> 00:12:00.450 But then, "No, there's something about this 309 00:12:00.450 --> 00:12:02.400 that doesn't feel right, 310 00:12:02.400 --> 00:12:05.913 and having been ignored for 20 years, 311 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.790 why should I put myself back in that?" 312 00:12:08.790 --> 00:12:12.150 So, there were other elements. 313 00:12:12.150 --> 00:12:14.430 I expect that we will find out 314 00:12:14.430 --> 00:12:15.450 some details about this 315 00:12:15.450 --> 00:12:16.770 as the season unfolds, 316 00:12:16.770 --> 00:12:18.660 but just, I'm curious to know, 317 00:12:18.660 --> 00:12:21.870 as you did your preparation for this, 318 00:12:21.870 --> 00:12:23.160 when we're talking about characters 319 00:12:23.160 --> 00:12:25.710 that we've known for 30-plus years, 320 00:12:25.710 --> 00:12:27.480 there's good reasons that they have not spoken 321 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:29.790 to each other that the audience doesn't yet know. 322 00:12:29.790 --> 00:12:33.300 And you need to imbue your performances with all of that. 323 00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:35.490 Did I imagine that each character has 324 00:12:35.490 --> 00:12:37.200 their own version of events? 325 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.251 Is that fair to say? 326 00:12:38.251 --> 00:12:40.650 Yes. For me, I found it exciting, 327 00:12:40.650 --> 00:12:41.820 because, you know, 328 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:43.620 at the end of the two movies, 329 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.300 Crusher was not really, 330 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:47.460 I didn't feel she was very present in those movies. 331 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.690 And so suddenly, 332 00:12:48.690 --> 00:12:50.700 there was a whole world, 333 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:53.343 and years I could construct, 334 00:12:54.281 --> 00:12:55.114 and with the writers, 335 00:12:55.114 --> 00:12:57.660 with all of the ideas, obviously, of the producers. 336 00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:58.710 And that was fun, 337 00:12:58.710 --> 00:13:01.530 because it was someone who was learning, 338 00:13:01.530 --> 00:13:02.880 who was out there, 339 00:13:02.880 --> 00:13:06.150 who was probably chasing Wesley Crusher somewhere. 340 00:13:06.150 --> 00:13:07.170 Where is The Traveler? 341 00:13:07.170 --> 00:13:08.280 I don't know what she was doing, 342 00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:12.093 But the fact was is she was a scientist, 343 00:13:12.990 --> 00:13:15.270 which is what you see also coming through 344 00:13:15.270 --> 00:13:16.950 in this whole season of Picard. 345 00:13:16.950 --> 00:13:18.033 She's a scientist. 346 00:13:19.734 --> 00:13:22.890 We're all together working towards solutions, 347 00:13:22.890 --> 00:13:26.291 and we're collaborating, all of us. 348 00:13:26.291 --> 00:13:28.200 Nice work, you two. 349 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:31.110 So Picard has, I guess we're going to say, 350 00:13:31.110 --> 00:13:34.080 a difficult relationship with Beverly, 351 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.454 but not at all with Riker. 352 00:13:37.787 --> 00:13:40.140 And the reunion of Picard and Riker. 353 00:13:40.140 --> 00:13:42.120 - So funny. - That eventually leads to 354 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:44.881 them being in bunk beds on the Titan. 355 00:13:44.881 --> 00:13:46.801 [Gates] It's so hilarious. 356 00:13:46.801 --> 00:13:49.003 This is utterly humiliating. 357 00:13:49.003 --> 00:13:50.280 [Wil] I just wondered if you would speak 358 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:51.270 just a little bit about 359 00:13:51.270 --> 00:13:53.550 the relationship between Picard and Riker, 360 00:13:53.550 --> 00:13:56.010 and where you maybe find it right now 361 00:13:56.010 --> 00:13:57.900 as we begin the third season, 362 00:13:57.900 --> 00:14:00.150 and the, kind of, the final chapter of this journey. 363 00:14:00.150 --> 00:14:05.150 The most important element of the work that Jean-Luc did 364 00:14:05.370 --> 00:14:07.920 was attention to duty. 365 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:11.760 And duty was a very, very important matter for him. 366 00:14:11.760 --> 00:14:14.280 It was primary, 367 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:18.570 except where it concerned Commander Riker. 368 00:14:18.570 --> 00:14:20.970 And Riker, and I learned this 369 00:14:20.970 --> 00:14:23.913 from quite early on in Season 1 of TNG, 370 00:14:25.081 --> 00:14:27.360 he liberates Picard. 371 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:29.373 I don't feel comfortable with children. 372 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:34.833 But since a captain needs an image of geniality, 373 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:38.040 you're to see that's what I project. 374 00:14:39.630 --> 00:14:40.463 Aye, sir. 375 00:14:41.970 --> 00:14:44.220 Welcome to the Enterprise, Commander Riker. 376 00:14:46.466 --> 00:14:49.980 We all have had relationships of that kind, 377 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:53.910 where being with someone frees us, 378 00:14:53.910 --> 00:14:55.950 eases us, relaxes us. 379 00:14:55.950 --> 00:14:58.440 And that's how it is with Jonathan. 380 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:03.210 I love every single actor and actress 381 00:15:03.210 --> 00:15:05.670 in our Star Trek group. 382 00:15:05.670 --> 00:15:07.620 They're an extraordinary group of people, 383 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:10.200 and I miss them when I don't see them. 384 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:15.195 But there is something that penetrated the work as well 385 00:15:15.195 --> 00:15:18.120 when it came to Riker. 386 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:23.120 Because I think Jean-Luc just trusted him. 387 00:15:23.730 --> 00:15:24.810 Which is why, 388 00:15:24.810 --> 00:15:29.810 when there is a disruption in Season 3, 389 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:32.460 it's awful. 390 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:36.150 That moment when Picard and Riker are in the bar together, 391 00:15:36.150 --> 00:15:38.040 we never got to do things like that. 392 00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:39.900 We never got to have these kind of, like, 393 00:15:39.900 --> 00:15:42.930 completely outside of Starfleet moments, 394 00:15:42.930 --> 00:15:44.820 where we're like friends getting together, 395 00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:46.710 and we need to lean on each other for things. 396 00:15:46.710 --> 00:15:48.930 And it's one of the things that I've loved about Picard. 397 00:15:48.930 --> 00:15:52.140 I love it about Discovery and Strange New Worlds. 398 00:15:52.140 --> 00:15:55.800 The more human interaction sides of these characters. 399 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:57.420 There was something really beautiful 400 00:15:57.420 --> 00:15:58.830 about these two men sitting down 401 00:15:58.830 --> 00:16:00.510 to just have a drink together, 402 00:16:00.510 --> 00:16:03.630 and kind of figure out where they were going to go, 403 00:16:03.630 --> 00:16:04.800 and what's going to come up. 404 00:16:04.800 --> 00:16:08.250 And then when the three of you are together, 405 00:16:08.250 --> 00:16:12.390 I start to feel kind of like, it's coming back together. 