Star Trek: 20 Supporting Characters That Deserved More

8. Keiko O’Brien

When we first meet Keiko Ishikawa in The Next Generation, she's a smart, skilful botanist with plenty of pep and compassion...but she's also nobody's fool. By the tail end of Deep Space Nine, however, she all too often became an afterthought to her husband's escapades.

The ups and downs of Miles and Keiko O'Brien's colourful relationship were a delight to watch in The Next Generation...even if Keiko getting cold feet before her wedding almost gave us a heart attack. Their daughter, Molly, soon came along, a cause for celebration if ever there was one (regardless of Worf's unique approach to delivering babies). Keiko even helped save the ship from Ferengi boarders despite being transformed into a little rascal.

Then came Miles' transfer to Deep Space Nine, and she was less than pleased. And who can blame her? An old, dingy Cardassian station out in the sticks, seemingly held together by little more than string and hope some days, and virtually no opportunity to continue her career. Although she turned her attention to opening a school and settling her family into station life, over time...her presence just seemed to dim.

For Keiko fans, that was pretty sad to see. As a bright, professional woman, she had bags of potential for character development and storylines of her own. And while she did have a few moments along the way, her story increasingly became 'how will Keiko react to Miles' chaos this time?'

And let's be honest, there were three people in that marriage; everyone point at Julian Bashir...