Unlocking the Timeless Magic of Rewatching Star Trek: Voyager After 28 Years

Despite being a beloved addition to the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Voyager does not entirely stand the test of time after 28 years. As the fourth series in the franchise, it was part of the 1990s-era lineup alongside Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The show revolves around Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and the crew of the USS Voyager, who find themselves stranded 70,000 lightyears away from Earth in the Delta Quadrant, a region of space unknown to Starfleet.

While Star Trek: Voyager is acclaimed for several reasons, it also has its flaws. Notably, it was the first Star Trek series to feature a female lead as the Captain, making it a remarkable milestone for the franchise. Additionally, the show boasted an unmatched level of diversity within its main cast, featuring a significant number of women and people of color. Furthermore, it introduced fan-favorite characters like Janeway and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), who would go on to leave a lasting impact on the franchise. However, despite these achievements, there are certain aspects of Star Trek: Voyager that become challenging to appreciate nearly three decades after its premiere.

10 Chakotay’s Native American Depiction Is Problematic

9 The Kes and Neelix Relationship Doesn't Work

Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran), the First Officer of Star Trek: Voyager, made history as the first Native American main character in the Star Trek franchise. Unfortunately, the portrayal of Chakotay's Native heritage fell short in several ways. It is worth noting that Beltran himself does not have Native ancestry, which presents a problematic aspect. However, the most concerning issue revolves around the involvement of Jamake Highwater as a consultant for Chakotay's character. Highwater was later exposed for fabricating his Native heritage and has since been discredited as an authority on Indigenous cultures. As a result, many of the cultural practices attributed to Chakotay on the show were inaccurate and often perpetuated offensive stereotypes.

The initial seasons of Star Trek: Voyager featured Neelix (Ethan Phillips) and Kes (Jennifer Lien) engaged in a romantic relationship. However, upon closer examination in today's context, the dynamic between the two characters does not withstand scrutiny. Kes, an Ocampan, belongs to a species with a lifespan of only nine years. Consequently, she was often portrayed as more childlike and innocent in contrast to the older Neelix, who occasionally assumed a paternal role rather than that of a romantic partner. This created an uncomfortable relationship dynamic, and the show struggled to generate interest in storylines involving Neelix and Kes. Although their relationship was relatively short-lived, it remains one of the less desirable aspects of Voyager's early seasons.

8 Voyager Didn’t Know What To Do With Kes

7 Tom Paris Is Not Initially Likable

Kes's character in Star Trek: Voyager was mishandled, particularly in her relationship with Neelix. The show struggled to effectively integrate Kes, resulting in short-lived subplots. Despite the growth and complexity of other main characters, Kes remained relatively one-dimensional throughout her time on Voyager. This lack of creativity ultimately led to her departure from the show in season 4. Although Jennifer Lien's acting received praise, Kes failed to captivate audiences and remained a divisive aspect of the series, especially in its first three seasons.

At the start of Star Trek: Voyager, Lt. Tom Paris (played by Robert Duncan McNeill) wasn't the easiest character to warm up to. Initially, he came across as unpleasant, self-centered, and persistent in pursuing women who showed no interest in him. Regrettably, the show's first few seasons portrayed Tom as an arrogant womanizer, but eventually, it became evident that his character had greater potential. Fortunately, Tom evolved into a devoted husband and father who developed a newfound respect for women. Looking back, his early episodes might not be particularly likable from a modern perspective.

6 Voyager Episode "Threshold" Is Hilariously Terrible

5 "Tuvix" & Janeway's Decision

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Not surprisingly, "Threshold," season 2 episode 15 of Star Trek: Voyager, is notorious for being one of the franchise's worst episodes. In this installment, Tom Paris tries to surpass the warp 10 speed barrier but ends up transforming into a salamander-like creature. He then abducts Captain Janeway in an attempt to transform her as well, leading to a bizarre mating encounter and the birth of offspring. While Robert Duncan McNeill's acting showcases moments of brilliance, the overall premise and execution of "Threshold" leave much to be desired, particularly due to the omission of any subsequent references to Tom and Janeway's encounter. Critically panned, this divisive episode still sparks debate among modern-day viewers.

Season 2, episode 24 of Star Trek: Voyager, titled "Tuvix," continues to divide the show's audience. In this episode, a transporter malfunction merges Neelix and Tuvok into a single entity known as Tuvix. Despite identifying himself as Tuvix, the amalgamation, Captain Janeway is faced with a moral dilemma. Ultimately, she makes the difficult decision to force Tuvix to separate back into Neelix and Tuvok, leading to his demise. The ruthless nature of Janeway's choice, combined with the lack of support from the other main characters, creates moral implications that make "Tuvix" a challenging episode to watch.

4 The Sexualization of Seven Of Nine

3 Seven And Chakotay’s Relationship Was A Bad Idea

Seven of Nine, a character from Star Trek: Voyager, has become an icon in the series. However, her excessive sexualization is now challenging to overlook. Seven was introduced to increase Voyager's appeal by showcasing her in tight-fitting suits that emphasized her body, regardless of the storyline. This portrayal of Seven mirrors the objectification of women during the 1990s. Fortunately, Seven's character is multi-dimensional, and Jeri Ryan's exceptional performance throughout Voyager and the franchise as a whole serves to emphasize that her sexual appeal should never have been the primary focus.

The portrayal of Seven of Nine and Chakotay's relationship in Star Trek: Voyager's seventh season raised several concerns. From a character perspective, the development of their relationship felt hasty and perplexing. Despite having been depicted solely as colleagues throughout the series, the show's finale treated Seven and Chakotay as soulmates. However, the chemistry between them was lacking, and the power dynamics were once again questionable, given Seven's ongoing journey to understand her humanity following her rescue from the Borg. Thankfully, the romance had concluded by the time Seven appeared in Star Trek: Picard, but it remains a glaringly misguided aspect of Voyager's series finale.

2 Harry Kim’s Eternal Ensign Status Is Truly Ridiculous

Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) was the youngest bridge officer on Star Trek: Voyager. However, despite consistently demonstrating his brilliance and invaluable contributions to the crew, Harry remained stuck at the rank of Ensign throughout the show's run. This lack of promotion has become increasingly absurd over time, leaving fans feeling sympathetic towards Harry. His character is undeniably likable, making his eternal Ensign status a recurring joke among audiences. While recent attempts have been made to rectify this situation, the franchise has yet to grant Harry the well-deserved promotion he is worthy of.

1 Voyager's Series Finale Left Too Many Unanswered Questions

While the final shot of the USS Voyager soaring towards Earth in the series finale of Star Trek: Voyager was undeniably satisfying, the show's conclusion left audiences with a plethora of unanswered queries. By solely focusing on the crew's journey back home, the finale deprived viewers of a more comprehensive resolution that could have delved into the aftermath of their odyssey. This omission has left fans pondering the fate of their beloved characters for years. Despite some recent franchise additions such as Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Prodigy offering partial explanations, the finale of Star Trek: Voyager will always leave a lingering sense of longing.