‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Tapestry’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say, that each and every one of us out there… harbor some form of regret regarding our lives. Because life is indeed a long and winding journey filled to the brim with tough choices, the kind that take us places we never expected to go and sometimes hurt others along the way. Which is why it is only natural for us to ponder upon those choices and the roads not taken and wonder what could have been and even lament aloud how we would have done things differently if given the chance. But eventually we move beyond those regrets and make peace with them due to some wisdom that life imparts upon us, and that particular journey is top of mind today, because it is one that Captain Jean-Luc Picard experienced in the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For ‘Tapestry’ sees the captain beam back aboard the Enterprise in rough physical shape, courtesy of peace talks gone awry and while Doctor Crusher tends to his wounds, Picard is transported to quite the odd place. Wherein there is nothing but bright lights and memories and Q for that matter as well, and he informs the captain that death is upon him and an eternity with Q is what awaits and that… doesn’t sit well with Picard. In fact, he’s so angry over that reality and his death that he informs Q that he would go to whatever lengths to reclaim his life and avoid this untimely death and well… in classic Q fashion, this old frenemy of Captain Picard’s grants him that wish. Which takes him back to the one moment in time where he could lay down the foundation to avoiding his death years in the future.

Specifically, his youth. When a fight with some surly Nausicaans led to Picard’s heart being replaced and well, being back in that moment with the wisdom he has now… leads to some very different choices for Jean-Luc. The kind where he alienates his friends by preaching peace and patience instead of nurturing their youthful bravado and that does indeed keep them from that fight. Which does of course allow for Picard to keep his heart, but that comes at quite the cost. For when he is returned to his everyday life in 2369, he’s not the captain of the Enterprise. He’s nothing more than a Lieutenant, Junior Grade, working in the sciences division because he played it safe after that day and well… that too, doesn’t sit right with Picard. Because that was not the life he envisioned and after going through the journey in question, Q does him a solid and grants him a second chance at the life he originally led, making everything right in the universe.

But it is that journey in question that really makes this episode shine through and through. Because it is loaded with all kinds of messages for the audience and what it has to say is both humbling and inspiring. For in essence, Picard’s return to his youth works to remind us, that we cannot regret the decisions we make. Because what is done, is done and to lament them and ponder constantly on going back and fixing them… stunts our growth. Because we only learn through mistakes and every single one we take part in, makes us stronger and gives us perspective and makes us into the person we are today and that is a powerful lesson that all of us need reminding of now and again and it is wonderful to find it here and even see that Jean-Luc Picard is in need of that reminder as well, and really, in the end… that message and the moments that bring us to it, make this a brilliant episode for certain.

Because the human condition and how we grow and better ourselves is the core tenant of Star Trek, and to see it here on display is powerful and engaging and it also doesn’t hurt… that this episode evokes a bevy of emotions. Since we feel for Picard and his struggle and find laughs through Q’s antics and of course… ponder upon whether we’ve done enough to embrace our choices and our path as well. Plus, this features some tour de force performances. Since John de Lancie adds new wrinkles to Q, by playing him in such an ambiguous manner. Is he Q? Is he an angel or Picard pushing himself to live? Who knows? And of course, Patrick Stewart shines again by giving us incredible depth and range here, truly selling moments that we will all go through or have experienced, and well, it is no wonder this episode is still well regarded after all these years, because it is a true gem and one of the finest that the franchise has to offer. Until next time.  

---

Lieutenant (J.G.) Jean-Luc Picard and the road not taken.