Denise Crosby confirmed that Tasha Yar would be seen in the third season of Star Trek: PIcard.
With most of the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation returning to Star Trek: Picard to close out their arcs as indicated by showrunner Terry Matalas, there are three who have never been included in the list. Diana Muldaur as Dr. Katherine Pulaski, Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher, and Denise Crosby as Tasha Yar. But that lineup has changed with the recent announcement from Crosby that fans would see her character.
Tasha Yar was killed in the first season episode of The Next Generation in “Skin of Evil,” and her character was brought back on Yesterday’s Enteprise in an alternate timeline. In that, she was given a more fitting death. Crosby then returned to TNG as Sela, Yar’s daughter and a half-Romulan commander. But she hasn’t appeared as Tasha Yar in any of the new Star Trek series, and though that’s going to change, we don’t quite know how, given that her character is deceased.
Tasha Yar can be seen in a number of different ways on Star Trek: Picard.
Denise Crosby’s exact words were that “you will see Tasha Yar.” She didn’t say her character would see the others or there would be any interaction. So, most likely, she will be seen in photograph or holo-image like she did when the crew gathered to say goodbye to her. But, there is also the possibility that she’ll show up on a holodeck which would enable her character to return to life.
However she returns, I hope it’s for an essential purpose that will honor the character and not just a tool to wring emotion out of viewers. I’m sure there will be plenty of emotion during the entire final season of Picard.
How do you think Tasha Yar will return? Do you think her return is a necessity to close out The Next Generation characters?