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

Key takeaways

• Jerry Taylor made significant contributions to “Star Trek” by writing, producing, and co-creating programs such as:
  Star Trek: Voyager
  .
• Taylor was instrumental in developing female characters like Janeway, influencing and reshaping their roles.
• His legacy to the “Star Trek” universe is evident through the impactful characters and intense stories he created.

Jerry Taylor, a frequent Star Trek Writer and co-producer Star Trek: VoyagerDied on October 23, 2024 at the age of 86. on weekends, Star Trek Actors, producers, members of the production staff, and lifelong fans mourned the loss, shared memories of Taylor, and honored his immense contribution to the Trekverse. Following his passing, here's a look back at Taylor's decade-long career as a writer, producer, co-creator, and consultant on Multiple. Star Trek shows

Entering the Trekverse: TNG and DS9 years

According to StarTrek.com, Taylor began his career Star Trek In the fourth season of the universe 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 its seven-season run ended. All told, Taylor helped write 17 episodes TNG.

During the show's sixth season, she was promoted to co-executive producer, joining longtime showrunners Michael Peeler and Rick Berman. When Berman and Pillar turned their attention to the newest addition to the franchise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9)Taylor was promoted to executive producer and showrunner TNG'The last season of He saw through the show to its legendary final episode. While she was wrapping up TNGAlso wrote three episodes for Taylor DS9Including the two-parter “The Maquis”.

after TNG Wrapped up, Taylor worked Star Trek: Generations And, after a few years, returned to Star Trek A universe to work with Star Trek: First Contact.

Co-created and directed 'Star Trek: Voyager'

The mid-90s were busy for Taylor. While she was wrapping up TNGsometimes writes for DS9and working generationTaylor was also deep in the trenches with Pilar and Burman, creating Star Trek: Voyager. In addition to serving as showrunner for the show's first four seasons, she also co-wrote 14 episodes.

Taylor Ma was the first woman to hold the title of executive producer or showrunner Star Trek suffrage She took her role seriously, especially as she was instrumental in creating the first female lead for A Star Trek Show: Captain Katherine Janeway. Taylor shaped the characters, stories and themes of Voyager Early Seasons.

Creating Women of Matter in the 'Star Trek' Universe

Bringing changes to The next generation

under Star Trek Male executive producers and showrunners, female Star Trek The universe does not always acquire subtlety or depth. Dennis Crosby, who played Tasha Yar TNGInfamously dropped the first season because she wanted the dude to be more three-dimensional. The showrunners, reportedly, said unequivocally “No.” Dr. Battle with Gates McFadden bringing Beverly Crusher to life TNGEven the production staff about her character, and departed for season two, returned for season three. Marina Sirtis has often joked that, in the first few seasons, Deanna Troy's entire character was like a carnival psychic spouting vague prophecies. Surtees never hesitates to talk about how terrifying 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 all that. In an interview for Captain's Logs: Unauthorized Complete Trek VoyagesTaylor said:

“If there's anything I wish I'd done more of, it was developing the characters of Crusher and Troi because I think they were underutilized. […] There are very small ways in which I sometimes remind people about the role of women and sometimes they remind me. I'm not saying it was a staff of men and I had to come in and show them the way, but I had it a little bit more in the foreground.”

Taylor's influence was noticeable almost immediately. Troi finally gets a Starfleet uniform instead of the skin tight bodysuit with plunging necklines she wore in the first few seasons. As reported by TrekMovie.com, during a rare public appearance at the 55-year mission Star Trek convention, Taylor revealed that it was one of the things he pushed behind the scenes.

His influence was also felt by actresses on set. in Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation, McFadden said:

“I think the team of writers, led by Jerry Taylor, have definitely tried to strengthen the role of women. We've been in a position of power, in the captain's chair or somewhere leading a mission, a lot of times.”

Creating a new standard Voyager

A tailor's job to pick up a woman TNG Out of mediocrity was admirable. However, this paled in comparison to the powerful, complex women she brought to life Voyager.

Berman and Pillar planned to introduce the first female lead Star Trek in the universe Voyager Before they brought Taylor on board as a co-producer. But Captain Catherine Janeway, eventually brought to life by Kate Mulgrew, didn't come to life until Taylor started working with them. Janeway was a deeply personal project for Taylor. He understood the importance of inner character Star Trek universe, and she wanted to create a female captain who could easily stand up to all the great captains who had come before her.

Fortunately, Taylor didn't have to look far for inspiration, as he told the audience at the 55-year Mission Star Trek convention:

“I always remember Janeway as just me, I wrote her. I can't say I wrote her as me, but as I wanted to be. I felt filled with her. And I think she was filled with me, though, in many ways, I But it was my imagination that Janeway was me and I tried to approach it that way.

Janeway Taylor's contribution to strong women wasn't the only one VoyagerHowever. She was also instrumental in creating Seven of Nine, played by B'Elanna Torres, played by Roxanne Dawson, and Jerry Ryan. Without Taylor, none of these women would have made it onto the screen as the characters fans know and love.

Taylor's 'Star Trek' legacy

Every writer, artist, actor, or creative person of any kind tries to leave a work that will be remembered long after they are gone, and they spend a significant amount of time thinking about their hopes for their legacy. Several times, Taylor has said that she hopes Janeway, in particular, will be a major part of her legacy.

in each form Star Trek As insiders and fans mourned his loss, it was clear, of course, that his dream had come true. Although Janeway is far from the only legacy she leaves behind, evidenced by the sentiments shared by Taylor's colleagues after her death.

In Mulgrew's words, as posted on her Instagram:

Brannon Braga took over of Voyager Showrunner Jab Taylor left after the fourth season, echoing Mulgrew's sentiments on his own Instagram.

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

Given by Jerry Taylor Star Trek Fans of some of the most memorable characters and heartwarming stories that exist in Trekverse. His presence in the Trek family will be sorely missed, but his presence is undeniable Star Trek The universe is alive.

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