Unveiling Captain Janeway's Uncharted Territories in Star Trek: Voyager

Summary

Janeway held a paramount role in Star Trek as the pioneering female Captain of the USS Voyager. Her unwavering dedication to the mission of safely returning her crew home was marked by unwavering loyalty and an unwavering sense of protectiveness.

Chakotay, as Janeway's First Officer, frequently assumed the role of Acting Captain when Janeway was incapable of performing her responsibilities. He assumed command on multiple occasions, including during a situation where he was brainwashed and led a rebellion.

Similarly, other characters like Tuvok, Maje Culluh, Seven of Nine, and the Doctor, were also given the chance to captain Voyager in various circumstances, highlighting their skills and determination in difficult situations.

Captain Kathryn Janeway, portrayed by Kate Mulgrew, was the central figure in Star Trek: Voyager, a pioneering Star Trek series. Considered one of the franchise's most influential characters, Janeway shattered barriers as the first female Captain to helm a Star Trek show. She faced a challenging mission to navigate her crew back home after their unexpected entrapment in the Delta Quadrant. Nonetheless, Janeway rose to the occasion, showcasing her exceptional leadership qualities characterized by unwavering loyalty and fierce protection of her crew.

Occasionally, Janeway found herself unable to command the USS Voyager, either due to external circumstances or having the ship forcibly taken from her. Such situations were not unique to Janeway, as they affected nearly all Star Trek Captains. However, the decision to appoint an Acting Captain was never an easy one, and it always marked a dramatic moment within the episodes. Typically, Janeway's absence was a result of her incapacitation, although there were instances where she willingly entrusted others with the responsibility of leading the ship.

6 Chakotay In Multiple Episodes

5 Tuvok In Resolutions

Chakotay (Robert Beltran) frequently assumed the role of Acting Captain on multiple occasions throughout Voyager, which is unsurprising considering his position as Janeway's First Officer. Being the ship's second-in-command logically made him the most suitable candidate to take command when Janeway was unable to fulfill her duties. Throughout all seven seasons, Chakotay took charge of the ship in a minimum of 11 episodes. These instances typically occurred during brief periods when Janeway was injured or engaged in a mission away from the ship. However, some of his commands are particularly memorable, such as when a manipulated Chakotay initiated a Maquis rebellion in season 7, episode 4, titled "Repression."

Despite being next in command after Chakotay, Tuvok (Tim Russ) rarely had the opportunity to captain Voyager. However, in season 2, episode 25, "Resolutions," both Janeway and Chakotay were left stranded on a planet due to a deadly disease. This led to Tuvok assuming permanent command of the ship, a role he thought he would hold indefinitely. Thankfully, a cure for the disease was discovered, enabling Janeway and Chakotay's return to Voyager. Tuvok commanded the ship for at least a month before he rescued Janeway and Chakotay from their isolation.

4 Maje Culluh In Basics Parts I & II

Maje Culluh (Anthony De Longis) was among a handful of extraterrestrials who successfully seized control of Voyager from Captain Janeway. He received assistance from Seska (Martha Hackett), a former member of the Voyager crew who had previously betrayed the ship to the Kazon and then joined their ranks a season earlier. In the season 2 finale and season 3, episode 1, "Basics Parts I and II," Culluh commandeered the ship and stranded Janeway and the crew on an unfamiliar planet. Fortunately, with the aid of the Doctor (Robert Picardo) and Lon Suder (Brad Dourif), the crew of Voyager managed to reclaim the vessel from the Kazon, ultimately defeating Culluh and Seska once and for all.

3 Karr In The Killing Game Parts I & II

Voyager's possession was not limited to just Janeway. Karr, the powerful Hirogen Alpha, seized control of the ship in episodes 18 and 19 of season 4, entitled "The Killing Game Parts I and II." Exploiting Voyager's holodeck, the Hirogen embarked on a sadistic journey of hunting and eliminating the crew, whose memories had been wiped, in a series of simulated scenarios. The remaining crew members, including the resourceful Doctor and dedicated Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), stood up against Karr and his dominion over Voyager, resorting to sabotage as their means of freeing their comrades. Although their efforts ultimately triumphed, Karr held sway over the ship for a significant period until it was rightfully returned to its rightful Captain.

2 Seven Of Nine In One

1 The Doctor In Multiple Episodes

Jeri Ryan, known as Seven of Nine, assumed command of the starship Voyager on a notable occasion. In season 4, episode 25 titled "One," the entire crew, including Captain Janeway, had to enter stasis for over a month while they navigated a hazardous radiation-filled nebula. During this time, Seven and the Doctor technically shared command. However, when the nebula's radiation disrupted the Doctor's program, Seven was compelled to take full control and safely guide the crew through the remainder of their journey. Additionally, in the season 5 episode "Bliss," Seven once again operated the ship temporarily as the crew was incapacitated by a telepathic lifeform.

Despite being an unlikely candidate to assume control of Voyager, the Doctor became an integral part of the ship's command structure. By creating the Emergency Command Hologram program, the Doctor gained the ability to act as Captain in situations where the entire crew was absent or incapacitated. This program proved invaluable during episodes 16 and 17 of Star Trek: Voyager's seventh season, titled "Workforce Parts 1 and 2." In these episodes, the crew was kidnapped and subjected to brainwashing, believing themselves to be workers on an extraterrestrial planet. Taking charge of the ship, the Doctor navigated the situation until Chakotay returned and organized a rescue mission for the crew.