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It very, very rarely happened during the Rick Berman era of Star Trek, which encompassed The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, as well as the four Next Generation features, that an episode title was provided to the media and then changed. Many episodes changed titles from draft to draft, of course, or even had working titles on the cover of the shooting script, but the publicity department normally sent journalists air schedules and episode synopses that included a final title.

Such was not the case in the fall of 1996 when the season 3 Voyager episode fans know as “Warlord” was titled “The Art of War.” After sending information about “The Art of War,” Upn informed the media that the new title was “Warlord.”

It’s an obscure bit of Star Trek trivia, but fans love such things. In the episode, a powerful Ilari Autarch named Tieran (Leigh J. McCloskey) transfers his mind,...

In the two-part "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Scorpion", Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) found that she had to pilot the U.S.S. Voyager through a portion of space that was overrun by the Borg. The Borg, however, are too busy to stop and deal with the Voyager, as they are dealing with a destructive new foe known only as Species 8472. It seems that the Borg tried to puncture the membrane between dimensions and invade a parallel universe that is filled entirely with liquid. The 8472 aliens from the liquid dimension, however, were far too aggressive and powerful for the Borg to take on, and found themselves being handily destroyed.

Janeway, sensing an opportunity, struck a bargain with the Borg, asking for safe passage through their space in exchange for aid with Species 8472. As a liaison between the Voyager and the Borg, a single drone, known only as Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan...

Star Trek: Voyager had a cast that worked well together from the beginning. There didn't seem to be a hint of an issue between them all, and for three seasons, they created some incredible episodes. Of course, some weren't as good as others, but that's the way it goes in show business. The actors really played well off one another, and it seemed to be smooth sailing. However, at the end of season three that changed.

Jennifer Lien's contract was not renewed for the fourth season, and Jeri Ryan stepped in to portray ex-Borg drone, Seven of Nine. Lien played Kes for two more episodes on season four before returning in season six to supposedly finish out her character. In all honesty, though, that episode, "Fury," did more disservice to her character, and Lien agreed, telling Startrek.com in 2010 that "there were a lot of poor acting choices on my part,...

We've already touched on how Kathryn Janeway, and by proxy her actress Kate Mulgrew, appeared in over 200 episodes across Star Trek. For 30 years, and across two series, Mulgrew has built up a huge resume in Star Trek alone. She surpasses all of her Voyager and Prodigy castmates in appearances, and only bows out to three people; Colm Meaney, Michael Dorn, and Majel Barrett.

When we look at her fellow Voyager castmates, she nearly doubles some of her colleagues, like Jeri Ryan. The actress, who played Seven of Nine across two series (Voyager and Picard), has appeared in 125 episodes. 100 of them just with Voyager. While that's an impressive number, more than anyone on Star Trek: Enterprise ever got, it's actually not that impressive against her Voyager colleagues.

Every core cast member of Voyager, save for Ryan and Jennifer Lien (Kes), has been credited for 168 episodes. Ryan was credited with 100 (101 via IMDb...

Jennifer Lien's star was on the rise before she was cut from Star Trek: Voyager at the beginning of the series' fourth season. Not only had she been a soap opera actress, appearing as Hannah Moore in Another World, but she voiced Elle on the Men in Black series. While she had some good scenes in Voyager, nothing could really be classified as a stand out unless you count her time in "Warlord." It wasn't until she was cast as Davina in American History X that her true talent came out.

Gone was the meek and quiet Kes from Voyager. In her place was the wife of a paroled neo-Nazi, Derek, a woman who, despite the abuse she suffered, stood up to him and tried to give back as good as she got. In fact, there wasn't even the slighest hint of Kes in Lien's portrayal as Davina.

Avery Brooks,...

It's been thirty years since Star Trek: Voyager debuted on Upn. A unique version of Star Trek, this bridge was led by a female captain whose authority was unquestionable. Captain Kathryn Janeway [Kate Mulgrew] owned that bridge, and the crew that helped Voyager make its way across the Delta Quadrant were some of the best on a Star Trek show.

Unfortunately, Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation didn't give the female officers much to do. Voyager corrected that, makihng, the women integral to the ship's journey, more so when Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine came aboard. They worked in tandem with the rest of the crew, never backing down from a challenge or a fight.

Though Star Trek: Deep Space Nine put Major Kira [Nana Visitor] in a position of authority, she was still under Commander/Captain Sisko's [Avery Brooks] command. With Voyager,...

The character of Kes (Jennifer Lien) on "Star Trek: Voyager" was controversial from the start. She belonged to a species called the Ocampa, which only had a lifespan of nine years. Kes was merely two years old in the "Voyager" pilot (Lien was 19) and was dating the character Neelix (Ethan Phillips). Many audience members found it icky that an adult man was dating a literal two-year-old.

