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Warning! Fans of Voyager and/or Chakotay may find parts of this report disturbing!
I have to admit, I had mixed feelings about going to this event. I've read a few transcripts and articles that indicate Robert doesn't particularly like science fiction, and that he sees his role on 'Voyager' as just a job, and doesn't really care about it. Well, he is certainly very cynical about the whole thing. However, I found myself very much enjoying his dry sense of humour, and he had nice things to say as well. In the end I found that I like and respect him.
My first visit to the venue, Pages, was actually the week before, when I went down to get the ticket. Pages is a small bar set in the midst of rather grand old buildings. From the outside it looks like just another wine bar, but once through the door it's clear that it's a major hangout for the SF crowd. A display case holds a large collection of Trek memorabilia, there's a rack of convention flyers, and a large model of the Enterprise hanging from the ceiling. On my first visit (a normal night remember), TOS was playing on the screens scattered around the bar, and every other patron was wearing a Trek T-shirt. It's on two levels, with the bar at one end and the large screen, on the upper level, at the other end. Part of the upper level extends slightly into the other half along one wall, and it's this area that was used as a stage and later signing space at the event. It's not too high, and positioned centrally, so the overall effect is cosy and intimate, with nobody being far from the centre of attention.
Originally there had been one night in Norwich, then one at Pages on the Saturday, but the latter had sold out, so the organisers arranged the second event at Pages for Sunday afternoon (which is, of course, the one I went to). By the time I arrived the bar was pleasantly full without being packed, mostly with women, and they were just announcing what would be happening. I got talking to a woman I had met briefly at the Robert Picardo evening (Hi Claire!). We both joined the queue for the first thing on the agenda - a photo session. This had been arranged just for the Sunday, so I'm actually wondering if they did it because they were afraid of running out of prints to be signed! Whatever the reason, I think it was a great idea, and proved very popular. Basically we had our pictures taken with Robert (next to the bar), they got them developed, and back to us in time to be signed. There was a fee - but since it was the same as I paid for a black and white print at 'Memorabilia', I think it was a pretty good deal for something totally unique!
A short time later, Robert came in (unannounced) for the first time. In person, he's smaller than I expected. Not that he is short, just I expected someone very broad and stocky, which he's not. He looks less rugged and more elegant than on screen. He was dressed simply: all - black trousers, long sleeved T-shirt and leather jacket. I've always thought he was pretty handsome on screen, but I think he looks better in person. In fact (and even though I'm gay I have to say this), he's rather beautiful.
Having paid my fee I nipped off to the loo, and put on some makeup (a rare event for me!) I arrived back just in time for Claire to cry 'Here she is!' Apparently it was already my turn. I have to say, while I'm sure Robert is used to it, I found going up to someone, saying 'nice to meet you' and immediately putting arms around shoulders for a photo, slightly weird. Not that I minded, just I found it slightly bizarre. Plus after examining my photo with Roxann, I'd promised myself to keep my mouth shut (you can see the cap on my back tooth, I'm grinning so much!) Of course, this time the photographer kept us waiting for a few moments, until I went and opened my mouth! Grrr!
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There were still plenty more people in the queue, mostly women, and as we watched, they seemed to be getting more and more cuddly. I commented to Claire that they seemed to be competing, as yet another woman draped her arms around him front and back and leant her head on his shoulder. Robert was just as cuddly back though! In fact it looked quite outrageous, and the temperature was definitely rising. Eventually he burst out laughing, though it was only later that I found out why. After that it seemed to calm down (slightly). Then Robert went off for his diner, and we settled down for another advance showing courtesy of Wolf Events, this time of the episode 'Fury', not due to be shown over here for a few months yet.
(If you want to see my comments on the episode, highlight the following space. I've obscured the text because it contains spoilers).
This is the long - awaited return of Kes, but to be honest, I found it a bit disappointing. On the plus side, I think it's great that they didn't go for the obvious option of making Kes some kind of benevolent Q. That would have made for a really boring episode (The ship is about to be destroyed…Kes to the rescue…Kes and the Captain look at each other's photo albums). The birthday cake scene was great, and it was nice to get some reminders of how the ship was back in the first series. However, while I can believe that Kes might have had a really hard time of it after leaving the ship, it's not really developed in the episode (I'm hoping for a back story novel). It's not as if they didn't have a few minutes free. They did play the birthday scene twice, which rather comes across as padding. Also, the final resolution is just too easy, and not believable. In conclusion, well, could have done better.
