By Chris Snellgrove
| Revealed 21 seconds in the past
Few early episodes of Star Trek: Voyager are fairly as memorable as “The 37’s,” an episode wherein Captain Janeway will get to satisfy her idol, Amelia Earhart. It’s an ideal episode by itself, however watching it’s much more rewarding when you recognize that the lady who performed the captain’s private idol was the most important fan of the lady behind Janeway. Kate Mulgrew was completely idolized by Earheart actor Sharon Lawrence, and the 2 of them shaped an instantaneous bond through the manufacturing of this episode.
Kate Mulgrew Meets Her Greatest Fan
What most Voyager followers don’t know is that if not for her fangirl love of Kate Mulgrew, Sharon Lawrence would by no means have taken the a part of Amelia Earhart. In contrast to many who made cameos on this well-known franchise, Lawrence wasn’t actually conversant in Star Trek exterior of The Authentic Sequence. Subsequently, she solely took the position out of her curiosity in taking part in Earhart and her need to satisfy Mulgrew, somebody she had idolized ever for the reason that older lady starred on the cleaning soap opera Ryan’s Hope.
It could appear unusual to consider for contemporary Star Trek followers, however on the time, Kate Mulgrew’s present wanted the Sharon Lawrence cameo excess of the actor did. Lawrence had just lately been nominated for an Emmy for her efficiency within the buzzworthy drama NYPD Blue, so she supplied some actual star energy for the Season 2 premiere of this fledgling sci-fi spinoff. As for why she took the position, she later mentioned she was excited to painting “one in all our best nationwide heroines” onscreen, and she or he quickly fell in love with the concept her character develops a friendship with Janeway, giving these two feminist icons separated by centuries the prospect to work collectively.
Thankfully, working alongside Kate Mulgrew lived as much as Sharon Lawrence’s best hopes: she reported that “it was a pleasure to work together with her” and “I used to be simply so impressed together with her professionalism.” Between scenes, the 2 discovered time to bond over varied issues they’d in frequent, together with having a theatrical background. Lawrence additionally took the time to ask Mulgrew “how she juggles being an actress and a mom,” one thing that a lot of her adoring Star Trek followers have additionally puzzled through the years.
Whereas Kate Mulgrew at all times turns in an ideal efficiency, her excellent performing in “The 37’s” was due partly to the presence of Sharon Lawrence. The youthful actor beforehand acknowledged that “the connection that Earhart and Janeway shared was simply influenced by the connection Kate and I shared.” That is mirrored of their onscreen chemistry and helps clarify why Lawrence was in a position to make such an impression on followers regardless of solely showing for a single episode.
Another excuse that Kate Mulgrew and Sharon Lawrence doubtless obtained alongside so properly is that they share the identical outspoken feminist beliefs. Wanting again on their time collectively, Lawrence famous that taking part in “friends and leaders” slightly than being in an onscreen “home or acquainted relationship…at all times feels good to me.” Their time collectively was a little bit of serendipity, permitting two fearless feminine icons the prospect to encourage a brand new technology of ladies to boldly go into fields they’d by no means gone earlier than.
Sadly, that is the one episode the place Kate Mulgrew and Sharon Lawrence obtained an opportunity to behave alongside one another. However these actors made essentially the most of their time collectively, elevating an already sturdy script into an episode that Voyager followers will always remember. And as for Janeway, it’s truthful to say this fictional character has joined the actual Amelia Earhart within the annals of essentially the most inspirational ladies in trendy historical past.
