1st Capt. Janeway - Star Trek Voyager Genevieve Bujold vs. Kate Mulgrew

Comparing Star Trek Voyager's original Captain Janeway, Nicole Janeway portrayed by Genevieve Bujold before being replaced by Kate Mulgrew. I cover some background and do a scene to scene comparison.
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The 1st Captain Janeway - Star Trek Voyager Genevieve Bujold vs. Kate Mulgrew Comparison
The 1st Captain Janeway - Star Trek Voyager Genevieve Bujold vs. Kate Mulgrew Comparison
The 1st Captain Janeway - Star Trek Voyager Genevieve Bujold vs. Kate Mulgrew Comparison

[@scottwheeler2679]

I was there. It was a mutual agreement between Bujold and production. We were shooting a scene and it just wasn't working. The director Rick Kolbe was trying get her to externalize and she was just caught in this internalization mind set. She finally stopped and said she didn't think she could play the part. Kolbe tried to talk her out of that idea on the spot but she just walked out and went to her trailer. Berman came down and they met for about an hour in her trailer. When they came out she was no longer Janeway. We shot around her while they looked for the next captain. as for the hand that is the same in both versions...most likely a hand double. We did just about all inserts like that with hand doubles. Shooting inserts slowed down production. A lesson learned on TNG.

[@woodenturkey]

thanks for the comment

[@davidnavarro4821]

Thank you for your interesting testimony!

[@frenzyviz6296]

Thanks

[@leeannasloan2292]

What did you do on tng? And voyager? How did you feel about her performance in person? She's an awesome actress but Kate just nailed the role.

[@scottwheeler2679]

@@leeannasloan2292 I am a makeup artist. I did all 7 seasons of Voyager and First Contact and Insurrection. I thought her performance was out of place. She was internalizing everything. It didn't work.

[@chungdha]

Bujold had like zero energy in her lines, Mulgrew sounded like a proper captain giving orders.

[@KZ-no4rk]

Yes

[@ericspowers]

That would been canceled on the first episode if Bujold was stayed..Just plain truth!!! No disrespect Madame Bujold.

[@UltimatePerfection]

@@ericspowers Perhaps that's why she resigned.

[@EmilBlueMan]

Yes, true!

[@geordi5054]

Lots of things aren't really mentioned in this video, you can hear Rick Berman talk about her in one of his interviews. When they first casted her, they tried to convince her of the rigours of episodic television which she wasn't used to, however she accepted the job anyway, and was just not used to working in such a production. The 15 hour work days were just too much to her, she had children at home, she wasn't used to the director, she didn't even want them to dye her hair and apparently screamed at the make-over artist to "get away." Apparently at the end of the first day she went to her trailer crying, where Berman and the director told her that she could go home and they would restart the show. Kate Mulgrew was much better as a replacement, but kind of sad if you think about it in retrospect, when there was probably a lot going on in her life and she definitely wasn't used to episodic television.

[@mr.2cents.846]

Honestly, Kate Mulgrew gave the series the right energy.

[@rickcoona]

despite being "Capitan Soccer mom" in a ship named after a minivan...

[@rickcoona]

@Jack Stucki it's not bad, she hot a bit preachy and soccer momish but it was watchable, unlike STD

[@casperhelix]

Mulgrew has theatrical experience which was really necessary to make the show come alive I'm so glad she was a part of it

[@lql1094]

Right. Bujold sounded like she had been awakened from her afternoon nap. "Nanna... they're hailing us." "Hold on sweetie, Nanna is still getting up."😂😂😂😂😂

[@juiweiyang1033]

The original version is a lot more feminine, the later version is more masculine. I think it is hard for some actress to play a leadership role. (That is why despite they talked about a female 007 called Jane Bond, they never really done it yet, it is just too hard.) A female leader role model need to be somebody not only women, but men can look up to, she need to be seen as somebody that is still a woman, but completely none sexual to men, kind of like a mother figure. The original actress just doesn't have that energy, from the scene she seem like the leading character from a French erotic novel that is very passive, submissive and feminine and erotic in its own way where the knight grab her into his arm kiss her and throw her onto the bed, it is not very Captain like. Kate Mulgrew is more like, yes, I am a woman, but I am not your submissive little bitch, she is a tough bad ass grandma type, persona, she is still a woman, but you see nothing erotic about her. And I think that is very hard for a lot of actress to do, to take up playing that muscling role, for male actors it is much easier, for a start men are already more dominate and on TV that is just acting, you don't need to be a "real alpha male" to play an alpha male. (Of course in real life, not all alpha male act like alpha male. A lot of guys that turns out to be the real alpha male when the going get tough, you won't never image them as alpha male, until the going get tough and they are the only one able to lead everybody through the trouble.)

[@SnackboxOToole]

Mulgrew's voice alone is one of the definite elements of the atmosphere that makes up Voyager.

[@DevSolar]

"Any aggressive action against this ship or its crew will be met by the deadliest force."

[@charlesdavis545]

She was like #KateHepburn 2.0

[@Patrick-pv9pe]

@@charlesdavis545 Check out old school actress Patricia Neal. The resemblence is uncanny.

[@charlesdavis545]

@@Patrick-pv9pe Yes! I forgot about her

[@whitewolf3051]

Bujold sounds like a tired office grunt with no energy who just wants to get it over with, and that’s at the start of the day.

[@TheLonesometoad]

Bujold wasn't giving orders. She was making suggestions.

[@citytrees1752]

She was contemplating the artistic quality of the pulsar versus the color, lighting, and composition of the nebula, and entering into a discussion of brush strokes of the post-impressionists, Picasso, and Monet.

[@DieyoungDiefast]

@@citytrees1752 Isn't what Archer kept doing in Enterprise? :)

[@RaikenXion]

Bujold's voice was sexy, rather sexy woman still

[@longshot7601]

Yep, You nailed it. She didn't really project any 'command energy' or authority. With Mulgrew's Janeway you didn't need to say 'Captain on the bridge'. You already felt her presence.

[@mesoanto1031]

@@longshot7601 like a tyrannical wife

[@phantumgrey]

Kate Mulgrew had "presence" on the ship. That other lady was like"What am I even doing here?"

[@mesoanto1031]

She was perfect for the role

[@Lennis01]

Bujold was reading from a script. Mulgrew was actually on the bridge of a starship.

[@santosjerez1586]

More like the head cook in her kitchen

[@rkmugen]

No, no, NO! Bujold was reading from a script. Mulgrew was COMMANDING the bridge of a starship. (AND HOW.)

[@fcuk_x]

She was overacting a good bit.

[@Celisar1]

Santos Jerez Ah, the usual light touch of sexism.

[@robc.5745]

@@rkmugen I totally AGREE.

[@Its__Good]

Bujold was far too fuzzy. Mulgrew had better picture quality.

[@rickcoona]

that was because Bujold lacked Focus...

[@MegaGasek]

@@rickcoona Or resolution! Lol, you guys crack me up...

[@JasonTodd971]

This made me giggle And the snort

[@uosdwiSrdewoH]

@AmplifiedSilence I'll give you a participation trophy. I get it but it's a bit of a struggle to get there and it doesn't flow quite as well. Don't get me wrong. It was clever. Working with those numbers takes you out of it for a second and thinking about it kills it. That's one sad, lonely person's opinion.

[@RaikenXion]

Yeh that could be remedied, obviously because the main series had been remastered and cleaned up, that footage of Bujold was obviously the only footage they had.

[@luckystarpiano]

It’s interesting how Mulgrew’s higher energy and tone affects the crew, making them up their game too

[@veshapidze]

Definitely true. One wonders though if the directors of the show actually directed the cast to show more urgency and decisiveness as well. to improve the dullness of the previous take.

