UPN 9: Voyager's Legacy

UPN 9 News in New York City aired this segment May 10, 2001. Slight spoilers for "Renaissance Man."

The alien encounters and battles are nearly over for the Voyager crew but tonight you're about to hear some revelations about Voyager's legacy and Voyager's place in Star Trek history. Here's Pat Collins.

Pat Collins: The fourth Star Trek series has enriched the 35-year-old franchise in a number of ways. And in a moment, I'll have the results of our viewer poll on Voyager's most important legacy. But first, let's hear from some of the cast members who have been a part of an extraordinary seven-year adventure.

From "Homestead":

Tuvok: Live long and prosper.

Pat Collins: For Tim Russ, Voyager's lasting legacy is rooted in Gene Roddenberry's initial vision, of a science fiction show that would be less about hardware and more about human relationships.

Tim Russ: Gene's goal was to portray this future as something somewhat different than what we have today, including minorities in lead, principle, and important roles. Our show broke the mold by giving myself a character as a black, Vulcan character which we've never seen before.

From "Homestead":

Janeway: [to Neelix] Goodbye. And good luck, Ambassador.

Pat Collins: In tonight's episode, the crew said good-bye to the ship's cook Neelix, a Talaxian who returned to his own people. For Ethan Phillips, the show's legacy lies in the moral fiber of its characters.

Ethan Phillips: Like people judge each other on what they did, who they were, and not on how much money they made or who they knew or anything like that, but on their actions.

From "Renaissance Man":

Doc: [to Janeway] If I don't survive, I need you to do something for me.

Pat Collins: In next week's episode, the Doctor, a holographic character, puts his existence in jeopardy to save the captain's life.

Doc: You might as well have been ordering me to put a phaser to your head.

Pat Collins: It's Voyager's approach to artificial intelligence that gets Robert Picarodo's vote.

Robert Picardo: We've done a lot of shows, including a two-part episode this year called "Flesh and Blood," which examined the issue of a subjugated group or class of people, using the analogy of artificial intelligence or holograms. The hologram rights shows. Of course, they are basically about recognizing the dignity of any individual.

From "Homestead":

Janeway: [to Neelix] It seems to me Starfleet could use a permanent ambassador. You wouldn't be interested, would you?

Pat Collins: As Star Trek's first female captain, Kate Mulgrew not surprisingly, selected the show's portrayal of strong women as its chief contribution.

Kate Mulgrew: I think that mothers like myself who have walked or pioneered this line, between motherhood and career, can finally watch a show with their daughters which was both liberating and comforting to them. They could say to their daughter, you see now what the future can hold for you. If Hollywood is representing this as a model, this is acceptable. This is possible for you. You always feel better when you see another woman doing something that's tough.

Pat Collins: Voyager's recurring theme of forgiveness is the one Jeri Ryan believes it will be most remembered for.

Jeri Ryan: Redemption is a huge issue in Star Trek. With this character specifically. When Seven was taken from being human and assimilated into the Borg, that was a terrible thing and they are taking her individual choice away from her. But then Janeway severs her from the Collective and makes her become human again. And that was just as bad from Seven of Nine's perspective. I love that they have the courage to show that Starfleet is not riding on their white horse and perfect.

Pat Collins: We've heard from the stars, now let's see the results of our viewer poll. On our web site we asked you to select one of the following as Voyager's most enduring legacies. Strong roles for women, the use of technology like the holographic doctor, emotional commitments, moral dilemmas, the search for identity, and the alien species encountered. The viewer's number one choice: the strong women of Starfleet.

On our newscast, Sunday, May 20, I'll have a special report on this winning category. Our report will follow an encore presentation of the first Voyager episodes, a two-parter Entitled "Caretaker." That will air from 8:00 to 10:00 on May 20. I'm Pat Collins, UPN 9 News.