Unveiling Voyager's EMH Doctor's Destiny in Star Trek: Legacy

Star Trek: Legacy has the potential to finally give Star Trek: Voyager fans an update on the fate of the Doctor (Robert Picardo), the Emergency Medical Hologram of the USS Voyager. The Doctor's storyline in Star Trek: Voyager was one of the standout aspects of the show as it explored the ethical implications of Starfleet's use of holograms. Initially a utility, the Emergency Medical Hologram eventually became a fully integrated member of the crew. However, by the end of Star Trek: Voyager, it seemed that his journey towards being recognized as a sentient being in the larger Star Trek universe was still ongoing.

Out of all the characters from Star Trek: Voyager, the Doctor has yet to reappear in modern Trek. With Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) now serving as the Captain of the USS Enterprise-G, Star Trek: Legacy offers the perfect opportunity for the Doctor to make his comeback. Given their close friendship during Voyager, the Doctor would seamlessly fit into the new Enterprise crew, either as a guest star or in a more significant role. This would also provide viewers with an update on whether the Doctor was successful in his quest for recognition as an individual.

Voyager Never Resolved The Doctor's Star Trek Story

The copyright dispute in "Author, Author" led to a court battle centered around establishing the individuality of the Doctor's holonovel. While it was expected to be a victorious conclusion to the Doctor's storyline on Voyager, it unfortunately did not turn out that way. Despite the evidence supporting the Doctor's individuality and agency, the Arbitrator, Joseph Campanella, was unable to determine whether the Doctor was simply a highly sophisticated program or a distinct individual. The Arbitrator did acknowledge that a discussion about the rights of holograms would take place in the future, but it remained unresolved at that moment. This inconclusive ending left the Doctor's Star Trek: Voyager story with a sense of disappointment. However, it did present a hopeful outlook for the Doctor and other EMH counterparts who were sent to work in various Federation mining colonies. One of the EMH miners later recommended the Doctor's holonovel, which shed light on the mistreatment faced by holograms, describing it as "quite provocative." Unfortunately, this potential storyline was never explored further, making Star Trek: Legacy an ideal opportunity to delve into the role of holograms in the 25th century.

Star Trek: Picard Already Teased A Dark Future For Voyager's Doctor

The impact of the Attack on Mars and the subsequent ban on synthetic lifeforms by the Federation raised questions about the rights of holograms. While it remains unclear how holograms were affected, Captain Cristobal Rios had holographic aspects aboard the La Sirena that resembled earlier versions of USS Voyager's EMH. The ban on synthetics, however, posed a potential risk to the Doctor, who had been deemed a sophisticated program by a Federation Arbitrator. With his provocative holonovel and advocacy for hologram rights, Starfleet might have feared another uprising and considered deactivating the Doctor. Given Admiral Kathryn Janeway's willingness to risk her career for Seven of Nine, it is likely that she would have done the same for the Doctor. Ideally, the Doctor would have already been granted individual status prior to the Attack on Mars, protecting him from forced deactivation.

Star Trek: Legacy Can Give The EMH His Happy Ending

In the proposed series by Terry Matalas, there is a chance to explore the fate of Voyager's EMH and provide closure for the character. Captain Seven of Nine seems to have kept the crew of the USS Titan-A for its refit as the new Federation flagship, except for Ensign Jack Crusher. However, in the finale of Star Trek: Picard season 3, only the bridge was shown, leaving open the possibility that the EMH could take on a role similar to Star Trek: Legacy's Doctor.

During their time on Star Trek: Voyager, Seven and the Doctor shared a close bond as they both struggled to establish themselves as individuals. The Doctor developed romantic feelings for Seven, although they were never reciprocated. It is likely that they remained friends after the USS Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant, suggesting that Seven might seek out her old friend for assistance. With the return of Captain Shaw, portrayed by Todd Stashwick, in Star Trek: Legacy, there is a potential storyline where he is brought back as a hologram, necessitating the guidance of a similarly acerbic holographic companion like Voyager's former EMH.

If commissioned, Star Trek: Legacy, according to Terry Matalas, will delve into the stories of both the TNG era and their next generation. Given that Captain Seven takes the lead, it would be fitting for Legacy to carry on the narrative of the Star Trek: Voyager characters. This continuation could offer closure on the Doctor's fate after the Federation Arbitrator's contentious decision, shedding light on a satisfying and autonomous new chapter in the beloved hologram's life.