"Preemptive Strike"

[TroiFan4ever]

"Preemptive Strike" was on TV the night i posted this. I never really paid too much attention to this episode but i watched it since it was on. I like it but i kind of don't like it if that makes sense. I like it for the story of Ro acting as an undercover spy for Starfleet to infiltrate the Maquis. But i hated that it ended with Ro actually being what she was supposedly pretending to be because she let her deep-seated hatred for the Cardassians get the better of her and she turned her back on Starfleet... never to be seen again. My favorite scene in this episode is the phaser/disruptor battle between three Cardassians dressed up like monks and Ro, Kalita, and Santos. Another sad part was seeing the old man die after he got shot by a Cardassian. He and Ro were starting to become friends! Real friends! Like the friend Ro never seemed to have.

This is the last episode before the last episode of TNG. I bring that up because of the end scene in this. In the Ready Room, Riker relays Ro's apology message to Picard about her letting him down. During the whole scene Picard says nothing. He doesn't move a muscle. He doesn't even blink! I've always wondered this: has Picard's time-shifting journey possibly already begun at the end of "Preemptive Strike?" Because in "All Good Things..." in 2370 (the year Season 7 is set in) Picard does tell Riker to be prepared to take command if Picard time-shifts. I've always wondered what 2370 Picard is like when Picard time-shifts either back to 2364 or to 2395. Could my answer to that be Picard's motionlessness in "Preemptive Strike's" final scene?

 

[Shikarnov]

I enjoyed that episode very much -- one of the few in Season 7 that I like -- but read it somewhat differently. I don't think Ro left because she hated Cardassians; I think she left because she empathized with the plight of the Maquis. They're living the life she grew up living: displaced from their homes, fighting against a powerful and cruel enemy that wants to take all that is theirs.

Given her history, to say nothing of her more recent troubles, Ro should never have been the one to infiltrate the Maquis. She was conflicted from the very start, and I find it to be a sad ending that the only time we saw her forming meaningful relationships and finding her sense of "home" was among struggling people engaged in a hopeless quest and living lives blanketed by uncertainty, fear, and anger.

It's a tragic ending, I think, that was punctuated by Ro's regret over disappointing Captain Picard -- the one person that she seemed to respect and admire in Starfleet, and who offered her a faith that she ultimately felt forced to betray.

And when he heard the news of Ro's decision, I don't think Picard was time-shifting... I think he was contemplating the situation, and probably was feeling a measure of deep disappointment in himself for having allowed Starfleet to put Ro in that position to begin with. He let his feelings of pride in her redemption, and his determination to give her every chance, cloud his better judgement (which he should have expressed to Nechayev). I think he feels like he failed Ro rather than vice versa.

What do you say in such a moment? What can you say? You just feel...

As an aside, it would be interesting to see what Picard and Ro would say to each other during their next meeting -- assuming Ro survived long enough to meet him again.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

This kind of thread is my reward for being the forum Moderator. It'll be very interesting to follow its development.

 

[Jedman67]

I've always wondered this: has Picard's time-shifting journey possibly already begun at the end of "Preemptive Strike?"

It actually takes place just before the earlier episode of 'Gambit Part I'. When Picard took off to do his investigations, he activated a hologram in his ready room so the senior staff wouldn't notice his absence right away. It's at this point when Riker comes in and tells holo-Picard about Ro defecting to the Maquis, and why he shows no emotion.

 

[DonIago]

I've tended to assume that Picard was so angry/disappointed at Ro that if he had said anything he would have blown a hole in the saucer section, but Shikarnov's interpretation has merit as well, and possibly complements my own.

I've been really happy with how the novels have handled Ro's character. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about seeing her again, but she's done pretty well for herself.

 

[Shikarnov]

I've been really happy with how the novels have handled Ro's character. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about seeing her again, but she's done pretty well for herself.

I've read a few stories featuring Ro, but I'm not much of a fan of the DS9 relaunch series as a whole. Has there been a novel in which she and Picard addressed the events of Preemptive Strike specifically?

