Star Trek: Preemptive Strike

Episode: "Preemptive Strike"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 7, Episode 24

Original Air Date: May 16, 1994

via Memory Alpha

Lieutenant Ro is back, just in time to be sent on an intelligence mission to infiltrate the Maquis.  The mission tests her loyalties.  She wants to prove herself to Starfleet and certainly wishes to avoid disappointing Picard.  But her resentment of the Cardassians runs deep, thus so does her sympathy for the Maquis cause.  She forms attachments, quickly leading to experiencing painful loss.  In the end, she must make a difficult choice.

This was the best episode in a while (an admittedly low bar).  It makes sense to tie off the loose ends for one of the more popular secondary characters, though Michelle Forbes (Ro) was not exactly on the producers' list of favorites at this point.  Forbes had rejected an offer of a principal role on DS9.  The end of this episode was intended to allow for her story to continue on the soon-to-be-launched Voyager.  She turned that down, too.  Right move on her part?  Hard to say.  She's had a reasonably successful TV career on other series since, though nothing with Star Trek's staying power.  Then again, the broader Trek responsibilities - conventions and such - were not so appealing to her.  Ro would not return again until "Imposter," episode 5 in Picard's 3rd season, 29 years later.

Acting Notes

via Tardis Wiki

John Franklyn-Robbins played Macias, leader of the Maquis cell Ro infiltrates.  Franklyn-Robbins was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, December 14, 1924.  He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.  

On stage, he was an accomplished Shakespearean, parts ranging from Ariel in The Tempest to Macduff in Macbeth.  He had many appearances on British television, including such classics shows as The Avengers, I, Claudius and Doctor Who.  Films included Overlord, Mrs. Dalloway and The Golden Compass.  

John Franklyn-Robbins passed away in 2009.