In some instances, you might find it convenient to bypass certain episodes from Season 3 of Star Trek: Voyager. Throughout this season, Captain Kathryn Janeway (played by Kate Mulgrew) and her crew navigate the USS Voyager’s journey through the Delta Quadrant, emphasizing teamwork and cooperation among diverse crews.
Season 3 delves into how the USS Voyager crew interacts with societies in the Delta Quadrant, tackling themes of integration and assimilation. The characters encounter various cultures, religions, and conflicts, often finding themselves at the mercy of these external forces. This is essentially a build-up to their entry into Borg space, which leaves the season on a suspenseful note with “Scorpion, Part 1” serving as a cliffhanger.
Similar to previous seasons of Star Trek: Voyager, season 3 presents daring narratives with ambitious storylines, some of which deliver more effectively than others. Voyager ventures boldly into uncharted territory with episodes such as the time-travel adventure, “Before and After,” where Kes (Jennifer Lien) experiences her life in reverse; and the dinosaur-themed episode, “Distant Origin” or “the one featuring dinosaurs“. However, not every risk yields the same level of success as Voyager season 3‘s most outstanding episodes. This season also includes Star Trek: Voyager’s infamous “Trilogy of Terror,” which we will discuss further, along with determining if any of these controversial episodes are best avoided.
5. “Warlord”
Voyager Season 3, Episode 10
In the 10th episode of Star Trek: Voyager‘s third season, titled “Warlord”, commences with Neelix (Ethan Phillips) making distressing sounds as a virtual Talaxian woman massages his feet. This initial scene might hint that this isn’t one of the strongest Star Trek: Voyager episodes. The events that unfold certainly support this notion, making it an episode you may want to bypass. However, one positive aspect of “Warlord” is Jennifer Lien’s impressive portrayal of Kes, as the deceased Ilari tyrant Tieran (Leigh McCloskey) exploits a loophole to resurrect himself within Kes’ body, eventually ending his relationship with Neelix.
In the series “Warlord”, a significant portion of its plot revolves around Tieran, who was previously known as Kes in another form, attempting a pompous return to power as an oppressive Autarch following his murder of the current ruler. Even onboard the USS Voyager, we learn more about Ilari politics from the former Autarch’s son than about methods to reverse Tieran’s mental control. This focus seems unusual since neither the audience nor Captain Janeway are invested in the Ilari or intend to linger once Kes is liberated.
As a devoted fan of Star Trek: Voyager, I can’t help but feel let down by the late arrival of “Warlord” in the series. The episode presents an opportunity for significant character development for Kes, as Tuvok successfully frees her from Tieran’s control and promises a transformation. However, this change never truly materializes, leaving viewers like myself feeling somewhat cheated.
If Jennifer Lien had continued to play Kes beyond season 3, perhaps “Warlord” would have served as a pivotal moment in the character’s arc. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be, so I suggest giving this one a pass if you’re watching through the series.
4. “Favorite Son”
Voyager Season 3, Episode 20
Title “Favorite Son” highlights Ensign Harry Kim (played by Garrett Wang), giving him a chance at love for the first time, in contrast to his previous romantic mishaps. However, Harry Kim doesn’t typically get leading roles, so “Favorite Son” may not be essential viewing as it revolves around the questionable premise that Ensign Kim is actually a Taresian from the Delta Quadrant. Despite all the efforts made by the Taresians to convince Kim of his origins, this notion stretches credibility even for the fantastical elements present in the series.
The Next Generation” or “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” where the audience and characters wouldn’t notice the obvious inconsistency in the Taresians’ story. Instead, Ensign Kim disregards this illogical scenario and the suspicious nature of the Taresian cult, choosing to give up his Starfleet career and submit himself to their breeding program.
Among the three terrifying episodes in the series, “Favorite Son” from the third season of Star Trek: Voyager is one that forms a powerful sequence. However, it’s not the most dismal of the lot, as Voyager tends to revert back to its initial state after Harry Kim is saved, meaning “Favorite Son” doesn’t leave any lasting impacts. Unfortunately, this season also included “The Chute,” where Kim was given a substantial role and character growth that persisted.
