So, heading into another character. This time we look at Voyager's First Officer
Now, I admit I wasn't as annoyed at Chakotay as I was at Neelix, though that bar is set pretty low. My issues with the guy?
According to the series bible, "as a leader, he is steady, fearless, and capable of inspiring absolute devotion." There's also a mention of having a strong bond with Harry Kim (more on him later).
Well, that sounds great. No idea who that character is though. The Chakotay I saw came across as cliché. I've seen comparisons to Tonto (the 1950's one), but I don't think that is fair, as that Tonto was played by a Native American.
Yeah, Robbie Beltran was and is a fine actor, but he wasn't Native American. Plus the 'expert' they hired simply made everything up and was as Native American as Tommy Wiseau. The character came across as someone who wrote it after binge-watching Dances with Wolves and Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman.
Nothing but vision quests and endless talking about spirit animals. I did hear a few commenters calling him a manatee, as in the manatee writers from South Park, and that tracks really. Chakotay's always had an interest in (roll the ball) BOXING. He has a romantic interest in (roll the ball) SEVEN OF NINE. Every detail just feels they plucked it out of a hat. Mad libs may be a fun game, but it's a lousy way to build a universe.
I did like the plotline of his ex Seska betraying the ship, but again, it felt out of nowhere (as we barely spent any time with Seska) there wasn't that much for him to do.
So, what would I do with the character? Well, a recast is possible. Wes Studi comes to mind. I'd still keep Beltran though, maybe as Captain Ransom. The bible version seems neat. Steady, fearless, charismatic as all get out; he should be the anti-Riker. This was, after all, a guy that decided to chuck Star Fleet aside and get a crew together to blow up stuff. The guy should be one people would follow. Plus he fell in line with Janeway way too often. For the first season or two there should have been conflict, maybe even paranoia but no, slap the uniform back on him and he's all smiles and salutes.
Honestly a good way to fix the character would also be to have him act more like a Marquis. Whereas Janeway is by the book and scientific in her approach to command, Chakotay should be scrappy, rebellious, and the kind of guy who plays dirty. He knows how the bad guys think because he spent a lot of time as an actual terrorist. Janeway wants her idealistic Federation solutions while Chakotay is just trying to do anything he can to get everyone home alive. He should go behind Janeway's back sometimes, at least early on. And hey, you want to make him likeable, give him a highly idealistic streak when it comes to oppressed peoples, which makes sense given both his heritage and his membership in the Marquis.
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