15 essential Captain Picard episodes to get you pumped for his return

“Tapestry” (S6E15)

Picard perks: Picard romance alert! Not only do we get some smooching, but in a rare event for our gentlemanly captain, we see him slapped and get a drink thrown in his face. Picard wakes up in bed next to… Q. And promptly pulls his blanket over his chest in modesty.

What it’s about: Picard’s artificial heart melts and fuses after an energy burst on an away mission. Q pretends to be the master of the afterlife and allows Picard to relive the moment of the incident resulting in the loss of his real heart.

After thoroughly sabotaging his early friendships yet managing to avoid being stabbed, Q returns him to the present. Poor Picard is not only a lowly lieutenant junior grade, but he’s wearing blue, the least “commanding” color! He immediately requests an impromptu performance review from Troi and Riker, and they feel he couldn’t handle a command position because he never took chances and doesn’t stand out.

As the panic of a caged animal sets in Picard, calls out to Q who taunts him some more, of course. “That Picard never faced death,” and he drifted with no plan — never seized any opportunities. Picard asks for a chance to set things right.

Picard quotes:

• “No, I am not dead. Because I refuse to believe the afterlife is run by you. The universe is not so badly designed!”