REACTION! STAR TREK: TNG, 5x3, Gallifrey Gals Get Warped! S5 Ep3, ENSIGN RO

Time to meet a new member of the Enterprise? Or could it be deceit? Let's find out together!
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PAULA DEMING
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KATRINA ALYSHA
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[@johnsteward9137]

Michelle Forbes is amazing. You have no idea the absolute glee I had when I saw she was guest starring appearance on the remake of Battlestar Galactica, just because of her TNG performance. There is a part of me that wishes she had taken the DS9 role when they offered it to her, but that would have denied us Nana Visitor's performance!

[@chriskelly3481]

Her BSG character is amazing. Broken and diabolical.

[@michellepeters7066]

Ro Laren is a great character! 🖖♥️

[@eolsunder]

yes she is, someone with actual background, purpose, and other stuff.

[@daniellanctot6548]

We all knew Katrina would love ensign Ro; it was an easy bet to win 😁👍

[@patsk8872]

I think DS9 was much better having the actual Bajoran national. Having it be a Bajoran Starfleet officer would not have provided enough contrast / conflict.

[@makasete30]

Don’t agree really, good writers can always create other plausible reasons for conflict. I also thought Ro was a more compelling character and better actress personally. She would have been great on DS9.

[@carnybusiness7432]

Yup. I think Ro's character would've been a better fit for VOY, especially if they followed through with the conflict of having a mixed crew, but at the same time, I'm glad we got B'Elanna.

[@phantom6]

IIRC the plan for Ro on DS9 would’ve been she’s former starfleet allowing a bridge between them and the Bajorian provisional government.

[@TheMadMaple]

Ro Laren is probably my favourite character from TNG. (And she'd be my favourite in all of Trekdom, if it weren't for a certain humble tailor from DS9.)

[@fakecubed]

But he's so plain, and simple.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

Garak wasn't just a tailor ... he was a gardener as well.

[@jpwphoenix1701]

I always loved how much of a breath of fresh air Ro is. She's a great character and while she occasionally butts heads with people, she's also got a lot of vulnerability behind it.

[@fakecubed]

She's the kind of character that was absolutely forbidden to be on TNG when TNG started. Gene Roddenberry would've hated her, and the conflicts she brought to the show. He wanted Starfleet to be beyond any conflict between characters in the 24th century. Only after a lot of arguments between the writers and producers that the show started to loosen up a bit and allow for some interpersonal conflict on the show. DS9 then loosened things further in large part by including many non-Starfleet characters. At this point in the series, Gene Roddenberry was pretty much out of the show, and he was dead a couple weeks later. It's awful to say, but really, Gene Roddenberry getting sick and dying was what saved TNG, and really the whole franchise, from mediocrity and likely cancellation.

[@gpaje]

Michelle was especially amazing in Battlestar Galactica, playing someone quite different than Ro.

[@lemonherb1]

Produced by Ronald Moore as well! It's a fantastic show, and one I think would be worth reacting to after TNG

[@kschneyer]

The DS9 character to whom Paula obliquely referred was originally supposed to *be* Ro Laren, but Michelle Forbes had other commitments.

[@colonelquack]

She would have nailed the role, but she wouldn't quite have been the character we know now.

[@yw1971]

She was good in '24' the 3rd season. Too bad she lost that zest

[@LabradorIndependent]

@@yw1971 Outstanding in Battlestar Galactica

[@TheProph7]

And because Michelle Forbes wasn't available to bring Laren to DS9, the character of Kira Nerys was created instead.

[@brianperkins2527]

Bajorans are an amazing group. Big fan of them and I can't wait for you guys on DS9.

[@jerodast]

I've heard some doubt about doing ds9, but man, given how much Kat is into sassy spicy mothafuckas, it would be a true travesty if she missed out on Kira. pppppplllleeeeeaaaaasssssseeees do it y'all!

[@Its_Dave_Just_Dave]

Ro iirc was not in many episodes but was a very recognisable and rememberable character

[@phantom6]

She pops up in a later series too.

[@colonelquack]

"I'm sick of these Admirals!" ...I wonder if she knows about Admiral Cain.

[@makasete30]

Or admiral fuck.

[@jeremykraenzlein5975]

I can't think of any similarities between Admiral Cain and the Star Trek admirals they are complaining about, but interesting irony anyway. Admiral Cain had her faults, but the nativity shown by this episode's admiral isn't one of them.

[@MichaelJShaffer]

A great episode introducing an amazing character. Ro was so good of a character that the creators of DS9 wrote the role to be Ro, but Michelle Forbes turned down the role.

