Welcome to the very end of the road not taken.
Previously on Star Trek: Picard...
Q went back in time and changed the present.
- When was it? - 2024, in Los Angeles.
There is someone there to help.
My name is Tallinn. Pleasure to meet you.
I have devoted my entire being to protecting one individual.
Your ancestor.
Agnes.
- Let him go. - I could take his body.
But it's you I want.
- Agnes-- - No, it's-- It's not my blood.
But I think I just killed our only way home.
Breaking the Shenzhen Convention has serious consequences.
I'm doing this for our children.
We have no choice but to revoke your license and your funding.
What a sad irony.
A geneticist whose daughter has an incurable genetic disease?
Sunlight burns like fire.
But you do have this.
Analyze it.
If you like what you see, give me a call.
Then maybe you can help me with something that I might want.
Kore? No, no, no, no.
What do you need?
Does the name Picard mean anything to you?
The Europa Mission launches in three days. I'm not sure Renée will be on it.
"Are you ready for this, or are you gonna choke when they need you?
Because lives depend on it." And that scares me.
So no Europa Mission, no Renée, no hope.
Everyone hates everyone.
We need to stop her from quitting for the next 15 hours.
She has to go to the gala tonight.
This is a maximum-security function.
Each guest is issued a radio frequency invite
that corresponds to a database of their entire life history.
So we hack the database.
Jurati will go in first, infiltrate security,
and inject our ID's into the system.
It worked.
- I'm inside the surveillance room. - Excellent.
Waiting for your signal.
Once I am gone, you are alone.
You need me, Agnes.
- Admiral. Can you hear me? - Jean-Luc?
- Oh, God. No. - Don't go. Stay with us.
- Admiral, are you okay? - Jean-Luc!
- Jean-Luc. - Maman?
- Admiral! - Rios, is he okay?
Stay with us, Jean-Luc.
- Come find me. - Okay, we have to get him to a hospital.
- Look out! - What about your ship?
Maman! Maman!
You did it again.
What?
You called me Laris.
I thought that you might be an ancestor,
but she's Romulan, so, um, didn't seem possible.
You know your voice does this funny little thing when you say her name.
Who is she, anyhow?
Oh, no one of importance.
Thanks for that.
Now I know what it looks like when you lie.
Rios, let's take our positions.
Once Jurati clones our ID's onto these bracelets,
we can get past security.
And then we won't have to worry
about facial recognition once we're inside.
Jurati, what's your status?
- Agnes-- Agnes! - Jurati?
- Agnes! Join as one-- We could be. - Jurati?
- I'm in position. - Good. We're ready when you are.
Captured on purpose.
Clever little plan.
I do miss Locutus.
I'm 100% sure he doesn't miss you.
Picard to Jurati. The line is moving.
I need you to speed things up.
Copy that. Uh, give me 60.
The key is in his pocket.
I know.
You probably should've waited until he was standing a bit closer to you.
You don't look like a 60-year-old Southern heart surgeon.
Must be a mistake.
Here, try again.
If you'd like to give me a little more control, I could help you.
Jurati, we're out of time.
Fine, I give up! Help me.
Pull.
ID's uploading.
You're good.
Enjoy your evening.
Thank you.
Better late than never, but I knew you could do it.
You're welcome.
If you don't shut up, I will find a way to destroy you.
I beg your pardon?
J-- No, sorry, not for you.
Let's go. They'll be waking soon, with some short-term memory loss
and I'd like to get back to enjoying my-- our evening.
- He's not gonna make it. - There must be something--
- We're losing him! - Stay with us, Jean-Luc.
Quick, do something!
- What's happening to him? - Do something! He's flatlining!
No!
Picard!
Get in here.
That's an order.
[Renée] Hi, there. It's nice to meet you.
I'd say so far so good.
But you know her best.
Uh, she looks all right, but she's gotten pretty good at putting on an act.
There's this thing she does with her earlobe.
Right?
Truth is, I've been protecting Renée from afar for 24 years.
I may have lost my touch a little when it comes to engaging with humans.
You've never spoken to her in all those years?
Well, it's not just a rule. It's a code we live by.
No connection.
I'm a ghost.
It's the best way to keep her safe.
And who is watching over you?
Ten hours to quarantine, Picard.
We just need to keep Renée safe till then.
Who are we tonight, Agnes? I like it.
There is no "we."
I believe that's the proper pronoun for when one shares one's body
with one's new friend.
We are not sharing. You are a houseguest.
It's just until I can figure out what to do with you.
You just couldn't let me die.
