Last week, Star Trek: Picard show runner Terry Matalas tweeted about his idea for a spin-off show called Star Trek: Legacy. The theoretical series would be set in the 25th century and would focus on old favorites as well as the next generation. It can be really hard to tell what’s successful these days because streaming numbers are opaque. But if internet chatter and reviews from critics his only indication, Paramount Plus has a bona fide hit on its hands Star Trek: Picard‘s third season.
Ever since this season was announced, the cast, and Matalas himself, have been asking people to watch the show, making it clear that the numbers matter if we want to see more of our favorite form of Trek. Right now, Paramount Plus has what seems to be the rare show that has critics And viewers happy, one that welcomes new fans but also touches deep wells of nostalgia. This balance is what we need in the Star Trek franchise. It’s good for viewers, it’s good for the network, and it gives the “next generation” of shows something related to the overarching mythology of a time period that people feel nostalgic about and want to see more of. It’s the rare marriage of giving the fans what they want And good business.
The question then is, why hasn’t it already been green-lit? The stars of the show are even on board.
There are a few possible answers: The unexpected cancellation of Star Trek: Discovery led to discussions about potential cost savings at Paramount. We know it there too Are new shows on the horizon: a long-talked-about Starfleet Academy show, a Michelle Yeoh-fronted Section 31 show, and more are said to be in the works. These will likely be announced sooner rather than later, such as Star Trek: Picard ends with season 3.
It’s clear that Star Trek is here to stay, in one form or another (and to be clear: it is all Star Trek, even if you don’t really like it). But with rumors and oft-speculated announcements come questions about what the franchise’s future might hold. Will it be in the past, like with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Will it be inside Star Trek: Discoveryhis future? Or will it be in what many people consider the “present,” the 25th century?
Image: Paramount
Part of the thrill in a long-running franchise is how to satisfy old fans while welcoming new viewers at the same time. (Star Wars clearly struggles with this as well and narrates an important part of it The MandalorianThis season’s story on a different show altogether.) Under the watchful eye of Alex Kurtzman, the Star Trek franchise has balanced this incredibly well thus far. Star Trek: Discovery charted its own course, while Strange new worlds has beautifully balanced canon and creative storytelling. The animated shows, Lower decks And Prodigy, building on what came before, while also not being afraid to tell their own unique stories. Each of these shows has a different relationship to general Star Trek lore, which is a good thing: Canon should be flexible to allow for creativity.
However, within this umbrella there is room for a show fit for longtime fans to replace Star Trek: Picard. I’m not talking about the fringe of the fandom outraged by inclusivity and representation in shows like Discovery. I’m talking about the people who grew up on ’90s Trek and want to see their favorites (and their favorites’ kids!) on the bridge of a starship. It seems as if there is an unwillingness to exist in that ‘present’ for too long. Maybe to those in charge it feels like we spent too much time here because of ’90s Trek, but I’d say whether you’ve watched the franchise for much of your life or are relatively new to it, the 25th century holds a special place in your heart.
Nor does it have to be strict nostalgia for a legacy series to work. Terry Matalas has shown that with this third season Star Trek: Picard that he can balance fan service with really good, creative stories that add dimension to characters we’ve known all our lives. These don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and in fact this kind of show can be brilliantly good.
Let’s get it Star Trek: Legacy already on our streaming devices!