Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Suddenly Human (1990)

Patrick Stewart: Captain Jean-Luc Picard

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Quotes 

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Ever since I was a child, I've always known exactly what I wanted to do: be a member of Starfleet. Nothing else mattered to me. Virtually my entire youth was spent in the pursuit of that goal. In fact... I probably skipped my childhood altogether.

• Counselor Deanna Troi : You know, Captain - almost no one is born being a good parent. Most people just have to muddle through and do the best that they can.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Are you saying that's what I'm gonna have to do?

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Yes. And you might be surprised at just how good you can be.

• [Jono has attempted to kill Picard] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : What I want to know is why? You seemed so happy just a few hours ago.

  Jono : I was. But then I thought about my father. I felt I had betrayed him. I'd be throwing away all that he'd given me, all that I'd learned from him. My home. Running along the river. Playing in the games. Sharing victory with my brothers. All the things that are part of my life. As I grew closer and closer... to you... I knew that meant leaving more and more of that life behind. Forgive me, Captain; but I could not allow myself to do that.

• [Endar has implied a retaliatory strike, should Picard refuse to return Jono to him] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Are you saying that you're willing to go to war over this boy?

  Captain Endar : Would you not, for your only son?

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : There was a crime committed on board this ship, but it was not Jono's; it was mine. When we found Jono, it seemed so clear what had to be done. We knew that if we could only... persuade him to make the decision to stay, then you would most likely let him. So with the best of intentions, we tried to convince him. And in so doing... we thoroughly failed to listen to *his* feelings, to his needs. That was the crime. And it has... taken a huge toll on a strong and a very... noble young man. And it must be rectified. He will return home - to the only home he's ever known. And to the father that he loves. To you, Endar.

• Jono : [about his quarters]  I don't like this place.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : We could find some other quarters.

  Jono : I've always lived with my Captain.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Ah... Yes, well, that wouldn't work here.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : The lines are being drawn. All this for a chosen son.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I'm not cringing, I'm just acknowledging my limitations.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : You're probably not aware of this, but I've never been particularly comfortable around children.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Really.