Alfre Woodard's missed opportunity to become a regular on Star Trek: The Next Generation is a fascinating tale of what could have been. In the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact, Woodard's character, Lily Sloane, was intended to have a romance with Captain Picard, played by Patrick Stewart. This relationship was to be a recurring element, allowing Woodard to secure a regular role on the iconic series. However, the romance was ultimately cut, and Lily's presence in the franchise was limited.
The reason for this change is intriguing. According to co-writer Ronald D. Moore, the love story was deemed implausible due to the short timespan of the movie, which only spanned two days. Moore explains that Picard, representing an idealistic, great man of the future, was in contrast to Lily, who was more grounded in the present and losing hope. The conflict between their characters made a romance seem unlikely, and the writers decided to focus on other aspects of the story.
This decision raises an interesting question: what impact would a Picard/Lily romance have had on the franchise? Would it have changed the dynamic of the show, and how would it have affected the characters' development? The fact that Picard remained single throughout the Next Generation films allowed writers to introduce new love interests, much like Jerry Seinfeld's characters on his show. This freedom to constantly reinvent Picard's love life may have contributed to the show's longevity, but it also means that we never got to see the full potential of a Picard/Lily relationship.
In my opinion, the removal of this romance is a missed opportunity for both the characters and the audience. It would have added depth to Picard's character and provided a compelling subplot for the show. Additionally, it would have been fascinating to see how Woodard's character would have evolved as a regular on the show. While the writers' decision to focus on other aspects of the story is understandable, it's hard not to wonder what could have been.
In conclusion, the scrapped Picard/Lily romance is a reminder that sometimes the most intriguing stories are the ones that never came to be. It's a testament to the power of what-ifs and the endless possibilities in the world of Star Trek. Perhaps one day, we'll get to see the full potential of this relationship, and Alfre Woodard will finally get her Star Trek moment.
