Why was Kes written off the show?

[Kooz]

I'm re-watching Voyager, and there are few bright spots. One was Kes, but she just got written off the show ("just" being a relative term). Any idea why?

[C.E. Evans]

Both the producers and the studio felt that the character wasn't working. When the character of Seven of Nine was conceived, there was already a sentiment by the studio that there were too many characters on the show as it was (i.e., they needed to trim the budget) and so someone had to go.

[LOKAI of CHERON]

They should have dropped Harry Kim (no disrespect to Garrett Wang), but if I remember correctly, he topped a magazine poll proclaiming him "most attractive man on TV" or some such nonsense. As I understand it, this essentially saved the Ensign's ass!

[JarodRussell]

C.E. Evans wrote:

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Both the producers and the studio felt that the character wasn't working. When the character of Seven of Nine was conceived, there was already a sentiment by the studio that there were too many characters on the show as it was (i.e., they needed to trim the budget) and so someone had to go.

In other words, Jennifer Lien didn't feature enough boob and wasn't ready to wear skintight catsuits.

[C.E. Evans]

JarodRussell wrote:

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In other words, Jennifer Lien didn't feature enough boob and wasn't ready to wear skintight catsuits.

Actually, it was a case the producers felt the character had run out of steam. Her relationship with Neelix seemed like a good idea in the beginning, but then less so as the series progressed (it was why they started to have her in more scenes with other characters like the Doctor and Tuvok). The initial idea was to have both Seven and Kes on the show, but the studio said no to having ten regular cast members.

[Jeri]

The poll Garrett made it into was People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Jeri wrote:

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The poll Garrett made it into was People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

I assume that magazine holds particular influence/sway in the States?

[Sandoval]

I've said this before, but how a decision based on looks leaves you keeping Garrett Wang and sacking Jennifer Lien baffles me.

[jpch]

C.E. Evans wrote:

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Both the producers and the studio felt that the character wasn't working. When the character of Seven of Nine was conceived, there was already a sentiment by the studio that there were too many characters on the show as it was (i.e., they needed to trim the budget) and so someone had to go.

totally agree

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Sandoval wrote:

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I've said this before, but how a decision based on looks leaves you keeping Garrett Wang and sacking Jennifer Lien baffles me.

Agreed! Although I don't have any particular problem with the Harry Kim character - I would have selected Kes over him in a heartbeat.

[Stephen!]

C.E. Evans wrote:

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but the studio said no to having ten regular cast members.

Ah, so that's presumably why DS9 was allowed to have Worf, since there was initially only eight regulars.

[Deckerd]

I think DS9 were given a lot of leeway to do what they liked in comparison to Voyager where the interference from the company was the stuff of legend.

[Cyke101]

Stephen! wrote:

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Ah, so that's presumably why DS9 was allowed to have Worf, since there was initially only eight regulars.

It makes me wonder though how Garak could be in more episodes than Jake, when the former is a recurring character and Jake a regular. I bet the answer isn't simple, but it is kind of funny. Nog and Damar also appeared in more episodes than Jake in the last two seasons as well, I think.

[The Dominion]

Kes's story might not have been going anywhere fast, but she was still 10,000 times more interesting than that ensign guy (whose character went absolutely nowhere). Her interactions with the Doctor were so much better than the cheesy cheese duo of Paris and his young ward, and I really missed seeing her in sickbay for the rest of the show.

Besides that, Kes was a talented nurse on a terribly undermanned medical staff, and was developing telepathic powers that Troi couldn't even dream of. What did Kim do? Some undefined console work on the bridge, and undefined science/engineering filler. There was no reason to keep him in the show. Oh, but his actor ranked in a magazine article, clearly he was the better choice.

[The Dominion]

Cyke101 wrote:

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It makes me wonder though how Garak could be in more episodes than Jake, when the former is a recurring character and Jake a regular. I bet the answer isn't simple, but it is kind of funny. Nog and Damar also appeared in more episodes than Jake in the last two seasons as well, I think.

There must be hierarchies of "regulars." But I think it just comes down to the writers knowing that Jake wasn't an important character, and not trying to overuse him.