kira vs Ro Laren

[RobertScorpio]

I love Kira, and I am glad they went with Nana Visitor. But have you ever wondered how DS9 would have gone had Ro Laren been in Kira's place? Would she have been as well written as Kira was? Or would Forbes' acting style have taken them into other directions?

But, as I said, I loved Nana's Kira. And when she and ODO finally kissed, it was one of the most romantic scenes I have ever seen in star trek.

 

[RTOlson]

It's really tough to say. I think Forbes would've definitely set her own tone for Ro on DS9. Having her as a character who rebels against Bajor's establishments (including religion) would certainly be an interesting contrast.

I also imagine the producers would really have to try to mix things up for Forbes to remain interested in her character. As an actress, Forbes doesn't seem to stay in one place for long.

 

[cwalrus2]

Forbes certainly missed out on a great opportunity, but having said that I think the show with Nana Visitor turned out much better than it would have with Forbes. Ensign Ro would have provided some of the antagonism that Kira had at the beiginning, and maybe it would have been nice to have a skeptic deal with Sisko as Emissary. I just think she would not have gelled well with the dynamic that the show had. Even though Kira valued her faith, she didn't just blindly accept Sisko either even after he was dubbed the Emissary. Ro would have just been more combative, and also I think she kind of looked down on her own people because she strived to leave them. It was better to have someone who was actuallty there for the entire struggle with the Cardassians.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I'm quite happy with Nana Visitor, to be honest. I think she is every bit the actress that Michelle Forbes is.

 

[Navaros]

Forbes looked really spaced-out in her last couple of TNG episodes. So much so that the first time I saw them, I wondered if it was a different actress than Forbes playing Ro in those episodes. Clearly she wasn't even trying to act in those episodes, which gave the impression that Ro had inexplicably been turned into a robot off-screen.

So based on that I estimate that Forbes would have been a disaster in DS9 by bringing that "not even trying to act anymore" baggage to DS9. Therefore, much better that Nana Visitor got the role.

 

[alicelouise]

I think Ro would have been great for DS9. She wouldn't have kowtowed to Wynn and would have been on her guard against the Feds.

 

[JoeZhang]

Wouldn't a lot of episodes play quite differently because they rely on Kira's resistance past? something that Ro never had?

 

[Kegek]

Wouldn't a lot of episodes play quite differently because they rely on Kira's resistance past? something that Ro never had?

And they probably would have got into Ro's past as well. They both have rather humourless attitudes towards their childhood and experienced brutality first hand with the Cardassians, so while the specifics would be different the same themes would be raised.

I would have liked Ro on the show but I was fine with Kira, they're both well-realised characters.

 

[anti-matter]

Well I've kind of gotton use to Kira but have to say TNG's Ensign Ro was avery compelling character.

 

[Jack Bauer]

I'd rather have Kira because she is not in Starfleet. Sure Ro is not your typical Starfleet officer since she's quite rebelious but she is still in Starfleet. Kira not being a Starfleet officer provided a lot more conflict. It was more us vs. them than a I'm the rebel Starfleet officer that Ro would've provided.

 

[Rico]

That's a tough question. I think it's hard to say since many episodes would of been written so differently for a different character/actress.

 

[Ro_Laren]

Anyone want to guess who I would pick???

 

[JM1776]

I would have gone with Ro had Forbes been interested in reprising the role. With all due respect to Nana Visitor, who portrayed Kira more than competently, Forbes is the superior actress in my opinion. Her Maquis past might well have proven more interesting than Kira's Bajoran resistance background, which for me grew quickly tiresome when she so easily slipped into the role of decorous administrator.

An aside: It would have been interesting to know how they planned to bring Ro back credibly. Would the Bajorans have simply rammed her as X-O down Sisko's throat? Beggars can't reasonably be choosers, after all, and I don't see Sisko cutting someone who betrayed Starfleet a whole lot of slack.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Forbes looked really spaced-out in her last couple of TNG episodes. So much so that the first time I saw them, I wondered if it was a different actress than Forbes playing Ro in those episodes. Clearly she wasn't even trying to act in those episodes, which gave the impression that Ro had inexplicably been turned into a robot off-screen.

So based on that I estimate that Forbes would have been a disaster in DS9 by bringing that "not even trying to act anymore" baggage to DS9. Therefore, much better that Nana Visitor got the role.

I had noticed that as well. I am not sure why the tone change was so different. It almost seemed as if she was drugged or something. I think NANA is a BETTER actress than Forbes. She has more range, IMO. Though, Forbes does look better in skimpy cotton panties.

 

[Kira Nerys]

Now with a username like mine ?????

 

[Ro_Laren]

Now with a username like mine ?????

 

[Kira Nerys]

Now with a username like mine ?????

 

[RandyS]

I'm quite happy with Nana Visitor, to be honest. I think she is every bit the actress that Michelle Forbes is.

I agree. I loved Kira, but I also loved Ro and was disapointed when she didn't do DS9. I always wished she'd have at least made a guest appearance.

 

[WalkinMan]

Guest appearance for Ro would have been great. Would have been fun to see Ro and Kira interact.

My opinion? Ro Laren was a shoo-in for DS9, and it made a lot of sense to have her there. But, in hindsight I'm incredibly glad that she refused to do the series, because we got to discover Kira Nerys and a wonderful talent, Nana Visitor.

Although it's not quite fair to speculate on Ro Laren's DS9 career (since it didn't happen), I will say that Kira Nerys as a character showed remarkable range, became an excellent role model, had a fun sense of humor, interesting romantic relationships, and also was a brand new DS9 creation which all helped the character truly excel. In those aspects, Kira was many things Ro Laren's character on DS9 could have been, and more.

I think Ro Laren's character also was a shade darker (and perhaps the actress played that angle to the hilt as the mad Admiral Cain in BSG--another sharp performance by Michelle Forbes).

 

[Saxman1]

Kira turned out great. At the time I thought Ro would have been better (had crush on her). Now I find her annoying when I watch TNG. But I don't know anything.