It's been thirty years since Star Trek: Voyager debuted on UPN. A unique version of Star Trek, this bridge was led by a female captain whose authority was unquestionable. Captain Kathryn Janeway [Kate Mulgrew] owned that bridge, and the crew that helped Voyager make its way across the Delta Quadrant were some of the best on a Star Trek show.
Unfortunately, Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation didn't give the female officers much to do. Voyager corrected that, makihng, the women integral to the ship's journey, more so when Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine came aboard. They worked in tandem with the rest of the crew, never backing down from a challenge or a fight.
Though Star Trek: Deep Space Nine put Major Kira [Nana Visitor] in a position of authority, she was still under Commander/Captain Sisko's [Avery Brooks] command. With Voyager, the buck stopped with Janeway, and viewers got a first look at a woman who inspired them to reach for more.
The entire cast of Voyager worked, for the most part, like a well-oiled machine. Yes, there were some blips along the way, but for a 1990s show, Voyager was innovative and fresh. To this day, it, and the cast members, remain a beloved part of Star Trek history.
Though Jennifer Lien, who portrayed the Ocampan Kes, during the first three seasons of the series left at the beginning of season four, Jeri Ryan was able to step in and fill the gap. The series didn't miss a beat in its later seasons, and while there are a few episodes that can be skipped if you prefer, the vast majority are close to being creatively perfect.
Some examples, without including the more obvious ones like Year of Hell, include The Chute, Someone to Watch Over Me, Living Witness, Meld, Day of Honor, Mortal Coil, Nemesis, Timeless, and Prey. These are all must watch episodes and are perfect examples of why Voyager hit its mark time and again. Thirty years later, it remains a beloved part of the Star Trek franchise.