He means more to me than I thought.
I was raised in an abusive home, and Star Trek TNG was one of my few escapes. I remember wanting to be like Captain Picard when I grew up. Confident, kind, direct, capable, and loving.
I don’t know if I’m there yet. But I’m trying.
I already miss you. So very much.
Would you mind sharing what he meant/means to you? I think reading your words will help.
I was raised in an abusive home
As was he. He gave to/worked for organizations that fight domestic violence as a result.
Thank you! I had no idea. ❤️
Exploration. Morality. Intelligence. Dignity. Honor. Confidence. Empathy. Curiosity. Dedication.
In a lot of very real ways, I realize that I have, for a long time, considered Stewart’s portrayal of Picard to essentially be the reference standard of what outstanding leadership can and should be.
Also, as to Stewart himself: I’ve always thought he was, at his core, a genuinely good human.
Fuck, man, I haven’t felt this heartbroken about a celebrity death since Anthony Bourdain.
I used to go to sleep listening to the furnace and pretending it was the hum of the Enterprise with Patrick Stewart at the helm. I was safe because he was there. I’m in my fifties now and still that sometimes helps me get to sleep.
His passing is like a gut punch. My stomach is in a knot and my eyes are all welled up.
RIP Patrick - you will be missed.Oh no, this is how I find out? 😢
Well shit… I’m sorry you found out this way.
Same here, but honestly I’d rather it be this way than from some crappy YouTube ad or news program. Here I can read other people’s notes on their feelings and happy memories.
The happy memories is what I was searching for. They helped me.
This to both. I’d also rather find out this way. Probably also the sense of humor Sir Patrick would have had.
Patrick Stuart as Picard gave me some of my favourite moments in all of media. This out of place, British/French/Space man, speaking softly and at length about morality and the human experience. Showing us that diplomacy is about conversation, rather than yelling, posturing and finger pointing. He still continues to give me hope that Humanity can eventually surpass the greed, hate and fear that hold us all down. Hopefully, we can see a glimpse of it in our lifetime.
If you haven’t, give Star Trek, especially TNG a go. It’s messages are still relevant today… Just don’t start with season 1. “Measure of a Man” was what made me fall in love with Star Trek and Picard as a character. In fact, I’m going to watch it right now.
Before he was Starfleet, he was a Paul Atreides’ mentor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurney_Halleck
An overlooked role!
Long live duke LETO!
Between the lines he delivered as Jean-Luc Picard and Professor X - even if they were written by someone else - they shaped my worldview.
The perspectives he spoke in my formative years on the human condition and being a singular representation of true leadership are hallmark examples that I strive for. I know he was acting - it doesn’t matter, it’s aspirational.
His love for life, all life; transcended the screen, as evidenced by his hijinks in recent memory with another anointed knight - Sir Ian McKellen.
We are richer for knowing him and poorer for having lost him…
He represents a central figure in media mythology that everybody knows stands for integrity, earnestly trying to do what you think is right, and hope for a better future. Because if we can dream of making it to the stars, people will keep dreaming of making it to the stars.
Star Trek is culturally centralized as a pillar of hope and wonder that everybody can reference. If you know somebody likes Star Trek, you can basically know that they’re a good person. And Patrick Stewart is the figurehead and father figure we all know, strive to be, and hold as the gold standard of.
His character’s words were written by writers, sure. But, CULTURALLY, we all collectively know that he represents that hope and wisdom.
It’s odd and impossibly human how something so incredibly real can come from all of our dreams when they’re put together.
And while I know that his passing isn’t the loss of that message of hope by any means… But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel that way. It really does feel like it’s our duty to ourselves to continue the hope that we know and feel, even if, right now, it feels a million miles away and fading.
Sir Patrick Stewart didn’t die. He’s become more powerful than any of us can possibly imagine.
That was a great read, thank you and I totally agree.
Well said, but at the end it kind of felt like you were crossing genres. Like when Piccard had that light saber fight with the sith lord.
He was Picard and even more than Picard.
CAPT Picard is everything that leadership is supposed to be. Rest in power Jean Luc.
☭ From The Fall of Eagles ☭Acting
I just started to get into Star Trek in 2024, right after our union won recognition, because a coworker recommended that I watch Bar Association. Needless to say I fell in love with the franchise, and started watching the other shows.
In December of 2024 I was illegally fired, allegedly for “professional misconduct”. Around the same time, I started to watch TNG. The show prevented me from having a mental health crisis much sooner than it would have otherwise occurred, and helped me recover afterwards.
Sir Patrick Stewart was the light of wisdom for my ideals during this period. He didn’t necessarily save my life, but he saved my soul. In August, I lost my ULP. A song in TNG echoed in my head then as it does now:
“Land of Song!” said the warrior bard,
"Tho’ all the world betrays thee,
One sword at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
Had some rough time during student years. TNG & Voyager was the escapism that kept me stable.
Sir Patreck Stuart
You misspelled Patrick Stewart on the title, btw.
(Also Patrick Stuart is a completely different actor)
Damn… Thank you!
One of the few good memories growing up was watching TNG reruns.
