Ensign Ro

DVD, TNG S5 (Ensign Ro)

The events of this episode have so much more resonance and weight to them thanks to the echoes that peal off into the future history of Trek, and this series too. Ensign Ro is a proud, but redeemable figure that does makes the right choice thanks to someone trying to get to know her and forcing trust her way. When she first comes aboard I was wondering why her Bajoran earring is on the left ear (later to be revealed as a Pah-Wraith symbol, but just as easily suggestive of a rebellious nature, but one which still holds her own culture dear), and why Riker comes down so heavily on her wearing it at all, since we've seen other Bajorans in Starfleet who did wear it. Riker was probably being especially strict with her to show he wasn't going to be messed about, and as a sign of his contempt for her within the bounds of acceptable discipline. I love the way she earns the right to wear it by the end, though she still chooses to wear it in the left so maybe she really was a Pah-Wraith worshipper! Or not.

The introduction of the Bajorans (or the Bajora, or the Bajarans as various people call them through the course of the episode!), was, in some ways as important as the Borg for the amount of importance they would have for the future, giving 'DS9' a solid base and providing us with some memorable characters from the race, and continues the grounding begun last season with the Cardassians and the story of that area of space. There is a quiver of anticipation throughout the story because these are the first, tentative steps towards revealing a history that brought depth to minor races in Trek like few others before - perhaps only the Klingons were to rival them in this regard. Who would have thought at the time that these human-like people with funny creases in their noses would become so integral to not only a spinoff series, but the entire Alpha Quadrant thanks to the discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole. But that's another story!

Here, there is a little roughness round the edges of the established history. We get plenty of details, but we're told things like the Bajorans were chased off their planet and left to wander through the galaxy as refugees. This would later be proved only partially true as many Bajorans were caught up in the Cardassian Occupation, perhaps even most Bajorans. There are some fascinating little insights into the race, from the vocally damaged terrorist leader, to Keeve Falor on the colony and there is much pleasure to be had spotting or listening out for people that were used in the 'Terok Nor' books, some of which was set during this time (recommended!). The complexity of the plot is a plus point, and there's so much more to it because of the sinister puppetry in the background, though it should never be a surprise that an Admiral turned out to have ulterior motives! I wonder if they were ever brave Captains that suddenly went sour when they were stuck behind a desk, or whether they skipped that rank - maybe certain people were made to be Admirals…

I mentioned the Borg earlier, and for good reason, as there are parallels to be seen with them - Ro is almost Picard's Seven of Nine, a person that doesn't initially want to make any friends, but comes to be a trusted and valued crewmember, though those aspects of her were still to come. Guinan is the other, as her people also became refugees thanks to the Borg. Guinan's appearances here are among her finest contributions, giving Ro no choice about becoming her friend, choosing to go to her when everyone else could only see the bad history she brought with her, and taking her side despite, perhaps because of that. Magical.

Section 31 was what came to mind when we uncover the machinations of the Admiral - that shady organisation would only have been interested in the survival of the Federation, and at a time when Starfleet was relatively weak thanks to the Borg attack a year earlier, they would have wanted to appease the Cardassians and keep the borders safe. It also reminded me of 'The Drumhead,' except this time it really was a conspiracy. Initially I wondered if it could be a plan to get the Federation to intercede in the Bajoran situation against the Cardassians by provoking them to war, but that would have been too easy.

The walk and talk on the planet was nicely done, though if you watch the background you can see the same people going back and forth! In fact, in the last shot of the episode we see a long shot of the colony and one man is walking in a straight line into the middle of the screen, then stops and walks back the way he came! And as for the common cold, I'm sure Dr. Crusher once said it had been cured long ago. I know Admiral Kennelly had some Cardassian virus, but Picard says his Aunt had a remedy for a cold so it was still prevalent in her time, clearly. None of the rough edges can dent what is a fine story, and though the ramifications of what was introduced here would dwarf this little tale, it still holds up well, and on its own merits.

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