{
  "id": 17319437,
  "title": "Being like Jean-Luc Picard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/being-like-jean-luc-picard",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T01:32:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/being-like-jean-luc-picard-10944150/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On February 13, 1989, a time before artificial intelligence became reality and the future was still a potential utopia, Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the show Star Trek: The Next Generation taught people what it truly means to be human. In the ninth episode of the second season, \"The Measure of a Man,\" Patrick Stewart's portrayal of Picard elevated a mainstream character on a popular TV show to literary and artistic greatness. Throughout his career, Stewart transformed iconic roles such as King Lear and Professor Charles Xavier into literary masterpieces. It was the character of Picard that best encapsulated his essence. For every role he played, from the Shakespearean king to Professor Xavier, it was Picard that truly defined his talent. In all the characters he portrayed, it was Picard who emerged as the standout. When it came to defending his friend and colleague, Commander Data, in a trial to determine whether Data was property or a person, Stewart's performance was both intellectual and moral. Unlike other male icons who often relied on bluster and loud proclamations, Picard delivered a passionate defense rooted in empathy and reason. In today's world, there seems to be a crisis of masculinity, with entitlement and insecurity leading to aggression and anger being seen as virtues. At such a time, Stewart's performance holds great significance, especially for those who view themselves as inventors of a changing world through destruction. More than any mixed martial arts star or rude podcaster, Picard can teach people what a good man looks like.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Captain Jean-Luc Picard taught humanity what it means to be human.",
    "Patrick Stewart's portrayal of Picard elevated him to literary greatness.",
    "Picard's defense of Data emphasized empathy and reason over aggression."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}