Star Trek: 10 Times Picard Proved The Future Was Worth Fighting For

Ever wonder why all of the alien species in Star Trek tend to look alike? Wonder no more!

The Chase is an episode that is pure Roddenberry-esque in its telling. Picard is approached by an old Professor of his, Galen, with the offer of joining him on a quest. Picard declines as he feels he cannot leave the Enterprise but soon finds himself on that quest regardless.

This episode was the first to have Starfleet, the Klingons, the Cardassians and the Romulans all together in the same episode. As these four empires stand together on a lonely alien world, they watch the recorded message left by their common alien ancestor explain how they all come from the same family tree.

Initially, the message seems to fall on deaf ears and Picard laments this. He hopes for a brighter future where they will all come to appreciate the things they have learned. He is then contacted by the Romulan Commander, who offers him that glimmer of hope that he might be right.

The differences portrayed in Star Trek almost always parallel the differences between the people of Earth. Each empire often represents a real life counterpart. Here, Picard is fighting for the unity of these different people, working to bring the Galaxy together into a version of harmony at least. For a shining moment at the end of the episode, they all listen in silence to the message.

For another moment, the Commander of a ship that represents one of the Federations greatest and oldest enemies salutes Picard. If there is a hope for a future, then it begins by laying down the arms of the past.