Star Trek Picard S01E10 “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2” Review

After 10 weeks the season ends with Star Trek Picard S01E10 “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2”. This unlikely series starring Patrick Stewart got of to a rough start, but its intriguing premise ensured viewers stuck with it as it slowly increased in scope and speed. In fact, the scope increased so much that I criticized the show for its many story threads only last week. I am glad to see the finale manages to settle this issue, for the most part, in an episode that will not be quickly forgotten.

Recap of Star Trek Picard S01E10

First, we will start with a short recap of Star Trek Picard S01E10. Narek has managed to successfully flee from Synth-ville. On the Borg cube he sneaks past Seven and Elnor and reunites with his sister Narissa (Peyton List). How she ended up on the cube remains a mystery, as she was last seen beaming up to the Romulan fleet. Narek convinces her he is still onboard with their plan to destroy the Synths. Yet, the dramatic pauses tell the audience he is up to something. Narek was always good at hiding his true feelings, but slowly his many facades are removed to show how he truly is. His plan to destroy the orbiting defensive petals seems thin, as the Romulan fleet should be able to quickly dispatch them. His departure from the cube signals to the audience one of the sibling will at least die. Unbeknown to Narek Elnor (Evan Evagora) follows him when he leaves the cube.

Meanwhile in Synth-ville several story threads run concurrently. An ailing Picard tries to convince Soji of not opening the portal to the Ubersynths. Doing so will destroy all organic live. Meanwhile Jurati (Allison Pill) appears to have faked her loyalty to Sutra and Dr. Altan Soong. She manages to free Picard by using the eye from the Synth killed by Sutra. They board La Sirena in a desperate attempt to stop the Romulan fleet. Narek has already convinced Rios and Rafi of his desire to not see the Synth apocalypse from happening. Considering he has a dozen gas grenades with him and could have easily killed them they have no choice but to believe him. Elnor, who has joined their party, still does not trust Narek.

Reducing the story of Picard

When the four infiltrate Synth-ville under the guise of returning a captured Narek they are joined by Dr. Altan Soong (Brent Spiner) who has also had a change of heart after seeing footage of Sutra killing a synth. And so we are now down to just two simultaneous story threads. In space Picard and Jurati attempt to stop Oh from sterilizing the whole planet, while on the ground the party of five try to stop Soji (Isa Briones) from opening the portal to the Ubersynths. Picard and Jurati briefly distract the Romulans with a holographic fleet, it is enough time for Starfleet to arrive with a fleet to rival the Romulans. The fleet is commanded by nonother than William Riker (Jonathan Frakes). On the planet Soong deactivates Sutra but Soji appears to be unstoppable. An unflappable Picard eventually manages to convince her to stop.

With the portal closed and the Romulans no longer seeing a point to fight they veer off. On the Borg cube a fight between Seven and Narissa sees the latter being kicked of a ledge to her death. The whole event has sapped Picard strength. After beaming down to the planet Picard dies from the effects of his brain abnormality. Thus concluding the show after one season.

Long goodbyes

After that sudden revelation I can understand your heart would skip a beat. Picard is indeed dead, but the series is not over. Instead we get to see a lengthy epilogue. It takes up almost a third of the episode. But that is what makes it worthwhile. I criticized the show in a previous review for having too many story threads. Yet the epilogue deftly deals with all of them.

We see a touching seen between Rios and Seven. Each lament the things they have come to regret doing. Seven did not think she should have killed Narissa. Rios blames himself for getting invested with another Starfleet hero who ends up dead. Next we see Rafi and Elnor, the latter breaks down. In the next scene, we see Picard, though not quite alive. He is at a version of his mansion in France. Data is with him and convinces him he is inside a complex quantum simulation.
Finally they get to have the conversation they couldn’t because of Data’s death.

For fans it is highly rewarding to see the two of them again. As he asks Picard to leave, he requests that he switches off the Quantum simulation. Data shows that with his acceptance of death as something special he has become fully human. Picard grants this requests and then wakes up inside his new body, the golem prepared by Maddox, Jurati and Soong. Set to the lyrics of Irving Berlin’s Blue Sky we watch as Picard switches off the simulation, and with that Data finally parts this world.

On the bridge of La Sirena

The final scene sees the cast assembling on the bridge of La Sirena. Picard asks Soji why she has joined them, as she only just found her home. She tells him she is more cut out for wondering, and so officially joins the crew of La Sirena. And with that every major character gets a conclusion, of sorts. However, neither Rios nor Rafi managed to get a particularly satisfying end. For Rios his interaction with Sutra’s twin remains an unresolved part of his life. Rafi gets no reprieve of her personal demons, but she does strike up a friendship with Seven (Jeri Ryan). Which may end up being romantic, but I cannot be certain.

Star Trek Picard Season 2

Despite the problems with this season I am very much looking forward to season 2. And there is a considerable list of things I want to see. The first is Will Riker as a series regular. This has already been hinted at in episode 7 Nepenthe, but the finale all but confirms it when we see Riker in command of a fleet. Actor Jonathan Frakes has maintained a career as director, even directing two episodes of Picard. Yet, there is plenty regarding the character Riker and his relationship with Picard that is unsettled.

When we are on the topic of former TNG cast members I would also like to see Deanna, Worf and Beverly return. Deanna was of course featured in the episode Nepenthe, but I cannot imagine her being apart from Riker. Season 2 would be incomplete if it didn’t feature Klingons, and who better than Worf. Actor Michael Dorn does mostly voice acting roles these days, but I do not see a reason to deny fans a cameo. On the third character, Beverly, I have some reservations. Her omission from this season is palpable, though she did appear in some of the tie-in media.

Laris and Zhaban

Next up are the two Tal Shiar agents living with Picard at his vineyard estate in France. Laris played by Orla Brady and Zhaban played by Jamie McShane are such standout characters it would be wrong not to utilize them again. In fact, it was weird that their significant roles in the first few episodes was ended when Picard left them behind on Earth. In addition, as Rios and Jurati are an item, and Seven and Rafi are now friends I am sure we will see all four return.

Besides the many characters I want to see return there are still a number of story threads that need to be settled. Picard’s sudden resignation from Starfleet 10 years before the events of the show has cast a long shadow. Those responsible for easing him out will need to be dealt with, as well as the fallout from the Synth ban. The latter has now once more been revoked. As such there is plenty to look forward to in a second season.

This series got off to an arguably slow start, but it ended splendidly. On a side note, I have no idea when season 2 will air. Considering production cannot begin until the coronavirus is over I estimate no sooner than late 2021. This was my review of Star Trek Picard S01E10. I hope you enjoyed it. If you do not want to miss any SciFiEmpire.net content then please fill in the widget on the right.