Despite only appearing in nine episodes in total, Star Trek between Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard, Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren remains one of the franchise’s most popular supporting 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 age of Star Trek, but it also introduced some of the franchise’s most enduring and beloved characters. Almost all TNG’s main cast members became Star Trek great, but the show also introduced some pretty phenomenal side characters.
One of those 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 his complicated past and tumultuous relationship with Starfleet, Ro was unlike any other officer serving on Picard’s Enterprise. Before joining Picard’s crew, Ro was court-martialed and demoted after disobeying direct orders on an outside mission, resulting in the deaths of eight Starfleet officers. Ro got a second chance on Enterprise and appeared in eight episodes over the course of TNG’s last 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 crew of the Enterprise. Ensign Ro was brought in to disrupt this status quo and the character quickly became a hit. Ro appeared in some TNG the most memorable episodes of season 5, and Michelle Forbes really made the character her own. She played well against TNG’s main characters, and Captain Picard even took her under his wing, believing she had the potential to be a great Starfleet officer.
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. Among his appearances as Ro Michelle Forbes starred in 1993 California and in 1994 Swimming with Sharks. Forbes had an 18-episode season 24 as Lynne Kresge and played Admiral Helena Cain in Ronald D. Moore’s film Battlestar Galactica. She also had significant roles in True Blood, The Killing, Chicago Fire, Berlin Station, and New Amsterdam. However, for Star Trek fans, his performance as Ro is easily his most lasting legacy.
What happened to Ro Laren in Star Trek?
Ro Laren almost became a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Ro Laren’s last appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation came in the penultimate episode of the program 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 was 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 of both Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, “Preemptive Strike” was partially designed to increase interest in these programs. Lieutenant Ro herself was originally intended to be Deep Space Nine’s first female officer, but Michelle Forbes turned down the role to pursue a career in film. The character was later adapted to become Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor). TNG’s “Preemptive Strike” was the last viewers saw of Ro Laren until his return many years later in Star Trek: Picard season 3.
Ro Laren’s Star Trek: Return of Picard Explained
Picard and Ro reunited for the first time in over 30 years
Star Trek: Picard season three 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 finally surrendered to Starfleet. Because of her experience with rebel groups and terrorist organizations, Starfleet Intelligence recruited Ro and put her through a rehabilitation program. In 2401, she 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 Attack” 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 suicide run. Before departing the Titan, Ro gave Picard his Bajoran earring, which contained his investigation files and a hidden communicator. Picard was greatly affected by Ro’s death, mourning all the time together that they missed.
Why Ro Laren is a popular Star Trek character
Michelle Forbes’ performance has a lot to do with Ro’s popularity
Although Ro Laren only appeared in nine episodes of Star Trek, she remains one of the franchise’s most memorable supporting characters. A complex character wonderfully played by Michelle Forbes, Ro has been popular with fans since her introduction in Star Trek: The Next Generation. She shook up the dynamics of TNG, something that was necessary for the show’s fifth season. Ro was more daring and reckless than any of the TNG’s other female characters, and her presence helped balance 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.
Ro Laren, by Michelle Forbes, remains one of the Star Trek best secondary characters, even 30 years after their debut in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
While TNG’s the main characters can 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 Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton). She was a perfect addition to the cast precisely because she was so different, and her presence helped add more depth to the characters around her. Ro Laren, by Michelle Forbes, remains one of the Star Trek best secondary characters, even 30 years after their debut in Star Trek: The Next Generation.