Incidentally, I notice that in both this and the previous Kes time travel episode, 'Before and After', Torres gets killed. I think someone should warn her - Kes time travelling is not good for her health!
Robert was soon back, and took the mike for the question and answer session. As I've already said he can be scathing (though with his dry sense of humour, it's sometimes not clear how seriously his more biting comments should be taken). When telling stories he generally imitates the people in them, and he's good. My favourite was his version of Garrett Wang (though I haven't met him so I can't vouch for it's accuracy), who he plays as a very enthusiastic Californian beach bum type. He also does very good impressions of Mulgrew and Picardo. As I wasn't lucky enough to get a seat and had to stand, I gave up on the idea of taking notes. So what follows is from memory, and therefore incomplete and guaranteed out of order! But I hope it's reasonably accurate…
Robert started by saying that since there were children present, he'd try and keep things clean (apparently the night before got decidedly blue). He also apologised for anything that might be repeated, since there were a fair few present who'd been there. He said hello to a few people - many by name. One thing that I noticed about Robert is that he seems to have a good memory for faces, though when, and how often, he'd met them before, I don't know (though I see from his website message board that some people went to all three of his appearances). He then told how while they were doing the photos (and I guess this is what the laughter was about), someone had whispered in his ear 'How does it feel prostituting yourself?' He said his rejoinder had to be 'How does it feel to visit a prostitute?' He then commented that the kids would have to look up that word when they got home…no actually, they should look it up in a couple of years. He then opened it up for questions. I didn't actually ask any questions myself, basically because I thought the one's I'd wanted to ask might be a bit tactless. I needn't have worried - they got asked anyway!
Q: Someone asked about Chakotay's love life.
Robert told us Chakotay has a little friend…a very good friend who he's very close to, and spends a lot of time with. Someone asked what effect it had on the sensors when he spent time in his cabin with his little friend. Robert: 'next question!'
Q: What will he do when 'Voyager' has finished?
As soon as they call that it's a wrap he's going to buy a big bottle of spirits and CELEBRATE!
Q: Is there anything he'd like to see happen for Chakotay and the show?
He wouldn't mind if Chakotay got killed off halfway through the season. (Cries of horror - he just smiles). He'd like to see Chakotay put Janeway on trial for treason. Why does she have to stop at every planet on the way home? Or maybe leave to re-start the Marquis (I've got to say, this last idea is one that had occurred to me as having potential…) The first film could be Janeway against Chakotay.
Q: Would he like there to be a musical episode?
He jokes that he's been angling for a Christmas show, doing the nativity. He gives his list of the parts, including Chakotay as Joseph, Seven as (strangled voice) Mary, Janeway as Herod, Harry as the baby Jesus and Kes as the Archangel. He thinks Kate has stopped them doing it because she doesn't want to be Herod.
Q: Will he still do conventions after 'Voyager' has ended?
Yes, he likes doing them, and meeting people.
Q: Does he ever have problems with people recognising him in the street, etc?
Only a couple of times actually. Of course, as a celebrity he's aware of his vulnerability…(there's a chorus of 'ahs' which he seems to find quite funny)…Not emotionally! Emotionally he's very tough. But seriously, you never know if someone might have a knife in their bag.
He did a great imitation of how people react when they spot him, and told the story of a woman who wouldn't let him go while she said goodbye to her friends, then it turned out she just wanted him to stand there so she could look at him! Apparently she left nail marks in his arm.
Q: Did he watch the original Trek?
He jokes about the fact that he was rather young at the time. No, he never really watched it. He found all that beaming stuff too easy…in fact that's a problem he has with trek generally. It's too easy. Of course they only have 42 minutes to write a story in…but they can replicate anything, they can beam out of any situation. They have a captain who knows everything, a doctor who knows everything, and Seven Of Nine, who knows everything. Why do they ever have any crisis?
He also gave us his version of a typical Trek plot in (about) 6 lines:
Alien (Quavering): 'We're poor, helpless people who need your help'
Janeway: 'We'll do everything we can.'
Chakotay (Staggering back, clutching side): 'Ahh! They've stolen my kidneys'
Janeway (Hands on hips): 'Get your hands off my first officer's kidneys!'
Alien: 'But we're poor aliens. We need those kidneys!'
