But is this really the last ride for the TNG gang?
Frakes was caught off guard.
He wasalwaysready to play Riker.
What was going on?
I didnt know what he was talking about.
I told him Id be happy to, Frakes tellsDen of Geekmagazine.
But then, Terry said, No, are you really, really ready to play Riker?
Are you ready to bring Riker back?
When fans seeStar Trek: Picardseason three, they will understand what Matalas meant.
Its not just Riker that has been brought back.
In my mind, I wouldve called it Star Trek Legacy, Terry Matalas says.
I mean, it is truly a Picard story.
He is the focus.
But the spirit of it is different than seasons one and two, just because of what it is.
So what isPicardseason three?
A backdoor pilot to anotherStar Trekseries?
A love letter to fans of 90sTrek?
The answer is all of these things, and something new, too.
But, for McFadden herself, the idea that her character wouldopenthe new season was thrilling.
I loved the very first scene.
I mean, to me, that was so much fun to get to do that.
To be active and fighting.
Twenty years and two months later, Dr. Crusher and Jean-Luc are speaking to each other again.
As an actor, you cant help but bring the changes in you into that performance, McFadden explains.
Taking over the Center seat
Star Trek: Picardhas, in a sense, had three captains.
But, for season three, Matalas was handed the keys to the starship.
And it was his vision and passion forThe Next Generationthat became the overall mission statement.
Terry Matalas is pretty great as far as Im concerned, McFadden says.
There was sort of a generational difference.
He really listened to all of our ideas, and we absolutely felt encouraged to talk about everything.
That critically-acclaimed series is both a cult fan favorite and an impressive showcase for Matalas unique writing skills.
And his approach to the canon and tone ofStar Trekis similar.
For Matalas, if its not broken, then dont fix it.
I just felt likePicardseason three needed to feel like it fit into this universe, Matalas says.
Theres a fine line between fan service and just honoring the universe that youre in.
So, I just went full tilt at the things that mattered to me.
I love the oldNext Genfont.
Ive missed titles on episodes and seeing them and going, hmm, I wonder what that means…?
And the music was extraordinarily important to me.
And that required Stephen Barton.
I grew up with legends [like] Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner.
Not to mention Dennis McCarthy and Cliff Eidelman.
All thoseTrekcomposers have nods.
He really getsNext Gen, Frakes says of Matalas writing in season three.
Without blowing too much smoke up Terrys ass, hes a wonderful writer.
And the stuff he gave me to do was exciting.
I know that Gates felt the same way, and I think LeVar [Burton] did, too.
But, Frakes association with theTrekfranchise has extended way beyond the end ofTNGin 1994.
Since then, Frakes work behind the camera onStar Trekhas become perhaps even more influential than his acting.
CountingDeep Space Nine,Voyager,Discovery,andPicardepisodes, Frakes has directed over twentyTrekepisodes.
Not so much with Terry.
Hes really stirred the pot.
Conflict, which, as we know, is an absolute necessity in drama.
For Gates McFadden, this real sense of human drama is what madePicardseason three so different.
What a world of difference, McFadden says.
I felt all the characters were so honored in this season ofPicard.
But Matalas love ofStar Treklore isnt solely connected toThe Next Generation.
I think that its important toDeep Space Ninefans to feel seen, Matalas says.
Its a continuation ofVoyagertoo, of course, with Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) in our show.
The Next-Next Generation?
I would love nothing more, Matalas says.
hey send your letters to Paramount+ and Secret Hideout.
Frakes teases that the ending ofPicardseason three is also begging for more adventures set in this era ofStar Trek.
Not morePicard, but certainly,Next Genis alive and well.
To hear it from the cast,Picardseason three doesnt have to be a one-off reunion.
It could be the beginning of a comeback.
Were just getting started.
Star Trek: Picardseason 3 hits Paramount+ on Feb. 16.
