This article contains a reference to sexual assault.

Janice Rand's comeback was the best part of Star Trek: Voyager's season 3 "Flashback" episode, which also featured many other callbacks to previous Star Trek projects. The episode also featured the return of Captain Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) and his ship USS Excelsior, depicted through a flashback set during the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Sulu's return was a fun surprise, but Rand's appearance marked the exciting return of Commander Janice Rand. The commander is portrayed by actress Grace Lee Whitney, who was fired from Star Trek: The Original Series under allegedly unfair circumstances.

Rand's departure from the show after season 1 was surprising, but Whitney landed roles in future Star Trek projects. Rand returned to the franchise in the version of the Enterprise, and then she appeared in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home as a master chief petty officer or lieutenant. She was also featured in Star Trek: VI as a communications officer, rounding out Rand's varied Starfleet career. Rand's best comeback, though, ended up being the greatest part of Star Trek: Voyager's nostalgic episode celebrating Star Trek's 30th anniversary in 1996.

Commander Janice Rand Was The Highlight Of Star Trek: Voyager’s “Flashback”

The classic character's comeback righted a lot of TOS wrongs

The beginning of Star Trek: Voyager season 3 coincided with the franchise's 30th anniversary, so executives wanted to celebrate Star Trek with an episode dedicated to the timeline's storied past. Lieutenant Tuvok (Tim Russ) must travel back into his memories with Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). They end up on the USS Excelsior and encounter both Captain Sulu and Commander Rand, who playfully accuses Tuvok of sucking up to the captain. Seeing the Excelsior crew, all wearing the huge, maroon Star Trek: The Original Series-era uniforms, was a special tribute to the 30th anniversary – but Rand was still the highlight.

Janice Rand was a communications officer on the USS Excelsior and held the rank of commander. She had a leadership role among the younger crew, including Tuvok, who was an ensign at the time. The portrayal of Ran as a flirtatious and sexual character in Star Trek: The Original Series was gone. In the mistreated yeoman's place was a competent, relaxed, but still playful commander who respected her crew and her captain. Rand defended Captain Sulu's choice to attempt to rescue Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (Deforest Kelley) against Ensign Tuvok's opposition.

Voyager Redeemed Rand After Grace Lee Whitney’s Star Trek: TOS Exit

Voyager was Rand's vindication

Grace Lee Whitney's Yeoman Rand was a recurring part of the Star Trek: The Original Series cast for the entirety of season 1. However, Whitney was suddenly fired late in the production. Her departure was said to be due to financial strain on the ambitious and over-budget show, but Whitney later revealed in 1998's The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy that she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed executive on set a very short time before she was fired. Whitney claims her sudden departure was at least in part due to the assault.

"Flashback" brought Commander Janice Rand back in a more substantial way than her previous small roles in several Star Trek movies. Commander Rand jokes to Tuvok about the fact that it took her 3 years to become an ensign, which indicates how long she was a yeoman before she earned her pips. This length of time subtly highlights Rand's struggles during her long career in Starfleet, perhaps mirroring Grace Lee Whitney's negative experiences in the franchise's early days. Even so, Janice Rand will forever be part of some of the best Star Trek episodes, especially "Flashback."

Can Janice Rand Appear In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?

Strange New Worlds' use of classic TOS characters means Janice Rand could make another comeback

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can save Rand and give her the redemption arc that Star Trek: Voyager started. The popular show has brought back characters from Star Trek's past, with many recast classic characters: Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck), Lieutenant Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and most recently, Lieutenant Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (Martin Quinn), among others. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' timeline aligns with when Rand was a cadet, so the show could give her room to grow as a nuanced character and an asset to the show's impressive list of strong female characters.

Star Trek: Voyager's "Flashback" made sure Rand wasn't left behind in a long list of neglected female characters from Star Trek: The Original Series.

Whitney's Janice Rand isn't the only female character to be mistreated in the franchise – it took 43 years for Star Trek to introduce Nyota Uhura's first name – but Star Trek: Voyager's "Flashback" made sure Rand wasn't left behind in the list of neglected female characters from Star Trek: The Original Series. "Flashback" not only depicted a long and impressive career for Commander Rand, but it also revived her character's popularity and provided the franchise with more opportunities to use Grace Lee Whitney's iconic character in future projects.

Source: The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy