“Ensign Ro” is episode three of season five of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Captain Picard is having his hair trimmed by the barber, Mr Mot, and having to listen to the latter’s discussion on strategy when dealing with the Romulans when Riker contacts him from the bridge. There’s been a distress call from the Federation colony on Solarion IV. Near the Cardassian border, according to Mr Mot. The captain seems pleased to escape to the bridge – Riker calls Mr Mot the best barber in Starfleet – where Worf says there’s a signal from a vessel leaving the colony’s orbit. The person broadcasting it claims to be the Bajora (this is the first mention of the Bajorans, who would later feature significantly in DS9, and there are differences) and claims responsibility for destroying the colony. As long as they are without a homeland, no-one is safe in this sector.
The Enterprise takes the survivors to Lya Station Alpha and the captain meets with Admiral Kennelly in the observation lounge to discuss the Bajoran terrorists’ attack. The admiral has a cold from meeting with the Cardassian liaison. The Cardassians have had terrorist problems since annexing the Bajoran homeworld, but the Bajorans have never attacked the Federation. This is the responsibility of Orta, the leader of a splinter group, who will do whatever he can to gain attention. The Federation is sympathetic to the Bajoran cause but the Bajorans aren’t helping themselves.
The admiral wants Captain Picard to find Orta and get him to stop, anyway he can. The Federation will promise to work with the Cardassians. Riker contacts them from the transporter room; there’s a new officer waiting to beam aboard. Ensign Ro Laren. The captain knows the name. The admiral ordered she join the Enterprise; she’s a Bajoran and will be useful. The captain isn’t pleased to have her aboard. The admiral, it seems, had to get her out of prison. Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes) is beamed aboard to be given a not remotely warm welcome by Commander Riker who tells her to remove her earring.
In the captain’s ready room, Riker isn’t happy, but the captain says they have to learn to live with it. Ro Laren is invited in and corrects the captain on her name; it’s not Ensign Laren but Ensign Ro. For Bajorans, the family name comes first, though many have reversed them to assimilate. Ro doesn’t want to be there anymore than they want her. Riker asks why she is. Because it’s better than prison. Ro says they can get it over as quickly as possible, then leaves.
A briefing is held in the observation lounge with the senior staff, and Ensign Ro. They are going to a system where many Bajorans have settled. One Bajoran is suggested as someone to deal with. Ro doesn’t look impressed with the suggestion. When asked, she says he’s a nobody. A token Bajoran with no real influence. She suggests a Keeve Falor.
They beam down to a camp – the captain recollects what Bajoran civilisation used to be like – and Ro gives her jacket to a child. She introduces Keeve, who the captain greets correctly. Keeve thinks the raid was poor judgement and doesn’t condone it, because the Federation are innocent bystanders. He also doesn’t want to talk, because the Federation are innocent bystanders and have been for decades. He thinks it’s convenient that the Cardassian border gives them a reason not to intervene. The captain says they can work diplomatically with the Cardassians now and, on a comment from Keeve, orders blankets and medical supplies. Keeve promises to contact the captain if he hears anything, and does manage to arrange a meeting with Orta.
Ro is in Ten Forward and Troi and Dr Crusher ask if they can join her. No. Geordi is complaining about Ro – she has a troubled past – to Guinan, who thinks she sounds interesting and heads to talk to her. Guinan asks if she’s disturbing Ro. Yes. Good; Ro looks like someone who needs disturbing. Guinan asks about the court martial and manages to confuse the living daylights out of Ro during the conversation.
Ensign Ro has a significant attitude problem and no-one but Guinan has any interest in her. There’s more going on than meets the eye, though, and Guinan does help. For, when she tells Captain Picard that Ro Laren is a friend, the captain pays attention to the ensign.