Yeoman Rand leaving the Enterprise has long been a Yeoman Rand’s absence was never explained until 1981’s Star Trek #12, first published by Marvel Comics.
Played by Grace Lee Whitney, Yeoman Rand was an integral character during Star Trek’s early days. As Captain Kirk's yeoman, Rand handled istrative duties on the Enterprise. Rand played substantial roles in a number of episodes, such as 'Charlie X' and 'The Naked Time.' Intended as a love interest for Kirk, Rand was soon written out of the show; the official reason for her dismissal was the producers wanted to keep Kirk open for other women, but some say she was cut due to budgetary concerns. Rand disappeared, but returned in three of the original Star Trek films, appearing in Star Trek: The Motion Picture as a transporter chief. However, no television episode or movie ever explained why Yeoman Rand left.
Yeoman Rand Left Because She Loved Captain Kirk
That is, until 'Eclipse of Reason,' written by Alan Brennert and Martin Pasko and drawn by Luke McDonnell and Tom Palmer. The issue brings back Rand and introduces her husband Kadan - a disembodied consciousness from the planet Phaeton. Kadan has come aboard the Enterprise to collect Rand, who is transferring to the USS Icarus, an experimental "extragalactic cruiser." Kadan’s fellow Phaetons will staff the ship, with Rand as the sole human. Kirk is having difficulty accepting Rand’s transfer and promotion, as well as her marriage. Rand fires back, asking Kirk why he suddenly cares. Rand asks Kirk where he was 14 years ago, when she first served on the Enterprise. She acknowledges she once had feelings for him, and she had to transfer off because those feelings were getting in the way of her work. She only returned to the Enterprise after she worked through those feelings.
Yeoman Rand’s abrupt departure in Star Trek’s first season was puzzling to fans, especially after the attention she received in the first half; Rand was thoroughly scrubbed from the show and was never mentioned again until her return in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 'Eclipse of Reason' provides fans with a sound reason for why she left the ship - she was in love with Kirk. Those early episodes show this fact, and so the development is totally in line with her characterization and arc as a character.
Star Trek's explanation for Yeoman Rand's exit exhibits the sexist assumptions of the era - Rand is ultimately overcome by her feelings, sacrificing her role due to unrequited love - but closed a gap while retaining the voice and tone of the show, and her story thus far. It also fits well into her larger story: when Rand finally did return to the fold, she had moved on from Kirk and progressed in her career, suggesting she ultimately made the right call. Yeoman Rand’s departure was one of Star Trek’s greatest mysteries, but the comics established that she left the Enterprise in order to move on from her infatuation with Captain Kirk, and began an alternate road to success.
