Frankly, I was never much impressed with GLW's acting, whether in TOS, TMP or VGR.
She was a babe back in the '60s, though.
She was a babe back in the '60s, though.
Janice Rand: TOS vs. VGR
- Thread starter Rush Limborg
- Start date
I didn't like her at all in Flashback - the one scene where she seemed extraordinarily (and shockingly) bitter and angry - implying that she felt that she was forced to sleep around as an "officer's pillow" in order to claw her way up the promotion ladder. I found it to be very unprofessional and unbecoming of her rank that she apparently "worked" very hard to obtain.
Funny...assuming you're referring to the scene where she says, "I should've thought of that --it took me three years to even make ensign....", I sure didn't hear any malice. I seems to me that she's just teasing Tuvok (on his amusing decision to serve the captain some tea), while making a comment on her career. No anger, no bitterness, just a little dry humor.
I have to disagree... I found no humor whatsoever in her Voyager-era character. She just came across as being bitchy.
Agreed.
Interesting. I think we should agree to disagree, as it were... after all, interperetations are relative.
I remember reading some snide reviews of "The Empath" (TOS). It was slammed for being "boring" (i.e., it had no action) and "mushy" (it focused a lot on the Kirk-Spock-McCoy friendship).
Personally, I REALLY loved "Empath". It was the only episode that actually drove me to tears. ("The Paradise Syndrome" (TOS) and "The Visitor" (DS9) came pretty darn close, though.)
She seemed a good bit . . . er, . . . wider . . . in the Voyager appearance. 
She seemed a good bit . . . er, . . . wider . . . in the Voyager appearance.
More cushion for the pushin', pal!
Flashback was kind of a weak ep, but is an interesting one. I was never a huge fan of Grace Lee Whitney. I think it was wise to write her out of TOS. If she stayed in, they should have made her communications officer and given Uhura the navigator's position.
As noted, the movies always fouled up her rank. She was a noncom in TMP, then in her brief cameo in TSFS, she was a full commander, command division. Then in TVH, she was once again a noncom, then an officer in TUC, sciences. More rank changes than even O'Brien!
Red Ranger
It's even worse when you consider that Traitor Winds (set shortly before TMP) has Kirk calling Rand a Lieutenant.
However, there is a solution: Her appearances in movies III and IV were just cameos. It wasn't Janice.
Think about it. In both appearances, she's a redhead. In TVH, she has curly hair. I would think they were different characters. Especially considering how TSFS lists her in the credits as "woman in cafe".
About her supposed "rank" in TMP: Understand, the first film didn't have any rank insignias. The "noncom" idea was based soley on a suggestion made by GLW. She coud've just as easily been a Lieutenant.
Dark blond, maybe. Not redhead.
The rank pin was a costuming error. According to grace, she was emoting as Janice Rand in both ST III and ST IV.
Rank was shown either via sleeve stripe (Class A) or epaulet stripe (Class B). Rand's unique trapezoid insignia on her epaulets designated "Chief".
I already made some comments in the thread in the Trek Literature section. After reading my comments there, you might be surprised to know that I have actually been a "closet" Rand fan for years.
I liked her appearances in TOS. It was also great to see her in TMP (although I read somewhere that Director Robert Wise insisted that she not wear makeup?)
It was nice of Nimoy to include her with cameos in ST III & IV.
Her appearance in STVI was a bit more substantive, although her "Do we report this?" line was unfortunate.
I was excited when I heard about Flashback. However, once I watched the episode, I was appalled by GLW's acting. Her much-debated "gaseous anomalies" line delivery was just horrific. Her other scenes (Message from Tuvok's father, talking about taking several years to become an Ensign, Telling Tuvok that he is relieved, when Janeway and Tuvok sneak up on her....etc...) were delivered with all of the finesse and talent of a robot. I can see one line being an editing issue...but all of her scenes?
She has had a bit more success in recent fan films ("World Enough and Time" and "Of Gods and Men") due largely to the fact that in each production she was given very few lines....lines that even a beginning actor would have difficulty messing up.
However, she is an actress who is now in her late '70s, so she is well past the prime of her acting career, which was in the 60s.
