Star Trek: Picard season 3's finale, "The Last Generation," almost ended differently, but Patrick Stewart's original pitch was abandoned in favor of a less ambiguous farewell. I actually quite like the sound of Stewart's idea, but I think the ending that Picard opted for was the superior option. The legendary sci-fi actor did a stellar job of leading Star Trek: Picard's cast for all three seasons, but the show ultimately ended on a note that was less about the show's title character and more about the relationships that defined the decorated Starfleet officer.
Snagging the part of Captain Jean-Luc Picard among Star Trek: The Next Generation's cast resulted in Patrick Stewart stepping into his seminal role. He went on to appear in all four TNG-era movies after the show ended, and then appeared to be done for good. However, he was tempted back to the franchise in 2020 when Star Trek: Picard began. The show largely avoided being a TNG reunion, but the final season ultimately became just that. In Stewart's 2023 autobiography, Making It So: A Memoir, he discusses how he almost had his dream Picard ending come true.
Patrick Stewart's Pitch For Star Trek: Picard Season 3's Ending Explained
The actor wanted Admiral Picard to end the show at his vineyard
As well as talking about how he was tempted back to the role of Jean-Luc Picard after almost two decades, Patrick Stewart's Making It So also includes the pitch for how he wanted Star Trek: Picard to end. By Stewart's own account, the final scene that shows the crew of the USS Enterprise toasting their success over a game of poker was not how Picard was originally intended to conclude, as he had already convinced the writers to pen a scene that followed, showing Jean-Luc Picard in a more idyllic setting.
"What I'd like to see at the end of the show," I told them, "is a content Jean-Luc. I want to see Picard perfectly at ease with his situation. Not anxious, not in a frenzy, not depressed. And I think this means there is a wife in the picture."
The writers came up with a lovely scene. It is dusk at Jean-Luc's vineyard. His back is to us as he takes in the view, his dog at his side. Then, off-screen, a woman's loving voice is heard: "Jean-Luc? Supper's ready!"
Is it Beverly Crusher's voice? Laris's? Someone we don't know? It isn't made clear.
- Patrick Stewart, Making It So: A Memoir (2023)
The line from Picard's unknown wife was set to be read by Sunny Ozell, Stewart's real wife, to help in the ambiguity of the off-screen woman's identity. The scene in question was written, but was never shot. Stewart's schedule on the final day of shooting for Star Trek: Picard didn't align with the ever-growing list of work still left to do. He promised to return at a later date to shoot the vineyard scene, as he had a plane to catch.
He was never contacted to return and film the scene, and after some digging, Stewart discovered that the studio thought it would be "too expensive" and "unnecessary."
Star Trek: Picard's Real Ending Worked Far Better
"The Last Generation" ends with a massive nod to The Next Generation's finale
I can completely understand why Patrick Stewart wanted to shift the focus back to Jean-Luc before Picard ended. He was, after all, the show's title character. That said, I'm glad that Paramount opted not to include the vineyard scene. Although Picard's leading man was initially resistant to making the show a reunion of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the legacy show would have been incredibly disappointing if the coming together of the crew in season 3 had never happened. Star Trek: Picard season 3 essentially became The Next Generation season 8, which is perfectly fine.
Patrick Stewart Still Isn't Done With Jean-Luc Picard
A Star Trek: Picard movie could be on the way
It took some convincing for Stewart to return as Jean-Luc for Star Trek: Picard. However, he states in Making It So that he ended up relishing the challenge of updating his performance for an older version of the character. He also only returned with the understanding that there would be no more three seasons of the show. All of this combines to make it especially surprising that he wants to play Jean-Luc Picard again in a feature-length production.
So, is that it for Jean-Luc Picard? Most probably, but never say never. I am gently pushing Paramount to let us do one single Picard movie. Not a Next Generation movie, as we have already done four of those. This would be an expansion and deepening of the universe as we've seen it in Star Trek: Picard. I've discussed this with Jonathon [Frakes], Brent [Spiner], and LeVar [Burton], and they are all game. Jonathon is my first choice to direct it.
- Patrick Stewart, Making It So: A Memoir (2023)
Although there have been reports of a script starting to materialize for a Star Trek: Picard movie, it hasn't yet received the green light from Paramount.
Although there have been reports of a script starting to materialize for a Star Trek: Picard movie, it hasn't yet received the green light from Paramount either. If it does happen, I can certainly see Stewart pushing for his idyllic vineyard ending once again. I also think it would be a bit foolish to shy away from making the prospective movie light on elements from The Next Generation, as it was the reunion of Picard's crew that finally allowed Star Trek: Picard to shine its brightest.
Source: Making It So: A Memoir - Patrick Stewart
