The End Is the Beginning (2020) User Reviews (63)

More build up, but I found it enjoyable

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 24 February 2021]

Picard attempts to acquire a warp capable ship in order to find Bruce Maddox.

This is another solid episode that continues to lay groundwork for what is to come.

The story continues to reflect on Picard's departure from Starfleet under a cloud and also develops more intrigue into the mystery surrounding the synthetic life forms and the Romulans. Aside from the rather obviously exposition heavy dialogue I personally enjoyed all the world building that it does, as there is quite a lot to catch up on since the last TNG movie. However, I was definitely relieved by how it ended as a sign that the overarching narrative is about to move on.

It continues the themes introduced in the first two episodes with xenophobia and fear being mentioned explicitly in some of the dialogue. Some of this may not be in line with the Roddenberry vision of the future, but given the way the world is currently, it is far more relevant to be tackling these issues than just presenting a vision of the future based in one man's fantasy.

Production values remain excellent with great visuals and effects.

Patrick Stewart leads the show strongly and the supporting actors, while not as effortlessly charismatic as Stewart, give solid performances.

For me it's a 7.5/10, but I round upwards.

Narrative J.L

[southdavid · 7/10 · 12 February 2020]

There's a deep cut returning character in episode three of "Picard" where the pace slows a little but the plot takes some major strides forward as Picard leaves

With Starfleet unwilling to support him, Picard (Patrick Stewart) calls on his old friend Raffi (Michelle Hurd) to help him find a willing pilot. She eventually points him in the direction of Starfleet dropout, Chris Rios (Santiago Cabera) who's only friend appears to be the ships medical hologram, who looks exactly like him. The Romulan hitsquad is close on his trail though. Meanwhile on the Borg ship, Soji (Isa Briones) is making an impression on the management team.

So again, the basics are all covered off nicely. Performances are good, visual effects are good and there's a return for Jonathan Del Arco playing the recovered Borg Hugh, as he did in TNG a few decades ago. This one's a little slower than the previous two as the focus is just to get his small crew together before they set off to hunt down Bruce Maddox. Bit of a shame that his Romulan home help aren't coming along for the ride, particularly as they're so physically capable. I don't feel like the show benefits from Picard being involved in such physical scenes though, as I worry that he's going to break a hip as he (or rather, the Stuntman) dives for cover behind a sofa. I also didn't care for Jean-Luc having "J.L" as a nickname either, it doesn't seem like something that Picard would tolerate and Raffi said it way to often in the flashback scene.

Not the best episode, but probably a necessary one to move the plot on.

For heaven's sake stop reviewing it before it even airs.

[najamnajam · 31 January 2020]

Bots have most likely seen the future and are rating it.

Great Episode

[sbulgacs · 9/10 · 6 February 2020]

I've no idea what detractors are on about. There was virtually nothing to complain about in this episode. The pacing was good, the 45 minutes flew by. They gave Rafi and Picard a basic backstory and the return of a familiar face. The final scene where the crew set off on their journey was awesome. Some people have just got to hate.... Who needs that toxicity in their life?

Engage!

[AvidWatcher101 · 9/10 · 7 February 2020]

If anyone is complaining about this series, I honestly do not know what they are about. It is everything. I am a fan from the debut of Star Trek OS. I was just a kid, but it shaped how I thought about people and progress and how life 'could' be. I loved it then, I love it now. I have not missed any forays into the world of Star Fleet since the beginning. Some were great, yes I am talking to you STNG, some not so great - I gave up on Discovery. With Picard - ST is back, and I am in love all over again - with a story, a world, a mystery, and some fantastic characters. And now we are off - Engage.

The End is the Beginning

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 7 February 2020]

When your lead actor is almost 80 years old. The flashback scenes are never going to be too convincing. There is no getting away from Patrick Stewart's extremely hoarse voice.

The first season of Picard is a 10 episode arc. It is left to the viewer to try to figure out the precise relationships between various people. Just who is Raffi and how horrible was Picard to her to leave her adrift.

Picard was happy to put his career on the line to save millions of Romulans but he ignores his colleague who did the same. Raffi has spent her time living in a futuristic version of a trailer and vaping dope. It seems the Starfleet future is no paradise.

This was another episode with clunky lines and some odd pauses between scenes. Something about the writing just does not seem to gel.

Back at the dismantled Borg cube, there was the return of Hugh. I wonder if Hugh has guessed what Soji is all about.

The introduction of Rios seems to be a homage to Star Wars. He certainly is Han Solo lite with the silliest scene of not being in pain despite a spike through his body. He even sends the Emergency Hologram Doctor away before being completely fixed by him.

At least Picard has got on a ship and got to say engage. I just hope he is suspicious of Dr Jurati. Her convenient arrival when his chateau was attacked should had raised eyebrows.

