What if the Star Trek universe had taken a radically different turn in the late 1990s? Imagine a TV series centered on Captain Hikaru Sulu, commanding the USS Excelsior, with a young, shaggy-haired Jean-Luc Picard as his ensign. It’s a concept that George Takei himself pitched, and it’s one that, personally, I find utterly captivating. Not just because it’s a clever crossover idea, but because it challenges our assumptions about the Star Trek timeline and character dynamics. What makes this particularly fascinating is how it reimagines the mentorship roles within Starfleet. Sulu, a seasoned captain with decades of experience, guiding a young Picard—it’s a role reversal that could have added layers of depth to both characters.
From my perspective, the brilliance of this idea lies in its ability to bridge generations of Star Trek. Sulu, a character from the Original Series, would have been a living link to the past, while Picard, the future captain of the Enterprise-D, would represent the evolving future of Starfleet. What many people don’t realize is that Sulu’s age—hovering around 90—wouldn’t have been a barrier in the 24th century. Advanced medicine in the Star Trek universe ensures that characters like Sulu could remain active, alert, and commanding well into their later years. This raises a deeper question: How often do we underestimate the potential of older characters in storytelling?
One thing that immediately stands out is Takei’s vision for the series. He wasn’t just pitching a nostalgia trip; he was proposing a narrative that could explore themes of legacy, mentorship, and the evolution of leadership. In my opinion, this is where the idea shines brightest. Sulu, known for his integrity and skill, could have served as a moral compass for a young Picard, shaping the man who would later face the Borg, the Dominion, and countless other challenges. What this really suggests is that Sulu’s influence could have been woven into the very fabric of Picard’s character, adding a new layer to his backstory.
A detail that I find especially interesting is Takei’s willingness to include younger characters, like a British-accented, shaggy-haired Picard, to appeal to a broader audience. It’s a smart move, balancing the familiarity of a beloved captain with the freshness of new faces. If you take a step back and think about it, this approach mirrors the success of Star Trek: The Next Generation, which introduced a new crew while maintaining ties to the original series. What Takei was proposing wasn’t just a Captain Sulu show—it was a blueprint for how to evolve a franchise while honoring its roots.
Of course, the series never materialized, and we’re left to wonder what could have been. But Takei did get one more chance to shine as Captain Sulu in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Flashback,” where he mentored a young Tuvok. It’s a brief but poignant moment that hints at what a full series could have achieved. Personally, I think the missed opportunity here is monumental. A Captain Sulu series could have explored uncharted corners of the Star Trek universe, delved into Sulu’s leadership style, and given us a fresh perspective on Picard’s early years.
If you ask me, the idea of a 90-year-old captain mentoring a young ensign isn’t just a fun concept—it’s a commentary on the timelessness of wisdom and experience. In a franchise that often celebrates youth and innovation, this pitch reminds us that age is not a limitation but an asset. What this really suggests is that Star Trek, at its core, is about the exchange of ideas across generations. And that’s a message that resonates far beyond the final frontier.
