The Jaw-Dropping DS9 Character Twist That Would Have Turned Star Trek & Picard Season 3 Upside Down
Discover how Ro Laren's alternate role in DS9 would have revolutionized Star Trek history and impacted the storyline of Picard Season 3 Uncover the unexpected twists and turns that could have been with Ro Laren as the representative of Picard instead of Bajor
Summary
By declining the chance to join Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Ensign Ro Laren, Michelle Forbes unknowingly transformed her character into Major Kira Nerys, thereby bringing about a substantial shift in the show's dynamic.
The presence of Ro Laren as Sisko's second-in-command would have significantly altered the pilot episode of Deep Space Nine. Given Sisko's lingering resentment towards Picard, he would have strongly opposed having Ro, who was mentored by Picard, stationed on the station.
However, Ro Laren's absence from Deep Space Nine had far-reaching consequences. It deprived the early relationship between Sisko and Kira of a vital dynamic, and consequently, the story of Bajor's journey towards Federation membership was oversimplified.
If Michelle Forbes had accepted the role of Ro Laren in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, it would have had a significant impact on the franchise's history and her subsequent role in Star Trek: Picard season 3. During the development of DS9, there was consideration to promote Ensign Ro Laren to a regular character on the show. In the show's "bible," it was revealed that Ro would have been promoted to Lieutenant after requesting a posting to DS9 following the Cardassian withdrawal from Bajor.
However, when Michelle Forbes declined the opportunity, her character was transformed into Major Kira Nerys, portrayed by Nana Visitor. Major Kira became Commander Benjamin Sisko's Number One and represented the Bajoran Militia. As a crucial representative during Bajor's transitionary period, she occasionally clashed with her superior. It was always planned for Sisko to have a strained relationship with his second-in-command, but it is intriguing to consider how different it would have been with a Bajoran Starfleet officer instead.
TNG's Ro Laren Would Represent Picard Not Bajor In Star Trek: DS9
The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine "bible" stated that Sisko would clash with Ro in the pilot due to her lackluster Starfleet record, likely influenced by the disastrous away mission to Garon II. This mission resulted in the deaths of eight crew members and Ro being sentenced to prison. Captain Jean-Luc Picard took Ro under his wing, recognizing her potential as a great Starfleet officer. Knowing this, it is difficult to envision Sisko responding positively to having Picard's protégé forced upon him in DS9's pilot. Although Ro requested to be assigned to the station, it is likely that Picard was able to ease any skepticism within Starfleet regarding her placement.
However, considering Sisko's deep resentment towards Picard, primarily due to holding him accountable for his wife's death, it is clear that he would strongly object to having Ro Laren as his second-in-command. The issue lies in the fact that, at least in the pilot episode, Ro would embody Sisko's animosity towards Picard. The success of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's pilot, "Emissary," lies in Sisko's affable and charming demeanor towards everyone except Jean-Luc, effectively signaling to the audience that this is a distinct departure from Star Trek: The Next Generation. In "Emissary," it is Kira who opposes Sisko's presence on DS9, as he represents Federation ideals that may not align with Bajor's immediate needs.
Sisko's need to prove himself to Kira and the Bajorans, instead of the initial suggestion in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine bible where Ro played that role, added depth to the story. Although Ro would later betray Picard for the Maquis, at the beginning of DS9, she lacked Kira's experience in the resistance movement. This absence deprived the early Sisko and Kira relationship of a crucial element and oversimplified Bajor's potential membership in the Federation. Despite their contrasting backgrounds and Ro's Bajoran heritage, she remained a Starfleet officer in DS9 without the formative experiences that shaped Kira Nerys, ultimately resulting in one of Star Trek's finest command partnerships.
Ro Laren Would Have Been A Star Trek: TNG Character Too Far For DS9
Star Trek: TNG's Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) seamlessly transitioned to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, offering an ideal opportunity for character development. Despite his numerous appearances in TNG, O'Brien remained somewhat undefined. His involvement in the Federation-Cardassian Border War and his marital status with Keiko (Rosalind Chao), along with their young daughter Molly (Hana Hatae), were the only details known. This enabled the writers of DS9 to explore new dimensions of O'Brien's character, leading him into the heart of Star Trek's most intense storylines.
How Ro Laren's DS9 Role Would Have Changed Star Trek: Picard
Ensign Ro's character in Star Trek: The Next Generation was more developed, despite being a recurring character. Her Bajoran heritage and her relationship with Picard defined her in episodes like "Ensign Ro" and "Rascals." However, if her transfer to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had been explicitly linked to TNG, there was a risk of overshadowing the spinoff while it was trying to establish itself independent from its parent show.
Had Ro Laren joined the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cast, her betrayal of Jean-Luc Picard for the Maquis would have never occurred. Michelle Forbes, who had initially turned down the role on DS9, seemed unlikely to return to Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, the show's final season presented a suitable storyline for the character of Ro Laren, prompting Forbes to be invited back for "Preemptive Strike." This episode's conclusion, which featured Ro's betrayal, had a significant impact on the narrative of Star Trek: Picard season 3. In this season, she reappeared on the USS Titan-A to question Admiral Picard.
The suspicion Jean-Luc has towards his former protégé in Star Trek: Picard season 3 wouldn't have any meaning without Ro's betrayal. While it's possible for a treacherous character like Commodore Oh from Picard season 1 to take Ro's place, it just wouldn't be the same. As Picard continues the story of the Dominion War from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ro's resentment towards the lack of support from USS Enterprise-E could have replaced Jean-Luc's suspicion. However, it's still challenging to imagine the emotional impact of the resolution in "Impostors" between Picard and Ro's storyline, if Lieutenant Ro Laren had been assigned to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine all those years ago.
