The Controversial Romance of Seven and Chakotay in Star Trek: Voyager
Exploring the issues and mishandling of the romantic relationship between Seven of Nine and Commander Chakotay in Star Trek: Voyager, as explained by the actors themselves.
The Hasty Pairing of Seven and Chakotay
The controversial romantic relationship between Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) and Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) has been a topic of discussion among Star Trek: Voyager fans. Their romantic pairing in Voyager season 7 felt abrupt and hasty, reminiscent of the pairing of Lt. Worf and Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Seven and Chakotay - Star Trek: Voyager
The mishandling of their romantic relationship failed to win over many Voyager fans, both at the time and since the final season aired. The abrupt means of Seven and Chakotay's pairing raised questions and left a lasting impact on the perception of their romance.
Actors' Reflections on the Romantic Relationship
Both Jeri Ryan and Robert Beltran have reflected on the issues with the romantic relationship between their respective Star Trek: Voyager characters. In the book 'The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years' by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, they shared their thoughts on the problems with their characters' romantic pairing.
Robert Beltran expressed his dissatisfaction with the abrupt pairing of Chakotay and Seven, highlighting that it felt like a forced decision due to the long flirtation with a Chakotay/Janeway possibility. Jeri Ryan also emphasized the lack of continuity in the portrayal of the romance, pointing out the inconsistency in the development of their relationship.
Their insights shed light on the challenges faced in portraying a meaningful and impactful romance between Seven and Chakotay, raising questions about the narrative choices made by the show's creators.
Why Seven and Chakotay's Romance Never Worked
Jeri Ryan and Robert Beltran's reflections on the issues with the romantic relationship between Seven and Chakotay provide valuable insights into the reasons behind its failure. As highlighted in 'The Fifty-Year Mission,' the mishandling of their romance stemmed from the lack of continuity and development in the storyline.
The establishment of Seven's attraction to Chakotay in the Voyager episode 'Human Error' set the stage for a potential romance, only to be abandoned due to the overwhelming emotional impact on Seven's Borg circuits. The sudden resurrection of their romance in the finale felt contrived and failed to have a significant impact on the overall narrative of Star Trek: Voyager.
Had the writers invested time in developing the romance between Seven and Chakotay in the episodes leading up to the finale, it could have added depth and emotional resonance to the characters' arcs. Instead, the rushed handling of their relationship left it largely forgotten, overshadowed by other storylines in subsequent Star Trek installments.