You are not the one I was saving.
Now we're splitting hairs.
Oh, but it was fun lying to your friends.
Especially the one you had intercourse with.
It wasn't fun at all.
Well, not the intercourse, that was--
The-- I hated lying to my friends.
It was an impossible choice.
I couldn't let the cop die,
but I couldn't kill the one thing that could get us home either.
It's the best thing for everyone.
Keep telling yourself that, dear.
Will you stop talking?
Enough shoptalk. Let's play.
N-No. There's no play-- No playing.
I told you, I have a mission to accomplish.
I'm just saying, all of these stress hormones aren't good for us.
I don't mind a little shot of adrenaline with a norepinephrine chaser,
but I'd say we're past the optimal amounts of cortisol here.
But whatever you say, Agnes.
You're in control here.
What can I get you?
- Club soda, please. - Certainly.
Hey, Raff.
Perimeter's clear.
Looks like Renée's keeping busy.
And there is no sign of Q.
Ah.
Wait for it. Wait for it.
- Ta-da! - Oh, goodness.
It's real, Raffi.
- I mean, you've got to. - Uh, no, I'm-- I'm good, sweetie.
Have you ever seen actual matches like this?
Where they come in bunches under this little cover?
Wh-Who is this? This whole thing here-- This glow?
It's like you're... happy.
I'm just making the best of things.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I know you. So I find that alarming.
Twenty-first-century Earth isn't what I thought it would be.
- Hmm. - Everything's so intense.
With all the cars and the honking and shouting.
It's dirty.
There's music everywhere.
The food is amazing.
- Cigars. - Yeah, it's not just that.
No. You've been walking around with that big goofy smile on your face
ever since you were locked up with that doctor.
Did you know that she built that clinic from the ground up?
The people in that community had nowhere to go until she got there.
She saves lives.
Rios, do not even think about going there.
- I'm trying not to. - Try harder.
Because when you meet someone from a different century,
the relationship is kind of built on lies.
Someone is enjoying themselves.
Mm-hmm.
There's a lot of baggage with those Borg implants.
It's kind of nice to see her travel light for a while.
Does she normally drink like that?
Well, she's going into quarantine tomorrow.
Maybe it's a last hurrah.
She's doing the thing with the ear.
That usually means the beginning of a downward spiral.
I've got an intercept program.
I'm gonna see who she's texting.
She does seem to check her mobile device quite a bit.
We all do that.
Kach!
She's texting her therapist, Q whatever.
"I can't do this.
I'm not ready for this mission.
When this party is over, I'm gonna tell Musa I'm out."
And Q is encouraging her to quit.
- Which is Musa? - The mission commander.
Her boss.
I am going to speak with Renée.
Uh-uh. We're not breaking the code.
It's kept Renée safe her entire life.
- I understand that-- - What if Q is right?
What if she's not ready?
Perhaps it's you who is not ready.
This is her destiny.
You've done a good job.
Now let her go.
All right.
It will help her odds if we can get Commander Musa out of play.
Yeah. We need Doctor Jurati. She speaks his language.
Picard to Jurati.
Feeling better? We needed a little break.
I just want you to live a little.
- But there's only so much I can do. - It's by design.
This is 50/50, remember? Champagne, please.
Of course.
I've noticed we've been getting some attention this evening.
It's the dress.
It's us. Together.
You're showing your potential.
Is your communicator down? Picard's calling you.
Oh, I'm sorry, I th-- I think we--
Um, I must've accidentally turned it off.
Are you doing all right?
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Do you wanna sit down? You can lean on me.
I know. You were great that way.
Agnes, you've been through a lot.
Just a few hours ago, you had blood on your hands.
Your eyebrows are doing that cute little thing they do
when you're worried about me.
I just want you to tell me what's going on with you.
- Why? - Because...
I care about you. You know that.
Don't let fear get in the way.
Allow me.
Oh, wow. That's a strong pull.
Um, that's-- that's not what I meant, um--
No. I'm sorry. I think I'm-- I'm just not myself tonight.
No, it's, uh...
Counter thrusters are off-line. Brace positions!
Cutoff unresponsive.
Impact in three...
two... one.
Okay.
All right.
- Where's she going? - I don't know.
But we can't wait for Jurati.
It's now or never.
What are you gonna say to convince her?
I'm not quite sure.
Picard.
Adam Soong.
I believe we have a friend in common.
A Mr. Q.
He's not a friend.
That's what he said about you.
Listen to me. I have nothing to do with him.
I have no interest in being part of some-- Whatever this is.
