Mind-blowing Star Trek Promotion: Uhura's Next Move Sparks Controversy and Sets New Benchmark for Voyager's Eternal Ensign

Ensign Harry Kim from Star Trek: Voyager has continually been overshadowed by his peers when it comes to career advancements. The latest example being Nyota Uhura, who seems poised for promotion. Throughout the show's seven seasons, Harry served as the youngest member of Voyager's senior staff, manning the operations station on the USS Voyager's bridge. Despite being a valued member of the crew, Harry's perpetual status as an Ensign has become somewhat of a running joke within the franchise.

Opportunities to promote Harry arose during Star Trek: Voyager, but he was consistently overlooked even as others received promotions. While fellow senior staff members, such as Tuvok, achieved higher ranks, Harry remained an Ensign until Voyager eventually returned to the Alpha Quadrant. Unfortunately for Harry, he has not been included in any other projects within the franchise. Adding insult to injury, Ensigns in other series have been quickly promoted, including the likes of Uhura from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Uhura Gets Promoted Faster Than Voyager's Harry Kim In Star Trek

Uhura was revealed to have received two significant promotions before her appearance in Star Trek: The Original Series, as depicted in Strange New Worlds. This is a distinction that was never bestowed upon Harry. In season 1 of Strange New Worlds, Uhura is seen advancing from Cadet to Ensign, a noteworthy elevation considering her initial uncertainty about being in Starfleet. Taking into account the Star Trek timeline, SNW is set approximately seven years prior to The Original Series, and since Uhura holds the rank of Lieutenant in TOS, it is evident that she received another promotion during that time.

While Uhura's two promotions in under 10 years are unquestionably deserved acknowledgments, this newfound insight into her early career emphasizes the tragic fact that Harry was never promoted on Star Trek: Voyager. Harry and Uhura bear striking similarities in many aspects. Both are highly competent officers who, despite being the youngest and least experienced among their respective crews, consistently demonstrate their abilities and distinguish themselves on numerous occasions. With each bright and promising young officer rapidly ascending through the ranks of Starfleet, Star Trek continuously underscores the unjust nature of Harry's lack of well-deserved promotion.

When Will Star Trek Finally Show Harry Kim Get Promoted?

Despite Harry's disappointing lack of promotion so far, there is still a glimmer of hope for the forever-Ensign. Attempts have been made to include a promoted Harry in other parts of the franchise following the conclusion of Star Trek: Voyager. Showrunner Terry Matalas had expressed interest in featuring Captain Harry Kim in the finale of Star Trek: Picard, but unfortunately, budgetary constraints prevented this from happening. However, Garrett Wang himself may have provided the most exciting update on Harry's potential triumphant return.

During the Galactic D&I Convention in Philadelphia, Garrett Wang explained that one reason Harry wasn't included in Picard is because he "belongs" in Star Trek: Prodigy, the animated series designed for younger viewers. Prodigy has already reintroduced two characters from Star Trek: Voyager, Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Captain Chakotay (Robert Beltran). Wang's remarks sparked speculation that Prodigy could eventually become a complete Voyager reunion in future seasons. However, with the recent news of Prodigy's cancellation, this hope is now uncertain. Nevertheless, if the series finds a new home, it is hoped that Harry Kim will be included in its second season, and perhaps in a more significant role than just an Ensign.