The concept of a short-lived character, however, was intriguing. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" ended after seven seasons, and there was every reason to believe that the concurrent "Deep Space Nine" would do the same, so "Voyager" was seemingly set up to run a full seven years. Over that time, audiences would have seen Kes grow from a being who looks 20 to one that looks 90. Trekkies would watch Kes mature, grow old, and die in seven years, a whole life in microcosm. And yes,...

Star Trek: Voyager premiered when Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was almost halfway through its third season. A darker version of Star Trek, Deep Space Nine had more convoluted storylines that did require regular watching unlike its predecessor Star Trek: The Next Generation. Voyager was much like The Next Generation in that it returned to episodic viewing, allowing fans to tune in as they would like and not miss too much character formation or big issues.

Voyager struggled a little bit in the ratings as did all the Star Trek series. There was never one that was a massive hit out the door during the Berman era. But Voyager held its own with tight storylines and characters that made viewers tune in weekly. Though not everyone was thrilled with certain characters, that didn't stop them from watching.

Over the years, fans have expressed discontent with Neelix [Ethan Phillips], Kes [nm0000497 autoJennifer...

Jeri Ryan was a huge addition to the cast of Star Trek: Voyager. In fact, she was arguably the biggest late addition to any television cast ever. Maybe only that of Jonathan Frid in the daytime soap Dark Shadows can rival the impact Ryan had for a show well into its run. Her arrival was a boom period for the show, with plenty of hype and goodwill going to a show that needed it.

That said, Ryan's arrival as Seven of Nine wasn't what improved the show. It was the fact that Ryan was coming into a series and replacing one of the major names that the show couldn't seem to do anything with; Kes. Played by Jennifer Lien, Kes was the worst character on the show and maybe the worst character in Star Trek history.

Her look as Kes was awful, featuring a pixie cut that made her feel like a Wish.

One character in Star Trek: Voyager took ten years to get home, instead of seven. After arriving in the Delta Quadrant, Captain Kathryn Janeway's (Kate Mulgrew) crew estimated getting back to the Alpha Quadrant would take 75 years, even at maximum warp. That time was cut down considerably with technologies like the quantum slipstream drive, Borg transwarp conduits, and a telekinetic parting gift from Kes (Jennifer Lien) that shaved 9,500 light years off the trip's original 70,000 light year distance. Ultimately, a future version of Admiral Janeway helped whittle the USS Voyager's journey down to a mere seven years.

The USS Voyager also encountered delays that added time to their trip home. Besides routing around dangerous anomalies and space governed by hostile Delta Quadrant aliens, Captain Janeway also upheld Starfleet's mission to explore and contact strange new worlds. One such delay came in the form of the USS Voyager getting stuck in the...

Jennifer Lien's character, Kes, was written out of Star Trek: Voyager at the beginning of the series' fourth season. It made way for Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine and the accompanying storylines of a rescued Borg drone. At the time, producers said they'd run out of storylines for Kes, and so she turned into a non-corporeal being and left Voyager.

Screenrant's Jen Watson describes an excellent way for the character of Kes to return to the Star Trek timeline, and it sounds entirely feasible. Her story did wrap up quickly, and then Voyager brought the evil Kes back which was an even worse way to say goodbye to the character. So maybe there's something to be said for revisiting Kes.

However, because Kes didn't have strong storylines in Voyager to begin with, would there even be a purpose for bringing her back? Would it be to give her...

Star Trek: Voyager's Kes could make a comeback, even if Jennifer Lien doesn't return to reprise the role. As an Ocampa with a projected lifespan of only nine years, Kes' days were necessarily numbered. Kes was two years old when she and Neelix (Ethan Phillips) joined the USS Voyager crew in 2371, so even if Kes had made it through Voyager's seven-year journey, she'd be near the end of her life for Voyager's 2378 arrival in the Alpha Quadrant. New Star Trek shows post-Voyager take place in the 2380s or later, so Kes shouldn't be alive ... right?

In Star Trek: Voyager season 2, episode 10, "Cold Fire", Kes meets Ocampa colonists who have harnessed their natural telepathic gifts, which allows them to extend their lives to 14 years or longer. After Kes begins training with Lieutenant Tuvok (Tim Russ), Kes' Ocampa powers grow at a surprising rate. Star Trek: Voyager season 3, episode 21, "Before and After...

After becoming a main character on Star Trek: Picard so many years after Star Trek: Voyager ended, Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine was solidified as one of the best characters from the sci-fi franchise, but Ryan has actually given an even better performance as a different Star Trek character. When the Star Trek: Voyager cast disbanded after the show ended in 2001, Ryan wasn't part of the franchise until her 2020 return as Seven in the Star Trek: Picard cast. However, she actually played another Star Trek character 24 years ago, and she did an incredible job.

Ryan made her franchise debut in Star Trek: Voyager season 4, episode 1 "Scorpion Part II." Although she quickly became a replacement for Kes after Jennifer Lien's departure, Seven was initially introduced as one of the show's many villains. She slowly regained certain human traits, but it wasn't until Star Trek: Picard that Seven notably shook...

