Jennifer Lien's Sudden Departure from Star Trek Voyager - Untold Secrets Unveiled

Jennifer Lien's departure from Star Trek: Voyager marked the end of her portrayal of Kes, a character that had captivated fans for three seasons. The show, which debuted in 1995, attracted a new generation of viewers after the conclusion of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The premise of Star Trek: Voyager was unique, as Captain Janeway's starship USS Voyager found itself stranded in the uncharted Delta Quadrant, embarking on a lengthy journey back home. Lien's character, Kes, was a regular on the show and belonged to the Ocampa species, possessing telepathic abilities. Initially involved in a romantic relationship with Neelix, Kes eventually ended their entanglement in the third season of Star Trek: Voyager.

Kes shared similarities with Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation, as both characters were young and exceptionally talented members of their respective crews. However, while Wesley faced considerable criticism from fans, Kes's popularity did not reach the same level. Jennifer Lien's departure from the show occurred in the fourth season episode titled "The Gift," where Kes' psychic powers became uncontrollable following an encounter with Species 8472. Fearing for the safety of her fellow crewmates, the Ocampa made the decision to leave Voyager, transforming into pure energy and leaving her fate uncertain.

Why Jennifer Lien's Kes Left Star Trek: Voyager

Both viewers and fellow cast members praised Jennifer Lien's acting talent, though they had reservations about the development of Kes as a character. Kes' departure from Star Trek: Voyager was not without controversy, as there were several contributing factors. Showrunners Rick Berman and Jeri Taylor admitted in interviews that the romantic angle between Neelix and Kes was not well received, and despite Lien's efforts, the writers had reached a creative dead end with Kes and her unique biology. Kes, being an Ocampa, had a tragically short lifespan of only nine years, which limited the potential for her character's storyline. Additionally, authors Ben Robinson and Mark Wright suggested in their book, Star Trek Voyager: A Celebration, that Jennifer Lien's mental health issues began to impact her performance as Kes, providing another reason for her departure.

The writers and producers have expressed regret and apologized for Kes' departure from Star Trek: Voyager over the years. As a result, it comes as no surprise that the character was invited back for season 6's "Fury." In this episode, a time-twisting tale unfolds where an older Kes attacks Voyager for abandoning her and then travels back in time to prevent her younger self from joining the crew. However, when the older Kes is killed in the past, the timeline changes, allowing Captain Janeway, Lt. Tuvok, and Neelix to peacefully send Kes back home to be with her own kind. While "Fury" may not fully rectify the mishandling of Kes' character, it does offer a measure of redemption for both Kes and Jennifer Lien as an actress.

Voyager Replaced Kes With Seven Of Nine

The decision to introduce Seven of Nine in Season 3 of Star Trek: Voyager brought a fresh dynamic to the show. With concerns over Jennifer Lien's role and limited budgets, Kes was replaced by the intriguing character of Seven of Nine, portrayed by Jeri Ryan. This change also led to speculation about Garrett Wang's character, Harry Kim, potentially facing the chopping block. Interestingly, Wang's popularity as one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People In The World" in 1997 spared him from being let go instead of Lien.

Removing Kes from Star Trek: Voyager had its pros and cons. While the character had untapped potential, the producers made a justified decision considering Kes's lackluster performance compared to the captivating addition of Seven of Nine. Seven of Nine, a former Borg, left a lasting impact not only on Voyager but also on the entire Star Trek franchise. Her journey even continued in Star Trek: Picard Season 3, where she became the Captain of the newly renamed USS Enterprise-G. In an ideal situation, the show could have retained both Kes and Seven of Nine, but the large cast might have hindered the development of both characters' storylines.

Could Kes Return In Star Trek: Prodigy?

Jennifer Lien, who played Kes in Star Trek: Voyager, has not made a return in Star Trek: Prodigy. After leaving Voyager, Lien quit acting and faced ongoing struggles with mental illness. She had a few acting roles, such as Davina in American History X and Agent L in Men in Black: The Animated Series, but has since moved on from the industry. Lien rarely makes appearances at conventions. However, considering her experience voicing animated characters in Men in Black, there is a possibility she could lend her voice to Kes in Star Trek: Prodigy. Regardless, Jennifer Lien will always hold a special place in the hearts of Star Trek fans as the beloved Kes from Voyager.