And the Voyager is at an end. If you ask me, they cut story prematurely, and at least one or two more seasons would be better. Towards the end writers started to explore some new relationships between characters, and they had great potential, but the decision was made to end the series. Anyway, this was very good season even though it had similar episodic format as previous one, but with much better writing.

Production

Many changes in writing directions are maybe connected to another change in the showrunner for Voyager. Brannon Braga has left the series to start preproduction work on Star Trek: Enterprise and he was replaced by Kenneth Biller. Visually, use of CGI is more evident in this season and without a doubt, series really looks great.

Story

Even though, episodes are mostly unrelated, there are 3 two parts stories this season including feature lenght episode Endgame that ends the series. But, there is a greater sense of continuity of the series toward the main story line. Still, the main improvement in the writing is that episodes are more fun, at time even comedic, showing the real potential that should have been explored more earlier. Some of the greatest Voyager episodes are from this season including ‘Body and Soul’ where The Doctor is ‘possesing’ Seven’s body in attempt to hide, and Jeri Ryan is truly magnificent in comedic portrayal of the Robert Picardo character. Another great Doctor centric episode is ‘Author, Author’, where Doctor is writing holo-novel that shows in the negative light the crew of Voyager. Another appearance of Q in episode ‘Q2’ is always welcome, it’s a pity we didn’t get a chance to see more of Q during the series (only total of 3 episodes).

Voyager, Season 7

As for the ending of the series,  I personally like it and I don’t understand why many fans were against this episode at the time. It’s not a typical Star Trek ending, but it’s fast, action packed with another ridiculous time paradox story. Add to all that Borg and their Queen, and you can’t go wrong.

Characters

It was good to see a logical conclusion of Neelix story line and that episode (Homestead) proved how important this character was to the series, his friendship with Tuvok and the rest of the crew. Ethan Philips did a great job playing this character.

All the complains in previous seasons payed off, and we will see much more of both Tuvok and Chakotey. The Doctor, Seven and the captain remain dominant characters, but not as they were in previous few seasons.

Conclusion

And, the Voyager is over. It was overall an excellent series, and one I like much more than The Next Generation. It’s not typical Star Trek as TNG was, and the adventurous nature and much more fun are something that Voyager had in abundance. Total of 168 episodes and 7 season are plenty, and you will return more than once to re watch some of the episodes. Highly recommended.

After the furious seasons 4 and 5, Voyager season 6 was a bit of a let down. For some reason, producers decided to abandon very successful formula of the previous seasons, and go back to the very beginning, making it look more like season 1 in the tone and the conception of episodes. Only few episodes this season were dealing with main story arc of going home, the rest were mostly independent or standalone episodes.

Production

Change in Voyager this season is hard to explain, since there were no big changes in the production and writing staff. You can almost watch this entire season without knowing what happened to Voyager in the first place. When this season started, it remained only Star Trek to air, since Deep Space 9 concluded it’s own 7 seasons the same year.

Story

I preferred the direction Voyager had with seasons 4 and 5, but let’s be honest, season 6 had some really great episodes. Only two important ‘going home’ story ark episodes were dealing with Pathfinder project back on earth that open communications between Star Fleet Command and Voyager. Both those episodes were really great, especially Life Line that features The Doctor going back home to help his creator. More Borg episodes were again really great, with last episode and cliffhanger is further exploring the Borg society and collective.

On the other side, there are several really bad episodes that not only didn’t contribute anything to the story, but were genuinely boring and were retelling stories similar to some from other Star Trek series. At some instances, looks like that writers lost their inspiration. But, I still gave this season 8 as my personal mark, because even with flawed writing, Voyager remained very good.

Voyager, Season 6

Characters

I can imagine that most of the main cast were still not satisfied with their role in the series, with many episodes still focusing on Seven Of Nine, captain Janeway and The Doctor. Don’t get me wrong, their episodes are always great, but it would be nice to see more Tuvok or Nelix stories. One episode brings back the character of Kes to conclude the her story line and again tamper with time and Kes great powers.

Jeri Ryan has truly became the star of the series, and she managed to further explore the Borg transformation into human, and give great performance. Same goes for Robert Picardo who did great with given mobility (season 3). His day dreaming episode, saving his creator and Virtuoso episodes are among the greatest Star Trek franchise has to offer.

Conclusion

Not as good as season 4 and 5, but still good. Maybe some fans will prefer the episodic format of this season, and will value it more than I did. Anyway, only one more season to go, with Voyager returning home still remains a mystery.

After great season 4, writers had a tough job of continuing the series with same quality of stories. And, to be honest, they succeeded, even though, I still prefer season 4 over season 5. Voyager in season 5 is darker, and this is evident from the very beginning, and episode Night. Season 4 is the only season ending without cliffhanger, so the start of the season 5 was quite different than fans of the series were used to.

Production

Even though, Jeri Taylor is still credited as creator, she is no longer active as a showrunner. Brannon Braga has assumed that role from season 5 onward. This had an impact on story telling in this season, with more episodes focusing on Voyager getting closer to Earth, and even reaching it in alternative time lines.

