Why Jadzia Dax should return to Star Trek

Jadzia Dax was eliminated as a character because Terry Farrell wanted less screen time.

Recently, Terry Farrell, the actress who portrayed the Trill, Jadzia Dax, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for six seasons told an audience at the 56-Year Mission Star Trek convention that she wanted to return to Star Trek. Not only her but her character as well. She referenced Spock’s death in Star Trek: Wrath of Khan as to how it would be possible for her to return.

Many fans were flummoxed when Farrell’s character was killed on Deep Space Nine, mainly because it seemed to come out of nowhere. And, in fact, it did. Farrell never wanted to leave the series; she wanted less screen time to raise her family, but the producers wouldn’t agree. It was either full-time or no time. So a tough decision was made, and Jadzia was killed off in a manner unbefitting such a major character on the series.

Jadzia Dax still has a story left to be told.

By cutting short Farrell’s time on Deep Space Nine, the producers also eliminated the chance for a proper conclusion to Jadzia’s character arc. Her death didn’t resolve that. It was a cheap shot to the fan community who loved Jadzia and Worf (Michael Dorn). The couple had a successful marriage and were considering children before she was uncermoniously killed, only adding to Worf’s ever-growing line of tragedies in his life.

By returning to Star Trek in whatever way she could be brought back, Farrell could reignite a fan base that wanted to see more of her and Worf, a fan base that were furious when she was killed, and those who still think her death was unnecessary. Had Farrell been given the option to reduce her time on the series, there would have been no need to kill her off.

Not very many Star Trek characters have a chance for happily ever after or even a slight bit of happiness. Jadzia had found that with Worf and her career on Deep Space Nine. She was strong, determined, and a role model to younger adults at the time. Bringing her back to the franchise would give even more young adults someone to see themselves in, someone that looks different just like they do, someone who is okay with being different. Jadzia Dax was a force to be reckoned with, and she deserves another chance at life.