Many thanks to my transcriber!

KM:  Let me open by saying I'm so delighted to have come from sub-zero temperatures in New York to sunny California.  What's happened to global warming?!

We had a photo op just before I came in here and I wanted to say how wonderful it was to see some of my old friends – Debra, Heather – and to meet some of the new.  There is a genius in our midst here tonight.  Michael.  The screenwriter.  Nineteen years old. Absolutely brilliant.  That's what I love about this group.  Undaunted courage always followed by the keenest of intelligence. Is that you, Angelo, in the front row? You found your camera?  I'm absolutely delighted.  Somebody tried to steal that camera from that beautiful boy?

Well, welcome to Sacramento.  It's great to see you.  It's always great to see you.  I'm fond of saying, in fact I shout it out, it's becoming redundant, but only to people who don't understand this fan base – you are the smartest fan base in the entire world.  And you are without question, the most loyal. I see faces here who have supported me, not only over seven and a half years – I say half – on Voyager because it felt like seven and a half years!  And I think it was a half at the end there, but through my performance in "Tea at Five" last year.  (applause) I know.  There they are.  They came to Hartford, Cleveland, Boston and the good news about this one woman show that I'm doing, based on the life of Katharine Hepburn, is that we are going to New York.  (more applause).  I go into rehearsal next week, not without some trepidation, and I do hope if any of you have the opportunity – come and see it.  I'll need alllll the support I can get!  Thank you.

Last year was …um… tough. I'm sure it wasn't tough for me alone, but it was particularly challenging in that my dear husband, whom I absolutely adore, ran for governor of Ohio on the Democratic ticket, and he lost.  But of course you are well aware of the fact that the entire country has gone to the right, are you not?  (responding to a shout from the crowd) Except California. So we lost that race, bloodied but unbowed, but it was a great lesson in courage to me.  It's one thing to marry somebody whom you love deeply.  It's quite another to find out that they have a character unsurpassed in your entire experience. So I'm the luckier for that year's experience, and I believe so is he.  So we go forward and we go onward.  2003 has crept up with an alacrity unprecedented in my lifetime.  What happened, ladies and gentlemen?  What happened to time? It was yesterday that I was beautiful! Remember that one part of the video … with the long hair?  That was first season Voyager!  I was sitting back there in an absolute coma of despair.  It's over!  How does one age with grace?  (responding to the audience)  Thank you.  I suppose by not talking about it too much, right?

I have had a wonderful life.  But that seven years was absolutely terrific.  It's very, very hard for me to watch that video.  I miss those guys.  Now you could say a number of things to me – indeed it was a chapter unparalleled – I was the first female captain in Star Trek history.  A great honor.  A great privilege.  I took it quite seriously.  I loved the work.  I grappled with the techno-babble.  I shook and I danced and I bounced and I belted 'til my little head fell off! I had fifty-two hairdos in seven years.  And I'm still standing! But what I will remember and go to my grave with is one thing.  When you spend seven years in the trenches with remarkable people like those people, you really love them.  And for that I am eternally grateful.  And for that I will be eternally sad, because the intimacy was so great that life without it is very difficult and very different.  I had them from four o'clock in the morning until, sometimes on a Friday or a Saturday, four or five o'clock that morning.  I know more about those gentlemen – and I use that word very carefully – than any of you would care to know, to tell you the truth.  And I love them.  I'm going to go down the line very quickly about them because I think it's important.  I want to tell you a certain little something about each one of them so that you know, if you ever see them at conventions, which I hope you will, that you heard this from the horse's mouth.

I'm going to start at the top.  My uh… what shall I say… how shall I put this? Why am I looking to you?  Commander Chakotay!  Yes, yes.  Yes, yes.  I know. You are all so sorry we didn't have a mad love affair.  But I have to tell you this.  You all forget one simple thing.  I was of childbearing age when I took this job.  I was of childbearing age when I took this job! I was thirty-eight years old.  It was the first time a woman had attempted this.  There was a lot at stake at Paramount. The main demographic, as I'm sure you're well aware, are young men between the ages of fifteen and thirty.  What they didn't want to see in the Captain's seat was their mother.  So it became my mission to win them over via my captaincy.  Via my command.  And although a lot of women out there pleaded, begged, commissioned, fought and tried to buy this love affair with Commander Chakotay, I'm the one who went to Rick Berman and said "I don't think so."  What's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. I really cannot be shouting "Red alert, Commander, in my ready room," and run the ship, now can I?   I had dinner with Bill Shatner two weeks ago in London and he said, "I don't know why not, I did it!"  Robert Beltran?  Yes.  Sexy. Yes.  Unbelievably good looking? Yes. Terribly difficult to sit in that proximity for seven years? Oh yes, yes, yes!  But best of all, so good.  One of eleven children.  Downs' Syndrome brother.  He works passionately on his brother's behalf.  Wonderful son.  Wonderful brother. Wonderful guy, and a fabulous actor.