Quick Links Star Trek: Voyager Season 5 Was a Time of Transition for the Whole Enterprise Why Bringing the USS Voyager Home Early Would've Been a Disaster

Perhaps the biggest complaint about Star Trek: Voyager was that the series ended before audiences ever saw the wayward ship return to Earth. However, at the time, the universe created by Gene Roddenberry was in a unique place. The studio and the producers considered bringing the USS Voyager back to the known Star Trek galaxy in Season 5, two years before the show was supposed to end. This idea highlights how (like the ship itself) the franchise was in uncharted territory heading into 1999.

When the USS Enterprise-d ended its seven-year mission and headed to the movies, Star Trek: Voyager was created to take its place on television. Set on a space station, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a huge departure from the established format.

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In the "Star Trek: Lower Decks" episode "Dos Cerritos," the premiere of the show's fifth and final season, Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) was thrilled to receive the latest issue of Fleet Magazine on his Padd. Boimler is excited because this was the periodical's annual 30-Under-30 issue, meant to highlight the career accomplishments of Starfleet's younger officers. In the show's previous episode, Boimler briefly took command of the U.S.S. Cerritos, a rare privilege for junior-grade lieutenants, and his actions warranted a write-up. Recall that there is no money in Starfleet, leaving prestige as the only currency. Boimler thinks he's going to be rich. 

But as Boimler thumbs through the magazine, he doesn't see himself. It seems that his interview was cut. He is doomed to remain in obscurity despite his heroism, always earmarked to lose. He complains that other,...

The success of Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) as a character in Star Trek: Voyager isn't just because of her sex appeal. Star Trek: Voyager made an important leap forward for women in Star Trek with the franchise's first female captain leading a Star Trek series, Kate Mulgrew's Captain Kathryn Janeway, as well as Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) as the USS Voyager's Chief Engineer. Joined by Kes (Jennifer Lien), the three women in Star Trek: Voyager's cast were female Star Trek characters whose intelligence, creativity, and curiosity mattered more than their physical appearances.

When Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine was brought on to save Star Trek: Voyager's flagging ratings in its fourth season, Seven's sexual appeal and skin-tight costumes seemed to undermine the feminist strides that Star Trek: Voyager had already taken. There's no doubt that Seven of Nine, as a sexy ex-Borg drone turned human,...

Star Trek: Lower Decks is giving fans a long-awaited Trek return of a famous and beloved Star Trek: Voyager character. So far most of the main characters of the franchise have returned. Kathryne Janeway and Chakotay returned on Prodigy, while Seven of Nine and Tuvok popped up on Star Trek: Picard. The Doctor returned on Prodigy and will once again appear in the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, while Tom Paris brought the Voyager vibes to Star Trek: Lower Decks.

The only characters who have not returned yet have been Kes, Neelix, B'Elanna Torres, and Harry Kim. That is until today. News broke that Harry Kim, once again played by Garrett Wang, will return to the world of Star Trek in the upcoming fifth and final season of Lower Decks.

In the closing moments of the last trailer for Lower Decks' final season, Kim can be seen talking to all alternate versions of himself.

The critically acclaimed and hotly debated classic American History X is slated to move to a new streaming home.

1998's American History X is officially making the move to Tubi beginning October 1. The film, which stars Edward Norton and Edward Furlong as brothers Derek and Danny Vinyard, garnered both stars several major award nominations, including Best Actor at the 71st Academy Awards, which was ultimately won by Roberto Benigni for his leading role in his self-written and directed film, Life is Beautiful.

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Written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, American History X follows Norton's Derek as he reels from the death of his father by embracing overt hatred and Nazi ideologies, eventually...

When Star Trek: Voyager began, Kes, the Ocampan played by Jennifer Lien, was already in a relationship with Neelix, the Talaxian played by Ethan Phillips. It was an odd sort of relationship given their age differences and personalities, but it wasn't as weird as when the team behind Voyager decided Robert Duncan McNeill's Lt. Tom Paris would fall in love with Kes, and jealousy between him and Neelix would ensue.

For whatever reason, the writers decided to create a semi-relationship that wasn't there since Paris and Kes had no chemistry. Even Duncan McNeill wasn't happy abou the pairing as he told The Official Star Trek Voyager Magazine in issue 11 that he "never thought the Kes thing was right." He didn't like how it made Paris look, flirting with someone who was already involved in a relationship.

I never thought the Kes thing was right. It made Paris look really bad,...

Robert Picardo had a major influence on some of the best aspects of Star Trek: Voyager, including his character's relationship with Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). As two of the most popular members of Voyager's cast of characters, Seven and the Doctor were the subject of many episodes throughout the show. Although Seven wasn't introduced until season 4, her character arc quickly came to monopolize Voyager season 4-7, but this didn't stop other characters from sharing the spotlight, including the Doctor. What was most interesting, however, was how the two characters began to evolve together as Voyager progressed.

