A few years ago, I went on a Star Trek: Voyager binge. Sometimes I'd watch three episodes a day as I made my way through the entire series. Now I've always been a Star Trek fan. As a child, I loved the original series and the movies. I never really got on board with The Next Generation, though I've probably seen them all. By the time Deep Space Nine hit the air, I'd grown bored. I watched the first season of that show and then abandoned it. So Voyager never made my radar when it was on. It has since become my favorite of the series by a light year.
I can hear the outcry from Trekkie hoards out there screaming at this proclamation...but it's true. Voyager is the best one hands down. The premise of the crew being in the Delta Quadrant is brilliant. It opens the show to whole new species and conflicts while also freeing them of the stale Federation mentality which had grown too pompous for it's own good. It's also the coolest Federation ship in the fleet too. Thankfully the muted colors of the new Enterprise are gone and given a grey make-over that fits the darker survival theme of the show. And last, but certainly not least, is the exceptional Captain Janeway. She's totally bad ass. Also, in it's favor, is the arc of the entire series from beginning to end. The series finale is such a big payoff, giving you exactly what you want but in a exciting way.
Why am I talking about this? Well, I've started watching it again and find myself pulled right back in. Star Trek has always been a writer's show, much like the Twilight Zone. There's a story behind the plot, an entire universe exists within it's borders. I must also confess to revisiting Deep Space Nine after my first Voyager binge and recognizing the intelligence of that show. It's an intriguing political drama amongst these invented societies.
If you need me, I'll be in the Delta Quadrant...currently within the Necred Expanse.
Captain Janeway - I think she made the series - very strong acting. Some of the writing was poor though with occasional brilliant episodes. Still prefer Babylon 5 which had scope and great ideas. Pity about Enterprise, killed the franchise, though the new film was really good.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the new film...and once I got past the theme song, I though the Enterprise series wasn't so bad. I liked the challenges of being the first deep space Earth ship and how Earth was such a vulnerable planet.
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