406 00:16:12.390 --> 00:16:15.690 The strongest pieces of each person's personality 407 00:16:15.690 --> 00:16:19.440 are all supported by having these people around them. 408 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:22.170 That scene with you and Johnny, 409 00:16:22.170 --> 00:16:24.780 what was so beautiful was, 410 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:26.883 there was just this loyalty. 411 00:16:28.011 --> 00:16:29.610 Loyalty and respect that was there, 412 00:16:29.610 --> 00:16:31.140 that was never talked about, 413 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:32.697 but it was just there. 414 00:16:32.697 --> 00:16:34.530 And that's what's so beautiful, 415 00:16:34.530 --> 00:16:37.380 to have that just come across so easily. 416 00:16:37.380 --> 00:16:38.740 Yeah. 417 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.740 We both, I think, speaking for Jonathan, 418 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:43.170 say we felt it, both of us. 419 00:16:43.170 --> 00:16:46.110 But you know, there's a very famous line 420 00:16:46.110 --> 00:16:48.780 from the last episode of TNG. - Yes. 421 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:52.412 - When I crash the poker session. 422 00:16:53.434 --> 00:16:56.730 And there's a moment which moves me 423 00:16:56.730 --> 00:16:57.840 every time I've seen it, 424 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.883 it even moves me when I think about it. 425 00:16:59.883 --> 00:17:01.906 When Picard quietly said, 426 00:17:01.906 --> 00:17:03.993 I should have done this a long time ago. 427 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:08.373 You were always welcome. 428 00:17:09.223 --> 00:17:10.530 - I knew that was the line. - Yeah, yeah. 429 00:17:10.530 --> 00:17:11.760 Yes, of course. 430 00:17:11.760 --> 00:17:13.230 Yeah, it's very powerful. 431 00:17:13.230 --> 00:17:16.410 That was there for a lot of Picard, I found. 432 00:17:16.410 --> 00:17:20.820 Picard and Riker come onto the bridge of the Titan. 433 00:17:20.820 --> 00:17:22.200 And here's Seven. 434 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:27.200 Picard's relationship with Seven has grown and changed 435 00:17:27.210 --> 00:17:29.580 over these two seasons of the show. 436 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:30.870 There's this terrific moment 437 00:17:30.870 --> 00:17:34.620 where she drops being respectful to the Admiral 438 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:36.870 and says, "I'm talking to my friend." 439 00:17:36.870 --> 00:17:38.310 I thought that said a great deal 440 00:17:38.310 --> 00:17:40.020 about the relationship between the two of them. 441 00:17:40.020 --> 00:17:43.140 Would you talk a little bit about Jeri Ryan, 442 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:45.510 and about the relationship that exists 443 00:17:45.510 --> 00:17:46.890 between these two characters? 444 00:17:46.890 --> 00:17:51.450 It was a relationship that took a long time to develop. 445 00:17:51.450 --> 00:17:56.340 I'm not sure that Picard initially felt 446 00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:58.800 he could trust her, 447 00:17:58.800 --> 00:18:03.180 and have absolute assurance that she was safe. 448 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:06.960 I mean safe to be around with. 449 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.010 And then of course, 450 00:18:08.010 --> 00:18:10.230 it becomes much more personal, 451 00:18:10.230 --> 00:18:13.680 and he understands her value. 452 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:15.090 And this was something 453 00:18:15.090 --> 00:18:17.892 that I think Jean-Luc did rather well. 454 00:18:17.892 --> 00:18:20.328 Sir, I'm awaiting your orders to take us out. 455 00:18:21.270 --> 00:18:24.333 Why don't you do us the honor, Commander Hansen? 456 00:18:28.020 --> 00:18:28.980 Aye, sir. 457 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.020 I learned from it, certainly, 458 00:18:31.020 --> 00:18:32.746 that you learn about how, 459 00:18:33.721 --> 00:18:36.570 what are the areas where you feel safe 460 00:18:36.570 --> 00:18:38.370 with somebody that you're with, 461 00:18:38.370 --> 00:18:41.250 whether it's an intimate relationship, 462 00:18:41.250 --> 00:18:45.150 or it's friendship, or it's business, or whatever. 463 00:18:45.150 --> 00:18:46.170 It's interesting to me, 464 00:18:46.170 --> 00:18:48.450 there are so many times in my life 465 00:18:48.450 --> 00:18:52.200 that Jean-Luc Picard has been inspiring to me. 466 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:54.450 There were so many times over the years 467 00:18:54.450 --> 00:18:56.040 where you as a person guided me 468 00:18:56.040 --> 00:18:57.570 without even knowing you were doing it. 469 00:18:57.570 --> 00:18:59.400 And it is so incredibly interesting to me 470 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.780 to hear from you, 471 00:19:00.780 --> 00:19:04.140 the person without whom Picard does not exist, 472 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:06.450 talk about learning something from him. 473 00:19:06.450 --> 00:19:07.770 That's really inspiring to me, 474 00:19:07.770 --> 00:19:09.180 just as an actor and as a creator. 475 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.740 Like, yes, we can learn from our characters. 476 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:13.020 They can teach us things that maybe we didn't see. 477 00:19:13.020 --> 00:19:14.660 [Gates] Absolutely. 478 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.246 You had talked a little bit 479 00:19:16.246 --> 00:19:18.750 about Beverly going out of Starfleet now, 480 00:19:18.750 --> 00:19:21.750 and she says, "Don't trust anybody, especially Starfleet." 481 00:19:21.750 --> 00:19:23.610 That's a little unsettling. 482 00:19:23.610 --> 00:19:24.630 But she's out on, 483 00:19:24.630 --> 00:19:26.760 she very clearly is on a new path 484 00:19:26.760 --> 00:19:29.760 that seems to me to be taking 485 00:19:29.760 --> 00:19:31.500 the Hippocratic Oath to its extreme. 486 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:34.590 Like, do absolutely no harm, 487 00:19:34.590 --> 00:19:36.270 and get out there and like, 488 00:19:36.270 --> 00:19:37.860 serve the greater good. 489 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:38.850 Agree? Disagree? 490 00:19:38.850 --> 00:19:41.363 Well, I think it's complicated. 491 00:19:41.363 --> 00:19:43.410 I think I can't really talk 492 00:19:43.410 --> 00:19:46.950 about all of the reasons why she's out there. 493 00:19:46.950 --> 00:19:48.630 I think it's very complex. 494 00:19:48.630 --> 00:19:51.030 I feel she comes aboard 495 00:19:51.030 --> 00:19:53.670 with a mixture of feeling that she failed, 496 00:19:53.670 --> 00:19:56.730 she did not protect this ship, 497 00:19:56.730 --> 00:19:58.920 and she was being hunted, 498 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:01.170 and she did the best she could, 499 00:20:01.170 --> 00:20:04.837 but is it locked, as some fan tweeted, 500 00:20:04.837 --> 00:20:06.780 "Get her out of that fridge", 501 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:08.176 which I thought was hilarious. 502 00:20:10.176 --> 00:20:11.178 That is, you know, 503 00:20:11.178 --> 00:20:12.420 I have to say that is... - That's pretty good. 504 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:15.360 I'm actually really glad to hear someone say that. 505 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.410 That is something that 506 00:20:16.410 --> 00:20:20.040 we in the genre world absolutely need to talk about. 