Ro Laren

[Fury]

Hey folks,

I'm rewatching my entire collection of DS9 (seasons 2 - 7) before I head back up for college in September. I was watching Crossover and thinking about how much I enjoy Kira's character. I started thinking back to the original plan about Ro Laren being the original Bajoran intended to be on the show.

I know that Michelle Forbes turned down the role, but have the producers and writers ever released any further information about what Ro's story? I.e, what would she have been like on DS9? Would she have been XO and in still in Starfleet, or would she have joined the ranks of the Bajoran militia? I'd appreciate any other info if someone has it.

 

[Capt_Piett]

Well, there's nothing canon in regards to this, but Ro plays a VERY large role in the Relaunch novels of DS9 that take place aftert What You Leave Behind when the series ended. If you like her character (and she became a favorite of mine in the course of the novels), you should read them. The novels address most of your questions, and probably some you haven't thought to ask.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

IIRC, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine book goes into the original plans in general. One early idea was a series set on a colony world, then it became on Bajor itself not a space station. The first premise would've focused on Dr. Julian Amores as he helped the population of Bajor. Newly promoted Lt. Ro Laren would've been stationed on the base (or in charge of it-- I can't recall as this book is in storage with my other books right now).

Then it became a starbase on an appropriated space station originally built by a mysterious alien race, then added onto by a variety of others-- the Cardassians, the Bajorans, etc. This is the base the Cardassians used during their occupation of Bajor. Ro would've been the XO and a newly promoted Starfleet Lieutenant. The station would be given some generic starbase number.

Among the titles considered for the series were Star Trek: The Final Frontier but with the failure of the 5th movie of the same name, it was decided this wasn't so hot a title.

Another idea briefly kicked around was a show set before The Original Series in the 22nd century or early 23rd century (funny how that eventually did get played out). I don't recall if it was a space station show or not but Pillar and Berman did agree, at this point, that this spin-off shouldn't be set on a starship but a planet or starbase.

Eventually it was settled on the situation we all know but with Ro Laren (still in Starfleet) in place of Kira. When Forbes declined the series, Kira was created instead.

A last note on Kira. When Nana Vistor auditioned for Kira and they were still having trouble casting Sisko, the producers considered making Nana the lead and commander of the base because her performance was so strong.

 

[Fury]

Capt_Piett said:
Well, there's nothing canon in regards to this, but Ro plays a VERY large role in the Relaunch novels of DS9 that take place aftert What You Leave Behind when the series ended. If you like her character (and she became a favorite of mine in the course of the novels), you should read them. The novels address most of your questions, and probably some you haven't thought to ask.

Yeah, I've read the majority of the series and have enjoyed them immensely.

 

[Apogeal Alpha01]

middyseafort said:
IIRC, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine book goes into the original plans in general. One early idea was a series set on a colony world, then it became on Bajor itself not a space station. The first premise would've focused on Dr. Julian Amores as he helped the population of Bajor. Newly promoted Lt. Ro Laren would've been stationed on the base (or in charge of it-- I can't recall as this book is in storage with my other books right now).

Then it became a starbase on an appropriated space station originally built by a mysterious alien race, then added onto by a variety of others-- the Cardassians, the Bajorans, etc. This is the base the Cardassians used during their occupation of Bajor. Ro would've been the XO and a newly promoted Starfleet Lieutenant. The station would be given some generic starbase number.

Among the titles considered for the series were Star Trek: The Final Frontier but with the failure of the 5th movie of the same name, it was decided this wasn't so hot a title.

Another idea briefly kicked around was a show set before The Original Series in the 22nd century or early 23rd century (funny how that eventually did get played out). I don't recall if it was a space station show or not but Pillar and Berman did agree, at this point, that this spin-off shouldn't be set on a starship but a planet or starbase.

Eventually it was settled on the situation we all know but with Ro Laren (still in Starfleet) in place of Kira. When Forbes declined the series, Kira was created instead.

A last note on Kira. When Nana Vistor auditioned for Kira and they were still having trouble casting Sisko, the producers considered making Nana the lead and commander of the base because her performance was so strong.

Sounds like a bunch of ideas for another series. Ro Laren as a Station Captain would be a great start. She is very effective as a Captain in Battlestar Gallactica. In fact, now that she is a bit more mature she has a ton of pressence.

 

[Trekwatcher]

I always thought it was a tragedy that Forbes passed on DS9. She was a real scene stealer on TNG, and I am sure she would have really done a lot for Trek had she signed on for the long term.

 

[Apogeal Alpha01]

She'd make a lovely Vulcan in the upcoming StarTrek movie as well. Pass the idea along to whomever is casting the movie.

 

[Tralis]

^
I've always thought she looked like a vulcan.

 

[anti-matter]

Ro Laren was always a TNG favorite of mine as well. It’s unfortunate she turned down the role for DS9…I always saw a lot of her in Kira's character. Just sayen’ she would have made a great 1st officer for DS9 …but I'm not to sure about her sitting in the big chair.

Gotta say that from the 1st moment I saw Kira a really liked her character. In some way she was better than Ro…mostly in that she was able to put all her prejudices on the shelf when the situation dictated it…I can’t see Ro doing that. But never the less she (Ro) invented a great character.

I have a thing for capable rebellious women.

 

[ChooseSlack]

Even though I'm a huge fan of her character, it's very very illogical for her to even be in Starfleet after what she pulled in "Preemptive Strike",

Spoiler

let alone functioning as a Security Officer in the DS9 books.

 

[DS9Continuing]

Well, the move over would have happened long before "Preemptive Strike" - DS9 began with TNG's sixth season. Had she moved over, obviously "Preemptive Strike" would never have happened.

Spoiler: In the Relaunch novels...

Ro serves as security chief on DS9. The possibility of her rejoining Starfleet when Bajor finally joins the Federation and the Militia is absorbed is an ongoing character point, something she's very ambivalent about.

 

[ChooseSlack]

I forgot all about that. My bad