I've mentioned how I don't usually read STAR TREK novels, except for novelizations of the movies or big episodes. My reason has been there's little room for character growth, which is important to me as a reader. For forty years, the Star Trek universe has been growing. The frachise had to be careful about how authors were allowed to grow the characters in the novels. This is because they had television series and moves still in production. Right now, there is a movie in production involving the original television story. I'm skeptical because the characters from the original Star Trek show are cultural icons, dearly loved by fans all over the world. It's going to be a monumental task doing them justice in a re-make. There are no Star Trek television shows in production at this time..
I was drawn to the cover of BURIED AGE and induced by it to read the back cover. The idea of Picard going on an archaelogy dig on an alien planet intrigued me, so I thought I'd give Star Trek novels one last try. It seems the lull in television series-making has allowed the novels to really grow. While there is nothing really new about Captain Picard in this novel, his character is expanded upon and given substance and reason for.
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THE BURIED AGE starts with the destruction of the USS Stargazer by the Ferengi. Picard destroys the Ferengi ship and saves most of crew by carrying out a brilliant tactical maneuver. However, Starfleet still feels compelled to investigate him for negligence and such. Losing a starship is devestating for a captain like a Picard and he considers leaving Starfleet. Instead, he takes a leave of absence and explores his interest in archaelogy.
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This is where it gets interesting. For all his courage and might, we learn Picard isn't quite as brave as all that. He meets up with Guinan, the lady who will be his bartender on the Enterprise one day and you know her nack for turning people inside out. Good listeners are like that, you know.
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The thing about Picard is he's afraid of romantic relationships. Oh, sure, he gets laid almost as often as Kirk did, but he's completely incapable of maintaining a romantic relationship. He's inept and scared. Thank goodness for Guinan, a spiritual big sister to him, or he would have no womanly balance in his life at all. Of course, he develops a sisterly relationship with Counselor Troi eventually too. Troi is another one of my favorite female characters because she's another wonderful listener. Guinan and Troi are non-threatening because they are trusted sisters - not potential sexual partners who might learn enough to be an emotional threat. Without them, Picard would be half a man.
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So, Picard gets involved in an archaeological expedition to an alien world. This is where a lot of people complain there's too much detail and techno-babble. I agree there's a lot, but I can speed-read. Besides, it stretches the brain to read more technical Sci-Fi once in a while.
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Poor Picard. A couple of his team members bring their children. It's no surprise to me that a man who fears and is inept at romantic relationships would also be terrified of children. There is no creature more honest, basic, and intuitive than a child. No one can lay a man emotionally bare faster than a child! Being a former trained nanny and now a mother, I absolutely enjoy being around young people all the time. There is nothing more amazing than seeing the universe through their eyes. So, it's no surprise that I had enormous pity for Picard at this point in the story. There's such a joy he missed by being bottled up in fear.
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Despite these faults coming forth in THE BURIED AGE, Picard isn't diminished as a character because most of us know we're all human and we all have faults. Picard is made real by all this.
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In any case, during the process of exploring the ruins of the alien planet, Picard's team de-ices a woman frozen in time. Of course, she falls in love with Picard. At this point, the female reader might think, "Oh, berrruther, here we go again with the zitty teenage boy fantasy of having alien women wanting to jump into the sack every other page." This is, like, the third time a woman's jumped Picard in the story and, of course, she has wide and uplifting breasts. You knew this wasn't a Romance novel, right? Give teenage boys a break. After all, they're just venturing forth into a universe of women. At about fifty years of age or so, Picard really ought to know better. Besides, don't call teenage boys zitty unless you're willing to be called a wrinkled old prune too!
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Where was I? Oh, right, Picard getting jumped by hot alien women. Needless to say, things get really complicated from this point in the story. Besides Guinan and Troi, Picard also benefits from the steady wisdom of Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway. Yes, she's the future Captain Kathryn Janeway of Voyager fame. So, yanno, cut Picard some slack. Sure, I can't understand what's so attractive about a bald white guy...
Um, well, okay, maybe I can understand the appeal just a little bit...
"He's dead, Kim.".
I know that! (sigh) But, what a wonderful legacy Yul Brynner left us. {Note to Self: Sew an Egyptian kilt for husband.}
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Okay, I'm back. All silliness aside, this is a great novel for Trekkies who miss their beloved characters, especially Picard, Guinan, Troi, and Janeway. There's a lot more dimension to them than I found in Star Trek novels a few years ago and a great adventure too. Now, I'm inclined to buy some of the other new ones out this year too.
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