Picard Season 3 thoughts

[kenseido]

There is a disconnect between Jack and Jean Luc in Season 3 for me. They have known each other for days, and yet have this amazing connection at the end. But what if we replace Jack with Wesley.

First, we have to eliminate all of the Traveller stuff.

Next, you have Beverly lying to her husband and Jean Luc about who Wesley's father is. She even fakes a paternity test, as a doctor, to keep the secret. Now, when you have Beverly and Picard arguing over her lying to him, she has the added reason of protecting Jack and Jean Luc's friendship.

When Wes and Jean Luc are in the bar connecting as father and son, and Captain Shaw comes in; Wesley was there during the Borg encounter and defends him with actual firsthand knowledge, not stories he was told.

And finally, at the end, when Wes and Picard are in the collective, Jean Luc's speech about staying with him has actual meaning because he has known Wesley for years, not a few days. And when Wes chooses to free himself and Jean Luc, he also has years of memories and connection to justify. They could show images from STNG as well as some from the current season.

[mrdent12]

I took Jack and Picards fast bonding to be the combination of someone looking for family connection deep down and someone regretting not having a family. With Wesley and Picard, it was already semi family dynamic. The show, as part of its theme, was how crisis can forge or renew strong bonds quickly. Wesley and Picard building a bond wouldn't have had the same punch. Even second hand, it's a huge moment when Jack defends Picard.

[Ken]

And finally, at the end, when Wes and Picard are in the collective, Jean Luc's speech about staying with him has actual meaning because he has known Wesley for years, not a few days. And when Wes chooses to free himself and Jean Luc, he also has years of memories and connection to justify. They could show images from STNG as well as some from the current season.

Wes wouldn't be in the Collective.

Spoiler

Jack being conceived post-Wolf-359 was a major part of why Jack was in the Collective.

[Ken]

I took Jack and Picards fast bonding to be the combination of someone looking for family connection deep down and someone regretting not having a family. With Wesley and Picard, it was already semi family dynamic. The show, as part of its theme, was how crisis can forge or renew strong bonds quickly. Wesley and Picard building a bond wouldn't have had the same punch. Even second hand, it's a huge moment when Jack defends Picard.

If I was 80+ years old, and discovered I had a son, I'd want to bond as soon as possible.