What if Genevieve Bujold had lasted a bit longer?

[MakeshiftPython]

Let us all be grateful that Bujold quit and Mulgrew got the job instead.


I haven't seen Bujold in any other movies or series so I can't judge her acting skills. Maybe she is a very skilled actress. But I don't think that she was the right person for the role of Janeway in Star Trek Voyager. Maybe she did realize that herself and it was therefore she quit.


When I look at those video clips with Nicole Janeway, I find her rather woody and boring. The character lacks everything that Kathryn Janeway has in spirit, power and skills.

Having seen her in films, I can tell you that the clips really do not serve to show her talent. From all I've read she was truthfully having a very difficult time trying to adapt to the fast paced television filmmaking timetable and that painfully shows in her performance. I'm pretty sure if "Caretaker" were produced in the same manner as a theatrical film she would have have likely found her character and given a pretty great performance. As it was, it wasn't meant to be. This is why I think it's not fair to compare her performance with Mulgrew's because of the circumstances. Bujold was clearly not enjoying her time and it's a good thing Berman caught on and made the hard decision to recast after filming two days worth. Production is very expensive and it took a toll on the first season budget, but it was the right call.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Production is very expensive and it took a toll on the first season budget, but it was the right call.

Not to mention re-shoots they had to do thanks to the hassles they had trying to find a good hairstyle for Mulgrew.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Willing to spend more money on recasting and reshooting? I can get that. Willing to spend money reshooting cause of a hairstyle????? Especially a hairstyle that Janeway would eventually sport seasons later. I think Janeway's log describing the thriving human civilization in "37s"' should have had her say "I would have like to take photos but I got busy fixing my hair and lost money!".

The reshot footage with the bun does look pretty awful, very rushed.

 

[catshadowsi8]

Chakotay imo is the logical choice. He was captain of the Val Jean before joining Voyager and was such a threat during the war not one but two spies were placed on his ship of only 30+ crew. He is seen in multiple episodes interacting with both Starfleet/Marquis, and they follow his orders without complaint. Even 7 of 9 respects him within the series (I am not talking about Human Error or Endgame.). In fact Janeway in Night offers him the Captain's chair, not Tuvok. I love Tuvok but I think Vulcans make great captains on Vulcan ships but struggle with human crews. They don't handle the emotions of their crew well and expect them to behave logically. Certainly Tuvok (Resolutions) struggled in this regard and it takes Kes' help to get him to see things differently.

Based on Mulgrew's comments about her treatment by CBS executives I'm not sure they would have tried for another female captain if the first did not work. I suspect they would have chalked it up to a failed experiment and put a man back in the chair. Tjmo

 

[Dukhat]

They could've just pulled a Saavik and recast without explanation.

Or: "I've treated your facial injuries as best I can, Captain, but I'm afraid my cosmetic surgery subroutines were damaged in the attack. I couldn't quite recreate your original features."

They could've done what Doctor Who's producers considered doing in "The Celestial Toymaker," and had Janeway's appearance arbitrarily changed by a capricious alien.

They could've regained temporary contact with Starfleet long enough for a replacement captain to be sent through a wormhole or experimental long-range transporter or something. Or, heck, the experimental long-range transporter could've malfunctioned and scrambled Janeway's features.

Or: Just establish that future cosmetic surgery is routine and easy enough that some people just periodically change their faces and bodies for the sake of novelty, like dyeing their hair or getting a tattoo. Although why Janeway would use ship's resources for such an indulgence would need explaining.

Would an alien captain have been a possibility? It would take some doing to explain, first, why the crew would accept her leadership, and second, why she'd be willing to commit to the mission of getting the crew back to the Federation.

They could've brought in the Borg earlier and liberated a Starfleet captain who was assimilated at Wolf 359. In which case they probably would've created a different, non-Borg character to replace Kes.

And of all those choices, recasting the character would have been the best. No silly convoluted explanations as to why she looks different, or some convoluted explanation as to why she's being replaced.