[@whitewolf3051]

Bujold sounds like a tired office grunt with no energy who just wants to get it over with, and that’s at the start of the day.

[@ryanjackson3428]

"Geneviève had a certain approach to the role that was very low key and-who knows?-it might have been effective. Kate came in with a very solid sense of command and authority, and it really seemed like the way to go. Considering that Kate came in after it had already started shooting, she was astonishingly good and professional. She was the captain not just of the crew, but of the cast as well. She was so professional and so prepared that everyone was afraid not to be as prepared as she was. Nobody was late, because she was never late. Everyone knew their lines, because she always knew her lines. She’s got such a high standard that she set the caliber of everyone else’s work, and that was obvious from the first day."--Jeri Taylor

[@SumDumGy]

You wanna play a captain you need to have a commanding presence.

[@RealTinCup]

Man, it's not even close. Kate Mulgrew absolutely nails it from the get-go.

[@stardude2006]

TinCup Agreed

[@xzabath1]

Absolutely, Genevieve was straight horrible. Geordies hologram buddy could have worked maybe.

[@grimrepper666]

I feel like Genevieve would have been much better in a role like deep space nine. Or an admiral type role where she is not in the hot seat from the get go. But Kate definitely smashes the role.

[@lespaul5628]

Mulgrew is smiling when she tells Kim "it's not crunch time yet". I don't think you see Bujold smile once in all these scenes, and she probably never would have through the run of the show had she stayed

[@VGamingJunkieVT]

Kate has an interesting quirk to her voice, it's hard to describe it but she's not quite as smooth as Picard. Still, she's much more charismatic and outspoken than Genevieve so I'm glad she got the part.

[@janena1976]

There's coffee in that nebula. Kate Mulgrew owned that role..

[@williamking9707]

You wouldn't download a coffee, would you? Fuck you, I would, I could, I did.

[@cobrellie]

????

[@Chris87md]

facts

[@dgray3771]

The first Janeway sounded like she could use a cup too.

[@RubianaRosevine]

CAFFEINE!

[@robotek148]

Kate Mulgrew created an iconic trek character...

[@gmajor1273]

Totally agree

[@Dancestar1981]

Not only that so much of herself was present in the character of Janeway

[@kombasanpracka]

I didn´t even think of Kate Mulgrew´s acting qualities (´cause it´s so natural) up untill this comparison. Man, she´s light years ahead of Genevieve Bujold in this role. Kate was a great choice just like Sir. Patrick Stewart. Another lucky choice was Jeri Ryan.

[@Sytijinx]

You had me until you threw in Jeri Ryan. They should have kept the crazy lady from Chicago, fired the actor playing Ensign Kim, and only had Jeri Ryan occasionally guest starring.

[@oddish4352]

@@Sytijinx While I like Harry Kim's character personally, I'm inclined to agree with you. The showrunners actively made the decision not to actually do anything interesting with the character, so better to just retire him. Properly handled, his death could have delivered a powerful emotional punch.

[@Sytijinx]

@@oddish4352 🤣🤣🤣🤣 "His acting career is dead, Jim." There was no need to kill him, but they could have easily lost him in an alternate universe. 😂😂😂

[@oddish4352]

@@Sytijinx Or left him on the Hot Babe Planet in "Favorite Son".

[@johnbockelie3899]

" You have to earn that captains chair......." Admiral Pike to Captain Kirk , Star Trek , into darkness. She sounded like she should have taken public speech lessons at the Academy.

[@GigaTrope]

One sounds like a captain the other sounds like confused grandma. They made the right choice.

[@Martin-ze5im]

Bujold would have made a good captain on the USS Florida

[@nemou4985]

Bujold knows how to credibly push the buttons on the board and I respect that :V

[@angeliliev2651]

They made wrong choice! Kathryn Janeway sownd like skates woman a step from losing control. First sound like capitan who can think clear even intense situation. I do not like Kathryn Janeway character. She evolve with the time, but generally block as person who so not belong to capitan chair.

[@endemion06463]

Most people as you can easily tell from the comments would disagree with you, that they made the wrong choice. I agree with the change, Kate Mulgrew comes across as a woman in charche where Genevieve Bujold seems timid, slow and uncertain. I would even go so far that it would be hard to believe that she would survive hurtle into the delta quadrant as frail as she seems. Not to mention episodes like the one where Janeway goes "Rambo" when the ship is infested with micro organism's gone macro...

[@jinyuandu9767]

Marz10 yes I agree with you 👍👍👍I really like the second one.

[@michellehanson984]

Thank you for pulling me into this strange parallel universe. Genevieve Bujold is a lovely actress and might have eventually grown into the role, but Kate Mulgrew obviously hit the ground running and stole the show.

[@Rockhound6165]

Kind of like Patrick Stewart. He was so sure that TNG would flop that he didn't bother to unpack.

[@UberNeuman]

"Brace for Impact!" *well, guess this is a good time for me to run across the bridge*

[@joelellis7035]

That was his "red shirt" cue.

[@UEAdmiral]

That was actually Janeway's first officer. :P

[@Marveryn]

giving how star ship tend to shake so much.. where the seatbelt or at least some hand holds to grip so they can brace themselves

[@rmcastillo83]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the tactical station also blow up? Cavit wouldn't have survived either way

[@Losttoanyreason]

They don't seem to have fuses or circuits breakers in any TV shows or movies, LOL.

[@TheFiown]

Mulgrew was so broke she was about to sell her house before she landed this role ,,, no one could have done this, the role is so linked to her strong personality.

[@MrKevin486]

She DEFINED Janeway. In the same way Shatner defined Kirk and Sir. Patrick defined Picard. She is one of the best Trek characters, top 10 easily.

[@CatsClaw44]

@@MrKevin486 Yeah, you're going overboard with your praise. She's not a Top 10 Star Trek character but she was good.

[@Tony.H03]

What I find so amazing is that although Kate, by her own admission, was an absolute Trek noob, she is way more convincingly playing an experienced command officer. Representing the subtle way her interaction between new and old crew would be different, but also the seemingly automatic way she asks for 'origin, Mr Kim?' and the way she briefs her officers in a less of a 'this is a complicated problem' and more of a 'just to get you up to speed' sorta way. It feels like a more natural fit. Of course, it could be that Bujold chose a more stern cold interpretation for a reason, but I don't think it'd have fit very well.

[@flowerpt]

Kate had played a military officer at least once before. She may have had further personal background.

[@saftpackerl]

@@flowerpt I saw an interview with her, where she mentions that her family had a militaristic background. She knew what militaristic barking sounded like from home.

[@Dancestar1981]

@@saftpackerl her father was an army pilot but the sense I have of him from her Memoirs is that when he wasn’t working he tended to be quietly in the background unless something was an important issue for him

[@saftpackerl]

@@Dancestar1981 That could be the case. I havent read her memoirs. I just remember vaguely that she said something like, she knew from her family background what barking orders sounded like...

[@erinh9267]

She is outgoing and a stage actor, iirc, just like Stewart. Bujold seems more internal

[@From-North-Jersey]

The early dailies showed she was unbelievable in a command roll. Where as Kate Mulgrew was the second oldest sibling out of 20 and the oldest female of the entire brood and had basically been an officer since she was 6. Her first command was probably keeping the crawlers out from underfoot at Thanksgiving. I also remember the original actress resisted wearing the costume they wanted. Mulgrew had no issues with wearing a wonderbra saying in the future everyone will look better than they do now, tape 'em up.

[@jessmills-gragg5100]

Online it says she second of eight children. Where did you get twenty?

