Name: Jean-Luc Picard
Species: Human in 2305-2399, Android from 2399
Origin: La Barre, France
As one of the main characters in the Stark Trek franchise, Picard has appeared in various Star Trek TV-shows, films, books, comics, and computer games since the 1980s.
He is portrayed as a highly intelligent character with a strong sense of duty and moral. He is a master of diplomacy who is often tasked to resolve difficult multifaceted issues.
First appearance
The character was introduced in the 1987 TNG episode “Encounter at Farpoint”, as the captain of the spacecraft USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D).
Portrayal
Ever since the character´s introduction in 1987, the adult Jean-Luc Picard has been portrayed by Patrick Stewart in television series and films.
Young Jean-Luc Picard has been portrayed by three different actors:
- David Birking (in the TNG episode “Rascals”)
- Marcus Nash (in the TNG episode “Tapestry”)
- Tom Hardy (in the movie Star Trek: Nemesis)
Interests
His interests include space exploration, archeology, detective stories, Shakespeare plays, horseback riding (with English tack), and drinking Earl Grey tea. He performs Shakespeare in holodeck simulations.
He is familiar with old English music, such as “Heart of Oak” (the official march of the Royal Navy of the UK) and “A British Tar” (from the 1878 musical HMS Pinafore).
Catch phrases
Captain Picard frequently issues the orders “Make it so” and “Engage”.
Captain Picard´s background
Jean-Luc Picard was born in La Barre, France on 13 July 2305. His parents were Maurice and Yvette Picard. The family owns vineyards.
The Picard family spoke British English, as the French language had become obscure by the 24th century. (This is explained in the episode “Code of Honor” of Star Trek: The Next Generation.)
As a child, Jean-Luc dreamed of joining the Starfleet. He failed his first Starfleet Academy entrance exam, but was accepted after his second one, and became the first freshman to win the Academy marathon. As a young cadet, he had to handle numerous ethical conundrums.
While Jean-Luc joins the Starfleet, his brother Robert remains in France and eventually takes over the family vineyards in La Barre. He marries and has a son named René. In Star Trek Generations, both Robert and René dies in a fire, making Jean-Luc the only remaining member of the family.
A loss of heart
Shortly after graduating from the Academy, Picard was stabbed in the heart by a Nausicaan during a bar brawl. He heart could not be repaired and was instead replaced with a parthenogenetic implant. The event had a major impact on Picard´s approach to life.
Early career
During his early career in the Starfleet, Picard served as first officer aboard the USS Stargazer. Later, he would advance to command this craft.
It was his warp-speed battle strategy onboard the USS Stargazer that coined the term “Picard Maneuver”.
Borg assimilation
In TNG “The Best of Both Worlds, Part I” Picard is assimilated by the Borg to serve as a bridge between them and humanity. This has a major impact on Picard´s character development and is important for the movies Stark Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Picard & Kirk
In the movie Star Trek Generations Captain Picard joins forces with 23-century Enterprise captain James T. Kirk.
Later life
The TV-series Star Trek: Picard takes place towards the end of the 24th century. Admiral Picard is retired and has returned to the family estate in La Barre, France. He retired from Starfleet after failing to save the Romulans from the Hobus supernova. At this point in history, Androids are illegal, a result of the Android rebellion on Mars, but Picard is visited in France by a person he suspects might be a Soong-type Android created from Data´s remains. Events eventually lead to Picard becoming and Android in a sythetic body designed to only last for a human lifespan.