Patrick Stewart says Picard felt abandoned by Dr. Crusher

With season three of Star Trek: Picard, starring Patrick Stewart, beginning in February, we’ll see the return of the crew from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

And one of those members of the crew that is returning is Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) who had a will-they-won’t-they relationship with Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) aboard the Enterprise for seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. That relationship was never resolved as both Picard and Crusher went their separate ways after the ending of Star Trek: Nemesis.

Stewart revealed a little more in a recent interview with TV Insider [via Trekmovie], and he brings up the “surprise” that many fans think will be Picard’s offspring.

"“He felt abandoned by Crusher—she just disappeared out of his life. He adored her and that was never resolved. [But she has a] surprise, when she appears, that thrills and then enrages him.”"

Patrick Stewart makes it clear that it was Dr. Crusher’s choice to leave not his.

Stewart’s words strengthen the supposition that Dr. Crusher may have been pregnant when she left him. If she didn’t want to affect his career or for him to propose marriage solely because she was carrying his child, one could see why she would disappear. That, of course, isn’t going to help with Picard’s anger when the two reunite, if that’s the case.

According to the official trailer, season three of Picard begins with Dr. Crusher reaching out to Picard for help when the SS Eleos, the medical ship she’s aboard, comes under attack. Unsurprisingly, Picard doesn’t hesitate to come to her aid. So even though he felt abandoned, he won’t abandon her when she needs him most.

Star Trek: Picard begins its final season on February 16th on Paramount+.