On the surface, the Doctor and Seven had little in common, but their slowly growing friendship became one of the most interesting, complex, and enjoyable relationships on Voyager. This was mostly thanks to the Doctor taking Seven under his wing, acting as her guide to relearning humanity after she was rescued from the Borg.

At the end of the third season of "Star Trek: Voyager," ratings were flagging and Paramount was concerned. The show was competent enough, but it simply wasn't drawing the numbers that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" did before it. To shake up the series, the writers ejected the gentle character of Kes (Jennifer Lien) and replaced her with Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), a Borg babe in a skintight catsuit. The show's writers loved Seven of Nine, and the series was restructured to be almost entirely about her. It also didn't hurt that Ryan looked like a magazine cover model and was cinched up in a bust-enhancing corset. Ratings, needless to say, went up.

It's reported in the oral history book "The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams," edited by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross, that the cast of "Voyager" initially resented Ryan,...

Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) certainly never intended to make any enemies in Star Trek: Voyager, but being the captain of a Federation starship in the uncharted Delta Quadrant inevitably creates new foes for Captain Janeway. Brand-new Delta Quadrant aliens in Star Trek were created as antagonists and enemies for Captain Janeway and the crew of the USS Voyager, from the Kazon and Vidiians in earlier seasons of Star Trek: Voyager to Species 8472 and the Hirogen in Voyager's second half. Despite Janeway's attempted alliance with them, the Borg are also an ongoing threat from Star Trek: Voyager season 4 until the series' end.

It's not just Star Trek's new Delta Quadrant alien species in general that became Captain Janeway's enemies. Individual people in the Delta Quadrant also clashed with Janeway during the long journey back to the Alpha Quadrant, as Voyager entered their space or Captain Janeway's crew committed unknown offenses against them.

Neelix's break up with Kes on Star Trek: Voyager may have contributed to his dislike of telepathy in season 4. Neelix made his opinion on telepaths known in the season 4 episode "Random Thoughts," seemingly referencing Kes and the former relationship in the process. Voyager failed to explain Neelix and Kes's breakup officially, leaving it unfortunately ambiguous.

A line from a Star Trek: Voyager season 4 episode may have explained Neelix's (Ethan Phillips) and Kes's (Jennifer Lien) breakup better than the show officially did. Neelix and Kes were both series regulars on Voyager's cast of characters, although Kes departed the show at the beginning of season 4 after Jennifer Lien was written off to make room for another character. For most of Voyager seasons 1 and 2, Kes and Neelix were in a romantic relationship, but the two broke up off-screen during season 3 under slightly mysterious circumstances.

It's generally accepted that Voyager never fully explained Neelix and Kes's breakup.

Jennifer Lien's departure from Star Trek: Voyager as Kes was influenced by creative dead ends and mental health issues. Kes's exit paved the way for Seven of Nine's introduction, which reshaped the dynamics of the show's cast. Despite mixed reviews, Jennifer Lien and Kes are fondly remembered within the Star Trek fandom for their impact on the series.

Jennifer Lien left Star Trek: Voyager after playing Kes for three seasons, even though Kes was a central and interesting character. Premiering in 1995, Star Trek: Voyager ushered in a new generation of fans after Star Trek: The Next Generation came to an end. In a unique twist, Captain Janeway's (Kate Mulgrew) starship USS Voyager was lost in the Delta Quadrant and embarked on a 7-year voyage home. Jennifer Lien was a Star Trek: Voyager series regular as Kes. A member of the Ocampa species, Kes possessed telepathic abilities and was romantically...

Quick Links Jennifer Lien's Departure Fed the Voyager Feud Why Kate Mulgrew Was Angry About Seven's Arrival on Voyager Jeri Ryan and Seven of Nine Grew Into the Role

Behind-the-scenes drama can have a way of showing up in the final product. Stories of actors, directors, and other creatives who feud with each other can make for easy -- and often distasteful -- gossip fodder. However, it can be hard to avoid when its effects appear onscreen. The Star Trek franchise hasn't always been free of backstage feuds, the most noted of which is doubtless the one in the later seasons of Star Trek: Voyager between stars Kate Mulgrew and Jeri Ryan.

The reasons behind it all are nebulous and complicated, and at the end of the day had comparatively little to do with the two actors themselves. It was fueled for decades by speculation and rumor, which the...

This article mentions suicide.

Sci-fi death scenes stand out for being creative, gory, and sometimes disturbing, offering unusual scenarios not found in reality. Overused sci-fi tropes allow writers to explore compelling and unusual deaths that are deeply engaging for audiences. Unusual deaths in sci-fi often occur due to bizarre settings, ethical dilemmas, or the fantastical abilities of characters, challenging traditional views on mortality.

Death scenes in sci-fi stories tend to stand out from their counterparts in many other genres, as the fantastical nature of the story can often allow the macabre sequences to be far more creative than just the standard passing away of a character. Some horrifying sci-fi death scenes in movies and TV shows aren't necessarily weird, but rather gory and somewhat disturbing. However, sci-fi deaths don't have to be all blood and guts to be compelling. In fact, the weird sci-fi deaths and gory ones don't often cross over,...

