10 Times Star Trek Rewarded Audiences For Sticking With It
3. Redemption, Part 2
The story of how Sela came to be a part of Star Trek: The Next Generation is a bit of a winding road. Initially, Denise Crosby was cast as Lt. Tasha Yar in the first season, appearing in almost every episode until she was killed off in Skin Of Evil. This was, in part, due to the actor's own request to be let go from her contract, as she was dissatisfied with the work she ended up being given.
The character's death was shocking but pointless. Roddenberry wanted to unnerve the audience, but instead, he simply annoyed them.
The second year passed without much fanfare, then in the third season, Crosby spoke to the producers about the possibility of giving her character a proper send-off. That became Yesterday's Enterprise, arguably one of The Next Generation's finest hours. At its close, the alternate Lt. Tasha Yar is sent back in time, aboard the Enterprise-C.
That could have been the end of it, but fans were delighted when Crosby returned once again at the close of the fourth season. This time, however, she was playing Commander Sela, the half-Romulan daughter of the Yar that went back in time. There was a wonderful pay-off in seeing her appear here, both giving the fans a treat and Picard a little kick that actions have consequences. This one worked because enough of the audience wasn't ready to say goodbye.