Jeri Taylor's contribution to the 'Star Trek' universe

Key Takeaways

• Jeri Taylor has made significant contributions to “Star Trek” by writing, producing and co-producing the following shows:
  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 influential characters and profound storylines she created.

Jeri Taylor, frequent visitor star trek writer and co-creator Star Trek: VoyagerHe passed away on October 23, 2024 at the age of 86. During the weekend, star trek Cast, producers, crew, and lifelong fans mourned the loss, shared memories of Taylor, and honored her enormous contributions to the Trekverse. Following her passing, we look back on Taylor's decades-long career as a writer, producer, co-creator, and consultant in many fields. star trek It shows.

Enter the Trekverse: The Years of TNG & DS9

According to StarTrek.com, Taylor began his career in: star trek universe in the fourth season Star Trek: The Next Generation(TNG) As a writer and producer. She helped write four episodes that season, including “The Drumhead,” which many fans consider one of the best episodes of the series. Taylor continued to write. TNG Until the end of the 7th season. In total, Taylor helped write 17 episodes. TNG.

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 latest addition to the franchise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9)Taylor has been promoted to executive producer and showrunner. TNG'Last season. She watched the show until its legendary final episode. while she finishes TNGTaylor also DS9Includes “The Maquis” in two parts.

later TNG We packaged it and Taylor did the work. Star Trek: Generations And a few years later, I returned to Korea. star trek universe to work with Star Trek: First Contact.

Co-production and operation of ‘Star Trek: Voyager’

The mid-90s were busy for Taylor. while she finishes TNGwrite sometimes DS9And working on it generationTaylor was also deep in the trenches with Pillar and Berman. Star Trek: Voyager. In addition to serving as showrunner for the show's first four seasons, she co-wrote 14 episodes.

Taylor was the first woman to hold the title of executive producer or showrunner on a film. star trek franchise. She took her role seriously, especially since she played a fundamental role in creating the first female lead. star trek Show: Captain Catherine Janeway. Taylor shaped the characters, storyline, and themes of the film. Voyager's Early season.

Creating practical women in the ‘Star Trek’ universe

Get changes next generation

below star trek male executive producer and showrunner, female star trek The universe hasn't always achieved nuance or depth. Dennis Crosby as Tasha Yar TNGShe quit after the first season because she wanted Yar to be more three-dimensional. The contestants are said to have said “no” emphatically. Gates McFadden, who brought Dr. Beverly Crusher to life. TNGShe also spoke to the production team about her character and left for Season 2 and returned for Season 3. Marina Sirtis repeatedly joked that during the first few seasons, Deanna Troi's entire character spouted out vague predictions like a carnival psychic. Sirtis never hesitated to talk about how terrible it was to be a woman on the set of TNG.

When Taylor joined the writers' room in the fourth season, she set out to change everything. In an interview about Captain's Log: Unauthorized Complete VoyageTaylor said:

“If there was anything I wanted to do more of, it would be to develop the characters of Crusher and Troy, because I felt they were underutilized. […] I sometimes remind people of women's roles, and sometimes there are tiny ways in which they remind me. I'm not saying this was a man's walking stick and I had to show them the way, but maybe it was something that was a little more up front with me.”

Taylor's influence was noticeable almost immediately. Troi finally wears a Starfleet uniform instead of the skintight bodysuit with a plunging neckline that she wore for the first few seasons. As TrekMovie.com reported, during a rare public appearance at the 55th Anniversary Mission Star Trek convention, Taylor revealed that this was one of the things he had been pushing behind the scenes.

Her impact was also felt by actresses on site. in Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation; McFadden said:

“I think the team of writers led by Jeri Taylor definitely tried to make the roles for women stronger. We were more often in positions of power, whether we were in the captain’s chair or leading a mission somewhere.”

create a new standard voyager

Taylor's efforts to uplift women TNG It was admirable in the ordinary. But it paled in comparison to the powerful, complex woman she brought to life. voyager.

Berman and Pillar planned to introduce the first female lead. star trek universe voyager Before bringing on Taylor as co-creator. However, Captain Kathryn Janeway, who was eventually brought to life by Kate Mulgrew, did not come back to life until Taylor started working with them. Janeway was a very personal project for Taylor. She understood the importance of the characters in the film. star trek She wanted to create a female captain who could stand alongside all the great captains who came before her.

Fortunately, Taylor didn't have to look far for inspiration, as he told the audience at the 55th Anniversary Mission Star Trek Convention:

“I always thought of Janeway as me, and I wrote to her. I can't say she was me, but I'd like to be that way. I felt full of her, and I think she was full of me, in many ways even more than me. “My fantasy was that Janeway was me, skilled and capable, but I tried to approach it that way.”

Janeway wasn't Taylor's only contribution to strong women. voyagerbut. She also played a key role in the creation of B'Elanna Torres, played by Roxann Dawson, and Seven of Nine, played by Jeri Ryan. Without Taylor, none of these women would have appeared on screen as the characters fans know and love.

Taylor's 'Star Trek' legacy

Every writer, artist, actor, or creator of any kind spends a significant amount of time thinking about their hopes for their legacy, striving to leave behind work that will be remembered long after they are gone. Taylor has said several times that she wants Janeway in particular to be a major part of her legacy.

every time star trek Insiders and fans are mourning her death. There is no doubt that her dream has come true. Janeway isn't the only legacy she left behind, as evidenced by the feelings Taylor's colleagues shared following her death.

Mulgrew said on Instagram:

Brannon Braga takes office as successor Voyager's When Taylor left after the fourth season, the showrunner echoed Mulgrew's sentiments on his Instagram.

While speaking about X, Dawson reminded fans that Taylor's legacy extends far beyond Janeway.

given by Jerry Taylor star trek Bringing fans some of the most memorable characters and heartfelt storylines to ever exist in the Trekverse. Her presence within the Trek family will be sorely missed, but her presence within the Trek family is undeniable. star trek The universe continues to live.

Source: Instagram, X.com, StarTrek.com, Captain's Log: Unauthorized Complete Voyage, TrekMovie.com, Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation