Star Trek Is Finally Delving Into One of Picard's Top Twists And Honestly? I Am Sold Already

Star Trek is finally delving into one of Picard’s top twists, and honestly? I’m sold already. Star Trek: Picard followed Jean-Luc’s exploits in the twilight of his life. The show, while generally enjoyed by fans, also had some baffling plot points, such as Jean-Luc and Doctor Crusher conceiving a son that she then hid from him. Fans felt this was out of character, but Star Trek #27 sheds light on why.

Star Trek #27 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Mike Feehan and Tess Fowler. Doctor Crusher and Captain Sisko are cleaning up after a dinner party the Captain threw to boost crew morale aboard the Theseus, which is patrolling what is left of the universe in the aftermath of Lore’s attack. Crusher makes a shocking confession to Sisko: that in the wake of her husband Jack’s death on board the Stargazer, she stopped trusting Starfleet. Instead, Doctor Crusher puts her faith and trust in those around her.

Doctor Crusher's Family Life in the Star Trek Universe, Explained

Doctor Crusher's Life Has Been One of Great Triumphs and Crushing Lows

Doctor Crusher’s arc through the Star Trek universe has seen its share of ups and downs. Her late husband, Jack, was killed during a mission, leaving her a widow with a young child. Years later, Crusher would serve on board the Enterprise with Jean-Luc Picard, who was best friends with both her and Jack. During Star Trek: The Next Generation’s seven-season run, it was clear there was romantic and sexual tension between Doctor Crusher and Picard, but neither had the desire to act on their feelings, as it might complicate their friendship.

But, as revealed in Star Trek: Picard’s third season, they eventually did just that, and the result was a son, Jack, named in honor of her late husband. Picard and Crusher had not seen each other since that night, and she kept Jack’s existence a secret from his father. When Picard met Jack, and realized who he was, it came as a shock, and he felt betrayed that Doctor Crusher would keep such knowledge to herself. Within online Star Trek fan groups and publications, fans debated the merits of Doctor Crusher’s decision to keep Jack away from Picard and Starfleet.

Fans felt that Doctor Crusher, by keeping Jack isolated from his father, was being hypocritical. Part of her rationale for doing so was to preserve his safety and well-being. After decades in Starfleet, Doctor Crusher knew the risks that come with it firsthand, and wanted none of that for her son. Yet, as some have pointed out, she continually dragged Jack into some of the roughest spots in the galaxy. Picard reveals that Crusher had left Starfleet, and was now running humanitarian aid to war-torn and desolate parts of the galaxy–hardly places for a child.

Doctor Crusher Does Not Trust Starfleet, and For Good Reason

Doctor Crusher Has Lost Two Loved Ones--And Does Not Want to Lose More

Doctor Crusher’s conversation with Captain Sisko in Star Trek #27, while shocking, provides further context for her decisions regarding Jack. During her time in Starfleet, Doctor Crusher lost two of the most important people in her life: her husband and son. Although Wesley is still alive, his duties as a Traveler prohibit him from contact with family and friends from his past. Wesley’s decision to join the Travelers stemmed directly from his time in Starfleet. This, coupled with losing her husband in the line of duty, has secretly soured Doctor Crusher on the organization.

Having lost two family members to Starfleet, Doctor Crusher’s decision to keep Jack Junior away from it as well as his father makes perfect sense. She point-blank tells Captain Sisko that Starfleet “took everything” from her, eroding her trust in the organization. She equates Jack Senior to Jennifer, Sisko’s late wife, and while the thrust of their conversation is about her husband, it is not hard to see Wesley’s shadow hanging over it all as well. As he is not allowed contact with his mother, he might as well be dead to her.

Crusher is a physician to her core, and directs her efforts into helping the desperate and suffering–this time from outside the system.

Doctor Crusher’s confession to Sisko also puts into context her actions after leaving Starfleet, even if it does not justify putting Jack Junior repeatedly in harm’s way. Her decision to leave Starfleet and become an independent agent might have been jarring to Picard season three viewers, but in light of her conversation with Sisko in Star Trek #27, it too comes into focus. Crusher never trusted Starfleet, which would make leaving easier. Crusher is a physician to her core, and directs her efforts into helping the desperate and suffering–this time from outside the system.

 

IDW's Star Trek Comics Build Wonderfully on the TV Shows

The Star Trek Comics Ground Doctor Crusher's Decisions Regarding Her Son Jack

Moments like the one between Doctor Crusher and Captain Sisko are part of what makes IDW’s Star Trek comics so great: they provide context and insight into the characters that the television shows and movies, for whatever reason, cannot get into. Fans watching Picard’s third season might have been baffled by some of Doctor Crusher’s actions, but the comics grounded her decisions about Jack and Starfleet. The comics have also hit on other franchise tropes, such as Harry Kim’s lack of promotions, and given them depth and clarity as well.