Fan-Favorite Characters In Star Trek: Picard, Ranked
With the arrival ofStar Trek: Picardcame the sudden and exciting inclusion of new planets, new technology, and new characters to the Star Trek Universe. Twenty years since Jean-Luc Picard had been captain of the Enterprise-E, he was begrudgingly pulled from retirement to help solve another intergalactic calamity as part of a new crew, allowing fans to become invested in another motley team.
Some characters fans took to without the need to warm up to them, especially if they were familiar faces from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Other new characters required some getting used to, with the title of "fan favorite" being bestowed only after they were determined to not be flat and one-dimensional. When Picard lacked character development it was weak, but when it embraced it at the expense of its own pace it excelled.
10 ALTON INIGO SOONG
As was customary (and almost expected) in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Brent Spiner took on the role of another Soong relative. This time it was Alton Inigo Soong in the series' penultimate episode, the creator of the first flesh-and-blood android.
Fans were glad to see Spiner stretch his acting abilities in a minor role that let him relinquish Data's makeup and carry on the Soong family tradition of being the father of invention.
9 ZHABAN AND LARIS
Zhaban and Laris serve two very important functions in the series; to be Picard's housekeepers that keep his estate running smoothly, and to show the audience a different side of Romulans from their duplicitous and nefarious stereotype.
The other Romulans in the series almost exclusively hated Picard, and it's important to showcase the relationship he had with those he had saved. Zhaban and Laris were also ex-Tal Shiar and fascinating in their own right.
8 KESTRA TROI
When Picard and his ward Soji are on the run, he can think of only one place where they'll be safe - at the abode of Deanna Troi and Will Riker. The homestead is protected by their daughter Kestra Troi, who manages to be more interesting in her one-episode appearance than Soji over the entire series.
For a flesh-and-blood android who has learned her entire life was a lie, Soji was remarkably bland in ways fans weren't expecting, whereas they found themselves drawn to the carefree and spirited Kestra.
7 ELNOR
Elnor began the series as a fascinating character who was a walking paradox, both a naive young man innocent to the ways of the world and a ruthless killing machine. He was also, depending on viewers' perspectives, a stand-in son for Jean-Luc Picard.
Unfortunately, Elnor was criminally underused and not given very much screen time. Hopefully, in the second season, he'll get to have more character development, especially regarding the Way of Absolute Candor.
6 HUGH
What began as a guest-starring appearance by Jonathan Del Arco on Star Trek: The Next Generation turned into an integral supporting character on Star Trek: Picard. Hugh went from being a rogue Borg drone Picard helped discover his autonomy, to being the Director of the Borg Reclamation Project and helping other Borg find agency.
Star Trek fans were genuinely excited to see Hugh again and to find out what he'd been doing in the decades since he'd last appeared. In what little time he had in the series he made the largest impact.
5 THE HOLOGRAMS
Where Santiago Cabrera falters at bringing anything new to the concept of a space rogue like Captain Rios, he shines in giving life to five hospitality holograms around his ship, introduced as Enoch, Emmet, Emil, Ian, and of course Mr. Hospitality.
Cabrera portrays each hologram uniquely, with completely different accents and mannerisms, and manages to make them all seem like their own independent entity.
4 RAFFI
A stand out original character from the series, Raffi Muskier is a complex person with a great capacity for compassion even as she fights her own inner demons. Rarely has a former Starfleet officer been allowed to express such pain and folly without being judged.
Raffi is shown to be a complicated ally of Picard's who tries her hardest every day to be a better version of herself but sometimes, due to impulse control difficulties, falls short. She did a lot of the emotional heavy lifting and left fans wanting to know more about what makes her tick.
3 SEVEN OF NINE
When fans found out that the ex-Borg drone Seven of Nine was returning to the Star Trek Universe they were elated, and Jeri Ryan assumed the role as though it hadn't been decades since Voyager was on the air.
The Fenris Ranger was able to reveal several different sides of herself, including a maternal side involving Elnor, and a romantic side involving Raffi. Her greatest moments involved her vulnerable side, which she showed to Picard because of their unique connection as former Borg.
2 DATA
Data can arguably be seen as more of a catalyst than a reoccurring character, but his interactions with Picard reminded fans exactly why he's endured as one of the most beloved characters in the Star Trek franchise.
In as much as fans watched Picard to find out what had happened to the Starfleet captain in the years since he led the Enterprise-D, they also wanted amends to be made for Data's send off after Star Trek: Nemesis, which happened with integrity and reverence.
1 PICARD
To date, Jean-Luc Picard is the only character in the entire Star Trek franchise to receive his very own series, and for good reason. Sir Patrick Stewart is a class act and in fine form as the decorated former Starfleet Admiral reluctantly drawn into one last galaxy-saving adventure.
Stewart played Picard stoic and private in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and now accessible and even overly emotional, but always with great dignity and grace.
Source: screenrant.com