INSIDE TREK & SCI-FI  

IAN SPELLING     

01/29/2000 Houston Chronicle        

Ryan goes to mat in `Tsunkatse'     

When Jeri Ryan joined the cast of Star Trek: Voyager during its fourth season, the actress most feared that her character, Seven, might become too human too quickly. Now, with each passing episode, Seven edges closer to regaining the humanity.      "I'm three years into the character, and she's absolutely ready to explore her human side," Ryan said. "You don't want her to become stagnant as a character."     

But Ryan added: "It's fun to see where Seven is now, compared to where she was when she came on board."     

Ryan's character is also featured in "Tsunkatse," a sweeps episode that will beam over the airwaves and into living rooms Feb. 9.     

The action-packed hour will have guest spots by Deep Space Nine favorites Jeffrey Combs and J.G. Hertzler. And in a bit of unapologetic UPN synergy, WWF Smackdown wrestling icon the Rock turns up as well.      "The crew is on shore leave, and everybody but Seven and Tuvok (Tim Russ), who have no interest in recreation, is pretty excited to be on this planet," Ryan said.      "Chakotay (Robert Beltran) and Torres (Roxann Dawson) discover this sport called tsunkatse, which is sort of a gladiator-type fighting event, with lots of people coming into an arena to watch.      "Seven and Tuvok, who went off on an away mission, are captured and Seven is forced into playing the sport," she said. "You soon realize that the people who are doing the fighting are not there by choice."      Chakotay and several other Voyager crew members discover that fact for themselves when they see Seven step into the arena. As her crewmates endeavor to save her, Seven must deal with the machinations of Penk (Combs), the ruthless tsunkatse promoter who salivates at the money to be made through a death match featuring Seven.      "Fighting is very much against Seven's nature because, for the last three years, she has tried to stifle her aggressive side," Ryan said. "And now she is forced to be violent and aggressive in order to survive and save Tuvok.      "I can't tell you too much more without giving it all away."      Ryan said she's pleased with season six of Voyager.      Even when she's away from the set these days, Voyager isn't far from Ryan's side.      Ryan and producer/writer Brannon Braga are romantically involved. "It's not a secret," she said. "We are dating, and we're very happy."      Ryan reiterates her opinion that Seven continues to be a well- developed character.      "She's done a lot," the actress said. "She's been a mom, essentially. She has made friends among the crew and, through Naomi Wildman (Scarlett Pomers), she's learning how to play and lighten up a little bit.      "She's really gone through most of the stages of life at this point," Ryan said. "And that's great."