My neighbor, Robert Duncan McNeill, aka Lieutenant Paris at the helm, is a very naughty man.  And I want you all to know that so if you meet him in person you can repeat that.  Right? Made me laugh until I – well I can say this, can't I – until I wet my pants.  That was his aim in every close up, every Friday night.  Let's make her wet her pants! 'Cause that's what they're paying the big bucks for, right?  Love Robbie McNeill.  Fabulous guy.  And as you know, a wonderfully talented director.  He kept me laughing.  He kept me happy.

The heart and soul of the ship – this is where I get a little emotional, but I'm not going to, but I miss him so much – heart and soul – never, ever walked on to that set with less than an attitude of absolute joy. He too was naughty.  Of course that was the theme of all the gentlemen on this show of mine.  But so fine, and so deeply generous.  John Ethan Phillips.  My hero.  Neelix.

Bob Picardo.  Second to none in his consummate performance, right?  As the Doctor?  Do you know that there was nothing on the page when that role was written? Absolutely nothing on the page. And what Picardo did with the Doctor, I think was unmatched in the history of Star Trek, I really do.  And a wonderful friend.  So generous and supportive to me all those years.  And to my husband during his campaign.

Roxann Dawson, a dear friend of mine.  And she really was B'Elanna.  She really, really was. Even when she was pregnant, ladies and gentlemen. And she was pregnant a lot of times off-screen. You know that, don't you?  It was difficult to know when she was pregnant and when she wasn't pregnant! They padded her… she … whoops… she came out again.  I said "Is that you or the other one?"  She said, "Who cares!  Here I am!"   She was full of laughter.  The easiest touch on the set.  By that I mean you could make her laugh by simply looking at her the wrong way.  And then the tears would start to come down her forehead.  And the forehead would start to wrinkle, and they'd have to stop, and we'd have to break for three hours.  A wonderful, wonderful woman.  I miss her terribly.

Garrett Wang.  Great guy.  Tough.  Tough for Garrett at the beginning, I think. First big break.  Stakes were very high for him.  He grew so wonderfully as an actor over those seven years.  Grew and – are you friends of his?  Are we getting applause for him?  Grew deepened and matured.  I came to respect him enormously.

My dear, dear comrade in heart, soul, arms, Tim Russ. Always there.  Always chin up and right at my side.  He's from Sacramento, you know.  I miss him.  I miss him badly.

I hit everybody except Jeri Ryan, who as you know was a great boon to the series.  She is a very beautiful girl.  She brought a difficult character to full life and I think added enormously to the success of Voyager in our last five seasons.

So each one of them has given me a gift that I certainly never can be grateful enough for, and that is the gift of friendship.  If you walk away from a job with eight profound friendships, you can say something, can't you, of great merit.  And that is that we didn't do it just for the bucks, not one of us.  We did it for one another, and I think that is also speaking very well to what this loyal fan-base is all about.  This is a show about spirit.  And we certainly had it on Star Trek: Voyager.   I miss them every day.  And I really miss her.  I had no idea it would be this intense.  It is.  I lived with her for seven years, and now I don't have her anymore. I have this - it's not the same. I can't get in my car anymore at four o'clock in the dark.  I can't get there first.   I can't get that makeup on and on that set, getting that techno-babble, bossing those directors around.  Being a major pain to everybody.  I loved it! She was a great character and a great joy to me and I miss her, and I hope through you, I will be able to relive those moments for a long time to come, and I suppose if Mr. Berman has any foresight, there might be a major motion picture! Wouldn't that be fun!  I will have to demote myself back to Captain! But that's okay.

Who saw Nemesis?  (Audience responds)  Was it good? I have not seen it because I can't look at myself.  But was it good? Was Patrick marvelous?  He always is. (From the audience – "And you were fabulous").  Thank you very much.  That performance was called don't blink!

Time is always limited here, and I like to find out what you're thinking.  So I would like to take questions from you.  There's a microphone here on this side. There's a microphone there.  If you would come up, if you have questions for me I'd love to answer them, and my avowal to you is – I will answer any question that you pose to me.  I have no fear – she said, lying through her teeth!  Let's start here to the left.  Yes madam? Wearing the command colors.  How are you?

Q:  Fine Kate.

KM:  Good.

Q:  I just wanted to mention that right now in San Francisco there's about a hundred thousand people marching for peace and I'm wondering what you think the Federation would say about a possible war with Iraq?

KM:  Why don't we just go directly to the Prime Directive?  I think that this is … not good.  It is obviously a very tricky business in the wake of 9/11 with given what's happening in the Middle East, not to mention North and South Korea.  A lot of it is spelled O.I.L.  I'm not here to get on a political bandwagon.  I think war is to be avoided at all costs, and I'm not sure that our president is prepared to look at all of those costs.  But let's not… you know… because everybody has the right to their own political opinion, is that not correct?  I don't want to make any enemies in that way. But as you know, the Federation is all about maintaining peace, right?  Okay.  Did I answer that for you?

Q:  Thank you.