Jeri Ryan almost turned down her Star Trek: Voyager role due to a problematic scene in which Seven of Nine was overly sexualized. Ryan felt that one scene with Harry Kim was predictable and cheesy, reinforcing sexual stereotypes. The scene was uncomfortable and demeaning for Seven, not reflecting well on her character or maturity level.

Star Trek: Voyager almost lost out on the acting talents of Jeri Ryan because of one controversial scene. Ryan played Seven of Nine on Voyager from season 4 onward, having been brought on at the beginning of the season to replace Kes (Jennifer Lien) who was leaving the series due to diminishing popularity. Although Seven could have had a rocky start to her time on Voyager, her storyline combined with Ryan's incredible skills caused her to become an almost immediate favorite with audiences.

As a former Borg drone who was rescued from the Collective by Voyager's cast of characters,...

Kes and Seven of Nine's swap in Star Trek: Voyager was unique due to the franchise's consistent casts. Other character swaps in previous Star Trek shows didn't accomplish their switch in the same way, usually leaving it off-screen. Modern Star Trek series, like Discovery and Picard, have a different approach to swapping characters, focusing on serialized narratives.

Although it wasn't the franchise's first character swap, Star Trek: Voyager's Kes (Jennifer Lien) and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) switch was more unique than character changes in other Star Trek projects. Voyager's cast of characters stayed mostly the same throughout the show's run, except for the departure of Kes and the introduction of Seven at the start of season 4. The swap happened over season 4's first two episodes, "Scorpion, Part II" and "The Gift," and was accomplished well, all things considered.

During "The Gift," Kes's latent mental abilities began to evolve...

Kes' return in Star Trek: Voyager season 6 was unnecessary and negatively impacted her character's reputation. "Fury's" convoluted storyline and lackluster climax further tarnished Kes's image. Kes never reached a desirable level of popularity due to vague powers and a poorly conceived romantic relationship.

I love Star Trek: Voyager, but I've always hated that the show brought Kes (Jennifer Lien) back in season 6 after her departure. Kes was a series regular on Voyager for the show's first three seasons, but to me, it always felt like Voyager didn't quite know what to do with her. Perhaps because of this, and her diminishing popularity, Kes left Voyager at the beginning of season 4 to make way for Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), a character that the show overall had more success with.

However, Kes made one final appearance after her official departure, this time as the villain in Voyager season 6, episode 23, "Fury.

A hypothetical Star Trek: Voyager movie reboot could go deeper into some of the TV show's less developed characters, like Ensign Harry Kim and Kes. Glen Powell and Jennifer Lawrence would be ideal for portraying the spiky relationship between Lieutenants Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres. Cate Blanchett is perfect casting for the role of Captain Janeway, exploring the weight of the Voyager captain's responsibilities in the Delta Quadrant.

If Paramount Pictures one day decided to give Star Trek: Voyager the Kelvin Timeline treatment, which Hollywood stars would play Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her crew? The core premise of Voyager was two ideologically opposed groups - Starfleet and the Maquis - being forced to work together after being stranded in the Delta Quadrant. The conflict among Voyager's cast of characters was rarely explored in a meaningful way on television. A series of Star Trek: Voyager movies could put that...

Seven of Nine's late introduction to Star Trek: Voyager and initial disadvantages led to her becoming a complex, popular character. Seven's portrayal of trauma and journey back to humanity set her apart as one of the most interesting characters in Star Trek. Picard season 3 provided new opportunities for Seven, including promotion to Captain, setting up her bright future in the franchise.

I love a lot of Star Trek characters, but to me, Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) is the most impressive character in the franchise. My obsession with Star Trek: Voyager began at an early age after I had already watched Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation. While I loved previous installments, Voyager's cast of characters captivated me like no other, particularly the show's strong female representation in Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson), and later, Seven of Nine.

Although she became...

Seven of Nine's development on Star Trek: Voyager was inspired by Picard and the Borg Queen. Seven's Borg origins were central to her Voyager storyline, expanding Borg lore. Picard and the Borg Queen remained important to Seven's character even in Star Trek: Picard.

Seven of Nine's (Jeri Ryan) conception on Star Trek: Voyager was originally inspired by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the Borg Queen (Alice Krige). Although Voyager seasons 1-3 didn't include Seven of Nine, the show brought her on as part of Voyager's cast of characters in season 4 after Kes (Jennifer Lien) left the series. Seven rose to become one of Voyager's most popular characters, but started out under very different circumstances, as a former Borg drone that Voyager's crew unwittingly rescued from the Collective.

Throughout her time on Voyager, Seven's Borg origins and time in the Collective were the central focus of her storyline. Through her,...

Star Wars and Star Trek share similar storytelling elements, such as opening chase scenes and planet-killing superweapons. There are intentional or unintentional parallels between the two franchises, from similar-sounding names to nearly identical plotlines. Recent Star Wars and Star Trek projects, Skeleton Crew and Star Trek: Prodigy, show similarities in plot and themes.

