Despite only appearing in nine total episodes of Star Trek between Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard, Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren remains one of the franchise’s most popular secondary characters. In 1987, TNG introduced the world to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D. TNG not only ushered in a golden era of Star Trek, but also introduced some of the franchise’s most enduring and beloved characters. Almost all of TNG’s main cast members became Star Trek greats, but the show also introduced some pretty phenomenal secondary characters.

One of these characters was Michelle Forbes’ Ensign Ro Laren, who joined the crew of the Enterprise-D in the aptly titled “Ensign Ro,” the third episode of season 5. With her complicated past and tumultuous relationship with Starfleet, Ro was unlike any of the other officers serving on Picard’s Enterprise. Prior to joining Picard’s crew, Ro had been court-martialed and demoted after she disobeyed direct orders on an away mission, resulting in the deaths of eight Starfleet officers. Ro got a second chance on the Enterprise and she appeared in eight episodes throughout TNG’s final three seasons.

Michelle Forbes Played Ro Laren In Star Trek: The Next Generation

Ro Laren Was The First Bajoran Seen On Screen

When Star Trek: The Next Generation began, Gene Roddenberry implemented a rule that there would be no interpersonal conflict among the Enterprise crew. Ensign Ro was brought in to disrupt this status quo and the character quickly became a success. Ro appeared in some of TNG season 5’s most memorable episodes, and Michelle Forbes truly made the character her own. She played well against TNG’s main characters, and Captain Picard even took her under his wing, believing that she had the potential to be a great Starfleet officer.

After appearing briefly as Dara in
TNG
season 4, episode 22, “Half a Life,”
TNG’s
production staff was so impressed by Michelle Forbes’ performance that they cast her as Ro the following season.

Michelle Forbes began acting in 1987 when she landed the role of Sonni Carrera Lewis (and later Solita Carrera) on the soap opera Guiding Light. In between her appearances as Ro, Michelle Forbes starred in 1993’s Kalifornia and in 1994’s Swimming with Sharks. Forbes had an 18-episode stint on 24 as Lynne Kresge and portrayed Admiral Helena Cain in Ronald D. Moore’s Battlestar Galactica. She has also had significant roles in True Blood, The Killing, Chicago Fire, Berlin Station, and New Amsterdam. However, for Star Trek fans, her performance as Ro is easily her most enduring legacy.

What Happened To Ro Laren In Star Trek?

Ro Laren Almost Became A Main Character On Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Ro Laren’s last appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation came in the show’s penultimate episode when she defected from Starfleet to join a group of resistance fighters known as the Maquis. In TNG season 7, episode 24, “Preemptive Strike,” Ro was assigned to infiltrate the Maquis, and she became sympathetic to their cause, saying: “It’s been a long time since I really felt like I belonged somewhere.” Captain Picard was particularly heartbroken by Ro’s decision, as he had placed his faith in her and vouched for her with Starfleet.

Incorporating elements from both Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, “Preemptive Strike” was partially meant to boost interest in those shows. Lt. Ro herself was originally meant to be the first officer on Deep Space Nine, but Michelle Forbes turned down the role to pursue a film career. The character was later adapted to become Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor). TNG’s “Preemptive Strike” remained the last viewers saw of Ro Laren until her return many years later in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

Ro Laren’s Star Trek: Picard Comeback Explained

Picard & Ro Reunited For The First Time In Over 30 Years

Star Trek: Picard season 3 saw the return of the Enterprise-D bridge crew, as well as several other legacy characters, including Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren. After spending some time with the Maquis, Ro Laren eventually turned herself in to Starfleet. Because of her experience with rebel groups and terrorist organizations, Starfleet Intelligence recruited Ro and put her through a rehabilitation program. By 2401, she had achieved the rank of commander and was investigating a Changeling infiltration of Starfleet. After Admiral Picard and Captain William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) commandeered the USS Titan-A, Ro came aboard to inform Picard that Starfleet had been compromised.

Picard finally confronted Ro about her betrayal in TNG’s “Preemptive Strike,” and Ro apologized for hurting Picard while still defending her decision. When Ro’s security team betrayed her, she gave the Titan time to escape by sacrificing herself in a shuttle suicide run. Before departing the Titan, Ro had given Picard her Bajoran earring, which contained the files from her investigation and a hidden communicator. Picard was greatly affected by Ro’s death, lamenting all the time together that they missed out on.

Why Ro Laren Is A Popular Star Trek Character

Michelle Forbes’ Performance Has A Lot To Do With Ro’s Popularity

Although Ro Laren has only appeared in nine episodes of Star Trek, she remains one of the franchise’s most memorable secondary characters. A complex character wonderfully portrayed by Michelle Forbes, Ro has been popular among fans since her introduction on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She shook up the dynamic of TNG, something that was needed by the show’s fifth season. Ro was bolder and more reckless than any of TNG’s other female characters, and her presence helped even out the often male-dominated series. Ro also had an interesting dynamic with Picard and the captain’s faith in her likely helped endear her to fans.

Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren remains one of
Star Trek’s
best secondary characters, even 30 years after her debut on
Star Trek: The Next Generation.

While TNG’s main characters could sometimes seem too perfect, Ro was a flawed character who still tried to do what she thought was right. Ro had some great moments with Picard, but also with Commander Riker and Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton). She made a perfect addition to the cast precisely because she was so different, and her presence helped add more depth to the characters around her. Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren remains one of Star Trek’s best secondary characters, even 30 years after her debut on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

• 

  Release Date

  September 28, 1987

  Seasons

  7

  Showrunner

  Gene Roddenberry

• 

  Cast

  Santiago Cabrera , Alison Pill , Orla Brady , Michelle Hurd , Jeri Ryan , Brent Spiner , Harry Treadaway , Rebecca Wisocky , Evan Evagora , Isa Briones , Patrick Stewart

  Release Date

  January 23, 2020

  Seasons

  3

  Showrunner

  Michael Chabon