Star Trek: Picard Season 3 wrapped up two years ago, yet my enthusiasm for the prospect of Captain Seven of Nine (portrayed by Jeri Ryan) steering the USS Enterprise-G in a potential series titled Star Trek: Legacy remains strong. Under the guidance of showrunner Terry Matalas, the third season of Star Trek: Picard was a tremendous hit on Paramount+, resonating with both longtime fans and newcomers alike. The season made a notable mark by featuring the reunion of the beloved cast from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it consistently ranked in Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10.
Despite the season’s resonance with viewers and its commercial success, Paramount+ has not leveraged the opportunity to create a spinoff or continuation. The ending of Picard’s third season provided a clear pathway for further adventures with the USS Enterprise-G and its crew, including Captain Seven of Nine, Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd), and Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), alongside appearances from iconic characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Both the cast and the creative minds behind the series, as well as passionate fans, remain eager for Star Trek: Legacy.
However, as articulated by Captain Liam Shaw (played by Todd Stashwick), the response from Paramount+ has been unmistakably negative. Following the conclusion of Picard’s third season, there has been a strategic pullback regarding Star Trek content on the platform, leading to the cancellation of three additional series. Currently, only two Star Trek shows are in production, and tragically, there are no ongoing plans for Star Trek: Legacy. While time may pass, my fervent desire, mirrored by countless fans, for Star Trek: Legacy remains unwavering.
Unanswered Questions from Picard Season 3 Leave Fans Wanting More
What Lies Ahead for the USS Enterprise-G?
The finale of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 left fans with an enticing teaser for what Star Trek: Legacy could entail, making it all the more frustrating that there has been no progress in addressing the cliffhangers introduced. Questions like Captain Seven of Nine’s warp command and the status of her relationship with Commander Raffi Musiker are still unanswered. Additionally, viewers are left wondering about the romantic potential between Jack Crusher and Lieutenant Sidney La Forge (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut) and how Captain Liam Shaw might be brought back into the fold.
As we look back two years later, the unresolved cliffhanger of what Q (John de Lancie) has in store for Jack Crusher persists. Furthermore, how Q resurfaces after his dramatic demise in Season 2 of Picard adds to the intrigue. Other mysteries waiting to be unraveled include the identity of Commodore Geordi La Forge’s (LeVar Burton) wife and mother to Sidney and Ensign Alandra La Forge (Mica Burton), as well as how Data (Brent Spiner) is adjusting to his humanity. Fans remain eager to discover whether Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) finally become a couple.
The Allure of Exploring Star Trek: Legacy’s 25th Century
Progression in Star Trek’s TNG Era is Imperative
The decision to advance the timeline into the 25th century during Star Trek: Picard Season 3 was a bold and exciting move for the franchise. Unfortunately, this progression has been stalled in the absence of Star Trek: Legacy. The 24th century, which houses popular shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and more recent entries like Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Prodigy, remains the richest era of the Star Trek canon, now seemingly paused indefinitely.
Jonathan Frakes has pitched an idea where Admiral Will Riker oversees the missions of Captain Seven of Nine and her crew aboard the USS Enterprise-G, an exciting prospect for fans yearning to see familiar characters take on new roles.
Since Star Trek: Nemesis was released in 2002, the 24th century has experienced an extended hiatus, barring brief cameos in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009). The revival of this era through Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Prodigy has ignited fan interest once again, but with all three of these series now concluded, it leaves a frustrating void. This is particularly disheartening considering that this era holds the most significant emotional investment from Star Trek’s audience. The 25th century remains a tantalizing frontier waiting to be explored.
The Future of Star Trek: Legacy
Optimism Remains for the USS Enterprise Legacy
Two years since its conclusion, Star Trek: Legacy appears to be in limbo. Despite a dedicated fan campaign urging its realization and vocal support from the cast and creators who are eager to see the continuation of Star Trek: Legacy, Paramount+ has revealed its immediate Star Trek plans, focusing solely on two projects: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, with seasons 3 and 4, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, seasons 1 and 2.
While some other projects have been announced, including discussions about future developments, nothing definitive beyond Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy has materialized, leaving Star Trek: Legacy outside the current conversation. With Terry Matalas now engaged in other ventures, including the Marvel series for Disney+, and many cast members having moved on, the prospects for Star Trek: Legacy appear dim.
Compounding this uncertainty are the mixed reactions to the recent Star Trek: Section 31 announcement, casting doubt on whether Star Trek: Legacy could transition into a made-for-streaming film on Paramount+. Nevertheless, every time Terry Matalas, cast members like Jeri Ryan, Todd Stashwick, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, and Ed Speleers, or directors such as Jonathan Frakes are posed with the question of Star Trek: Legacy, the enthusiasm remains palpably positive. They all express a hopeful “Yes” regarding its potential future. Perhaps once Paramount Studios’ sale to Skydance Media is finalized, a reevaluation of Star Trek’s trajectory could rejuvenate hope for Star Trek: Legacy.
The One Star Trek Show That Might Connect to Legacy
Could Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Allude to the USS Enterprise-G?
While Star Trek: Legacy may remain dormant for now, there exists a possibility that some elements could find their way into Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Set in the 32nd century, after the conclusion of Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, this academy-focused series could incorporate references to the adventures of the USS Enterprise-G in the 25th century.
The presence of The Doctor (Robert Picardo) from Star Trek: Voyager as an instructor provides a direct connection to the TNG era. Having been active since the 24th century, The Doctor would possess invaluable knowledge about the events that transpired during the 25th century, including the endeavours of Captain Seven of Nine and her crew aboard the USS Enterprise-G.