[@Skeezer66]

I love Ensign Ro!!! She brings so much fire to relatively calm waters! As for Troi, we KNOW who the Real Ship Counselor is!!! LOL!

[@dustinherk8124]

Ro was supposed to be Kira Nerys in Ds9 (but as her own character), but the actress, didnt want to be part of a whole new show, wanting to push her career too film roles; rather than be tied down to a tv series; especially one with such an extensive filming schedule as the Star Trek franchise of the 90's. But thankfully Nana Visitor did an excellent job with the character, Nerys, even while pregnant.

[@dustinherk8124]

@@TheNoiseySpectator always farscape. then stargate sg1

[@rooqbranwen8305]

Once again I`m repeating my petition for you to please react to DS9. Pretty please!

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

Yes yes yes please do DS9! Pretty please with sugar on it?

[@jonathaneverson3673]

I can't wait for you gals to get to DS9. The Bajoran culture is so wonderfully fleshed out in that series.

[@xxTheFlyingPigxx]

The reason you think DS9's Kira is similar to Ro Laren is that role was meant to be filled by Ro Laren! The actor wasn't available at the time, so they created Kira. This happened again with Voyager, where Ro Laren was meant to star as a Maquis crewmember but the actor ended up declining so they created B'lanna Tores.

[@gryphman]

In the post-series DS9 novels, Ro becomes chief of security. Hopefully if Lower Decks ever goes to DS9, she'll be there.

[@xxTheFlyingPigxx]

@@TheNoiseySpectator I don't think there are any spoilers here. I'm just mentioning character names, and Paula already alluded to one of the things I mentioned in the video.

[@gryphman]

@@xxTheFlyingPigxx Not to mention what I said isn't even canon. lol

[@fakecubed]

Oh man, if Ro ended up on VOY that would've really been something.

[@yungathart7801]

I really like Ensign Ro. I have been waiting for this episode.

[@victorhuertas4685]

two words for Katrina...Kira Nerys.

[@shadowphoenix1696]

I also love that actress, seen her in many things and she is really talented and wish she was in more roles I fall in love with because of Battlestar Galactica.

[@Raja1938]

Agree. Just saw her latest as a recurring character on New Amsterdam.

[@unclelink]

Bajor had some badass women! Ro and Kira?! *BOOM!!!

[@pigs18]

And Sito Jaxa

[@noneya3635]

You will follow Starfleet uniform code aboard this ship ensign. Walks on the bridge first person she sees is Worf... I knew i couldn't trust him, definition of TNG DS( admiralty. Yeah Michelle Forbes is great in everything she touches.

[@noneya3635]

And yes Ro was supposed to be on DS9 but Michelle Forbes didn't want to be type cast as a star trek actor so they created the Major to basically be Ro, but Nana Visitor made that character her own.

[@wiredtardis]

Another episode that shows Riker's pettiness and double standards. First, there was his treatment of Barclay. Now, he's demanding that a refugee removing a significant religious and cultural item, because he's self-righteous. It'd be like demanding a Jewish refugee that escaped the Nazi regime was forced to remove the Star of David. Anyway, I always felt that Ensign Ro was Tasha Yar but done right. Headstrong, not easily molded into the Starfleet agenda, but, most of the time, she puts forth the correct challenges to the Federation ideal and shows how much both sides need to grow. I feel that we don't get enough of her in the whole franchise.

[@E_y_a_l]

The second in command is usually the one that is in charge of disciplinary procedures, so it's his job to make sure new crew members coming aboard are aware and are following disciplinary dress code, Worf and Troi are veteran officers that probably got approval for their unique uniforms so I don't see any double standards. Of course I assume the reason for this scene was meant to show the hostility towards Ro more than to show how much Riker follow protocols. And in certain situations it's very logical a Jew might be forced to remove a Star of David if it's against protocols, even in the Israeli army, jewelry is shiny and reflects light and can also cause injury or get tangled in branches, so it's logical protocols will dictate it to be removed during active duty.

[@wiredtardis]

@@E_y_a_l That logic would apply, except according to Roddenberry, Starfleet is NOT a military organization, so uniformity would be nothing more than a formality.