[@lowgrade84]

think we dodged a bullet there.

[@guyincognito7308]

you mean a phaser blast..

[@Saroyus]

more like a torpedo..

[@AwesomeSauce7176]

Luckily our shields held.

[@guntere1004]

@@Saroyus but... didn't we already shot all our torpedos in season 1??

[@RubianaRosevine]

Great, I'm goin' to warp! Bye. Lol.

[@frankm.2850]

Bujold sounds like she doesn’t understand most of the words she’s saying. Janeway was an experienced flag officer. I can’t see her being that uncertain.

[@medievalist]

Indeed. Neither of them were Trek fans, so neither knew what they were actually saying, but Kate ACTED like she knew what it all meant, and the results are amazing.

[@mhozak84]

It's not just the difference in the two actresses. You can hear and see a noticeable change in the rest of the crew as well. Everyone is more sharp, loud, and in the moment with Kate. She commanded that crew and they jumped to it. Bujold was quiet and probably unsure of the terms she was using. Which made everyone else seem uneasy and timid. I mean Look at the take of Garrett and Kate vs Garrett and Bujold. The differences were power. Kate's charisma and body language made everyone around her empowered. Hands down Mulgrew made that show last 7 seasons.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Totally agree; the other actors responded much better to Kate's acting, and were more responsive in their roles as crew to her captaining. She made the team better, both as actors and as fictional crew.

[@Simon-hm7ry]

Mulgrew's sequences seem to be filmed in much better quality. Remastered or just an upgrade in equipment by the time they cast Mulgrew, maybe.

[@Scripture-Man]

While I agree with your observations, bear in mind that the clip with the original actress hadn't been mastered, so people would be harder to hear.

[@Trev359]

Lee Bee I agree. That clip probably didn't have any post production on it whereas the Kate Mulgrew clip, I assume, is from the finished episode.

[@Exospray]

@@Trev359 Mulgrew's clips also have slightly different camera angles, editing and music that ramp up the tension. At a guess they reshoot the scene to improve it later on. This not to say the same couldn't have happened to Bujold later on but its clear they were going for a softer Picard like performance rather than female Kirk/Sisko

[@aldoraine9949]

Whoever chose Bjold over Mulgrew in the first place should have been fired... I mean it's so obvious Kate is better. It's not even remotely close

[@leonandrews7180]

Trek is a great if not the defining definition of the so called “Peter Principle” in which something, a group, production or similar works very well despite the idiots running it. Mostly the people who run Trek are morons but they always seem to get it right.

[@gmajor1273]

Totally agree

[@cdreid99999]

@@leonandrews7180 od dosagree every other st movie is garbage and as time passes ot becomes more and more star wars the soap opera and less tos..actual science fiction. Thus why tbe only current star trek is called Orville

[@mimiadams247]

Mulgrew said in her memoir that she had a lousy first audition, but when she went in for the recasting call she was on top of it.

[@milobalcziunas8321]

I think it might be the actors and or the science Mumbo-jumbo that makes it work

[@stevepitkanen1424]

Just a note from someone who has been on film sets: the "hand" shot pressing buttons on the console was likely neither Bujold nor Mulgrew. You usually don't waste an actor's time filming a shot where you don't see their face. Likely someone else with nicer hands.

[@stuartjohnson5686]

Thing in The Addams Family tv series was usually Lurch when he wasn't being Lurch on screen, someone else if both together. And Lurch was originally written as mute. But Ted Cassidy didn't like that idea so when it came time for him to answer the bell he walked in and ad libbed "You rang...." and everyone laughed so from then on Lurch could speak.

[@dactylionpriest]

I met the actress who played Lucy Lawless' hands and feet in Xena, Warrior Princess

[@ForwardEarth]

Why would you put the word "hand" in quotations? It was definitely a hand, right?

[@WatchThis-ek2og]

​@@ForwardEarthmaybe, could be CGI

[@chrissmith7669]

I remember an interview a few years ago with a lady who’d been an uncredited „hand stand in“ for years in many adds and shows. She said that she went to Hollywood dreaming of stardom but the photographer putting her promo package together decided to be blunt. She was told she’d never make it but the photographer thought she’d be great for those shots of hands and lower arms. She said it hurt but gave her a great career. Wish I remembered her name.

[@implicaverse]

I read an article in which Mulgrew commented that she was almost broke at the time. It's clear from this clip that she didn't just want the gig, she needed it and knew it.

[@santosjerez1586]

Mrs Columbo in space

[@sethtubman1229]

It did save her financially without a doubt. Her divorce from her first husband was financially hard and she had two boys to raise. She was about to sell her house in Brentwood and move to a cheaper part of LA from what I read.

[@ismaelrivera9206]

Wow, i didn't know that. Maybe a reason she was so powerful and passionate as a Captain on the series. She is my favorite out of them all.

[@Simon-hm7ry]

She might have been broke but most of all she's an actress. That's what you see onscreen, not her need for a job. Come on.

[@debbienpeters]

SiMoN GoL agreed. I don’t get that, she needed the job vibe. Might be true, but when I’ve interviewed people in the Past who needed a job, they often lacked confidence, where timider, ect. She does none of that.

[@AshuraH]

Yeah, Bujold just doesn't have the energy. Say what you want about Voyager, but Mulgrew had the energy to pull it off.

[@Anurania]

Low energy. Sad!

[@defiant4eva]

Sad Ben, Sad Bujold!

[@StacieMMeier]

Id say you are correct and it was Mulgrew who probably helped Voyager last as long as it did.

[@DaDunge]

Mulgrew's Janeway was far to high strung. Her style reminds me more of a NCO than a CO.

[@Kube_Dog]

Captain Stormy Daniels.

[@Dann0343]

mulgrew's voice has gravitas, where as bujold almost fades into the background

[@oddish4352]

This. She radiated presence, authority. It sounded like Bujold was making suggestions, while Mulgrew was giving commands. Given the sheer short notice of having to select a new commander with short notice, they SERIOUSLY lucked out when Kate Mulgrew dropped into their lap.

[@zachthezombie]

Yes but it also seams the sound mix isnt complete sounds very tinny

[@lflint3278]

Bujold comes off more like a back office scientist.

[@UkrainianPaulie]

No, its annoying.

[@scottchitwood3022]

Actually mulgrew’s voice is like finger nails down a chalkboard. And all the whispering is annoying.

[@marijabu]

I believe Genevieve was miscast for the role. Mulgrew is a much more intense character and a veteran of TV filming. Thank you for pronoucing my cousin's name perfectly,though.

[@jonsimon5779]

Genevieve was riveting in COMA.

[@wesleyhobbs2332]

You could see qualities of a good actress even in a role that just wasn’t right for her. But Mulgrew flat stole the show, clearly from the very beginning. Also, very bold and strong, reminds me of another captain in Star Trek, whom was known for taking it too far...

[@FlorianBaumann]

Is her name really pronounced [dʒɔnbjɛv]? I'd rather go for [ʒənvjɛv] or [ʒənəvjɛv] ...

[@RubianaRosevine]

@FlyingMonkies325 BTW the Borg are destroyed.

[@RubianaRosevine]

@FlyingMonkies325 you knew what I meant. 🙂 Either way, the Borg are going to have a MAJOR setback.

[@Masterge77]

I'd definitely say Kate Mulgrew was the better choice for Captain Janeway. She sounds more authoritative, more determined, and more enthusiastic to play the role, while Genevieve Bujold sounds like she's about to fall asleep while commanding the ship. Mulgrew's Janeway feels more like someone you'd want as the captain of a starship, while Bujold's Janeway sounds like she'd get the whole crew killed on their first mission, and probably wouldn't even survive a day in the Delta Quadrant.

