‘Star Trek: Picard’ Recap – ‘Maps and Legends’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

One particular thing that all of us hope for when we reach a more advanced age, is that we will able to look back upon the many years we enjoyed upon this Earth and find that we have zero regrets in how we lived our lives. Which in turn will allow for us to hold our heads high when we face the end and meet our maker since there is nothing weighing upon our conscience when that big moment arrives. But while this is a wonderful goal to strive for, it’s one that it is difficult if not impossible to accomplish. Because no matter how good we are, or how hard we work to create peace at every turn, the harshness of the universe finds way to humble even the finest of men. But it is how we respond to those curveballs that matter the most and said response just so happened to be the focal point of the next episode of Star Trek: Picard.
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For ‘Maps and Legends’ dug deep into the regret that is now swirling around Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and well, rather than continue to let it fester, Jean-Luc feels compelled to do something about it and that led to quite the fascinating episode. One that saw our intrepid hero face some hard truths about some of the big decisions he’s made over the past fourteen years, all while stumbling upon a grand conspiracy growing within the heart of the Federation. But before we dive too deeply into that particular segment of the story, let’s focus upon Picard’s attempts to repair some of the damage he’s done. Because it is inherently clear now, that the death of Lieutenant Commander Data at the end of Nemesis, weighs heavier on Jean-Luc than we’ve previously known. For the dear Admiral cannot comprehend Data’s sacrifice and well, the only way to do right by that brazen and bold act… is to solve the mystery of his daughters and protect how special they truly are.

Which prompted Picard to make a stunning decision to swing by Starfleet Command and meet with his former boss, Admiral Kirsten Clancy, and explain the situation at hand and ask for the opportunity to return to the stars for one last mission and well, this attempt ended in utter disaster. For Jean-Luc’s honest and raw words on the Federation News Network, in regard to Starfleet and its cowardice, were heard by everyone in the organization, including Admiral Clancy. And she was quick to snap back over what he had to say and outright call Jean-Luc a coward for walking away and not fighting harder over what he believed in. Which was stunning to say the least because there was oddly some merit in what she had to say. After all, Jean-Luc Picard was never one to back away from a fight when it comes to what is just and proper back in the day, and well… her words clearly had quite the impact upon him when all is said and done.

Because Picard left that meeting, fully realizing that the right thing had to be done, and that it would be up to him to keep Dahj’s sister and everything she represents safe, and that prompted him to make the powerful decision to put together a crew to head out into the void to find Dahj’s twin and protect her. But this crew needed to consist of people that were not willing to die for Jean-Luc. For that would be more than he could bear. Instead, it needed to be folks that were similar to him, with nothing to lose, and slowly but surely, he began to assemble that crew. But while Jean-Luc worked to assemble this band of heroes and find a ship for their journey into the void, trouble was brewing behind the scenes and that brings us to the grand conspiracy in question. For early on in this tale, an impromptu investigation into Dahj’s mysterious past, brought about a fascinating conversation with Laris. One that revealed that the Tal Shiar may have always operated under the influence of a far more powerful and secretive organization known as the the Zhat Vash. 

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Now this particular group, was created to protect the Romulan Empire and the galaxy for that matter, from the power of technology, specifically artificial intelligence. But this group was believed to be nothing more than legend, one designed to instill fear. Yet in this particular tale we come to learn that sometimes legends are grounded in reality and this one might be operating within the confines of Starfleet. For our introduction to a Commodore Oh, revealed that she is a double agent in Starfleet’s ranks, one running black ops with other Romulan agents within the fleet, and her key focus at this point is to have her underlings keep a close eye on Soji and keep their identity a secret and this is… quite the stunning revelation for certain. For it speaks volumes to Starfleet’s complacency and belief they are free from conflict in this transformed galaxy and it also reminds us of the fact that there is quite the price to pay when we go back on a promise. 

Yet while that alone is a pretty powerful revelation in its own right, this episode still had more surprises to offer us when it comes to the Romulans, since we did get to learn exactly what is happening within the confines of the abandoned Borg Cube we were introduced to in ‘Remembrance’. As it turns out, in order to survive, the Romulans and a few other species are risking their lives to go deep into this massive cube, in order to find technology that can be sold or traded for profit and this is fascinating, simply due to the fact that it goes against what Laris said the Zhat Vash stands for and that may explain a secondary reason for Narek to be there. So that he can he can keep an eye on how these cybernetic devices are heading out into the universe and stop any potential problems before they begin and it also piques one’s interest, simply because it shows us now how desperate the Romulans are now that they’ve lost their home world and their Empire and it should be interesting to see what comes of everything we learned about them in this tale.

However, while it was necessary and shocking to dive into all of these details and revelations, they were indeed overshadowed by an element that is rarely explored in Star Trek; the lasting impact of grief and loss. Something that was handled by of Admiral Picard’s storyline. Yet rather than rehash the points we’ve already discussed, the ones that spoke to how much is haunting this poor man, it is best we truly take a moment and praise the franchise for going into this much depth surrounding such matters. For often times in this saga, when people die, it is quickly glossed over, or sometimes they straight up come back. But a life is a life, and that person’s existence meant something to someone, and it was just incredibly refreshing to see the struggle that comes with losing those we care about, play out on screen with one of the franchise’s biggest characters. Yet what’s even more impressive, is that the story found a way to even add more depth to this, by way of some unsettling news for the Admiral.  

For a visit from an old friend, a Dr. Benayoun, who served with Picard aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer, brought forth the news that a revelation from long ago may be coming to fruition. For that parietal lobe, the one that Dr. Crusher inspected during the events of ‘All Good Things…’ is indeed starting to show signs of trouble, the kind that will lead to an unfortunate end and that powerful news is what brings this episode together in somber fashion. For Jean-Luc is clearly reflecting upon his life now and is finding regret when it comes to paths not taken, or mistakes that have been made. And he will do whatever it takes to clear his conscience and his legacy of those dark spots, so that people will remember him as a great man. Instead of one who made a tough and debatable choice when faced with impossible odds and that will make the grand journey that is being set up early on here, a captivating one for certain. But in the here and the now, this was quite the incredible episode, one filled with haunting and powerful moments and it is a tale that compels us to continue along in Jean-Luc’s journey to see if by chance he will find redemption and peace at last. Until next time.

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