While Star Wars and Star Trek are very different franchises despite their similar names, there have inevitably been many times when they have told the same story. This may seem unlikely at first glance, as Star Wars and Star Trek fans have been rivals for as long as anyone can remember. Star Wars leans more into space fantasy, telling a story about another galaxy in the distant past and creating new mythology to captivate modern audiences. Star Trek, meanwhile, is science fiction, offering humanity a glimpse of an optimistic future of exploration and technological innovation.

Of course,...

The Doctor says Seven of Nine's skin-tight suit helps with the healing process post-Borg removal - but is it necessary? In Star Trek: Picard, Seven's practical civilian clothes replace the medically-prescribed catsuits and high heels. Seven's wardrobe evolution shows her newfound agency, ditching the outfits that were never medically necessary.

Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine costumes in Star Trek: Voyager made no sense. After Seven of Nine's connection to the Borg Collective is severed in Star Trek: Voyager season 4, episode 1, "Scorpion, Part 2", Seven's human body begins rejecting its Borg implants. To save Seven of Nine's life, the Doctor (Robert Picardo) and Kes (Jennifer Lien) work together in Star Trek: Voyager season 4, episode 2, "The Gift", to surgically remove Seven's extensive Borg implants, which allows Seven's humanity to physically reassert itself. By the episode's end, Seven of Nine looks practically human, with regrown hair and new clothing: a tight silver catsuit with integrated high-heeled shoes.

Star Trek (2009) borrowed and improved upon two dramatic moments from Voyager season 3, enhancing the impact of those scenes. Kirk and Sulu's fight on Nero's drill and subsequent rescue after they fall were both moments first done in two different Voyager episodes. J.J. Abrams interpreted the Voyager scenes better, making them more memorable in a higher-stakes setting.

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009) stole two things from Star Trek: Voyager season 3. Voyager was the fifth overall entry into the Star Trek timeline and focused on Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and the crew of the USS Voyager as they traveled through the Delta Quadrant, 70,000 lightyears from Earth. In contrast, Star Trek (2009) was a reimagining of the early lives of the main characters from Star Trek: The Original Series, featuring alternate timeline versions of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the other Tos characters on their first mission aboard the USS Enterprise.

This article contains references to the possibility of sexual assault.

The Doctor's original dark persona in Star Trek: Voyager's season 3 episode "Darkling" was intended to be more sadistic and perverse. Michael Piller stopped "Darkling" from showing the Doctor's extreme actions to prevent irreparable damage to the character. Voyager altered the episode to prevent changing how audiences viewed the Doctor going forward.

Star Trek: Voyager's Joe Menosky explained the original premise for season 3's "Jekyll and Hyde" episode focusing on the Doctor (Robert Picardo). The Doctor was one of the most popular members of Voyager's cast of characters, and during season 3, his storyline began to reach new heights as the character's humanity emerged. The introduction of the Doctor's mobile emitter allowed for a greater depth of storylines for him, and many of these episodes were focused on the Doctor expanding his program to encompass more aspects of humanity in...

The first three seasons of "Star Trek: Voyager" featured a character named Kes, played by actress Jennifer Lien. Kes was an interesting concept for a "Star Trek" show: she belonged to a species called the Ocampa that only had a lifespan of nine years. If "Voyager" was to last for seven seasons (as "Star Trek: The Next Generation" did before it), then audiences would watch a two-year-old Kes grow from an adolescent to an old woman by the series finale. Her existence on the U.S.S. Voyager could serve as a symbolic microcosm for a whole human life. 

Kes was not a Starfleet officer but was given a provisional position on the Voyager serving as a medical assistant to the ship's snippy unnamed Doctor (Robert Picardo). The Doctor was an Emergency Medical Hologram that the Voyager had to employ out of desperation after the ship's medical staff all died in a massive cataclysm.

This author recalls reading an issue of TV Guide in 1994 about the then-upcoming TV series "Star Trek: Voyager," set to debut in January of 1995. The TV Guide noted that Robert Picardo, a Joe Dante repertory player, would play a character named Doc Zimmerman, the holographic doctor on board the U.S.S. Voyager. This name was culled from pre-production notes on the series, and the showrunner fully intended for Zimmerman to be the character's name.

The premise of the show, however, dictated that the Doctor have no name. The Doctor was an Emergency Medical Hologram, only meant to be activated in times of extreme crisis when a chief medical officer is not available. Once the crisis was over, the hologram was meant to be shut off. Thanks to the stranded state of the U.S.S. Voyager, however — it was stranded across the galaxy, 70 years from home — the Doctor was never shut off.

In the pilot episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" -- called "Caretaker" -- the chief medical officer on board the U.S.S. Voyager was killed in an alien-inflicted cataclysm that swept the clear across the galaxy in a matter of moments. With the ship damaged and the medical staff wiped out, the Voyager crew had to rely on a temporary Emergency Medical Hologram to serve as the ship's main doctor. 

