The much-desired Star Trek: Legacy still hasn't been announced to be happening, but if it were to materialize, it'd be missing one of timeline of Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine continued to be fleshed out, another character who had been involved from the start was sadly dropped just before the show ended.

I might be in the minority when I say I actually enjoyed Star Trek: The Next Generation cast in the show's final run was brilliant. That being said, I enjoyed more than just the fan service. Picard introduced an array of new characters, and may could return to be part of the Star Trek: Legacy cast if the follow-up show happens. Sadly, one of Picard's standout introductions can't really be among that group.

Star Trek: Legacy Can’t Bring Back Cristobal Rios If Picard’s Spinoff Happens

Captain Rios already left the 25th century by heading back in time (& dying there)

Star Trek timeline to be added to in exciting new ways. Presumably, Star Trek: Legacy would pick up shortly after the Picard finale, which means there is a surprisingly long list of characters introduced specifically for the Picard who would be eligible to return. One of my favorite figures exclusive to Star Trek: Picard was Santiago Cabrera's Cristóbal Rios, but he's essentially gone for good.

Rios was instrumental in Star Trek: Picard seasons 1 and 2, but his exit at the end of the second run was executed in such a way that it wouldn't make sense for him to come back in Star Trek: Legacy. Of course, I'm aware that Star Trek is a sci-fi franchise, but this is one of those instances where I strongly believe trying to fix this decision with a trope-led retcon would be one of the least suitable decisions possible. So, I just have to live with the sad reality that we've probably seen the last of Captain Rios.

Why Rios Was Written Out Of Star Trek: Picard Season 3

The incoming of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast were too expensive to also keep Cabrera

Star Trek: Picard season 3 saw the biggest shakeup in the show's history when it came to its casting changes. Unsurprisingly, Patrick Stewart remained in his titular role, but Cabrera was among a group of four key stars dropped ahead of the final season. There's a very simple explanation for this, and it all comes down to the show's incoming cast . However, they're known better by a different name - the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show's budget was set to balloon because of the star-studded cast, so Cabrera and the others had to go.

Thankfully, Cabrera was at least given a proper farewell in Star Trek: Picard season 2. It would have annoyed me if he was still among the cast at the end of season 2, only for season 3 to open with an explanation of where Rios had gone. He deserved an onscreen exit, and he got one. Besides, with the landmark plans in place for Star Trek: Picard's final season, I doubt there would have been enough time to give Rios any kind of respectable storyline. It was essentially Star Trek: The Next Generation season 8, making a casting overhaul necessary.

Why Rios Is A Great Star Trek Character Who Deserved More Than His Fate In Picard

Captain Rios could have been explored further in Star Trek: Legacy

Star Trek: Picard season 2 seemed to be clearing house in preparation for the arrival of Picard's former crew. As such, Rios was among a group destined to leave the show, and so the writers gave him a proper goodbye. I'm not annoyed by Rios' choice to remain in 2024 with Sol Rodriguez's Dr. Teresa Rodriguez. I'm also not saying it didn't feel a bit sudden and rushed, but it at least gave him a happy and somewhat authentic-feeling ending.

Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) informs Stewart's character in the Star Trek: Picard season 2 finale that Rios died in a bar fight over medical supplies, decades after arriving in 2024.

Rios survived into old age and went out in a blaze of what made him who he was, so it's tough to argue that his departure from the show wasn't actually quite fitting. Then again, I can't help but feel like the character had far more potential than what he was able to fulfill. Star Trek: Legacy would be the perfect kind of project to explore a character like Rios even further, but the end of his arc in Star Trek: Picard has taken that possibility away.