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Star Trek: The Next Generationis one of the more popular entries in the sci-fi television franchise, primarily because of its diverse and intriguing cast of characters. In the series, Patrick Stewart stars as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, a fan-favorite character synonymous with the actor before he went on to portray Professor Charles Xavier in theX-Menfilms.
However, unbeknownst to many Stewart shared the screen with one of his futureX-Menco-stars during an episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generation. In an episode, actress Famke Janssen played a love interest of Stewart’s character years before she appeared as Jean Grey in theX-Menfranchise. Moreover, given the nature of Janssen’s character, the episode could have proven extremely controversial, and here is why.
X-MenCo-stars Patrick Stewart and Famke Janssen Worked Together on an Episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generation
The fifth season ofStar Trek: The Next GenerationseesPatrick Stewart‘s Captain Jean-Luc Picard develop feelings for Kamala, a young Kriosian woman destined for an arranged marriage. The 21st episode of the show’s fifth season, titledThe Perfect Mate, sees this particular storyline unfold between Picard and Kamala, who is described as an ideal mate for any male.
In the episode, Dutch actressFamke Janssenmade herStar Trekdebut in the role of Kamala. The episode marked Janssen’s second television acting credit and her first time sharing the screen with Stewart. The duo would later reunite for the 2000 superhero movieX-Men, featuring Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier andJanssen as his student Jean Grey.
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While the episode received mixed reviews from critics and fans, the performances of Stewart and Janssen were largely praised. However, Janssen turned down the chance to return to the sci-fi franchise in a larger capacity when she refused a main cast spot onStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, which was a successor toTNG.
Star Trek: The Next GenerationWriters Were Concerned Famke Janssen’s Character Would Be Too Controversial
The episode featuring Stewart and Janssencould have proven quite controversialgiven the nature of the latter’s character.The Perfect Matesees Janssen play Kamala, an alien who can read their partners’ feelings and adjust themselves accordingly. As a result, showrunner Michael Piller found the subject material risky and felt the need to revise it.
In the companion book, Piller explained why he thought the nature of Kamala’s abilities could prove to be controversial. The showrunner explained (via/Film):
For all those people who thought we were so s****lly open-minded with the other shows, they’re going to start sending in their letters and saying what’s wrong with you guys on this one? This is the [most] adolescent male fantasy of all time.
Piller’s words implied that the character needed to be handled with sensitivity or it could have resulted in fans dismissing the story’s progressive themes as mere adolescent fantasy.
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Piller further explained that the solution devised by the writers to avoid controversy was to portray Kamala as the perfect mate for Picard and make the episode a character study examining if the latter could resist her charms. As a result, the episode relied greatly on the chemistry between Picard and Janssen.
Star Trek: The Next Generationis streaming on Paramount+.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1773
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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Famke JanssenPatrick Stewart
