Jaw-Dropping Twist: LeVar Burton Resurrects Geordi's TNG Blunder in Star Trek: Picard

LeVar Burton discussed the impact of the #MeToo movement on his portrayal of Commodore Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: Picard and how it addressed a mistake from Star Trek: The Next Generation. In Picard season 3, Geordi was revealed to be the father of two daughters, Lt. Sidney La Forge and Ensign Alandra La Forge. The names of Geordi's daughters were a tribute to a moment from the finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation, which also introduced his wife, Leah. It was previously assumed that Geordi's wife was Dr. Leah Brahms, with whom he had a problematic relationship in TNG. In an interview with IndieWire, LeVar Burton and Patrick Stewart discussed the Star Trek: The Next Generation reunion and how the #MeToo movement influenced Geordi's story in season 3.

I wanted to rehabilitate Geordi's canon when it comes to relationships. The incident with Dr. Brahms, where he acted somewhat like a stalker, always bothered me. I didn't want that to define him as a character. I didn't want his legacy to be, "He was a great engineer, but he had this one #MeToo moment and faced no consequences for it." So, I requested that Geordi be portrayed as a family man with healthy relationships. Terry Matalas, the showrunner for Picard, took my request and came up with the idea of the LaForge sisters. As a parent with children who are 42 and 28 years old, I was able to bring a sense of depth, weight, and anxiety that comes with being a parent. It added gravitas to Geordi's character and felt like the right direction for him.

Star Trek: Picard Fixed Geordi's Problematic TNG Story

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Booby Trap," Geordi developed romantic feelings for a holographic replica of Dr. Leah Brahms, causing complications when the real Leah visited the Enterprise a year later. Despite Leah's initial discomfort with Geordi's affection towards her holographic counterpart, the two eventually formed a friendship and even explored the possibility of marriage in an alternate future. However, the lack of consequences surrounding their relationship made actor LeVar Burton uneasy, and introducing Leah as Geordi's wife in Star Trek: Picard would have only exacerbated the situation.

Geordi's character development in Star Trek: Picard season 3 showcases significant growth and progress. He remains happily married, displaying newfound confidence as he stands up to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard. Moreover, Geordi proves himself to be a dedicated and caring father to his children, Sidney and Alandra. Having acknowledged his past mistakes in his one-sided relationship with Leah Brahms' hologram, Geordi has shown remarkable growth as a husband, father, and friend. This approach not only addresses Geordi's TNG mistake but also leaves behind a more positive Star Trek legacy for him. Don't miss out on streaming Star Trek: Picard season 3 on Paramount+.

Source: IndieWire