Enjoying the long play

[mccobalt · 9/10 · 12 February 2020]

I am really enjoying Star Trek Picard. Detractors need to understand that this is a 10 episode involved story arc. It takes time to develop the characters and the plot. There's a richness that wasn't available in a one or even two part episode from ST:NG. Is it dark? Yes, and there is a richness that is simply outstanding.

JL JL JL JL JL JL

[johnaskew · 7/10 · 8 February 2020]

Why oh why is it necessary to use street slang naming for a retired Admiral? We all know him as Jean Luc and any Frenchman worth his salt would refused to be called JL......please don't let the Wokes take over everything....

STAR TREK HAS ALWAYS, I REPEAT, ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT CONTEMPORARY TIMES.

[jalittle23 · 8/10 · 7 February 2020]

Whine, whine, whine... it's not Star Trek...it's too Star Warsy... it's not TNG...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Shut up!! Get a life!! Star Trek has always had much to say about the current conditions the world finds itself in. Picard is no different. For those of you who don't get it we are facing a mountain of fear, prejudice and entitlement. The governments want you to fear everything and give away your civil liberties in the name of security. Thank you Picard for holding up the mirror for society to see what is really going on. If you want endless action scenes that are pointless go watch the Avengers movies. Picard makes you think and reflect on where we are today. I thank the people who have put this show together. Bravo!

The End is the Beginning

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 16 March 2020]

I am starting to get into the show a little bit more, but it still has a lot of work to do. The supporting cast is really weak and if this is going to be sustainable they need to find a reason to make me care about them.

I kinda love this!

[jimcancook · 8/10 · 7 February 2020]

I do have two quibbles which hopefully will be addressed in the future:

1) After Seven of Nine had her Borg implants removed the scars on her face healed relatively quickly. Hugh's face is scarred, presumably some years after his implants were removed. I'll buy that the Romulans (I'm guessing they are the ones who de-Borged him) didn't care about the aesthetics, but I'd like to see it addressed; perhaps Seven could ask Hugh about it when they (I presume) meet. Or maybe Hugh could ask Seven.

2) "JL"? I have a hard time believing that Picard would permit anyone to call him "JL" unless there's a heck of a backstory there.

Other than that, I find the "synthetics went homicidal" plot interesting. I'm assuming they were sabotaged and I can't wait to find out who, how and why. The visual FX are striking. As a Star Trek fan who grew up with the episodic rigidity of TOS in the 60s, I'm enjoying the slow roll.

JL is not acceptable

[mdbourke-282-899973 · 6/10 · 7 February 2020]

Ok, we get it...it's. new Star Trek with the return of a beloved character. But the RAFI character referring to Jean Luc is a terrible idea and no doubt we are stuck with it until they kill her off (please be soon) even the most preach episode of TNG had more action. If the writers are trying to prove they are more adult this time round, that's fine but for god sake stop boring is with all these bloody conversations. You have 10 episodes for gods sake, stop wasting our time and give us some excitement would you!!!

Assembling the Crew. GO!

[mirco-wilhelm · 3/10 · 8 February 2020]

After being introduced to the plot devices and the antagonist in the first two episodes we need a crew to do the thing and go places. And that's what we spend the whole of this episode on.

Well at least for the first few crew members. But we have lots of episodes left to gather more people before we head off to do the thing and go places to save the girl who doesn't know she is special just yet.

All in all this show is developing into a 10 hour long single episode TNG story. instead of being a two part episode of TNG.

Oh, and how convenient to accept the doctor from episode one as a crew member that conveniently shoots a bad guy to save Picard while obviously having no combat training at all, just after she had a visit from the main antagonist.

Seriously?

10 stars are too few

[stoeta1 · 10/10 · 6 February 2020]

Brilliant ! Patrick Stewart is brilliant ! We are fortunate to see him once again as Picard !

Why the overbearing overly dramatic music?

[Maddy-the-Weinerdog · 11 February 2020]

Do we really need loud music blaring...telling us how to feel...during EVERY conversation?

Can't we just let the actors convey what's going on? It seemed to work on the next generation.

Relying on special effects, whispers, and overly dramatic music, does not create suspense or intrigue. It creates another mediocre show, trying too hard to be cool.

To summarize this episode...he got a ship. Yawn.

Astonishing.

[sarakuralexx · 10/10 · 6 February 2020]

I'm already in love with Rios and the new EMH. The Engage moment was...everything. Now THIS is the end of the pilot. A two hour movie which sets up the whole thing, basically. Now Picard is space-bound, we're meeting Elnor on 4 and Seven on 5.

Hard to engage

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 7/10 · 7 February 2020]

Three episodes in and it feels as though we are stuck in neutral but this episode was better than the last one. A lot of talk and little action but considering the age of Picard, he is fortunate to be out of his commode. Jonathan Frames directs the next two episodes so hopefully he can get Picard to make it so much better.

Honestly, does no one get it?

