Farewell, Sir Patrick. You gave us so much. Thank you.
Jason Marlin, technical director:
Like many Gen Xers, I grew up loving the original Star Trek series. But The Next Generation held a special place in my heart. From the moment it premiered, I was captivated by the mind-bending concepts it explored. Jean-Luc Picard quickly became one of my favorite characters. I admired his intelligence, leadership, and moral integrity. He was the quintessential Starfleet captain, and he made balding cool in a way only Michael Jordan could rival.
Years later, I discovered what would become my favorite Patrick Stewart performance: his formidable portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge on Broadway and in the 1999 adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
For me, the movie remains the definitive version of Dickens’ classic, and watching it has become a cherished family holiday tradition. During the COVID lockdowns, we eagerly tuned in to Stewart’s readings of Shakespeare, and of course, his solo multipart rendition of A Christmas Carol. A roaring fire, some warm drinks, and his perfect Shakespearean accent made everything seem right with the world.
Sir Patrick Stewart will be greatly missed in the Marlin household.
Nick Indge, senior technology reporter:
Growing up in the US, raised by Brits, there was something quietly thrilling about seeing a Yorkshireman handed the captain’s chair. Better still, it made TNG legitimate in the eyes of my parents—a classically trained Shakespearean actor wouldn’t be involved in anything unserious, surely. As I came of age in 2000, there he was again as Professor X. Of course he was. Who else could it have possibly been? Beyond the roles, though, he just seemed to be a genuinely good man, the Mr. Rogers and Weird Al tier of human being. And when the world was upside down at the height of COVID, there he was, reading me a daily sonnet.
