Why Star Trek Picard Season 2 Finale Didn't Suck (Or Did It?)
9. Reneé Picard
Penelope Mitchell appeared as Reneé Picard this season, becoming the main catalyst for the events of year two. She appears first in the third episode, then shares a touching scene with Jean-Luc later on. That scene was genuinely moving, giving the audience an insight into Reneé's struggles, and allowing Jean-Luc to deliver the speeches he's famous for.
Her final outing, boarding the Europa mission, see her again cast in the role of 'person who needs a pep talk', though this time it's delivered by Talinn. In the end, Reneé Picard was more of a plot device than a character. While that isn't necessarily anything to dismiss, it left her story a little underdeveloped overall.
The visual easter egg - Trace Tormé's The Pallid Son - was a nice connection to her first appearance earlier in the season. Mitchell delivers a fine performance, and, while not entirely delivering on the promise that the character offered, she was ultimately a positive addition to the season as a whole. The final verdict is that Reneé Picard is probably not going to be remembered in the same breath as the rest of the family line, but worked adequately as a motivation tool.