Leeta's Strange Journey to the Heart of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"
Leeta is known to us all. Right? The super-hot Bajoran babe who ended up being, let's be real, a total badass wife to the Ferengi Rom? Well, what if I told you she almost got super-involved with Jake Sisko before it all happened? It's true, you know. Turns out the beloved actress who plays her, Chase Masterson, was actually one audition away fRom a different fate!
But the thing is - before Leeta and Rom met up and fell head-over-heels (or whatever kind of feelings you have on Ferengi), Leeta actually went in to play Mardah, Jake's not-so-approved girlfriend on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." She had this super alluring style and really pulled off the "kittenish sexuality" kind of character and got the entire cast's attention.
The One That Got Away (From Jake's Romance, That is)!
Why'd Chase Masterson miss out on that whole Jake/Leeta love story, even though she had the charm? You've got to blame Avery Brooks. Seriously. Avery was playing Commander Sisko, and I think he'd grown pretty attached to playing Jake's dad! Maybe Avery was just protective of his son? Or maybe he just felt that vibe would have been super-awkward since he’d have to watch a grown woman romancing his character!
Even though it wasn’t to be, they definitely had something special in mind when they saw her performance in that audition, because Leeta is totally one of those iconic characters in "Deep Space Nine". In fact, she even gets a whole backstory about why she got that super cool name - her character got named after Lolita Fatjo, who is a real person, who just happens to be the show's producer. Maybe Leeta’s journey in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” is proof that some awesome moments in TV shows come from really surprising turns!
Three Big Additions to Deep Space Nine Season 3
What makes Season 3 so wild is how much that cast gets expanded. I think it’s got more recurring roles and new people than any other season in the entire Star Trek universe. Of course, we get Michael Eddington, the cool Starfleet dude (and later a big-time traitor). But just when it seems like Season 3 has enough crazy things happening, they bring in the original Leeta.
I remember the moment Leeta is introduced! It's like they are doing a sneak preview of that cool connection Leeta and Bashir had, which just shows what an impressive set of acting talents those two have. But they only leave us hanging! Then we get this other moment - with Jake wanting to find his father a new partner, and that's where we meet that super nice captain who's later on in the series totally wins the heart of Sisko. Season 3 really had that magical moment, and all that’s missing, is to find out where Leeta was at that time. And the only person who can answer that, is Chase Masterson herself.
A "What if" World: If Leeta and Jake Got Together
Let’s be honest - what if Leeta did go on a date with Jake ? Would that have caused even more drama on Deep Space Nine, since the entire place already has enough going on! Or, maybe it would’ve made things better, adding even more excitement to that cool Sisko/Jake relationship. I have a feeling those moments of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" were destined to play out like they did though, with Leeta finding true love with the lovable Ferengi and then even ending up a force that changed the galaxy’s political landscape. You could say that was destiny!
Now, to find out the truth - all you have to do is dive into "Deep Space Nine" and maybe that other one-off, “The Abandoned”. It will help you to see what might have been.