507 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:22.050 Beverly would never call out 508 00:20:22.050 --> 00:20:23.850 halfway across the galaxy 509 00:20:23.850 --> 00:20:25.830 in order to save only herself. 510 00:20:25.830 --> 00:20:27.169 Then who's this? 511 00:20:30.907 --> 00:20:31.740 Her son. 512 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:33.120 This is kind of a weird way 513 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:34.020 for me to find out 514 00:20:34.020 --> 00:20:35.850 that I have a half brother 515 00:20:35.850 --> 00:20:37.380 that nobody ever told me about, 516 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.520 I'm not going to lie. 517 00:20:38.520 --> 00:20:41.140 It was weird that I had to find out about it on TV. 518 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:43.680 But let's talk about Beverly's son. 519 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:45.090 You didn't get the Christmas card then? 520 00:20:45.090 --> 00:20:46.260 The Christmas card, that sort of... 521 00:20:46.260 --> 00:20:47.257 The Christmas card that says, 522 00:20:47.257 --> 00:20:48.150 "By the way, 523 00:20:48.150 --> 00:20:49.807 I've had a secret son 524 00:20:49.807 --> 00:20:51.097 for the last 20 something years 525 00:20:51.097 --> 00:20:52.644 that nobody ever knew about." 526 00:20:52.644 --> 00:20:53.630 - Yeah. - I want to know about, 527 00:20:53.630 --> 00:20:55.110 like, we're going to see 528 00:20:55.110 --> 00:20:56.010 so much more of him, 529 00:20:56.010 --> 00:20:57.660 and I've seen so much more of this season, 530 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.887 and I don't want to get ahead of myself- 531 00:20:58.887 --> 00:21:00.000 and spoil things. 532 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.140 He is so wonderful. 533 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:04.350 Ed Speleers, he was so much fun to act with. 534 00:21:04.350 --> 00:21:06.330 Very often, we were very silly. 535 00:21:06.330 --> 00:21:09.210 I mean, I have a couple of moments of memory 536 00:21:09.210 --> 00:21:10.401 just shaking with laughter, 537 00:21:10.401 --> 00:21:11.610 and we're looking at each other 538 00:21:11.610 --> 00:21:13.620 like, "Stop it. Stop it." 539 00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:15.840 He's just a dream to work. 540 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:17.940 I had, I will admit, 541 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:21.270 I had a couple of moments of sibling rivalry 542 00:21:21.270 --> 00:21:22.620 as I was watching this episode. 543 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:24.390 Good. Good for you. 544 00:21:24.390 --> 00:21:25.590 And I just kept thinking 545 00:21:25.590 --> 00:21:27.030 like, "That could have been Wesley. 546 00:21:27.030 --> 00:21:28.291 Wesley could have done that." 547 00:21:28.291 --> 00:21:29.124 - You were the... - Actually, no. 548 00:21:29.124 --> 00:21:29.957 It couldn't have been. 549 00:21:29.957 --> 00:21:31.641 You had the best sweaters, though. 550 00:21:31.641 --> 00:21:33.360 He doesn't have your good sweaters. 551 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:35.970 I really do, yeah. That's right. 552 00:21:35.970 --> 00:21:38.670 Nobody rocks those sweaters quite like I did. 553 00:21:38.670 --> 00:21:41.820 Seven seasons of Next Generation, 554 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:43.800 all the movies, two seasons of Picard. 555 00:21:43.800 --> 00:21:45.570 This season feels really special. 556 00:21:45.570 --> 00:21:47.910 What do you think it is about this season? 557 00:21:47.910 --> 00:21:49.710 Like, all of us feel it going into it. 558 00:21:49.710 --> 00:21:51.360 Now, I know that you have inside knowledge 559 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.650 that gives you a different perspective 560 00:21:52.650 --> 00:21:54.870 than those of us that are just waiting for it. 561 00:21:54.870 --> 00:21:57.150 Something feels special about this. 562 00:21:57.150 --> 00:22:00.603 What convinced me that I should do this, 563 00:22:01.530 --> 00:22:04.770 back in the early days, a few years ago, 564 00:22:04.770 --> 00:22:06.810 it became clear to me 565 00:22:06.810 --> 00:22:11.810 that while 20, 25 years had passed 566 00:22:12.930 --> 00:22:13.990 for all of us 567 00:22:15.030 --> 00:22:17.613 before we returned to this world, 568 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:22.200 but it had also passed for the characters. 569 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.640 And I think one of the things 570 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:25.750 that we've pulled off 571 00:22:25.750 --> 00:22:28.380 in a very interesting way, 572 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:30.568 particularly in Season 1, 573 00:22:30.568 --> 00:22:34.920 was how are these people changed? 574 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:39.570 I am not the man I was when I was 40, or 45, or 50. 575 00:22:39.570 --> 00:22:40.740 I know I wasn't. 576 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:43.740 The value of things, the importance of things, 577 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.960 have reared up in front of me. 578 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:48.030 And they're not values 579 00:22:48.030 --> 00:22:50.220 that I would've had 25 years ago. 580 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:54.690 Writers and my fellow producers included them 581 00:22:54.690 --> 00:22:56.760 in this new series, in Picard. 582 00:22:56.760 --> 00:22:58.950 It must be tremendously satisfying 583 00:22:58.950 --> 00:23:03.510 to bring your personal experience to him that much later. 584 00:23:03.510 --> 00:23:04.770 I don't get to do that with Wesley. 585 00:23:04.770 --> 00:23:06.150 Like, I don't get to touch, you know, 586 00:23:06.150 --> 00:23:09.900 like I don't get to reinterpret him anymore. 587 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:11.670 But you get to do that with Picard. 588 00:23:11.670 --> 00:23:13.620 You get to do that with Beverly. 589 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:15.900 It was very moving to me, 590 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:17.550 the sense of collaboration, 591 00:23:17.550 --> 00:23:18.840 especially in today's world, 592 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:20.520 where people just have forgotten 593 00:23:20.520 --> 00:23:22.353 how to collaborate, it seems to me. 594 00:23:23.430 --> 00:23:25.860 There was such generosity. 595 00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:28.530 You know, it just felt natural to suddenly see 596 00:23:28.530 --> 00:23:30.412 Riker and to see, 597 00:23:30.412 --> 00:23:33.180 once we passed the first initial scenes, 598 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.890 it was like, "Yes, of course we're going to be working 599 00:23:34.890 --> 00:23:36.570 towards whatever we need to work on." 600 00:23:36.570 --> 00:23:41.570 That has to do with wisdom and getting older, I think. 601 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:43.057 You know, it wasn't sort of about, 602 00:23:43.057 --> 00:23:44.820 "I have to prove," 603 00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:46.740 we have one conversation about something, 604 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.157 and then we're on with, 605 00:23:48.157 --> 00:23:50.250 "What do we have to deal with in this situation 606 00:23:50.250 --> 00:23:52.680 that's fraught with danger?" 