Jeri Taylor's Contributions to the 'Star Trek' Universe

Key Takeaways

Jeri Taylor contributed significantly to “Star Trek” by writing, producing, and co-creating shows like
Star Trek: Voyager
.
Taylor played a pivotal role in developing female characters like Janeway, influencing and reshaping their roles.
Her legacy in the “Star Trek” universe is evident through the impactful characters and profound storylines she created.

As a die-hard Star Trek fan and a lover of strong, complex female characters, I can’t help but feel deeply moved by the incredible legacy that Jeri Taylor has left behind. Her impact on the Star Trek universe is nothing short of monumental, and her creation of Captain Kathryn Janeway, B’Elanna Torres, and Seven of Nine has undeniably shaped the way we think about women in leadership roles, both within the fictional world of Starfleet and beyond.

Jeri Taylor, a longtime writer for “Star Trek” and co-creator of “Star Trek: Voyager,” sadly passed away on October 23, 2024, at the age of 86. Over the weekend, actors, producers, crew members from the production team, and devoted fans expressed their sorrow over her passing, shared fond memories of Taylor, and paid tribute to her significant impact on the “Star Trek” universe. As we remember Taylor’s remarkable career that spanned several decades, let’s take a moment to reflect on her roles as a writer, producer, co-creator, and advisor for various “Star Trek” series.

Entering the Trekverse: The TNG & DS9 Years

Jeri Taylor's Contributions to the 'Star Trek' Universe

In the realm of Star Trek, Taylor kicked off her career during the fourth season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (TNG), contributing as a writer and producer. Among the four episodes she penned that season was “The Drumhead,” often hailed by fans as one of the series’ finest. Taylor’s writing for TNG continued until its conclusion after seven seasons, resulting in a total of 17 written episodes for the show.

During the show’s sixth season, she was promoted to co-executive producer, joining longtime showrunners Michael Pillar and Rick Berman. When Berman and Pillar turned their attention to the franchise’s newest addition, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), Taylor was promoted to executive producer and showrunner for TNG’s final season. She saw the show through to its legendary final episode. While she was wrapping up TNG, Taylor also wrote three episodes for DS9, including the two-parter “The Maquis.”

Following the conclusion of TNG, I found myself diving back into the Star Trek universe, first with Star Trek: Generations and then, a few years down the line, contributing to Star Trek: First Contact.

Co-Creating and Running ‘Star Trek: Voyager’

During the mid-90s, Taylor had a packed schedule. As she was concluding her work on TNG, penning scripts for DS9 from time to time, and contributing to Generations, Taylor was simultaneously engrossed in the creative process of developing Star Trek: Voyager alongside Pillar and Berman. Moreover, she not only served as the showrunner for the initial four seasons but also co-authored 14 episodes along the way.

In the Star Trek series, Taylor was the pioneer who earned the position of executive producer or showrunner, making her the first woman to do so. She diligently fulfilled this significant role, particularly in developing the groundbreaking character of Captain Kathryn Janeway, the female lead for a Star Trek show. Taylor played a crucial part in designing the characters, plotlines, and motifs that characterized Voyager’s initial seasons.

Creating Women of Substance in the ‘Star Trek’ Universe

Bringing Changes To The Next Generation

In the hands of Star Trek’s male executive producers and showrunners, the female characters in the Star Trek universe often lacked complexity or depth. Actress Denise Crosby, who portrayed Tasha Yar on The Next Generation (TNG), famously resigned during the first season because she desired a more multi-dimensional character, but her request was reportedly denied. Similarly, Gates McFadden, who brought Dr. Beverly Crusher to life, had conflicts with TNG’s production team regarding her character and departed for season two before returning in season three. Marina Sirtis, who played Deanna Troi, often jokes that her character’s role during the early seasons was similar to a carnival psychic, spouting vague predictions. Sirtis has never hesitated to discuss the challenging experience of being a woman on the set of TNG.

