Everyone knows Star Trek: The Next Generation didn’t start strong. The first season had simple stories and characters who weren’t very engaging, and one character was even written off before season two began. Fortunately, the writing improved over time, and the creators found a way to rewrite a surprising and unnecessary death that happened in season three.
The episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” which aired on February 19, 1990, brought back the character of Lieutenant Tasha Yar from a different timeline. Actress Denise Crosby had left the show rather suddenly at the end of the first season. This episode gave her character a meaningful exit, allowing her to choose how she died, and it opened the door for Crosby to return in future episodes, even playing Tasha’s daughter. The return of Tasha Yar in “Yesterday’s Enterprise” had a significant impact on the rest of the series and the crew of the Enterprise-D.
Tasha Yar’s Original Run, Death, and Return in The Next Generation
Lieutenant Natasha Yar debuted in the Star Trek: The Next Generation premiere, “Encounter at Farpoint,” as the Enterprise-D’s head of security. She was portrayed as a strong and resilient character, having overcome a difficult upbringing on the failed colony planet Turkana IV. While her focus on action appealed to some viewers, Tasha’s character didn’t develop much in the first season. Though she had key roles in episodes like “The Naked Now” and “Symbiosis,” her backstory remained underdeveloped and lacked depth. Ultimately, Denise Crosby, the actress who played Tasha, requested to leave the show, stating she was unhappy with the one-dimensional nature of the role and eager to move on.
Tasha Yar’s death in the episode “Skin of Evil” was shocking to viewers. She was killed unexpectedly during a mission by a creature named Armus, and the storyline felt rushed – her death wasn’t properly set up and was resolved within that single episode. Though the crew briefly mourned her with a holographic message, the show quickly moved on, leaving many fans confused and disappointed.
Three years later, actress Denise Crosby received the script for “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” and it was so compelling she immediately accepted the role. The episode brought her character, Tasha Yar, back through a time-travel twist: the Enterprise-C appears from a rift in space, altering history and creating a grim future where the Federation is losing a war against the Klingons. In this changed reality, Tasha is still alive and serving on the Enterprise-D. She meets Guinan, who tells her about her original, tragic death in the main timeline. This gives Tasha the chance to make a different choice, and she bravely volunteers to return with the Enterprise-C on its final mission, sacrificing herself to restore the original timeline.
How Tasha’s Return in “Yesterday’s Enterprise” Made All of TNG Better
The episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise” not only brought back Tasha Yar after her early death, but also gave the character more depth. This allowed actress Denise Crosby to explore the role more fully, and helped fans connect with Tasha on a deeper level. This return sparked many significant storylines, including her appearances as Tasha’s daughter, Sela, in the popular “Redemption” and “Unification” arcs – a concept Crosby suggested herself. Finally, Crosby reprised her role as Tasha one last time in the series finale, “All Good Things…”.
Tasha’s death and subsequent return positively impacted other characters as well. Worf benefited greatly, stepping into Tasha’s role and becoming a beloved character. Picard was personally affected by both her return and the discovery of her daughter, making him confront the impact of his choices as a captain. Finally, the story change regarding Tasha became a significant part of Data’s development, making their past encounter a defining memory for him.
Ultimately, her return wasn’t just about making up for her hasty departure in the first season. It transformed her into a vital part of The Next Generation’s story and contributed to what many consider the show’s best episode ever.
What’s your favorite appearance by Denise Crosby in Star Trek: The Next Generation? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-02-20 01:12