Chakotay imo is the logical choice. He was captain of the Val Jean before joining Voyager and was such a threat during the war not one but two spies were placed on his ship of only 30+ crew. He is seen in multiple episodes interacting with both Starfleet/Marquis, and they follow his orders without complaint. Even 7 of 9 respects him within the series (I am not talking about Human Error or Endgame.). In fact Janeway in Night offers him the Captain's chair, not Tuvok. I love Tuvok but I think Vulcans make great captains on Vulcan ships but struggle with human crews. They don't handle the emotions of their crew well and expect them to behave logically. Certainly Tuvok (Resolutions) struggled in this regard and it takes Kes' help to get him to see things differently.

Based on Mulgrew's comments about her treatment by CBS executives I'm not sure they would have tried for another female captain if the first did not work. I suspect they would have chalked it up to a failed experiment and put a man back in the chair.

Not that early into the show. They wanted a female lead, and treatment aside, they would have stuck with one.

And I don't know if Beltran could have carried the show. But I think he would have at least been better than what we ended up with.

 

[catshadowsi8]

I don't have a problem with Beltran and, to be honest, I typically look at characters only. Unless the actor is so bad he/she should actually give up acting all together and be a janitor instead it doesn't bother me. I've seen a few like that but not on Voyager.

 

[STEPhon IT]

A bit of backstory before we get into the hypothetical:

As we know, the French-Canadian actress was first cast as Janeway, but after two days of filming, it became painfully obvious that she was not right for the part (too quiet and subdued vs. Kate Mulgrew's confident and energetic performance) and that the part was not right for her (she had kids and couldn't handle the long TV hours). Looking back, it's a mercy that they realized this so quickly and dealt with it.

But what if they hadn't?

What if Bujold had toughed it out for, say, the abbreviated first season?

Nice try.

But if Bujold stayed, IMHO would've been the greatest Trek series since TNG. Quiet and subdued are insulting words for her interpretation of Janeway. I'd felt making more friends and discoveries were the angle to launch this series than a stereotypical action show where the infallible Captain is gungho on ships three times it's size every week.

Voyager desperately required a tone and an identity which was different from the War hungry DS9. I think the showrunners were concerned about Hollywood's preconceived notions of political correctness, and didn't want their Captain to be perceived as "soft" or "woman-like." Compassion was something which was needed for a crew lost in space, and I wanted a Captain who didn't dwell on her idiotic decision to blow up their chances home but find a common ground that after the fact it was stupid to do so.

Mulgrew's Janeway was a senseless egomaniac who reacted illogically in situations where only the terrible writing could justify. Her Janeway was a terrible Captain, and a good writer would have put her out of her misery based on all the incompetent decisions she made throughout her 7 seasons. Only Captain Janeway could have a scene where she makes deals with the Borg. Feh!

Star Trek Voyager and their team of writers can muster more bullshit than throwing shit at the wall. What a waste of potential talents and a good cast, but I believe a shows' identity is based on their lead. Bujold realized that series was not interested in compelling characterizations but a roller coaster ride of nonsense. She was better off leaving that dud of a series.

 

[Dukhat]

Bujold realized that series was not interested in compelling characterizations but a roller coaster ride of nonsense. She was better off leaving that dud of a series.

There's no way Bujold would have known how the show would have gone that early into production.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Genevieve Bujold was too old for the part. Kate Mulgrew's a fine actress and made a memorable turn as Captain Janeway, but I've always felt that even she was too old for the role. It should've gone to an actress in her late 20's/early 30's. Sir Patrick Stewart was the best thing that ever happened to STAR TREK, he's the finest actor the franchise has ever had -- however, one old Captain was more than enough. I'm very disappointed that Rick Berman continued to push for older Captains, it was inappropriate. Gene Roddenberry had the right idea, in the original STAR TREK, by having the Doctor as the Elder Statesman ...

 

[catshadowsi8]

Genevieve Bujold was too old for the part. Kate Mulgrew's a fine actress and made a memorable turn as Captain Janeway, but I've always felt that even she was too old for the role. It should've gone to an actress in her late 20's/early 30's. Sir Patrick Stewart was the best thing that ever happened to STAR TREK, he's the finest actor the franchise has ever had -- however, one old Captain was more than enough. I'm very disappointed that Rick Berman continued to push for older Captains, it was inappropriate. Gene Roddenberry had the right idea, in the original STAR TREK, by having the Doctor as the Elder Statesman ...

I see what you are saying but to become captain you have to graduate from Starfleet and climb the ranks. Don't you think 20's or even early 30's is too young? I do think the only way the current story works though is with an inexperienced captain. I think an experienced captain like Picard would have dumped the Marquis on some planet and gone on his merry way.