 

[ALF]

Ro Laren was supposed to be Major Kira on DS9 - when Michelle Forbes wasn't keen on taking the full time role, they saw an opportunity here to take a risk with such a loved character - Ro didn't have many episodes but they were usually great ones (*possibly Rascals may cause some light debate*). When it aired in March 1994 I was kind of pissed about what happened to her but the whole story line holds up really well over the years, I think.

Since they were saying goodbye to TNG and they got a chance to do something really ballsy with Ro Laren, it's so well done. It adds layers to the existing world building on DS9.

Here's something interesting from Memory Alpha I didn't know about this episode as it connects to Voyager:

• The lieutenant commander whom Ro Laren refers to as her instructor at Starfleet Advanced Tactical Training in 2369/2370 who joined the Maquis was intended by the producers as a reference to Chakotay of Star Trek: Voyager (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion). This suggestion is included in Ro's biography at StarTrek.com. That intention was contradicted in VOY: "In the Flesh", where Chakotay stated that he resigned his commission on March 3, 2368.

 

[DonIago]

I've read a few stories featuring Ro, but I'm not much of a fan of the DS9 relaunch series as a whole. Has there been a novel in which she and Picard addressed the events of Preemptive Strike specifically?

Not an entire novel, no, but sections of, I believe, the second book in the relaunch feature Ro's first reunion with Picard since the events of the episode.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I agree that it was a boneheaded move to select Ro to infiltrate the Maquis. They should have known that she would "go native" because of her past with the Bajoran resistance.

Who knows, probably the same thing would have happened with Kira...

 

[TroiFan4ever]

I agree that it was a boneheaded move to select Ro to infiltrate the Maquis. They should have known that she would "go native" because of her past with the Bajoran resistance.

This. Ro - even though she eventually warmed up to the senior staff and vice versa - seemed like her loyalty and moral alignment was not all that with Starfleet after all. I had that feeling about her since her first appearance in "Ensign Ro."

Who knows, probably the same thing would have happened with Kira...

Umm... I don't know about that. Kira seems more loyal and "by the book", judging by her military rank and background. I just cannot see her abandoning Starfleet in favor of the Maquis while pretending to be one for an undercover mission to infiltrate them. I just can't.

Sidenote: I wish Ro would've had more episode appearances.

 

[Tosk]

They should have known that she would "go native" because of her past with the Bajoran resistance.

What past with the Bajoran resistance?

 

[Timo]

She did bring arms to Orta's resistance force in "Ensign Ro"... So, at least a couple of minutes of dubious past there.

Also, we never learn why exactly Ro's father was tortured to death. Perhaps because he was a resistance fighter?

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Tosk]

Even if he was, (and that's a big 'perhaps') it does nothing to confirm that Laren was ever involved with the Resistance.

She did bring arms to Orta's resistance force in "Ensign Ro"

I know it's not the point and the example was made in jest, but I thought she decided against offering the arms after all? It's been a while since I watched it though.

 

[Mojochi]

If I'm understanding the OP correctly, it's being suggested that Picard is actually not consciously present during the scene when Riker informs him about what became of Ro, because he'd already begun time shifting?

It's an interesting thought, but I'd don't think it's what's happening. No, Sir. You can bet your butt old Picard is in there, paralyzed in the stunned silence of what may be his greatest personal failure as a leader.

He lost someone. Not like Yar. Someone he'd believed in & supported walked out on him. Not much to do there except soak in it. Kind of reminded me of the silence when Worf leaves to join the Klingon Civil War, but even harder, more permanent.

I think it's been a rough month or so for old Picard. It hadn't been that long since Wes walked out on him similarly. I agree it was questionable to send Ro on this mission, given her past attitudes. Maybe they could've sent another Bajoran insider on it instead... Oh wait... Picard already got that other one killed on their last Cardassian related mission. Yup. Rough times for the Picard.

 

[Jedman67]

Alternatively, Picard sent Ro knowing that she would likely join the Maquis, but her loyalty to starfleet values and ideals would have an affect on the Maquis leadership, encouraging them to become something more than terrorists but genuine freedom fighters.
Yeah, it's a stretch but it'd make a great novel!

 

[Timo]

Even if he was, (and that's a big 'perhaps') it does nothing to confirm that Laren was ever involved with the Resistance.

She'd still have "a past with it" that way, though. Certainly enough to affect her judgement.