So do yourself a favor. Walk away.
I can't allow Renée to complete this mission.
Stay away from her.
I could say the same to you.
I don't have a choice.
You really don't understand who you're dealing with.
Neither do you.
Doctor Soong.
Thank you for the generous donation to the Europa Mission. I'm in shock.
- Welcome to the board. - Hmm.
Anything we can do for you? Uh, VIP tour?
Actually, there is something.
That gentleman... ...is dangerous.
- Stay with us, Jean-Luc. - Don't go! Don't leave us.
- We're losing him. - Clear!
Jean-Luc. Look up.
Guys, I think I'm in trouble here.
I've lost Renée. Does anyone have her?
I do.
She's on the move.
You can't push me like that.
I'm trying to get you to understand
that good things happen when you lose control.
Tallinn, I could use some help down here.
Admiral, I don't know how much longer Renée is gonna stick around.
We're jeopardizing the mission.
- We need to leave. - Don't be ridiculous.
Jean-Luc, they've got the exits covered.
Tallinn, they've got us surrounded.
You wanna help? Let's help.
Your friends need a distraction.
Initiating nanoelectronic pulse.
Lights out, Agnes.
Now, get to work.
I can't see anything.
Quick. Now we can go.
♪ We're running With the shadows of the night ♪
♪ Baby, take my hand, you'll be all right ♪
♪ Surrender all your dreams to me tonight ♪
♪ They'll come true in the end ♪
♪ Oh, girl, it's a cold world ♪
♪ When you keep it all to yourself ♪
♪ Now, you can't hide on the inside ♪
♪ All the pain you've ever felt ♪
♪ Ransom my heart, but baby, don't look back ♪
♪ 'Cause we got nobody else ♪
♪ We're running With the shadows of the night ♪
♪ Baby, take my hand, you'll be all right ♪
♪ Surrender all your dreams to me tonight ♪
♪ They'll come true ♪
♪ In the end ♪
It worked.
Oh, I am proud of you, Agnes.
Thank you for the flood of endorphins, by the way.
Those nasty little stress hormones were getting in my way.
- Wh-- What's happening? - This was my plan all along.
Finally. The endorphins I needed.
I think I'll steer the ship for a while.
No. Wait. I-- I'm in control.
Not anymore.
You seem upset.
Uh-- I'm sorry.
I don't want to be rude, but I'd like to be alone, okay?
In my experience, when I'm distraught,
I find talking about something else often helps.
Any suggestions then?
Look up.
Can you tell me about that ship?
OV-165 Shuttle.
I call her "Spike" because she's got these kick-ass aerospike engines
that use less fuel.
I don't... mean any offense...
...but you seem a little up in the years to be a security guard.
True.
But... I am the wisest of them all.
Bet you're thinking they let anyone be an astronaut these days.
Sometimes those who shine the brightest feel the sting of fear and melancholy
in ways that others can never understand.
You're talking like you know me.
You're Renée Picard, astronaut of the Europa Mission.
You must be capable of such great things to have come this far.
You remind me a bit of my mother.
She, too, loved the stars.
And she, too...
struggled.
Sometimes fear is a friendly reminder you're not ready for something.
No.
Fear is fear.
It doesn't speak in riddles.
Fear means you're smart.
You understand the risks.
So, what are you afraid of?
I don't know where I would begin.
And you found a way to live with it?
I found that even in the darkest circumstances, there is a light.
Sometimes, only a glimmer.
Trust that light.
Find a way back, no matter what it takes.
Your mother...
was very lucky to have you.
Jean-Luc...
Come find me.
Maman! Maman!
Well.
Oh! I almost forgot.
I was sent to collect you.
Doctor Jemison is going to make a toast.
They want all the astronauts on the stage.
Will you be joining them?
I will.
I want you to remove an obstacle.
Renée Picard.
[Renée] Going around the outside will get us there the quickest.
I'm afraid this is as far as I go.
Thanks again for the pep talk.
I don't suppose you'd want to catch a ride to Europa?
I feel like you could hang in the cockpit, keep everyone calm.
Ooh. I'm very tempted.
But, uh, perhaps another time?
Why do I feel like I know you?
Did you see that?
Oh, my God, that man just got hit.
Admiral.
Oh, God.
Oh, no.
- He's got a pulse. - We have to get him to a hospital.
- They'll want ID. - What about your ship?
A biobed is not a doctor.
I know someone.
Admiral, stay with us.
Does he have any conditions?
He's had some transplants.
Some?
- How many? - All of them.
