‘Picard’ finally ‘Engages’ with fans

ticipated, with Patrick Stewart reprising his leading role of JeanLuc Picard from the successfully acclaimed “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” which ran for seven seasons from 1987-1994. Ultimately, “Picard” failed to live up to expectations until now.

Season 3 was filmed back-toback with Season 2, which premiered last spring, but it is clear there is a dramatic shift in the direction of the story and overall presentation of the narrative.

Lifelong fan Terry Matalas served as the sole showrunner of this season, whereas past seasons have involved the work of Alex Kurtzman, Robert Orci, Michael Chabon and Akivia Goldsman. Matalas clearly understands the fundamentals of “Star Trek and has a genuine passion for the material,” having grown up with it at the height of its popularity. Under the creative direction of Chabon, Goldsman, Kurtzman and Orci, the franchise has seen some of the worst direction and development.

Matalas has been heavily involved in the development of this final season, hoping to reunite the cast of “The Next Generation” one last time and give them the proper sendoff they were denied. Matalas pitched the third season to the reluctant “The Next Generation” cast with a story more akin to 1991’s “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” the grand send-off for the original cast from the first “Star Trek” series.

The series finds Admiral JeanLuc Picard (Patrick Stewart) retired from Starfleet and living a tranquil life in the countryside of France.

Picard receives a strange cryptic request for help from his former comrade and lover Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), who is secretly working on a project on the other side of the galaxy which has fallen under attack. Concerned for Beverly, Picard reaches out to his former first officer, now Captain Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes), and together the two set off to discover the truth behind the mystery.

Following the premiere, the cast sat down with MTV host Josh Horowtiz for a discussion with audience members in attendance about the development of the show as a whole, the return to the franchise and the importance of the message of “Star Trek” in the modern day.

Speaking about what fans can expect this season, Jonathan Frakes noted the development of the relationship between Riker and Picard, saying, “It was a pleasure. What the writers pitched to me and Patrick was ‘Butch and Sundance,’ but in conflict. I think what we got to do this season together was as interesting or exciting as the scenes we played prior. When you look into Patrick’s eyes and you play the scene with him, you know you are in good hands.”

Ultimately, Season 3 of “Picard” is off to a terrific start, and there is plenty for longtime fans of the franchise to love in its premiere episode.

From character interactions to world-building moments to this unsettling sense of dread lurking around the corner for our heroes, there is a clear amount of love poured into the plot. What’s more interesting to note is how unconnected this season feels to the preceding two as it starts with a clean slate right from the start.

Despite being written by a fan, Matalas avoids unnecessary fan service to appease audience members. Matalas has set out to correct the mistakes made before him, all while bringing to life his vision of “Star Trek.” This iteration pays respect to what has come before while creating a compelling new story.

“Picard” Season 3 serves as a love letter for longtime fans such as himself, the final tale of Jean-Luc Picard. While it took years for “Star Trek” to return to its ideas and themes of a brighter future where we put aside our differences for the betterment of tomorrow, for love, family and loyalty, a story we need now more than ever in the 21st century, this was well worth the wait.

The rest of the third season will air weekly until April 28, when the final conclusion of the Starship’s Enterprise crew will, as Picard puts it so often, “Engage!”

Qveen Herby slays Valentine’s Day with ‘The Muse’ release

By Kat Salmon

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

After nearly a year without a new EP, rapper Qveen Herby finally released “The Muse” on Tuesday, Feb. 14. She and her husband announced the project on their podcast “House of Herby” earlier this month. After listening, it is safe to say that the Qveen is here to stay and slay the day away.

The opening track “Thank Goddess” channels the energy Qveen Herby has always been known for. It’s a song that embraces taking ownership of your life.

The first lyrics in the prechorus, “Bitch, after all, who says we can’t have it all? I have the ball, every day, I make the call,” reiterates that you are the one in control of your life. The ball is in your court and not anyone else’s.

“Thank Goddess” is the song you play when getting ready for a girl’s night out or when you just need a good hype song.

Qveen goes back to her soulful R&B roots with the track “Chucky Cheese.” The song sounds as if it is inspired by her earlier song “Sade in the 90s.” Unlike its presumed inspiration, “Chucky Cheese” is all about healing and selflove, two topics she has been trying to advocate for on all of her platforms. This is the perfect song to play when you are by yourself in the car, listening at full volume with the windows down.

Singles “5D” and “Dress Code” clearly belong on the EP, but leaving them for the end was a mistake. “The Muse” would have sounded 10 times better if they were placed in the middle, between “Marie Antionette” and “Nah.”

The best song has to be “Marie Antionette” as it is all about starting a new chapter. Qveen being the bigger person. It is the perfect combination of R&B and rap, something Qveen Herby has perfected numerous times. This is the song you play when you are ready to turn over a new leaf. worth pursuing. The heavy beats of the song do not seem to fit with the rest of the tracks on the EP. However, it is still a good song. The lyrics, “Just found out / I’m the baddest bitch,” prove this.

Another song worth a listen is the first single, “5D.” The song is reminiscent of early Eminem and Missy Elliot with the delivery of the lyrics. Plus, the music video is filled with colorful imagery and amazing fashion. If you miss the early 2000s, this is the song for you.

Fans who loved Qveen Herby when she was in Karmin or from her earlier EPs will enjoy “The Muse.” If you have recently come across Qveen Herby on TikTok or Instagram, “The Muse” offers a great introduction to her spunky persona. It does not disappoint. You are bound to find a new favorite song after listening to it a couple of times.

Herby is trying to get her fans to understand that they should not care about what others think. All they should care about is

There are not any bad songs, but “Just Found Out” seems out of place. It is all about realizing that relationships where you are not the other’s first priority are not

Hopefully her album “The Muse” will not be the only music Qveen Herby releases in 2023. She hinted on her podcast that there would be more to come, with the possibility of a tour. “The Muse” can be streamed on all digital music platforms.