Star Trek: Picard Season 2 will welcome John de Lancie's Q back into the franchise, which means things could get a bit bonkers for Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard. We didn't know much at all about the Star Trek: The Next Generation character's next adventure until quite recently, when de Lancie hopped on Cameo and started teasing fans with secretive info about what to expect for his upcoming reprisal.
Those who recently paid for a Cameo video message from John de Lancie may have received a bit of inside information about his upcoming Star Trek: Picard appearance. In one video (via TrekMovie.com), the actor confirmed one fairly obvious thing Q would be doing in his Star Trek return, while also sharing one other less expected piece of information.
The word’s out. I’m coming back to annoy Picard. As a matter of fact, yesterday I really annoyed him. That was Episodes 1 and 2.
Huzzah! It looks like at least two Star Trek: Picard episodes will feature John de Lancie's Q, though there could always be more. The main factoid that can presumably be confirmed by this info is that the character's return thankfully won't be a one-and-done appearance, and is potentially a two-parter or even something building up into an even larger arc. An arc that will absolutely include taking the piss out of Picard, which Q does oh so well.
In another message, John de Lancie mentioned that everyone's favorite Star Trek director Jonathan Frakes is also be involved in one or more of Q's episodes. It also seemed from his messages like de Lancie wasn't (or isn't) entirely sure how everything will play out in his Star Trek: Picard arrival, which could be a sign that he's set to appear in more episodes.
I’m ecstatic… We’ll see what the writers bring. It’s going to be fun, that I know. And the whole notion that Frakes is going to be directing as well is going to be making for some good times.
It's not too surprising that Jonathan Frakes will direct Q's return in Star Trek: Picard, seeing as how he's helmed a couple of important Nu-Trek episodes so far. It would be even greater to hear that Frakes' directing efforts will pave the way for Ryker to get in on the Q action as well, but that's only speculation. Or really, it's just blind hope.
While it was confirmed that John de Lancie's Q would butt heads with Picard in Season 2, the actor confirmed yet another intriguing detail. The actor was asked about whether Q will get into it with any of the new Star Trek: Picard characters, and he shared the following.
I haven’t met them yet. But I watched their entire first season and thought they were awful good…I will be meeting them soon, in the next three or four days.
Based on that answer, it's possible that Q's main storyline solely involves Jean-Luc Picard, which would be in line with a lot of his past appearances. The character often had more fleeting interactions with other characters of the crew on Star Trek: The Next Generation, with the meat of his appearances tied to Patrick Stewart's captain. It seems that could also happen in Star Trek: Picard Season 2. I'd love to see what Q could do to mess with Rios and what further details about the character could surface in the process.
John de Lancie's reprisal of Q is officially on the way, though Star Trek: Picard Season 2 isn't expected on Paramount+ until 2022. For those who can't wait to see the planned Section 31 spinoff, check out the latest comments about when audiences can (or can't) expect to see it.
