Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Starship Enterprise, on the beloved series Star Trek

the next generation some 30 years ago.

Patrick Stewart returned to that iconic role in the Paramount Plus series Picard.

Now in its third and final season, Picard has brought the old next generation gang together

for one last mission.

I'm Gwen Weldon, and today we're talking about Picard on Popculture Happy Hour from

NPR.

Joining me today is NPR's TV critic, Eric DeGins.

Eric, welcome back.

Trekker, trekky, how do you identify?

I identify as Trek fan, however you want to call me.

I never understood the whole, you know, calling somebody a trekky is a slur, but Trekker

is cool.

They're both cool.

I'm just a Trek nerd.

There you go.

So let's make it so.

In the first couple seasons of Picard, now Admiral Jean-Luc Picard would occasionally

encounter reminders of his adventures aboard the Enterprise.

Some of his old colleagues or enemies might turn up for an episode or two, but in this

third and final season it is old home week.

A mysterious force has infiltrated Starfleet for reasons the tie back to Picard's deadliest

...