KM:  Thank you.   Yes sir?

Q:  How are you?  I first want to say you look beautiful tonight.

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  I just wanted to ask you while you loved the character Janeway, you did it for seven years.  How did you keep it fresh as an actress?

KM:  It's a good question.  And I'm going to answer you very honestly.  Not every day was easy in this regard.  Did you all hear the question?  How did I keep her fresh for seven years? There were times I was very, very tired, and it was tough.  And those were bottle shows – low budget shows where it was just a lot of goobledy gock and not much of a plot.  That was very, very difficult.  I would say that happened to me five times in seven years.  I really loved her.  When I took this job and made a commitment to myself – and I had two young sons at that time so this was not an easy pledge to make – I said it's going to be rough enough being the first woman, there's going to be a lot of controversy and tremendous scrutiny.  I therefore give myself one hundred and fifty percent to this character.  And I renewed that pledge every morning for seven years.  And of course the minute I walked on the set it was buoyant… ebullient is really the word.  When you love a character, and you're smart enough to know that you're lucky enough to get her, you honor her.  And I did that.  Thank you.  (applause)  And I was lucky.  Do you know how many actresses at 38 never can even begin to think about the possibility of finding the great character who will define them, and with whom they will have this persevering love affair?  It was a great, great gift.

Yes ma'am.  Hello.  Good to see you again.

Q:  Kate, this is kind of a long winded question, but it has to do with all that makeup. Several years ago you were a guest on Regis Philbin's show…

KM:  I was a guest on the Regis Philbin Show…

Q:  And you made a comment about how you didn't know how those actors could stand to sit in that makeup chair forever with the prosthetics…

KM:  Yeah…

Q: And I thought to myself at the time 'just wait Captain, just wait, it's coming, your time is coming, no Starfleet captain has escaped it yet', so in the meantime…

KM:  Oh… I thought she was talking about plastic surgery!  I thought this woman is really being very frank with me!  Yes?  So what is your question?

Q: Well my question is – you got made into a Klingon, you got made into a Borg, you got made into an older lady…

KM:  Yeah…

Q:  How did you endure…

KM:  Yeah, yeah, yeah… but that was fun stuff, right?  And it had a limited run, didn't it?

Q: But I thought you didn't like having people mess with your face and…

KM:  I did my Borg makeup in three hours.  And my Klingon in two.  But I knew that I was in, and I was out.  Janeway – I couldn't have born it.  I simply couldn't have born it.  You know I have a simply terrible reputation.  Have you heard about that?  Can't stand to be touched.  With the hair and the schnick and mucht and the wacht.  I said if they are looking at my eyelashes we are in deep trouble here.  I got us lost in the Delta Quadrant, do you think they're looking at my little bun?  Gimme a break.  I never cared about it and as a result I don't think you cared about very much either, right?  To delight ones eyes and soul, you have only to look at the beautiful Jeri Ryan or the beautiful Roxann Dawson, right?  That answer your question?  I'm so glad. Good.  Leave it to a woman to get you where you live!  Yes?

Q:  Hello.  One of the wonderful things that maybe some of us that follow the detail of Star Trek notice is that in Nemesis you were promoted before Captain Picard!

KM:  Excuse me, I have to clear my throat!  Yes I did notice that!  Very interesting.

Q:  Did you enjoy that?

KM:  I did.  And I thought it was entirely fitting.  After all, you never know.  If only because Patrick Stewart did not have to suffer any hairdos over seven years!  It's called tit for tat, right!?  Thank you very much.  By the way, he was terrific that day.  We shot that very fast.  He was right there - he was fabulous. He's always been a consummate actor.  He's a great actor, don't you think?  Yeah.  Yes ma'am? Hi.

Q: I'm a bit terrified.

KM:  You're a bit terrified?

Q:  … for a long time…What… you probably get asked this a lot, but what was your favorite episode to film?

KM:  … difficult… How many did I film? Who knows how many?

Audience:   One hundred and seventy-two!

KM:  One hundred and seventy-two.  Oh dear God, somebody get me a pallet.  A hundred and seventy-two.  Many spring to mind.  Deathwish, I loved.  Deadlock, I loved.  Counterpoint, I loved – she got to play so many different levels.  Anything with a great, great dilemma at its core and so many of them had that.  But that's a bit like asking which hair on your head do you prefer.  Do you know?  There were almost all very, very good.  And that's the beauty, I think, of Star Trek.

Q:  Thank you.

KM:  Thank you, sweetheart.  Very pretty girl.  Yes?

Q:  Welcome.

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  Such an honor to be here – I can say thank God for TIVO, I can see you every afternoon, because you're on at midnight in San Francisco.

KM:  You stay up 'til midnight?

Q:  No.  TIVO makes it possible to watch it the next evening.

KM:  Oh, I see.

Q:  So I get it every night. Anyway…

KM:  Does anybody stay up 'til midnight? (response from the audience)  Therrrre you go!  Okay!