Story and Characters

As I said, stories in this season are darker than usual.Each member of main cast had own episodes to further explore their characters, but the center of this season are no doubt Seven of Nine and captain Janeway. This season stories will bring Voyager much closer to home with several encounters that helped speed things along through alien technology and physical phenomena. Time related episodes are also part of this season, and writers managed to surprise us with some very good time paradox stories, especially the episode Timeless, one of the best Voyager episodes.

Voyager, Season 5

One of the objections to writing in this season was the fact that for the most part it was written with Seven of Nine and captain Janeway in center of many episodes. Some of the principal cast had a lot of objections to the course of the series, and the fact that some characters were almost forgotten and even episodic. But, on the other hand this season had explored the transformation of Seven Of Nine from Borg to human, her relationship with captain, her past. Also, darker side of Janeway is explored with many difficult situations Voyager was put to from first episode Night and much more.

Encounters with starfleet in this season will be more prominent ending with cliffhanger are great two part episode Equinox with John Savage as a guest star.

Conclusion

Even though it’s not an usual season, it’s still really good, different but good and on par with season 4. Voyager is truly a great series and huge DVD box set is worth the price.

We left Voyager at the end of season 3 among Borg that were in the middle of the war with a mysterious species from another realm. This is almost like the new start to Voyager, and very big changes will happen in the first few episodes of the season that will shape the rest of the series. In a good way. New character, departure of another was more than just infusion of fresh blood, it pushed the series in new direction.

Production

Most significant change was the increased use of CGI, and that have contributed to much better look of the series, use of large screens and addition of new astrometrics lab that will be used a lot from this season on. Quality of all other elements is also improved with much better holodecks simulations.

Story

Many things changed and Voyager is no longer a ship for the crew, it’s their home, and they are accepting the fact that they will spend a lot of time on it, if not their whole life. But, on the other side, writers added more going home opportunities that were lacking in the first three seasons. Also, few more time paradox stories were made and they were also a good improvement.

Two double episodes ‘Year of Hell’ and ‘Killing Game’ are among the best episodes Star Trek franchise had to offer. Also, episodes that have Seven of Nine as a main character like ‘The Raven’, ‘The Omega Directive’ and others are great and will show conflicts between the Borg psychology of Seven Of Nine and the morality and humanity of captain Janeway.

Voyager, Season 4

Cast and characters

But, the main addition to the story remains the change in the cast and introduction of new character. Addition to the cast is Jeri Ryan in the role of the Borg drone Seven Of Nine. Story ark started with the season 3 cliffhanger and the episode Scorpion concludes with her transformation from drone back into her human form, but with some remaining Borg elements in her appearance. And not only that many episodes will be Seven-centric and very interesting, but the performance of beautiful Jeri Ryan is really great and she is easily my favorite character of the series along with The Doctor (Robert Picardo).

I am pleased to say that with addition of the darker side to characters, series gain a lot in terms of story telling and character development. I finally find captain Janeway good and interesting characters. Unfortunately, Jennifer Lien in the role of Kes has left the series soon after the season began.

Conclusion

Voyager is becoming one of the best sci-fi series ever made, much better than Next Generations ever was. So, if you are true sci-fi fan, try to get through first 3 seasons of Voyager, because from season 4 until the end, Voyager is excellent series.

After average (and at time bad) season 2, Voyager starts to improve, and that is clearly visible in third season, and will continue in the last four seasons. Not only that writing has improved, but so have the characters that are now more real and not so stuck up into the Star Trek template of moral superiority, not so cold as they used to be. This season is the big step forward, and it’s like the Voyager is only starting.

Production

While ship models are still used for space scenes, this season also marks the change in production with use of CGI more and more, with some scenes completely done with CGI. In the same time CGI is used more on another Star Trek series, Deep Space 9 and that proved that CGI has matured enough to be used.

Story

Finally, Kazon are gone from Voyager. They will be mentioned in 2–3 episodes until the end of the series, but that’s it. This created a bit of vacuum since the series had no main enemy anymore, but that will change over the course of the season. We will see more of Vidiians, a race with the phage sickness and some other races we have seen in previous two seasons. Most important story additions are encounters with the Borg and time paradox episodes. Each Star Trek had episodes that have to deal with time travel and consequences of the paradox that creates, but non had more than Voyager over the course of 7 seasons.

While time stories are, as to be expected, flawed and not very logical at times, these episodes are always enjoyable. Also, Q is back for one more episode, and we will get the chance to learn more about Continuum. Shame that Q will have only one more episode in Voyager. Also, we will see more cross-overs with other Star Trek series and some important characters will be featured including legendary Hikaru Sulu.

Voyager, Season 3

Characters

Once again, cast has not changed. But, some of the characters are much improved. Captain Janeway is now more relate-able and it’s obvious that Kate Mulgrew is more comfortable in the role, and managed to enforce more control over the character and improve the version created by writers. Still, we don’t have much chance so far to see the darker side of her, and we will need to wait more for that.

