This article contains a reference to sexual assault.
Janice Rand’s comeback was the best part ofStar Trek: Voyager’s season 3 “Flashback” episode, which also featured many other callbacks to previousStar Trekprojects. The episode also featured the return of Captain Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) and his ship USS Excelsior, depicted through a flashback set during the events ofStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Sulu’s return was a fun surprise, butRand’s appearance marked the exciting return of Commander Janice Rand. The commander is portrayed byactress Grace Lee Whitney, who was fired fromStar Trek: The Original Seriesunder allegedly unfair circumstances.
Rand’s departure from the show after season 1 was surprising, but Whitney landed roles in futureStar Trekprojects. Rand returned to the franchise in the1979Star Trekmovieas Transporter Chief of the newversion of the Enterprise, and then she appeared inStar Trek IV: The Voyage Homeas a master chief petty officer or lieutenant. She was also featured inStar Trek: VIas a communications officer, rounding out Rand’s varied Starfleet career.Rand’s best comeback, though, ended up being the greatest part ofStar Trek: Voyager’s nostalgic episodecelebratingStar Trek’s 30th anniversary in 1996.
Commander Janice Rand Was The Highlight Of Star Trek: Voyager’s “Flashback”
The classic character’s comeback righted a lot of TOS wrongs
The beginning ofStar Trek: Voyagerseason 3 coincided with the franchise’s 30th anniversary, soexecutives wanted to celebrateStar Trekwith an episode dedicated to the timeline’s storied past. Lieutenant Tuvok (Tim Russ) must travel back into his memories withCaptain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). They end up on the USS Excelsior and encounter both Captain Sulu and Commander Rand, who playfully accuses Tuvok of sucking up to the captain. Seeing the Excelsior crew, all wearing the huge, maroonStar Trek: The Original Series-era uniforms, was a special tribute to the 30th anniversary – but Rand was still the highlight.
Star Trek 30th Anniversary: Did Voyager Or DS9 Do A Better TOS Tribute?
Both Voyager and DS9 did tribute episodes to Star Trek: TOS for the franchise’s 30th anniversary, but one episode was much better than the other.
Janice Rand was a communications officer on the USS Excelsior and held the rank of commander.She had a leadership role among the younger crew, including Tuvok, who was an ensign at the time. The portrayal of Ran as a flirtatious and sexual character inStar Trek: The Original Serieswas gone. In the mistreated yeoman’s place was a competent, relaxed, but still playful commander who respected her crew and her captain. Rand defended Captain Sulu’s choice to attempt to rescueCaptain James T. Kirk (William Shatner)and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Deforest Kelley) against Ensign Tuvok’s opposition.
Voyager Redeemed Rand After Grace Lee Whitney’s Star Trek: TOS Exit
Voyager was Rand’s vindication
Grace Lee Whitney’s Yeoman Rand was a recurring part of theStar Trek: The Original Seriescastfor the entirety of season 1. However,Whitney was suddenly fired late in the production.Her departure was said to be due to financial strain on the ambitious and over-budget show, but Whitney later revealed in 1998’sThe Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxythat she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed executive on set a very short time before she was fired. Whitney claims her sudden departure was at least in part due to the assault.
1966–1967
1979
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1991
“Flashback”
1996
“Flashback” brought Commander Janice Rand back in a more substantial waythan her previous small roles in severalStar Trekmovies. Commander Rand jokes to Tuvok about the fact that it took her 3 years to become an ensign, which indicates how long she was a yeoman before she earned her pips. This length of time subtly highlights Rand’s struggles during her long career in Starfleet, perhaps mirroring Grace Lee Whitney’s negative experiences in the franchise’s early days. Even so, Janice Rand will forever be part of some of thebestStar Trekepisodes, especially “Flashback.”
Can Janice Rand Appear In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Strange New Worlds' use of classic TOS characters means Janice Rand could make another comeback
Star Trek: Strange New Worldscan save Randand give her the redemption arc thatStar Trek: Voyagerstarted. The popular show has brought back characters fromStar Trek’s past, with many recast classic characters: Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck), Lieutenant Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and most recently, Lieutenant Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (Martin Quinn), among others.Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' timeline aligns with when Rand was a cadet, so the show could give her room to grow as a nuanced characterand an asset to the show’s impressive list of strong female characters.
Star Trek: Voyager’s “Flashback” made sure Rand wasn’t left behind in a long list of neglected female characters from Star Trek: The Original Series.
Whitney’s Janice Rand isn’t the only female character to be mistreated in the franchise – it took 43 years forStar Trekto introduceNyota Uhura’s first name– butStar Trek: Voyager’s “Flashback” made sure Rand wasn’t left behind in the list of neglected female characters fromStar Trek: The Original Series. “Flashback” not only depicted a long and impressive career for Commander Rand, but it also revived her character’s popularity and provided the franchise with more opportunities to use Grace Lee Whitney’s iconic character in future projects.