Q:  My question is two-fold and it has to do with Voyager's finale. It was like you were in every scene twice. How difficult was that to do, being in virtually every scene twice in a lot of it, and second of all how happy were you with the way the writers got the cast – the crew of Voyager home?

KM:  Let me answer the second part first. I was very happy, and I understand that there were mixed feelings about the finale – the final few frames of Endgame.  I had a big hand in that and here is my thought:  So much had happened over seven years.  And in fact so much had happened in Endgame that I thought if any group – if any viewership was going to get the profoundly simple message it would be this group.  So I voted for the simplicity of it in the wake of all that had gone before it.  And I understand now that everybody sort of would have preferred a more extravagant ending. But in my heart of hearts I said to myself "I went in simply walking on the bridge, and I think it's good to go out simply sitting down."  That was the captaincy, we ran through it.

The double thing – Admiral and Captain Janeway. You may notice, or have noted they did that with me a lot – two Janeways.  They did that a lot, because I like.  And the reason I like it…

Q:  Double pay?

KM:  I'm laughing!  I'm laughing – and not all the way to the bank!  No way.  I like it because I have a technical proficiency for it, which a lot of actors don't have and don't want to have, because it's extremely difficult, careful work, you know?  We're working on a split screen, green screen.  I have to match everything with absolute perfection.  For me it was wonderfully challenging.  And then – to the old age versus the Captain – was sort of the icing on the cake. Yeah.  I loved it.  I loved the Admiral.  You know, I liked her… she was drunk?  Oh… she had spunk!  That's what's missing!  We needed that drunk scene in there, didn't we?  Yes, yes?

Q:  First of all, Voyager made me a Trek fan.

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  How did your stint as Janeway affect your husband's running for governor of Ohio?

KM:  It didn't.  Clearly.  It didn't have anything to do with it.  The fans were incredibly supportive and generous but his race ran on its own merit, and I think if anything it probably posed a number of challenges to him because he had a what – you could call me – a sort of celebrity wife.  Which is not always the best thing for a politician.  And he handled it with great grace.  He's always said to me how lucky I am to be passionate about something, and how lucky he is to be married to somebody who's as passionate about what I love as he is about what he loves, so I hope that answers your question.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Cute kids.

You know boys like this… come up here darling – come on up here, come on up here for a minute.  Boys like this break my heart – until they grow up!  How old are you?

Q:  12

KM:  Now why are you here?

Q:  My dad is here.

KM:  Your dad is the fan. You are not a Voyager fan.

Q:  Kind of.

KM: Kind of.  What is my name?

Q:  (the youngster was silent)

KM:  See what I mean!  They're adorable – for a minute in time!  Thank you.  You may go back down to your seat.  Yes ma'am.

Q:  I've loved your work since Ryan's Hope, and I wonder do you have any other projects in the works?

KM:   Well, the life of Katharine Hepburn is what I'm doing in New York, so I'll open in March at the Promenade Theater, and that… somebody's got a phone call?  You know when that happens in the theater it's the most devastating thing.  (As the elderly Hepburn)  When you're right in the middle of doing something very difficult…Of all the challenges that I could have been presented with, this is probably the biggest, and I've really enjoyed it this past year.  New York will be the acid test.  It's being rewritten, ladies, once again.  So wish me well – I'm going to need it.

Q:  Good luck.  And thank you so much for coming all this way to…

KM:  I thank you. No I thank you for coming.  Thanks.  Lovely lady.  Yes.  Yes? There he is in his shorts!  He's undaunted!  He's never cold.  He's alive.  He's from Santa Clara!  Am I correct about all of these things?

Q:  Cruz.

KM: Cruz!  All right what’s your question.

Q:  I have this theory and I want to get it confirmed or denied. My theory is…

KM:  Why is it only men say things like that?!  I have this theory.  Yeah?  I want it confirmed or denied!  And a woman immediately says, 'of course, of course I'll confirm it, of course of course I'll deny it… what is it?'

Q:  You can deny it!

KM:  Okay, well what is it?!

Q:  My theory is that the writers of Voyager were really into the philosopher and psychologist Carl Jung, and they were deeply influenced by him.  Is that true or false?

KM:  I think you're a little bit of a genius, there, aren’t you?  I think you've been influenced by Carl Jung.

Q:  Guilty as charged.

KM:  And me too. Happen to love Carl Jung.  I think Brannon Braga is a Jungian.  And I'm not sure about Mr. Berman. But I know that Brannon and I have had that conversation.  Yes, it does… a lot of it seemed to have that, that Jungian flavor, didn't it?

Q:  To me it definitely did, yeah, all over the place.

KM:  All those wacky dreams, castles.

Q:  Lots of narcissism, I felt.

KM:  Lots of narcissism.

Q:  Gnosticism.

KM:  Oh, Gnosticism.  Yes, I thought you said narcissism.  There was more narcissism than Gnosticism.  But this is an intellectual conversation.  Thank you Seth.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Have fun in Santa Cruz.  Continue to read Jung, Freud.  Yes?

