Robert Duncan McNeill reflects on his initial dislike for his character, Lieutenant Tom Paris, in the early seasons of «Star Trek: Voyager.» McNeill portrayed Tom Paris throughout the show’s seven seasons, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Initially introduced as the skilled helmsman of the USS Voyager, Tom Paris had a troubled past, having been released from prison by Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) to join the crew in their search for the Maquis. Known for his brash, arrogant, and rude demeanor, Paris struggled to find favor with audiences in the show’s early episodes.
During an appearance on «The Transporter Room» podcast with Chris Garis, Allyson Leach-Heid, and Linda Paiges, Robert Duncan McNeill openly discusses his initial aversion to Tom Paris’s character development. Despite disliking the character’s early portrayal, McNeill acknowledges that the challenging nature of Tom’s actions ultimately led to a more satisfying evolution of the character.
McNeill expresses relief that the writers allowed Tom Paris to grow beyond his initial characterization, likening him to a blend of Han Solo and Julian Bashir, albeit with more flaws and rough edges. The character’s transformation from an unlikable figure to a more nuanced and relatable individual added depth and complexity to his arc, making his journey all the more rewarding for viewers.
It is revealed that Lieutenant Tom Paris was initially based on Nicholas Locarno, a character played by McNeill in «Star Trek: The Next Generation.» Locarno’s troubled past at Starfleet Academy was deemed irredeemable, prompting the creation of Tom Paris with similar traits and backstory.
Despite his early misgivings about the character, McNeill’s portrayal of Tom Paris in «Star Trek: Voyager» ultimately became a highlight of his career, showcasing the evolution and growth of a complex and flawed protagonist over the course of the series. En Journey to the stars: Voyager, Tom Paris se convirtió en una mejor persona y en un amigo de confianza para la tripulación de la USS Voyager. Además, inició una relación romántica con la teniente B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson), lo que ayudó a eliminar su caracterización inicialmente negativa.
Tom Paris es ahora recordado con cariño por los fans de Journey to the stars: Voyager, siendo reconocido como el mejor amigo del alférez Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) y co-diseñador del Delta Flyer, además de ser uno de los pilotos más famosos de la Flota Estelar. Cuando Robert Duncan McNeill interpretó al teniente Tom Paris en Star Trek: Lower Decks, fue tratado como una verdadera leyenda de la Flota Estelar con su propia placa de coleccionista.
Robert Duncan McNeill y Garrett Wang revisaron cada episodio de Journey to the stars: Voyager en su podcast, The Delta Fliers. Robbie tiene una perspectiva clara sobre el teniente Tom Paris y comprende mejor que nadie cuánto cambió Tom desde sus primeras caracterizaciones hasta convertirse en el héroe que llegó a ser.