For the first few seasons, the Emh (Robert Picardo) was snippy and impatient, having been programmed to respond only to emergencies. Using the Emh so frequently, however, caused it to develop a consciousness and a personality. Before long, the unnamed Doctor was seen as an official member of the crew. 

Because he was a hologram, the Doctor was typically confined to the sickbay, where his holographic emitters were equipped. He could also be transferred directly to the ship's holodeck occasionally,...

Switching two Neelix episodes in Voyager's seasons 1 and 3 would have improved his character development. "Jetrel" and "Fair Trade" revealed Neelix's tragic past, but should have been aired in reverse order. Airing "Jetrel" in season 3 would have made Neelix more likable and even improved his story arcs in later seasons.

Star Trek: Voyager made a mistake by not switching two important Neelix (Ethan Phillip) episodes in seasons 1 and 3. Neelix was Voyager's Talaxian cook, morale officer, and unofficial ambassador to the Delta Quadrant throughout the show's seven seasons. Introduced in season 1 alongside his then-girlfriend, Kes (Jennifer Lien), Neelix became a more permanent fixture in Voyager's cast of characters, and his storylines improved exponentially after he and Kes broke up and Lien left the show.

Although Neelix was often Voyager's comic relief, he also had a tragic backstory that was revealed throughout the show's early seasons. Two episodes in particular, "Jetrel" in season...

The Doctor's memory loss storyline was cut short due to Star Trek: Voyager's episodic format, disappointing Robert Picardo. Voyager's fear of serialization hindered character development despite fans wanting more continuity. The Doctor's memory loss had potential for in-depth exploration, but Voyager's use of the "reset button" limited storytelling.

Star Trek: Voyager killed one of the Doctor's (Robert Picardo) best storylines in season 3, causing Picardo to express his disappointment that it wasn't continued. The USS Voyager's Emh was one of the most popular characters in Star Trek: Voyager's cast, thanks mainly to his unique origins and diverse character arc. As a hologram who gained sentience during the show's run, the Doctor filled a franchise niche previously held by other popular characters like Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Many of the Doctor's storylines on Voyager revolved around him gaining humanity. However, a season 3 episode featured the character losing...

Captain Janeway faced unique challenges in the Delta Quadrant with compassion, connection, and tough decisions. Season 4 introduced Seven of Nine, enhancing Voyager's story with complex characters and fresh dynamics. Voyager's best episodes showcased moral dilemmas, character development, and alliances with new alien species.

The best episodes from each of Star Trek: Voyager's seven seasons represent the unique challenges faced by Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and the USS Voyager crew as the only Starfleet vessel in the Delta Quadrant. Compassion and connection were part of Voyager's story from the jump, as a diminished Starfleet crew needed to join forces with Commander Chakotay's (Robert Beltran) Maquis crew in order to survive in a far-flung corner of the galaxy, populated with brand-new Star Trek aliens, like Talaxian chef Neelix (Ethan Phillips) and psychic Ocampa Kes (Jennifer Lien). Each week, Voyager encountered new moral dilemmas unique to the Delta Quadrant, but unmistakably Star Trek in nature.

Each main character on Star Trek: Voyager had standout episodes that showcased their individual strengths and storylines. Episodes like "Before and After" (Kes), "Mortal Coil" (Neelix), "Latent Image" (The Doctor), and "One" (Seven of Nine) brought depth and development to these characters. Captain Janeway's standout episode was "Year of Hell," which demonstrated her heroism, loyalty, vulnerability, and complexity.

Each main character on Star Trek: Voyager got a chance to shine during the show's run, and all of them have an episode that stands out as their best. Voyager was the fourth series in the Star Trek timeline and featured a cast of diverse characters, including Star Trek's first female Captain, Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). During Voyager's run, Janeway led her crew on a journey through the Delta Quadrant after the USS Voyager became stranded on the other side of the galaxy in the show's pilot episode, "Caretaker, Parts I&ii.

Seven of Nine's character has evolved and grown into an iconic figure, inspiring a generation of Star Trek fans. Jeri Ryan has won multiple Saturn Awards for her performance as Seven of Nine, solidifying her talent and contribution to the Star Trek universe. In Star Trek: Picard, Seven of Nine's story comes full circle, with her becoming a leader and captain, showcasing her independence and resilience.

Jeri Ryan says that her Star Trek character Seven of Nine is the "gift that keeps on giving". After playing former Borg drone Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager for 4 seasons from 1997 to 2001, Ryan returned as Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Picard for 3 seasons, from 2020 to 2023. Picard season 3 saw Commander Seven of Nine in action as First Officer aboard the USS Titan-a, frequently butting heads with Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick), while aiding Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Captain William Riker...

Jennifer Lien's departure from Star Trek: Voyager had a significant impact on the show, and her character Kes was missed by the cast. Despite personal struggles, Lien's acting talent was highly praised by her fellow cast member Roxann Dawson. Kes was a valued member of Voyager's crew, known for her telepathic abilities and caring nature, and her absence left a void in the show's dynamic.

