The only downside to Beverly Crusher’s newfound action heroism is that she’s soon injured and sidelined for the rest of “Picard” season 3, episode 1, before showing up on ice at the end. The premiere turns into more of an interstellar buddy movie (not that we’re complaining) with Picard and William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), with some Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) mixed in, and a subplot involving Rafaella (Michelle Hurd), one of the few returning faces who isn’t a legacy character.
Even when she’s not onscreen, however, there’s a layer of mystery to what happened with Crusher, who for some reason, cut off all contact with everyone so that she hasn’t spoken to Picard, Riker, or any of her old friends in 20 years. That may have something to do with the other occupant of her ship…
One Crusher who isn’t getting in on the action this season, despite his guest appearance last season as a Traveler, is Beverly’s son, Wesley (Wil Wheaton). In his place, the “Picard” season 3 premiere drops a bombshell on us with the revelation that Beverly has another son, played by “Outlander” actor Edward Speleers. I can only speculate, given his age and the timing of Beverly’s disappearance, that this third Crusher, who we’ll have to call #NotWesley for now, might be Jean-Luc’s son?
Let’s just hope they don’t keep Beverly Crusher on ice too long, because she’s got some explaining to do. New episodes of “Picard” stream every Thursday on Paramount+.