[snugam · 10/10 · 8 February 2020]

Everyone's off judging the show about this and that -- too much dialog, too little action and visa versa. Do you really think "J.L" would let us down? Additionally, ranting about drug abuse and swearing in Roddenberry perfect future (seriously). Please can anyone recall T'Pal going off the rails on Trelium-D? (Anyway, off topic here).

Please, relax and focus on the story! (I'm so excited at this...) Did you feel some salve being applied to your soul when you realized that all of this is about the loss we experienced when Lt Commander Data died (saving Picard). WOW, I simply can't wait - because I've been hurting on the inside for years about Data's death!

I am so happy, happy, happy, happy, happy., with where this is going and I can't wait to see "Seven of Mine". Thank you everyone for this production. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

A SYMBOLIC END

[douglasjordane · 7/10 · 15 November 2020]

THIS ENTIRE OPENING SERIES OF STORIES (EPISODES 1 THRU 3) HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A SLOW DRAG. THIS EPISODE (3) ALSO STARTED A LITTLE SLOW WITH TOO MUCH BACKSTORY DIALOGUE. THE ATTEMPTS FOR THE SCRIPT WRITERS TO DO FLASHBACKS WITHIN THIS DIALOGUE BECAME A BIT CONFUSING. UNFORTUNATELY, I WOUND UP HAVING TO WATCH THIS EPISODE TWICE -AT THIS SLOWLY DEVELOPING PACE.

FOR THE ABOVE REASON, I WANTED TO GIVE THIS EPISODE A 6.5 RATING. HOWEVER, THIS RATING SYSTEM ONLY WORKS WITH WHOLE NUMBERS; THEREFORE, THE RATING IS A VERY GENEROUS 7 STARS. THE HALF A POINT INCREASE WAS DETERMINED BY HEARING A FAMILIAR LINE FROM THE TNG DAYS: "ENGAGE!"

THATS IS WHEN I REALIZED THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH THE SERIES OPENING AND STORY ARC, THUS FAR: PICARD IS OLDER AND SPEAKING AND MOVING EVIDENTLY SLOWER....BUT I LOVE SIR PATRICK STEWART. THE WORD "ENGAGE" ALSO REMINDED ME THAT THIS SERIES IS MISSING A SHIP AND CREW FOR THE FORMER CAPTAIN-NOW RETIRED ADMIRAL. WHICH IS THE REASON THAT THE ENDING WAS SO SYMBOLIC AND COMFORTING FOR ME. ENGAGE!

Love where this is going!

[bhfred1 · 10/10 · 6 February 2020]

Enjoyed this 3rd episode very much and love where it's heading. Great story line!

He goes back into space... Engage!

[tom992 · 9/10 · 7 February 2020]

I don't know why people are giving this episode a bad review. I know this is not action packed(yet), but it's not necessary so soon in the season. I just saw this episode and this was again a very well written episode, the series is slowly moving forward, you get to know some other characters. The mystery of it all just draws you to the edge of your seat, wanting to know more. I just got the chills when picard says 'Engage'and the tune from The Next generation starts to play... This is great modern star trek!

Are some people watching a different show?

[dreadlk · 4/10 · 10 February 2020]

I so wanted to love this series. I watched the Original Trek growing up and loved TNG and DS9. The series started out so slowly and in such a boring manor that it had me kind of worried. By this third Episode I am now reaching the point were I am not sure I want to watch anymore.

The writing has been terrible in every episode and the acting and writing are particularly terrible in episode three. Even Sir Patrick handed in one of his worst performances to date. His character how now become the wiping boy for every female character in the show, and the once assertive Picard now walks around like a kid that has lost his puppy.

Why so many haters?

[cheryl-y-oconnor · 8/10 · 8 February 2020]

I think this series is developing quite nicely and held my attention in as much as the time goes quickly and I am engrossed in the plot.If people are after something with more action scenes they should look elsewhere. The need for instant gratification is so prevalent in society that people don't have patience to follow the plot and try to work out what's going to happen next. Sir Patrick Stewart is truly great as the ageing Picard and his supporting cast are doing their job well. I am looking forward to the next few episodes. Ignoring the negative comments. To quote Taylor Swift "haters gonna hate" but I am not in their company. Really enjoying this series, it's wonderful to see Picard back in the stars!

Johnatan Del Arco absolutely Rocks !!!

[marian_the_nightman · 10/10 · 15 February 2020]

If you really want to see if this show i good or not,you should check how many people are watching this show,it has more than double of the Discovery's number of fans.I really like the new ship,i saw some people are complaining because the ship is not looking like a Starfleet or like a Federation ship,but they forget this one is not a Federation's ship and it would be quite boring to see another ship which is looking like Enterprise,Discovery or Voyager again,because there is already one on the other tve series..

They take time to tell a storie..

[mail-85274 · 10/10 · 7 February 2020]

I love the depth and time they put in this series. Its not a action movie. Some people want more action but when you look at the TNG series. Not every episode was full of action. Now they took 10 episodes to tell just one storie. And i love it.