What's wrong with Voyager?

[John the Ripper 0]

I'm fairly new to the main stream Star Trek Fanbase, so I probably missed something along the way, but it seems that my favorite of the franchise Voyager, is disliked by alot of others. I mean no I haven't seen alot of the original series and I'll probably like that more, but what did I miss during Voyager that made people think so poorly of it?

[Kansas 0]

Don't know about Voyager so much as Enterprise being the Trek series that is targeted as the scapegoat of the franchise...a view which I do not share much less understand.

[John the Ripper 0]

Well I think it's the fact that later on in the series, enterprise just got so crazy with stuff that had never even been hinted at, I mean that whole war with the Xindi, with them blasting a six mile canyon into the earth with a mini Death Star. It just went to far off what had come before, and you'd think that if something like that had happened they would say something about it in the other series. But to my knowledge it never was if you're going to have something that big at least have it something that was referanced before. I actually think it was pretty good early on, and if they had continued in that vain, showing stuff we knew happened (Like first contact with the Bolians or something) it would probably have gone for a few more seasons.

[bob42 0]

I'm fairly new to the main stream Star Trek Fanbase, so I probably missed something along the way, but it seems that my favorite of the franchise Voyager, is disliked by alot of others. I mean no I haven't seen alot of the original series and I'll probably like that more, but what did I miss during Voyager that made people think so poorly of it?

 

My personal problem with Voyager was that it didn't really advance the series. We had The Original Series which was innovative for its time and The Animated Series which was more of the same. Then we had The Next Generation which really modernized Star Trek and made it fit into the 80's and then we got Deep Space Nine which was Star Trek finally really growing up and leaving its campy roots. For me, Voyager was a step backward, it was a lot more like The Next Generation in it's style and I felt that it failed to bring anything new to the table, as did Enterprise which, angering many fans, wen't backwards in the timeline.

The two hour long pilot of TNG was full of political and social commentary and groundbreaking stuff in general. The pilot of DS9 changed the face of Trek from the very first scene with shaky cameras, amazingly large and detailed sets, and dark, dramatic lighting. Voyager should have been the next step in the path but I think in the long run, both Voyager and Enterprise felt like they early 90's Trek and I think that's why they are less accepted among fans, even though Voyager did well.

I still enjoy both Voyager and Enterprise, but I feel that Star Trek XI was the first of the Star Trek franchise to truly leave the 20th century.

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Huff will tell you she likes Voyager...and I have my own little blue planet at the end of one episode, sitting on the edge of a golden nebula as the ship flys by. Mojo made it for me!

[STSF Kent 0]

Personally, I cut my teeth as a Trekkie on Voyager -- I'd seen TNG before that, and a few of the TOS movies, but Voyager was the first one I really followed as it unfolded and I love it. Had a major crush on Tom Paris when I was a relative young'n and really got a kick out of most of the plots. Have since discovered DS9 and it's taken its place as my favorite but I still love Voyager (though I do feel aspects of it went downhill in the last season). So not everyone dislikes it.

[Karo Veras 0]

I think Kent hit it on the head. The last season kinda lost a little bit of the quality, and that's what people dislike. That, combined with the rapid expansion in the choice of networks that came during this time (which also hurt DS9, mind you), and the fact that the younger generation generally wasn't exposed to Trek as much as the prior generation really hurt Voyager. From a Trek fan standpoint, I think people wanted Voyager to carry the ST standard for that new generation to follow en masse, and it didn't. So I think people were more disappointed with that as opposed to the series in general.

 

IMHO, it had a tough act to match up with in DS9, as well. Voyager's plot didn't lend itself to the issues that DS9 could tackle. (I wrote a pair essays regarding the social issues that DS9 touched on while in school, therefore solidifying my geek status).

 

 

And with Enterprise. . . . .I will. . .to this day and forever on. . .believe that Scott Bakula was the wrong choice. I loved him in everything else, from Quantum Leap, to Major League 3. But I just could not rally behind him as a Starfleet Captain.

