Ensign Ro is a masterfully created episode that focuses on betrayal, redemption, and the all important axiom of never letting the ends justify the means. Additionally, this episode introduces to Bajoran race and culture as well as a new, minor, recurring character: Ensign Ro Laren.

Central to this episode is the Bajoran culture which has been repressed for decades by the Cardassians. Having been driven from their home world, various Bajoran factions engage in “freedom fighting” tactics by using terrorism against their Cardassian oppressors. The Federation gets drawn into the conflict when an outpost along the Cardassian border is attacked by terrorists who claim to be Bajoran. And so Picard and the Enterprise are dispatched by Admiral Kennelly to make a deal to put an end to the violence.

The context of the Federation’s usual non-interference being at direct odds with helping a clearly oppressed people is one that resonates today. To what extent is non-intervention acceptable, even when a people are clearly being wronged? In a sense, this episode picks up where that question was left off from The High Ground.

As part of this mission, Kennelly assigns Ensign Ro Laren to the Enterprise. The move is a controversial one because she had been recalled from prison specifically for the mission. It seems, in her past, her actions on an Away Team mission had lead to the deaths of her fellow crew members. Riker’s reaction to her presence is clearly a negative one. But it is rather unfortunate that Riker continues to be so negatively emotive. It seems he left his seasoned experience behind when season five began.

As the episode unfolds, Ensign Ro manages to pull off a character that is both abrasive and sympathetic. Characters are often introduced simply to add conflict amongst the principle cast, but Ensign Ro transcends that. While she is a source of conflict, it isn’t purely for conflict’s sake. Part of why this episode is so successful is how Guinan manages to diffuse the distrust and conflict surrounding Ro Laren by simply telling Picard “she is my friend.” It is one of Guinan’s best episode’s to date, and it fits this story perfectly.

In the end, we learn that Admiral Kennelly was using Ro Laren as a means to draw out the Bajoran terrorist leader, Orta (by offering weapons!), so that the Cardassians could swoop in and assassinate him. At Guinan’s urging, Ensign Ro confides in Picard, they set up a rouse, and manage to avoid having the Federation sacrifice its principles simply in order to eliminate Orta. Kennelly faces a court martial and Picard offers a position on the Enterprise to Ensign Ro.

Ensign Ro is a well written, acted, and directed episode. It gives us the character of Ro Laren, who will reappear 7 more times in TNG. And the Bajoran race will figure prominently in later episodes of TNG, as well as the follow up series Deep Space Nine.

Topics: Bajorans, Cardassians, Ensign Ro
Filed under: TNG Reviews