Tasha Yar's Daughter Gets Terrifying New Title, As Star Trek Doubles Down on Her Villainy

Summary Sela, daughter of Tasha Yar, takes on a villainous role as head of the Tal Shiar in Star Trek: Defiant #17.

General Revo's coup in the Romulan Empire puts Sela in a powerful position, showcasing her conniving nature.

The Tal Shiar's espionage and paranoia make Sela a formidable villain, adding darkness to the Star Trek universe.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek: Defiant #17!

Sela, the daughter of Tasha Yar has a terrifying new title as the Star Trek franchise doubles down on her villainy. The half-Romulan, half-human Sela has been a major player in IDW’s line of Star Trek comics, serving alongside Worf and the crew of the Defiant during Day of Blood. However, she has since betrayed them, and in Star Trek: Defiant #17, she uses the betrayal to ascend to a new role.

Star Trek: Defiant #17 is written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Angel Unzueta. General Revo, Sela’s father, is planning a coup in the Romulan Empire, one that will put him firmly in control. Revo has been using Worf and the Defiant crew to further his agenda, but he quickly betrays them, and tracks them to a distant, agrarian planet. Revo swears revenge upon them. Most chillingly, Revo promotes his daughter Sela to the head of the Tal Shiar, the Romulan intelligence apparatus.

The Tal Shiar are one of the most feared organizations in the galaxy.

Star Trek's Sela is a Complex Character, and IDW's Comics Have Shown Why

Sela Is the Perfect Fit for the Tal Shiar

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Sela’s backstory is convoluted, existing thanks to the quirks of time travel. Her mother Tasha, died when she was young, and Sela was raised to be a full Romulan. Sela encountered Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise several times, and in each instance she was severely humiliated in the eyes of the Empire. This disgrace has driven Sela’s arc in IDW’s line of Star Trek comics. Seeking to restore her lost honor, Sela joins forces with Worf, helping in her own way to stop Kahless during Day of Blood. Yet her Romulan nature has gotten the best of her.

Star Trek: Defiant’s current arc makes it clear Sela gets her conniving nature from her father Revo, whose coup has placed his daughter at the head of the Tal Shiar. The Tal Shiar are feared throughout not only the Romulan Empire, but the galaxy as a whole. The equivalent of the Federation’s Section 31 or the Cardassian’s Obsidian Order, the Tal Shiar engage in espionage, assassinations and other shady practices. Paranoia and suspicion are warp and woof in Romulan society, and this nerviness finds its best outlet in the Tal Shiar.

Sela Is Now in a Position to Be a True Star Trek Villain

The Tal Shiar Are Feared Throughout the Quadrant

Now, with Sela at the head of this terrifying organization, the Romulan Empire’s enemies, both internal and external, have good reason to fear for their lives. Despite outwardly embracing her Romulan identity, Sela struggles with it deep down. Sela’s desire to prove her “Romulan-ness” might lead her to mete out severe punishments for those who dare oppose her. Sela is ruthless and paranoid, qualities that will serve her well in the Tal Shiar. Her ascension to this role makes the Star Trek universe a significantly darker place.

Star Trek: Defiant #17 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!