Jack Ransom is one of the most interesting and fun characters in all of modern Star Trek. Played perfectly by Jerry O'Connell, the character is fun, over the top, and a perfect snapshot of the 1980s bravod brought to life in a modern image. He's bundles of fun.
Yet, he may share a dark secret. Much like the ties that bond La'an Noonien Singh with her psychopathic, murderous, dictator of a relative, Our own Jack Ransom may have a tie to another all-time great Star Trek villain; Rudolph Ransom.
Rudolph Ransom was the only other Starfleet captain in the Delta Quadrant during the adventures of the USS Voyager in the quadrant. He, like the Voyager, had his ship and crew pulled in by the Caretaker's array but instead of pushing through the unknown space the Starfleet way, he turned villainous. Motivated by survival, Ransom started using a sentient, organic lifeform to help power his ship.
This in turn caused the aliens to attack his crew at any chance they could. When Janeway found out about Ransom's decision, she quickly stood to challenge him. A result that ended with Ransom's death. Yet, do the villainous Rudolph and the over-the-top and heroic Jack share a family tie? Well, ScreenRant thinks there's a chance and we agree.
Beyond the name, they do share some unique qualities. They have similar hair, and skin tones and even have a fairly close physical frame. However, the last point is hard to prove. They also share a drive that when governed correctly is incredibly powerful but when left to their own devices, it can be catastrophic.
There's a good chance that the two men are in fact related, but it's also sadly not something we're likely to get an answer to in the final episode of the series. With the 10 and final episode of Lower Decks set to take place before Christmas, the chances for the revelation to be made are lower than ever.
If not in the final episode, perhaps in the extended media, like the comics, where Lower Decks will continue on in canon form. But even then, the odds that the two shows will be forever llinked throughg one familial pairing seems low.
A missed opportunity for sure.