Discovering Hidden Gems: 10 Surprising Star Trek: Voyager Positives Revealed on Rewatch

Summary

Star Trek: Voyager established its own identity with the inclusion of the Maquis and a female protagonist, Captain Janeway.

The show's portrayal of the Delta Quadrant and its distinct extraterrestrial species, such as the Vidiians, presents innovative plotlines and broadens the Star Trek universe. Janeway's ethical quandaries, the development of the Doctor as a holographic character, and the profound camaraderie among the crew of Voyager set the show apart within the franchise.

Rewatching Star Trek: Voyager unveils numerous positive aspects that dispel its unfair reputation as the overshadowed sibling of its esteemed Star Trek predecessors. Debuting in 1995, Voyager served as the second spinoff series from the immensely successful Star Trek: The Next Generation. While it shared the Federation starship setting with TNG, creators Jeri Taylor, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller deliberately made several choices to differentiate the show from its highly regarded predecessor.

The incorporation of Star Trek's Maquis into the Voyager crew and the pioneering inclusion of Captain Janeway as the first female protagonist solidified Star Trek: Voyager as its own distinct entity. Nonetheless, Voyager faced the challenge of often feeling regressive when compared to the groundbreaking endeavors of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in pushing the boundaries of what the franchise could achieve. With decades having elapsed since both shows concluded, it is now easier to appreciate Voyager based on its own merits, independent from the likes of TNG and DS9. By doing so, a multitude of positive aspects can be unearthed throughout Star Trek: Voyager's seven-season journey.

10 Voyager Returned To Gene Roddenberry's Original Star Trek Mission

Stranding the USS Voyager in the uncharted Delta Quadrant allowed Jeri Taylor, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller, the creators, to revisit Gene Roddenberry's original Enterprise mission. By embarking on a quest to seek out new life and civilizations, Star Trek: Voyager aimed to replicate the exploration scale of Star Trek: The Original Series, which concluded in 1969. Similar to Captain James T. Kirk and his crew during TOS, Janeway and her crew became equally isolated on the frontiers as they were separated from Starfleet and the Federation.

By the time Voyager premiered in 1995, almost 30 years had passed since the establishment of the recognizable and predictable Star Trek universe. However, the show reintroduced the franchise with a fresh injection of new and unfamiliar worlds. This approach may have seemed regressive compared to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's complex and morally intricate Dominion War storyline; nevertheless, it served as a means to keep the franchise dynamic. While DS9 promised access to the Gamma Quadrant, its narratives were primarily rooted in the Alpha Quadrant. In contrast, Voyager's inclusion of the Delta Quadrant unintentionally created a fertile new space for future Star Trek shows to explore.

9 The Vidiians Are A Great Star Trek Alien Villain

8 Janeway And Tuvok Are Star Trek's New Kirk And Spock

While many viewers had anticipated the Borg to serve as Voyager's primary adversaries, the remarkable effort put into creating entirely new and captivating alien races should not be overlooked. Although the Kazon aliens introduced in Star Trek: Voyager did not achieve the same level of enduring popularity as the Klingons, Romulans, or Borg, their ambition is worth acknowledging. Upon reflection, it becomes clear that other Voyager aliens, such as the Vidiians and Hirogen, were based on strong concepts that merit further exploration. Unlike the Kazon who were reminiscent of Klingons, the Vidiians, afflicted by a devastating plague known as the Phage, inspired terror with their relentless pursuit of a cure through the transplantation of organs from other species. In fact, they posed the most formidable extraterrestrial threat since the Borg.

Upon rewatching Star Trek: Voyager, it becomes evident that Janeway and Tuvok share striking similarities to the iconic duo of Kirk and Spock. Despite Tuvok's logical Vulcan nature and internalized emotions, he, like Spock, remains fiercely loyal to his captain. In the episode "Resolutions," Tuvok showcased this loyalty by defying orders to search for a cure for Janeway and Chakotay's terminal illness. Similarly, in the preceding episode "Tuvix," Janeway disregarded the ethical principles upheld by Starfleet and the Federation in order to terminate the hybridized life form resulting from a transporter accident involving Tuvok and Neelix. These instances exemplify how Janeway and Tuvok, much like Kirk and Spock before them, are willing to manipulate or even disregard regulations to ensure each other's survival.

7 Voyager Revolutionized Star Trek's Holograms

6 Tom Paris And B'Elanna Torres Are A Great Star Trek Love Story

Despite initial setbacks with Kes (Jennifer Lien) and Chakotay, the true love story of Star Trek: Voyager unfolded between Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) and Lt. B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson). Their contentious professional partnership and constant squabbles mirrored the charming chaos of a classic romantic comedy. Eventually, their journey led to marriage and the birth of their child. Upon revisiting Star Trek: Voyager, it becomes evident that the USS Voyager would have to adapt to life as a generation ship, as they traversed the vast expanse of the Delta Quadrant. The nurturing and guidance provided by Tom and B'Elanna's parenting would establish a solid foundation for the forthcoming generation of Voyager's intrepid crew.