Not intending to sound mean-spirited, but GLW is a minimally talented actress from the 1960s who has been riding the Trek wagon for years.
I liked her appearances in TOS. It was also great to see her in TMP (although I read somewhere that Director Robert Wise insisted that she not wear makeup?)
It was nice of Nimoy to include her with cameos in ST III & IV.
Her appearance in STVI was a bit more substantive, although her "Do we report this?" line was unfortunate.
I was excited when I heard about Flashback. However, once I watched the episode, I was appalled by GLW's acting. Her much-debated "gaseous anomalies" line delivery was just horrific. Her other scenes (Message from Tuvok's father, talking about taking several years to become an Ensign, Telling Tuvok that he is relieved, when Janeway and Tuvok sneak up on her....etc...) were delivered with all of the finesse and talent of a robot. I can see one line being an editing issue...but all of her scenes?
She has had a bit more success in recent fan films ("World Enough and Time" and "Of Gods and Men") due largely to the fact that in each production she was given very few lines....lines that even a beginning actor would have difficulty messing up.
However, she is an actress who is now in her late '70s, so she is well past the prime of her acting career, which was in the 60s.
Not intending to sound mean-spirited, but GLW is a minimally talented actress from the 1960s who has been riding the Trek wagon for years.
This should come as no suprise, but... Rand is actually one of my favorite characters in all Star Trek. Other than the "Gaseous Anomalies" line, I've never really had a problem with her acting (and even then, as I stated before, I just excused it as an odd joke --common enough in real life).
By the way... it should intrest everyone to know that GLW's mentor for acting was... Lucy. As in I Love Lucy.
Just thought I'd bring it up.
By the way... it should intrest everyone to know that GLW's mentor for acting was... Lucy. As in I Love Lucy.
Just thought I'd bring it up.
Don't ya like robots?
And... it didn't really seem like that to me. Too colorful to be a robot. (Maybe you mean it was the wrong kind of color...?)
Perhaps you were expecting an awesome, intensely dramatic performance? You did say you approached the episode with high expectations... and many times, in instances like these, it's extremely difficult to have an episode live up to expectations.
You are right that my expectations for "Flashback" were high. Like many fans, I was disappointed by the story, which had so many inconsistencies with STVI (although these can posssibly be explained by Tuvok's jumbled mental state.) Plus, we had to wait 15-20 minutes before even seeing Sulu on-screen.
I also thought that Takei's acting was "off" in this episode. He was so much better in "World Enough and Time."
As for GLW, I am not going to repeat myself. You obviously have a different opinion of her abilities as an actress. (Perhaps it is appropriate that Lucy was her mentor; GLW's performance in "Flashback" was unintentionally comedic.)
Compared to "Trials and Tribble-ations," DS9's 30th Anniversary episode, "Flashback" is a disappointing mess.
I also thought that Takei's acting was "off" in this episode. He was so much better in "World Enough and Time."
As for GLW, I am not going to repeat myself. You obviously have a different opinion of her abilities as an actress. (Perhaps it is appropriate that Lucy was her mentor; GLW's performance in "Flashback" was unintentionally comedic.)
Compared to "Trials and Tribble-ations," DS9's 30th Anniversary episode, "Flashback" is a disappointing mess.
PlainPatrick
Lieutenant
I love Rand's mole. and her diseased leg in "Miri"
Mole? News to me.
I was under the impression that off duty, she wore mink....
PlainPatrick
Lieutenant
No Rush. Barbara Anderson in "Conscience of the King" wore a mink stole, in the shape of a mini dress, onto the bridge. I would have allowed her to kill me for being witnes to Kodos atrocities if she had shown me what was below on the observation deck. LOL. But I see the play on words, and well done. Good mind.
I know, I know.... Just sayin'.
Thank you!
PlainPatrick
Lieutenant
Speaking of Lenore, Rush, didn't you find her to be like a china doll? I certainly didn't stand at attention when she entered the room. Insane actresses I mean the character of Lenore, are really not good for girlfriends. Some day they flash back to playing Lizzie Borden. She sounded like Squeaky Fromme in the last scene.