T Raby

I love Patrick Stewart as an actor and loved Captain Picard growing up, but this is not the Star Trek of old. I was disappointed in the vulgarity of the show and the overt political overtures. I grew up watching Star Trek: TNG. It was family friendly, clean, and I wouldn't mind my young children watching it with me. But Picard is not the Star Trek of old. I realize it's now 2020 and we're not living in Mayberry, but since when did movies and TV have to use the F-Word to be relevant? 15 or 20 minutes into the second episode, they throw out the F-Word. Maybe a lot of people like that sort of thing. But when did our culture devolve into such a profane and vulgar mindset where a show isn't relevant if we stay out of the gutter? I certainly can't watch Picard with my family, and I choose not to watch it myself- I hear enough of that kind of talk through the week and I'm certainly not going to willingly bring it into my living room. The second disappointment I have with Picard is the dark, somber, hyper-political allegory that permeates the show. Star Trek was always about mankind coming together, working through and past their problems, and "trekking" toward a brighter, better future. Picard is a complete flip from that future. It isn't Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek. I realize Star Trek has always dealt with contemporary issues, and we have some pretty bad issues we're dealing with today, but Picard seems over the top. I know many writers and executives with the show are critical of Trump, Brexit, populism, and other related issues. I get it... But I don't think setting back Roddenberry's vision by 400 years is a good outlet to deal with these frustrations. I hear about the world's political problems at work, on the news, and from my family ALL DAY LONG. The last thing I want to do is tune in to Star Trek and relive all of it. Many of you will love Picard. I had high hopes for it- I even prepaid for a year of CBS All Access in anticipation. But I'm stepping away from the series. Don't get me wrong, the acting is excellent, the visual effects are great, and things are put together well. But I don't want to see the franchise I grew up watching getting into the political culture war and I'm appalled at the profanity being used in the show.