Paramount
Sci-fi is typically defined by swashbuckling heroes in daring action dramas. Fans enjoy characters like Captain Kirk, Han Solo, and Star-Lord in spectacle-driven space operas and galactic spaghetti Westerns, including "Star Wars," the original "Star Trek" series, "Firefly," "Guardians of the Galaxy," and "Cowboy Bebop." But every once in a while, you get someone who redefines what it means to be an off-world action hero. The arrival of Jean-Luc Picard, as played by Patrick Stewart (who recently died at 86), was one of those genre-bending moments.
Stewart's unique character stepped onto a stage full of testosterone. And yet, despite the prescription for guts-and-glory leadership, Captain Picard calmly reset expectations for what a sci-fi hero could be. In a mid-20th-century world where youth, vigor, and pig-headedness reigned supreme, Picard introduced a stark (and refreshing) degree of gravitas. He was older than people were used to seeing on screen, had less hair, and didn't jump to using violence as a primary tool for getting things done.
Picard was intellectually brilliant, a problem solver, and well-spoken, calm, and collected in high-pressure moments. Rather than find the local bar or brothel, he took his leave to sip wine on the family farm on a French vineyard back on Earth. Picard subverted expectations in nearly every way — and over time, fans loved him for it. But there was an inherent risk in portraying such a unique character for dozens of episodes for the better part of a decade.
Over time, the Picard character necessarily gained depth
Paramount
A leader who is slow to speak and who maintains a gentle hand can quickly shift from enigmatic to dull. Not so with Picard. Rather than slip into boredom, the character evolved, with each season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" showcasing different sides of Picard.
This exploration resulted in the fan-favorite installment "Inner Light," which is also Stewart's personal favorite episode. In it, Picard lives out an entire life on an alien planet, only to wake up on the Enterprise bridge to discover less than half an hour has passed in his original reality. This revealed an even deeper, more intricate, and complex side to the already pensive character.
That said, Stewart was happy to mix things up by tackling a more brazen and physical side of Picard. This was particularly on display during the Star Trek movies, where the actor pushed for a more action-centric role. "Well, you know, look, that's what Patrick wanted, and so that's what was happening," his co-star Gates McFadden told Screen Rant.
Whether he was showing off his tough guy side for the ladies, living a private life ensconced in an alien world, or calmly calling the shots from the bridge of the Enterprise, in every way, Stewart's Picard rewrote the script on what it means to be a sci-fi action hero. And the entertainment world is better off for it.
