Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) was not one to hold grudges, but one betrayal onStar Trek: The Next Generationhit Jean-Luc so hard that he remained upset for over 30 years. AlthoughJean-Luc Picardcared deeply about his crew members aboard the USS Enterprise-D, he kept himself emotionally distant from them. Picard devoted his life to Starfleet because he truly believed in Starfleet’s mission, and he did his best to uphold their ideals. Picard had to learn the hard way thatnot every Starfleet officer shared his faith in the organization.
WhenStar Trek: The Next Generationbegan,Gene Roddenberry envisionedno major conflicts among the Starship Enterprise’s crew. This rule was limiting from a storytelling perspective, but it became more lax as the show progressed. Early inTNGseason 5, a new confrontational character joinedStar Trek: The Next Generation’s cast, shaking up the established dynamic of the crew. Throughout his years asCaptain of the Enterprise, Picard was assimilated by the Borg, tortured by Cardassians, and regularly went up against the omnipotent Q (John de Lancie), butno one got under his skin quite like Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes).
Why Picard Held A Grudge Against Ro Laren For 31 Years In Star Trek
Ro Laren Made Her Star Trek Debut In TNG Season 5, Episode 3, “Ensign Ro”
Introduced in the aptly titledStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 5 episode, “Ensign Ro,” Ensign Ro Laren was a different kind of Starfleet officer. Prior to joining the crew of the Enterprise-D, Ro had been court-martialed and stripped of her rank after a particularly disastrous away mission left eight officers dead. Many of the Enterprise’s crew members were unsure about Ro, butCaptain Picard saw something in her. Soon after Ro was promoted to lieutenant, she took on an assignment to infiltrate therebel group known as the Maquis. She gained the trust of the Maquis but soon came to sympathize with their cause.
Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren In TNG & Star Trek: Picard Explained
Michelle Forbes' Ro Laren made quite the stir on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and she quickly became one of Star Trek’s most beloved characters.
When it came time to lure the Maquis into a trap set by the Federation,Ro sided with the rebels and left Starfleet behind.With the Maquis, Ro said she had found a place where she felt like she belonged, and her only regret was disappointing Captain Picard. Perhaps because Picard had been something of a rebel in his youth, too, he took Ro’s betrayal personally. Picard had formed an image in his mind of the great Starfleet officer Ro could be, and he was devastated when she chose a different path, one that he felt betrayed everything Starfleet stood for.
Reuniting Picard & Ro Was One Of Star Trek: Picard Season 3’s Best Stories
Ro Returned In Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 5, “Imposters”
Star Trek: Picard season 3saw the return ofStar Trek: The Next Generation’soriginal crew as they reunited with Admiral Picard for one more adventure. After Admiral Picard and Captain William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) commandeer the USS Titan-A to rescue Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden),Commander Ro came aboard to warn Jean-Luc about the Changeling threat to the Federation.Picard still harbored anger about Ro’s betrayal, but Ro pointed out that Picard had wanted her to be someone she was not. Both Ro and Picard lamented that they had missed out on years of friendship.
Star Trek: Picard’s Timeline Explained - How Long After TNG Is Jean-Luc’s Show?
How much time passed between the end of TNG and when Star Trek: Picard catches up with Patrick Stewart’s Admiral Jean-Luc Picard?
In a season full of strong stories, Ro and Picard’s confrontation was one of the best ofStar Trek: Picard’s final run. Not only was it nice to see the characters finally get to express their feelings to one another, but Ro also played a crucial role in getting Picard information about the Changeling conspiracy. Tragically, Ro was killed while leaving the Titan, but Picard acknowledges that he finally saw her as she was. Considering characters regularly return from the dead onStar Trek,it remains to be seen whether Ro will pop up again.Either way,Star Trek: Picardprovided a satisfying conclusion to herStar Trek: The Next Generationstory, resolving Jean-Luc’s grudge with Ro.