Q:  First of all, thank you for coming to Sacramento.  I would also like to thank you for the work that you've done in raising money for Alzheimer's.

KM:  Thank you. You have somebody who's suffering?

Q:  I have. My grandmother suffers.

KM:  I'm sorry.   They say it's genetic.  Pretty scary isn't it?  My mother has Alzheimer's.  You never think your mother's going to get Alzheimer's.  And I was the one who took her to the neurologist… so ever since I've championed this cause and we've done very well for the last three years.

Q:  Voyager turned into my favorite Star Trek series.

KM:  It did?

Q:  Yes, it did.  I could not get into the show at first.  But I did get into the show and it became my favorite series.

KM:  Good.  Would you like to elaborate on why Voyager was your favorite series?

Q:  Well, actually the first episode that I did watch was surrounded around B'Elanna Torres.

KM:  Uh huh.  That was a good way to start it.

Q:  And I'd like to say you turned into the best captain in Star Trek.

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  Now what Voyager diehards want to know – has there been any kind of talk whatsoever about a Voyager movie?

KM:  Well there has not been any definitive non-talk about it, and so as long as Paramount stands to make even the smallest profit, I'm sure that they will have a discussion about it.  I think it would be great fun, don't you?  You know what somebody brought up?  I wonder what you all would think about this.  Somebody brought up the idea of a mini-series.  No?  Yes that would be good, wouldn't it?  Because I think that there are loose ends.  Let's just take the Seven of Nine, Chakotay story. That happened way to fast didn't it? (boos from the audience!)  All of it had to be wrapped up.  We want to know happens to B'Elanna and Tom.  We want to see what happens to everybody.  So – what's your name?

Q:  My name's Russell.

KM:  Russell what?

Q:  Hindsley.

KM:  Hindsley.  I'm going to take this back to Paramount on your behalf, all right!?

Q: (applause – unable to transcribe) … the best Star Trek episodes ever.

KM:  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Thanks Russell.  Yes.  Hello.

Q:  Hi.  My question is kind of odd, and I've heard it on the Internet quite a few times.  Basically, there's a few episodes where a relationship between you and your executive officer Chakotay was hinted upon, but never became.

KM:  What did I tell you?

Q:  I always wondered what your feelings were on that.

KM:  Didn't I just say…  Well what would you have liked?

Q:  Anything but Chakotay and Seven of Nine.

KM:  That didn't work for you?  Wait, wait, wait.  I'm curious.  Why not?

Q:  It seemed like – almost like they changed writers mid series, because they were hinting upon a relationship between you and Chakotay and Harry Kim and Chakotay at the same time.

KM:  Harry Kim.  He wishes!  I don't think so.  I tried to explain earlier… where did he go?  You're a very interesting person, aren't you?  I didn't feel that I could have a love affair with the second in command because I had to get these people home, right?  I was responsible to a hundred and sixty five in that crew.  I got them lost.  And I really couldn't be doing things, you know, in the ready room and stuff, right?  Right?  Don't you agree?  I had my needs met by that wonderful hologram, didn't I?  (laughter from the audience!) Come on!  When I read that one, I really – I went right over to Berman's office and I said, "What are you smoking? What is this?  I mean how desperado is this broad? Huh?"  I'm going to go with a holo – I'm going to make him up, right? And there he is.  And it was Fintan.  And I love Fintan, but it was pretty wacky, wasn't it?

Yes. So, regarding Janeway's love life.  It left much to be desired, didn't it?  That's why we have to do that movie.  All about love.  All about love and sex.  Nothing about space.  We'll get this baby wrapped up – you bet we will!  Thank you very much for your questions.  Yes sir?

Q:  Hi thanks for coming.

KM:  Thank you.

Q: You made a wonderful captain...

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  Janeway could have commanded any star ship.

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  My question is I know you're friends with John DeLancie.

KM:  I am very good friends.

Q:  Was it your idea or his to give him a shot on the Voyager?

KM:  It's nobody's idea but the powers that be.

Q:  Oh really… no one pushed for it?

KM:  Well of course I did.  He's my dear friend.  And of course he did.  Ha!  You know John! And we called Rick and said come on, this would be great.  And that was the first… it was Deathwish, wasn't it?  Was the introduction, I believe?  Yeah.  He's a marvelous guy, isn't he?  Q was just the best thing.  Anyway, I will convey that to him.  Thank you.  Yes.  Madam?  She's in the military.

Q:  … And you're my favorite captain of all of them.

KM:  Thank you.

Q:  My question is, are you planning on doing any guest appearances any time soon.

KM:  Guest appearances.

Q:  Like on any other TV shows.

KM:  I'd like to do that.  But the run of a play in New York is an unlimited thing and therefore all consuming.  Therefore I will have to be sort of completely dedicated to that until they close it… which I hope they won't too quickly.  So I think, you know, down the line, yes.  Thank you.

Guest shots on what?  Just anything, huh?