[@hugobracamontesbaltazar]

jajaja

[@KadeSmash]

Legit...

[@rickcoona]

Bujold is French Canadian it is how she would have commanded, no passion no interest no commitment; blah blah blah Boring

[@zedorda1337]

From what I had heard at the time was after Bujold seen most of the footage she herself felt it was a bad position for her. It was in an interview that aired in London just before the launch of the series. I remember her saying something to the effect of "I didn't feel I was commanding the scene as a captain should."

[@flowerpt]

It's quality to quit quickly instead of bombing a show, despite the inconvenience.

[@JungleLibrary]

@Blue Rain would be interested in your source for this info, haven't seen it in any content I've seen covering the switch myself but it'd be a very interesting read

[@FEVfallout]

@Blue Rain where is it??

[@FEVfallout]

@Blue Rain yeah yeah already have it. Interesting. Thanks.

[@DavidWatersJames]

The replacement Captain is MUCH better. Voyager would have flopped without Kate as Captain !

[@DavidWatersJames]

kevin3591 Wrong dummy. The first Cpt. was a woosie with no "Command Presence". Janeway had it in spades. Overall the show was good.

[@chuckleshelicopterwigwamjo7315]

@@666chapelofblood Overreaction much? Not cool, dude.

[@midniteoyl8913]

@@kevin3591

[@acerbicinspirations5978]

@@midniteoyl8913

[@SvenStadt]

You can see the look on Tom Paris's face as she literally 'reads' her lines.

[@annebensler5841]

After watching all of Bujold's scenes (not just the ones in this vid) I couldn't help wondering if she would ever have pulled off the humor that Mulgrew gave to the role. Kate was perfection - she made Janeway a true Star Trek icon.

[@Patrick-pv9pe]

Imagine Bujold trying to say "There's coffee in the nebula". Seems like Bujold is still in a Coma (let's see if anyone gets this reference).

[@whitewolf3051]

With how she sounds like a tired office grunt with no energy who just wants to get it over with? And that’s at the start of the day even. If she tried to give any of Janeway’s threats or speeches, she would’ve put us the audience and her enemies to sleep. Not even the strongest caffeinated or energy drink would’ve kept us, never mind them, awake.

[@Kevin-mb4xf]

After seeing the twolerformances, I got the impression that the other actors had more to work with with Mulgrew’s take. It seemed they followed the urgency, rather than being a bit flat with Bujold’s take.

[@SovereignStatesman]

Mildew killed all realism of the series, turning it into a cartoon.

[@stephenparallox]

Honestly, Kate Mulgrew's Janeway reminded me a lot more Captain Kirk for some reason, with a touch of Picard.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Mulgrew played the role like a captain, appropriately. Not sure what Bujold was going for, but she seemed lost in the role.

[@charlesf6247]

I agree Kate was more Kirk because they are in uncharted space always flying by the seat of their pants not knowing who was hostile or friendly

[@habkenubai8200]

Yeah she has a bit of an aire of arrogance, bull headedness and complete confidence. She's a definite go-getterShe is more open to others' opinions though compared to Shatner.

[@dropdead234]

@@habkenubai8200 Kirk always listened, but he was very firm about making up his own mind. #PapaKirkdidnowrong

[@varanid9]

@@habkenubai8200 Kirk often plumbed Spock and McCoy for ideas, sometimes even inviting suggestions from the entire bridge crew or landing party. Don't know where you'd get that he wasn't open to others' opinions.

[@Penelope9441]

I love the sense of command and haste in Janeway's character. I'm probably being biased because I'm a "Janeway all day" kind of fan, but the original seemed low energy, almost uncaring.

[@DrewJenks76]

The thing that boggled my mind was why did the first officer move from the tactical station to run across the bridge to his chair to brace for impact. He literally could have stayed where he was and still met his demise.

[@in2food]

Bujold’s voice and delivery were way too soft for that role.

[@LeeKeels]

Some of that may be because the sound was not the final mix

[@3vi1J]

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm not sure if it's because the audio of her is as bad as the video, but Mulgrew's voice (while maybe not "prettier") was much more commanding.

[@Nathanscottphilipps]

@@LeeKeels no, the actors actually discussed this in the reunion recently.

[@Jimboola]

You are just used to Kate in the role. Also in the first series many people Disliked Kate's voice.

[@Jimboola]

@Sony 😂

[@tyorca5854]

With Mulgrew it sounded like she was actually ordering her crew in an urgent situation. With Bujold it was like she was playing a video game. " *Yawn* Brace for impact........"

[@deadlynytshayd2220]

You can hear the sleep acting. Paramount was right to accept the resignation.

[@TE5LA-GAMING]

The "resignation", you mean.

[@Endoptic]

Panicked and pretentious vs seasoned and steady...

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Bujold was likely fired.

[@Simon-hm7ry]

Not really. The video is right stating that when actors (or employees, for that matter) get fired there is some hypocrital statement like "We wish her good luck." This memo seemed quite upset and even blaming Bujold, hinting that she dumped them unexpectedly.

[@levarbaker908]

Bujold is better as an Admiral on a guest appearance rather than a Captain.

[@thec4fourhundred520]

Nah. She was suited best for going away.

[@krioni86sa]

The actress died of corona virus

[@MycleRyder]

@@krioni86sa you got a source on that?

[@endeavourist5287]

@@krioni86sa You might be thinking of Monique Mercure, another French Canadian actress around the same age. She died during the height of the pandemic, but from cancer.

[@michiganjack1337]

That is what I was just thinking.

[@MFKR696]

Bujold is a talented actress, but Kate Mulgrew's voice is iconic in that role.

[@Evilzoot99]

annoying more like lol

[@gmajor1273]

Loved Kate Mulgrew's voice as Janeway. It was so distinct. You can identify her with just her voice.

[@Willpower-74205]

She also does credible Katharine Hepburn impression. As for Janeway, she's less reserved than Bujold would've been. One decent cup of coffee, and she's ready to sucker-punch the Borg.

[@jamessuraciart]

@@gmajor1273 Pretty sure it's that long-time-smoker quality to her voice.

[@DetroitDriveArenaBaller]

Yes Much Helium piped into the bridge by the Lollipop Guild. lol 😝

[@DanielRichards644]

Mulgrew delivered the lines like a human being, Bujold was reading lines like they where on a teleprompter.

[@DanielRichards644]

Daniel Appleton, I KNOW THAT, I listened to what he said, it doesn't change the complete lack of emotion she was showing which is why I said it was like she was reading a teleprompter, pretty sure none of the people that played Klingon's over the years grew up speaking it as there primary language, but it doesn't stop them from showing emotion in there speech patterns.

[@TheSighphiguy]

+Daniel Appleton yeah but she had been speaking english in roles for 30+ years by the time voyager rolled around. i dare say she had more than a grasp of the language.

[@karlsmith2570]

DanielRichards644 Hell, the way Bujold played the character of Captain Janeway, she may as well had playing a Vulcan

[@pjamese3]

Gary Dorgan I always figured the reason someone named Picard spoke with a British accent was that sometime in the future (before 1st contact with the. Vulcan) England invaded France (much the same as the Normans invading England in 1066.) The English kept the country and the conquerors would intermarry with the conquered. This would result in families with British names and French accents and families who have French names and British accents. Story, France. Even in science fiction you're losing wars.

[@thepragmaticexistentialist]

I'm surprised by Genevieve Bujold's lackluster performance as Janeway. She sounded mostly uninterested in what she was saying. I'm glad they were able to get Kate Mulgrew. She was a great captain.

