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Star Trek: Voyager picked the right character to bail on for Seven of Nine’s arrival

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Star Trek: Voyager picked the right character to bail on for Seven of Nine's arrival

As a long-time Star Trek enthusiast who has witnessed the cosmic journey of the USS Voyager from its humble beginnings to its glorious finale, I must say that the arrival of Seven of Nine was a pivotal moment in the show’s history. This enigmatic character, with her captivating design and intriguing backstory, brought a breath of fresh air that the series desperately needed after the tumultuous relationship between Kes and Neelix.

As a dedicated Star Trek: Voyager fan, I’d say the appearance of Seven of Nine reshaped our beloved series significantly. She ushered in a new epoch for the show, and her unique character design and execution made her one of the most memorable figures. However, to accommodate such an influential figure, it was necessary to bid farewell to another character.

Jennifer Lien’s character Kes belonged to the Ocampa race, which carried a tragic trait: a lifespan limited to just seven Earth years. This meant that Kes would not survive until the ship reached Earth or, if the series lasted seven seasons, she would perish as the ship was about to land. There were certain storylines within the show that attempted to prolong her life, but these efforts only masked her inherent flaws.

Initially, viewers found it hard to accept that Kes, who was just one year old, was dating a 30-something character named Neelix, a Talaxian. This relationship often led to unwarranted drama, particularly due to Neelix’s jealousy. The pairing negatively impacted the show and viewers developed a dislike for them from their first appearance on screen.

In the series, I found myself struggling to connect with the character at first, as she appeared so tender and soft that her unique persona felt almost contrived. For much of the early episodes, she clung to Neelix like a stray kitten, and even when attempts were made to introduce diverse interests such as nursing or farming, it still felt forced. Her hobbies seemed more like an effort from the writers to separate her from the suffocating romance they’d awkwardly placed her in.

If not for her unfortunate relationship with Neelix, she might have developed into an exceptional character. Unfortunately, their pairing was such a misguided decision that it proved nearly impossible to rectify. It wasn’t until five or more seasons passed that Neelix began to show signs of improvement, primarily when he became the caretaker for the children on the spaceship, particularly Naomi Wildman.

Kes didn’t manage to keep or appreciate whatever it was for very long, which is why Seven of Nine made such an impression. Unlike Kes and Neelix, she didn’t have the same constraints or weak connections that ultimately proved detrimental to them.

Her personality was somewhat mysterious and unpredictable, giving her an allure that Kes didn’t possess. This edgy quality, which unexpectedly appeared towards the end of the series, breathed fresh life into all the other characters. She introduced a novel and distinct aspect to the show that caused every established character to seem more vibrant by association.

When considering which character should step aside for Seven of Nine, Kes seemed the most suitable due to the poor quality of her writing. Fixing her character would have required an immense amount of work, or even a miracle, given her state. This swap improved the show’s reputation and made it more enjoyable overall.

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2024-09-08 20:23

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