How's Enterprise?  Do you like it?  Do you like it?  Do you?  I've not yet seen it but he's a terrific actor.  Is he a good captain? (audience shouts 'yes').  He'd better be!  Yes darling?  Hi.  I saw you in the room, didn't I? What's your question, sweetheart?

Q:  I was wondering…

KM:  Can you speak up because I can't hear you.

Q:  I was wondering if when you first looked at the role of Janeway you knew that you would be looked at personally as such a role model?  And if you felt that you had to hold or check yourself in any way?

KM:  A good question.  Did everybody hear it?  Yes.  When I said earlier that I took it very seriously, that's the component that I took most seriously.  In fact, I thought it was a grave responsibility.  When it dawned on me the extent to which I was able to influence -  particularly young women, I began to pay close attention to what I felt my obligation was.  And that was to give not only Janeway everything I could, every considerable nuance that I could find in my little treasure trove of creative nonsense, but also to dignify her in my life, and to talk to as many of these young women… to read as voraciously and extensively as I could about science, and to say to as many women – young and old alike – the sky's the limit, the book has been rewritten and it's a new world.  And I hope you understand that.  Do you understand that you can do whatever you want?  (applause)  Do you?  Then I want you to do it.  All right.  There's only one thing that stands in your way and you know what that is.  Roosevelt said it – fear.  You have nothing to fear but fear itself.  So don't be afraid. Promise me.  All right?  It's so ludicrous to be afraid.  It means nothing.  It's utterly irrational.  Who cares?  It's singularly - it reeks of ego, doesn't it? I can't do that, I'm afraid. Nobody's looking at you.  Nobody's looking at me.  We're tiny little grains of sand – we're nothing.  We should do it.   We should do it.  I'm going to do this play and I’m not going to be afraid!

Hello, how are you?  Nice to see you again.

Q:  Have you compared your arguments with Seven of Nine to Bones and Spock.

KM:  Somebody has a phone call.  No, I don't recall that they ever did that.

Q:  What?

KM:  Compared my arguments with Seven to Bones and Spock's arguments.

Q:  If they did compare, who'd win the arguments?  Seven or you?

KM:  I would.  Next question.

Q:  Another question.

KM:  Yes?

Q:  Where were you the night of the fifteenth… my Columbo impression.

KM:  Where was I what?

Q: On the night of the fifteenth.  I was doing my Columbo impression…

KM: Oh, I see.   Another very interesting person!

Q:  Hi…

KM: This is a very beautiful girl here at the microphone.  Can you see her?  Speak up there, darling.

Q:  I am so thrilled to see you, I never thought I would, and I want to say that you are the reason why I love Star Trek.  And Voyager is my absolute favorite… and I wanted to know how you felt about the ending in Endgame.  I was crying because it was oh, they're home, but no one on the set was really that emotional and I thought that after seven years you know, there would be tears.  You know.  They would be so happy to be home that there would be more emotion.

KM:  They weren't happy.  That's the point.

Q:  Did I miss something?

KM: Yes. They were neither happy nor sad.  They were stunned.

Q:  Okay.

KM:  When something finally happens - when you've fought and prayed and obsessed for seven years about one singular thing, and it finally is realized, you don't know what you feel.  What had happened was so profoundly important interpersonally, to those people in those seven years, they didn't know if they wanted if they wanted to be home, honey.  At least that was my feeling.  And particularly Janeway.

Q:  Yeah.  I'll watch it again.

KM:  Okay.  Thank you, thank you.

Q:  Hi.

KM:  Hi!

Q: … that you're my hero.  I watched Voyager from the very beginning as a little girl, you know, seeing the first female…

KM:  Well how old are you?

Q:  Uhhhh….15

KM:  She knows how old she is!  She's going to be just fine. She's going to go far.  Yes sweetie, go on.

Q:  And…

KM:  And she's so cute!  Can you see her?  Can all the young men in the house see her?  Ask your question.

Q:  I just want to say first of all – you and Picard!

KM:  I’m the man, and so is he!  Is that your father?  What is this man whispering in your ear?

Q:  My question for you is… what was your initial reaction to finding out that you had gotten the part of Janeway?  What was… were you like just so excited…

KM:  I was… I didn't think I'd gotten it because I went in on a Wednesday with four other really remarkable actresses, and usually what happens when you go to network is you're knocked out, one by one until only one person is left standing, and then that person has the job.  But in this case all of us were left standing and we were all dismissed at the same time, and nobody was told anything.  We all went home.  The next two days were Yom Kippur, which is as you know, a high Jewish holiday.  Los Angeles stops dead.  So I heard nothing, and I gave it up.  Finally went to the market – we had to eat.  And when I came home my two young sons and my housekeeper were standing on the porch.  Now never, ever have I taken my phone messages, because I have a phobia about the phone, I don't know why.  I just don't understand the phone.  And there they were, telling me that it was absolutely crucial that I get the phone.  (in a Spanish accent) "Senora!  You come this house now, take these messages now.  I tell you - orrita, orrita!"  So I went in, I played the messages, blah, blah, blah, blah.  Fourth message.  "Miss Mulgrew, this is Rick Berman, the executive producer of Star Trek: Voyager.  I simply wanted to say welcome aboard, Captain."  Because I am of Irish Catholic heritage I said, "Everybody down on your knees quickly."  Our Father, sign of the cross, I said, Lucy while you're down there, get that champagne!"  That was it.  It was a great moment.  It was a great moment.  Thank you, sweetheart.