[@minnielou1259]

Yes I'm surprised they chose Bujold in the first place. I'm sure they saw how much better Mulgrew was in the audition but kept her as 2nd choice.

[@thepragmaticexistentialist]

@@minnielou1259It was probably for name recognition.

[@minnielou1259]

@@thepragmaticexistentialist aahhh you're right. But surely they could have understood they needed someone who actually fit the part. Anyway I'm glad Mulgrew got it!

[@thepragmaticexistentialist]

@@minnielou1259Agreed!

[@baiafy]

Bujold would have made a better Vulcan!

[@Kneecap22]

No way, Vulcans have way more personality. They just don't show emotions, but you can see their character underneath.

[@megjane7]

Maybe Romulan

[@gmajor1273]

That's a good one

[@stormeagle81x]

Or ferengi

[@christophercompton7825]

Haja

[@MultiRabe]

Bujold has no vocal quality! She sounds like shes just saying her lines...not acting the part (what a bore)! Mulgrew is leagues ahead of her, and Im glad she was chosen to play Janeway!

[@habkenubai8200]

Especially the "brace for impact" line. One just read out the line the other created a sense of urgency.

[@Jake-bt7ig]

Agreed. Almost every line she gave sounded like a question.

[@LouiseKernow2024]

Apparently when Bujold sat in the chair and whispered, yes WHISPERED "Engage" you could hear a pin drop around the set. Mulgrew however strolled on as if she owned the bridge and said strongly "Engage!" perfect person for the role.

[@childofthesun32]

I felt the issue was that Bujold sounded like a crew member, when she said her lines. She never sounded like the Captain. Kate Mulgrew exuded a quality of being the Captain. She wasn't making suggestions. She was telling you like it was going to be. Bujold never did this.

[@dtz1000]

@roberto abrams Totally agree. Bujold was sending me to sleep as I was listening to her.

[@rayloc420]

Bujold speaks like she's asking a question: Capt. mulgrew Janeway speaks definitively.

[@jamesdavis2677]

There's no comparison. Kate Mulgrew is the only Captain Janeway. There's 13 years difference in the age of the actresses and it really shows.

[@oddish4352]

It would be interesting to know if they had Mulgrew available when they selected Bujold, or if Bujold departed and then they did a new casting call and found Mulgrew then.

[@Dancestar1981]

@@oddish4352 No it was a callback Berman saw Kate’s potential right from the beginning Braga and Taylor were slower to catch on but came around when it counted

[@oddish4352]

@@Dancestar1981 Reportedly, Braga and Taylor were so impressed by Bujold's creds that she didn't have to audition. Berman was concerned about her, but he was outvoted. However, he was proven right in a big way. Kate Mulgrew was on their short list of also rans, despite her initial audition having been weak (according to Mulgrew herself). She was at her best when they reopened auditions, and hit the ground running after that. From start to end, she WAS Kathryn Janeway.

[@erinh9267]

It mostly isn't age. It's personality

[@NekoBoyOfficial]

I agree. Bujold has almost no emotion. Kate Mulgrew was definitely the right choice.

[@illuminotme825]

Maybe she should've played a Vulcan.

[@tardisrider25]

Kate is such a perfect fit for this role, it's amazing to think she might not have been in it. Kate definitely did it better.

[@SovereignStatesman]

If you have a low IQ

[@ExUSSailor]

Mulgrew was much more authoritative, and, more confident. Much more like a real captain.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

I always thought of Chakotay as the captain, and Janeway as the owner of the ship. Sure, they wrote scenes for her where she could get actively involved and do some stunt to show off how much she cares about her crew, but it never felt natural for her character. Chakotay, on the other hand, held the crew together by his mere presence. If not for him, and his active support of her, Janeway wouldn't have had a crew.

[@solduspython]

I would say thats the role of a good 1st officer, riker was the same, he walked thru the enterprise just as chakotay on voyager, the crew all loved them, but the captain is the captain, not ur bestie like said 1st officers

[@BagoPorkRinds]

The word your looking for is "assertive".

[@petermirtitsch1235]

In an army, it is the sergeants who keep things moving, while the generals give the big orders.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

Peter Mirtitsch The equivalent of a captain in the army would be a colonel, the first leftenant a major. Sergeant is below officer, which would make them what, a redshirt? Chief of security I think?

[@MysticLounge]

I can’t imagine a Janeway without Mulgrew. I can never decide who is my favorite ST captain, Janeway or Picard. Mulgrew’s energy was exciting. But she could also have a reserved intensity sometimes that was just so powerful.

[@Patrick-pv9pe]

That's easy, the correct answer is Sisko.

[@deadredeyes]

Genevieve's acting and delivery could not be more wooden / lifeless. Mulgrew was absolutely the better choice

[@brianh.000]

Totally. I felt like she would fit better in a 70s hippy movie, running through daisies. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@kingcrimson234]

Whether she left due to the "demanding schedule" or the producers actually just wanted her gone after seeing her in the role, it's clear that she didn't want to be in it. Totally mailing it in with no conviction at all. Mulgrew had a great presence as captain, I'm glad it turned out the way it did.

[@RichardCooperrjc]

Kate Mulgrew is clearly the BEST CHOICE and she blew that role out of the park! BOOM! LOL

[@santosjerez1586]

Two choice audition lol wow Clinton/Trump lol

[@williamblakehall2773]

I love Bujold -- in the right context. She might have worked as, say, a science officer, someone to hold a quiet discussion with, but it was probably a waste to even consider her as captain. Mulgrew came to this with plenty of TV experience, having acted in hundreds of episodes of "Ryan's Hope." So I do not trash Bujold at all. Mulgrew was simply better equipped, better trained, the better fit -- the better choice.

[@thewarriorpriest2952]

William Blake Hall like a role similar to Dr Troy or a dr aide etc

[@Ensisferrae]

Problem is we already had one "boring" character in Tuvok (I dont actually mean he was boring. . . just that the Vulcan role sorta requires the deadpan deliver of most lines)

[@nubiannile4606]

William Blake Hall Or maybe a Starfleet scientist, or with low keyed demeanor a counselor’s position.

[@udmbfckx2916]

Mulgrew kicks Bujold's ass anytime for this role! Independently of whatever Bujold's previous accomplishment were.... Mulgrew ACTS like a Federation Captain while Bujold talks like a cook who is still undecided as to what to cook for the crew. What the hell was the casting staff thinking?

[@thomdane5812]

Bujold acts like an Ensign on her first deep space mission; unsure, total lack of confidence, and certainly no air of authority. Kate Mulgrew blew this role out of the water in my opinion.

[@Devilsharck]

I at first agreed about Bujold being timid and having no confidence in her voice and Mulgrew comes across much more experienced. To me Bujold acts out the scene perfectly as apposed to Mulgrew. My reasoning is that it was Janeways 1st command,, she came from a scientific background, I believe a "rookie" in that situation would be timid and not sure of herself or her commands, and probably thinking what the hell have am I doing here, I'm out of my depth.. Over the net 7 years she would've grown into her role as captain and the confidence and respect of her crew would have grown with her own confidence of command etc.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

It's a good theory and good proposed character development arc, however in real life someone doesn't become captain of anything without a lot of command experience, and working up through the ranks as an officer. There aren't many captains who aren't already well prepared for the job before they get it, usually by being second in command for several years first. In short, they don't throw rookies into the captain's chair.

[@Scripture-Man]

She's a bit like Captain Harroman from Star Trek Generations! :)

[@habkenubai8200]

@@LoanwordEggcorn yeah I was going to say this. She would have a lot of bridge time way before getting her own ship. Just like flying a Jet liner...by the time you are in the left seat you would have many many hours built performing Captain duties.

