Star Trek: Picard – Episode 5, Stardust City Rag

And so, unlike most review sites, we didn’t state that Seven of Nine had returned in the episode three of Star Trek: Picard, because, you know, we aren’t idiots.

But, OH MY GOD! Seven of Nine is back! She also features in this episode, Stardust City Rag, as the gang arrive at Freecloud in the hope of finally tracking down the elusive Bruce Maddox.

As look would have it, he’s there, being held by Bjayzl, Necar Zadegan (“The Good Doctor (TV)”, “Eleven Eleven”), a ruthless woman who likes to collect Borg parts from previous Borg assimilates.

In order to get Maddox from here, they realise they will need to offer something she wants more and Seven of Nine offers herself as an exchange.

Seven is now a Ranger, taking the law into their own hands as Picard says, protecting those that can’t help themselves as Seven says.

The gang setup an elaborate scheme to try and bring Maddox back, but nothing is as it seems and no-one has been quite as truthful as others had hoped.

Meanwhile Rafi attempts to reconnect with her son and his pregnant wife, but he doesn’t want anything to do with her, still hurt that she left he and her husband to try and find the truth of the Mars disaster. She’s forced to return to the ship, tail between her legs.

Our good friend Jonathan Frakes returns in the directors chair and provides even more lens-flare goodness for your eyes.

The story is ok, it is very slowly kicking into gear, a touch of comedy, a touch of action and it shines a light on how the universe has changed, no longer filled with hope more filled with revenge.

I can understand how some see this as “not Star Trek”, for, particularly TNG, was always filled with hope, compassion and everyone getting along.

Picard isn’t that, not at all, it’s back-stabbing, revenge and mercenaries, but things have changed and we are only four episodes in. I’m happy to keep watching, hopefully you are too.