Admiral Jarok's Letter to His Wife and Daughter

[johnjm22]

One of my favorite TNG episodes is The Defector.

I always thought the idea of Picard seeking out Jarok's family and delivering his letter would be a good story thread for Picard in his later years. Especially if it were intertwined with a larger Romulan/Federation peace story.

Considering the new show deals heavily with the Romulans it seems like a missed opportunity if they don't explore this idea. Surely Picard, a man of principle, would have sought out Jarok's family (unless they died?).

What do you guys think? Will they touch on this in the show? Or is too obscure?

 

[Noname Given]

One of my favorite TNG episodes is The Defector.

I always thought the idea of Picard seeking out Jarok's family and delivering his letter would be a good story thread for Picard in his later years. Especially if it were intertwined with a larger Romulan/Federation peace story.

Considering the new show deals heavily with the Romulans it seems like a missed opportunity if they don't explore this idea. Surely Picard, a man of principle, would have sought out Jarok's family (unless they died?).

What do you guys think? Will they touch on this in the show? Or is too obscure?

Too obscure. Plus, who knows Picard might have already have delivered it (IE transmitted it to Jarok's family) while they were waiting for Shinzon to reply in ST:NEM. They were waiting for days.)

 

[The Wormhole]

The novels say Picard took care of that during the Dominion War. Is there any reason that can't still be the case?

 

[johnjm22]

I don't think it's too obscure. Is it really that much more obscure than Hugh?

I think it would make a nice story beat, but I am biased because The Defector is one of my favorite episodes.

I could be wrong, but as far as I know "Suicide Note" story is not official canon.

 

[Sidewinder]

One of my favorite episodes as well. But I would think that Picard would have had many chances over the last 30 years to deliver the message though.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

It's too obscure for me to think it needs to be brought up in the show.

 

[Jayson1]

I think it's obscure but not so obscure that it's something you couldn't make a good story from. I think the bigger issue is how would it really connect to the main story and character arc of the show. It feels like something that would work better in stand alone story or maybe something in season 2 like for example if you were going to make the daughter a character on the show. Still I think it works better as a book or comic book story or a anthology show story someday if Trek ever does one of those.


Jason

 

[DonIago]

I think it has potential to be a good story, but I also think it would beg the question of how/why Picard never found a way to deliver the message sooner.

 

[StarMan]

The Defector is easily in my top 10 TNG episodes (probably top 5) , but I wouldn't want them taking up valuable running time referencing Jarok's letter unnecessarily. As has been noted, there would have been plenty of chances in the past - the alliance during the Dominion War being the obvious opportunity.

 

[johnjm22]

I think it has potential to be a good story, but I also think it would beg the question of how/why Picard never found a way to deliver the message sooner.

Sometimes a defector's family is imprisoned or killed as punishment. Jarok's family could have had to change their identities or something. There could be many explanations.

The Defector is easily in my top 10 TNG episodes (probably top 5) , but I wouldn't want them taking up valuable running time referencing Jarok's letter unnecessarily. As has been noted, there would have been plenty of chances in the past - the alliance during the Dominion War being the obvious opportunity.

I wouldn't want it to take up unnecessary time either, it would have to be weaved into the larger story.

I don't think a short term military alliance means it would be easy for Federation personnel to communicate with Romulan citizens. I'm sure the Romulan propaganda machine had told their own story about what happened with Jarok and wouldn't be keen on having this letter paint a different picture.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'm confused. Exactly why was it impossible to deliver Jarok's letter to his family?

I mean, the Federation and the Romulan Empire weren't actively at war or anything like that. Assuming the two powers maintain diplomatic relations, couldn't they just give the letter to the Federation ambassador to Romulus (or the Romulan ambassador to the UFP) and have him/her deliver it?

 

[Terok Nor]

 

[DonIago]

Sometimes a defector's family is imprisoned or killed as punishment. Jarok's family could have had to change their identities or something. There could be many explanations.

Well yes. It could be that Picard simply forgot as well. My point is that if they're going to bring up this plot point then they need to provide an explanation.

 

[The Wormhole]

I'm confused. Exactly why was it impossible to deliver Jarok's letter to his family?

I mean, the Federation and the Romulan Empire weren't actively at war or anything like that. Assuming the two powers maintain diplomatic relations, couldn't they just give the letter to the Federation ambassador to Romulus (or the Romulan ambassador to the UFP) and have him/her deliver it?

They probably didn't maintain diplomatic relations. Keep in mind, The Defector is less than two years after the two sides encounter each other after sixty years. t's very possible they don't even have embassies and ambassadors at this point.

 

[johnjm22]

I'm confused. Exactly why was it impossible to deliver Jarok's letter to his family?

I mean, the Federation and the Romulan Empire weren't actively at war or anything like that. Assuming the two powers maintain diplomatic relations, couldn't they just give the letter to the Federation ambassador to Romulus (or the Romulan ambassador to the UFP) and have him/her deliver it?

The Romulan Empire may not have wanted it delivered, or the truth about Jarok's defection to be known. It could have been a sensitive political issue.