12 Streaming Era Star Trek Episodes We're Adding To 'The Classics'
8. Nepenthe
Star Trek: Picard offered several strong contenders for all-time classics across its third season, though this is the second entry from its first season alone. Nepenthe sees the return of Will Riker and Deanna Troi, along with their daughter, Kestra. The episode may have leaned heavily into nostalgia, but honestly, does anyone see that as a problem?
The B-plot on the Artefact does dent the overall episode, delivering the needless death of Hugh, who is seemingly killed for shock value only. However, if one can look past this, there are several beautiful scenes featuring Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis. In fact, Sirtis delivers some of her best work as Deanna in her scene with Soji in the tomato garden.
Frakes' big bear hug, almost swallowing Patrick Stewart, feels like a hug delivered to every member of the audience. Hearing him bark 'shields up!' activated memories long-since cooled, and adding in a reference to the Kzinti was always going to get a very specific feeling from this writer.
Kestra is an engaging and entertaining new character, avoiding any 'annoying new child' tropes during her screen time, thanks to an excellent performance by Lulu Wilson. Her interactions with Isa Briones' Soji are some of the highlights of the episode, an achievement for these newcomers when surrounded by Trek veterans.