The Star Trek franchise has explored concepts beyond the bounds of science fiction. Across countless episodes, they’ve delved into fantastical ideas and absurd flights of fancy. The show sports complex technical details one week and silly cartoon nonsense the next. When the writers wanted to pitch something wild, they developed an alien with the necessary biological characteristics. Someone wanted to tell the story of the Enterprise-D crew held hostage by a child’s imaginary friend, so they invented Isabella.
Gabrielle Beaumont made history in 1989 when she directed “Booby Trap,” the 54th episode of the Star Trek franchise and the first directed by a woman. Beaumont returned to The Next Generation six times over the next five years. Her career stretched far beyond the franchise into various hit TV shows and a few films. Her fifth entry, “Imaginary Friend,” introduced Isabella to the world.
Isabella’s role in Star Trek
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“Imaginary Friend” |
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Director |
Gabrielle Beaumont |
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Teleplay By |
Edithe Swensen and Brannon Braga |
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Story By |
Jean Louise Matthias, Ronald Wilkerson, and Richard Fliegel |
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Episode Number |
TNG Season 5, Episode 22 |
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Release Date |
May 4th, 1992 |
Isabella is Clara Sutter’s imaginary friend. Clara was one of many children who lived on the Starship Enterprise-D. Many Starfleet crew members brought their kids to work, letting them grow up like military brats with regular upheaval and constant relocation. Clara’s father, Ensign Sutter, only appeared in one episode. Clara struggled to make friends, regularly leaving vessels shortly after adjusting to her new conditions. Like many lonely kids, she created an imaginary friend named Isabella. Isabella resembled a young lady approximately Clara’s age. Clara regularly mentioned Isabella, but the adults couldn’t see her.
Isabella began life as a creation of Clara’s mind. “Imaginary Friend” depicts an alien appearing aboard the Enterprise-D to scout the ship as an energy source. The energy-based entity adopted Isabella’s form. When adults approached, she became invisible to continue blending in. Isabella regularly leads Clara into the ship’s dangerous off-limits areas. When Clara refuses to break the rules, Isabella threatens her. Donna Troi searches Clara’s room to ease her fears, but Isabella appears and blasts Troi with an energy beam. Clara tells her dad, who relates the issue to Captain Picard. The Enterprise crew must overcome the imaginary menace before she endangers the vessel.
What happens to Isabella?
After Clara explains Isabella to her dad, Picard and the crew work to uncover her identity. They discover the energy-based entity operating as Isabella and hunt her down. Isabella and other members of her species drain power from the Enterprise-D’s shields, threatening the crew. Picard finds Isabella in the ship’s arboretum. He reasons with her, asking why she’d attack the vessel. Isabella’s childlike perspective led her to misinterpret the adult crew members’ rules as dictatorial demands. She believed Clara to be a prisoner and the adults her oppressors. She accuses Picard of cruelty and mistreatment, but he explains the circumstances. Picard outlines his duties as an adult to set boundaries and protect children from dangerous circumstances. Picard uses Clara as an example, noting that she will likely set rules for her children when she grows up. Isabella gradually understands his explanation and apologizes for her behavior. She allows the Enterprise-D to pass safely through her home nebula. Before she leaves, she apologizes to Clara and promises she’ll try to visit her again when she grows up. Neither appeared in any later episodes, ending their story.
Who plays Isabella in Star Trek?
Shay Astar plays Isabella in Star Trek. Astar was eleven years old when the show aired. The year before, she appeared in the 1991 comedy, Ernest Scared Stupid. She remains best known for her three-year turn as August Leffler on 3rd Rock From the Sun. The character appeared regularly as Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character’s first stable girlfriend. Her most recent credits include a one-episode appearance in Shameless, a bit part in Lucky McKee’s All Cheerleaders Die, and the title role in Rose McGowan’s 2017 short film Ruth. Astar is also a musician who released her debut album, Blue Music, in 2010. Though Astar doesn’t pop up often, she brings a strong performance to every project she appears in.
Isabella is a bizarre Star Trek antagonist. The show frequently introduces otherworldly beings that pose physical threats, relying on the heroes to find a nonviolent solution. Isabella has godlike energy powers, but her unique perspective makes her more dangerous than most. Picard solves the problem by gently explaining the concept of responsibility to a child. While Clara, her dad, and her imaginary friend never return to the spotlight, the story of Isabella demonstrates a fascinating spout of creativity in the Star Trek writer’s room. “Imaginary Friend” is the story of a child learning why people keep telling her what to do and deciding to accept the explanation. It’s arguably a coming-of-age episode.
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