Jennifer Lien’s character Kes has gone through great character development, we will learn more about her telepathic powers. Breaking up her and Nelix is also a good idea, since allowed to explore more different relationships.

Conclusion

Finally, Voyager is getting on track and starts to provide us with some great sci-fi entertainment. While this is not the best season, it’s much better than first two, and will prove that Voyager’s great potential will be realized with future seasons.

After shorter first season, starting with season 2, Voyager will have 26 episodes per season. There is not much changed in this season from the first one. Cast remained the same with more guest stars added including John de Lancie in the iconic role of Q. But, overall, this is maybe the weakest season of Voyager, since it didn’t offered anything new already done with first season. Still, there are some great episodes making it worth watching.

Story

Not much new has done with this season, but creators and writers decided to stick with main enemy alien species called Kazon introduced in the first episode of first season. I must say that I hated the Kazon and I think that they are one of the most unoriginal introduced in Star Trek and one that I couldn’t understand why creators decided to keep in series for so long. During second season, we will see more of them. Most of the fans didn’t like the Kazon, and fortunately, creators decided to conclude the Kazon ark at the end of second season, and start of the third one. After that, only in few episodes they mentioned the Kazon, but nothing more.

Voyager, Season 2

Apart for little changes in this season, there are some excellent episodes that are really worth watching. And once again, the best episodes or parts of them are involving The Doctor, who will get more and more time during this season, allowing Robert Picardo to show his talent and great performance in the role.

Cast and characters

Unfortunately I must say that  Kate Mulgrew in the role of captain was highly anoying and over the course of the series I couldn’t bring myself to liking her. Same goes for Robert Beltran in the role of Chakotey, and some of the other members of the crew. Most of them show the worst in the Star Trek concept from the moment series has conceived back in the sixties. They portrait the characters of the future humanity that is simply too unrealistic, too perfect and superior towards the other species. Comic relief character of Nelix is far more believable and interesting than most of the star fleet crew. It’s also pity that they decided to write out the Maquis, the rebellious faction that was so different from the rest of the crew.

Bright moment is also an first Voyager episode featuring character Q. Episode had great story and it’s a pity that only Q was part only of few episodes of Voyager.

Conclusion

Good thing about this season is that it will be followed by the third, and that one will get much better. Still, you will maybe find more to watch in season 2 than I have and maybe find out that I was too critical. Watch it and see for yourself.

Voyager is fourth Star Trek and as usual it received mixed reactions from the ‘fans’. To be honest, I hated the original Star Trek and I can’t bring my self to sit through a single episode. The Next Generation is better, but it gets rather boring, and the only thing worth watching is Borg and Q. But next two Star Trek series Deep Space 9 and Voyager that even aired in the same time are quite different and much, much better.

Many so called hard core Star Trek fans didn’t like Voyager, because it wasn’t following the episodic formula set in original Star Trek and The Next Generation. And that’s exactly why both DS9 and Voyager are much, much better than first two Star Trek series that are simply boring and highly repetitive. But DS9 had a story line that run for all 7 seasons, and while it had many classic formula episodes it was not Star Trek as it was known. Voyager was something in between, and it does follow single story line, but with more episodes that are independent.

Story

Set in year 2371 USS Voyager is a Starfleet ship sent after the Maquis ship lost in Badlands to retrieve the undercover operative on board. But, a powerful being called Caretaker transported them into Delta Quadrant, 70.000 light years away from home. So, they are trying to get home and searching for a way to do it faster, since using maximum warp speed, voyage would last 70 years.

Season 1 Cast

During the first season, some basic stories were set and major enemies met that will be around for first few seasons. And while original premise of the series is original for the Star Trek universe until than, in many ways during first season most episodes are strictly episodic with only some references to major story line. And you can’t really expect true originality with such episodes, and you will recognize bits and pieces from TNG. Also, as all other Star Trek series, there is a lot of tech-no-babble talk that is very, very tiresome after few episodes.

Cast and characters

For me, Voyager has the best cast from all Star Trek series, even so some of the great characters are not as developed or used during this first season. Robert Picardo as hologram The Doctor is amazing and while is role is not big during the initial episodes, his character will grow over the next seasons. My other favorite character is Tuvok, Vulcan played by Tim Russ. While in the original Star Trek legendary Vulcan Spock was half human, Tuvok is true Vulcan, showing no emotions and Tim Russ played that perfectly. Kate Mulgrew plays the lead role of captain Kathryn Janeway, and she is overall good in the role, but somewhat predicable and the same goes for some other cast members, but that was to be expected. But, all things considered, Voyager is cast better than previous Star Treks.

Voyager

Production

Voyager is created by Rick Berman, Jeri Taylor and Michael Piller. Visually it’s fairly similar to DS9, and in many cases same sets were used. CGI is used in many cases, but not so much during first season. External ship and space shots are still done using models.

Conclusion

Voyager is my favorite Star Trek, and while first 2 seasons are the weakest of the 7 series had, it’s a good start. When Borg are finally added to the series in season 3, Voyager get’s better.