Tell us a little bit about the emergency medical hologram.

I can�t tell you a little bit about Bob Picardo. That�s impossible to do. My adoration for him is profound. This is a man who stepped into a role and fashioned out of a seeming non-existent clay the most riveting character, I think, that Star Trek has seen for many, many years.

He�s an emergency medical hologram. One would think there would be nothing to this. Only Bob could endow it with his extraordinary wit, his charm, his intelligence, his complexity, and finally, his humanity.

This is to me the most intriguing story of Voyager, the Doctor and Janeway, who given her scientific background had no time at all for a hologram. He was a device, and nothing more or less than a device to be used at her will and whim. And over the years there evolved between them, because of Bob�s performance and his incredible input on the literary level, this marvellous relationship where in fact he taught Janeway.

I think the most profound and poignant thing that could said about science/science fiction. There is a relationship of respect to be had with a hologram if in fact it is a reflection of your own attributes, foremost among them our empathy. So to me that was an extraordinary journey and he is unprecedented, Bob, I think in his talent.