In the year since Patrick Stewart and CBS announced the launch of a new Star Trek series centered on the character of Jean-Luc Picard, excitement has run rampant throughout the Star Trek fandom. There is little doubt that Star Trek: Picard is likely the most anticipated Trek spin-off in the history of the fifty-three-year-old franchise.

While three trailers have been released to date, very little is actually known about the plot of the series. As former Star Trek: The Next Generation co-star Marina Sirtis — who will reprise her role as Deanna Troi for a single episode appearance — jokingly told Graham Norton during a BBC radio interview,

“It’s [Star Trek: Picard] being guarded better than Trump is guarding the nuclear codes right now.”

From the trailers and the small bits of information revealed by producers and cast, the series is set roughly twenty years after Star Trek: Nemesis — the last film to feature the cast of The Next Generation. Picard has retired from Starfleet and the Romulans — whose homeworld of Romulus was destroyed in the 2009 Star Trek film reboot — and the Borg will be featured in some capacity.

It has also been confirmed that in addition to Sirtis, several other Star Trek alumni will reprise their roles. Brent Spiner (Data), Jeri Ryan (7 of 9), Jonathan Frakes (William Riker), and Jonathan Del Arco (Hugh) are returning but are not main characters. There are also rumors that other Trek notables could appear but CBS and Trek producers may be holding back on revealing anything that might give away aspects of the plot. Indeed, in recent weeks whispers of appearances by Michael Dorn (Worf) — though this has been denied by CBS — and John De Lancie (Q) have made rounds on the internet.

Despite limited information, Star Trek fans are attempting to put the pieces together and hypothesize what the main plot of the series will be. Here are six theories as to what is happening in Star Trek: Picard.

Picard’s rescue mission was not authorized

The initial teaser for Star Trek: Picard states that fifteen years prior to the start of the series, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard led the largest rescue armada in Starfleet history. Nothing is known about who Picard was rescuing, but fans have theorized it has to do with the destruction of Romulus as depicted in 2009’s Star Trek.

According to the official Star Trek: Picard exhibit on display at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, the rescue armada was launched in 2384, three years before the canonically established date of 2387 for the destruction of the Romulan homeworld. This raises the possibility the rescue mission may not have had to do with the Romulans but is something entirely different.

The latest trailer has newcomer Michelle Hurd (Raffi) referring to a “top-secret, unauthorized rescue mission.” This may be a reference to the armada of 2384. If this is the case, it means Picard’s armada would have gone against Starfleet orders. Each trailer hints that Picard is haunted by the events of this mission suggesting there could have been serious personal and professional repercussions.

An attack against the Federation

Regardless of whether Picard’s rescue mission was authorized or not, something devastating seems to have resulted from it. Indeed, according to the timeline outlined at the Picard exhibit, Jean-Luc retires from Starfleet the following year and returns to his family vineyard in France.

The third Picard trailer shows what appears to be an attack on a Federation Starbase. It is possible that the result of the rescue mission was a direct attack upon Starfleet which resulted in heavy casualties. The implications of this attack and the loss of life may be the catalyst that propels Picard to leave Starfleet — an organization he has devoted his life to — and retire into a secluded life.

Romulans are experimenting on Borg technology

Recent Picard trailers both show a heavily damaged Borg cube, and Romulans experimenting on Borg drones. There is also footage of Romulan soldiers occupying some kind of facility that contains an ominous sign saying: “This facility has gone 5843 days without an assimilation.” 5843 days is just over fifteen years linking it to the time of Picard’s rescue mission. This opens the possibility that the rescue mission has to do with a Borg incursion rather than the destruction of Romulus. Somehow events conspire that allow the Romulans to take control of the cube.

Given his background with the Borg, Picard would seem the best choice to lead an armada with the mission to stop a Borg invasion. With the Romulans using Borg technology, they would pose a serious security risk and could be the reason Starfleet appears reluctant to help Picard.

Starfleet is an antagonist

The trailers suggest that Picard goes rogue in the new series. He is seen turning to Starfleet after his encounter with a mysterious young woman who asks for his help. From the latest trailer, it is clear that Starfleet is unwilling to help him after he is told by an admiral to “go home.”

If Picard’s rescue mission was unauthorized and resulted in a retaliatory attack against Starfleet, this has likely damaged his reputation within the organization. As such, Starfleet may now have an antagonistic relationship with Jean-Luc. This leaves Picard with no recourse but to undertake his mission without any resources from Starfleet.

Picard’s former shipmates have all retired

Based on their shared history, it’s a given that Picard’s old Enterprise shipmates would come to their former Captain’s aid when needed. Except for cameos, none of the Next Generation characters make significant appearances. This has lead to the theory that the surviving Enterprise crew — Riker, Troi, Dr. Crusher, LaForge and Worf — have all left Starfleet.

The latest trailer shows Riker and Troi living in a house with their daughter. Jonathan Frakes (Riker) has confirmed that both characters are no longer active Starfleet officers. This gives credence to the suggestion that all of Picard’s former colleagues have retired leaving him with no allies or resources within the fleet.

Dr. Crusher is dead

Throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation, Picard and Dr. Crusher’s relationship had romantic undertones. The two characters were depicted as long-time best friends who had cared for each other most of their adult lives. In the series finale, Crusher and Picard were depicted as having been married and later divorced in an alternate timeline. Since the final movie, fans have been keen on the idea that Crusher and Picard would have eventually settled down together.

Given the nature of their friendship, many fans believe it is highly unlikely Crusher and Picard would have lost touch. Gates McFadden — who played Dr. Crusher for six seasons and four movies — has claimed she has not been asked to reprise her role. This has led to the theory that at some point following the events of Nemesis, Dr. Crusher died. Some have suggested her possible death could be linked to Picard’s rescue armada.

While it’s questionable if the producers would make such a bold move and kill off a regular character from the old television series, Crusher’s possible death would give the series a strong emotional undertone and further explain Picard’s reclusive life.