3. “False Profits”
Voyager Season 3, Episode 5
In the fifth episode of Season 3, titled “False Profits,” Voyager, weaves its plot from a single line in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s eighth episode of Season 3, “The Price.” This one line introduced a pair of Ferengi negotiators, Arridor (Dan Shor) and Kol (Leslie Jordan), who were transported through the Barzan wormhole into the Delta Quadrant. As a result, “False Profits” focuses more on serving as a sequel to TNG’s Ferengi storyline rather than advancing the narrative of Voyager itself.
Voyager” seems to overlook the fact that it thrives on exploration and discovery of new life and civilizations in the Delta Quadrant, rather than rehashing familiar territory. It’s oddly incongruous to stumble upon Ferengi in the Delta Quadrant, even more so given that Voyager doesn’t seem to adapt to the changes in the Ferengi as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” did. Characters like Arridor and Kol could have been developed with more depth, but they are portrayed as stereotypical, humorous antagonists claiming divine status among an unaware pre-warp culture.
2. “Sacred Ground”
Voyager Season 3, Episode 7
Although it delves into religious themes, “Sacred Ground” unfortunately mirrors a dull episode from “Star Trek.” Instead of offering an engaging exploration of Captain Kathryn Janeway’s scientific perspectives on spirituality, as one might expect, the narrative becomes monotonous. In this storyline, Kathryn embarks on a spiritual journey guided by an alien entity, but instead of leading to enlightening discoveries or significant progress, her voyage seems aimless and unproductive. The idea that some truths lie beyond scientific comprehension is subtly conveyed, but the alien guides in this episode fall short in comparison to the Prophets from “Deep Space Nine.
In this Star Trek: Voyager episode titled “Sacred Ground,” the crew strays slightly from their established characters. The storyline necessitates a sacrifice for Captain Janeway’s journey, causing Kes to act recklessly instead of her usual inquisitive self. With Kes unavailable, Neelix’s cries of distress become even more pronounced. Commander Chakotay, played by Robert Beltran, overemphasizes the role of the skeptic for Nechani spiritual beliefs, almost appearing to be against science altogether. Despite my desire to appreciate the message “Sacred Ground” aims to convey, I find that Captain Janeway doesn’t fully embrace the unknown, which leaves the overall theme somewhat lacking and underdeveloped.
1. “Rise”
Voyager Season 3, Episode 19
As a dedicated cinephile, I’d advise you to give “Rise,” the 19th episode of season 3 in Voyager, a pass. The story jumps right into the action, leaving viewers like us in the dark about who the mysterious guests on the USS Voyager bridge are and why Captain Janeway is assisting them in asteroid defense. This abrupt beginning is uncommon for an episode that, surprisingly, isn’t primarily focused on asteroid defense. Instead, it delves into the complex dynamics between Tuvok and Neelix, a relationship that seems to be more love-hate than friendly. However, the twist – the sudden appearance of a murder case – only surfaces in Act 4.
To put it simply, “Rise” appears to be a blend of at least three other narratives, and its storyline isn’t entirely clear. Interestingly, the episode seems to favor Tuvok’s ongoing disagreement with Neelix, portraying Tuvok as unreasonable for demanding professionalism from Neelix, who was merely trying to help. This is an unusual stance for “Star Trek,” which typically champions teamwork and collaboration over criticizing individual values, such as Tuvok’s in this case.
Voyager” seem to misrepresent the season’s central theme, which is the balance between cultural assimilation and integration. With the exception of “False Profits,” these episodes often depict characters suppressing their true selves for the sake of others. For instance, Tuvok allows Neelix to win in “Rise,” Kes gets controlled by Tieran in “Warlord,” Harry decides to leave the Federation in “Favorite Son,” and Captain Janeway attempts to embrace spirituality in “Sacred Ground.” Unfortunately, these storylines contradict the core values of “Star Trek,” making them less appealing for those who appreciate the series’ philosophy. Therefore, it might be worth skipping these particular episodes.
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2025-06-01 00:38