Star Trek: Proposed Change for Janeway to Command Enterprise, but Kate Mulgrew Declined the Offer
In its final lap after a seven-season space odyssey, Starfleet's indomitable Captain Kathryn Janeway has witnessed events most commanders would only dream of - even skipping the whole, y'know, cataclysmic interstellar war bit. Climbing the Starfleet ranks like a seasoned pro, Janeway finds herself back in the Admiralty, offered cushy positions. Yet, her heart lies with the rough, resilient starship she calls home – the Voyager.
And this sentiment was felt even in the realm of Star Trek: Prodigy, which just hit Netflix for its second season after an unusual odyssey. Elements of intrigue and drama marred its path to release, as it was unceremoniously shuffled away from Paramount. The new season sees our alien heroes, now proud academy graduates, tasked with teaming up with Admiral Janeway for a dangerous rescue mission. Their objective? Find Chakotay and the missing captain of their plaything, the experimental ship Protostar. To navigate this treacherous journey, Janeway takes the helm of a spiffed-up Voyager-A, but she almost found herself at the bridge of a more prestigious vessel - Starfleet's flagship, the Enterprise.
It turns out that, behind closed doors, there was a brief flirtation with the idea of putting Janeway in command of the Enterprise in season 2. But when the offer hit the table, the actress behind Janeway, Kate Mulgrew, found herself as unenthusiastic as an stuck-in-warp warp core. "No, no, no, it's got to be the Voyager," seems to have been her mantra.
From a design standpoint, Voyager's sleek, agile silhouette always trumped any Enterprise in Mulgrew's eyes, and maybe even in ours. Yet, beyond aesthetics, a mission to recover Chakotay, of all people, aboard a refurbished Voyager feels like a poignant homecoming for Janeway. The essence of this beloved ship endures as an admired beacon of Starfleet's exploratory spirit, braving a decade in the far-flung Delta Quadrant with scant Federation support. It's only fitting that Janeway gets one final, glorious turn at the helm of her most cherished vessel, rather than a well-deserved but less personal assignment aboard the Enterprise.
Admittedly, a high-ranking Admiral like Janeway would certainly be fit for the reigns of the flagship. But dare I ask: is the Enterprise truly worthy of the indomitable spirit of Kathryn Janeway?
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Enrichment Data:- Overall: There is no evidence to suggest that there was a plan for Kathryn Janeway to command the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: Prodigy's second season. The series focuses on a group of young aliens who join Admiral Kathryn Janeway on a mission related to the USS Protostar, not the Enterprise[1].- Kate Mulgrew has expressed interest in reprising her role as Janeway in a meaningful way, emphasizing the importance of a good story for fans. She has been involved in discussions about a potential Star Trek: Janeway series but wants to avoid it being a "vanity project"[2][4]. There is no indication that she refused a role commanding the Enterprise in Prodigy because such a role was never proposed or considered for the show.- In Star Trek: Prodigy, Janeway's presence is significant as a holographic mentor to the young crew, and in the second season, she plays a role as Admiral Janeway, guiding the crew in their mission[1][3]. The series does not involve her commanding the Enterprise.
- Despite being offered a position on the Enterprise, Captain Kathryn Janeway chose to return to the Voyager for a final mission, highlighting her preference for the sleek starship over Starfleet's flagship.
- In the realm of Star Trek: Prodigy, Admiral Janeway guides a group of young aliens on a mission related to the Protostar, indicating no involvement with the Enterprise in the series.
- Although Kate Mulgrew has expressed interest in reprising her role as Janeway, there is no guarantee that she will command the Enterprise in any future Star Trek project, given her dedication to meaningful and non-vanity roles.
- The second season of Star Trek: Prodigy sees Admiral Janeway provide holographic mentorship to a group of young aliens while playing a significant role in their mission, with no influence from the Enterprise.