The Hidden Connection Between Chakotay and Captain Picard in Star Trek: Voyager

Summary

Chakotay and Picard, despite their differences in rank and personality, shared a common interest in archaeology and anthropology.

Chakotay frequently utilized his expertise in anthropology to assist the crew of Voyager in successfully navigating challenging scenarios and showing reverence towards foreign traditions.

In contrast, Picard's passion for archaeology primarily functioned as a personal pastime that aided in the development of his character, occasionally leading to romantic escapades on the pleasure planet Risa.

Chakotay and Picard shared a commonality despite their differences: representing a greater diversity of women and people of color in the Star Trek series.

Chakotay And Picard Had One Thing In Common

Both Chakotay and Picard shared a passion for archeology, with Chakotay also having an interest in anthropology. Chakotay's passion for anthropology was first introduced in the ninth episode of the first season of Voyager, titled "Emanations," where he was part of a team exploring an asteroid that turned out to be a burial site for an alien race. From then on, Chakotay's expertise in the field became a prominent aspect of his character. In the third season, episode nine, "Future's End, Part 2," Chakotay even mentioned that he could envision himself fully dedicating his time to archeology if he weren't in Starfleet.

In contrast to Chakotay, Captain Picard had a diverse range of hobbies on TNG, with archeology being one of his many interests. However, it was the hobby that the series frequently highlighted, as it made for compelling episodes. One of the earliest instances showcasing Picard's fascination with archeology was in the nineteenth episode of the third season, titled "Captain's Holiday." Throughout the series, Picard's interest in archeology resurfaced at various points. Even in Star Trek: Picard, the interest was kept alive through subtle reminders, such as the presence of certain artifacts that Admiral Jean-Luc Picard had discovered or received in the background of scenes.

How Chakotay And Picard’s Hobby Helped Them In TNG And Voyager

The utilization of Picard and Chakotay's shared hobby differed greatly between Voyager and TNG. Chakotay's knowledge often served to drive the plot forward in episodes. His suggestions would either assist the USS Voyager in escaping a difficult situation or aid the crew in showing respect for the customs of alien races. For instance, in "Emanations," Chakotay's insistence on honoring the deceased aliens led him to propose ceasing the use of tricorders to scan their bodies. Moreover, his extensive knowledge of ancient cultures became crucial when Voyager became trapped in orbit around a rapidly evolving pre-warp planet in season 6, episode 12, titled "Blink of an Eye."

On the other hand, TNG primarily used Picard's interest in archaeology for his personal development. One way this manifested was through Picard's archaeological endeavors in "Captain's Holiday," which eventually led him to encounter Vash (Jennifer Hetrick), one of his significant love interests in TNG, on the pleasure planet Risa. Unlike Chakotay, Picard's hobby did not frequently intersect with assisting his crew, and it usually served as a casual diversion or the focus of a standalone episode rather than a means to drive the main storyline. Despite sharing a hobby, Star Trek: Voyager successfully distinguished and set apart Chakotay from Picard.