 

Enough out of me.

[Kansas 0]

So...were all saying that all of the Trek shows have both faults as well as good points offered? Basically? Let alone the differing opinions of a large fan base.

 

An intensely loyal and opinionated fan base. Although I promised myself a long time ago that I'd never be that "One Fan" at the conventions. The one that argues some silly point of contention with one of the actors?

 

With the intro of Trek 11, here is what my Trek preference listing looks like these days:

 

1.) New TOS/Original TOS (combined them, easier)

2.) ENT

3.) VOY

4.) DS9

5.) TNG

 

TNG I've been over for a long time now. DS9 is okay, VOY is okay. I'd prefer VOY.

 

I will say it was nice to see a female captain finally in Voyager; about dang time.

 

Enterprise, Original Trek and the New TOS movie rock out.

 

Would I like to see a New TOS Trek TV series? Actually....yes and no. ::shrugs:: I think the movie installments are where the franchise needs to stay for right now.

[will_marx 0]

Would I like to see a New TOS Trek TV series? Actually....yes and no. ::shrugs:: I think the movie installments are where the franchise needs to stay for right now.

 

As would I...however, JJ and the crew at Bad Robot need to keep one thing in mind with new TOS: Keep it consistent. That was one of the biggest problems with all the subsequent spin-offs. The writers ignored established canon, and retcon'd things that were never even thought of in TOS, like the Borg on Earth in the late 21st Century...

[TKAR 0]

OUCH-hard choice in my opinion - I LOVE all of them - its like picking who the best captain is-AS star trek IDIC .....enjoy all of them including voyager---my pics are -----1)TOS <2009> in tie with TOS <origonal.....<pilot cage>{too}TOS<1966 to 1969> <<tie>> 2)TOS Cartoon 3)VOYAGER and Enterprise<THEY Tried-3 season the best Some of the first one too> 4) DS9 and TNG <<tie>> {{{ it really doesn,t matter they are all star trek -just enjoy them as IDIC }} THE same as this great STSF SUITE-Staff and Members too........

Edited December 23, 2009 by TKAR

[Nisha Dunsel 0]

Well my opinion on the matter of that which is Voyager. They couldn't keep facts straight. For instance, Tuvok started out to be an old wise Vulcan of 150's with a rank of Lieutenant Commander. Then 3rd season he became a Lieutenant with a new age of 111 years old in Flashbacks, he was a 29 year old Ensign on the Excelsior. But even they contradict ST VI: Tuvok has only been on the Excelsior 2 months, when the ship is returning from a mapping tour of the beta quadrant for 3 years. Would an Ensign transfer to a ship when the mission is coming to an end? Then in a later episode he was turning 100 years old. So if this is the case, Tuvok has taken the aspects from the aliens in "Innocence" he is reverse aging.

 

The other pet-peeve of mine is Voyager gets damaged so everytime it gets repaired it looks as if it's an Intrepid Class ship is brand spanking new with fresh coat of paint straight from the shipyards. Over the years it would have been nice to retrofit the ship with slight differences in technology. But, the 'abladive' shielding was overkill. I mean they did it with the weapons systems on DS9. It would have been nice to see the evolution of VOYAGER.

 

Dont get me wrong, Im a completist, I still like them all: TOS, TAS, TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT. Voyager and Enterprise could have been better. Voyager had the good acting but bad storytelling and Enterprise had the bad acting and good storytelling.

 

Im glad for the new movies, I call those the "ONE-POINT UNIVERSE" (STAR TREK 11 aka 1.1, STAR TREK 12 aka 1.2, STAR TREK 1.3... etc) maybe this time it can flow easier.

[AndrewLyon 0]

I see a few things that killed Voyager before and after it launched.

 

Now the core idea of Voyager was good, the idea of a starship out there in the middle of nowhere, Star Fleet command way too far to butt in. It sounds like how Star Trek was originally, heck they even had a Vulcan on the bridge. However, the wheels fell off the wagon shortly thereafter.