He's got an unstable arrhythmia.
- His heart's all over the place. - What does that mean?
It means he's in the middle of a major cardiac event.
Clear!
Oh. Is he okay?
He's back in normal sinus.
- Blood pressure is stabilizing. - Oh. Okay.
- Teresa-- - Everybody out!
My God, what happened to you?
I'm fine.
All my life...
All my life, I've invented.
Machines, medicine.
I knew I could bend the rules. Take the risks.
Were you driving? Do I need to call someone?
I poured my heart into you.
I let myself believe you were the one.
You'd make it.
And now, after everything I did...
Realize what I'm capable of doing...
I still failed.
I'm still going to lose you...
my life's work.
You're scaring me.
I'm so sorry. I didn't stop her.
I may have stopped him. Collateral. But not her.
Dad, it's me. Why are you talking like this?
Why? The "why" matters.
The "why" of things matters,
and you, you are my "why."
Saving you, my life's work.
Dad.
Dad, just be honest with me.
So... Jurati can sing.
Any word from her?
We did succeed in getting Renée into quarantine.
He's stable but not responsive.
I'll be back in an hour.
I have a son who's about to wake up
and wonder where I am for the second time this week.
How long will he be out?
Honestly, I don't know.
Everything's working. I'm not sure why he's not waking up.
- Not good enough. - She's doing the best she can.
- I don't need your help. - Okay.
Can we see him now?
- Sure. - Thank you.
- I know this is nuts. - No.
It was super fun coming to my raided clinic in the middle of the night
and sticking my hands in your boss's chest.
You came.
I've used a defibrillator... ...way more times than I can count.
Maybe your kid was messing with it. Cracked it.
Deep respect for a grown man who will scapegoat an innocent child.
Who are you?
I know what it looks like, or not.
But trust me, we're the good guys.
Good guys never say that.
I think this is good.
I think we're good here.
- Hello, little girl. - Hi.
Where do you live?
- Why don't I remember this? - In a cave.
In a cave? I don't--
Before I give you a piece of cake,
I need you to close your eyes and make a wish.
Why have I never seen this photo?
Or any of these?
July 11th. Today was a good day.
Life signs are looking up.
I estimate Persephone has a 97% chance of survival.
August 12th, Friday.
Persephone died from complications. One month old.
Who the hell is Persephone?
January 23rd. Despoina, age 3.
Persephassa's liver failure caused her brain to swell...
Artemis is currently in the midst of septic shock.
Proserpina is encountering complications...
Thalia suffered multiple...
I have suffered another loss.
Hypertrophic cardiomyop--
Today... ...was a hard one.
Frustration got the better of me.
I know now, this one will be the last.
And there's a...
There's a sense of release in that.
I will do anything and everything to make sure she survives.
Kore.
What am I?
Dad, what did you do?
His amygdala's responding as if he's in imminent danger.
All of his synapses are firing.
That doesn't seem right.
Brain activity should be minimal in a coma.
Exactly.
That doctor doesn't know why he's still out.
What if this is mental?
All of his vital signs appear normal.
There's no brain swelling. No brain bleed.
Jean-Luc, look up at the stars.
You have to get me out. Jean-Luc. Please.
Uh. What's happening?
He's stuck in there.
And the longer he is, the harder it'll be to ever get him out.
I could go in.
Sorry, what now? Inside him?
Maybe I can pull him out.
Using my neuro-optic interceptor.
The same synaptic pathways I hijack to look outwards
could be traveled into the subconscious.
A kind of jury-rigged mind-meld.
Once I gain access to his mind,
I can hack into whatever memory or thought he's fixated on.
In theory, interact with it.
Take his lead, get him to show me
- how to help him out. - No.
No.
Uh. His brain is comatose for a reason.
- It's protective. - A lot of what we do is protective.
It doesn't mean it's good for us.
Guys, no, am I right?
As long as Renée is being targeted by a... god, or whatever this Q is,
no safe house on earth can protect her.
The only person who knows anything at all about said god
is unconscious on this table.
You got a better plan, please.
Otherwise, I'm not waiting for him to work shit out in there.
Teresa and us, we watch over him out here.
Tallinn sees what she can do in there.
Raff, we don't protect Renée, we don't get our future back.
And we need Picard awake to do that.
We have to try.
Fine. Why not?
Burrow into his psyche.
I mean-- What could go wrong?
Tons, obviously.
But statistically, odds-wise, you know,
given everything that's happened to us
since we crashed into this bullshit time period...
how much worse could it possibly get?