Star Trek: Prodigy's abrupt cancellation has left Ensign Harry Kim from Star Trek: Voyager, played by Garrett Wang, waiting indefinitely for his promotion. Paramount+'s controversial decision to cancel season 2 of Star Trek: Prodigy and remove the show from their platform has sparked a justified outcry on social media. Prodigy, a hidden gem among Star Trek shows, served as a subtle continuation of Star Trek: Voyager by advancing the stories of Captain Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew, and Commander Chakotay, played by Robert Beltran, to Vice Admiral and Captain, respectively.
There were expectations that Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 would introduce more Voyager characters as Admiral Janeway embarked on a rescue mission to save Chakotay. Speculation arose due to news of a discarded cameo for Harry Kim in season 3 of Star Trek: Picard. Showrunner Terry Matalas and actor Garrett Wang had both indicated that Harry "belonged" to Prodigy, leading to his exclusion from the final season of the spinoff series. This strongly suggested that Harry Kim could make an appearance in Prodigy season 2. However, with the show's future now uncertain, Harry's return and his long-awaited promotion in Starfleet will be further delayed.
Star Trek: Prodigy's Cancelation Makes Harry Kim Wait Even Longer For Promotion
Ensign Harry Kim never received a promotion throughout the entire seven-season run of Star Trek: Voyager. While an alternate future in the series finale showed him as a Captain, that timeline was nullified by Admiral Janeway's actions, leaving him as a Starfleet Ensign. With no confirmation of his career progression in the modern Star Trek shows, Harry Kim remains an Ensign even 22 years after Voyager ended. As Star Trek: Prodigy remains off-air, Harry Kim's Ensign status continues indefinitely, making him an unexpected casualty of Paramount+'s controversial decision.
Since its debut in January 1995, Star Trek: Voyager has been on air for over 28 years, technically keeping Harry Kim as an Ensign all this time. His lack of promotion has become a recurring joke in conventions and in Garrett Wang's podcast, The Delta Flyers, which he co-hosts with Robert Duncan McNeill, the actor who played Lt. Tom Paris. In 2021, Wang launched his own website, Forever Ensign, where he sold merchandise and stayed connected with fans. With the uncertain future of Star Trek: Prodigy, the nickname Forever Ensign may prove to be strangely prophetic.
What Rank Will Harry Kim Have In Star Trek: Prodigy?
Captain Harry Kim's appearance in Star Trek: Picard was derailed due to his involvement with Star Trek: Prodigy. Taking place 17 years prior to Picard season 3, Prodigy follows the adventures of Dal R'El and the USS Protostar crew, making it improbable for Harry to inherit the Captain's role. Although it is hoped that he has advanced in rank since the USS Voyager's return, Harry's past suggests that he may not have progressed swiftly through the ranks.
Star Trek: Prodigy picks up six years after the USS Voyager's homecoming, implying that Harry has likely received at least one promotion during that time. It is highly possible that he was promoted to Lieutenant junior grade for his contributions on Voyager. Ideally, Harry's career progressed at a faster pace upon rejoining Starfleet, potentially reaching the rank of Lt. Commander by the second season of Prodigy. However, given his seven-year stint as an Ensign on Star Trek: Voyager, it remains plausible that he remains a Lieutenant junior grade at the end of the six-year period preceding Prodigy.