5 Seven Of Nine Did What Star Trek: TNG Could Never Do

4 Voyager Always Found Creative Ways To Connect To Wider Star Trek Canon

In contrast to the acceptance shown towards Captain Jean-Luc Picard after his assimilation into the Borg Collective, Commander Benjamin Sisko consistently displayed hostility. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager. Despite Janeway's decision to rehabilitate Seven aboard Voyager, she faced ongoing suspicion from several main characters. Chakotay, in particular, perceived her as a security risk, fueled by Seven's tendency to disregard Janeway's orders. Unlike Star Trek: The Next Generation, where Jean-Luc always remained the hero, Voyager delves into the complexities of assimilation aftermath with great attention.

Despite being stranded in the Delta Quadrant, Star Trek: Voyager consistently found clever ways to establish connections with the Alpha Quadrant, even if they occasionally pushed the boundaries of plausibility. The inclusion of the Pathfinder subplot in Voyager's final two seasons resulted in multiple appearances by Lieutenant Reginald Barclay (Dwight Schultz) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). This storyline ultimately led to significant advancements in Starfleet's communication systems, setting the stage for future exploration of the Delta Quadrant. Additionally, Voyager presented one of the most exceptional episodes featuring Q in season 2, titled "Death Wish," which laid the foundation for the dying Q storyline in Star Trek: Picard season 2.

3 Janeway Was Challenged More Than Picard Or Sisko

Captain Janeway faced incredibly difficult decisions throughout her journey in the Delta Quadrant, far surpassing Sisko's challenges during the Dominion War. In the episode "Scorpion," she forms an alliance with the Borg Collective to defeat the formidable Species 8472. This choice had profound consequences in the Delta Quadrant, empowering the Collective to assimilate large portions of the region. To alleviate her guilt, Janeway willingly allows herself to be assimilated by the Borg Collective in order to implant a virus that weakens them significantly.

But it wasn't only Janeway's encounters with the Borg that presented her with moral dilemmas. She also had to confront crimes committed on Voyager and address the relatively minor repercussions of her decision to include the Maquis in her crew. Janeway was consistently guided by her loyalty to her crew and her unwavering adherence to Star Trek's Prime Directive. In the uncharted territory of the Delta Quadrant, it is intriguing to witness Janeway and her crew constantly challenged by the clash of their Starfleet values with the convictions of their Maquis comrades and those beyond Federation space.

2 Voyager Pushed Star Trek's Borg In New And Interesting Directions

The Borg stories in Star Trek: Voyager were often hindered by high expectations from the audience. Rewatching the show reveals how it expanded on the Borg mythology introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Seven of Nine can be seen as similar to Hugh Borg, had Picard allowed him to stay on the Enterprise. Additionally, the former Borg drones who strive to use their collective mind to heal societal divisions foreshadow Jack Crusher's storyline in Star Trek: Picard.

The introduction of Unimatrix Zero, a virtual reality construct where Borg drones dream, in Star Trek: Voyager was a mistake. However, the way the season ended with Janeway, Tuvok, and Torres being assimilated in the cliffhanger episode "Unimatrix Zero" was boldly audacious. Seven's role as a mentor to the young Borg children and their individual backstories was also intriguing. Notably, the episode "Child's Play" revealed that Icheb was genetically engineered by his own parents to implant a virus into the Borg Collective. This chilling insight shows how some societies would go to extreme lengths to protect themselves from the Borg in the absence of Federation support.

1 The Star Trek: Voyager Crew Is A Loving Family Unit

Star Trek: Voyager's crew received a less than favorable reputation once the series concluded. Ensign Harry Kim and his lack of advancement became an ongoing joke, with actor Garrett Wang eventually accepting his role as the eternal ensign. Likewise, Chakotay was both an uninteresting character and a problematic representation of a Native American. Neelix, on the other hand, was a constant source of annoyance. Returning to Voyager brings these shortcomings to light in terms of character development, but it also highlights the crew's strong bond as a family.

Captain Janeway acts as the nurturing matriarch, supporting Harry Kim's career ambitions and seeing the potential in the unpredictable Tom Paris. Despite Neelix's irritating nature, he possesses a unique talent for bringing the crew together at meal times. The Doctor assumes the role of the insecure and aloof uncle, using bravado and arrogance to hide his deep desire for acceptance and affection from the rest of the family. The Voyager crew was brought together under unique circumstances, setting them apart from other Star Trek shows, yet they all share a deep love for one another. The overarching theme of Star Trek: Voyager emphasizes the importance of unity and embracing differences for progress, staying true to the essence of Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry's vision.