Should Patrick Stewart truly retire after Star Trek: Picard ends?

Patrick Stewart may end his run as Jean-Luc Picard for good after Star Trek: Picard ends.

Patrick Stewart is taking his final bow as Jean-Luc Picard during the third season of Star Trek: Picard. At least, that’s the game plan, things can always change. The reason we say that, despite Stewart being in his early 80s is that he’s already gone on record talking about how he’d return to do more Star Trek if asked.

A film has been suggested. Terry Matalas not so subtly implied that Stewart’s Picard may be biting the dust at the end of the series, but that due to it being science fiction, no one is truly gone forever. And considering Picard has already died a few times in Star Trek, most notably at the end of season one of Picard, I’m sure they can find a way to write him back to life should there be a demand for more.

But please god, let there be no more demand.

Patrick Stewart should retire as Jean-Luc Picard for good after Star Trek: Picard

It’s been nearly 40 years with Stewart as Picard, we’ve had enough. If this was 2003 or 2004, sure. Let’s do more Picard. It’s not, however. Stewart is an old man, and he’s not as energetic as he once was. That happens to all of us with time, it’s understandable. Yet, as a pro sports fan, I’m well aware of what it’s like watching someone who just doesn’t have it anymore, and Stewart doesn’t have it anymore. His range isn’t there, and he’s not nearly as captivating as he once was.

He’s thriving on name value alone right now. His performances just aren’t what they used to be. The pro sports world just saw two of the all-time greats retire, Tom Brady and Fedor Emelianenko, and both went out in less than spectacular fashion. This really hurt their respective fanbases and that’s something that Star Trek should avoid inflicting any further on Trek fans.

Picard has been a rough show to get through, and we hope that the last season is good enough to send Stewart and the Next Generation cast out on a high note, but if not, at least let it be the last note.