@MLClark Hi, just watched your podcast on Voyager ... Lots of observations (which I will spare you), but as someone who was working in Trek world at the time I do have one insight.
VOY was a different animal for the studio because, unlike TNG/DS9, it was a network show. It was the first show for UPN, the anchor show.
Mulgrew has talked about the suits who would come on the sets, constantly fretting about her hair, her "femininity," etc ... (1/x)
@MLClark TNG/DS9 didn't have those pressures, so they could be a little more free with story ideas. VOY got forced into a network formula -- "This show is targeting a young adult male demographic, therefore we must do this and this and this ..."
David Gerrold has a phrase, "pissing in the bottle," for network suits who feel they have to interfere to put their imprint on a show and take credit ... (2/x)
@MLClark TNG certainly had its problems in the early years, because Gene was past his prime. The show churned through a *lot* of writers in the first two seasons. Michael Piller came in for Season 3, Gene stepped back, and that's when the writing improved.
Another issue with VOY was Brannon Braga. He came onto TNG as a writing intern at age 25. He eventually became showrunner on VOY. At the time, as a writer, he was "immature," to be diplomatic... (3/x)
@MLClark So if you see Braga's name on an episode, that often explains it.
He's a much better writer now. He did a great job with the new "Cosmos" and with "Orville." But that's because he has Seth MacFarlane looking over his shoulder, and he has experience.
I could add more, but I'll leave it there. (4/4)
One more bit of insight ...
The sound stages were at a different location on the lot than the writers and producers. That was to keep the actors from dropping in to complain about scripts.
Contrast with B5, where the entire operation was largely in a converted hot tub warehouse. JMS's office was the last door before you walked into the stages. The actors could always access him with questions or concerns.
@WordsmithFL @MLClark I mean, COULD you add more? Please?