Gay storyline
From Hidden Frontier
Hidden Frontier has garnered media attention and honors for its boundary-breaking portrayal of gay characters in televised Star Trek for the first time. The series’ gay storyline involves Lieutenant Ro Nevin's search for his sexual identity, his near-romance with Lieutenant Commander Corey Aster, and Aster's eventual relationship with USS Excelsior’s Trill helm officer, Lieutenant Jorian Zen (who now serves as tactical officer on the USS Helena.
The Gay Story Arc So Far
Visiting mission specialist Aster is teamed with his old crush from the Academy, Ensign Ro. A confused Ro isn't sure what to make of the feelings stirred up by Aster. Aster leaves at the conclusion of their mission.
Aster joins the Excelsior's crew as assistant chief engineer. Ro avoids him, but eventually they meet for an intense exchange. This time, however, it's Aster who walks away. Introduction of Crewman Zen, a Trill who exhibits interest in Aster.
Aster's involvement with a Cardassian makes Ro jealous, but his feelings are overwhelmed by the Cardassian's sacrifice on behalf of peace with Bajor. This episode features the first gay kiss in the history of televised Star Trek.
Ro's ambivalence drives Aster into the arms of now-Ensign Zen. Aster and Zen begin a relationship.
Zen and Ro are jealous of one another while on a "camping trip mission" with Aster and Ensign Barrett.
Aster and Zen celebrate a year together, but their joy is marred by Zen's joining with a renegade Trill symbiont, throwing their relationship into doubt.
Aster and Zen are still together, but the symbiont's past begins to interfere. Meanwhile, Ro begins a relationship with a female Bajoran, Tara Abis.
Under pressure from weeks of troubling prophetic dreams, Aster quarrels with Zen, complaining of his condescending attitude. Meanwhile, Ro fails to keep Tara from meeting Aster, who has sought out Ro's support in the face of difficulties with Zen.
Ro finally admits his love for Aster – to himself and to Tara, but not to Aster. Ro and Tara break up just as Ro learns about Barrett's loss on an Away mission.
Zen is assigned to the USS Helena, Ro has trouble grieving for Barrett but meets a Klingon captain, Nej'ta, who challenges him.
After being injured in a Tholian attack, Aster tries to come to terms with the problems in his relationship with Zen. Zen returns from a victorious encounter with the Tholians. Zen and Aster agree to have dinner.
Ro Nevin is pushed into assisting Captain Nej'ta in a Rite of Passage ceremony by Matt McCabe. Nevin and Nej'ta complete the ritual and share a passionate kiss, which marks the beginning of a new relationship for Nevin. Corey and Jorian's relationship is still on shaky ground, but Jorian and Corey decide to give it another try.
Jorian and Corey share a goodbye kiss as Jorian gets ready for his mission to Trill. Jorian fails to inform Corey that Jorian's mission requires interaction with a former lover of Cassius.
Jorian and Corey's relationship is strained further when Jorian tells Corey that there was a problem that involves Cassius' former lover.
Corey admits to Leffler that he thought things were better, but Jorian left to find Tesla Mor. Corey runs into a hungover Nevin after a night with Nej'ta, and Corey suggests a walk in the arboretum. Nevin tells Corey that he thinks he made a mistake with Nej'ta. He's worried that, while he has feelings for Nej'ta, it doesn't seem special. Corey tells Nevin and he and Jorian haven't worked things out. They both consider having something together. Niven suggests they go back to Corey's quarters, but Corey decides to give Jorian more time. Later - Nej'ta and Nevin sing Klingon battle songs together to remember the honored dead, and head off to spend private time together before Nej'ta leaves in the morning.
