Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 Episode 5 revealed that it has paid tribute to the iconic Star Trek: Voyager character, Captain Kathryn Janeway. The episode, titled “The Examples,” follows three ships embarking on a journey to investigate the Dark Matter Anomaly (DMA) that destroyed Kwejian. One of the ships identifies itself as USS Janeway, quite possibly named after the famed captain of USS Voyager, accompanied by another vessel from the United Federation of Planets. “It is only logical” that an exploratory vessel meant for the scientific investigative expedition will be named after one of the best scientists of the yesteryears. The third ship identifies itself as NSS T’Pau, from Ni’var (the united world of Vulcans and Romulans).
It has been 800 years since Captain Kathryn Janeway’s career aboard the USS Voyager. The fact that the Federation has named a ship after her, means that she is still looked up to as a figure of history. And for good reason too, as she was the first to navigate the Delta Quadrant, one of the most dangerous areas in the Milky Way galaxy. In fact, Captain Janeway says so herself, “The Borg, telepathic pitcher plants, macro viruses – the Delta Quadrant is a death trap!” in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Shattered.”
Moreover, Starfleet had crafted a holographic training program modeled after her by the 2280s. Fans may remember it assisting the young characters in Star Trek: Prodigy as they navigate the final frontier.
Kathryn Janeway appeared in the 2002 film Star Trek: Nemesis, the fourth and final film to star the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, not as a captain but a Starfleet Vice Admiral. Interestingly, the character was initially named Elizabeth Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager, after the noted writer of the same name. After Academy Award-nominee Geneviève Bujold was cast in the role, she requested the character to be renamed ‘Nicole Janeway.’ However, due to scheduling issues, she had to part ways with the project early on, and Kate Mulgrew was cast instead. It was Mulgrew who suggested the name ‘Kathryn Janeway.’
She’s familiar, but she’s different… She’s a hologram, so she is endowed with certain traits that would make her arguably a little bit bigger than life, whereas of course, live-action Janeway was live-action and what you saw with what you got. But I love drawing her, I love illustrating her and shaping her in accordance to the needs of the other characters. It’s really a wonderful challenge creatively.– Kate Mulgrew, the actress, on the version of Captain Janeway in ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’
