On the Passing of Patrick Stewart

It hit me harder than I thought it would. When I heard, today, that actor Sir Patrick Stewart had died, I teared up. And I immediately thought about how I knew him best – as Captain Jean Luc Picard on the TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” I don't remember hardly anything from when I was six years old, but I do remember vividly watching episodes of the first season of ST:TNG and the awe and wonder I felt. Since that time Picard, and Stewart through much of his other work, have accompanied me throughout the ensuing 39 years of my life until today. So many of my favorite Star Trek moments across any of the various series and films include Picard. I enjoyed him as Professor Xavier in the X-Men and Marvel films, too, and in many of his other roles in his storied and prolific career. But one of my favorite roles of his that I think is overlooked and underrated is his portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge in a TNT made-for-TV production of “A Christmas Carol” based on the beloved story by…