The Star Trek mythos has certainly had its ups and downs, but almost every show and movie has had the good fortune to be led by terrific actors. In this series, we've already looked at Kirk, Picard, and Sisko, but now it's time to celebrate the bun-haired icon that is Kate Mulgrew as Captain Catherine Janeway. Shout out to my command tier patrons and members. Also, this video is sponsored by Squarespace.
Of all the traits required by good leaders and indeed the actors portraying them, charisma is probably the most essential. Charisma comes in many forms, but generally speaking, it is the ability to inspire others by making them feel good in one's presence. Patrick Stewart's Picard and Avery Brooks's Sisko accomplish this through sheer gravitas. They maintain a stoicism and authoritativeness that puts distance between them and their crews. Only in intimate meetings do they let their guard down and act more personable.
Picard is a patient and gentle negotiator, always firm, fair, and in total control. Meanwhile, Sisko challenges others to come up to his level, always matching wits and balancing energies, either to uplift people or give them a much-needed kick up the ass. Overall, they play things close to the chest, creating a center of gravity that all others orbit around.
Mulgrew's Janeway, however, does the opposite. Her charisma has a relaxed quality that creates a casual and friendly atmosphere aboard the ship. Famously, Captain Janeway was originally played by Geneviève Bujold, but after her unsatisfying performance, Kate Mulgrew was brought in at the last minute to replace her. Mulgrew was understandably nervous, but pilot episode director Rick Kolbe told her to treat the bridge like her living room. This is her space and she called the shots.
While it's somewhat unfair to compare the performances since Bujold herself knew she wasn't right for the part, it's worth doing so to see why Mulgrew worked where Bujold didn't. The first notable difference between the two is the speed of their line delivery. Science fiction technobabble isn't the easiest thing in the world for an actor to handle. The words are often lengthy, complicated, and at face value, utterly nonsensical.
As Alexander Mackendrick observes in his book on film, unusual dialogue often works best when played fast. "A line that reads quite implausibly on the printed page can be quite convincing and effective when spoken in a throwaway or incidental fashion by the actor." Bujold seems to have great difficulty with technobabble, taking her time to hit each word. In contrast, Mulgrew blasts through it like perfectly ordinary exposition.
As a result, Mulgrew seems far more controlled, intelligent, and commanding, making Janeway appear well-informed and quick-thinking. Speaking of commanding, note the different body language. Bujold is often stiff and timid. When she stops to introduce the new crew members, notice how she fidgets with her thumb, whereas Mulgrew clasps her hands comfortably. Also, notice how they sit. Bujold once again sits stiff with hands together, fidgeting, whereas Mulgrew spreads her arms wide to rest them on the chair, taking up the space rather than shrinking into it.
Finally, there's a distinct lack of feeling in Bujold's line delivery. Let's return to when Janeway introduces Tom and Harry. Bujold's delivery is flat, whereas Mulgrew's delivery is dynamic, varying her intonation with each name.
The difference is night and day with almost every line. In a later, more vulnerable scene, comparison further highlights Mulgrew's ability to convey emotion.
Mulgrew speaks as if Janeway is reliving the emotions of the moment. She softens her voice and smiles or expresses sadness as needed, turning what could be a monotone delivery into an engaging performance.
This kind of varied speech and expressive body language makes for a far more engaging performance than Bujold's restrained monotone. Mulgrew channels Katherine Hepburn's warmth and presence, creating an environment aboard Voyager where everyone is welcome but where she remains a commanding presence.
For Janeway, Mulgrew's performance is filled with charisma, whether she is giving orders, enjoying camaraderie with her crew, or facing challenges head-on. Voyager may have its flaws, but Kate Mulgrew's Captain Janeway is a significant highlight of the series.
