Dennis Crosby's friend Tasha Yar was a part of that Star Trek: The Next Generation Cast from the beginning, but I hate the way the show handled her story. Tasha Yar served as the Chief of Security on the USS Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), but She doesn't get much to do during these TNGs first season. A few early episodes fill in elements about Yar's backstory, but it never really goes anywhere. Not only was Yar's backstory incredibly dark and traumatic, but it was even worse considering Tasha's ultimate fate.
Dennis Crosby is gone Star Trek: The Next Generation Because she felt that she had too little to do as Lt. Tasha Yar. Still TNGThe first episodes, Year was largely regulated to the background While characters like the Android Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) received more spotlight. Crosby left earlier TNG Season 1 ended and Tasha Yar was killed off in TNG Season 1, Episode 23, "Skin of Evil." While I will always love tng, The show often struggled to find great stories for its female characters, and Yar fell victim to this more than anyone.
Star Trek: TNG Season 1 didn't understand Tasha Yar before killing her off
Tasha Yar has potential that has never been fully realized
As the Chief of Security of the USS. Enterprise-D, Lt. Tasha Yar should have been at the center of the action, but she rarely was. What I find even more frustrating is that one of the few episodes that centered on Yar, TNG Season 1, episode 4, "Code of Honor", is so notoriously bad that most of the actors disapproved of it. Despite arguably being the main character of "Code of Honor," Tasha has very little agency. She is kidnapped by Luton (Jesse Lawrence Ferguson), the leader of Lygon II, because he becomes obsessed with her beauty and fighting skills. The whole story feels out of date even for 1987.
Related
I particularly dislike how Most of Tasha Yar's stories have to do with her beauty or sexuality in some way. As a child, Tasha lived on the lawless planet of Turkana IV where she spent her days running from rape gangs. This particular element of Yar's backstory is mentioned several times in just a few episodes, as it is the most interesting thing about her. One of Yar's most memorable moments comes in TNG Season 1, Episode 3, "The Naked Now" when she sleeps with Data. As someone who adores Data, I think this scene could have been sweet, but it's just awkward and cringe-worthy.
Perhaps Dennis Crosby could have given Star Trek: The Next Generation More time to find her feet before she abandons ship, but with the storylines she's gotten (or lack thereof), I don't find her departure particularly surprising. Even Yar's final episode, "Skin of Evil," fails to center her, ultimately focusing more on Captain Picard and counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). Not only is Yar killed by a strange black goo monster named Armus, But her death is ultimately meaningless. Yar's death in the line of duty may be realistic, but it feels like a tasteless way for a major Star Trek Cast member to go out.
TNG's "Yesterday's Enterprise" Is a Bright Spot for Tasha Yar (But Still Killed Her Off)
"Yesterday's Enterprise" almost redeemed YAR's Season 1 death
Dennis Crosby returned as Tasha Year in Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 15, "Yesterday's Enterprise." How many Star Trek fans, I love this episode for many reasons, but Yar's story isn't necessarily one of them. When the USS Enterprise-C emerges from a rift in space-time, the Enterprise-D suddenly becomes a warship with Lt. Year in the tactical station. In this new altered timeline, the Federation is losing an ongoing war with the Klingons and the Enterprise-D is on the front lines as the first Galaxy-class warship.
Related
Tasha Yar gets a solid story arc in "Yesterday's Enterprise," ultimately deciding to return to the past with the USS Enterprise-C after learning of her fate in the Prime Universe. Yar's story still involves a romance - with Enterprise-C crew member Lt. Richard Castillo (Christopher McDonald) - But it's a romance that mostly works, built on a genuine connection between two people. yet, Yar's death has all the elements of a clichéd TV death And I hate that Captain Rachel Garrett (Tricia O'Neill) had to die to give Yar her big moment.
TNG's Cela Story didn't work and made Tasha's end even worse
Tasha Yar may have suffered even more than Chief O'Brien
As it turns out, Tasha Yar did not die when the USS Enterprise-C traveled back to the past but was actually captured by Romulans. A Romulan general then became obsessed with her (Like Luton back in "Code of Honor"), and agrees to spare the rest of the crew if Yar becomes his consort. Tasha agreed and later gave birth to a half-Romulan daughter named Selah (also portrayed by Dennis Crosby). When Selah was four, Tasha tried to escape but was caught and executed. The entire storyline is revealed in dialogue in Star Trek: The Next Generation And it remains one of my least favorite Star Trek Stories for a number of reasons.
Not only does this entire storyline completely undermine Tasha's big moment of self-sacrifice in "Yesterday's Enterprise," but It is also a terrible end for the character. Tasha Yar was captured by Romulans, held prisoner for years, presumably assaulted and impregnated against her will, likely mistreated in other ways, and then unceremoniously executed while trying to escape. I can't think of a worse fate for a character who grew up traumatized by rapist gangs and placed a high value on her own independence. And all of this is made worse by the fact that Cele simply does not work as a character.
I think there were much more interesting ways to bring back Denise Crosby Star Trek: The Next Generation Without hopping more misery on Tasha Yar.
For one thing, Cella seems too young (especially for a Romulan) to have risen through the military ranks so quickly, and her plans seem weak. She planned to destroy the alliance between the Federation and the Klingons and later tried to attack Vulcan, but Starfleet foiled both plans quite easily. And then Sele was never heard from again after Tng S "Unification" two-parter. Ultimately, I think there were much more interesting ways to bring back Denise Crosby Star Trek: The Next Generation Without inflicting more suffering on Tasha Yar, a character who never reached her full potential in the first place.