[@Celisar1]

thomdane A captain can be a more intellectual type as well who’s authority is calm but determined .

[@shrinerspark]

I've never been more thankful for a recast in my life.

[@Slopmaster]

Same going from Jeffrey Hunter to William Shatner.

[@anrina]

I've never watched a single episode of any Star Trek but this popped up on my recs because of the Stars In The House's Star Trek Voyager reunion yesterday. Now it makes sense why the cast breathed a sigh of relieve when Kate uttered her first "engage" and said that Genevieve practically whispered it. Go watch the reunion, it was really great, even for someone like me who's never seen any Star Trek stuff. The cast loves each other and it shows!

[@rbgrip]

I was there, as I watched Genevieve say, engage, I said to the key grip at the time, well we'll be doing tha again. Moments later she left the set went to her trailer then walked off the Paramount lot. She seemed to have a problem with people touching her hair, as we all know ST is all about hair.

[@scottwheeler2679]

I forgot how much she hated being touched

[@oddish4352]

And I expect you did it again, with Ms. Mulgrew.

[@jacquidicks2466]

Randy, Garret and Robbie both said exactly that in their podcast! Apparently she didn't mix with the rest of the cast or crew, either

[@oddish4352]

@@jacquidicks2466 Sometimes a bad casting decision occurs. Thankfully, this one came to light within hours, and they were able to fix it fairly painlessly.

[@jacquidicks2466]

@@oddish4352 Apart from a break of a few weeks in filming while they searched for a new Janeway

[@thompsop09]

Love me some Kate Mulgrew!!! She was born for that part.

[@thorinbane]

If it wasn't for 7 of 9 the show would likely have failed. I didn't like janeway or much of the cast to be honest.

[@santosjerez1586]

Born to be in a Orange Jump Suit

[@Dancestar1981]

@@thorinbane not true at all many disliked the over saturation of the Borg and Braga attempting to make Voyager the 7 of 9 show

[@matthewminix6167]

I always tell this story, but when I first heard that they were going to have a female captain for the new series, I said "They should cast Kate Mulgrew." I knew her because she had played a councilwoman on Cheers, a soldier/live interested in the movie "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins," the ex-wife in the movie "Throw Mama from the Train," and the mayor on a short-lived sitcom James Garner vehicle called "The Man of the People." I thought she was great in all these roles and was the obvious choice to play captain. She had also played "Mrs. Columbo," of course, but I had never seen that. Anyway, when the TV Guide arrived and it had Genevieve Bujold, I reiterated to anyone who would listen "They should have cast Kate Mulgrew." Months went by and I decided not to even watch Voyager when it premiered. And I didn't watch it. Then, as the first episode was nearing its end, I went to see what my friends were doing. They were gathered around a tv in our dorm lounge, watching Star Trek: Voyager- and as I got closer to it I stopped in my tracks and was like "Wait... That's Kate Mulgrew." Needless to say, I did watch it after that- but it was years before I saw the first episode.

[@PaulGaither]

VERY similar story for me and I was going to read the comments and say much of the same. The difference is that I did watch all of the promotional videos and I watched the pilot. Very happy with the choice.

[@CynthiaPerna]

I watched MRS COLUMBO. She was awesome in that too.

[@SoundAuthor]

Kate is SO much more charismatic. Great actress, I love her.

[@Dancestar1981]

I do too totally agree

[@oddish4352]

It took some time for her to grow on me, but she did. And she was way better here. She OWNED that bridge!

[@MrGlenspace]

Not even close. The original French actress sounds very timid and her voice is low. Kate Mulgrew has a more booming voice that she can project across a room. Thank god they switched kneads and Kate mulgrew was an excellent choice and actress.

[@anonb4632]

MrGlenspace She's Canadian - Quebecois - not French.

[@habkenubai8200]

"French" and "Quebecois" are interchangeable up here in Québec. They are quite proud of their heritage. Same with English speakers. We're often referred to as 'English' or Canadian.

[@mr.popper9759]

Bujold is a confused Ensign serving as active captain. Mulgrew is a seasoned Starfleet Captain.

[@gwynnartha]

this ☝️

[@GoofballLtG]

THANK YOU!!! I already knew Mulgrew replaced some one that was ill fitted with the role and didn’t get along with the cast or crew. But I could never really find pictures or clips. Thanks for letting us finally see it!

[@CHASEMARC]

Kate 100000% better than the first actress, even the emotions from the other cast is better with Kate

[@carcii7300]

My dad: hey you should watch star trek it comes on every Thursday after school Me: Ok? *starts getting addicted and watches it every thursday* love this since last year (I was 11)

[@Bayan1905]

Mulgrew looks like she wants to be a Captain, Bujold looks like she just took a sedative and was getting ready for bed.

[@Ntwister]

hahahahaha xD

[@johnstitt2615]

Bayan1905 nailed that description.👌

[@ryanc5572]

I bust out laughing xD

[@tennoex8142]

HAHAHAHAHA

[@kirothetecnocrow1737]

Hahahahahahaha

[@smooth111012]

I think Kate was the better choice

[@at1212b]

But the actress that played the Captain of the Enterprise C was the best. Too bad they couldn't find a way to slot in her in Janeaway's role.

[@KraXoom]

So glad Kate got a second chance. She has the presence of a fierce captain and also mother figure. Anytime she is upset at someone I actually get a little scared and fell like she’s yelling directly at me lol. Also think Susan Gibney would have been a great captain because she really played the hell out of that role in TNG but she just seemed a bit young to play a captain with so much experience. Wouldn’t mind seeing her reprise her role in Picard.

[@whitewolf3051]

Yeah, Bujold sounds like a tired office grunt who just wants to get it over with, and that’s just at the start of day. Also, she likely put us the audience or enemies to sleep. She sounds so lifeless and dead. Wonder what were thinking when a zombie was their first choice.

[@HistoricNerd]

I'm gonna have to agree with you. Kate delivered her lines with a better command presence. The other Actress felt like she wasn't committing enough to it.

[@DokDicer]

Mulgrew's Janeway always had a zealous and ultimately self-righteous vibe to her. The quality you need in a captain when you are stranded far away from known waters (or space). That's why she was the perfect captain for Voyager and why I really liked it. Back then I could not appreciate what they were doing with DS9. But Voyager was close enough yet different enough to TNG to hit a sweet spot with me. And it mostly hinged on the difference between Picard and Janeway.

[@cloudwatcher608]

DS9 is an interesting situation.. The show was a couple decades ahead of its time because the narrative style, with long story arcs, lends itself to binge viewing via streaming platforms more than weekly television releases. I personally never loved it much growing up until I was able to watch it start to finish on Netflix, then I realized why it was a great show.

[@LuvBugnMaMa1]

Thank you for this upload! To make this comment simple: Kate Mulgrew always brings passion to every role she plays. Period. If an actor can't convince you that they ARE the character that they are portraying: Well, they've missed the whole point of being an actor. Kate Mulgrew delivers in this roll & many others. Consistently, concisely, charismatically. As for Genevieve Bujold, I don't know her work; All I can say is: I didn't feel any passion, charisma or even like-ability from her. I do hope she's gone onto other roles that were/are more suited for her rather dry character interpretation, on this project.

[@davidnavarro4821]

I’ve seen Genevieve Bujold in only one movie: a crime thriller in the 70’s directed by Michael Crichton and starring Michael Douglas as her co-star. Her performance was very dramatic as a lead character overwhelmed by sinister events so it’s kinda surprising she portrayed Capt. Janeway in a very withdrawn way.

[@LuvBugnMaMa1]

@@davidnavarro4821 Thank you for your reply. I guess that this just wasn't the role for her.

