This article contains spoilers for the season premiere of Star Trek: Picard, “The Star Gazer.“Trekkies were introduced to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s Romulan housekeeper last season. In the first season ofStar Trek: Picard, Jean-Luc is living with Laris, played by Orla Brady, and her then-husband Zhaban, played by Jamie McShane in his secondStar Trekrole, at Château Picard. Although the couple’s story isn’t expanded on much in the actual TV series itself, the complete answer to whom they appear in the IDW comic book miniseries,Star Trek: Picard: Countdownby Mike Johnson, Kirsten Beyer, Angel Hernandez, and Joana Lafuente.
But in the second seasonPicardpremiere, “The Star Gazer,” fans learned that Laris, a Tal Shiar operative, handled by Zhaban’s mother, was promised to her husband Zhaban since her childhood. But as Laris recounts this story to her confident, boss, and now-lover over a glass of wine, not synthehol, meaning it can lower people’s inhibitions (although not as much as Romulan ale), the two connect on a deeper level. They are in love, and Picard is terrified. Good thing the Borg arrives, so he can once again run away from his feelings, just like he did with Vash so many years ago onStar Trek: The Next Generation.
During last night’s virtualPicardpremiere, the Laris actress spoke to a Ten Forward Lounge bartender, who was just Angélique Roché in disguise (or Beckett Mariner in disguise with all the Romulan ale she was giving out for free). Notably, she discussed what’s next for the character after Picard flies off without even saying his goodbyes.
Orla Brady Says Laris is Not That Kind of Woman
The Ten Forward Lounge bartender asked Brady, “What’s your favorite memory working on the journey of Season 2 or just of working onStar Trek: Picard overall?” To which the actress responded:
You know, every day was favorite. It was so glorious working with Patrick [Stewart] and all the cast. But, I worked very intensely with Patrick and if he hadn’t been as lovely and generous, and by the way, quite a good actor… it was just a really lovely experience. So I went to work every day very, very happy. On the other hand, my least favorite moment was working with the dog because the dog managed to ruin the scene. Sometimes the dog was a bit onerous. Every day, the dog was total diva.
Multiple actors have commented on what a diva the Château Picard dog is, so yeah, total diva, which Brady and the Mariner look-alike joked about during the virtual event.
Next, the bartender asked Brady about the future of Laris and Picard’s relationship, asking, “We’ve seen some interesting things from yourPicardcharacter in this first episode; what can you tease about what’s next?” Although Brady’s response did not please many of the hopeless romantics in the audience, it feels true to a character who is a former Tal Shiar. She said:
Well, I think, as you have seen, Picard is not as completely able to respond and to reciprocate when somebody loves him, and Laris is somebody who has a great sense of self, and she’s not going to hang around. If someone isn’t interested in her, she’s not that kind of woman. I think we could all take a leaf out of her book. I think she has enough sense of self to think, well, if they’re not for me, then I’m not for them. So I think there might be an even of her own adventures ahead.
What Laris adventure could Brady possibly be teasing? Trekkies sound off!
