Tom Paris. When did he stop being a 'bad' boy?

[stardream]

The character was first shown as someone whose life was on a downhill trajectory and he wasn't fighting it. I think he was more of an outcast than a rebel and he was accepting of it. He was an opportunist . I don't even know if I would call him a 'ladies man'. He might have fancied himself that way but he came off to me as a slut. (hey...I know its non PC word but that was my first impression when I first saw the character years ago. I have since accepted the Pathways explanation that he was probably in fact a sex addict).

Then something happened. I don't know what the future equivalent of 'geek' is (and I do not use that in a bad way. I am a geek) but there he was as Captain Proton and an expert on all things 20th century. He still flouted the rules when he wanted and was still a bit of a rebel but in was more in the way of juvenile like humor (Thirty Days being the exception of course). I"m not just talking about his pure character growth which made him more responsible. When did that loser that Janeway met in prison become a guy who loved cartoons?

Was he supposed to be some kind of reflection of the fans?

 

[The Wormhole]

The earliest reference I can think of to Tom having an interest in the 20th century was Future's End, and in that case it was a plot point to make him the ship's expert in contemporary Earth. I guess as a 24th century bad boy it seemed natural he would have an easier time fitting in with 20th century life. After that there was probably a desire to get 20th century imagery into the show, every previous Trek series did that (TOS had parallel planetary development, TNG had Dixon Hill, DS9 had Vic Fontaine) and so since it was already established that Tom Paris had a thing for the 20th century, the writers decided that would be the means of inserting the 20th century into the show. So as a result, Tom became the guy who would go to the holodeck to work on cars, play parodies of 1930s sci-fi serials, or own a TV.

 

[hux]

I think both Tom and Chakotay saw being trapped in the Delta quadrant as an opportunity that wouldn't ever have come their way back in the Alpha quadrant. I honestly don't think either of them were as distressed by their circumstances as a lot of the other crew members might have been.

Chakotay instantly goes from ragamuffin Maquis fighter to respectable and powerful second in command of a starship. Tom, likewise, goes from loser ex-convict to starship pilot in a matter of days.

People complain about Chakotay settling into Voyager too easily but to me it makes complete sense. He clearly loves his new role and is more than happy to abandon his old life (a life he was probably sick of).

Tom was always a goofy, immature good guy and was just playing at being the edgy bad boy. As soon as piloting Voyager and being a respected bridge officer becomes a reality, he, like Chakotay, is more than happy to embrace this new life and settles into it quite quickly. They clearly love their new lives.

As far as I'm concerned, both Chakotay and Tom were just playing roles then Voyager came along and allowed them to finally be themselves.

 

[stardream]

Interesting parallel with Chakotay. I never thought about it that way. I always thought of Chakotay as having a beef with the Federation and Starfleet in general over principals and not with certain individuals so when things turned out the way it did...he simply adapted. He might have had a beef with what Janeway represented but not Janeway herself.

But I might be wrong.

 

[Draculasaurus]

He just had a 24 hour Badboy Flu.
He had recovered by about the third episode.

 

[stardream]

He just had a 24 hour Badboy Flu.
He had recovered by about the third episode.

 

[shapeshifter]

Remedy: cups of hot black coffee along with sharp kicks to the backside administered by Janeway three times a day, I'd guess.

 

[stardream]

It just seemed that they took the effort to establish the character as being one way and then pulled back and changed direction.

 

[Kilana2]

I like that Tom Paris still has a mind of his own. Voyager is currently rerun the umpteenth time on German TV. Tom tried to pull Harry into some kind of mischief - often to no avail. With B'Elanna being pregnant with his child he was forced to take over responsibility.

Tom isn't a classical bad boy for me. In the novelverse he continues to commit questionable things. But he has always the well-being of his family in mind.

 

[Richard Baker]

As far as I can tell most of the initial character and situation setups were abandoned right after 'Caretaker'. There was supposed to be tensions and people dealing with their new positions as part of the shows premise, they way things actually turned out you could have eliminated the Marquis and Tom's backstory- the series would have gone on with no changes.
Voyager was a strong concept but when the series got underway they turned it into a Next Generation style show with everyone getting along- no room for bad boys rocking the boat or ex-freedom fighters fussing about things...

 

[Kilana2]

As far as I can tell most of the initial character and situation setups were abandoned right after 'Caretaker'. There was supposed to be tensions and people dealing with their new positions as part of the shows premise, they way things actually turned out you could have eliminated the Marquis and Tom's backstory- the series would have gone on with no changes.
Voyager was a strong concept but when the series got underway they turned it into a Next Generation style show with everyone getting along- no room for bad boys rocking the boat or ex-freedom fighters fussing about things...

Actually Seska turned out to be the bad girl instead of Tom Paris being the bad boy. Seska took center stage ... and was dead soon. Too early for my liking.

 

[Karzak]

The earliest reference I can think of to Tom having an interest in the 20th century was Future's End, and in that case it was a plot point to make him the ship's expert in contemporary Earth.

It was well before that, in "The '37s" where they revealed that Paris was an aficianado of the 20th century via his familiarity with the old truck they find floating in space that leads them to the Briori planet, and ultimately, Amelia Earhart.

 

[hux]

Interesting parallel with Chakotay. I never thought about it that way. I always thought of Chakotay as having a beef with the Federation and Starfleet in general over principals and not with certain individuals so when things turned out the way it did...he simply adapted.

He adapted a little too quickly though. The only (in-universe) explanation for that which I can see is that he was hugely content with his new role (possibly even thrilled at his new circumstances). I've always felt he genuinely was (secretly) over the moon at being first officer of a starship.