I know it's not the point and the example was made in jest, but I thought she decided against offering the arms after all? It's been a while since I watched it though.

No guns changed hands as far as we could tell. Ro just secretly went and talked with the resistance leader for six hours or so, and those hours resulted in her having a significant change of mind, which would be the ominous thing.

Yeah, it's a stretch but it'd make a great novel!

Or a "Decent" two-parter.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Prax]

This is the last episode before the last episode of TNG. I bring that up because of the end scene in this. In the Ready Room, Riker relays Ro's apology message to Picard about her letting him down. During the whole scene Picard says nothing. He doesn't move a muscle. He doesn't even blink! I've always wondered this: has Picard's time-shifting journey possibly already begun at the end of "Preemptive Strike?" Because in "All Good Things..." in 2370 (the year Season 7 is set in) Picard does tell Riker to be prepared to take command if Picard time-shifts. I've always wondered what 2370 Picard is like when Picard time-shifts either back to 2364 or to 2395. Could my answer to that be Picard's motionlessness in "Preemptive Strike's" final scene?

I don't think Picard just sits there when he shifts through time(like Sisko having visions), but I could be wrong.
In that scene, Picard's pissed! That's his "rage face." If you don't believe me, look how irritated he gets with Ro earlier when she tries to tell him she's struggling, and then when he realizes later that she helped thwart his plans, he gets a clenched-teeth, rage face there too. He says, while gripped by anger "take her into custody." Yeah, he's really mad. He probably shouldn't have put her into the role, and demanded such dramatic, immediate results, but hey, it's only 45 minutes in which to tell a story.

That intention was contradicted in VOY: "In the Flesh", where Chakotay stated that he resigned his commission on March 3, 2368.

That's really unfortunate. Although I could see CHA-KO-TAY returning to his home before the Maquis really get started. Maybe he was a founding member. However, I cannot see an intelligent, balanced, and reasonable man like Chakotay still involved in the later-on more radical, over zealous Maquis of the Eddington kind. I think if he had been around, he would have "resigned" and tried to go back to Starfleet.

What past with the Bajoran resistance?

We certainly get that impression. She grew up "in the camps." She's been "fighting the Cardassians all her life."

Then there's that one scene where Santos says "You've been in trouble for theft, assault, public intoxication, ind. exposure, etc..."
and Ro replies "This is a rebellion, isn't it? I Rebel."

 

[Mojochi]

I don't think Picard just sits there when he shifts through time (like Sisko having visions), but I could be wrong.
In that scene, Picard's pissed! That's his "rage face." If you don't believe me, look how irritated he gets with Ro earlier when she tries to tell him she's struggling, and then when he realizes later that she helped thwart his plans, he gets a clenched-teeth, rage face there too. He says, while gripped by anger "take her into custody." Yeah, he's really mad. He probably shouldn't have put her into the role, and demanded such dramatic, immediate results, but hey, it's only 45 minutes in which to tell a story

It's not like we haven't seen that look from him before. Worf's drawn the Iceman gaze a couple times too, in The Enemy, when he won't aid the dying Romulan, & again, after he kills Duras. Then of course there's Gul Macet getting the cold shoulder at the end of The Wounded too.

Oh yeah... & Riker in The Pegasus. Didn't even stop eating his dinner. lol I thought Riker might cry. Yup. Nobody chills a room like Picard

 

[Prax]

It's not like we haven't seen that look from him before. Worf's drawn the Iceman gaze a couple times too, in The Enemy, when he won't aid the dying Romulan, & again, after he kills Duras. Then of course there's Gul Macet getting the cold shoulder at the end of The Wounded too.

Oh yeah... & Riker in The Pegasus. Didn't even stop eating his dinner. lol I thought Riker might cry. Yup. Nobody chills a room like Picard

Or that lady who kills the crystalline entity...Yea, Picard may even hate Worf. When Worf wants to commit ritual suicide, and Riker isn't comfortable with it, he goes to Picard. What does Picard do? Does he say "Not on my station!"? Nope, he says "By all means Riker...go ahead! We must honor his traditions after all."

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

She's been "fighting the Kardashians all her life."

Haven't we all.