Couth Ramble: January 2015

I learned today that it was TWENTY years ago that I first watched Captain Kathryn Janeway (aka my SPACE MOM) get stranded with the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Voyager in the Delta Quadrant.

TWENTY. YEARS.

While it's hard to wrap my brain around the fact that Star Trek: Voyager is 20 years old, I must admit that it's even harder to imagine a world without Captain Janeway. She was such a strong character, so much larger than life, yet so down to earth; so powerful and commanding, yet also tender and feminine. I didn't realize it at the time, but Captain Janeway was quite the role model for my nerdy adolescent self. It's no wonder she's my Space Mom.

Yes, fools. She actually is my Space Mom.

Here are some of the lessons I learned from Captain Kathryn Janeway, arguably the snarkiest captain in Star Fleet. Because these are the Janeways:

1. A well-timed, well-crafted "glare of death" speaks SO much louder than words.

Whether she was dealing with some manipulative alien race or just a disgruntled former Maquis crew member, she let you know she wasn't having any of your foolishness.

I'd hate to be on the receiving end of the Janeway "glare of death."
Just one glare, and you know stuff just got real.

2. When you do want to speak, a bit of snark never hurt anyone. Okay. It hurt anyone she was snarking at. It hurt bad. It hurt real bad. But in a way that just made you love her for caring enough to snark the very best.

3. Never be afraid to resort to creative solutions to problems...

...or to give unusual people a chance to become more than who they were before.

She accepted the rebellious Tom Paris, giving him the second chance he needed to shine. She was able to mesh two very different crews into one strong crew that learned to depend upon one another, and on her. She was able to see past B'elanna's rough exterior and give her a chance to grow and shine as chief engineer. She was able to help Neelix and Kes find new purpose and meaning on board Voyager, despite Neelix's unusual (and often annoying) demeanor. She was able to see the Doctor as more than just a hologram. She was able to guide Seven of Nine out of the collective and back into a loving, human, family.

Faced with similar situations, Captain Kirk would have just wrestled with everyone. With his shirt off. Just sayin'.

4, Be able to perfectly find that perfect balance of tough and tender, strong and sensitive, commanding and coy, fierce and feminine...if that's your thing.

No one can deny Janeway's amazing leadership and awesome ability to scare the crap out of you and shut your face up with a single death glare, but it's her tender moments that make her the most amazing captain ever.

She can even melt the heart of a Vulcan.

She also knows where she stands, as a woman leading a Federation star ship crew. Don't call her sir. Ma'am is acceptable, but she PREFERS Captain. She holds on to her femininity without sacrificing her authority at all. And that is all kinds of awesome, and all kinds of lovely.