The main plot of Star Trek: Picard season 1 is very close to that of Logan. Premiering to a very diverse reception, Star Trek: Picard recently concluded its first season on CBS All Access and is already confirmed for a second run. The latest addition to the Star Trek franchise ended with Jean-Luc simultaneously saving the galaxy from a dystopian Romulan conspiracy buried deep within Starfleet and an ominous, unseen federation of angry synthetic creatures from a distant world. As well as ending on a high, Star Trek: Picard‘s first season also featured several fan-pleasing returns from the likes of Riker, Seven of Nine and Data.
Many Star Trek fans were likely under the impression that they’d never see Patrick Stewart reprise his iconic The Next Generation role again, and this was largely due to the actor himself, who repeatedly denied any desire to return to the Trek fold after Nemesis in 2002. Discussing the circumstances surrounding Star Trek: Picard‘s conception, Stewart has cited his farewell stint as Professor Charles Xavier in Logan as a key source of inspiration. Having portrayed Professor X since 2000, Logan offered the opportunity for an emotional farewell and a fitting end to his 17-year X-Men story. But while Stewart was transparent about Logan‘s influence on Star Trek: Picard, the similarities actually run far deeper than many might’ve expected.
Star Trek: Picard finds its title character in a depressing retirement, isolated on his vineyard and estranged from Starfleet, the organization that made him famous. With little left to live for, Picard is simply awaiting death, which isn’t too far away thanks to a terminal brain condition. Making matters worse, the aging former admiral is haunted by the death of an old friend, Data, who he frequently dreams about. This starting point is very close to that of Logan. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is scratching a living as a driver-for-rent, a shadow of his former self. No longer attached to the X-Men (the organization that made him famous), Logan is also impatiently awaiting death and, mirroring Picard’s brain defect, Wolverine’s healing abilities are gradually failing him. Filling the Data role is Jean Grey, and while there’s no suggestion of Jean-Luc harboring a romantic attraction towards his android pal, the lingering impact of both characters’ deaths is the same upon their respective protagonists.
Both Picard and Logan are dragged out of their miserable twilight years by the surprise emergence of a worthy new cause, and this brings more parallels between the 2 stories. Picard’s interest is piqued by the arrival of a mysterious but powerful young girl named Dahj, who is later revealed to be the synthetic daughter of Data. Despite his failing health, Picard takes it upon himself to protect Dahj (and later her twin, Soji) from shady anti-synth villains who would have her killed. By the story’s end, Picard has succeeded in escorting the girl to a new home, a utopia populated by others like her. This feels almost directly lifted from Logan. Wolverine is spurred back into action by the arrival the mysterious and powerful Laura, who is revealed to be Wolverine’s own lab-made daughter, very similar to Data’s relationship with Dahj and Soji. Just like Picard, Logan must protect the girl from pursuers who hate her entire kind, and deliver her to a safe haven to be with other mutants.
Other, more subtle similarities between Star Trek: Picard and Logan can be found, such as both characters using a drug to artificially keep themselves alive for the final battle, but there is one key difference between the two stories – Picard comes back to life. Although Stewart’s character sacrifices himself to save Soji, just as Logan did for Laura, the synth technology of Bruce Maddox and Altan Inigo Soong allows him to transfer into a new body. There was no such luck for Wolverine, who was brutally impaled and died a hero’s death. Maybe resurrection was always the plan for Picard, or maybe the idea was necessary to ensure season 2 could happen, but even with the happier ending, the parity between Star Trek: Picard and Logan is uncanny.
Star Trek: Picard season 2 is currently without a release date. More news as it arrives.
