In the series' opening sequence, Picard is playing poker with Data as "Blue Skies" plays in the background. We soon learn that the scene is, in fact, a dream and that Picard is still haunted by the death of Data. In one particularly heartbreaking moment, Data calls Picard out for stalling and Picard responds by admitting "I don't want the game to end."

One of the most heartwarming additions to Star Trek: Picard is Jean-Luc's adopted pit bull, whom he names Number One in a nod to his loyal first officer from The Next Generation.

Zhaban and Laris are both Romulan refugees. As former agents of the Tal Shiar, they are able to provide insights into how the Romulans' most secretive and sinister operatives really work, guiding Jean-Luc as he uncovers the mystery of the Zhat Vash.

After assuring Picard that he'll get no questions about his "separation" from Starfleet, Zhaban advises him to "Be the captain they remember."

A group of rogue synthetic lifeforms attacked Mars, killing almost 100,000 people and destroying the rescue fleet. Not only did this lead to a ban on artificial life, but Starfleet called off the Romulan rescue efforts. Picard vehemently disagreed with both points and resigned his commission in protest.

It turns out Data painted Dahj's face two decades earlier on a painting called "Daughter."

While Picard is immediately sympathetic to Dahj's struggle, his commitment to helping her solidifies when he realizes that she may be related to Data. Unfortunately, Romulan attackers manage to kill her before he can find any answers.

Hugh, formerly Third of Five, was a former Borg drone who was rescued by the USS Enterprise-D in 2368. By 2399 he has come to serve a prominent position as a part of the Borg Artifact Research Institute, identifying as an xB like those aboard the Artifact.

While working at the Romulan Reclamation Site, Soji meets Narek and quickly falls for him, unaware that he is part of a clandestine operation to obtain information on the whereabouts of biological androids like Soji and her sister.

Captain Cristóbal Rios maintains the La Sirena to Starfleet standards, despite the fact that he left the service years earlier after the death of his captain.