Uniforms
- Thread starter backstept
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To me, an equally valid question is why didn't any of the Voyager crew go back to the TNG uniforms since those were still in use elsewhere in Starfleet when the ship was lost in the Delta Quadrant. Both the TNG and original DS9 uniforms were in use in 2371.
But to me, the simplest answer why they didn't incorporate the new "First Contact" uniforms is that it just wasn't considered an important enough thing to do.
But to me, the simplest answer why they didn't incorporate the new "First Contact" uniforms is that it just wasn't considered an important enough thing to do.
This is the real world reason all right. DS9, set in the alpha quadrant and having a cast member aboard who would be in First Contact pretty much needed to switch to the new uniforms to maintain any semblance of continuity, but Voyager had a ready made get-out clause. And it only makes sense that they'd take it - after all new principal cast uniforms are very expensive - look at the recycling done for Generations.
Medical or Science divisions both wear blue.
All indications are that the TNG and DS9 uniforms are of the same "generation". They are just alternate designs: the TNG one is worn in official situations and aboard big and important starships, whereas the DS9 one is in use aboard lesser vessels and installations, and on casual Fridays.
This would perfectly match how some of the starship crews visiting DS9 had the TNG style uniforms (when their ships were shown to be Nebula or Galaxy giants) but others had the DS9 style (their ships were not shown); how Sisko had to change to the TNG style when going to work at Starfleet Headquarters, but changed back at his return to the station; and how the crew in ST:Generations changed to the DS9 coveralls when going for dirty work.
Janeway would never have felt pompous enough to insist that her crew wear the "Grade A" TNG uniforms. In turn, Picard would never have felt relaxed enough to allow for the "Grade B" DS9 uniforms to be used, until ST:Generations - by which time his ship may have ceased to be the stuffy Flagship of the Federation, some ignorant Klingon comments aside.
I wonder if the ST:FC uniforms wouldn't also come in "Grade A" and "Grade B" variants. Which one did we see on screen? (I'd say "Grade B", leaving the more officious style unseen, and indicating that the onscreen style would also have been Janeway's first choice.)
Timo Saloniemi
Also counselors like Troi and Ezri.
And the occasional technician working on something that doesn't look especially "scientific" or "medical", but may require certain narrow-scoped engineering skills so that the guy or gal in blue may be considered a "semi-civilian" specialist. Heck, for all we know, cooks and food technicians are also blueshirts (although probably only the biggest and fanciest ships would warrant a live chef).
Timo Saloniemi
Timo Saloniemi
I believe TPTB intentionally kept the VOY cast in the same uniform because they wanted to visually remind the audience that the ship was stranded in the Delta Quadrant. It was strictly a creative decision. There's no on-screen mention of it.
Keeping the crew in the same uniforms obviously keeps the budget down, since the costume designers don't need to create new uniforms for the main cast. However, there was a healthy supply of uniforms for extras and guest stars (since lots of FC-style uniforms were made for FC, and were also used in DS9).
Keeping the crew in the same uniforms obviously keeps the budget down, since the costume designers don't need to create new uniforms for the main cast. However, there was a healthy supply of uniforms for extras and guest stars (since lots of FC-style uniforms were made for FC, and were also used in DS9).
Great points. Makes perfect sense, especially when recalling that Sisko did, indeed, switch back to the TNG style uniform when he went back to Starfleet command. I can definitely see one being the "nice" uniform and the other being the utilitarian one.
I've always seen the TNG uniform as "Service dress" while the DS9 uniform is a class B uniform, with the Voyager 2-piece being a BDU of sorts.
Actually, that isn't true. By the time Voyager made contact with Earth via the Pathfinder project in season 6, DS9 had ended. All of the DS9 uniforms could have been used by VOY with no problem. Only the main characters would need tailor-made costumes, while the background extras and guest stars could use the ones they already had.
I agree with the two variations for the old uniforms. However, I think with the FC uniforms, Starfleet is trying to standardize the uniform, since Admirals have been seen in this style.
Honestly, budget and continuity did not seem foremost in the minds of Voyager's creators. Also, many viewers might wonder how the crew got new uniforms 30,000 lightyears from Earth (even with a replicator explanation).
I thought all the Admirals wore the style with a separate jacket and belt, rather than the jumpsuit? That would not be at odds with the earlier status quo where Admirals had a special jacket uniform while line officers and crew wore one or the other of the two possible variants. We would simply have to suppose something like "in wartime, everybody wears Class B even on official occasions where Admirals are present" to allow for the existence of an unseen "ST:FC era Class A".
Timo Saloniemi
It would have changed the atmosphere of the show. The colors used in Voyager's regular uniforms made for a brighter and more optimistic atmosphere. The dark grey with only different colored collars look is alot gloomier and depressing...And when you're stranded almost a lifetime away from your home it's probably the best to do as many small uplifting things as you can.
I wonder if they couldn't have made all-new uniforms of their own, for morale purposes... Although perhaps not with Neelix as the designer.
The "racing suits" from "Drive" would seem to be something made up for the occasion at least, rather than being pre-existing Starfleet uniform patterns.
Timo Saloniemi
The "racing suits" from "Drive" would seem to be something made up for the occasion at least, rather than being pre-existing Starfleet uniform patterns.
Timo Saloniemi
So let me see if I follow. Pre-FC, Federation tailors made 3 uniform variants (not including dress uniforms): "Class B," "Class A," and "Admiral's." However, the "Admiral" variant looked very similar to the "Class A."
Post-FC, we've assumingly seen "Class B" and "Admiral's." But these two look very similar already. I'm not sure there's room for a "Class A" to fit between.
Personally, my favorite uniforms were the Kirk-movie ones. Those looked like official military uniforms, and they were imitated in Futurama.
Unless, I suppose, there is a "Class A" and "Class B" for Admirals....
