Although it finished airing more than twenty years ago, Jeri Ryan's former Borg drone Seven of Nine became a Captain in Star Trek: Picard.
One of the most fascinating characters in Voyager, however, is the Emergency Medical Hologram, also known as the EMH or the Doctor, played by Robert Picardo. The Doctor appeared in the first episodes of Voyager as a stopgap measure after the ship's doctor died, but over seven seasons he evolved into one of the most compelling characters Star Trek ever created. Now, it is confirmed that the Doctor will be appearing in the latest series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, connecting Voyager to the distant future of Trek.
The Doctor In Starfleet Academy Confirms Voyager’s Importance To Star Trek
He Bridges The Gap Between The TNG Era And New Star Trek
Robert Picardo ing the cast of Starfleet Academy as the Doctor means that Voyager remains important to Starfleet even hundreds of years in the future. But this isn't a huge surprise. The USS Voyager-J already appeared in seasons 3-5 of Star Trek: Discovery, where it was fitted with the new Pathway Drive. That confirms that the legacy of Captain Janeway and her crew was already alive and well in the 32nd century. Having the Doctor appear in Starfleet Academy means that, above and beyond a legacy of ship designs, the Federation of still values experience and insight from Voyager.
The Doctor is an ambassador from the most popular era of Star Trek.
From a meta-perspective, having the Doctor in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy bridges the new Star Trek shows and the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Doctor is an ambassador from the most popular era of Star Trek. Furthermore, it only makes sense for the Doctor to appear in Starfleet Academy because, as a hologram, he is immortal, so no other characters from the TNG era can reasonably appear in the show. So, for new and old viewers of Star Trek alike, bringing the Doctor into Starfleet Academy creates an invaluable link between new and classic Trek.
Why Voyager Is Such An Influential Star Trek Show 30 Years Later
It Added A Lot Of Lore And Has A Lot Of Great Episodes
There is, of course, another reason why Robert Picardo is returning to Star Trek as the Doctor more than 30 years after he originated the role – Voyager is a great show. It broadened the horizons of Star Trek by showing life deep in the Delta Quadrant. It added depth and complexity to the Borg and the Q continuum, both of which have remained important to Star Trek even as new shows continue releasing. And Voyager was the first Star Trek series to really show a Starfleet Captain on the back foot, without the power of the Federation at their back.
This Star Trek: Voyager Season 3 Episode Is The Best Place To Start Your Rewatch
Star Trek: Voyager can be enjoyed without starting at the very beginning. A season 3 episode is a great entry point to Captain Janeway's show.
Beyond these narrative details that give Voyager an undeniably compelling premise and place in Star Trek lore, Voyager has a lot of genuinely incredible episodes. The moral quandary that Captain Janeway faced in "Tuvix" remains a subject of fierce debate decades after the episode aired. Also, Voyager season 5 includes legendary episodes like "Course: Oblivion" and "Counterpoint." Star Trek: Voyager is still influential in 2025 because it is a fantastic piece of television, and hopefully, Robert Picardo will bring that same energy to Starfleet Academy.
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Star Trek: Voyager
8/10- Release Date
- January 16, 1995
- Network
- UPN
- Showrunner
- Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor, Brannon Braga, Kenneth Biller
- Directors
- David Livingston, Winrich Kolbe, Allan Kroeker, Michael Vejar
- Writers
- Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor
Cast
Kathryn Janeway
Chakotay
In this sci-fi series, the starship Voyager becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant, 70,000 light-years from Earth. The diverse crew, led by Captain Janeway, embarks on a perilous journey home, encountering unfamiliar species and challenges while adhering to Federation principles in uncharted space.
- Franchise(s)
- Star Trek
- Seasons
- 7
- Story By
- Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor
- Streaming Service(s)
- Paramount Plus
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Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
- Network
- Paramount+
- Showrunner
- Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau
- Directors
- Alex Kurtzman
- Writers
- Gaia Violo
- Franchise(s)
- Star Trek
Cast
Holly HunterUncredited
Paul GiamattiJett Reno-
Kerrice BrooksThe Doctor
Oded Fehr
After being closed for over a hundred years, Starfleet Academy is reopening its doors to those who wish to pursue a career as Starfleet Officers. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will follow a new group of cadets as they come of age, and build friendships, rivalries, and romantic relationships while being threatened by a new adversary that could destroy the Academy and the Federation itself.
- Seasons
- 1
- Story By
- Gaia Violo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Paramount Plus
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