Honestly, until recently I would have said Kira. But, after the Picard episode "Broken Pieces", I got to go with Seven. Honestly, Deanna Troi showed some real strength and growth in Nepenthe and Marina Sirtis certainly hit that one out of the park. It's not an easy to admit to oneself that you're not as brave/ strong as you used to be and it was her best performance as the character, and not coincidentally, the best material the character had ever been given for her to work with.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that somehow I can't put Mariner next to Nana Visitor, Jeri Ryan or Tig Notaro.
That’s not something I agree with. I said above, it’s a comedy, but not a spoof. Existing in the Trek universe and making references to past shows isnt the same thing as parody/lampooning/mockery. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all that it’s a comedy show that is incredibly silly at times. It sort of seems like you consider it to be bad, or as less than other Trek. At least that’s what those comments sound like to me, dismissing Lower Decks’ characters and actors outright. That’s my thinking as well. Tawny’s acting, and the writing from McMahan and co. for Mariner, they’re just as worthy of recognition and celebration as live action actors and their characters, to me. It’s a Star Trek cliche for a reason, but for me it goes back to Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. I don’t write off or exclude goofy comedies, or kids shows, just because they have a different tone and a unique voice in the franchise. They’re just as much Trek to me. But to each their own.
@JoaquinSlowly Very well explained. I may be wrong. Give me a moment to think about this. (Like Data, I don't use contractions)
It's a spoof. I know this because I've written spoofs, got a couple of them in the Fan Fiction area here, and, I've recently completed another one. But, the best spoofs are written by those who love the main material and seek to have fun with it rather than make fun of it*. "Galaxy Quest" is a prime example. It was written as a spoof, but its heart was so much in the right place that many Trekkies consider it to be a Trek movie. *Some spoofs are a little more mean-spirited. I've written a few of those as well.