The Old Warrior

Make it So Again

There are certain story templates that we see played out over and over throughout the years, decades and centuries.

One of my favorites is the one where the Old Warrior or the Old Master is called out of retirement to rejoin the fight for one last mission. It worked in Unforgiven, and in Logan (both fantastic) and many many other times. It's sometimes a smaller element in a larger story, and I always love it.

It runs across not just action adventure stories, but dramas like the Verdict with the retired lawyer, Crime stories with the retired criminal or cop coming back, and Sports stories with the old player or coach returning to the field.

Rocky Balboa has done this multiple times now. Ditto Jack Bauer a couple times. Among many, many others.

In any case, my brother sent me the trailer for the upcoming Star Trek Picard series, and I absolutely loved it. Can't stop thinking about it.

And the story appears to be very much in the "Logan" mold, with Patrick Stewart (who was in Logan, funnily enough), called back into the fray when a mysterious, unusual young woman comes into his life and seems to know him.

I'm on board with this now that this trailer has come out (if my love for Picard wasn't enough, this trailer pushed the exact right buttons with the surprise appearance of a couple characters. It's now a must see for me. I hope it's great!

So, I love the Old Warrior story - and how amazing it is when it's an Old Warrior we actually SAW in their heyday! How incredible an opportunity is that?

It might be my favorite story template of all. I always respond to it for some reason.



I know, Sir. I know. This is what I hoped for in your last movie, too. But we have to get over it and move on!

Do you like this template? What's your favorite "Old Soldier" story or character?

Is there a type of story template that always works for you?