607 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.850 And that's wonderful. 608 00:23:53.850 --> 00:23:54.840 That's the way, I think, 609 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:56.040 people who've had some experience 610 00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:59.340 and had 25 years of growth might function, perhaps. 611 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:03.900 I think that is always a possibility. 612 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:08.010 But it's been addressed in Picard, I think, 613 00:24:08.010 --> 00:24:13.010 very sensitively and marvelously by the actors 614 00:24:13.230 --> 00:24:18.230 who have had to bring something which is so internal, 615 00:24:18.870 --> 00:24:23.870 and that never leaves someone who's experiencing it. 616 00:24:24.450 --> 00:24:28.410 And to bring it out and share those feelings. 617 00:24:28.410 --> 00:24:31.260 I've been so impressed with that. 618 00:24:31.260 --> 00:24:33.480 This episode, Episode 1, ends 619 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:37.770 on a tremendous cliffhanger. 620 00:24:37.770 --> 00:24:41.580 We've gone through all this great emotional experience. 621 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:44.820 We are out in space, we're ready to go. 622 00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:46.830 Here comes the biggest, 623 00:24:46.830 --> 00:24:49.110 most terrifying ship we've seen 624 00:24:49.110 --> 00:24:53.160 in Star Trek in an unbelievably long time. 625 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:56.040 It looks like there is quite a bit of action 626 00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:58.200 in our near future. 627 00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:00.750 Is there anything that you want to tease 628 00:25:00.750 --> 00:25:03.150 about this upcoming season, 629 00:25:03.150 --> 00:25:04.650 without spoiling things 630 00:25:04.650 --> 00:25:06.851 for our dear friends in the audience? 631 00:25:06.851 --> 00:25:08.218 I don't know how to do that. 632 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:11.460 I so much want you to try to tease the season 633 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.420 without spoiling it. 634 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:14.340 Just 'cause I want to, it's going to be fun to, 635 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:16.050 it's going to be, we're going to do it together. 636 00:25:16.050 --> 00:25:17.520 It's going to be really fun. 637 00:25:17.520 --> 00:25:19.260 Tell me about something you're excited about. 638 00:25:19.260 --> 00:25:20.370 Tell me something about my brother 639 00:25:20.370 --> 00:25:24.198 that I don't know that's exciting. 640 00:25:24.198 --> 00:25:26.970 Well, you know how you used to be sarcastic? 641 00:25:26.970 --> 00:25:27.810 - Yes. - Okay. 642 00:25:27.810 --> 00:25:29.907 Well, he's inherited that trait. 643 00:25:29.907 --> 00:25:31.620 Oh, good. 644 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:33.390 Oh good. I'm so happy to hear that. 645 00:25:33.390 --> 00:25:34.260 I guess if I was smart, 646 00:25:34.260 --> 00:25:36.060 I would've said, "Well, that's great." 647 00:25:38.272 --> 00:25:39.389 He's inherited- 648 00:25:39.389 --> 00:25:40.950 some of your bad traits he's definitely inherited. 649 00:25:40.950 --> 00:25:42.683 - Oh, good. - Yeah. 650 00:25:42.683 --> 00:25:46.050 Is there anything non-spoilery 651 00:25:46.050 --> 00:25:47.820 that you would like to say 652 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:49.383 about this upcoming season? 653 00:25:50.370 --> 00:25:52.740 There are transformations. 654 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:54.003 There are changes. 655 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:59.027 And I don't want to frighten our audience, our fans, 656 00:25:59.027 --> 00:26:03.960 by suggesting that we are transforming 657 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:06.720 the whole Star Trek franchise. 658 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.833 We're not. 659 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:13.020 But the steps that we take to introduce 660 00:26:13.020 --> 00:26:18.020 new elements into the show are thrilling. 661 00:26:18.270 --> 00:26:19.530 This is really exciting. 662 00:26:19.530 --> 00:26:21.810 This is an incredibly exciting moment 663 00:26:21.810 --> 00:26:23.910 for all of us in Star Trek fandom. 664 00:26:23.910 --> 00:26:25.980 It's a really exciting moment for me 665 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:30.980 as Next Generation emeritus, alumni, I guess. 666 00:26:34.015 --> 00:26:34.920 And I'm just really happy 667 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.207 that you came here to talk to us today. 668 00:26:36.207 --> 00:26:37.590 - Aw. - So, thanks. 669 00:26:37.590 --> 00:26:39.690 Any chance to see you, Spaceson. 670 00:26:39.690 --> 00:26:41.099 - I love it, Spacemom. 671 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.007 - Hear, hear. - Thank you. 672 00:27:04.739 --> 00:27:06.510 Now that the final season 673 00:27:06.510 --> 00:27:09.090 of Star Trek: Picard has kicked off in such a big way, 674 00:27:09.090 --> 00:27:10.650 there's nobody better to be chatting with 675 00:27:10.650 --> 00:27:12.121 than Star Trek: Picard 676 00:27:12.121 --> 00:27:14.670 Executive Producer and Showrunner, Terry Matalas. 677 00:27:14.670 --> 00:27:16.530 Terry, welcome to The Ready Room. 678 00:27:16.530 --> 00:27:18.180 I am so thrilled to be here. 679 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:20.570 It's surreal to be on the set 680 00:27:20.570 --> 00:27:24.210 of this thing that I've watched dozens and dozens of times. 681 00:27:24.210 --> 00:27:26.520 You began your Star Trek journey 682 00:27:26.520 --> 00:27:28.233 with Voyager and Enterprise. 683 00:27:28.233 --> 00:27:30.690 - Yes. - And now you are coming back 684 00:27:30.690 --> 00:27:35.010 to the TNG timeline with Star Trek: Picard. 685 00:27:35.010 --> 00:27:36.690 Talk to me about returning to the franchise. 686 00:27:36.690 --> 00:27:37.920 What's it feel like? 687 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:42.390 I was a PA on Voyager, 688 00:27:42.390 --> 00:27:45.150 and then an assistant on Enterprise. 689 00:27:45.150 --> 00:27:45.983 But I would, 690 00:27:45.983 --> 00:27:47.880 whenever they would make a Next Gen movie, 691 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:50.569 I would sneak onto the set. 692 00:27:50.569 --> 00:27:51.402 Yeah. 693 00:27:51.402 --> 00:27:53.970 So it's absolutely surreal 694 00:27:53.970 --> 00:27:56.880 to have left Star Trek 695 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:59.010 and, you know, obviously done television- 696 00:27:59.010 --> 00:28:00.990 and then to come back to it, 697 00:28:00.990 --> 00:28:04.170 and then do this story, is extraordinary. 698 00:28:04.170 --> 00:28:06.180 We talk about how this could very well be 699 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:08.880 the wrap-up of the Picard story 700 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:11.193 and the Next Generation timeline. 701 00:28:12.210 --> 00:28:14.490 What's that? That's a lot. 702 00:28:14.490 --> 00:28:16.893 - It is a lot. - And, it's an honor. 