Star Trek: Picard fans have a unique opportunity to enjoy the series’ highly anticipated conclusion in style, thanks to a limited arrangement by Paramount Plus and CBS Studios to celebrate the show's conclusion.
Stemming from the Star Trek series The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard follows its eponymous character, an older Jean Luc Picard who has settled into a more pedestrian existence and mourns the loss of his old friend Data and the destruction of Romulus until he’s thrust back into the limelight when a new face appears seeking his help. While Picard made many changes to its eponymous character and had a rough patch during the second season, the third outing has proven far more successful.
Picard season 3 kicked off with a trailer showing The Next Generation cast returning for one more adventure. Now the series is about to end, and Paramount and CBS studios have announced plans to hold special IMAX screenings of the last 2 episodes at select local cinemas to celebrate the occasion, as reported via Variety. The final act of Picard and crew’s galaxy-shaking adventures will premiere on select IMAX screens on April 19 before its official Paramount Plus release date on April 20, with tickets being free for as many lucky fans as qualify.
While much happened to the titular captain between TNG and the start of the Picard, the show raised the stakes and drew fans into the sure-to-be epic conclusion. In addition to the finale's spectacle, fans at one of the 10 eligible locations will engage in a live Q&A session with the cast and executive producers after the screening. Other locations will join in via live stream. Interested fans can register online to see if they’re eligible for a showing in their area.
Considering the fan love Picard has received, especially for the third season, the special screening and Q&A session are a fitting way to wrap up an unexpectedly engaging adventure in a different stage of life we hardly see characters in sci-fi explore. While the screening tickets are limited, the Q&A will be a special event for fans. If the series is truly Picard and The Next Generation crew's final adventure, there will be a large hole to fill in the franchise's overarching narrative that will likely remain unfilled for a long time.
Fortunately, there is some hope on the horizon for fans to see Patrick Stewart and Picard after the events of the upcoming finale. Stewart has revealed that he’s willing to return to the Star Trek franchise after Picard ends , saying, “There is still enormous potential for matters in what we can do, and there are doors left open and we didn’t close all of them." On the strength of this interest, some discussion of continuing the series as is under certain conditions has even been had. Whatever ends up happening, it’ll likely be what's best for the fans and everyone involved.
Star Trek: Picard is now showing on Paramount Plus, with the finale airing for general audiences on April 20th, 2023.
Source: Variety