Janeway: 'We'll give you something so you can make your own kidneys.'
Alien: 'Thank you Captain, how can we ever repay you?'
Q: Since he obviously didn't care much for science fiction, how did he end up on the show?
He looks for a good script, a good role, people he wants to work with, and good money! He said he did enjoy the first three years on the show, but the last couple of years have been pretty boring. It is boring having to wait around for five hours before saying just one brief line, which is pretty much all he's done the last few years.
Q: So when did it go wrong?
From the start! One reason he wanted the role was that he wanted to work with Genevieve Bujold, who was originally cast as Janeway, but only filmed for a couple of days. As for why she left…She's an actress who tends to do the unexpected in a part. The crunch came in a scene where she had to give the order to fire. Here Robert gave us his renditions of the Mulgrew and Bujold versions. Mulgrew's was the familiar hands on hips stance, though with a voice tinged with regret. Bujold's was much more complex, involved pausing to sit down dramatically and was, using Robert's own word, more 'sensitive'. Kate has, of course, worked out well in the role.
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Q: Is there anything especially funny that has happened on the set (and any chance of seeing the bloopers?)
Not unless you consider Ethan Phillips dropping his pants at any excuse funny. (Someone calls out 'Riverdance') Or their version of 'Riverdance'. They drive directors nuts, especially directors who aren't used to them, because they never stop kidding around. But it's mostly just silly. He also talked about doing Robert Picardo impersonations, but I didn't quite catch this story.
Q: An audience member says he's noticed that sometimes as the camera moves off him he seems to be breaking into a smile?
It's true. He often cracks up as soon as the camera is off him.
Q: How did he feel about Jeri Ryan being cast?
(Robert crosses his eyes, and keeps them crossed and totally immobile for some time as he continues to talk. I'm impressed.) He was very happy about it. Jeri has a great sense of humour and is great to work with.
Jennifer Lien (Kes) had been obviously unhappy for some time before she left, for whatever reason…maybe because the writers weren't writing more for her than 'I have to get back to sickbay, Captain'. (This last bit was said as a speculation, but it sounds believable…)
There was one person on the cast who had a problem with her, though that wasn't Jeri's fault. At the time they had someone on the set who would leak things to the press, though they never found out who. This person tended to blow things out of proportion. For example, Michael Dorn, (Worf), visited the set one day, and talked to Jeri for about 15 minutes. The person obviously saw them, and told the press they were having an affair. In fact (Robert starts obviously joking at this point), he's not even sure Brannon and Jeri are going out. 'I always thought Brannon was gay myself!' (Rumour mongers - this was a joke! So don't start!) (On the not liking thing…Robert did not actually name names, and I think it was pretty clear that it was not really personal, and that rumour had blown it out of proportion. If it's the person I think it is, then what I have read elsewhere seems to indicate that they do, at least, have a good working relationship now).
Q: Someone asks about his love of horses.
He has a lot in common with horses. They're stupid animals. (Several people make noises of disagreement; he smiles wickedly). Really he loves horses. When he was on the mini-series 'Mystic Warrior', they had a corral full of beautiful horses. He'd wake up cold in the morning, and jump on the back of one and ride out bareback until he warmed up. He learnt to ride bareback, and is still more comfortable that way. 'I guess it must be the Indian in me'. (As someone who hasn't ridden in far too long, I was going misty eyed at this point). The film involved a lot of rough riding, including downhill at speed. He was better at it than most of the stunt riders, because they weren't used to riding without a saddle. The rough riding also produced some bruises in interesting places. (I've ridden bareback, including over jumps on a mare with a prominent backbone, so this comment brought back some painful memories! I think I'll stick to a saddle personally).
Q: Would he consider living anywhere except Los Angeles?
Yes, he likes London, though it is so expensive! 'You should talk to your government about that.' He also likes Paris.
This page is part of
The Borg
Grail. If you have not already done so, please visit the
Main Page for news and an introduction to my
site.
Site Guide / Consideration
is Puerile / The Hall of Innocence /
The Hall of Amazons / Reports
/ Stories / Links /
Webrings / News Archive
/ View Guestbook /
Sign Guestbook
Star Trek (R) is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures registered
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Star Trek: Voyager is a trademark of Paramount Pictures.
All original material, unless otherwise credited, is Copyright © 2000 Rowan Green. All rights reserved.