Q:  Thank you.

KM:  Thank you.  Good luck to you.  You're full of life.  Never lose that.  Okay?

Q:  You too!

KM: Thank you sweetheart.  Why do we lose that?  She's so ebullient, it's gorgeous isn't it?  Gorgeous.   Yes?

Q:  Hi.

KM:  Hi.

Q:  I have to say I've seen every episode of Voyager at least twice and I can't watch Enterprise because nothing can match Voyager.

KM:  Come over here.  There are about twenty people I'm going to take home from this thing… oh yes I am.  What's your name?

Q:  Alisha.

KM:  Alisha thank you very much, you made my day.  You really did.  How sweet of you.  And she means it, don't you?  Do you have a question?

Q:  I do.

KM:  Yes?

Q:  You said you loved Janeway so much that you actually loved her.  Do you feel that parts of her became parts of you and vice versa?

KM: Absolutely.  And I think that when a character finally takes wing it is when the actress marries the character and the writers back off.  And when they finally allowed Mulgrew to inhabit Janeway, she took off.  I'd say that was about the end of the second, beginning of the third season.  Then every nuance that I could give to her, all of those subtle endowments that were mine, that Mulgrew brought to Janeway – that's when you fall in love.  I couldn't do it without her, and she couldn't do it without me.  And it was a pretty good match.

(another phone rings) Somebody's extremely popular in this room.  Yes, yes sir?  Handsome, handsome, handsome!  How old are you?

Q:  I'm fifteen.

KM:  You're too handsome for your own good!  And what is your question.

Q:  It's an honor to finally meet you, Admiral!

KM:  And charming too!  This one's real trouble later!  Yes?

Q:  I notice that Starfleet seems to be like a socialism, communism type government.

KM:  In your opinion.

Q:  In my opinion.

KM:  You and Seth and the Jungian thing.  What's going on here?  Yes, yes?

Q:  Well how is it possible for Picard to own a vineyard and for Sisko to own a bakery if it's like communism?

KM:  I didn't say it was a communist thing.

Q:  Well in the Star Trek movie, First Contact, when they go down to the planet Earth, Picard describes it as pretty much the same thing as communism or socialism.

KM:  That's Picard.  I was never so harsh in my judgment.

Q:  Thank you, Admiral.

KM:  Thank you very much.  Captain's all right.  I think I prefer Captain.  Oh, is that your boyfriend?  Come up here.  You have to see how beautiful these two are.  Come up here little devils.  You don't fool me for one second!  Here's the bubbly one, and here's the communist!  And they're madly in love.  Let's give them a hand!  Honor her.  And you honor him, all right.  And never lose your spirit.  He's going off, I can see.  He's going to do great things – in Cuba!

Yes madam. How are you?

Q:  I'm fine. Before I ask my question I have to say that Voyager has also been my favorite series.  It's really what's inspired me to get really inspired about Star Trek.

KM: Thank you.

Q:  And for me – I watch Enterprise simply because I want a Star Trek fix, but it's a pale shadow to Voyager and I miss Voyager all the time.

KM:  You know you put me in a terrible position.  If I say "Oh, no, no, no, no, no," you all know I'm lying.

Q:  You are… I can't even see Scott Bakula as a captain to me.  He doesn't translate.   You are the Captain.  You're the…

KM:  Yes!  I'm very, very happy right now, that I came to Sacramento.  That really…

Q:  I mean that.

KM:  It makes me feel terrific.  But I'm sure he is a wonderful captain.  All of the captains have been wonderful.  But each feels – and Patrick Stewart told me this, you know – he walked on the set the first week.  He's a good man, as well as a very talented one.  And he was having a cup of coffee very quietly at Kraft service.  Didn't want to get in my way, it was my first week.  And I came over and I joined him, and I said "Patrick, this is really, really daunting.  Just give me some guidance here, I need some counsel."   He said, "I can promise you one thing.  After seven years you will look back on what you have done with enormous pride, but do it your own way."  And I did.  And so did he.

Q:  Maybe Scott Bakula has just to grow into his character like you did with Janeway.

KM:  Yes. Give Scott a chance.

Q:  Well, we'll give him a chance.

KM:  Give him little bit of a chance!

Q:  But can I ask you…

KM:  You may…

Q:  Is there any chance that your play in New York will be on DVD or video one of these days?

KM:  This has been asked, and it's being pursued by the producers right now. So thank you for that.

Hi.   How are you?

Q:  I'm good and how are you?

KM:  Good.  Nice to see you again… I'm good.

