Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 10, 1994 TAG: 9409140037
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By HAL BOEDEKER KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Genevieve Bujold - star of "Coma" and "Anne of the Thousand Days" - will play Capt. Elizabeth Janeway. A distinctive performer, like Patrick Stewart before her, Bujold will set a high acting standard for the ensemble.
Her casting is a development light years from the original "Star Trek," which dropped Yeoman Janice Rand (Grace Lee Whitney) after the first season, and which gave Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) few choice moments.
Things improved slowly through the years. In "Next Generation," Lt. Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby) was a forceful character - but she died in the first season. Other women gained prominence as doctors (Gates McFadden's Beverly Crusher) or spiritual advisers (Marina Sirtis' Deanna Troi).
"Deep Space Nine" offers the striking Maj. Kira (Nana Visitor), who can hold the screen with any character, and Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell). Kira, though, is a bumpy-nosed Bajoran. And Dax has never been her own woman, because she is the host to an ancient symbiotic life form.
But now there will be a woman - a "human" woman - in charge. As captain of Starship Voyager, Janeway must find the rebel Maquis ship lost in the "Badlands." Find it she does, and the two crews become one on her ship. Then a galactic phenomenon sweeps the two crews way out into space, necessitating a return trip that could take 70 years. Not even warp speed can expedite the journey, and Janeway will be forced to make many decisions on her own. Helping her hunt for a shortcut home will be:
- Chakotay (Robert Beltran), a Native American who was captain of the Maquis freedom fighters. When the crews merge, he becomes first officer.
- Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill), from a family of decorated Starfleet officers. Trying to live up to the family name has resulted in tragedy, and Janeway takes him on to help him overcome his past.
- Doc Zimmerman (Robert Picardo of ``The Wonder Years''), a holographic figure called into service whenever the crew needs emergency care.
- Tuvok (Tim Russ), a Vulcan security officer noted for his wisdom and vitality. Sort of Spock with attitude, he helps keep peace on the ship.
- Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), a human who serves as communications officer.
- Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Biggs-Dawson), who is half-Klingon, half-human. She fought with the Maquis.
- Neelix (Ethan Phillips), a strange-looking alien male unlike any other in "Star Trek" annals, who serves as cook and handyman.
- Kes (Jennifer Lien), Neelix's lover and a member of the Ocampa alien species. In human terms, she's 21. But in Ocampa time, she's 1, and her life span is just nine years.
In this crew, Bujold has the marquee name. Her casting sends a positive message for diversity, yet "Voyager," set in the progressive 24th century, doesn't have to dwell on that.
In more earthbound terms, Bujold's casting makes good business sense. "Voyager" will need all the attention it can muster when it premieres in January. Despite the Trek phenomenon and a string of hit movies, "Star Trek" on television has required the public-relations machine. The '60s series was No. 52 in its best year, and it lasted only three seasons. "Next Generation" never received its due as one of TV's best series because it was syndicated and the subject was sci-fi.
The odds against "Voyager" will be great because it must launch the United/Paramount Network. That's right, an entire TV network. William Shatner, Stewart and Avery Brooks never had so daunting a mission.
by CNB