Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 9 - "Vox"Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 9 "Vox" saw the demise of a popular member of the USS Titan-A crew, which would fundamentally change the proposed Star Trek: Legacy spinoff. As Frontier Day celebrations begin in space above Earth, the crew of the Titan-A desperately attempt to warn the gathered fleet that they're in grave peril from the Borg/Changeling plot. However, the sinister plan goes into effect before iral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) can explain the situation to the USS Enterprise-F's commanding officer, iral Elizabeth Shelby (Elizabeth Denehy), with everyone in the fleet younger than 25 being assimilated by a new organic Borg virus.

The USS Titan-A crew is also affected, with most of the bridge crew, including Ensign Sidney La Forge (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut) succumbing to assimilation. Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick) and the rest of Picard's old crew decided to abandon ship, with a running firefight taking place on the way to an emergency shuttle. Unfortunately, not everyone made it out alive.

Captain Shaw’s Death & What It Means For Star Trek: Legacy

Captain Liam Shaw from Star Trek: Picard.

While making sure everyone boards the shuttle, Captain Shaw is fatally shot by one of the Borg drones. It's a fitting parallel to the story Shaw told about his experience with the Borg at Wolf 359, when a brave Lieutenant got him to an escape pod at the cost of her own life. In his final moments, Shaw transfers command of the USS Titan-A to Commander Seven Of Nine (Jeri Ryan), who he finally addresses by her preferred name.

Initially perceived as an abrasive Starfleet impediment in the vein of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox), the irascible Shaw proved to be a fan favorite this season, due in no small part to Stashwick's exasperated, snarky performance. Picard showrunner Terry Matalas has been promoting the idea of a spinoff called Star Trek: Legacy, ostensibly to continue the adventures of the USS Titan-A, though it's clear that would now likely be headlined by Captain Seven Of Nine, not Shaw. It's disappointing to leave Shaw's story here, but he went out like a hero.

Who Could Be In Star Trek: Legacy (If It Happens)?

Seven of Nine Titan Picard

Assuming the runaway success and popularity of Star Trek: Picard season 3 leads to Star Trek: Legacy becoming a reality, it's easy to see who would likely star in it. Seven Of Nine has more than earned the right to headline her own show, and would make sense as the USS Titan-A's new Captain. In addition to Sidney La Forge, other bridge crew like Lieutenant Matthew Arliss Mura (Joseph Lee) and Ensign Kova Rin Esmar (Jim Maley) seem like obvious additions. As for legacy characters, Jonathan Frakes has expressed enthusiastic interest in recurring as William Riker in some capacity.

And while this seems like the end of the line for Liam Shaw, we may yet see him again in some form. Matalas confirmed in interviews that Shaw would still play some role in Star Trek: Legacy, but didn't specify. Could he be resurrected by the Borg? Could he be ed into a golem like Picard and Data (Brent Spiner)? Do they find a really nice a polite version of Shaw from the Mirror Universe? Only time will tell, but hopefully Star Trek: Picard season 3 isn't the last we see of Captain Shaw.

Star Trek: Picard Season 3 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.