[@AndrewOfMA]

I think the final analysis is that you can't think of ANYONE ELSE but Kate Mulgrew as Captain Katherine Janeway.

[@quazar912]

maybe Helen Mirren or, Marly Streep?? LOL 🤣

[@chrisThurt4269]

I found Kate projected a force of command authority with her delivery better than Genevieve.

[@deborahhanna6640]

I have to partly blame the French- she was already so soft spoken & hard to hear. But French has all those soft consonants! Plus her gray hair made her look like a librarian who accidentally wandered onto set. Mulgrew had for to her hair- but also that famous victory roll!

[@juliancate7089]

Yeah, the side by side was revealing. Mulgrew delivered her lines with more confidence and authority. I had no problem accepting that Mulgrew was portraying a woman with many years of command experience. Mulgrew also had somewhat of a military bearing that Bujold lacked. I can't really define "military bearing" but I know it when I see it. It's how you stand, walk, carry yourself, the presence you exert in the room, tone and tint of conversation, etc....

[@ihno45]

"Brace for impact." ... Yes, Bujold seemed to be a bit uninterested.

[@martinsobotka1496]

Oh look, we're about to be hit. Whatever. Yeah, she just doesn't fit

[@DMJack92]

It's all good! She will be sure to go down with the ship in a nice calm manner.

[@movienaut]

"Coffee, black, now, you don't want to talk with me without coffee!" said Janeway when Neelix was trying to tell her something in the dining room!

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Don't we all? :)

[@mohawk5010]

Brace for impact…or run literally 4 feet back to your seat and die mid-air.

[@elijahcomstock2536]

"Mulgrew delivers her lines with more oomph and eargency" SAID LIGHTLY! SHE SOUNDS DAMN TOUGH like a captain should be.

[@ChristiePriem]

And Mulgrew has great hair and is overall more feminine *while* being powerful. I love that combination.

[@debbienpeters]

Christie Priem that is one of the many things about her I love. She is strong, but you see her softer side. Good qualities for anyone to have.

[@deborahhanna6640]

A little of both. Basically I just hate Bujold- always have ever since the first movie I ever saw her in back late1970's with Christopher Reeve. WHY didn't the hair & makeup guys at least TRY to give her a hairstyle?

[@deborahhanna6640]

My taste is not up for debate. She was fired. I dislike her. The other actress was more suited to the character but really almost anyone else would have been.

[@deborahhanna6640]

@Joe Dick ok- she was unofficially fired. & you can keep your opinions to yourself as well. Have a nice whatever. I won't answer again.

[@sirdaveysockrocker]

The fact that Paramount didnt wish Bujold well in the Press Release is proof she quit. She left them hanging and they were pissed.

[@Clarksonious]

Can't express how happy I am that you are back making more great content. Please keep it up and know that we all greatly appreciate it.

[@Martin-ze5im]

Me three :[]

[@hmartinspliff]

4:39 Brace for impact.....and stand clear of the computer consoles. They have a tendency to blow up in your face and send you flying half-way across the bridge, that's why that guy was running for his life.

[@KadeSmash]

>> Honestly I'm glad Kate Mulgrew got the part in the end... She's got that fire that the show really can't go without

[@suchaguf8974]

Janeways voice way more distinctive and commanding, hands down.

[@christophdollis1955]

They are both Janeways.

[@davidbarry9690]

@@christophdollis1955 yes they cant tell fact from fiction

[@rizon72]

While Bujold is an accomplished actress, this part didn't fit her at all.

[@rickcoona]

Genevieve Bujold is a drama actress not suited for Sci-fi most her TV roles have been dramas or comedy-dramas i believe she was out of her depth on the set

[@alalalala57]

@@rickcoona Plenty of drama actors in sci fi shows.

[@yogibro6442]

Didn't seem to have that "Commanding Presence" a captain needs before getting a "Command" position. She didn't look in charge there.

[@cathyvickers9063]

@@yogibro6442 Seriously, actors auditioning for a lead role in a show like Star Trek needs to be given a test using a script from a WWII naval movie. If he/she doesn't sound competent & in charge in a 20th century naval setting, how is he/she going to sell being in command of an even more demanding vessel?

[@Nourulette]

@@rickcoona It's not about drama, its about range. Bujold is a very competent actress to a limited set of roles, her range is very narrow. Idk about Mulgrew much because I haven't seen her in anything other than ST so I can't comment on her range, it could be that she has a narrow range also but this particular character was within it.

[@gregaaron89]

Bujold: before coffee Mulgrew: after coffee

[@MontagZoso]

😂👍

[@mrhyperbolic7455]

Mulgrew owned that bridge and everyone waited on her every word. Real command presence..Charisma. She is older now but her natural force has not abated..

[@EtwasMartin]

Just a saw a recent interview with her the other. She has aged but noch changed. That woman is an inspiration for women and men.

[@BigBlackRod]

Sorta like Moses, huh?

[@smalliesmalls9601]

Stevie Del Ray No, not really, just like every food leader ever, that is the point.

[@saturninojosesuarezquintan9424]

The "hands on screen pressing buttons" cuts was made for a second unit in the moments the stage was free. Probably that hand isn't from Genevieve Bujold nor Kate Mulgrew but from some staff member.

[@Mitchcraft.]

Kate feels full of energy and applies her self like she is a captain of a ship while the other actress feels like she is unsure of herself and didn't have any energy

[@kgmckool]

They were saying something about Bujold sounding ethereal, and they are right. I was disappointed when I found out she turned it down. I like Mulgrew a lot, she made that her role and turn out to be a great actress over the years.

[@MrMoorkey]

"Aaaaaaanyway, Ms. Mulgrew, we are without a captain...so...we were thinking of casting you..." "DO IT." Seriously, the rest of the cast even sound happier with Kate Mulgrew.

[@peterpowis4145]

I think the rest of the cast actually UP their acting because of Kate Mulgrew's great acting - she's a theatre performer and it shows!!!

[@Serdaroth]

I noticed this too. The energy she gives out is changing the others too. Amazing!

[@Dancestar1981]

@@peterpowis4145 exactly she brings the best out in her fellow actors

[@jacquidicks2466]

Watching Garret Wang and Robbie McNeils podcast yesterday, they both mentioned screen presence. They both said how they admired Bujolds previous work, but this wasn't the role for her.

[@tprime2702]

Bujold: "Hey guys... I guess we should kinda do that...? maybe...? I think it's a good idea...? I suppose...? What do you think...?" Janeway: "NOW MR. KIM!"

[@darcybrummett7004]

4:48 That’s what I was going to say, that Kate had more “oomph” in the way she said the lines.

[@JoeNasr123]

No comparison, Kate Mulgrew was light years ahead. Bujold is timid, almost half asleep. Kate Mulgrew projected power and confidence.

[@GeahkBurchill]

Exactly my reaction. I think Bujold may have been looking to Patrick Stewart in her performance but she clearly struggled with English as a second language as well. Mulgrew may have also been patterning after Stewart but more his film performances or performances in the heat of battle. Mulgrew also seemed to look to Brooks for inspiration. She is very steely where Bujold appears cavalier.

[@johnga911]

Those were my thoughts exactly Geahk, right down to the different "sides" of Picard.

[@TaliaIGhul]

I was gonna say that Bujold seemed more...sedated.

[@warptek]

I think Shatner was more of her inspiration than Stewart. I think I remember her somewhere saying that she was much more of an original series fan than TNG. Besides, Mulgrew is just a better actress and should've been first choice.

[@scottmcclary594]

JoeNasr123 here here!!!

[@colbywankenobii]

I like to think of it as the first cast captain being the actual captain of Voyager but in an alternate universe. They would have never made it back to earth in that universe.