Jennifer Lien left Star Trek: Voyager in season 4, and fellow cast member Roxann Dawson reflects on the impact Lien's character, Kes, made on the show. Voyager followed Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) as she led the USS Voyager through the unexplored Delta Quadrant on the long journey back to Earth. A member of the Ocampa species, Kes joined Voyager's crew soon after the ship arrived in the Delta Quadrant, along with her boyfriend at the time, Neelix (Ethan Phillips). With her telepathic abilities and caring nature,...

Actress Kate Mulgrew had an issue with co-star Jeri Ryan and her character's inclusion in Star Trek: Voyager. Ensign Harry Kim actor Garrett Wang discusses difficulties during Voyager's filming and says that Mulgrew expressed her frustration through snarky comments and confrontations on set. Despite their on-set tension, both Mulgrew and Ryan have gone on to reprise their roles in other Star Trek projects.

Garrett Wang, who played Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager, addresses the problematic on-set relationship between co-stars Kate Mulgrew and Jeri Ryan. Wang's Operations Officer, Harry Kim, was part of Star Trek: Voyager's cast led by Mulgrew's Captain Kathryn Janeway since the series premiere. Following a ratings-related shakeup of the show's dynamics, Ryan joined Voyager season 4 as Seven of Nine, coinciding with the departure of Kes (Jennifer Lien). Ryan's ex-Borg drone embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reclaimed humanity.

Despite the enormous and...

Gary Graham had a prominent role as Detective Matthew Sikes in the sci-fi crime series Alien Nation, which also addressed social issues in a science fiction setting. Although Gary Graham was considered for the roles of Janeway and Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, he ultimately played the Vulcan Ambassador Soval in Star Trek: Enterprise. Graham's involvement in Star Trek extended to fan films, where he portrayed his characters such as Soval and Ragnar, receiving positive feedback from fans.

The late Gary Graham is best known for his role as Ambassador Soval in Star Trek: Enterprise, but the actor's franchise connections go much further than the stoic Vulcan. Gary Graham's breakthrough role was Detective Matthew Sikes in the sci-fi crime series Alien Nation, and its subsequent TV movies. Like Star Trek, Alien Nation viewed contemporary issues like social injustice and racism through a science fiction lens.

On the morning of January 23, 2024, actor Gary Graham, star of the "Alien Nation" TV series, the cult classic "Robot Jox," and multiple-time "Star Trek" supporting player, passed away at the age of 74. Graham had a prolific acting career, appearing in single episodes of many of the hottest TV shows of his day, including "Starsky & Hutch," "The Incredible Hulk," Knots Landing," "CHiPs," "T.J. Hooker," "Hunter," "M.A.N.T.I.S.," "Diagnosis Murder," "Ally McBeal," "Jag," and "Nip/Tuck." He had an easy demeanor, allowing him to play comedic affable characters just as well as intense, serious ones.

Trekkies likely know Graham best for playing Soval on "Star Trek: Enterprise." Soval was the snippy Vulcan ambassador who oversaw Earth's very, very slow transition from post-war ruin to a thriving society ready for space exploration. In the timeline of "Star Trek," humanity discovers warp-speed flight while the world is recovering from nuclear devastation. On the very first Earth warp flight,...

Tom Wright praises the scenes with Jennifer Lien in which their characters share a deep emotional connection. The Kes and Tuvix relationship is crucial in helping the audience understand that Tuvix is not the same as the original characters. Kes' negative reaction to Tuvix's romantic advances highlights the loss of both Neelix and Tuvok, influencing Janeway's decision to separate Tuvix.

Tom Wright, who played Tuvix in Star Trek: Voyager season 2, episode 24, "Tuvix", has high praise for the scenes that he shared with Kes actress Jennifer Lien. In "Tuvix", a transporter accident merges Lt. Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Talaxian chef Neelix (Ethan Phillips) into a single being named Tuvix, who shares characteristics of both Tuvok and Neelix. Most members of the USS Voyager's crew grow accustomed to Tuvix over the months that the hybrid being is with them, but Kes (Jennifer Lien) becomes uncertain when Tuvix wishes to resume Neelix's relationship with Kes.

Jeri Ryan's addition to the cast of Star Trek: Voyager in season 4 caused some frustrations among the original cast. Seven of Nine quickly became a popular character with fans due to her knowledge of Borg technology and her role in helping Voyager return home. Despite her popularity, the heavy focus on Seven of Nine's storyline and the marketing strategy to attract new viewers created difficulties for the original cast members.

Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine joined the cast of Star Trek: Voyager in season 4, which led to some understandable frustrations among the already-established cast members. Over the course of Voyager's seven seasons, Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) commanded the USS Voyager through the unexplored Delta Quadrant on the long journey back to Earth. The introduction of former Borg drone Seven of Nine and the departure of Jennifer Lien's Kes in Voyager season 4 shook up the show and created...