Jonathan Frakes Explains Rayner’s Captain’s Chair & Picard Maneuver Moment In Star Trek: Discovery

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Warning: This Article Has SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 9 - "Lagrange Point"

Summary Commander Rayner's big moment in the Captain's chair on Star Trek: Discovery pays homage to the iconic Picard Maneuver.

Director Jonathan Frakes worked with actor Callum Keith Rennie to capture the essence of commanding a starship.

On the Breen shipt, Captain Burnham embarks on a mission to recover the Progenitors' treasure.

Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) finally sits in the Captain's chair in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9, "Lagrange Point," and director Jonathan Frakes explains that significant moment - including Rayner's Picard Maneuver. With Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) leading an infiltration mission on the Breen dreadnought to recover the Progenitors' treasure, Commander Rayner takes command of the USS Discovery. But, as Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) pointed out, Rayner avoided sitting in the Captain's chair.

Appearing on The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton, Jonathan Frakes discusses working with Callum Keith Rennie to create Commander Rayner's Captain's chair moment in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9. After all, who better than the man who played Commander William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation to guide Rennie on how his First Officer would sit in the USS Discovery's center seat. Check out Frakes' quote and watch The Ready Room episode below:

He was trying to wrap head around what it was to be on Star Trek. Because he came late to the game. Fabulous actor. And he sidebarred with me about the responsibility, the history… And he said, ‘What do you think about when I take the chair?’ And I said, “I dunno. There’s a thousand ways to go. Maybe you want to give a little Picard maneuver.’

The Picard Maneuver is when Patrick Stewart used to tug on his shirt as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Related Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Returning Cast & New Character Guide As Burnham seeks the universe's greatest treasure in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, she'll need help from a host of new and returning characters.

Source: The Ready Room

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is streaming on Paramount+