Gates McFadden weighs in on Star Trek: Picard and the future of conventions

Gates McFadden and Robert Picardo appear on GalaxyCon Live

Former Star Trek doctor Gates McFadden has weighed in on Star Trek: Picard, and what she thinks will become of conventions, in the time of coronavirus.

McFadden was a guest on GalaxyCon Live last week, along with other former Starfleet doctors Robert Picardo and John Billingsley. TrekMovie.com reports that the conversation covered the actors’ reactions to Star Trek: Picard, as well as their reactions to fan reactions.

McFadden said she understands some fans’ hesitation to accept Picard, but that she nonetheless thinks fans should keep an open mind. “There is a whole group of people for whom it is not familiar, yet,” she said. “So, they are sort of holding on to something they really feel comfortable with. [...] I encourage fans to stay open to things...I think give it another year and everyone will have come around.”

Regarding Picard, McFadden also acknowledged that it was a different type of show to Star Trek: The Next Generation. “It’s really like a major film, it is so beautifully done,” she said. “I think the script and the storylines are wonderfully different than what we on Next Gen had, but we were on in a time when people were watching one channel on their television sets and it wasn’t like it is with Netflix and a whole different medium now. I think it makes sense to have a story that keeps evolving. It’s absolutely the way to go.”

Later in the interview, talk turned to conventions, most of which have been cancelled for this year, including San Diego Comic Con. Picardo commented that the cast and fans of Star Trek: Voyager will be particularly affected by cancellations. He said, “This year was going to be a very busy year because it’s Voyager’s 25th anniversary, so there were plans to go everywhere in the world. Now that the world has been changed, all of that has been wiped off the slate.” He spoke directly to fans, noting that it will be some time before he’s able to interact with them in person.

McFadden tried to frame the cancellations and quarantine in a positive light, though, saying, “I think it is a time where we have to reflect about how we can [reach out to fans]. And maybe it is great to rethink how conventions will be. Why not? Let’s be positive. There must be ways we can do cool things.”

You can watch the full video interview for yourself on GalaxyCon Live’s Facebook page, at facebook.com/galaxyconlive.