 

Merchandising: The Next Generation, and D.S.9 had action figures, posters, video games, the works. Voyager didn’t have ANY of this; the show had two video games, which were first person shooters.

 

Peter David: There are few authors out there who carry the weight that Peter David does, and Peter made it clear to the fandom, that he would NEVER write a Voyager novel. This hurt the franchise; it’s like a star player refusing to play in a city because he hates that city. In fact that only time that I can recall Peter writing ANYTHING to do with Voyager, he killed off Admiral Janeway (YES) (Just to give people the name of the novel. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Before Dishonor)

 

Captain Janeway: In a way, this character had problems before the FANS saw ANYTHING. Since original Geneviève Bujold was suppose to play the role, but backed out after realizing how much she hated the day to day demands of shooting an ongoing series. (Thanks A9 for the info, I just remember the two actor problem, and one being from Québec)

 

In a way Captain Janeway was a character of two actors, which did hurt her. The other problem was after several years of Captain Sisko’s more hands on approach to problems, people weren’t interested in Picard 2.0, who himmed, and hawed, and then took action. They wanted a bit more action, and allot less emotional debating. On a side note First Contact came out about a year after Voyager took off, so people forgot how Picard was, and remembered how he became in that film.

 

Harry Kim: Let’s see, he plays the role of the rookie perfectly. Wait, he’s an Ensign for seven years, and commands the Graveyard shift? This is as buyable as the idea of a fountain of youth being on Ferenginar. The kid is human, I could buy Tovuk working two shifts, but Harry, give me a break, or give him a promotion.

 

Nelix: I could buy the idea of a cook/guide for a few seasons, but for 7 years, and after how long since they passed a point where he didn’t know anything? Why didn’t they rotate him out, or give him something more serious to do on the ship. I mean he became a walking joke that lost the punch line. How he left the ship at the end, come on do I smell the cheapness in it?:-P

Kes: I don’t have a problem with her attitude and such. However, who was the person who cooked up a character who could die of old age, while the show was still in production? I mean she could go from 20-something to dying of old age during the series run.:-P

 

Tovuk: Already covered.

 

Here are the GENERAL problems with Voyager

 

-Kes warned them about the Year of Hell, gave them every scrap of information she had on it, and they make NO REFERENCE to it, or appeared to try and change things because of that information.

 

-How many episodes were pure fluff? Where you got the idea that there was nothing solid in it, but pure emotional trash. I mean was Roddenberry the only one who knew how to give show solid material, and include emotions?

 

- How many episodes were based on, or centered around the Holodeck? I mean with The Next Generation it’s buyable, since they were in Federation space, but Voyager was entirely unknown space, the Holodeck saw WAY too much use!

 

-Battle damage recovery (already covered)

 

-Supplies, it seemed after a while Voyager had more and more supplies, so less finding, but no reason why. I mean heck, the Enterprise needed certain procedures in Space Dock, but Voyage doesn’t? HOW!

 

-The Borg went from his invincible enemy, to one that little Voyager could take on. Where before it took an android, and a command crew to the flag ship of the fleet to turn an X-Borg back to normal, while now a half normal crew, and half rebel crew can do it?

 

These are all the reasons why Voyager Failed. Nemesis, and Star Trek 11 more or less killed the franchise off for good. If Rick Berman had any respect for the people who paid his bills (I.E us), he’d just admit he screwed up royally, and maybe try to fix things. Instead of making more and more mistakes.

Edited April 4, 2010 by AndrewLyon

[Dash_Andrews 0]

Voyager? Ok ---- here goes. JANEWAY... that's what's wrong with that whole damn show... Her character... Her Moral compass kept them lost in the Delta quadrant for 7 years... I mean obviously that was what was supposed to happen, but the show is ludacris... why give them so many easy oppurtunites to get back and then just screw the whole crew over when Janeway feels bad about how they have to go about it. I have REALLY REALLY REALLY tried to enjoy this show, cuz I don't ever want to hate anything TREK related... but I swear if I had been on that ship I would have mutinied and shot Janeway dead by Episode 4 of Season 1...