Q:  Well, we won't discuss my piercings at this time.

KM:  She has many, many piercings.  This intrigues me.  What is your question?

Q:  Well, I find you personally – this is my own perception – I find you pleasantly tenacious and assertive.  And I want to know… there are many… I paid a fortune to find out that I'm older than you, and I'm greatly disappointed in that.

KM:  You're older than I am?

Q: Yeah.

KM:  How can you be sure?

Q:  Oh, I am sure.  I got to see to see you up close.

KM:  And once again, I must defer!

Q:  No matter what gender, what age, what position you are in life or who you are it doesn't matter.

KM:  No.

Q:  But my point is, there are people that admire you, that are people that want to be you, there are people that relate to you on many different levels, but I would like to tell you that everyone does respect you, and I too – in a compilation from all this questions.  I cannot watch Enterprise.  You are one tough act to follow.

KM:  Thank you. Thank you.  She came in for the photo op and she said something very interesting to me.  Talk about an assertive personality.  Takes one to know one.  She said, "You know, you're no better than me, and I'm no better than you." I said, "But that's exactly it. But without you I can't do what I do, and without me you can't enjoy what you enjoy."  So it's the perfect tango, you see.  You understand.  This is the getting of wisdom, madam, at your lovely age.  Thank you.  Yes?  Yes?

We have a little… let's take this lady.  I would like to have your question, madam.  Let him bring that microphone to you. Don't … yes…

Q:  Wow.

KM:  How are you?

Q:  Well, I'm really happy right now, I really, really am.

KM:  I’m so glad.

Q:  I'm so glad to see you and to actually talk to you and hear you - your voice is so beautiful.  I just have to flatter you here because I think you're very, very beautiful.  I'm old enough to be your Mom, and when I saw you in the Endgame, in the ending, you know, your hair was white.  You'd make a really smashing fully grown woman.

KM:  Now that… is the greatest gift. Isn't it?  Of this entire day.  Thank you.

Q:  Now my question would be – why can't you look at yourself?

KM: Most actors can't.

Q:  Really?

KM:  I’m not unusual. No. It's too… no.  That's why I love the stage.  I don't have to.  And I can forget.  I would say actually even beware of actors who are comfortable watching themselves.  It's not natural, is it?  To want to watch yourself?  Isn't it enough to be doing that stuff in front of that funny looking little technical thing called a camera, and having to translate it in front of millions of people? Into millions of living rooms?  No.  Yeah.  I think it's better this way.

You strike me as a very happy woman.  Are you happy?

Q:  Right now I am.

KM:  Do you have children, ma'am.  May I ask you that?

Q:  I have one.  He's running around here somewhere.

KM:  He's running around?

Q: He's thirty.

KM:  And he's still running around?

Q:  He's taking pictures…

KM:  Oh, he's taking pictures, I see.  I thought he was running around in one of those sugar highs or something!

Q:  I just want to tell you that Voyager was the best ride I've ever been on.

KM: You know, coming from you, that means a great deal.  So let me just shake your hand here for a minute.  Don't you dare get up, I'll reach over.  Thank you.  Thank you very, very much.  What's your name?

Q:  Barbara.

KM:    What a pleasure to meet you Barbara, thank you.  Thank you so much.

Mr. Mailin, who by the way I didn't acknowledge but I want to because I think he is a terrific organizer and promoter – Adam Mailin – thank you for having me again, Adam.  And we're out of time.  Does anybody have a question they cannot live without asking me?  Otherwise we're never going to get all these autographs done.  I want to take one more and I'm going to pick… is that my buddy back there? No the… Nope.  The youngish boy.  Yes?  Run up here quickly and we're going to do it on the stage and we're going to end this, which is always hard and I don't like it.  And do I know you?  Your name is Ian.  My son's name is Ian.  Oh cool – he doesn't care. Take the mike and ask the question.  How old are you?

Q:  I’m thirteen.  Okay.  My question was did you have a fun time playing Queen Arachnia in Chaotica's Bride?

KM:  You can shake my hand, yes.  That was an intense question.  How do you think I felt about it?

Q:  It looked like it would be a fun role to play.

KM:  I had a ball!  It was so outrageous.  But you know I couldn't get through it.  The guy – what was his name?

Audience:  Martin Raynor.

KM:  I know it… yes, Martin.  He was unbearably funny.  When he electrocuted… unbearably funny.  Sixteen takes later the tears were teaming down my cheeks.  Are you interested in science?

Q:  Yeah.

KM:  What are you going to do with your life?

Q:  I don't know – I'd like to build computers.

KM:  And are you going to go where no man has gone before?

Q:  I hope so.

KM:  And are you going to go boldly?

Q:  Yeah.

KM:  And are you going to be nice to your mother.

Q:  Yeah.

KM:  And all women for the rest of your life?

Q:  Yeah.

KM:  Be passionate… that a boy!

Thank you all.  Thank you very much.  You were great.  Thank you so much.  God bless.