Ep 101. "Remembrance" Recap

In "Remembrance," the premiere episode of the much-anticipated Star Trek: Picard series, viewers are immediately reunited with one of the franchise's most beloved characters, Jean-Luc Picard. It's been nearly 20 years since the once-captain of the USS Enterprise has set foot on a starship, but he's still just as sharp-witted and determined as ever.

The episode begins with a flashback to the devastating destruction of the Mars Utopia Planitia shipyards, where a fleet of synthetic beings turned on their human creators, causing massive casualties and damage. This event has sent shockwaves through the galaxy, dampening human-AI relations and leading to the banning of all synthetics.

In the present day, Picard has retired to his family vineyard in France. Despite being out of Starfleet for years, he remains haunted by the events leading up to his resignation, which are slowly revealed through flashbacks and conversations with familiar faces such as Admiral Kirsten Clancy and Doctor Agnes Jurati.

While watching an interview with a young woman named Dahj, who bears a striking resemblance to one of the synthetics who helped destroy Mars, Picard is startled by a vision of his old colleague, Data. This sparks a fire in Picard, who has always felt guilty for the way his friend was sacrificed to save the Enterprise in the events of Star Trek: Nemesis.

Picard decides to seek out Dahj, who comes to him for help despite having no idea who he is or why she's drawn to him. As they speak, they're attacked by a group of masked assassins but manage to fend them off, only for Dahj to be killed in a burst of light.

With the help of former crew members Raffi and Chris Rios, as well as a mysterious Romulan named Elnor, Picard embarks on a quest to find out who killed Dahj and why. Along the way, he encounters a Borg cube filled with former drones struggling to regain their individuality, as well as a shadowy organization with ties to Dahj's true nature.

"Remembrance" is a thrilling and emotional return to the world of Star Trek, as well as a showcase for Patrick Stewart's continued brilliance in the role of Picard. With threads of mystery, nostalgia, and daring adventure, it sets up a complex and captivating season to come.