Patrick Stewart returns as Jean-Luc Picard.

The most important news of the last week is the return of Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard. But that leaves open the question of exactly what role Picard now has. It would not make sense for him to still be a captain 16 years after the events of "Nemesis" and 30 years after the start of The Next Generation. Here are some possible options. I would be happy to help CBS develop any of them, for a suitable fee!

1. Picard is now an admiral. This would be the most natural progression of his career. However, the reason why Star Trek series have always focused on a captain before is that it's hard for an admiral to be at the center of the action, or to take any serious risks. Perhaps, however, Picard could be a relatively junior admiral in command of a detached squadron in a dangerous region.

2. Following in the footsteps of Capt. Kirk, Picard has been demoted from his previously attained rank of admiral, and forced to become a mere captain again, because Star Fleet thinks this is the best use of his skills. This seems unlikely, but would have the advantage of putting Picard in command of a single starship again.

3. Picard has left Star Fleet to take command of a civilian vessel of some kind. But unless it is involved in smuggling (unlikely for the straight-laced Picard) or insurgency (even more unlikely), hard to see how this would lead to exciting plots.

4. Picard has become a politician or a diplomat. This fits the character's longstanding interest in diplomacy and could lead to some interesting plot lines. But it would be a radical break with previous Star Trek series, which always focused on Star Fleet.

5. Picard leaves the Federation entirely, and takes a position with one of the other powers. For example, given his longstanding Klingon ties, he might take a job helping Worf and Chancellor Martok reform the Klington Empire. An even more radical break with Star Trek tradition than 4. But I would be happy to see this series!