In the special features to the Season 3 DVD set, there’s an entire special feature on Jennifer Lien and the story of Kes. It was fascinating. Lien had obviously REALLY picked the minds of the writer and/or created her own back storyline. You should have heard what she had to say about her relationship to Neelix. (She was telling all sorts of reasons and story as to how they met and why they loved each other.) She also had some gorgeous insight into who Kes was before and after she left Ocampa. This did NOT seem like a woman in her early 20’s! She sounded like a woman in her 40’s! So mature! Also, it was remarkable to hear Kate Mulgrew, Tim Russ, Ethan Phillips and Robert Picardo speak soooo fondly of her! I mean, these remarks were REAL, deep, meaningful, thought-out sentiments her fellow actors were giving to her credit! She was definitely loved!
But, to relate to this discussion about her leaving, I noticed two very important things about this feature. A) Jennifer Lien clearly LOVED Kes. She said it was a “joy” to play her. There’s no way she would have given her up (or “quit the show”). I mean, what 23 year old would give up that kind of work!!? B) This is what Kate Mulgrew said about her: “Sad about Jen – and I’ll tell you exactly why: Cause I think she’s a hell of an actress. Sorry to see her go – sorry to see her go the way she went – knowing she was a wonderful actress. That was tough.” You can tell from the interview that Mulgrew is a very tough lady – so that’s high praise!
The whole “Wang being one of the most ‘50 Most Beautiful People’ theory” being what kept him on the show…. naaah. I don’t really buy that. There’s more to this story. What I do buy is that the producers didn’t want to have to pay a 10th cast member – that’s a whole lot of money. And even though Lien is GORGEOUS, it’s a demure, princess beauty, not the vavaVOOM sexiness that was Jeri Ryan – and they wanted that kinda sex appeal to enliven the series. (Ryan was also an AMAZING actress, to bat.) As well, the Seven of Nine character definitely was a fantastic move on the writers’ part. Did Lien leave on her own accord... who knows?
Kes was my very favorite character and, yes, it’s clear that her leaving the show wasn’t as organic as it should have been; there definitely were some holes. I wouldn’t have minded Neelix or Kim leaving. It was really a shame. Kes was fascinating.