 

I just think she is a horrible captain... with that being said I now open myself up for complete retalliation by stating the following: To All Enterprise Haters... JUMP OFF A CLIFF <_< That show was very entertaining, and for a prequel we can all agree that it treaded very soft and smartly...

 

 

BTW--- I just wanna say YOU THE MAN ANDREWLYON... :P agree with all your assesments... and good call on Peter David... best Trek author there is.

Edited April 4, 2010 by Dash_Andrews

[Atragon9 0]

Captain Janeway: In a way, this character had problems before the FANS saw ANYTHING. Since original Celine Dion was suppose to play the role, but backed out after realizing how much she hated acting, and a little movie called Titanic took her singing carrier to new levels.

No, sorry, it was never Celine Dion, she was and is just a singer. The original Janeway was the actress, Geneviève Bujold. She is a much better actress than Kate Mulgrew.

 

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Genevi%C3%A8ve_Bujold

[Leila Kalomi 0]

If my ship is whisked to the far side of the galaxy, leaving us with a seventy-year journey home, and a super-being offers to take us home instantly in exchange for having his baby, I'll agree and ask what we can get for two babies.

[STSF_Scooter 0]

Well, I was stuck on Voyager, pounding on the door

When suddenly it dawned on me I've seen this show before

Perhaps I'm in a warp bubble and slightly out of phase

'Cause it was way back in the sixties when they called it "Lost in Space"

 

Voltaire, USS Make S--- Up

[Travis Kroells 0]

I personally like Voyager, it's probably my second favorite series after TNG, but there are a few things I can nitpick. One being the never ending line of shuttle craft, which is part of my second gripe. After some point in season two, the theme of "we're 60,000 light years away from the Federation, with no supplies" disappeared. Common themes in Season One was the constant reminder that they were running on reserves. Replicator rations, power conservation and what not. Watching from Season One, I felt like the need to procure supplies and resources should have been an important theme throughout the series. The idea of "If we don't find some dilithium, we're dead in the water". However, at some point, that peril just disappeared, and if someone didn't mention 60,000 light years at some point during the episode, you could have easily forgot they were in the Delta Quadrant to begin with.

 

Other then that, I thought it was a pretty decent series all around.

[LeftEar JoNs 0]

I don't know if I'd classify VOY as "wrong", any more so then the other Trek series. All four of them had their own quirks and stuff that made us wonder why this or that was done during the course of the series run.

 

We were fortunate for about fifteen years or so with having a Trek TV series. Not many fans can say that, and the only other sci fi show(s) that have come close (and that I know of) to some sort of TV longevity are Stargate and Doctor Who.

[STSF Precip 0]

Well Ron Moore said it best the way I felt about the show. Unfortunately it's a quote with some profanity in it. Essentially I didn't buy into Voyager's survivability...I sure as heck did not like what they did with the Borg on that show. Nonetheless it is Trek and always will be considered canon.

 

Precip

[Grom 0]

I don't know if I'd classify VOY as "wrong", any more so then the other Trek series. All four of them had their own quirks and stuff that made us wonder why this or that was done during the course of the series run.

 

I generally agree. I think we tend to gravitate towards those series we grew up with. I love TNG, but I also didn't start watching until late in its run and when it hit syndication. Deep Space 9 never got my interest until Worf came on board (I am re-watching DS9 right now - ironically started before the DS9 threat was started). But I watched Voyager pretty much straight through when it was new. That's why some of our younger forum users love Enterprise (though, I'm not sure why :P ), because it was new Trek and it was their Trek.

 

I think TOS, TNG and possibly DS9 have longer staying power, but VOY definitely has a unique place for me.