Star Trek The Next Generation
S1E24
· We'll Always Have Paris

Picard’s Lingering Hope at the Paris Table

In the recreated Paris holodeck, Captain Picard observes two vibrant young French women whose youthful energy stirs poignant memories of his own lost love, Laura. Sharing an intimate conversation with Edouard and the hopeful Gabrielle, Picard reveals a clandestine rendezvous once planned at this very table, confessing his enduring emotional attachment and the bittersweet tension between past and present. Gabrielle’s metaphorical reflection on love and choice mirrors Picard’s internal conflict, deepening his sense of longing amid the looming external crisis. The scene subtly juxtaposes youthful optimism with Picard's nostalgic yearning, enriching his character’s emotional complexity and setting a quietly powerful emotional undercurrent for the unfolding narrative.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Picard notices two lively young French girls nearby, sparking memories of youth and love, as he quietly appreciates their presence while a waiter interrupts with a menu.

nostalgia to gentle interruption ['Paris cafe, 22 years ago, outside …

Picard confides to Edouard that he once awaited a rendezvous at this very table with a young woman, though he’s uncertain if she ever arrived, revealing his lingering hope.

wistfulness to subtle hope ['Paris cafe, 22 years ago']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain
 primary

Melancholic longing clouded by wistful hope; emotionally guarded yet yearning for connection.

Picard sits contemplatively observing two young women, engaging in a tender, revealing conversation with Edouard and Gabrielle. He expresses nostalgic reminiscence, emotional longing, and deep internal conflict, sharing a personal story of a lost love and offering compassionate counsel to Gabrielle.

Goals in this moment
  • • To connect empathetically with Gabrielle and offer guidance regarding love and life choices.
  • • To reconcile his lingering emotions about his lost love Laura through symbolic presence in the holodeck.
Active beliefs
  • • True love carries enduring emotional weight and memory.
  • • Individuals must pursue their authentic selves, especially in matters of love and duty.
Character traits
nostalgic tender contemplative empathetic melancholic
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey
Edouard
primary

Calm and assuring, operating as a gentle anchor in the scene’s emotional currents.

Edouard attentively serves Picard and Gabrielle, offering a menu, wine, and a cheese and meat tray with warm hospitality. He senses Picard’s emotional state and provides a subtle, knowing encouragement, facilitating the emotional atmosphere and helping to bridge Picard’s inner reverie.

Goals in this moment
  • • To provide comfort and hospitality that allows Picard to engage in his emotional reflection.
  • • To subtly encourage Picard toward emotional openness through thoughtful gestures.
Active beliefs
  • • Hospitality can soothe emotional wounds.
  • • Nonverbal support is often more powerful than explicit conversation.
Character traits
supportive attentive discreet perceptive warm
Follow Edouard's journey
Francine
primary

Frustrated and disengaged, unwilling to tolerate sentimental dialogue.

Francine sits with Gabrielle briefly but abruptly leaves the table after throwing money down dismissively, signaling frustration and impatience with the ongoing conversation about Picard and emotional preoccupations.

Goals in this moment
  • • To detach from emotional discussions she finds unproductive or uncomfortable.
  • • To assert control over her immediate environment by exiting the scene swiftly.
Active beliefs
  • • Emotional dwelling on the past is futile.
  • • Practicality and moving on are preferable to dwelling on feelings.
Character traits
impatient dismissive restless pragmatic
Follow Francine's journey
Gabrielle
primary

Tender hopefulness mingled with anxiety and growing emotional strength.

Gabrielle engages Picard in an emotionally vulnerable and hopeful conversation about her lover’s military service and their future plans. She shows tearful gratitude toward Picard’s counsel, gaining confidence as she moves closer to him, embodying youthful optimism and emotional openness.

Goals in this moment
  • • To seek reassurance about her lover’s return and their future together.
  • • To understand and connect with Picard’s insights on love and personal authenticity.
Active beliefs
  • • Love requires faith and patience.
  • • Guidance from experienced individuals can illuminate difficult emotional choices.
Character traits
hopeful emotional vulnerable grateful confident
Follow Gabrielle's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

3
Tray of Cheeses and Meats

A tray of assorted cheeses and cured meats is delivered by Edouard to Picard, reinforcing the authentic Parisian café experience and serving as a symbolic gesture of warmth and comfort amid the emotional exchange.

Before: Prepared in the holodeck kitchen, ready for delivery.
After: Set on Picard's table as part of the …
Before: Prepared in the holodeck kitchen, ready for delivery.
After: Set on Picard's table as part of the ongoing scene.
Holodeck Paris Café Menu

The delicately crafted menu is presented by Edouard to Picard, symbolizing hospitality and acting as a tangible cue that interrupts Picard's reverie, while also anchoring the café illusion and setting the intimate conversational tone.

Before: Resting on the café table, awaiting presentation to …
After: Taken back by Edouard after Picard declines to …
Before: Resting on the café table, awaiting presentation to Picard.
After: Taken back by Edouard after Picard declines to order, remaining on the table.
Glass of Deep Red Wine at Paris Holodeck Table

Edouard pours a glass of deep red Bordeaux wine for Picard and later for Gabrielle, the wine acting as a symbol of passion and connection, bridging characters' vulnerabilities and underscoring the scene's emotional intimacy.

