Star Trek: Picard (1×10) Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2 Review

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

Narek finds the crashed Borg Cube and decides to investigate. He stumbles upon Elnor and Seven of Nine, listening in on their conversation before going further into the Cube. He is stopped by Narissa as they make up and figure out their plan. Meanwhile, Picard is stuck in confinement under the supervision of Sutra and the rest of the commune. Here’s what happened in “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2.”

As the second half of this two-part finale, it had a decent amount of action, some good character moments, sublime performances by its cast and a few pieces of fan service. However, the major themes of this show continue to feel less like Star Trek and more like generic science fiction making it difficult to see the reasoning for revisiting this characters other than that other shows have been rebooted their franchises as well. It doesn’t help that the finale also decides to leave some loose ends open for the confirmed second season which makes some of the storylines feel contrived and a means to an end.

This episode was highlighted by some great performances by Alison Pill, Isa Briones, Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner. Each of these actors manage to create some strong, emotional character moments throughout this finale. Unfortunately, everyone else feels pretty one-dimensional and bland, especially the villains and the changed Seven of Nine. Unfortunately that is where the positives end as the episode has a ton of problematic points that essentially summarize the issues that the season has had as a whole.

The modernization of Star Trek in these new TV reboots has seen an increase in swearing that was never seen on the bridge of any ship, more stylized action and a bleaker tone. In fact, it is the latter than takes these series so far away from the tropes and feel of old Trek. The bleak, dark atmosphere is the opposite of the optimistic ethical debates that this sci-fi show used to continually present. Beloved characters become cannon fodder used as cameo and links to the past with no other means than a quick emotionally grim situation. It lacks a consistent tone, the moral questions, the curiosity and expansive world builder that Trek is known for. It follows in the footsteps of Discovery so hopefully it improves like the other series did in its sophomore season. The entire first season is a messy prologue or forethought of what the series hopes to become.

For now, Picard is just a basic sci-fi stapling a famous name on its narrative.

Captain’s Log

• How will Picard stop the Romulans?
• What’s in store for Picard and Soji?

What did you think of “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2”? Was it a satisfying finale? Let me know in the comments below!

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Dylan Phillips