Michelle Forbes's Role in Star Trek: TNG Before Ro Laren
Explore Michelle Forbes's portrayal of Lwaxana Troi prior to her iconic role as Ro Laren in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Before Michelle Forbes portrayed Ensign Ro Laren in Star Trek: The Next Generation, she played a different character on the show. Ensign Ro Laren was created by Michael Piller and made her debut in TNG season 5. According to Rick Berman in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, the character of Ro was envisioned as a Starfleet officer with strength, dignity, and a troubled past.
Michelle Forbes started her career in 1987 with a role in the TV soap Guiding Light, around the same time as Star Trek: The Next Generation. She had minor roles in network shows like The Father Dowling Mysteries before landing the role of Ro Laren in TNG season 5. Although Michelle Forbes was offered a regular role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine due to the success of Ro Laren, she declined in order to pursue other acting opportunities. Despite being an early role for Forbes, Ro Laren was not her first character in Star Trek: TNG.
Michelle Forbes’ Star Trek: TNG Role Before Ro Laren
Michelle Forbes - Star Trek - Michelle Forbes’ Star Trek: TNG Role Before Ro Laren
Michelle Forbes made her first appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation as Dara in the episode "Half a Life", featuring Lwaxana Troi (played by Majel Barrett). Dara was the daughter of Doctor Timicin (played by David Ogden Stiers), Lwaxana's latest love interest. They belonged to an alien race called the Kaelon, who had a unique approach to old age. Instead of facing the challenges of aging, the Kaelons conducted a ceremony called Resolution at the age of sixty, where they celebrated their life before taking their own life in a ritual suicide.
This storyline in Star Trek served as a metaphor for how society sometimes neglects its elderly population. Despite falling in love with Lwaxana, Timicin decides to defy tradition and not go through with his Resolution ceremony. This decision forces Dara to visit the USS Enterprise-D and convince her father to adhere to their cultural customs, even though it breaks Lwaxana's heart. Michelle Forbes' outstanding performance in this pivotal scene impressed the producers of Star Trek: The Next Generation, leading them to offer her the role of Ro Laren in season 5.
Why Ro Laren Was So Popular In Star Trek: TNG
Star Trek TNG Ensign Ro Laren - Why Ro Laren Was So Popular In Star Trek: TNG
Ro Laren was a beloved character on Star Trek: The Next Generation because she was flawed, something that was rare among Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D. Her troubled past and imperfections brought a fresh dynamic to the show, which was usually filled with perfect characters. Many of Picard's crew members, especially Commander William T. Riker, were against Ro joining the Enterprise due to their strained relationship with the Bajoran.
Ro Laren's character had one of the most compelling story arcs on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Her journey culminated in a shocking betrayal in the final season episode called "Preemptive Strike," directed by Patrick Stewart. In this episode, Ro decides to take a stand against Starfleet's inadequate response to the Cardassian Occupation. This idea of a Starfleet officer questioning their own mission resonated with fans and set the stage for the Maquis storylines that played out in both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, adding personal stakes to the narrative.
Terry Matalas was inspired by Ro's betrayal and decided to bring the character back in Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 5, titled "Imposters". In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he explained that the history between Commander Laren and Admiral Picard was essential for the story he wanted to tell. Additionally, Ro's brief return in Picard helped Terry Matalas resolve the cliffhanger ending of "Preemptive Strike".
According to Terry Matalas, the relationship between Ro and Picard was important for the storyline. He believed that the only way to ensure the authenticity of a person is by going through a catharsis of past trauma within the relationship. This was the case with Ro and Picard, and Matalas expressed his eagerness to see the conclusion of their relationship.
Ro Laren Can Still Return To Star Trek
Commander Ro Laren confronts Admiral Jean-Luc Picard in Picard season 3 - Ro Laren Can Still Return To Star Trek
Commander Ro Laren's shuttle was destroyed, seemingly killing off Michelle Forbes' beloved Star Trek character. However, one scene from the Star Trek: Picard season 3 finale would have revealed that she had been captured by the Changelings prior to the shuttle exploding. In a roundtable Picard interview with Terry Matalas revealed that the scene was written but never made it in front of the cameras. This means that, if Terry Matalas' Star Trek: Legacy is commissioned, he can finally reveal that Ro Laren survived the shuttle explosion by being beamed aboard the USS Intrepid, and held in its brig.
Even if Star Trek: Legacy doesn't happen, there are ways for Michelle Forbes to return as Ro Laren elsewhere in the franchise. For example, Star Trek: Lower Decks takes place in the years after the Star Trek: The Next Generation movies ended, meaning that the Lower Deckers could bump into Ro Laren during her post-Maquis rehabilitation. There's even an outside chance that Ro Laren could appear in Star Trek: Prodigy, given that Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) has a strong track record of rehabilitating Maquis terrorists by giving them second chances. While these are fun ideas, nothing could beat the chance to see Ro Laren resurrected if Terry Matalas' Star Trek: Legacy show becomes a reality.
Editor's P/S:
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Michelle Forbes' roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, including her portrayal of both Dara and Ensign Ro Laren. It explores the significance of her characters, particularly Ro Laren, and her impact on the franchise. The article also discusses the possibility of Ro Laren's return in future Star Trek projects.
The article highlights the uniqueness and popularity of Ro Laren as a character. Her flaws and complex backstory added depth and realism to the show, making her relatable despite being surrounded by the often idealized characters of the Enterprise-D. The article also emphasizes the importance of Ro Laren's betrayal in "Preemptive Strike" and its influence on subsequent storylines in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. Overall, the article provides an engaging and informative analysis of Michelle Forbes' contributions to Star Trek: The Next Generation and her enduring legacy in the franchise.