703 00:28:17.766 --> 00:28:19.200 It's a responsibility. - Yes. 704 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:23.580 So when you're thinking about all of those things, 705 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.870 what is that? 706 00:28:24.870 --> 00:28:26.100 Just put me in your head for a minute 707 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:28.140 and talk about like, getting ready for that. 708 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:30.178 - Well, there's pure terror. - Sure. 709 00:28:30.178 --> 00:28:31.050 Is the first thing that that happens. 710 00:28:31.050 --> 00:28:32.520 You know, I always felt like 711 00:28:32.520 --> 00:28:35.550 there wanted to be one more movie after Nemesis. 712 00:28:35.550 --> 00:28:36.383 A wrap-up, a sort of 713 00:28:36.383 --> 00:28:39.060 Next Gen's version of Undiscovered Country. 714 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.683 Like a coda to our... 715 00:28:40.683 --> 00:28:41.899 - A coda. - Yeah. 716 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:43.207 - A send-off for them. - Sure, okay. Yeah. 717 00:28:43.207 --> 00:28:44.250 "All Good Things" is like 718 00:28:44.250 --> 00:28:49.250 the greatest last episode of any science fiction saga ever. 719 00:28:50.073 --> 00:28:50.906 But they did 720 00:28:50.906 --> 00:28:51.810 make those movies. 721 00:28:51.810 --> 00:28:53.220 And it would be interesting to see 722 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:55.770 those characters, now, you know? 723 00:28:55.770 --> 00:28:58.080 What is it like to see Geordi as a father? 724 00:28:58.080 --> 00:29:01.170 You know, what is it like to deal 725 00:29:01.170 --> 00:29:04.203 with the Rikers and some of the issues that they've had? 726 00:29:05.086 --> 00:29:06.510 And where is Beverly Crusher out there? 727 00:29:06.510 --> 00:29:08.340 - All those questions. - Yeah. 728 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:10.170 So much time has passed. 729 00:29:10.170 --> 00:29:11.040 How have they grown? 730 00:29:11.040 --> 00:29:12.150 How have they stayed the same? 731 00:29:12.150 --> 00:29:14.610 Worf, we could go on forever for Worf. 732 00:29:14.610 --> 00:29:16.170 So, there was a lot of pressure 733 00:29:16.170 --> 00:29:19.860 in figuring out where they were. 734 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:21.960 And so the goal was to tell 735 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:26.433 one final coming together of those characters. 736 00:29:26.433 --> 00:29:29.880 And certainly, we've left the door open 737 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:32.220 in ways I can't spoil, 738 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:34.440 for more to stay in this timeline 739 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:37.530 and see more of these characters. 740 00:29:37.530 --> 00:29:40.260 But if it is indeed the last, 741 00:29:40.260 --> 00:29:41.467 then you have to ask yourself, 742 00:29:41.467 --> 00:29:44.490 "What do you want to see before it's all over? 743 00:29:44.490 --> 00:29:45.690 What do you really want to see?" 744 00:29:45.690 --> 00:29:47.730 And so there's a lot of discussion about that. 745 00:29:47.730 --> 00:29:49.650 So that was the goal. 746 00:29:49.650 --> 00:29:53.398 What's one final story for this cast? 747 00:29:53.398 --> 00:29:58.230 And how does everyone play a part that has impact? 748 00:29:58.230 --> 00:29:59.583 This is difficult to talk about, 749 00:29:59.583 --> 00:30:02.490 it's a really delicate needle to thread. 750 00:30:02.490 --> 00:30:03.630 - I imagine- - Yes. 751 00:30:03.630 --> 00:30:06.090 That you have a lot of permission 752 00:30:06.090 --> 00:30:08.370 to kind of explore things, 753 00:30:08.370 --> 00:30:10.020 maybe answer questions, 754 00:30:10.020 --> 00:30:12.780 maybe resolve character arcs 755 00:30:12.780 --> 00:30:16.113 that have existed for a very, very long time. 756 00:30:16.113 --> 00:30:18.390 Yes, I think I know the one 757 00:30:18.390 --> 00:30:20.280 you're kind of dancing around. 758 00:30:20.280 --> 00:30:21.113 Yeah, yeah. 759 00:30:21.113 --> 00:30:22.860 So like, that was, 760 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:24.120 this thing that's come, 761 00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.530 that will happen this year, I mean. 762 00:30:25.530 --> 00:30:26.670 - Yes. - It's not a surprise, 763 00:30:26.670 --> 00:30:28.350 audience, that big things 764 00:30:28.350 --> 00:30:29.430 are going to happen this year, right? 765 00:30:29.430 --> 00:30:30.289 Big things will happen. 766 00:30:30.289 --> 00:30:31.122 You will see characters 767 00:30:31.122 --> 00:30:32.850 that have not necessarily been announced- 768 00:30:32.850 --> 00:30:34.050 - Yeah. - In the thing. 769 00:30:35.395 --> 00:30:36.540 And it mostly comes from, again, 770 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:38.219 it's like, "What do you want to see?" 771 00:30:38.219 --> 00:30:40.259 And that particular story 772 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:43.650 felt like a big hanging chad. 773 00:30:44.670 --> 00:30:47.100 And wow, if you could come back 774 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:50.580 and now do that all these years later, 775 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:52.410 and finally tell that story. 776 00:30:52.410 --> 00:30:53.880 I know we're being vague, everybody, 777 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:56.070 but once you see this, you'll double back 778 00:30:56.070 --> 00:30:57.510 and you'll realize how cool this is. 779 00:30:57.510 --> 00:31:00.300 It's extremely satisfying to go back and watch something- 780 00:31:00.300 --> 00:31:01.290 - Yeah. - After you know 781 00:31:01.290 --> 00:31:02.280 what we're talking about. - Right. 782 00:31:02.280 --> 00:31:04.126 Like, I do this with other shows. 783 00:31:04.126 --> 00:31:05.593 Which is really good. 784 00:31:05.593 --> 00:31:07.920 I showed it to a friend of mine who was a fan, 785 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:11.670 and the gasp was so loud when that moment happened. 786 00:31:11.670 --> 00:31:12.870 And it was exactly, 787 00:31:12.870 --> 00:31:14.970 again, we didn't want to promote it, 788 00:31:14.970 --> 00:31:16.620 and anyway. 789 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.700 Yes. 790 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:20.550 Would you talk to me a bit about the decision? 791 00:31:20.550 --> 00:31:24.450 Like, "Okay, we're going to bring everybody back together," 792 00:31:24.450 --> 00:31:26.130 and selling that, 793 00:31:26.130 --> 00:31:28.650 and getting buy-in from us. 794 00:31:28.650 --> 00:31:30.240 You know, it starts with Patrick. 795 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:32.250 It starts with sitting down with Patrick, 796 00:31:32.250 --> 00:31:34.200 and he was lovely about it, 797 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:35.490 and said, "You know, I think we've earned it. 798 00:31:35.490 --> 00:31:36.450 I think it's time." 799 00:31:36.450 --> 00:31:37.620 He had always said, 800 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:39.031 in Season 2, when I came on, 801 00:31:39.031 --> 00:31:41.550 the first thing I said was, "Who can we bring back?" 802 00:31:41.550 --> 00:31:42.383 And whatnot. 803 00:31:42.383 --> 00:31:43.230 And he's like, "I think by the end, 804 00:31:43.230 --> 00:31:45.473 I'd like to have everybody on." 805 00:31:45.473 --> 00:31:46.306 And I think the idea 806 00:31:46.306 --> 00:31:48.210 was sort of to space them out. 807 00:31:48.210 --> 00:31:50.730 But to do it as an event felt right to me, 808 00:31:50.730 --> 00:31:54.210 to sort of make this feel like a Next Generation film 809 00:31:54.210 --> 00:31:55.380 - you never saw. - Yeah 810 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:57.818 And what's kind of great about it is, 811 00:31:57.818 --> 00:32:02.550 if there was, say, one final Next Gen movie, 812 00:32:02.550 --> 00:32:04.230 at most it would be three hours. 