Why Are We Wearing This?!

So, let’s talk about the golden era of the ’90s and the beloved universe of Star Trek. As amazing as it was, let’s face it, there’s one element that’s kind of hard to defend: those skin-tight cat suits worn by our favorite female characters! I mean, it’s like they all had a uniform party but forgot to send an invite to actual uniforms. We had Troi strutting her stuff on The Next Generation, Major Kira rocking it on Deep Space Nine, T’Pol trying her best in Enterprise, and then, of course, there’s Seven of Nine in Voyager. Really now, was there not a single button-up shirt in the costume department?

The Woman Behind the Catsuit

At a recent convention in the windy city of Chicago, Jeri Ryan, the actress known for portraying the infamous Seven of Nine, decided to clear the air about her skin-tight look. She confidently shared that she was involved in every single costume fitting and discussion. “I totally knew what I was getting into,” she said. “It was sexy, and I was okay with it because that’s how the character was written.” Seriously, folks, if you’re going to wear something that hugs every curve, you at least want to be in control of it, am I right?

New Kid on the Block!

For those who don’t remember, Jeri hopped onto Voyager towards the end of season three, stepping in for the lovely Kes. Her character, a human turned Borg, was a perfect mix of outsider, puzzlement, and a crash course in humanity. Seven of Nine brought a fresh perspective that allowed us to dive deeper into the essence of what it means to be human. And let’s be real, she also added a hefty dose of glam to the series – a tradition that started back when Uhura was showing off her stellar legs in a miniskirt while Captain Kirk flexed those biceps!

Embrace the Sexy?

We can’t ignore the fact that Seven of Nine was kind of designed to bring some sizzle to the show. But Ryan was savvy enough to understand this. “The character was added to break Star Trek into the mainstream. They were upfront about it, and I was cool with that,” she added. Jeri highlighted that, despite the eye-catching costume, she believed her character was much more than just a pretty face. “The way it was written, she was totally not your classic sex object,” Ryan stated. “I was totally fine with it all.” Who knew a catsuit could signify so much depth?

Modern Views on Old Costumes

But let’s switch gears for a moment. While Ryan has no qualms about her role back in the ‘90s, she wouldn’t sign up for something similar today. “Nah, I wouldn’t do that now. But hey, it was a different time,” she quipped. And as she reprised her role in Star Trek: Picard, guess what? No catsuit! She rocked sensible outfits just like everyone else, and when Seven made her triumphant return to Starfleet as the first officer aboard the USS Titan, she was dressed in a proper Starfleet uniform. Talk about breaking the cycle!