Tom was pretty much the same. Forced to play the role of bad boy because he once had his wrist slapped by Starfleet but as soon as he was given a new start, he reverted to his true nature.

Seska took centre stage ... and was dead soon. Too early for my liking.

Far too early. They should have had her on board longer so that she could develop proper relationships with a few of the crew before revealing that she was a Cardassian. Maybe even bring her back into the fold at a later stage. Voyager needed an ongoing ballsy, anti-authority character.

 

[OpenMaw]

People complain about Chakotay settling into Voyager too easily but to me it makes complete sense. He clearly loves his new role and is more than happy to abandon his old life (a life he was probably sick of).

That doesn't really make for compelling drama though.

"And then they all hugged and everything was mostly fine and dandy for seven seasons." Ya know?

 

[stardream]

I think Seska time was just long enough but I would have liked to have seen more of her in the time she was there if that makes sense. I don't think I would have had her going over to the Kazon at all. I would have kept her on the ship doing what Jonas was doing but kept the Paris malcontent arc. There would have been tweaks of course...but I would have liked to have seen it played out that way.

It was well before that, in "The '37s" where they revealed that Paris was an aficionado of the 20th century via his familiarity with the old truck they find floating in space that leads them to the Briori planet, and ultimately, Amelia Earhart.

Thinking back I agree that is probably where it started. Some fans seem to get annoyed with his interests wondering why someone so far in the future with all its tech would care about those sort of things from a simpler time... but to me its no different from people during our time having an interest in things about the American Civil War (or whatever) and participating in re-enactments and collecting relics or people being interested in Jane Austen...or ancient Rome or WWII. Pick your obsession. People can't help what interests them.

 

[Catarina]

He was never a genuine bad boy. He just needed approval. Janeway gave it and boom he turned around.

 

[K'Toska]

I think a lot of Tom Paris' rebellious attitude was the result of being raised by his father. He grew to have an anti-authority streak to rebel against what his dad stood for because of their personal problems. Once put into a situation where he didn't have to regularly answer to his father, we saw him pulling away from his former behavior. It helped that Janeway believed in him and was wise enough to see through the way he acted originally.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Tom Paris the bad boy is the best advertisement for future Earth you could get.

Look! In the future if you're bad you gamble a bit and are a tiny bit sarcastic! Oh and you drink, but not as much as Scotty because we hadn't finished sanitizing future earth at that point.

 

[Beawild]

I don't think that Tom was ever truly a "bad boy". Tom's father treated him as if he could never measure up to his unrealistically high expectations. Tom was made to feel like the family failure. Owen wanted a Starfleet automaton, not a boy who may have wanted to forge his own path in life and that path could have possibly been different than his dad's. A parent's constant sense of disappointment with a child wreaks havoc with that child's self esteem and sense of worth. Tom thought that he was destined to be a failure. It was Captain Janeway's faith and trust in his abilities that finally made Tom realize that he was a worthy person. Some parents royally screw up their children.

The one thing that Tom always loved, and knew that he could do well, was piloting a starship. Unfortunately, that confidence in his flying capability was shaken after the accident in Caldik Prime. Although he initially lied about the cause of the accident, Tom acted honorably by finally admitting that it had been his fault. Even though his admission cost him a court martial and dismissal from Starfleet.

Joining the Maquis and being captured after his first mission didn't help matters. He was tried for treason and sent to prison. Where he would have stayed for the foreseeable future if Janeway hadn't needed his help in capturing Chakotay.

Tom was never a bad person. His cockiness and womanizing were just a façade he used to protect himself from being hurt. If he pretended that he didn't love anyone or cared for anything, he wouldn't be hurt by others.

Janeway's trust in him and B'Elanna's love transformed Tom into the mature and dependable man that he became.

 

[stardream]

I don't think that Tom was ever truly a "bad boy". Tom's father treated him as if he could never measure up to his unrealistically high expectations. Tom was made to feel like the family failure. Owen wanted a Starfleet automaton, not a boy who may have wanted to forge his own path in life and that path could have possibly been different than his dad's. A parent's constant sense of disappointment with a child wreaks havoc with that child's self esteem and sense of worth. Tom thought that he was destined to be a failure. It was Captain Janeway's faith and trust in his abilities that finally made Tom realize that he was a worthy person. Some parents royally screw up their children.

The one thing that Tom always loved, and knew that he could do well, was piloting a starship. Unfortunately, that confidence in his flying capability was shaken after the accident in Caldik Prime. Although he initially lied about the cause of the accident, Tom acted honorably by finally admitting that it had been his fault. Even though his admission cost him a court martial and dismissal from Starfleet.

Joining the Maquis and being captured after his first mission didn't help matters. He was tried for treason and sent to prison. Where he would have stayed for the foreseeable future if Janeway hadn't needed his help in capturing Chakotay.

Tom was never a bad person. His cockiness and womanizing were just a façade he used to protect himself from being hurt. If he pretended that he didn't love anyone or cared for anything, he wouldn't be hurt by others.

Janeway's trust in him and B'Elanna's love transformed Tom into the mature and dependable man that he became.

I agree.

After reading the opinions here and on other places I am starting to come to the conclusion that if anything Tom was angry, not bad. Angry at his dad, angry at himself, angry at circumstances etc. This led to bad behavior and he was starting to descend into becoming a terminal malcontent. Voyager took him away from all that and I think it might be similar to what has been seen to happen with some substance abusers once they are in prison. They have no access to their chemicals so they are forced to come clean and their true natures are revealed. Sometimes what is uncovered is a basically good person. That's what happened with Tom.