813 00:32:04.230 --> 00:32:05.279 - Yeah. - And you wouldn't have 814 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.770 the chance to really deep dive 815 00:32:06.770 --> 00:32:07.770 on all of these characters 816 00:32:07.770 --> 00:32:10.120 and where they are, and have their own stories. 817 00:32:11.370 --> 00:32:12.930 So that's what's remarkable 818 00:32:12.930 --> 00:32:15.240 about having 10 hours to do it with, 819 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:18.630 is to really spend the time with these characters. 820 00:32:18.630 --> 00:32:22.050 But yeah, there was a lot of sign-offs, 821 00:32:22.050 --> 00:32:23.970 'cause it meant fundamentally changing 822 00:32:23.970 --> 00:32:25.446 the show as you knew it. - Yeah. 823 00:32:25.446 --> 00:32:27.960 And we weren't able to bring everyone back 824 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.920 from Seasons 1 and 2, 825 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:31.470 because there needed to be the narrative room 826 00:32:31.470 --> 00:32:33.570 to tell these stories. 827 00:32:33.570 --> 00:32:37.560 And so that's challenging to a studio and a fan base. 828 00:32:37.560 --> 00:32:39.870 It's like, "But I just watched these two." 829 00:32:39.870 --> 00:32:42.300 And it's challenging for me and heartbreaking, 830 00:32:42.300 --> 00:32:47.300 but it felt right, and everybody felt that as well. 831 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:51.270 And so that's what made it possible. 832 00:32:51.270 --> 00:32:53.100 I want to talk about my Spacemom. 833 00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:54.210 I figured. 834 00:32:54.210 --> 00:32:55.410 I figured. Who wouldn't? 835 00:32:56.246 --> 00:32:58.396 So, talk to me about building that story. 836 00:33:00.764 --> 00:33:02.670 We can't talk about what she is doing, 837 00:33:02.670 --> 00:33:04.770 'cause the episode hasn't aired yet. 838 00:33:04.770 --> 00:33:06.630 - Right. - But talk to me 839 00:33:06.630 --> 00:33:08.760 about building up where she is 840 00:33:08.760 --> 00:33:11.910 and what she's been doing and why? 841 00:33:11.910 --> 00:33:13.650 I think the first thing was 842 00:33:13.650 --> 00:33:16.590 you wanted to find her in an unexpected place. 843 00:33:16.590 --> 00:33:19.470 You know, certainly all good things suggested, 844 00:33:19.470 --> 00:33:21.713 she had her own ship, the Pasteur. 845 00:33:21.713 --> 00:33:25.200 But that didn't quite feel right. 846 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:28.650 But it also wouldn't feel right if she wasn't a doctor. 847 00:33:28.650 --> 00:33:32.760 So the idea of her being this doctor without borders, 848 00:33:32.760 --> 00:33:34.440 maybe not necessarily part of Starfleet, 849 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:37.290 but goes to worlds that Starfleet has forgotten. 850 00:33:37.290 --> 00:33:39.423 You know, it's a big galaxy out there. 851 00:33:40.260 --> 00:33:42.450 Seemed really exciting, and dangerous, 852 00:33:42.450 --> 00:33:43.590 and filled with drama. 853 00:33:43.590 --> 00:33:47.460 And it's also, to me, Beverly's a character 854 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:50.630 that never really got her due, I felt like, 855 00:33:50.630 --> 00:33:51.510 and certainly in the feature films, 856 00:33:51.510 --> 00:33:53.550 and it's a fascinating character. 857 00:33:53.550 --> 00:33:56.550 So that felt like a rich opportunity 858 00:33:56.550 --> 00:33:57.690 to tell more of that story. 859 00:33:57.690 --> 00:33:59.580 And so I said to Gates, 860 00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:02.310 I said, "Look, I have this image in my head. 861 00:34:02.310 --> 00:34:05.710 The first person you see in Season 1 is 862 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:08.973 Beverly Crusher popping into frame, 863 00:34:09.810 --> 00:34:12.540 waking up as her ship is being attacked." 864 00:34:12.540 --> 00:34:13.920 And she said, "Well, what do I do?" 865 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:16.710 I'm like, "You're going to kick a little ass. 866 00:34:16.710 --> 00:34:18.193 We're going to see you do something." 867 00:34:18.193 --> 00:34:20.099 And she was like, "I am in." 868 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:21.166 And that felt fun, too. 869 00:34:21.166 --> 00:34:22.280 I can totally hear her saying that. 870 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:25.350 But again, you don't want it to be a character betrayal, 871 00:34:25.350 --> 00:34:26.550 where suddenly she's Ripley, 872 00:34:26.550 --> 00:34:27.570 and she's just. - Right. Sure. 873 00:34:27.570 --> 00:34:28.913 She's doing the right thing, 874 00:34:28.913 --> 00:34:29.850 but she's still a doctor. 875 00:34:29.850 --> 00:34:33.000 And we see her do some really phenomenal 876 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:36.900 doctor sick bay moments this season. 877 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:38.730 But it was exciting, 878 00:34:38.730 --> 00:34:41.730 sort of to reinvent Beverly Crusher a little bit. 879 00:34:41.730 --> 00:34:42.900 There's a moment in the season 880 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:46.163 where she says, "A lot has happened in the last 20 years." 881 00:34:46.163 --> 00:34:48.444 And they look at her a little bit differently. 882 00:34:48.444 --> 00:34:50.250 But that's also what's exciting. 883 00:34:50.250 --> 00:34:52.528 Again, and it continues with Geordi and Worf. 884 00:34:52.528 --> 00:34:55.260 - Right. - And throughout. 885 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:57.210 There's so much ahead of us now. 886 00:34:57.210 --> 00:34:59.670 There's so much, like we know. 887 00:34:59.670 --> 00:35:00.600 They don't know. 888 00:35:00.600 --> 00:35:02.193 - Right. Right. - It's just, 889 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:07.440 I feel like I've bought all the presents for my kids, 890 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:09.136 you know, and they're all wrapped up- 891 00:35:09.136 --> 00:35:10.688 - Right. - and ready to go, 892 00:35:10.688 --> 00:35:11.880 and now they're just going to sit there 893 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:13.560 and they're just going to have to wait. 894 00:35:13.560 --> 00:35:15.720 I know how complicated it is on the set. 895 00:35:15.720 --> 00:35:16.890 I know how high the stakes are. 896 00:35:16.890 --> 00:35:19.050 I know how expensive every minute is. 897 00:35:19.050 --> 00:35:21.300 - Yeah. - Did you get to- 898 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:23.490 - Oh. - I don't know, 899 00:35:23.490 --> 00:35:24.630 celebrate that? 900 00:35:24.630 --> 00:35:26.670 High five yourself through time? 901 00:35:26.670 --> 00:35:28.140 Take a victory lap? 902 00:35:28.140 --> 00:35:30.217 Really enjoy, like, 903 00:35:30.217 --> 00:35:33.510 "What a wonderful, special thing I'm part of 904 00:35:33.510 --> 00:35:34.500 that I got to help make." 905 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:36.310 Oh, absolutely. 