[@E_y_a_l]

​@@wiredtardis How allegedly not being a military organization disproves anything that I've said? Starfleet have uniforms dress codes, Riker literally just said that in this episode, Starfleet officers MUST follow protocols and procedures, this is part of their duty description, it's not a recommendation, they have ranks and they must follow orders and protocols, you disregard orders and you either get court martialed or relieved of duty, we've seen it many times during the show, being a military organization or not doesn't change anything, Police and Firefighters are not military organizations and still those who serve in them have uniforms and dress codes that they MUST follow during active duty, so if the dress code says no Jewelry without a specific approval, that's what they must do. And about Roddenberry, he was a visionary that imagined a future where humanity is united and peaceful so that's why he made that remark, but practically, Roddenberry was an Airforce officer and modeled Starfleet after the Navy ships command structure, including the dress codes and the fact the second in command is the one who's in charge of disciplinary actions, we saw Riker handle that duty a number of times in TNG.

[@wiredtardis]

@@E_y_a_l It was the main excuse to get Marina Sirtis in those clothes and keep Wesley out of uniform throughout the early seasons. We've seen flagrant disregard for uniform, and that was part of Roddenberry's excuse. It fits more in line of Riker being a dick to those he doesn't like or is judgemental of. He did it before, he did it here, and he'll do it again next season!

[@E_y_a_l]

​@@wiredtardis I understand you don't like Riker, but so far you only provided statements about Riker being a dick and inconsistent with his decisions but you haven't provided real explanations or proofs, there's nothing illogical or "Dickish" for the officer who's responsible about discipline to make sure a new Ensign coming aboard is following protocols while at the same time approving veteran officers to have more freedom in the same area, that's how hierarchy organizations work, veterans gets more privileges, I say again, as far as we know Worf and Troi had approval by Picard or Riker to wear their unique uniforms, Ro doesn't have that approval and in fact we see her getting an approval by Picard at the end of this episode, showing Picard didn't initially approved her earing too, so was he a dick as well? Wesly wasn't a Starfleet officer or on duty in the early episodes while he wore civilian clothing and was an ACTING Ensign while he wore his unique uniforms, when he became a full ensign by a field commission he wore full red uniforms like the rest of the crew, he never breached any dress protocol,, all was logical and explained so I don't see how is that an example to anything other than you not really understanding or remembering what's going on and blaming Riker for things that got nothing to do with him. Like I've repeatedly said, the second in command is the one who's in charge with handling disciplinary issues regarding the crew and not the Captain/main commander, it's a common command structure in most western Army organizations and like I've said Starfleet is modeled after the US Navy, for that reason throughout the series they've showed Riker handling these situations(and also Major Kira did the same in DS9), I guess you understood it as Riker being a dick but they just showed him doing his duty as a 1st officer.

[@emeraldknight5522]

Picard : Ensign Laren, come in. Ro: Ensign Ro, sir. Picard: I'm sorry.. Ro: Bajoran custom has the family's name first, the individual's name second, I am properly addressed as Ensign Ro. Picard: I'm sorry I didn't know. Ro: No there's no reason you should. It's an old custom. Many Bajora have accepted the distortion of their names in order to fit in to society. I do not.

[@nikolai60]

Her earring, and Worfs sash, are religious and cultural exemptions to the uniform. Something that isn't a problem, so long as it's been approved. When she stepped onto the ship there was a lot of animosity, so the Enterprise officers weren't interested in ignoring her earring without her specifically asking (and might not approve if she did), and she's not gonna ask. When their perspectives change such a small thing doesn't matter anymore and Picard probably slips into her file 'earring permitted on religious grounds' to keep anyone from saying anything, and that's that.

[@firstname4337]

WRONG

[@cliveklg7739]

Michelle Forbes is great in Battlestar Galactica. Can't say more, she comes in a later season.

[@quoniam426]

Michelle Forbes, such talent, such class...

[@fakecubed]

Every time Starfleet promotes a new admiral, the Q Continuum flips a coin.

[@mrlol2238]

…..a little after thanksgiving……lololol

[@quntface1518]

Ro Laren is so cool.

[@DaleRibbons]

Hey, Katrina, if you're sick of all those corrupt higher-ups, just imagine how Captain Picard feels! 🙂 It's weird, but it kind of surprised me to see this episode this late in the series. I could have sworn Ro was introduced like a season or two before. But it has been 30 years (!) since I first saw these, so...

[@bninem1397]

the actress played a different character in a previous season, they liked her so much they brought her back

[@xscale]

Guinan is so obviously a Time Lord ...

[@xscale]

@@TheNoiseySpectator in particular the @Gallifrey Gals!

