Picard was born in La Barre, France, a few hundred years after Patrick Stewart, in 2305. He longed to join Starfleet, but his first attempt to do so was a disaster — he flunked the Academy entrance exam. Fortunately, that didn't spell the end of his career choice. Picard was later admitted, and after graduation, he served as first officer aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer. Picard then served at the ship's helm for 22 years.

Picard lends his authoritative demeanor to the U.S.S. Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though his mission is to explore, he is tested physically, intellectually and emotionally. Perhaps his most extraordinary adventure was his assimilation by and rescue from the Borg. The experience left a deep and maybe even irreconcilable mental scar.

He puts his ship and crew above all else. But Picard does find time for the occasional affair. The most notable was his relationship with Dr. Beverly Crusher. Picard had harbored an unrequited love for Dr. Crusher since his time at the Academy. Some aliens at one point implanted telepathic connectors in the pair, and their mutual hidden attraction became obvious. Eventually, Picard married Crusher only to split in an alternate future.