906 00:35:36.310 --> 00:35:38.100 Yes. That for sure. 907 00:35:38.100 --> 00:35:40.800 However, I was mostly terr- 908 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:44.220 I wanted, the pressure of making this great, 909 00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:46.860 is overwhelming on those days. 910 00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.880 And just getting through, 911 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:50.490 because you don't have, it's not a feature film. 912 00:35:50.490 --> 00:35:52.500 You don't have days and days 913 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.985 to just perfect the scene. 914 00:35:53.985 --> 00:35:57.210 You have three hours to get this right. 915 00:35:57.210 --> 00:36:00.120 And I imagine, if I know us the way 916 00:36:00.120 --> 00:36:01.708 that I think I do. - Yes. 917 00:36:01.708 --> 00:36:03.390 They fell right into it, right? 918 00:36:03.390 --> 00:36:04.601 Oh, absolutely. 919 00:36:04.601 --> 00:36:07.080 - Like we'd never left? - Yes. 920 00:36:07.080 --> 00:36:08.700 Uproarious, ridiculous goofing off 921 00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:11.452 until it's time to roll and then we nail it? 922 00:36:11.452 --> 00:36:13.976 When they were together, nonstop. Yeah. 923 00:36:13.976 --> 00:36:18.090 And I have now, I used to love to watch 924 00:36:18.090 --> 00:36:18.923 the behind the scenes, 925 00:36:18.923 --> 00:36:19.756 and watch all this stuff, 926 00:36:19.756 --> 00:36:21.030 but now I'm the director, 927 00:36:21.030 --> 00:36:22.616 and I'm like, "Guys, we have. 928 00:36:22.616 --> 00:36:25.080 I don't want to stop you singing 929 00:36:25.080 --> 00:36:26.820 You legendary characters 930 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:28.470 of science fiction. 931 00:36:28.470 --> 00:36:31.620 But if I don't get this shot..." 932 00:36:31.620 --> 00:36:32.880 So it's all very, I mean, 933 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:35.070 I could, you could write volumes on it. 934 00:36:35.070 --> 00:36:39.180 But look, it's an honor to do this, 935 00:36:39.180 --> 00:36:40.020 and it's surreal, 936 00:36:40.020 --> 00:36:43.380 and you just hope you're worthy of it, so. 937 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.520 I think you're worthy of it. 938 00:36:44.520 --> 00:36:46.230 Well, that means a lot. 939 00:36:46.230 --> 00:36:47.280 Thank you so much. 940 00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:48.810 And I've loved this season, 941 00:36:48.810 --> 00:36:50.520 and I told you before we rolled, 942 00:36:50.520 --> 00:36:52.260 I will tell you in public, 943 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:53.517 you're taking such good care of Star Trek. 944 00:36:53.517 --> 00:36:54.437 - Aw. - And it really, 945 00:36:54.437 --> 00:36:56.119 really matters to me. 946 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.829 And I know it matters to the audience as well. 947 00:36:57.829 --> 00:36:59.970 I can't tell you what that means to me. 948 00:36:59.970 --> 00:37:00.960 I mean, I could, but I'll cry, 949 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:02.253 and I can't do that, 950 00:37:02.253 --> 00:37:03.255 were on- - That's fair. 951 00:37:03.255 --> 00:37:04.088 - Streaming and whatever. - That's fair. 952 00:37:04.088 --> 00:37:05.280 We need to look like- - Second we cut- 953 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.113 - Tough guys. - I'm going to 954 00:37:06.113 --> 00:37:06.946 take my glasses off and bawl, so. 955 00:37:06.946 --> 00:37:08.490 Okay. Outstanding. 956 00:37:08.490 --> 00:37:09.450 Well, let's get to crying. 957 00:37:09.450 --> 00:37:11.112 Thanks for being here today. 958 00:37:11.112 --> 00:37:12.287 All right. It's my pleasure. 959 00:37:12.287 --> 00:37:13.796 Thank you so much for having me. 960 00:37:47.910 --> 00:37:50.580 Ever since Jean-Luc Picard asked William Riker 961 00:37:50.580 --> 00:37:52.710 to help him not make an ass of himself 962 00:37:52.710 --> 00:37:55.530 around children more than 35 years ago, 963 00:37:55.530 --> 00:37:58.860 the two Starfleet legends have been as close as family. 964 00:37:58.860 --> 00:38:00.780 And like all family relationships, 965 00:38:00.780 --> 00:38:02.220 they've had their ups and downs. 966 00:38:02.220 --> 00:38:03.930 In the end, they always come away 967 00:38:03.930 --> 00:38:06.540 with a greater respect and love for one another. 968 00:38:06.540 --> 00:38:08.820 Let's take a closer look at the brotherhood 969 00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:10.680 between the captain of the Enterprise 970 00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:12.305 and his loyal Number One. 971 00:38:13.576 --> 00:38:15.342 [Riker] Hell of a view. 972 00:38:15.342 --> 00:38:18.690 The kind we spent half a lifetime chasing. 973 00:38:18.690 --> 00:38:20.553 And the other half missing the chase. 974 00:38:22.110 --> 00:38:24.842 Will, are you enjoying this? 975 00:38:24.842 --> 00:38:26.542 Of course not. Are you? 976 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:32.010 From the very beginning, 977 00:38:32.010 --> 00:38:37.010 the relationship between Riker and Picard was different 978 00:38:37.710 --> 00:38:40.263 from any other relationships that he had. 979 00:38:40.263 --> 00:38:41.667 Commander Riker, sir. 980 00:38:41.667 --> 00:38:45.600 And that wasn't just on-camera, either. 981 00:38:45.600 --> 00:38:48.220 To be back with Sir Patrick has been 982 00:38:49.576 --> 00:38:52.740 one of the great joys of my Star Trek career. 983 00:38:52.740 --> 00:38:55.560 And I have, I think, Terry Matalas to thank. 984 00:38:55.560 --> 00:38:57.810 Reminds me of my cadet days, 985 00:38:57.810 --> 00:39:00.300 only I don't remember having to get up to pee this much. 986 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:02.820 When we were shooting Season 2 987 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:05.190 I was hanging out with Jonathan Frakes a lot, 988 00:39:05.190 --> 00:39:06.840 because he was directing the episodes, 989 00:39:06.840 --> 00:39:08.740 and one of the first things I said was 990 00:39:09.600 --> 00:39:10.770 how much I really wanted to do 991 00:39:10.770 --> 00:39:13.200 Butch and Sundance with Picard and Riker. 992 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:15.870 I'm not sure about this plan. 993 00:39:15.870 --> 00:39:18.300 Because it's not really a plan, it's a ruse. 994 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:20.250 Yeah, that's the part I don't like. 995 00:39:20.250 --> 00:39:22.800 That that would be the kickoff of a season, 996 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:27.030 and see that dynamic of them back in the game. 997 00:39:27.030 --> 00:39:28.290 Your hands are stiff. 998 00:39:28.290 --> 00:39:29.850 My knees are killing me. 999 00:39:29.850 --> 00:39:31.380 So long as we don't have to move or shoot, 1000 00:39:31.380 --> 00:39:32.213 we should be fine. 1001 00:39:32.213 --> 00:39:34.980 He developed this wonderful arc 1002 00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:36.360 where I hook back up with Picard 1003 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:37.753 and the two of us go on a mission together. 1004 00:39:37.753 --> 00:39:39.300 Ready? 1005 00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:40.133 As ever. 1006 00:39:40.133 --> 00:39:42.390 It's a lot like going back in time. 1007 00:39:42.390 --> 00:39:44.550 The very, very first time 1008 00:39:44.550 --> 00:39:46.710 I appeared in front of the camera 1009 00:39:46.710 --> 00:39:51.600 as Captain Picard, I didn't say a line of dialogue. 