Star Trek: The Next Generation

Ensign Ro

Season 5, Episode 3, Aired 10/7/91

Episode Summary

Stardate: 45076.3 ''Picard exposes a planned genocidal attack on the Bajorans with the help of a new officer, Ensign Ro Laren.

8.2

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Dorn

Lt./Lt. Cmdr. Worf
Patrick Stewart

Captain Jean-Luc Picard
LeVar Burton

Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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Great new secondary charactor.

8.2

"Great"

By Defiant4, Jun 06, 2011 Report Abuse

This episode introduced us to a new secondary charactor as well as the Bajoran people. Although some of the minor details will change by the time "Deep Space Nine" came around the bajoran people largely stay true to the original story first set in this episode. The story that Ro Laren told about how the Cardassians tortured her father for several hours while she was forced to watch did a very good job of setting the tone of the bajoran occupation and gave a better picture than seeing the locals living in such a desolate situation. Its too bad that there weren't that many Ro Laren episodes.moreless

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1 1
The Enterprise is ordered to track down a Bajoran terrorist, a man that the Cardassians are also after. To aid with them, Picard reluctantly takes on a disgraced Starfleet officer: Ensign Ro Laren. But there's more to the mission than they realize.moreless

8.5

"Great"

By Scorptilicus, Jun 06, 2011 Report Abuse

An episode that introduced a few concepts to the Trek universe that would affect it for years to come as well as one of the most interesting recurring characters that The Next Generation had. In the latter case I am of course speaking of Ro Laren. Love her or hate her, Ro brings a different flavor to the crew, a source of conflict before we even get to see her face. It's kind of nice to see someone who can stir up our 24th century perfectly behaved crew and manage to hold her own against the established regulars. Ro brings attitude and toughness while still managing to display her vulnerability and the tragedy of her life. Michelle Forbes was a wonderful addition to the cast and I think that it's a shame we didn't get to see more of her. The other concept we get to see hear is the first look at the Bajoran/Cardassian conflict and the horrifying conditions the Bajorans have been forced to live to escape their conquerors. It's sobering to see the all too familiar sights of poorly set up and maintained refugee camps, so similar to the ones in existence today, around in Star Trek's utopian view of our future. It's comments on our current world, however, that Trek has always done well. The Bajorans later become an integral part of Deep Space Nine, and this episode really sets the tone for them. The only downside to the episode, IMO, is the plotline with Orta. Orta himself is no one really, and the plot with the admiral is somewhat interesting, but it doesn't hold up to the story of Ro herself, which makes sense. She is the title character, after all.moreless

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A key episode that introduces a new character and a massive new arc. However, it's ultimately not so compelling.

7.5

"Good"

By pharoahsdance, Jun 06, 2011 Report Abuse

"The Wounded" introduced the Cardassians and (sort of) Gul Dukat, as well as adding much greater depth to the character of Miles O'Brien. "Ensign Ro" lays two more major bricks on the DS9 edifice - the Bajorans, and an abrasive Bajoran officer who butts heads with her superior (Ensign Ro Laren, the template for Colonel Kira Nerys).

The episode itself is somewhat underwhelming. There's potential for a great story here, but it evolves without many fireworks. The guy playing Admiral Kennelly isn't near as convincing as his counterparts in "The Drumhead" or "The Pegasus". I wouldn't normally say this as a big fan of Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan, but she wasn't given much to work with here. I never warmed that much to Michelle Forbes, despite the fact that she added a nice kick in the $%! to the utopian Federation universe; fortunately, Nana Visitor eventually took over the role of "obstinate Bajoran officer".

That said, the scene where Ensign Ro describes her father's death to Picard is a genuinely moving one.moreless

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The "Enterprise" receives a distress call from a federation colony on Solarian V. The colony has been attacked by a Bojoran terrorist. The Bojoran are angry with the Cardassians for making them leave their home planet.moreless

8.3

"Great"

By Pink_Floyd_AL, Dec 14, 2006 Report Abuse

The "Enterprise" receives a distress call from a federation colony on Solarian V. The colony has been attacked by a Bojoran terrorist. The Bojoran are angry with the Cardassians for making them leave their home planet. Picard consults with Admiral Kennelly about the Bajoran terrorist attack. Kennelly orders Picard to find Orta and offer him amnesty in order to preserve peace with Cardassians. A new officer transfers aboard the "Enterprise". It is Ro Lauren a starfleet officer with a big reprimand record. Picard wants to know who authorized the transfer. Ro Lauren does make friends with Guinan .moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- When Captain Picard beams his away team down to the same location Ensign Ro had done earlier, he loses his pips. When he steps on the Transporter Pad he has them on and when he rematerializes in the cave they have disappeared. Edit
- As Riker says, all officers must observe Starfleet uniform codes. However, Worf gets to wear his sash and Deanna any number of different uniforms. Edit
Notes
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- Did Ro worship the Pah'Wraiths? All Prophet-fearing Bajorans wear their earrings on their right ear. Ro wears hers on her left ear. However, if she did worship the Pah'Wraiths, she'd have a red earring (shown in several DS9 episodes), not silver. Edit
- This marks the debut episode for the Bajoran people. Edit
- This episode was supposed to set up Ensign Ro Laren's character for her later assumption of her role on DS9. She was to play the part of the Bajoran Major but she backed out of the deal. In the semi-official season 8 of DS9, in various books published by Pocket Books, Ro finally takes on the role of second-in-command to DS9. Edit
Quotes
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- Guinan: And so now, you're sitting in crowded rooms just staring at your drink. I think you enjoy it. Ensign Ro: I enjoy it? Guinan: Well, you're working so hard at torturing yourself. I can only think that you enjoy it. Edit
- Ensign Ro: You are not like any bartender I met before. Guinan: And you're not like any Starfleet officer I met before. But that sounds like the beginning of a...very interesting friendship. Ensign Ro: I don't stay anywhere long enough to make friends. Guinan: Too late. You just did... Excuse me. Edit
- Guinan: Am I disturbing you? Ensign Ro: Yes. Guinan: Good, you look like someone who likes to be disturbed. Ensign Ro: I'd rather be alone. Guinan: Oh, no you wouldn't. Ensign Ro: I beg your pardon? Guinan: If you wanted to be alone you would've stayed in your quarters. Edit
Allusions
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