[@cleekmaker00]

03:01 "I read about the achievements of the ancient Bajoran civilization in my fifth grade reader. They were architects and artists, builders and philosophers, when Humans were not yet standing erect." A Civilization with more than two MILLION years of History and Achievements.

[@RogerAdams-art]

That is the thing about Admirals... they be sneaking.

[@pigs18]

I think Starfleet Command uses the same vendor for their background checks as 24's CTU.

[@dmwalker24]

She does such a great job portraying certain traits common to Bajorans, and Bajoran women in particular. Seems from the comments there are a whole lot of us who appreciate those traits.

[@eriktracy8578]

Been really enjoying your Season 5 reactions! Unification is coming up - but may I implore you to revisit The Original Series Season 2 Episode Journey to Babel first? You MUST watch this before watching Unification - the payoff will be worth it!!

[@Raja1938]

Agree. It's an absolute must.

[@joedantuono123]

Can't wait for you to get to Deep Space Nine.....my favorite Star trek series of them all

[@thefuppits]

Mis-heard lyrics, your song Gallifrey Gals, sounds like the words are, Gonna freak out! Gotta Freak out! Gal is free! Gals gotta freak out!"

[@sharkdentures3247]

The "antagonistic Admiral" thing has become SO commonplace in TNG, it has practically become a TROPE! It is RARE to find someone who loves TNG who doesn't also love Barclay & Ro Laren!

[@brucechmiel7964]

Not a corrupt Admiral, but a gullible one. The Federation and the Cardassian Empire are allies here. The Prime Directive in this case is not a factor due to the “Bajorian terror action”. The Prime Directive is meant to prevent the kind of atrocities the Cardassians did to the Bajorians but it also prevented Federation intervention on the matters behalf. That is why there is so much distrust between the two. The only action the Federation could make against the Cardassians was political pressure. But after the new treaty Starfleet would be able to give the aid.

[@jonmedders3866]

You two must do DS9!

[@paradisevendorsinc]

Funny this dropped today. I just rewatched the movie Columbus last night (amazing btw) and was really impressed by Michelle Forbes’s supporting performance in it.

[@joedantuono123]

Nana Visitor.....Major/ Colonel Kira Nerys is actress you are talking about.....Had as much sass as Ensign Ro

[@ghostkage]

Katrina can watch any Trek show after TNG and follow along with the Universe. She could mostly do it now if she wanted.

[@empirejeff]

Ro.

[@brucechmiel7964]

The TNG style uniforms open from the back.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

One of the many episodes where we get to see Riker be belligerent toward a newcomer for no real reason.

[@banditoheat]

I think her criminal record and being forcibly transferred aboard are plenty of reason.

[@fakecubed]

The XO is supposed to be the hardass.

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

re: costumes, gene's intention was that zips didn't exist in the 24th century - that the clothes "self sealed". But obviously they're made from 20th century cotton etc and don't IRL work that way.

[@DavidMacDowellBlue]

Ensign Ro was the BEST character on TNG ever. And the fact the show had almost zero notion what to do with her is an indightment.

[@michaelmeehan5505]

Such a great Season of Trek, this one!

[@fakecubed]

They considered moving Ensign Ro to DS9 and have her be on that show, but it wasn't going to exactly work out how they wanted with her specific background, so they came up with a different Bajoran woman instead who was not in Starfleet. But there are a lot of similarities.

[@kosh6612]

Since you love that actor, you have GOT to check out Battlestar Galactica "Razor". She steals the show.. with her own Battlestar!

[@eric201]

The Bajorans and the Cardassians will get fleshed out much more in DS9.

[@leogarcia1761]

Yep Kat is absolutely stunning

[@Calzaki]

Never trust a starfleet admiral

[@Tantalus010]

See, this is where I think Troi gets a bit of a bad rap. She isn't always well-positioned to help someone and it isn't her fault. I mean, for starters, there's already a stigma about going to a professional for psychiatric help, but let's put that aside for a moment. Put yourself in the shoes of a young ensign with some issues who has just come aboard the Enterprise. You're aware you have issues and like any rational person, they embarrass you a bit and you do your best to keep them hidden from your colleagues. Now imagine that the person you're supposed to go to in order to work through these issues also happens to be one member of a two person team (she and Riker decide all duty assignments) that decides what your job on the ship is going to be. Are you really going to be comfortable spilling your guts to her knowing that she might be thinking in the back of her head, "wow, this guy/gal is a whacko; I'd better make sure we don't put them anywhere high stress/important"?

[@minski76]

13:00 We almost DID get Ro as Bajoran liaison on DS9, after all...

