Biller On The Voyager Family

"Family" was a key theme throughout Voyager's run, and one of the show's main contributions to the Star Trek saga, according to Kenneth Biller.

"I think we contributed another family," he told Gregory L. Norris and Laura A. Van Vleet at Trek Galaxy, "another crew that really is and has become a family over the years, a family fans enjoy visiting with, just like TNG and DS9 had their families. Voyager's crew maybe made it a closer family than some of the other crews because of their isolation."

But Biller, who served as Executive Producer during Voyager's seventh season, felt that the camaraderie extended far beyond the television screen. "I really like and respect the entire cast," he said. "They're really hard workers. I know it sounds like I'm blowing smoke up their asses, but I really do like and respect them all. And by and large, for people who've been together for seven years, for the most part they really get along well with one another and they're very respectful of the writers and the producers."

As a writer-producer, Biller had great respect for members of the cast who contributed to the series in other ways. One of those was Robert Picardo, who, together with John Bruno, came up with the story for the episode 'Life Line.' "I have a very nice relationship with Bob Picardo," he said. "He is somebody who has always, from the very beginning of the series, cared intensely about the show. He is probably the most likely person in the cast to call with an idea or a suggestion or a question, always in the interest of trying to make the show a little bit better."

Roxann Dawson is another actor who has branched out; she directed two episodes of the series, including 'Workforce, Part II.' Biller was full of praise for her efforts. "I love Roxann, and one of the really fun things that I've been able to do is be able to work with Roxann as a producer as she's begun her directing career," he said. "The two episodes she's directed, the second of which aired this past February, are some really excellent directing work. She's really such a smart person."

The full interview, in which Biller also talks about his favourite episodes of the series, can be found at Trek Galaxy.

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