Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek: Discovery Underutilized Rekha Sharma
Star Trek: Discovery and Battlestar Galactica both somehow underutilized Rekha Sharma, eight years apart. Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek: Discovery are two of the best science fiction TV shows ever, and they both come at the sci-fi genre from different directions. Discovery is hopeful and aspirational, Battlestar is gritty and rage-filled.
The Star Trek casts have always been notable ensembles. Even the space crews not led by William Shatner and Patrick Stewart are memorable. Discovery is led by Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, a science specialist who eventually becomes the captain of Discovery through the 23rd and 32nd centuries.
However, Battlestar Galactica has almost as memorable a cast, and in terms of science fiction TV shows, its cast ranks high up the best of lists. The series is led by Edward James Olmos as William Adama, the commanding officer of the ship. Notably, both casts count Rekha Sharma among their actors.
Star Trek: Discovery & Battlestar Galactica Both Underused Rekha Sharma
Rekha Sharma plays Ellen Landry in Star Trek: Discovery, a recurring character in season 1 and a guest character in season 3. Commander Landry was a Starfleet officer in the mid-23rd century and the chief of security aboard the USS Discovery. It’s a small role, but Sharma does have some memorable lines in the series.
In Battlestar Galactica, Sharma plays Tory Foster, the personal assistant to President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), replacing Billy Keikeya (Paul Campbell) after he’s shot in a hostage negotiation. A recurring character in seasons 2 through 4, Tory learns that she is one of the Final Five Cylons.
In both series, Rekha Sharma is dramatically underused. She’s a recurring character in both shows too, so she could easily have been given more screentime. Sharma has been a part of plenty of great shows, like Yellowjackets, Transplant, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. She could have easily handled a bigger part.
Battlestar Galactica’s Tory Fared Better Than Star Trek: Discovery’s Landry
Rekha Sharma and James Callis in Battlestar GalacticaCredit: SYFY
As much as Rekha Sharma is underutilized in both shows, at least her character fares better in Battlestar Galactica and remains a semi-important part of the show up until her departure. In Star Trek: Discovery, Landry is unceremoniously killed by an alien tardigrade she nicknames “Ripper” when she tries to sedate it.
In Battlestar Galactica, Tory is liberated by the revelation that she is a Cylon and immediately aligns herself with the rebel Cylon faction. Tory is killed by Tyrol at the end of the series for her part in Tyrol’s wife’s death. It’s not everything Sharma is capable of, but at least it’s an arc that gives her something.
Release Date
2004 – 2009-00-00
Showrunner
Ronald D. Moore
Directors
Wayne Rose, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Jeff Woolnough, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Jonas Pate, Allan Kroeker, Anthony Hemingway, Jean de Segonzac, Marita Grabiak, James Head, Paul A. Edwards, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Brad Turner, Ronald D. Moore, Bill Eagles
Writers
Carla Robinson, Michael Taylor, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Jane Espenson, Mark Verheiden, Michael Angeli, Anne Cofell Saunders, Jeff Vlaming, Michael Rymer, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin, Seamus Kevin Fahey
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