[@Calzaki]

He's wearing an Admirals uniform, of course you can't trust him!

[@poolhall9632]

Random Guinan moment - but it makes so much more sense when you find out she’s 700+ year old.

[@phantom6]

Katrina would love Kira.

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

Michelle Forbes shows up in BSG as well btw. I won't say when or where, though.

[@Rudromukherjeenerv]

I love Ensign Ro! Great character, love the sass! Guinan killed it in this episode!

[@Alexandrashepiro]

Ro is such a great character!!!

[@Mokkari77]

Michelle Forbes was later on Homicide for a season as the M.E. which I loved.

[@barkingmonkee]

I think there are at least two other reasons the writers may have gone with Guinan rather than Troi to be Ro's 'bridge' to Picard; Guinan has an edge to her character that Troi lacks, and Ro is basically ALL 'edge', so I think Guinan makes a better foil than Troi would have, it's essentially better character chemistry that we see pay off again in the future. Second, b/c Troi is an empath the writers would have had to come up with an explanation for why Troi didn't pick up on the whole deception/guilt vibe Ro would have been putting out during any sustained early interaction.

[@josefschiltz2192]

Now, what I would really, really love to know - deep breath - have Paula and Katrina seen 'Bohemian Catsody'?

[@jonathanross149]

Can't wait to see Kat's reaction to Ro

[@frugalseverin2282]

FINALLY! Yes Michelle Forbes is an excellent actress and her character is one with depth, so refreshing for this show. And it's why I love "Deep Space Nine" more than this show, it has characters with depth that you can care about. They have their own agenda like real people. TNG is boring next to DS9. If and when you react to that show I'll subscribe again.

[@jerodast]

aggressive! adversarial.

[@mrtin9128]

Ro is a great addition, if only sparingly used, to the Enterprise crew

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

we call them "Badmirals".

[@jerodast]

I've been only watching my personally well-remembered episodes in this binge. this is the first episode to make it 4 in a row :) about to skip the next one admittedly, but right back into it after that! a good streak

[@brianadkins3880]

You know, that always kind of bugged me too. Why couldn't they let her wear an earring? Speaking of fashion, I see Katrina has decided to copy the 3 sisters from the original Charmed. lol Not complaining! And this was around Thanksgiving!? Well, welcome to the future!

[@nikolai60]

I just finished putting this in above and just saw your question: it's a religious or cultural exception, but you gotta ask for it/have it approved by your superior. When she stepped onto the ship, no one liked her so no one's gonna give approval official or unofficial (by just ignoring it)

[@tomaslongoria2449]

I love Ro!!!!

[@Pinkielover]

always liked Ro

[@phueal]

I'm not saying that these seasons are necessarily the best overall, but there are several episodes in the next 3 seasons which I am *really* looking forward to...

[@phueal]

@@TheNoiseySpectator [spoiler alert] It’s especially The Inner Light and Tapestry that I’m looking forward to, although there are dozens of other good ones coming!

[@mconnaghan]

Another quality candy corn video!

[@Maya_Ruinz]

still one of my favorite episodes, Michelle Forbes really brings a lot of swagger and attitude to a character that could have been a complete throwaway. Also love that Picard essentially does a 180 on her character at the end.

[@markfuston2714]

Pretty much any time I hear the word Admiral in Star Trek I assume they're gonna be evil..lol

[@arekschneyer3802]

Fun episode, good reaction!

[@adamcarlson2192]

The uniform didn't fit Picard very well when he was a young man, either. He grew into it.

[@Kingrob30]

Have you considered getting warped with Star Trek the Animated series?

[@empirejeff]

Ro wears it on the left ear?

[@chrisbullard5901]

Ro wears it on the opposite ear as a snub to the Bajoran religion. Once Kat sees Vedek Winn, she’ll know why Ro and Kira have their opinions.

[@eolsunder]

I thought i was drinking too much she looked a little blurry

[@pauld6967]

Comments made versus my knowledge of things still in Katrina's future. :-/

[@pauld6967]

@@TheNoiseySpectator Hee, hee, hee. Yes, for neither benefit nor to prevent tragedy shall future knowledge be utilized. Drat!

[@robertshewmaker1442]

You should watch DS9

[@suk6323]

Why has no one made a 'Keeping Up with the Cardassians' joke?

[@jerodast]

I got news for ya bud...

[@orvoloco8261]

Again, i cant wait when you will start Deep Space 9 .... in 2026

[@seanbumstead1250]

I never liked guinan,Ro wasn't bad