Star Trek: The Next Generation “Sub Rosa” (part 2 of 4)

by · October 19, 2003

Cut to Picard and Crusher strolling through the corridors of the ship. Crusher reveals all the private, way-too-intimate stuff she’s learned from reading Nana’s diaries. “You know she had a lover? Do you believe that? Nana was a hundred years old!”

“Mmmm,” Picard says, his interest a little too piqued. “It would seem that the Howard women have exceptionally vigorous libidos!” You wish, Jean-Luc.

Crusher lets it drop that Nana’s lover was in his thirties. All together now: Ewwww! Crusher says the guy’s name is “Ronin”, which makes no sense, since it’s a Japanese word for a rogue samurai. Regardless, Ronin is 34 years old, and he and Nana met immediately after Crusher’s great-grandmother died (hint-hint). Crusher thinks Ronin must be the Mysterious Stranger™ who dropped the camellia onto Nana’s grave. She’s mystified, however, because Nana never mentioned him.

Picard says they’ll be on Caldos for a few days. “This will be a good opportunity for you to get your grandmother’s affairs in order!” Buh-dum-bum! Actually, it’s not even played like a pun, which somehow makes it dumber. Crusher heads into her quarters, and outside, an obviously terrified Picard goes, “Thirties!” Hey, I’m right there with you, Captain.

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Multi-Part Article: Star Trek: The Next Generation "Sub Rosa"

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  • Bacchae2

    There is a Jeanna F. Gallo and I am she. I was not and am not a member of the WGA and therefore would not have received any credit as a writer. Trek was one of the very few series that ever invited story pitches from fans which is what I was. I did write a full script (which Jeri Taylor read) somewhat similar to what was eventually filmed, but it was the concept that was purchased and totally rewritten by both Braga and Jeri Taylor as a gothic romance. A lot of fans really like this episode by the way. I was initially diappointed with it. But it’s not very like my original concept or script at all–except for the scottish colony and centering on Beverly Crusher. And in my story the Granny was very much alive and envisioned as a role for the great 40s actress Dorothy McGuire. Anne Rice has nada to do with it–in fact neither I nor Jeri Taylor (or Braga it turned out) have ever read her books. I have still not read “Lasher” to this day. We’ve been most amused by the speculation, but it is truly the very definition of idle. There are no new ideas under the sun and the way it was fashioned is much more due to Jeri and Braga than my input as a fan on the east coast who wanted to see a scottish theme and a Bev story.

    I also sold the story idea that became “Distant Origin” on V’ger when they sent out the series Bible before it ever aired and requested concepts. I was not entirely happy with this one either–wrong dinosaur for one thing. Anyway…  I received no credit on this ep, “buried” or otherwise, because Paramount’s business dept. had changed rules. The only reason I got any credit as non-union on “Sub Rosa” was all due to Ms. Taylor who is a lovely person and yes indeed it was right there in the closing credits the very first time it aired. Believe me, I remember it well and have it on tape.

    • Wow, the mysterious Jeanna F. Gallo! You DO exist! Okay, I’ll cop to putting a lot of baseless speculation in this recap, but in my defense, this was written nine years ago. At that time, there was no information on the internet about this episode BUT baseless speculation.

      But by now, it seems pretty clear that Anne Rice never asked for credit or royalties and I was completely wrong (wouldn’t be the first time). Thanks for stopping by and setting the record straight, and providing some behind the scenes info. It’s always interesting to hear about the parts of the script that didn’t make it to the screen.

  • Bacchae2

    You’re welcome. BTW, your captions are Hilarious!

  • kevin flynn

    SO I furthered your pursuit… here’s what I dug up…

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3325095/

    Confirmation of only 1 credit

    http://stng.36el.com/st-tng/episodes/reviews/tlynch/subrosa.rev.html
    A deep dive into this topic.
    A note, the poster of this page warns of spoilers. Is it possible to ruin ‘Sub Rosa’? I thought once you hit the bottom there is no more down… LOL

    • $36060516

      Sorry to hijack the thread but since your posting is what lead me to come to this thread, just thought I’d ask the Agony Booth peoples if there is any chance of removing the nag box which appears on all of the text articles on this site that instructs me to watch a video instead of reading the article I clicked on? I’ve never seen another site that does that — active literacy dissuasion! Presumably this is because there is a bigger ad revenue margin from the videos (I could be wrong), but does it really need to be pounded in this hard that you’d prefer us to watch rather than read?

  • Joel Schlosberg

    Brannon Braga just tweeted: “TNG episode SUB ROSA – my homage to Henry James. AWFUL!! Please forgive.” https://twitter.com/BrannonBraga/status/481249064919367682

    • Muthsarah

      Ah, contrition. And only a decade or two late.

      Actually, there are 38 TNG episodes I put below Sub Rosa, so…well…yeah. It’s technically not even close to being the worst….

  • Michael Micucci

    Just to add some background, ronin (浪人 – rounin) literally means “wave person” but it’s typically idiomized to “wandering warrior”, though it was typically tied to a lordless samurai, who was “wandering” because they had no home. Nowadays it actually is used to describe high school grads who failed their college entrance exams and are spending a year studying, etc. so they can try again a year later.

  • Rubicon

    Despite what may or may not be written below, but “Gallo pinto” is the name of a Spanish dish of beans…and rice. Coincidence?

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