Star Trek just introduced one of its best couples to date with a Deep Space Nine callback. The franchise has featured numerous romantic pairings throughout its history, some good and some bad. Now, in a dark and blasphemous universe created by the evil android Lore, two Star Trek characters have found each other. Yet, as seen in Star Trek: Defiant #27, it is a doomed affair.
Star Trek: Defiant #27 was written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Davide Tinto. Captain Sisko is leading a ragtag group of rebels against Lore, in a bid to restore the universe to its rightful state. Among those assembled are this reality’s versions of Tasha Yar and Kira Nerys. The issue reveals that the two women are partners, and share deep feelings for each other.
The two are afraid they will be split when the attack on Lore begins.
Tasha Yar and Major Kira Are the Best New Couple in the Star Trek Franchise
Both Tasha and Major Come From Similar Backgrounds
While Kira would go on to bigger and better things, Tasha knew nothing but tragedy. She was unceremoniously killed in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s first season. Tasha was later resurrected thanks to time travel, and this time ended up a prisoner of the Romulans. One of her captors offered her freedom if she would marry him. The result of this was a half-human/half-Romulan child named Sela, who has been front and center throughout Star Trek: Defiant. Tasha was killed again, this time by Romulan guards as she tried to escape with her daughter.
Kira had several relationships while serving aboard Deep Space Nine, including one with Odo.
There is a Precedent in the Star Trek Universe for Kira Being Queer
Kira's Relationship With Tasha Allows Them Both to Grow
Ironically, in Lore’s dark vision of the Star Trek universe, Tasha has seemingly found true love with Kira Nerys. The issue does not dwell on the details of their relationship: fans do not learn how they met or how long the two have been together. Instead, in the scant space devoted to Tasha and Kira in Defiant #27,readers see just how deeply the two women care for each other. Kira and Tasha have formed a strong bond in Lore’s universe, one that may prove to be the android’s undoing.
At the time, thanks to Star Trek Executive Producer Rick Berman, the franchise could not openly show queer relationships, meaning the writers had to “code” the characters.
Star Trek's Best New Couple Are Doomed
It Will Be Heartbreaking to Witness Tasha and Kira Seperated for Good
The Kira and Tasha of Lore’s dark timeline are lovers, but the relationship is doomed to failure. Sisko and company will no doubt restore the proper Star Trek universe, one where Tasha is dead and Kira serves aboard Deep Space Nine. Kira and Tasha appear happy with each other, but all of that is about to be ripped away, another testament to Lore’s cruelty. Star Trek has been behind the curve in depicting LGBTQIA+ relationships, and Tasha and Kira finding each other goes a long way to fixing this error.
Star Trek: Defiant #27 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!