Robert Picardo dishes about a clever Doctor story, which Trekkies would have loved to watch.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s premature cancellation doesn’t just mark the end of a fine addition to the beloved science fiction franchise, but fans around the world have been robbed of a marvelous episode that will never happen now.
During the latest episode of The D-Con Chamber podcast, Starfleet Academy’s own Robert Picardo laid out a scenario that SFA showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau thought would have been perfect to write and film for season 3 of the now defunct series: Picardo’s EMH Doctor would have encountered his backup matrix!
In the Star Trek: Voyager season 4 episode “Living Witness,” the backup Doctor exists 700 years in the future, which would have lent itself perfectly to the true Doctor and his matrix meeting up in the 32nd century. The beauty of the episode, and its conflict for that matter, would have revolved around the fact The Doctor made peace with his “daddy issues,” whereas the backup Doc had not.
For those who might not be as familiar with Voyager, The Doctor had the opportunity to meet his programmer, Dr. Lewis Zimmerman (also portrayed by Picardo), in the season 6 episode “Life Line,” and thus resolved his “daddy issues” in the 24th century.
I think Picardo’s pitch is incredibly creative, and it could have tied in so nicely to his new relationship as SAM’s (Kerrice Brooks) father on Starfleet Academy. I can’t imagine the hijinks and family drama which would have been drummed up from SAM meeting a more jaded version of The Doctor.
Maybe they could have called the SFA season 3 episode “My 2.0 Dad(s).” I know, it’s too derivative a title, right? How about “The Enemy Within My Dad” as little wink and nod to The Original Series?
Would you like to have seen The Doctor meet his backup program in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the matter via the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!