Star Trek: Picard (1×03) The End is the Beginning Review

For our review of last week’s episode, click here.

A flashback reveals the synth attack and its aftermath as Picard and his assistant Raffi discuss what to do. He demands Starfleet accept his evacuation plan, but they disagree and he resigns while Raffi is fired. In the present, he has returned to his assistant for help, but she can’t join him in this quest and offers the name of a pilot: Chris Rios. Here’s what happened in “The End is the Beginning.”

Finally the end of what seems like the first act and set up of this series with a point of no return for this beloved hero and his new makeshift crew. Picard has evolved tremendously through these three episodes from a conflicted and hesitant old man to one of action, resolve and determination reminiscent of his days as Captain of the Enterprise.

The story also progresses forward in a much more natural and palatable way. Instead of the information dumps that last week’s Maps and Legends relied heavily on, this week the story uses more subtle storytelling. The characters, their reactions and interactions with one another help propel the story forward both in the present day and past. This pairs nicely with the ethical complexities of their conversations.

It also helps that these characters are becoming instantly memorable, notably Raffi who is a great addition to Picard’s backstory. The intertwining of their stories between past and present helps to create such a deep and gripping relationship of mentor and assistant. She feels betrayed by his selfish actions and this only helps to deepen the conflict within Picard’s own psyche. The addition of Chris Rios also brings another former officer with his own demons from his time with Starfleet. Losing his captain and record in a Starfleet cover-up shows his distain for this organization, but equally his belief in Picard as a person.

By the end of this episode, the series finally starts to materialize as its own separate story within this expansive universe. It manages to set up a ton of curiosities and complex questions surrounding its main narrative and how it relates to the titular character. These mysteries may just be beginning, but by the end it seems like this slower paced and human look at Star Trek may deliver the biggest ethical discussions ever seen in these series. And as JL says, “Engage.”

What did you think of “The End is the Beginning”? Let me know in the comments below!

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Dylan Phillips