Star Trek: Picard finale post-credits scene explained: Showrunner confirms big things to come
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Warning: Spoilers from Star Trek: Picard's series finale are discussed in this article.
There might be another Star Trek series coming our way — or at the very least, another home for Ed Speleers' Jack Crusher.
The series finale of Star Trek: Picard, which dropped on Paramount+ Thursday, came with a post-credits scene that teases big things ahead for the character. Showrunner Terry Matalas confirms in an interview with EW, "Jack's got a lot to do, let me tell you."
He wouldn't tell us exactly what, of course, but the producer — who has guided the Patrick Stewart-led spin-off to break into the Nielsen Top 10 ratings for the first time with season 3 — confirms his story isn't over.
After Jean-Luc Picard (Stewart) and Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) save their son from the Borg Queen with help from their longtime comrades, the finale episode jumps forward a year to see where these characters ended up. Among the reveals is the U.S.S. Titan, which has been rechristened as the Enterprise-G in recognition of Picard and his crew's efforts.
Sarah Coulter/Paramount+ Gates McFadden's Beverly Crusher with her son, Jack (Ed Speleers), in 'Star Trek: Picard'
Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) has been promoted to captain, with Raffi (Michelle Hurd) as her No. 1. A few members of the Titan join them, including Sidney La Forge (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut). Jack is now Ensign Jack Crusher, as he was placed on an accelerated track by Starfleet.
The post-credits scene cuts to Jack in his quarters on the Enterprise-G. He settles into his room when Q (John de Lancie) makes a surprise appearance.
"Young mortal, you have much ahead of you," he tells Jack.
"You told my father that humanity's trial was over," the young Crusher replies.
"It is... for him," he clarifies. "But I'm here today because of you. You see, yours, Jack, has just begun."
Matalas had the idea for this moment deep into season 2 when he was mapping out the trajectory of season 3. "Once I had the genesis of this idea and I knew it would be about Picard's son, I had envisioned a post-credit sequence in which you passed the torch to [him]."
He points to "Encounter at Farpoint," the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1. "The first major interaction is Q and Picard," he says. "Where better to end than at the beginning?"
Sarah Coulter/Paramount+ The Crushers are crushing it!
A Star Trek: Legacy series has been rumored for some time, with a few of the Picard actors teasing how season 3 leaves the door open to continue that story with the next generation of characters. Alex Kurtzman, who's been shepherding the new golden age of Trek, had even teased during San Diego Comic-Con last year that fans should expect more shows with female leads. So, perhaps, we're getting a Seven of Nine series for Ryan, with Jack as part of her crew.
The only new Trek titles that have been formally announced so far are Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which Matalas says is part of a different timeline than Picard; and Star Trek: Section 31, the event movie starring Michelle Yeoh as Emperor Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek: Discovery.
Matalas won't disclose what the plans are for Speleers as Jack moving forward, only that he knows what they are. "Oh yes. I do [know]," he says. "Oh yes."
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