Summary
- Ensign Jack Crusher takes the third bridge chair on the Enterprise-G, redefining the command trio arrangement and emphasizing emotional concerns in decision-making.
- Jack Crusher's role as Special Counselor to the Captain brings unique insight and out-of-the-box solutions due to his civilian background and Borg-related trauma.
- Jack Crusher's new role does not replace the ship's counselor, highlighting the importance of mental health support for Starfleet crews and the continued presence of counselors on starships.
Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) will redefine a major Star Trek: The Next Generation innovation if Star Trek: Picard's proposed spinoff, Star Trek: Legacy, happens. In Picard season 3's finale, "The Last Generation", Jack takes the third bridge chair beside Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) on the USS Enterprise-G, just as Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) did on the Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation as the ship's Counselor.
As a spiritual successor to Star Trek: The Next Generation, it makes sense for Star Trek: Legacy to have a similar arrangement for its bridge officers, especially when Jack Crusher is such a significant character. The command trio TNG invented is effective not just in giving most of the main cast a visible place on the bridge, but in emphasizing the importance of emotional concerns and alternate perspectives in making command decisions. With her chair placed at Captain Picard's side, Counselor Troi's insights on others' feelings and motivations have the same weight as Riker's tactical and procedural advice as First Officer.
