Patrick Stewart detailed in his memoir that he had a different ending in mind for Star Trek: Picard and his character, Admiral Picard.
I absolutely loved the third season of Star Trek: Picard from beginning to end, and I’m one of those Trek fans that really enjoyed the first two seasons as well. I don’t think everything that happened was A+, but I loved the seasons because of the characters…with the exception of one or two. Overall, I think Star Trek: Picard was a solid series and could have easily gone on for one or two more seasons.
The ending of Picard showed the crew of the Enterprise playing poker just as the ending of Star Trek: the Next Generation had. So it was poignant to wrap up the series (not including the tag scene) in this manner. However, Patrick Stewart had another idea for a way to end the series, and it would not have had to have left anyone out. [via Trekmovie]
Patrick Stewart was right about showing a content Admiral Picard.
Admiral Picard had gone through his share of ups and downs, and Stewart wanted to see a man that was finally content with this life.
"“What I’d like to see at the end of the show,” I told them, “is a content Jean-Luc. I want to see Picard perfectly at ease with his situation. Not anxious, not in a frenzy, not depressed. And I think this means that there is a wife in the picture.”"
Stewart wanted Jean-Luc to find true love just as he had in real life. I don’t see why this could not have been included after the poker scene.
I’ve mentioned before that Laris was left out of the picture at the end of the series, and it would have been nice for the fans to know, not only that Picard had found happiness, but who he found it with. As it stands, we don’t know if he made his way back to Laris or if he did, indeed, rekindle a relationship with Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden).
Stewart said the scene was written in such a way that we wouldn’t have known who his wife was at the end, but we would have known that he was no longer alone. Not the absolute perfect ending, but I think it still could have and should have been included.
"“The writers came up with a lovely scene. It is dusk at Jean-Luc’s vineyard. His back is to us as he takes in the view, his dog at his side.Then, off-screen, a woman’s loving voice is heard: “Jean-Luc? Supper’s ready!”Is it Beverly Crusher’s voice? Laris’s? Someone we don’t know? It isn’t made clear.”"
The series started with Picard in his vineyard with his dog. At the beginning, he seemed restless and not quite sure what to do with himself. To show him happy and satisfied at the end would have been a perfect way to bring the show full circle.