“The Last Generation“ Everything old is new again as the story that began 35 years ago concludes with one final adventure for some but the start of a new one for others. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing conclude our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 10, “The Last Generation.” We discuss the paths the characters followed, how the story was resolved, why the writing goes well beyond nostalgia, the potential of a...

“Võx“ At long last, we learn what Jack is (although not without further delay) and, well, resistance is futlie. But fireworks in space are cool, right? In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 9, “Võx.” We ignore the weird tilda to discuss the impending resolution of the story and look beyond the superficial fan complaints to embrace the real message of the story in true...

“Surrender“ As the Titan crew plot to retake the ship, many storylines reach their apex while a big one continues to drag us so very slowly toward a terrifying red door. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 8, “Surrender.” We discuss how the TNG crew are finally brought back together, our evolving theories about Jack, a possible beer-drenched clue, and Worf’s love...

Dominion. A visit to the Chin’toka system, one of the most pivotal battlefields of the Dominion War, helps shed light on some of the mysteries surrounding the Changelings, but raises even more questions about Jack and brings some of our heroes to rethink which lines should not be crossed. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 7, “Dominion.” We discuss plausible...

“The Bounty“ As the plot—and goo—thickens, the Titan visits the Fleet Museum to meet an old friend while Worf, Raffi, and Riker burgle the very institution that is hunting them. The layover leaves ample time for nostalgia, Easter eggs, and a leisurely, but meaningful, walk down memory lane. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 6, “The Bounty.” We discuss the unexpected...

“Imposters“ An unexpected visitor boards the Titan and reveals the extent of the threat facing the Federation. Meanwhile, Jack Crusher struggles with his continuing visions and comes to realize that there is something very wrong with him. Worf and Raffi fight logical crime. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 5, “Imposters.” We discuss the surprising appearance of an...

“No Win Scenario“ As the Titan sinks deeper into the gravity well, only the inginuity that comes with a full head of hair and a grease monkey from Chicago can save the crew the from a no win scenario. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 4, “No Win Scenario.” We discuss more parallels with the Original Series films, how the story turns death into a fighting chance to...

“Seventeen Seconds“ Beverly and Jean-Luc come face to face as the reason for her 20-year absence is revealed. Meanwhile, a more relaxed warrior enters to help Raffi crack the case of the stolen Daystrom goods. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 3, “Seventeen Seconds.” We discuss Beverly's choice, Jean-Luc’s reaction, characters swapping places, the reveal of the enemy,...

“Disengage“ The revelation that Beverly’s son, Jack, is wanted on many worlds—under many aliases—puts Jean-Luc Picard into a tough situation, one trumped only by the discovery that Jack is his son. To make matters more difficult, Jack’s pursuer, an unhinged woman named Vadic, arrives aboard the Shrike, a ship armed to the teeth with every sort of weapon known to Starfleet (and few that aren’t). It’s a dangerous situation that puts the Titan on the run. In this episode of The Artificial...

“The Next Generation“ After receiving a cryptic, urgent distress call from Doctor Beverly Crusher, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard enlists the help of Captain Riker and Seven—or rather Commander Annika Hansen—to attempt a daring rescue. Meanwhile, Raffi, working undercover as a Starfleet Intelligence operative, races to stop an impending terrorist attack by unknown thieves who stole deadly weapons from Daystrom Station. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew...

Preparing for Star Trek: Picard Season 3 As the story of Picard enters its final chapter, old friends return for one more epic journey together. But will it really be their last? In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing prepare for Star Trek: Picard Season 3 by looking back at the first two seasons and then ahead to the third. We discuss the lack of cohesion in storytelling from season to season—and how that was by design—and ask what could have been...

“Farewell” As the Europa mission prepares to launch, Picard and the former crew of the La Sirena must race to prevent Adam Soong from changing their future. Meanwhile, Tallinn fulfills her ultimate mission of protecting Renée and a special guest appears in a park. The end of Q’s game arrives in a heartfelt closure to a relationship that spanned more than three decades as he and Jean-Luc both find closure, the penance paid. But the future isn’t safe yet as a mysterious threat of galactic...

“Hide and Seek” On a stormy night in France, storylines converge as Jean-Luc relives the events leading up to his mother’s death and faces what really happened. Seven and Raffi also face death as the Borg Queen takes the La Sirena, but are spared as the power of Agnes overtakes that of the Queen and leads to a new, more compassionate future for the Collective. Soong is also in on the action as Brent Spiner once again leads a group of Borg, and Elnor finds another chance for some screen time...