 

[Relayer1]

Anything that would have spared us Kate Mulgrew would have been fine by me.

 

[2takesfrakes]

I see what you are saying but to become captain you have to graduate from Starfleet and climb the ranks. Don't you think 20's or even early 30's is too young? I do think the only way the current story works though is with an inexperienced captain. I think an experienced captain like Picard would have dumped the Marquis on some planet and gone on his merry way.

Yes, an inexperienced Captain would've benefitted the show and that's where Chakotay's mature wisdom would've been most useful ... they would've complimented eachother nicely, there. As well, I believe that a young Captain would've been much more fun, especially being the star of the series, being able to do more with anything requiring physicality and for just good, Old Fashioned eye candy, to be honest. Sexing up the show would not have been unexpected in a series featuring more women in the starring roles.

As far as anything in-Universe would go, do I feel that 28 is too young to be the Captain? In Realistic Terms, yes ... for obvious reasons. But for T.V. show purposes, it makes perfect sense and besides ... STARFLEET is -- supposedly -- not a military organisation, to begin with. This opens the door to -- or rather, excuses -- throwing logic out of the window, in favour of being more dramatic and entertaining. Again, I like Mulgrew., but the Captain should've been cast younger, for the fun of it, the sexiness of it and ... to throw all them liberals and feminists a choicer bone.

 

[catshadowsi8]

2takesfrakes- I always felt Janeway was portrayed more feminine in the earlier seasons and much more masculine in the later ones. I personally preferred the first.

 

[Refuge]

Having seen the two actresses' perform in the same scene it is hard not to prefer Kate. It has nothing to do about their respective years but rather presence. If Genevieve hadn't been so understated but that was just her style.

I liked Kirk being a younger - thirties - Captain but the ones in their forties do just fine. Picard and Lorca would be fifties (maybe Picard crossed over to sixites??) and they both owned the role.

 

[catshadowsi8]

Women can be in starring roles without having to be 'sexing up the show' material. I'm glad you weren't in casting

Wasn't that why 7 of 9 was cast ? Personally, as a woman, I was mildly insulted. Now maybe if they had also cast a man in a sexy space suit I wouldn't have minded but it was not to be. Lol

 

[Catarina]

If bujold would have been on we can already start making a list of episodes that'd have a new angle or not written at all.

But thoughts I have are: Would Cullah have slapped Nicole Janeway? Would he have been written misogynistic?
Would TPTB focus on the Maquis/SF angle more since there would be no J/C angle to develop in that 2nd season?

How would Nicole deal with the Borg?

 

[catshadowsi8]

If bujold would have been on we can already start making a list of episodes that'd have a new angle or not written at all.
Would TPTB focus on the Maquis/SF angle more since there would be no J/C angle to develop in that.

No J/C. That's assuming there was no chemistry between Nicole and Chakotay. Maybe N/C would have been the shipper's call. We simply don't know because we never see them together. Interestingly Beltran has publicly stated one of remain reasons he wanted the role was to work with Geneviève Bujold. A fabulous actress in his opinion. He was disappointed when it didnt work out but also said he quickly came to appreciate Kate Mulgrew in the role.

 

[Catarina]

I never suggested a ship ( nj/c) or were you just reiterating ?

Back to the hypothetical, If we're erasing the Kate universe (procupation of hairdoos, voice, and ship potential) and resuming a bujold version instead, might have the producers been ore inclined...inspired... focused on the Maquis/SF inter personal conflicts? or still too much continuity for the new network to imagine? Thoughts.

 

[catshadowsi8]

Lol sorry Catarina. It's just every time I see J/C anywhere it has to do with romance.

To be honest I doubt the beginning would change much. Tptb would have pushed through with what they had conceived. It might have changed later but imo it would take time.

 

[2takesfrakes]

2takesfrakes- I always felt Janeway was portrayed more feminine in the earlier seasons and much more masculine in the later ones. I personally preferred the first.

Once 7 took over the show, there was little point in pretending Janeway was some focalpoint of femininity. The Captain was resigned to being a mother figure ... the matriarch. She was running on the last vapors of her remaining estrogen, at that point ... so its not surprising that she seemed so Mannish in the later going ...