20 Things You Didn't Know About Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
13. Farewell, Christine Chapel
Majel Barrett Roddenberry appeared in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home as Commander Christine Chapel. She is stationed at Starfleet headquarters and can be seen on comms attempting to ensure that the limited resources Earth has left be left to medical requirements. She would later appear, non-speaking, in the Federation Chamber, during the trial of Admiral Kirk and his crew.
Barrett Roddenberry had been absent from Star Trek II and Star Trek III because, in her words, Gene Roddenberry had not been involved in those films. A scene was written for Star Trek IV which would have had her exchange a few lines with Sarek, when the latter arrived at the trial. This scene was excised from the script, which in turn almost deleted Chapel from the film.
Barrett Roddenberry later recalled that she was glad to be involved at all, as Chapel had never been a popular character among fans and crew alike. It would be the final time that the character would appear in Star Trek, played by Majel Barrett Roddenberry.
Christine Chapel will return for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, this time played by Jess Bush.