In one of his greatest Star Trek: The Next Generation stories, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) lived an entire lifetime in a matter of minutes, and the experience continues to affect him in Star Trek: Picard. In TNG season 5, episode 25, "The Inner Light," the USS Enterprise-D encounters a strange probe that renders Captain Picard unconscious. While the rest of Star Trek: The Next Generation's characters spend the next 25 minutes trying to wake Picard, Jean-Luc experiences 40-years of life as a man named Kamin.
Picking up around 20 years after Star Trek: Nemesis, Star Trek: Picard finds Jean-Luc living in his family's vineyard, having resigned from Starfleet. Star Trek: Picard season 1 reveals that Jean-Luc spearheaded a vital rescue mission when the Romulan sun was about to go supernova. The mission became a passion project for Admiral Picard, who did everything in his power to save the Romulans. Unfortunately, the United Federation of Planets called off Picard's mission when rogue synths attacked Mars and destroyed most of the rescue fleet. Picard then resigned in protest, incorrectly assuming that Starfleet would not accept his resignation.
Star Trek: TNG’s “The Inner Light” Explains Why Picard Wanted To Save The Romulans
As Kamin, Picard Was Not Able To Save His People
While living as Kamin in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Inner Light," Picard spent much of his time observing the stars. He learned that the drought on his planet was caused by their dying sun, but he was powerless to stop it. Jean-Luc eventually learned that his people's leaders knew of their planet's upcoming demise, but did not have the technology to do anything about it. This is what led them to store some of their memories in a probe so that their civilization would not be lost to time. Although Star Trek: The Next Generation did not fully explore the effect this experience had on Picard, it clearly resonated with him deeply.
Whether consciously or not, Picard's experience in "The Inner Light" likely influenced his determination to help the Romulans. As Kamin, Picard was powerless to help his people, not only because they did not have the technology, but also because he was experiencing events that happened 1,000 years ago. As a 24th-century Starfleet Admiral, however, Picard had a lot more power to make a difference. Despite this, Picard could not stop the Romulan sun from going supernova, and while the Romulans were not completely destroyed, the disaster still decimated their population.
Picard Quitting Starfleet Has A Deeper Meaning Because Of Star Trek: TNG’s “The Inner Light”
Picard's Experience In "The Inner Light" Adds More Context To Star Trek: Picard
When rogue synths attacked the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards orbiting Mars, around 20,000 Starfleet vessels were destroyed and over 90,000 lives were lost. In the wake of this tragedy, Starfleet pulled back on all of its missions of exploration and put a halt to the Romulan rescue mission. This decision so disgusted Admiral Picard that he quit Starfleet, the organization that he had proudly devoted his life to up until that point. Just as Picard was unable to help Kamin's people, he felt as though he had failed the Romulans.
Just as Picard was unable to help Kamin's people, he felt as though he had failed the Romulans.
Picard never came to view Starfleet in quite the same way as he did when he was Captain of the Enterprise. Picard's experience in "The Inner Light" not only made him more open to the idea of family, but also left him with a deep sadness for Kamin and his people. Picard was so profoundly affected by his time as Kamin that he could no longer be a part of an organization that would abandon the Romulans when they most needed help. Star Trek: Picard continued many stories that began in Star Trek: The Next Generation, building on Picard's past experiences in compelling and sometimes heartbreaking ways.