Before: Wine bottle held by Edouard, unopened or recently …
After: Glasses filled and placed on the café table, …
Before: Wine bottle held by Edouard, unopened or recently opened.
After: Glasses filled and placed on the café table, held by Picard and Gabrielle respectively.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
City of Lights

The holodeck's Paris café setting serves as an evocative, intimate backdrop where Picard’s nostalgic recollections and the hopeful interactions with Gabrielle unfold. It creates a sensory-rich environment blending light, sound, and authentic props to evoke memory and longing, contrasting youthful energy with Picard's seasoned melancholy.

Atmosphere Quietly intimate with wistful nostalgia, layered with underlying tension between hope and loss.
Function Sanctuary for private reflection, a stage for emotional exchange and subtle character revelation.
Symbolism Embodies Picard's internal struggle between past love and present reality, symbolizing memory and unfulfilled longing.
Access Open to holodeck users, with no explicit restrictions during the event.
Soft, warm lighting mimics afternoon sun over Paris. Ambient sounds of a Parisian street café, including distant chatter and gentle breeze. Presence of authentic French café props like menu, wine glasses, cheese tray.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 6
Character Continuity

"Picard explicitly naming Laura reaffirms her central role in Picard's emotional arc and the story's thematic focus on lost love and destiny."

Echoes of Love and Hope in the Paris Holodeck
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Character Continuity

"Picard explicitly naming Laura reaffirms her central role in Picard's emotional arc and the story's thematic focus on lost love and destiny."

Picard’s Reverie in Paris: Naming Laura and the Weight of Lost Love
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Emotional Echo medium

"Picard's observation of the young girls in the holodeck Paris scene triggers his vivid recollection of Laura, underscoring the persistence of memory and longing."

Echoes of Love and Hope in the Paris Holodeck
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Emotional Echo medium

"Picard's observation of the young girls in the holodeck Paris scene triggers his vivid recollection of Laura, underscoring the persistence of memory and longing."

Picard’s Reverie in Paris: Naming Laura and the Weight of Lost Love
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Thematic Parallel medium

"The conversation with Gabrielle about love's challenges parallels Picard's own experience with Laura, exploring themes of identity, love's demands, and sacrifice."

Echoes of Love and Hope in the Paris Holodeck
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Thematic Parallel medium

"The conversation with Gabrielle about love's challenges parallels Picard's own experience with Laura, exploring themes of identity, love's demands, and sacrifice."

Picard’s Reverie in Paris: Naming Laura and the Weight of Lost Love
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
What this causes 6
Character Continuity

"Picard explicitly naming Laura reaffirms her central role in Picard's emotional arc and the story's thematic focus on lost love and destiny."

Echoes of Love and Hope in the Paris Holodeck
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Character Continuity

"Picard explicitly naming Laura reaffirms her central role in Picard's emotional arc and the story's thematic focus on lost love and destiny."

Picard’s Reverie in Paris: Naming Laura and the Weight of Lost Love
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Emotional Echo medium

"Picard's observation of the young girls in the holodeck Paris scene triggers his vivid recollection of Laura, underscoring the persistence of memory and longing."

Echoes of Love and Hope in the Paris Holodeck
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Emotional Echo medium

"Picard's observation of the young girls in the holodeck Paris scene triggers his vivid recollection of Laura, underscoring the persistence of memory and longing."

Picard’s Reverie in Paris: Naming Laura and the Weight of Lost Love
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Thematic Parallel medium

"The conversation with Gabrielle about love's challenges parallels Picard's own experience with Laura, exploring themes of identity, love's demands, and sacrifice."

Echoes of Love and Hope in the Paris Holodeck
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Thematic Parallel medium

"The conversation with Gabrielle about love's challenges parallels Picard's own experience with Laura, exploring themes of identity, love's demands, and sacrifice."

Picard’s Reverie in Paris: Naming Laura and the Weight of Lost Love
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris

Key Dialogue

"EDOUARD: Some wine, some cheese, a perfect tarte tatin..."
"PICARD: Perhaps not. It was many years ago, I had a rendezvous -- I was to meet someone, a young woman, here, at this very table."
"GABRIELLE: He will come. He will."
"PICARD: Yes, I'm sure he will."
"GABRIELLE: You're an important Starfleet officer -- what would you advise my lover to do -- go off and explore the galaxy or stay here and explore something which has no boundaries -- love?"
"PICARD: I would tell him that he must be the person he is meant to be... and that you deserve nothing less than that."
"GABRIELLE: Do I remind you of the girl you left behind?"
"PICARD: No. Yes, you do. It's hard to say, it has been many years."
"PICARD: Not a single detail. I can see every inch of her to this day and being here -- I can feel the softness of her in the breeze, smell the fragrance of her in the flowers. I have not forgotten."
"PICARD: Laura."