Star Trek: 6 Romulans Who Would Have Hated Unification (And 6 Who Wouldn't)
7. Romulan Commander (Balance of Terror)
A true soldier and the first Romulan that we encountered in a real battle of wits.
Mark Lenard's Romulan Commander was a veteran with a long career tasked with trying out the Empire's latest and greatest weapon. It was the first time the Romulans both encountered the Federation following their self-imposed isolation and at the same time the episode in which we would learn about the shared heritage of the Vulcans and Romulans.
The Romulan Commander however was something of an unusual realist. He could see that things were due to change and was himself tired of war and fighting, hoping for something better. He was perhaps the most un-Romulan Romulan fans have encountered but would see the benefit of letting old grudges be laid to rest and striving forward for something more positive.
Indeed, as part of the cat and mouse game that the Bird of Prey and the Enterprise play, the audience sees how the Commander grows to respect Kirk for his tactics and ultimate mercy. Allowing himself to be killed and refusing the aid of the Enterprise, the Romulan Commander went out with military style.