“Mercy” A childhood encounter with Vulcans can really play with your mind. It might even lead to obsession. Just ask Agent Wells. Convinced that Picard and Guinan are aliens just like those he found in the woods in the early ‘80s, he interrogates the pair about their intentions toward the Europa mission. Meanwhile, Queen Agnes rampages her way through Los Angeles eating batteries and Kore Soong learns the true nature of her existence. Rios serves cake aboard La Sirena and Guinan meets Q a...

“Monsters” Lying in the clinic and near death, Jean-Luc is lost in the recesses of his mind—and we're there with him. Also with him is a Starfleet psychiatrist, in a late 24-century uniform, who is trying to get Picard to open up. He suggests that telling a story might help, and this takes us deep into Jean-Luc's childhood and the struggles of his mother. As light is being shed on this psychological aspect of the story, Raffi and Seven learn of Jurati's assimilation and set out in search of...

“Two of One” The gang prepare to enter the Europa mission gala only to find that Agnes has yet to inject their fake IDs into the system. That’s because she is still handcuffed to a chair. To break free, she must give the Borg Queen more power—a move that might break her free in more ways than one. Once in the party, Jean-Luc is able to convince Renée to make the flight, but is injured in the process when he is run down by Adam Soong, working on behalf of Q. After Soong reveals to his...

“Fly Me to the Moon” At last, the focal point of the divergence is revealed as Laris look-alike Tallinn, who may or may not be a cat, brings Jean-Luc to her apartment and reveals that she has devoted her life to protecting one of his ancestors, Renée Picard. When Jean-Luc realizes that Q is trying to talk Renée out of taking part in a pivotal spaceflight, plans are set in motion to make sure that they fly her to the moon. Meanwhile, the Borg Queen discovers the wonders of radio and pushes...

“Watcher” What kind of ship is the La Sirena? It’s a ship with a missing man. And while Seven and Raffi search Los Angeles for Rios, Jean-Luc heads to Forward Avenue in search of Guinan, who he believes is the Watcher. Only we find out that isn't the case. She sends Picard to a Supervisor, throwing an unexpected, yet classic, twist into the story. And while all this is happening, the Borg Queen continues to flirt with Agnes back in France. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C...

“Assimilation” The magistrate’s attempt to stop Picard and his team doesn’t get very far as he is easily dispatched and the La Sirena travels back to 2024 Los Angeles (which, sadly, did not involve styrofoam heads). Of course, this is not without consequences as Elnor is wounded and then dies, making it all the more essential that the crew succeed in their efforts to restore history. Once in the past, Rios finds himself in a difficult situation while Jean-Luc and Agnus negotiate with the...

“Penance” As Q reveals to Jean-Luc the reason for their latest encounter, Picard learns that he is the most ruthless, bloodthirsty military leader mankind has every known, leading Earth in a charge to rid the galaxy of all non-humans. With the help of his friends, crew, and the Borg Queen, he must make it through Eradication Day to time travel back to 2024 Los Angeles in search of someone called the Watcher, to discover and repair whatever change to history led to this totalitarian future. ...

“The Star Gazer” Following the events of Season 1, Picard returns to his life in France with the flame of love unexpectedly flickering in the vineyard. But when his connection to the Romulan Laris comes up against internal defenses, and Starfleet presents him with a mystery, Picard sets out on a journey of personal exploration that leads him to encounters with old friends. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, our rebranded dedicated Star Trek: Picard podcast that carries forward the...

Romulans and Star Trek (2009). Star Trek (2009) featured a prominent role for a revenge-seeking 24th-century Romulan captain named Nero and his unusual ship, the Nerada. Nero’s time travel to the 23rd century created an alternate timeline and left fans wondering what led to the Romulan supernova of 2387—and what happened after. Finally, the first season of Star Trek: Picard, along with the Picard: Countdown comics and Una McCormack’s novel The Last Best Hope, have provided some answers. In...

Dominic Burgess Interview. For English actor Dominic Burgess, a longtime dream came true when he appeared as the sentient reptiloid Mr. Vup in the Star Trek: Picard episode “Stardust City Rag.” A huge Star Trek fan, Burgess played Bjayzl’s bodyguard on Freecloud, delivering a memorable performance as an intimidating character with an exceptional olfactory system. In this episode of The Line, hosts Chrissie De Clerck-Szilagyi, Brandon-Shea Mutala, and Justin Oser are joined by Burgess to...