Realization

[icepixie]

So I was watching my ancient tape (OMG ELEVEN YEARS OLD) of "Resolutions" last night--"research," you see--and I realized something.

Even before she goes crazy, Janeway kind of scares me.

It's mostly the actress rather than the character. KM...well, if I were to be charitable, I would say "acts big" or "acts for the stage," but I'm really not all that charitable so I'll call it what it is, which would be "chews the scenery to splinters." It's a little freaky. (Although it seems like pretty much everyone on every Trek has this problem. Part of it is the writing. Some of those lines...no one could deliver them and not sound pompous and grandiose.) And then there's that dark, gravelly, overenunciated voice that combines with the acting to make me feel like she wants to eat my soul.

I'm not sure how I missed this as a teenager. Maybe she has better, subtler moments that I just don't remember. I'm going to assume this is true, because that makes me feel better.

*

According to the IMDB page for episode 4.8, Nana Visitor is guest-starring in the episode.

Hmmm. First we have Admiral Ro, now we have...Civilian Kira, it seems? Cool. Bajorans FTW!

(You know, assuming the studios ever come to their senses and make a deal with the writers so show actually airs at some point...)

Comments

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how I missed this as a teenager. Maybe she has better, subtler moments that I just don't remember.

I think she does. Which is not to say she wasn't scary.

I also want to note how very, very happy it makes me to see anyone with whom I have not previously discussed her refer to her having gone crazy as a given. 'Cause, dude. The Batshit of Cap'n Katie was gobsmacking, and so many people still seem to think she made perfect sense. :: hides from them ::

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Even before she goes crazy, Janeway kind of scares me.

YES. I could barely even make it past the series premiere, she was so freakish. She is the entire reason I couldn't stand Voyager. (Well, her and Neelix.) I mean... great series concept! But creepy obnoxious captain = fail.

but I'm really not all that charitable so I'll call it what it is, which would be "chews the scenery to splinters."

Oh, entirely. I just wanted to hide my eyes whenever she started talking.

Part of it is the writing. Some of those lines...no one could deliver them and not sound pompous and grandiose.

Ha! I loved Sisko to pieces, but whenever the DS9 scripts called for "dramatic," HE! WOULD! PUFF UP! AND! DELIVER! EVERY LINE! WITH THESE ODD!! BREATHS!! ALL!! OVER!1!! Poor guy.

And then there's that dark, gravelly, overenunciated voice that combines with the acting to make me feel like she wants to eat my soul.

Thank you. That spit-take nearly ended in a yogurt-y death for Sarah's keyboard. I hate you.

Maybe she has better, subtler moments that I just don't remember.

....no. No.

[caffey.livejournal.com]

Even before she goes crazy, Janeway kind of scares me.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that the Janeway character hasn't been sane to begin with. Her insanity has just manifested itself over the years. Mostly, I find that amusing, though. But then, my favorite episodes happens to be Bride of Chaotica, I'm that odd. *coughs*

I haven't watched Resolutions since maybe 2000? And I feel no inclination to do so. I did, however, watch Coda recently. And can we just say that KM has NO idea how to die properly, and more importantly, convincingly? Hee. *g*

[babylil.livejournal.com]

It's entirely possible that the reason Janeway scares you is that Kate Mulgrew is possibly the most intimidating person I've ever met. It's even worse because she's actually lovely and friendly, yet at the same time I'm terrified to speak to her.

She has this presence that's just... scary. There's no other word for it. I'm afraid of Kate Mulgrew. But they say the most important thing is admitting you have a problem.

[elflore.livejournal.com]

The thing with Janeway, I think, is that the writers on Voyager really didn't give a flying frak about characterization.

(You know the story about Ron Moore's one-week stint as a Voyager writer, right?)

I seem to remember there being at least 3 different Katherine Janeways. There was "No, we cannot break the Prime Directive and interfere with alien cultures, no matter what!" Janeway, there was "Sod the Prime Directive, I will get my people HOME, I am Janeway hear me ROAR!" Janeway, and there was, "Dammit I'm tired, do I care about Directives this week? Do I care if I care?" Janeway.

You never really knew who you'd see, week to week.