During the fourth season, when Taylor entered the writers’ group, she aimed to bring about significant changes. In an interview with Captains’ Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, Taylor stated:

As a passionate admirer, I must express my longing to delve deeper into the character development of Crusher and Troi, as I felt they hadn’t been utilized to their full potential. Occasionally, I find myself serving as a subtle advocate for women’s roles, and in turn, others occasionally remind me of this role. I’m not suggesting that our team was exclusively male, but perhaps my influence was more pronounced in some aspects, bringing certain issues into sharper focus.

Taylor’s impact became evident right away. Instead of the skintight bodysuits with deep necklines, Troi started wearing a standard Starfleet uniform in later seasons – a change that Taylor reportedly advocated for off-camera, as mentioned at The 55-Year Mission Star Trek convention, according to TrekMovie.com.

The actresses working alongside her also noticed her influence, as described in “Journey’s End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation.” In this work, McFaddden stated:

As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the work done by the writing team led by Jeri Taylor. They’ve really put in the effort to elevate and strengthen the roles of women characters. It feels fantastic to see more of us taking on powerful positions – sitting in the Captain’s chair or leading missions with confidence.

Creating A New Standard With Voyager

Taylor’s efforts to elevate the women in the series TNG were commendable, yet they seemed less impactful compared to the captivating, intricate female characters she created for Voyager.

Initially, Berman and Pillar intended to debut the first female lead in the Star Trek universe through Voyager, but it was only when Taylor joined as co-creator that Captain Kathryn Janeway, portrayed by Kate Mulgrew, truly took shape. For Taylor, Janeway was a significant undertaking; she recognized the significance of the character within Star Trek and aimed to create a female captain who could compare favorably with her male predecessors.

Fortunately, Taylor found inspiration close at hand, sharing this with the crowd at The 55-Year Mission Star Trek Convention.

As a gamer, I’ve always seen Captain Janeway as an extension of myself – a character I’ve crafted. Yet, she’s not exactly me, but rather, the person I aspire to be. She resonates within me deeply, and I believe there’s a piece of me in her, even though she’s far more competent than I am. My fantasy has always been that Janeway is an idealized version of myself, and I’ve endeavored to embody that spirit when I play her.

Janeway wasn’t just responsible for strengthening the female characters on Voyager, as some might think. In fact, she was a key figure in developing two other iconic characters: B’Elanna Torres, portrayed by Roxann Dawson, and Seven of Nine, acted by Jeri Ryan. Without the creative input of Janeway, these beloved characters may never have graced our screens as we know them today.

Taylor’s ‘Star Trek’ Legacy

Each creator, regardless of whether they are writers, artists, performers, or any other creative soul, aspires to create something enduring that will live on even after they have passed. They often ponder over their aspirations for the mark they wish to leave behind. On various occasions, Taylor expressed her desire for Janeway to play a significant role in shaping her lasting impact.

As a die-hard Star Trek fan and insider, I can’t help but feel the loss deeply. It’s undeniable that Captain Janeway’s dream has finally been realized. Even though she wasn’t the only one to leave a lasting impact, as proven by the heartfelt tributes from her fellow crew members following her passing.

In the words of Mulgrew, as posted on her Instagram:

Brannon Braga, who assumed the role of Voyager’s head writer following Taylor’s departure after the fourth season, expressed similar thoughts to Mulgrew on his personal Instagram account.

Dawson chimed in on X, reminding fans that Taylor’s legacy goes far beyond Janeway.

Jeri Taylor significantly contributed to the world of Star Trek by creating some of its most cherished characters and emotional storylines. Her absence within the Star Trek community will be deeply felt, yet her impact in the Star Trek universe remains indelible.

Information gathered from Instagram, X.com, StarTrek.com, Captains’ Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, TrekMovie.com, and Journey’s End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

2024-10-31 04:06

Jeri Taylor’s Contributions to the ‘Star Trek’ Universe