character
portrayed by Patrick Stewart
. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact
, Star Trek: Insurrection
, and Star Trek Nemesis. He also made an appearance in the pilot episode
of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
.
Depicted as deeply moral, highly logical and intelligent, Picard is a master of diplomacy
and debate
who resolves seemingly intractable issues between multiple parties with a Solomon
-like wisdom.
"This is a primitive culture. I am here to facilitate its incorporation" -Picard identifying himself to the dissconnected Borg Hugh.
With the first link the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably. - quoting Aaron Satie in the Star TrekStar Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Drumhead|The Drumhead"
Villains who twirl their mustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged [...] waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness.'Star TrekStar Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Drumhead|The Drumhead"
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before!"
: Picard's introduction spoken during the opening credits of each episode.
"Make it so!"
: Picard's common utterance to crew to execute an order; various episodes.
"I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life, as it has been, is over. From this time forward, you will service us."
: Picard to Riker after being assimilated by the Borg in "The Best of Both Worlds".
"They took everything I was! They used me to kill ... and to destroy. And I couldn't stop them! I should've been able to stop them. I tried so hard!"
Robert Picard: "So my brother is a human being after all. This will be with you a long time, Jean-Luc. A long time."
: Picard's tearful confession to his brother Robert in "Family".
"Reports of my assimilation are greatly exaggerated."
: Picard's emerging on the Enterprise-E bridge in Star Trek: First Contact; a takeoff on "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated", popularly attributed to Mark Twain.
"There...are...four...lights!"
: Picard's final retort to Madred after being released from Cardassian captivity in "Chain of Command: Part II", asserting that he could not be subjugated.