Michelle Yeoh’s Paramount+ movie,Star Trek: Section 31, would be the perfect way forStar Trekto introduce a younger Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). InSection 31, Yeoh reprises her role asStar Trek: Discovery’s Emperor Philippa Georgiou. After the USS Discovery jumped to the 32nd century, Georgiou needed to return to a time when the Prime Universe and Mirror Universe were closer together.The Guardian of Forever (Paul Guilfoyle) sent Philippa Georgiou back to the early 24th century—also known asStar Trek’s “Lost Era”, betweenStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered CountryandStar Trek: The Next Generation.
FewStar Trekprojects have been set in the “Lost Era” beforeStar Trek: Section 31,butStar Trek: The Next Generationhas occasionally referenced this elusive part of theStar Trektimeline.Star Trek: The Next Generationseason 6, episode 14, “Tapestry”, spends a significant amount of time in the “Lost Era”, whenQ (John de Lancie) takes Picard to his first year out of Starfleet Academy, in 2327.Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) views a posthumous recording of his father, Lt. Commander Jack R. Crusher (Doug Wert), inTNGseason 4, episode 2, “Family”.
Section 31 Could Introduce Young Picard To Star Trek
Star Trek Would Have To Recast Young Jean-Luc Picard
Star Trek: Section 31could introduce a younger version of Jean-Luc Picard toStar Trek.Depending on whenStar Trek: Section 31takes place,Picard would be either a Starfleet Academy cadet or in the early days of his Starfleet career.Promotional material doesn’t include a younger Picard onGeorgiou’s Section 31 team, so if Picard is anywhere nearStar Trek: Section 31’s action, it’s most likely going to be just a cameo. An Easter egg might reference Picard as an ensign aboard the USS Reliant, or even the young Captain of the USS Stargazer, if it’s after 2333.
Star Trek: Section 31features 33-year-old Kacey Rohl as the future USS Enterprise-C’s Captain Rachel Garrett, previously played by Tricia O’Neil. TheStar Treknovels place Garrett’s Starfleet Academy graduation around 2315. Assuming Garrett was about 21 when she graduated, and in her 30s duringSection 31, the setting ofStar Trek: Section 31could be anywhere from 2324 to 2333.
While Picard appearing inStar Trek: Section 31is unlikely, it might not be that far out of bounds for Picard to have a history with Section 31.TNG’s “Tapestry” showed that Jean-Luc was far more reckless in his youth than the distinguishedUSS Enterprise Captainthat Picard eventually becomes. Section 31 agents aren’t really allowed to retire or even refuse service, soCaptain Picard’s morals aren’t really relevant if Ensign Picard jumped at the chance for espionage. Picard’s secret mission inTNGseason 6, episodes 10 & 11, “Chain of Command”, might have even been a Section 31 operation.
Young Picard Allows Star Trek To Bring In Young Jack & Beverly Crusher
Picard And Jack Crusher Were Best Friends On The USS Stargazer
A young version of Jean-Luc Picard inStar Trekwould also pave the way forStar Trekto introduce younger versions of Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) and Lt. Commander Jack R. Crusher.Star Trek: The Next Generationalluded to the strong friendship between Jean-Luc and Jack, which expanded to include Jack’s fiancé, Beverly Howard. The trio ofJean-Luc, Jack, and Beverly would have certainly gotten up to their fair share of adventuresbefore Lt. Commander Crusher’s 2353 death. Admiral Picard recounts one such adventure to his son,also named Jack Crusher(Ed Speleers), inStar Trek: Picardseason 3.
Young Picard: Patrick Stewart On Who Can Play Jean-Luc In Possible Star Trek TNG Prequel
Patrick Stewart suggests who can play young Jean-Luc Picard if a Star Trek: The Next Generation prequel ever happens.
Younger versions of Picard have appeared inStar Trekbefore, but wouldn’t be eligible to return. Tom Hardy’s Shinzon was a clone of Jean-Luc Picard inStar Trek: NemesisandDavid Birkin played a 12-year-old Jean-LucinStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 6, episode 7, “Rascals”. Interestingly,both Hardy and Birkin are 47 years old in 2024—the same age that Patrick Stewart was when Stewart began playing Captain Picard inStar Trek: The Next Generation.Star Trek: Section 31would have to recast a much younger actor to play Picard in his 20s, so it’s possible.