1010 00:39:51.600 --> 00:39:55.110 I just looked at somebody, and then walked away. 1011 00:39:55.110 --> 00:39:57.423 And when they called, "Cut," 1012 00:39:58.590 --> 00:40:01.447 Jonathan Frakes yelled out, 1013 00:40:01.447 --> 00:40:06.447 "So, that's what they call a British face acting, is it?" 1014 00:40:06.839 --> 00:40:10.380 And that underlined and emphasized 1015 00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:13.597 the way that my relationship with Jonathan progressed. 1016 00:40:13.597 --> 00:40:15.690 [Imitating Picard] I think the resemblance rather striking. 1017 00:40:15.690 --> 00:40:17.370 Wouldn't you agree, Number One?" 1018 00:40:17.370 --> 00:40:19.560 He became quite quickly 1019 00:40:19.560 --> 00:40:24.560 a much loved, trusted, and inspirational colleague. 1020 00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:26.273 In many ways, 1021 00:40:26.273 --> 00:40:28.320 it feels as if we'd never left. 1022 00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:30.390 I mean, God knows we're a lot older. 1023 00:40:30.390 --> 00:40:33.180 But we have the same mutual respect. 1024 00:40:33.180 --> 00:40:37.470 There's an undying friendship between us as actors, 1025 00:40:37.470 --> 00:40:39.360 and friends, and characters. 1026 00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:40.353 Thank you, Will. 1027 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:42.833 What for? 1028 00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:47.160 Oh, for so many things. 1029 00:40:47.160 --> 00:40:51.840 It's what made the work that we did for seven years, 1030 00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:53.700 and then four feature films, 1031 00:40:53.700 --> 00:40:57.000 so differently interesting 1032 00:40:57.000 --> 00:41:00.270 from what it can often be on camera. 1033 00:41:00.270 --> 00:41:02.700 And I think that it was 1034 00:41:02.700 --> 00:41:06.363 one of the aspects that people particularly loved. 1035 00:41:07.230 --> 00:41:08.351 I'm so happy to be with you, 1036 00:41:08.351 --> 00:41:09.683 I feel so much, 1037 00:41:11.100 --> 00:41:12.260 yeah, it feels great. 1038 00:41:12.260 --> 00:41:15.095 It's feels like it's never stopped. 1039 00:41:15.095 --> 00:41:17.850 - Yeah, right? - It's better. 1040 00:41:17.850 --> 00:41:19.530 As many characters in the show, 1041 00:41:19.530 --> 00:41:20.640 in Season 3, have changed, 1042 00:41:20.640 --> 00:41:22.743 Riker and Picard- 1043 00:41:23.964 --> 00:41:24.797 I mean, Picard's changed, 1044 00:41:24.797 --> 00:41:26.490 but Riker is essentially the same guy, 1045 00:41:26.490 --> 00:41:28.915 just a lot older and with a white beard. 1046 00:41:34.328 --> 00:41:36.341 If you are as psyched seeing 1047 00:41:36.341 --> 00:41:37.491 Jean-Luc Picard, William Riker, 1048 00:41:37.491 --> 00:41:39.600 and Beverly Crusher back in action as I am 1049 00:41:39.600 --> 00:41:40.950 and can't wait for more, 1050 00:41:40.950 --> 00:41:43.620 then I'm about to be your favorite person in the world, 1051 00:41:43.620 --> 00:41:45.690 because I have an exclusive clip 1052 00:41:45.690 --> 00:41:47.190 from next week's episode, 1053 00:41:47.190 --> 00:41:48.513 just for you. 1054 00:41:52.995 --> 00:41:53.837 Incoming! 1055 00:41:58.083 --> 00:41:59.688 [Eleos] Blast shield, engaged. 1056 00:41:59.688 --> 00:42:00.770 What the hell just happened? 1057 00:42:00.770 --> 00:42:02.910 Will, the pod's losing power. 1058 00:42:02.910 --> 00:42:04.260 And her life signs are fading. 1059 00:42:04.260 --> 00:42:05.437 We need to get her to the Titan. 1060 00:42:05.437 --> 00:42:06.723 Admiral! Change of plan. 1061 00:42:09.008 --> 00:42:10.408 We've just lost the shuttle. 1062 00:42:13.860 --> 00:42:15.185 We're trapped here. 1063 00:42:22.098 --> 00:42:23.250 I know that it looks bad, 1064 00:42:23.250 --> 00:42:25.500 but 35 years of Star Trek have given me 1065 00:42:25.500 --> 00:42:27.270 the indication that it's probably 1066 00:42:27.270 --> 00:42:30.300 going to work out okay for our heroes. 1067 00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:31.897 Thank you for beginning 1068 00:42:31.897 --> 00:42:33.720 Star Trek: Picard's final journey 1069 00:42:33.720 --> 00:42:35.670 with me here in The Ready Room. 1070 00:42:35.670 --> 00:42:37.740 I cannot wait to experience 1071 00:42:37.740 --> 00:42:39.480 the emotional roller coaster ride 1072 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:41.820 of this final season together. 1073 00:42:41.820 --> 00:42:42.720 Next week, we'll be looking 1074 00:42:42.720 --> 00:42:45.150 at Season 3, Episode 2 of Star Trek: Picard, 1075 00:42:45.150 --> 00:42:46.920 titled, "Disengaged." 1076 00:42:46.920 --> 00:42:48.930 And I'll be joined by Ed Speleers, 1077 00:42:48.930 --> 00:42:50.400 who plays Beverly Crusher's son- 1078 00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:52.800 and Wesley's younger brother-Jack. 1079 00:42:52.800 --> 00:42:55.140 Until then, I'm Wil Wheaton. 1080 00:42:55.140 --> 00:42:56.973 Live long and prosper. 1081 00:43:05.700 --> 00:43:06.750 Shortly after we finished 1082 00:43:06.750 --> 00:43:08.160 this episode of The Ready Room, 1083 00:43:08.160 --> 00:43:10.290 our Star Trek family lost 1084 00:43:10.290 --> 00:43:13.248 a beloved member, Annie Wersching, 1085 00:43:13.248 --> 00:43:14.081 who played the Borg Queen 1086 00:43:14.081 --> 00:43:16.623 in Season 2 of Star Trek: Picard, passed away. 1087 00:43:18.390 --> 00:43:20.742 It was my privilege and my honor 1088 00:43:20.742 --> 00:43:22.470 to interview Annie here 1089 00:43:22.470 --> 00:43:25.620 in The Ready Room during her time on Picard. 1090 00:43:25.620 --> 00:43:27.810 This was the only time we shared 1091 00:43:27.810 --> 00:43:30.330 more than a moment or a quick hello. 1092 00:43:30.330 --> 00:43:33.540 But I instantly liked her. 1093 00:43:33.540 --> 00:43:37.860 I felt this kind, gentle, enthusiastic warmth 1094 00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:40.293 just radiating from her. 1095 00:43:41.850 --> 00:43:44.250 I saw Annie just one other time, 1096 00:43:44.250 --> 00:43:46.380 at a big Star Trek convention. 1097 00:43:46.380 --> 00:43:50.520 She was wearing this green, glittery crown. 1098 00:43:50.520 --> 00:43:53.047 It was beautiful and it suited her. 1099 00:43:53.968 --> 00:43:55.982 Her Picard castmates were there, 1100 00:43:55.982 --> 00:43:57.270 and I didn't want to intrude. 1101 00:43:57.270 --> 00:44:00.750 So, I said hello, and then I stayed out of their way. 1102 00:44:00.750 --> 00:44:03.333 They all looked so happy together. 1103 00:44:04.320 --> 00:44:08.250 And I saw this bond among them that I recognized. 1104 00:44:08.250 --> 00:44:12.363 A bond that forms in casts, when we are lucky. 1105 00:44:13.500 --> 00:44:17.103 It is a bond that makes us more than coworkers. 1106 00:44:18.420 --> 00:44:19.253 They were lucky. 1107 00:44:21.030 --> 00:44:23.520 I very much hoped that I would get to know Annie 1108 00:44:23.520 --> 00:44:24.423 a little bit more. 1109 00:44:25.410 --> 00:44:27.457 You've heard me say it so many times. 1110 00:44:27.457 --> 00:44:29.670 Star Trek is a family. 1111 00:44:29.670 --> 00:44:32.220 And those of us who are fortunate enough to be 1112 00:44:32.220 --> 00:44:33.303 part of that family, 1113 00:44:34.140 --> 00:44:35.400 we share a common language 1114 00:44:35.400 --> 00:44:38.550 that is expressed in more than words. 1115 00:44:38.550 --> 00:44:40.350 It is an understanding 1116 00:44:40.350 --> 00:44:42.480 of this very specific, 1117 00:44:42.480 --> 00:44:44.973 very special bond that unites us. 1118 00:44:47.190 --> 00:44:49.797 On behalf of all of us at The Ready Room, 1119 00:44:51.030 --> 00:44:53.250 our hearts go out to Annie's family 1120 00:44:53.250 --> 00:44:55.923 and to everyone who knew and loved her. 1121 00:44:57.210 --> 00:44:58.803 May her memory be a blessing.