Chase Masterson calls Rom & Leeta beacons of hope

Chase Masterson loved the Rom & Leeta storyline

Rom & Leeta were considered an odd couple on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine at first—the Dabo girl and the socially awkward Ferengi who couldn’t stand up to his brother. With Leeta, portrayed by Chase Masterson, originally in a relationship with Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig), one didn’t even consider that she might, one day, find love with Quark’s shy brother, played by Max Grodénchik. But it did happen, and DS9 fans loved the relationship…as did Masterson.

In an exclusive interview with Heavy, Masterson said she thought the relationship Rom & Leeta had was genius storytelling. The actress went on to explain that what happened between the couple was “at the heart of Star Trek.”

"“I think it was genius storytelling. I think it was very much at the heart of ‘Star Trek.’ People get to see each other for who they are inside and nothing else matters. Both the Dabo girl — this unrespected, least rung on the station really, is these Dabo Girls — and this runt brother, they become the head of the Ferengi Empire! It’s a very ‘Star Trek’ tale.”"

Chase Masterson says Leeta and Rom are still loved

Though they didn’t have that much opportunity to play up their relationship on the screen, the few times they were together, Rom and Leeta were simply the sweetest couple. Even though they had some issues, they always found their way back to one another. And even overbearing, dominating Quark couldn’t overrule their love.

Masterson said that the couple’s relationship “strikes to the heart of Star Trek” because “things happen in life that you would never imagine.” Certainly Rom would never have thought he would have ended up with a Dabo girl, and likewise, Leeta could never have imagined falling in love with a Ferengi. But Star Trek is all about possibilities beyond your wildest imagination.

"“The characters of Leeta and Rom are still loved in this way because it really strikes to the heart of ‘Star Trek’… Things happen in life that you would never imagine. So, keep going, have hope and work hard and do the right thing, and you never know what’s around the corner."

And though Deep Space Nine ended over twenty years ago, we’d like to think that, if there ever was a reboot, we’d see Rom & Leeta’s marriage still going strong.