Back in the late 80s when I was a naive and shy teenager, I heard that there was going to be a follow-up television series called The Next Generation. Initially sceptical, I finally got to see it when it arrived on UK television a couple of years after (as was the way in those days).
I was blown away. It was so different, yet still Star Trek. And leading this new crew was a very different kind of captain...
Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
A French captain with an RP British accent. He was performed with the expertise of the Royal Shakespeare Company actor that was Patrick Stewart.
And this is why today I find myself writing this post. Just a few hours ago at the time of writing, I learned that Sir Patrick Stewart passed away. I am devastated. Jean-Luc Picard was a steady anchor and an absolute legend. Sir Patrick was a craftsman, advocate, and a gentleman.
He passed away at his home in Los Angeles following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
A son of Mirfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he travelled from the Royal Shakespeare Company to an equally acclaimed career spanning six decades on Broadway, the silver screen, and television.
The news came just days after the death of Original Series star Walter Koenig.
Thank you for everything, Sir Patrick. From one Yorkshireman to another...
"Make it so."
I had much the same experience with Star Trek, and Sir Patrick was brilliant. I subscribe to Paramount+ and so was able to watch the "Picard" series and other recent Trek cable series. Sad to kniw such a great talent has passed.
ReplyDeleteI'm in good company, I too subscribe to P+ just for the Star Trek.
DeleteYep, that was me again...
ReplyDeleteIt's always you 😂
DeleteTwo Star Trek icons gone in the same week. What a loss! I loved Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier too, in addition to Jean-Luc Picard. Looks like his last screen performance will be as Prof X in the upcoming Avengers 5: Doomsday.
ReplyDeleteI cherish the final season of Picard. I'm grateful he was allowed to close that chapter.
DeleteStill can't believe I was the one to tell you about his passing. 😭 A true legend! ❤️🖖🏼
ReplyDelete