Yet, coming 16 years after his last appearance in “Star Trek Nemesis,” Picard’s return is of particular cause for joy for “Star Trek” fans like myself. Five reasons explain why.

First, Picard is an intellectual powerhouse dedicated to freedom. Put simply, Picard takes the opposite approach to those who would see speech censored in the cause of emotional shielding. In the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” scene below, for example, we see Picard stand up for the individual right of due process.

Second, Picard exemplifies unyielding duty to country, or in his case, the United Federation of Planets. In the first scene below we see Picard rebuking the arrogance of his erstwhile protege for failing to live up to his Starfleet (the exploration/military arm of the Federation) oath. In the second scene, we see Picard reminding his weapons officer that duty to the Federation comes before moral relativism.

Third, Picard is a courageous strategist and a brilliant tactician. Though there are many example to choose from, the scene below shows Picard outmaneuver an adversary plot. Even then, Picard stands ready to sacrifice his crew in order to maintain Starfleet’s deterrent credibility. Picard exemplifies military professionalism.

Fourth, Picard is a man of culture who seeks knowledge both for pleasure and for the empowerment it affords him towards becoming a better man. Below we see Picard educating a supremely powerful being to the nuances of Shakespeare.

Fifth, Stewart is that rarest of actors: he at once entertains and challenges us to think. And by his gravitas on the stage, he makes his fellow actors and actresses that much better. Stewart is also a very decent man: when he’s not acting, he’s serving a number of noble causes, such as the SnotBot whale research program with my uncle, Iain, as below!

Thanks Sir Patrick. And welcome back, Jean Luc.