Rest in Peace Patrick Stewart: 1940–2026
It speaks to life’s eccentricity that Patrick Stewart was already a respected Shakespearean actor well into his forties before, with misgivings, taking his defining role – Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the starship Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The actor, who died Thursday at age 86, would yet play other characters to acclaim – Professor X in The X-Men, Scrooge onstage, a racist skinhead in Green Room. But it was Picard that most spoke to Original-Cin’s John Kirk, literally.
By John Kirk
We just assume that our heroes are always going to live.
Of course, like the echoes of starlight in the night sky that never really fade, entertainers of Patrick Stewart’s magnitude will always shine as long as we can look up at them.
We may be finite, but Stewart’s performances as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek are not. In fact, Picard had a lot to offer on the topic of death. Here’s a list of some of his greatest lines on that subject and some of my own musings from which we can all take some comfort.
From S3E5 of Star Trek: TNG: “The Bonding:”
“It is part of our life cycle that we accept the death of those we love… You see, we are mortal. Our time in this universe is finite. That is one of the truths that all humans must learn.”
Yeah, I’m not good at that one. I’m still working on it and I’m sure others are too. But at least we aren’t alone in reflecting on that notion.
“Jeremy, on the starship Enterprise, no one is alone. No one."
In comfort to a child who lost his parents. We are fans. We can all draw comfort and learning from each other.
From S2E21 of Star Trek: TNG: “Peak Performance:”
"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life."
The problem with grief is that it often can be seen as a weakness. Death can be a harsh thing. It reminds us of how vulnerable we are but it’s the loss that is the double punch. There’s no escaping loss; it just has to be accepted. It doesn’t take away the pain though.
From S3E6 of Star Trek: Picard “The Bounty:”
"We don't honour the dead by joining them. We honour them by living."
Really, that’s all we can do. I find the way to honour the dead is to talk about them. To tell their stories and remind us all of the value that they had in our lives. As we live, their stories live with us. But it can be hard work.
From S2E7 of Star Trek: Picard “Monsters:”
“Grief is a heavy burden, but it is also a reminder of the love we shared.”
A shared burden is a less heavy one. Perhaps sharing those stories with each other is sharing the burden of loss. It can make the load lighter. It keeps the memory of our loved one alive.
From S5E24 of Star Trek: TNG: “The Next Phase:”
"The loss of a friend is always a difficult thing... but we must carry their memory forward."
And that’s the task, isn’t it? Telling their stories. Keeping their memories alive doesn’t just make them prisoners of the past but travellers into the future. The generations after us will hear those stories, and in the case of television, they will continue to see them unfold like they were new. This is the what the work is.
From S2E10 of Star Trek: Picard: “Farewell””
"We are mortal. Our time is limited. That's what makes our lives important."
A reminder of the value. In fact, the next episode’s message really drives that value home.
From S1E10 of Star Trek: Picard: “Et in Arcadia Ego:”
"Death is that which gives meaning to life... It is the price we pay for the privilege of being alive."
Sir Patrick Stewart had an enormous impact on the world of entertainment. To his fans, he was truly special. In the act of remembering him, I think I am driven to tell this story of one of my meetings with him.
I was interviewing another Star Trek favourite: Robert Picardo and my oldest daughter, who was about nine, was with me.
My daughter was a media ambassador for Sick Kids Hospital at the time. She saw media events as a normal part of an abnormal time in her life. Accompanying me to this interview was business as usual.
We were in the green room and I was concluding my interview with Picardo and none other than William Shatner walked around the corner.
Helena ignored all decorum as a media personality in her own right was wont to do. She immediately ran up to Shatner and introduced herself: “I’m… Helena… Kirk” in a mock Shatner way.
Picardo and I exchanged glances and it was his admonition “go get your kid” that prompted me to say farewell and issue thanks for a glorious conversation.
Shatner surprised us all by getting down to her level and replying: “Well, that makes you little Captain Kirk, and you need a hug from big Captain Kirk.” To which they both embraced and I stood agog at the wonder that was unfolding before me.
Being the incredible child that she was, Helena didn’t miss a media beat and informed Shatner that her dad was his biggest fan.
At that point, Shatner issued a summons and replied: “Well, let’s get Dad in here for a picture.”
I stumbled over in a simultaneous state of dumbfounded shock and joy in the wondrous love of my child at the miracle that was occurring, completely unaware at the magnitude that it was about to reach.
Shatner leaned around the corner and said: “Hey Patrick! Come and meet little Captain Kirk!”
As God as my witness, around comes Patrick Stewart (pre-Peerage), dressed in a simple military fatigue jacket, looking at my kid with a simple expression of happiness and wonder.
To which, he responded to her: “Last name couldn’t be Stewart, eh?”
We went over to the backdrop for the fan photos. I asked Patrick if I could put my hand on his arm. He looked at me like it was an insane question and replied, “Of course!”
There are other folks who were getting fan photos on that day, and they may have the same background as my kid and I, but it was a completely spontaneous moment that made our photo completely unique. Stewart’s ready acceptance of the situation, his acquiescence with Shatner and the fact that his affable humour with my kid made it a memory worth sharing and eases the sadness of his passing.
Last Stewart line:
From S3E10 of Star Trek: Picard “The Last Generation:”
"Mortality binds us together. It makes our choices meaningful. It makes our love vital."
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Ad astra ad asperum, Captain Picard.
For giving Captain and Admiral Picard the words we need for Sir Patrick Stewart to comfort us, a special thanks goes to: Ronald Moore, David Kemper, Christopher Monfette, Jane Maggs, Brannon Braga, Rene Echevarria, Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, Terry Matalas.
Continue to make it so.