In the realm of Star Trek, the holographic Doctor from Voyager stands out as a truly unique and compelling character. His transition into a mentor role in Star Trek Prodigy offers a fascinating exploration of his personality and growth, distinct from other Starfleet mentors. While Holo-Janeway in Prodigy embodies a nurturing, Mary Poppins-esque figure, the Doctor takes on a more Mr. Belvedere approach, requiring a bit more time for his young charges to appreciate his guidance.
Robert Picardo, the actor who masterfully portrays the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), perfectly encapsulates this dynamic. “It’s true,” Picardo states, referencing the initial interactions in Prodigy. “In the very opening scene [in ‘Into the Breach, Part I’], he chides them telling them, ‘I’m a doctor, not a butler.’ The kids don’t quite get what he’s there to help them do, which of course, is to mentor and teach them, and to take responsibility for a lot of their new training, whereas they’re treating him like a personal valet.” This immediately highlights the Doctor’s inherent sense of self-importance and the initial comedic friction with the Prodigy crew.
Picardo elaborates on the writers’ intent, noting, “The Hagemans are very smart writers. I’m sure they were reminding the audience, even unintentionally, they slighted The Doctor’s very high self-opinion, and the kids were going to hear about it right away. He’s a little prickly, but it’s all for comic effect. It sort of recapitulates the journey The Doctor had on Voyager.” This “prickly” nature is central to the Doctor’s charm. He isn’t designed to be overtly warm or instantly lovable like Data, another beloved Star Trek android. Instead, the Doctor’s mentorship unfolds gradually. As the young cadets of Prodigy get to know him, and as he forms individual connections, their bond deepens. The humor derives from his curmudgeonly exterior, and as Picardo wryly observes, “The whole fun of The Doctor is that he’s not a cuddly, sweet character the way Data was. The Doctor is a curmudgeon, and part of becoming his friend involves a certain amount of flattering him.”
However, beneath the sometimes-abrasive surface, the Doctor’s dedication to those under his care remains unwavering, extending beyond the Prodigy crew to include even Admiral Janeway. A poignant moment on the Voyager-A sees the Doctor reiterating his timeless advice to Janeway: to transcend limitations and never relinquish hope. This scene underscores the deep and enduring relationship between the Doctor and Janeway, a bond forged during their years together on the original USS Voyager.
Picardo emphasizes the significance of this relationship, “Janeway takes my advice too. When the chips are down, she listens to The Doctor, which echoes back to Voyager. If you recall, Janeway, even though she’s a science officer, you would think she would be predisposed to a crew member, to accept a sentient hologram as a full individual, but Janeway was very resistant for many years.” This resistance, as Picardo recalls, began to dissipate with the Voyager episode “Author, Author.” He explains, “It really was the episode ‘Author, Author,’ the one where The Doctor writes a book and where he argues for his own intellectual property rights as an individual that was the linchpin episode where Janeway, I think, finally accepts him.”
The journey of the Doctor from Voyager is one of self-discovery and evolving relationships. From his initial programming as a medical hologram to becoming a valued mentor and confidante, his character arc is a testament to the potential for growth even within artificial intelligence in the Star Trek universe. In Star Trek Prodigy, the Doctor continues to offer his unique brand of guidance, reminding both Janeway and the new generation of Starfleet hopefuls of the enduring values of perseverance and hope, solidifying his place as a vital and beloved figure in the Star Trek saga.