[@herbderbler1585]

Wow, they really dodged a bullet on this one. I'm not going to say Bujold is a bad actress, but she's just so milquetoast in this role. I can't imagine the reception for the show would have been very warm without a powerful figure carrying the role of Captain. Glad we ended up with a proper badass instead.

[@votewithbullets5027]

Bujold is a film actor. Mulgrew is a television actor. In any film, Mulgrew would look as limp and ineffectual as Bujold does on the small screen

[@Croftice1]

@@votewithbullets5027 Strange how sir Patrick Stewart can do both, a tv series role and movie roles with such ease. It's not really about being a tv show actor and a big screen actor. It's about being fit for a particular role. Mulgrew was a much better starship captain. Even if Voyager was a movie and not a tv show, Bujold wouldn't still eccell as Mulgrew did in the role.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

@@Croftice1 Bujold never got a chance though with just one (partial) episode with a couple scenes. When TNG rolled out, the kind of holy war against Patrick Stewart was similar to the reaction we see with Bujold. Many couldn't believe what was going on and found him to be the most ridiculous casting ever in the life of television.

[@adamj6645]

Say what you like about Voyager but Kate Mulgrew was great as Janeway. I cant imagine anyone else playing that role.

[@MysticLounge]

Adam Johnson I really liked Voyager a lot. But looking back I realize that it was Mulgrew that made the show for me.

[@lmjesuschrist7450]

Seriously though

[@vaughnbellwood4605]

Actually, she sucked big time. I can picture half a dozen actresses who would have been better at it.

[@vaughnbellwood4605]

@Generic Guy If only, indeed!

[@Dancestar1981]

@@AstroKitty16 I can’t sorry

[@thepositivelynegativ]

Mulgrew is perfect. I honestly can't imagine Voyager without her.

[@SovereignStatesman]

Because you have no forehead

[@10054]

@@SovereignStatesman Shut up, Tom.

[@karnak333]

With Kate, you can really see captain material; she's intense and full of energy, but yet under control and carrying. Bujold's Janeway is very one note, she strikes me as someone who is carrying but lacks the layered personality of a true leader that Kate's Janeway possessed. It would have been interesting to travel to a parallel universe and watch Bujold's Janeway. I am certainly glad they went with Kate.

[@BarbaraGordonBurnside]

Kate Mulgrew is sooooooo much better!! So much stronger in her performance, and much more charismatic.

[@KEVMAN7987]

Michelle Forbes didn't want to reprise her role of Ro Laren for DS9 (causing them to create Kira Nerys), I doubt she was interested in another Trek series.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

Yep, Voyager had a TON of problems (looking at the writing staff here), but Kate Mulgrew was not one of them. She was the only thing that kept the show from being a lot worse than it actually was. If she hadn't demanded more control over her character, the last few seasons would've been MUCH worse. Overall, Voyager ended up being a below average show, but it wasn't the fault of any of the actors. They did the best they could with terrible writing.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

Since we're on the subject of DS9, an interesting fact: before Avery Brooks was chosen for the role of Sisko, Richard Dean Anderson (aka, Macgyver, and Colonel O'Neill from Stargate) was under consideration for it. It would be really interesting to see what a Sisko played by RDA would've been like. Obviously a totally different character (since Avery Brooks defined Sisko), and it may not have been as good of a show in the end (it certainly would've been a very different show), but the part of me that likes exploring "what if" scenarios finds the concept interesting. Would also be interesting to see what would've become of Stargate (since it started a couple years after DS9 - he obviously wouldn't have been the lead in it so it would've been someone else). On that note, imagine Avery Brooks as Colonel O'Neill.

[@moreanimalspirits]

I saw the second episode a week ago. All the characters hated each other. It was like they should have all gone into Thunderdome. Very bizarre.

[@orlendatube]

moreanimalspirits It gets better, so if you are new to the series, give it a chance. Its starts slow-i am guessing because focus was all over the place at the time for the franchise. It picks up though and i really adore many of the characters, esp janeway (I saw her as a role model growing up). The fact that there is uncomfortable tension in the begining though is very understandable considering the overarching plot. And frankly, if the viewer feels uncomfortable, then they did a great job in portraying that tension. Sometimes its good to be uncomfortable-it teaches us things. Teaching and opening the mind to new ideas is something star trek is good at in general and one of the core principles of the franchise.

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

It’s interesting...Bujold had some real trouble with the dialogue. I can’t say I blame her, either. Some folks have a knack for delivering all these lines of pure gobbledegook with conviction, like Kate Mulgrew. Others just don’t, like Bujold. I’m assuming that Bujold hadn’t done a lot of work where she’d have to use her imagination for things to make some sort of sense. And that’s not her fault. It’s just not how she works. And in that case, I have to wonder why she was picked for this role if she couldn’t handle it.

[@ruben1222]

Bujold was a more accomplished actress but It's pretty clear she wasn't interested in the job. Mulgrew auditioned twice for the role. She really wanted the job. Bujold was much more of a film actress than Mulgrew. Mulgrew's role on the soap opera "Ryan's Hope" gave her much better preparation for a long term series than any acting role Bujold ever had. Bujold did the right thing and took herself out of the part. Everything worked out for the best.

[@StacieMMeier]

Records show Mulgrew was the more widely known actress and more established, she had a long history in both Theatre and shows. Mulgrew had the background and the abilities...like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy she came from a very strong theatre background, based on this, Bujold with her inexperience in that field never had a chance (She simply wasn't experienced in dealing with stress and a heavy acting workload Which she admits). In other words, simply, Bujold was a movie actress not a theatre actress, which the role needed.

[@robertpolanco1973]

@Stacie Meier - Don't you mean that Bujold was not a TV actress? What does working in the theatre have to do with the experience of working on television?

[@rickdesper]

Bujold was an internationally renowned movie star. Mulgrew has always been a TV star, never a movie star. Historically, the public has viewed movie stars as being in a more selective tier than TV stars. When TV stars break into movies, it's considered a step up (see Bruce Willis, George Clooney for example). This attitude is changing somewhat today, esp. with the streaming channels and many top stars doing limited projects on Netflix or HBO or a similar network. But in 1994 the relative power was clear. It doesn't matter if more people (in America) knew Mulgrew. Bujold was the movie star. Just compare their IMDB histories at the time. Bujold had never done TV full time before, in contrast to Mulgrew's history as a soap opera star, which is the most demanding of all TV schedules.

[@anthonybarlow5955]

Bujold was a movie actress out of the 60's or 70's by late 90's who even knew who she was, so her body of work makes no difference to an audience that grew up on Fresh Prince , and that acting caste system has been out of play for sometime and if she was such a power player then wouldn't she have still been on the show??. And there is a difference between acting on Broadway, Television and doing a Movie see Charlize Theron interview working on the TV show Orville Kate was a better choice for the role and there have been many times famous or more experience actors have been turned down or fired from a role just for that reason see Christopher Reeves Superman the Movie

[@WigganNuG]

@Robert Polanco Theatre and Television have a more "on demand" work load than does shooting a movie. All 3 are demanding of course, but in theatre, not only do you rehearse, go through re-writes and blocking changes all the time, but once you do get to opening night, for MOST shows you are doing 7 per week and they are LIVE, and incredibly draining and demanding. Shooting a weekly TV series, and putting 22 or more shows per season gets closer to theatre and you're HIGHLY pressured to get quality material out in a very short amount of time. Movies are ALSO demanding, but the pressure to push out performances on a nightly basis 7 days a week LIVE, or shooting scenes for a 45 minute show that needs to pump out 22 plus episodes a year is NUTS.