--- title: "Star Trek: Picard: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 18 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Star Trek: Picard (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 18 reviews: 11 positive, 6 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics welcome the series as a considered return rather than a nostalgia exercise, and the praise clusters almost entirely around Patrick Stewart. Review after review singles out his older, more uncertain Picard, remorseful and less remote than the captain of old, as the reason to watch. Several also credit the writing for keeping his empathy intact and for balancing familiar faces with new stories. The reservations are about pace. Several find the opening episodes slow and heavy with exposition, and Consequence adds that convoluted plotting and clunky dialogue hold the show back. Vulture goes further, arguing the series lacks the curiosity and chemistry that make Star Trek work, while Radio Times wants more optimism and less Borg torture. The spread is wide, from the low forties to ninety, and the warmest reviews are for the third season, which Collider and /Film treat as a marked improvement. ## IndieWire — Christian Blauvelt Rating B+. 27 February 2020. The critic says the episode is exceptionally well written and directed, with its character-driven turns making familiar revelations powerful. They praise Picard’s return to the Borg cube and the empathy shown toward former Borg, while faulting the scant follow-up to Jurati’s shocking actions. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/star-trek-picard-episode-6-review-recap-impossible-box-spoilers-1202214117/) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 January 2020. Jolin finds the series a welcome, forward-looking return for Star Trek and its beloved captain. He praises Picard’s enduring empathy and the show’s character-focused approach. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/star-trek-picard/) ## The i Paper — Jeff Robson Rating ★★★★. 24 January 2020. Robson calls the premiere an impressive, emotionally engaging start and says it could become a worthy addition to the canon. He praises the action, special effects and Stewart’s quietly intelligent performance. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/star-trek-picard-review-amazon-prime-patrick-stewart-389854) ## The AV Club — Danette Chavez Rating B. 23 January 2020. Chavez finds the series a rousing, forward-looking return that balances nostalgia with new stories, though its packed plotting and action sometimes struggle to find their footing. She singles out Patrick Stewart’s vulnerable, soulful performance as Picard for praise. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/star-trek-picard-is-so-much-more-than-a-hero-s-homecom-1841155555) ## The Telegraph — Ed Power Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2020. The review finds the series hokey and short of prestige-TV polish, but says it comes close to balancing nostalgia with a modern story. It singles out Patrick Stewart’s performance as sensational. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/star-trek-picard-review-cheesy-prestige-tv-patrick-stewart/) ## Evening Standard — Alastair McKay Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2020. The review is cautiously positive about the series, despite finding its approach less adventurous and more weary than earlier Star Trek. It praises Patrick Stewart’s reassuring presence and Shakespearean diction in the allegorical future. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/star-trek-picard-amazon-review-a4343696.html) ## The Guardian — Jack Seale Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2020. Seale finds the comeback solid, though not exceptional, and is cautiously hopeful about where it goes next. He praises Picard’s moral conviction and the series’ thoughtful ethical questions, while noting the opener’s heavy exposition. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jan/24/star-trek-picard-review-patrick-stewart-goes-guerrilla-in-skintight-velour) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2020. Fienberg mostly likes the series’ methodical world-building but finds its opening episodes overly slow and exposition-heavy. He singles out Patrick Stewart’s effortless authority as the strongest reason to watch. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/star-trek-picard-review-1271981/) ## Variety — Daniel D'Addario Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2020. The critic finds the series initially hesitant and slow-moving, but ultimately promising enough to keep watching. Patrick Stewart’s performance as a retired, uncertain Picard is singled out as a major strength. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/picard-star-trek-review-1203475609/) ## Vulture — Angelica Jade Bastién Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2020. The critic finds the series intriguing but uneven, saying it lacks the curiosity and chemistry that make Star Trek work. Patrick Stewart’s tender, regretful performance is singled out as a compelling strength. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/star-trek-picard-review.html) ## Radio Times — Huw Fullerton Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2020. The critic finds the series needs more optimism to work at its best. They call for more Jonathan Frakes and less Borg torture. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/star-trek-picard-riker-troi-review/) ## Collider — Maggie Lovitt Rating 9/10. 10 February 2023. Lovitt calls the final season an exceptional return to The Next Generation and a fitting send-off. She praises how its clever storytelling makes the reunion feel natural while balancing franchise lore with fresh adventure. [Read the review](https://collider.com/star-trek-picard-season-3-review/) ## Den of Geek — Kayti Burt Rating 4/5. 23 January 2020. The reviewer finds the premiere a thoughtful, successful return that updates Picard for a changed world while preserving his essential character. She praises its handling of Picard’s history and empathy, while criticizing Dahj’s thin characterization. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-picard-episode-1-review-remembrance/) ## /Film — Witney Seibold Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 2023. The critic finds season three a major improvement and calls it the best Next Generation movie they never got. They praise its familiar relationships and starship setting, while faulting one episode’s heavy-handed nostalgia. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1187607/star-trek-picard-season-3-review-the-best-next-generation-movie-we-never-got/) ## Paste — Kenneth Lowe Rating 7.5. 10 February 2023. Lowe finds the third season finally delivers an engaging reunion adventure for The Next Generation crew, though it does not reach the original series’ heights. He praises the crew’s clever teamwork and the awe-inspiring deep-space phenomenon in one episode. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/star-trek-picard/star-trek-picard-season-3-review) ## Digital Spy — David Opie Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2020. The critic finds the series balances its familiar roots with a fresh direction and recommends it warmly. They single out Number One the dog as a meaningful symbol of Picard’s trauma and attachment to his past. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a30640975/star-trek-picard-review-amazon-patrick-stewart-dog-number-one/) ## The Ringer — Ben Lindbergh Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2020. Lindbergh finds the series a worthwhile, quiet departure from the familiar Star Trek template. He singles out Patrick Stewart’s return as a remorseful, less remote Picard for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/01/23/tv/star-trek-picard-review-cbs-all-access) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2020. The critic finds the series promising but not yet engaging, and says it needs to tighten its pacing. Patrick Stewart’s return is a standout, while convoluted plotting and clunky dialogue hold the show back. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/01/tv-review-star-trek-picard/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md