Hot on the trail of the release of the first season of Star Trek: The
Original Series, comes the fourth installment in the Star Trek:
Voyager collection. The third season had seen amazing leaps forward
in both writing, acting, and production. This fourth season took it to the next
step. Coming in with the continuation of the third season finale’s cliffhanger,
Voyager picked right back up where it left off, showing just
how much the series had matured and how firmly it stood in it’s footing.
Here we would find exciting, and touching stories filled with hope and fear,
as well as the departure of a main character, and the arrival of a new one that
turned the tide of Voyager.
The fourth season of Voyager comes spread over seven discs,
carrying all 26 episodes and a number of extras, totaling over 19 hours of viewing
pleasure. It’s a fantastic set featuring some of the most memorable episodes
of the series. The special features are right in step with the three previous
releases, and continue giving out great background information about almost
anything and everything a Trek fan could want to know about the show. But I’ll
review those later. Let’s talk about the show.
THE SHOW:
While a show like Star Trek only appeal to a certain, and loyal
fanbase, it’s breadth and scope goes far beyond their minds. The universe
is a infinitely vast space, and Voyager finally took advantage of that aspect.
It was going to reach out far beyond the known Trek universe, and expand as
much as it could. It was going to be different.
The reason this Trek series differs from previous ones is it’s setting
far away from the normal Trek universe we have come to know and love. Klingons
and Romulans are now thousands of light years away and the crew of Voyager is
alone in the far reaches of space. This of course is due to incidents in the
pilot episode of the first season, when a powerful alien known as The Caretaker
swept the ship away from its home in the Alpha Quadrant to the vast unknown
regions of the Delta Quadrant. Now the only Federation starship in the area,
it continues on it’s main mission objective: to explore. However, during
it’s course of discovery there is always the intent on getting home. The
storylines included in all the seasons of Voyager also parallel the ship’s
journey home. For those of you who majored in Star Trek, you would know that
75,000 light years is a lot. But for those of you who do not know much about
Star Trek, or astronomy really, just take my word for it –
it’s a long way from home. Even at Voyager’s maximum speed it would
take over 75 years for the ship to return to any previously known portion of
the galaxy.
Captaining the lost crew is Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), the first female
captain in the Star Trek series’ run (as a mainstay character).
Joining her are all the same people from the previous seasons including Commander
Chakotay (Robert Beltran), Tim Russ’s Vulcan Lieutenant Tuvok, Ensign
Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), B’Elanna Torres (Roxanne Dawson), and Tom Paris
(Robert Duncan McNeill). Voyager’s chief medical officer is played by
Robert Picardo, but with a twist; he’s a hologram. Ethan Phillips reprises
his role as the Talaxian Neelix, but sadly his alien counterpart Kes (Jennifer
Lien) would leave the show after the second episode of the season. Producers
cite the reasoning as being a lack of development and story for the character.
There was no love lost between the actual people, Kes’ character was just
simply not making the grade. Even with her great performances in the previous
season, it was time for the character to move on. Taking her place was a powerhouse
character that would both boost ratings, as well s give the show a new edge.
The beautiful Jeri Ryan came onto the show as the Borg, Seven of Nine. It was
an idea that added fantastic content to the show, as well as a plethora of new
possibilities. Plus, it was a way for Star Trek to showcase
it’s underlying themes of humanity – taking your mortal enemy, and
befriending it and showing it it’s own humanity. For those of you who
don’t know who or what the Borg are, they are pretty much about the worst
thing you can imagine. They are perfect beings (in their minds). They are a
perfect balance of organic beings and machine. However, they are a collective;
working together as one mind. They are a hive, with billions and billions of
drones, all connected in their minds. Their one mission: to improve themselves
further…by force. They assimilate entire species and cultures. Resistance
in futile.
THE EPISODES:
Season four of Star Trek: Voyager is as exciting as it is entertaining.
The crew meets new foes, makes new allies, and continues their face to face
confrontation with their ultimate enemy; the Borg. The season’s premiere
picks up where the season three left off, and it begins with a bang. And from
there it only gets better. Much like the previous season, which showcased a
leap in story and character development, this season does the same for other
characters, as well as improves even more on top of it’s already growing
maturity. The results of the combined imagination of writers, actors, and artists
are shown perfectly in the episodes of season four.
Remarkably, there are so many episodes worth watching in this set. Usually you’ll
find in many series only a handful of episodes per season that are really well
done, and worth your weekly tune-in. Right from the beginning, with the premiere,
season four begins with a bang. The cliff-hanger continuation finishes the “Scorpion”
two parter with flying colors, and the second episode of the season finishes
the overall lingering story. It’s in this episode, “The Gift,”
when we see the departure of Kes (with Seven of Nine having been introduced
already in “Scorpion part 2.” I won’t spoil the details for
those who may have missed it originally, but she leaves nicely, and gracefully.
Because of the fantastic writing and story ideas, so many other episodes are
worth the watch. They include: “Nemesis,” “Concerning Flight,”
“Message In A Bottle,” “Hunters,” “Prey,”
“The Killing Game parts 1 & 2,” “Living Witness,”
“Demon,” “One,” and “Hope And Fear,” the
season’s closer. This season, the end is definite, and there is no “…to
be continued.” It’s nice to have closure for once, but I admit it’s
equally as exciting to be left in suspense until the next season. Another two
part episode that deserves a special nod is “Year Of Hell.” This
is by far one of the coolest, and equally as awe inspiring episodes of the entire
series. It’s wicked hard to explain, but I’m going to give a special
shout out to the props, models, and special effects guys for some top notch
ship to ship combat and details. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Another important aspect of the season, and for the story, is the introduction
of a new foe, the Hirogen, a race of hunters (think the Predator movies). The
play an important part throughout the flow of the season. And probably the most
positive thing, is that Voyager finally makes contact with the Alpha Quadrant,
and home. They even get to receive letters from loved ones. It’s a touching
part of the season. Am I a sap? Ok, onto the special features!
THE EXTRAS:
Continuing with its reign of supreme extras, the Voyager set
comes complete with most of the same featurettes that are staples on the three
previous sets. There’s also a number of “hidden” features
that are even more behind the scenes interviews and such, but they can easily
be found just by navigating through the menus. There’s no tricks to know.
Here’s the rundown of the main extras:
-Braving The Unknown: Season Four – Writers, producers, and cast members
explore the details behind the fourth season, as well as the introduction of
the Seven of Nine character. Some episodes are discussed as well. Worth a watch.
-Time Capsule: Seven Of Nine – A detailed look at Jeri Ryan’s character.
It features several interviews and footage of model shoots, on set, and other
outings during her first year on the show.
-Time Capsule: Harry Kim – A detailed look at the young Ensign Kim, that
features and exclusive interview with actor Garrett Wang. He talks about the
character maturation over the years, and it also features some other off screen
moments.
-The Birth of Species 8472 – A great look behind the scenes at how the
idea, model, and computer animations were created for this new and vile enemy
of both Voyager, and the Borg. Definitely worth a look, especially for the final
scene…
-The Art of Alien Worlds – This is a fascinating look at how the landscapes
and worlds are designed, drawn, and used in Star Trek. I found it amazing to
see some of the paintings from the show’s artists. The talent is ridiculous,
and the painting and art magnificent. I wouldn’t mind owning a few of
those…but I doubt they’re for sale.
-Photo Gallery – a collection of photos from the season. Oh, joy.
There a few differences from previous seasons, as we don’t have the featurette
on the special effects, or the real science (see my previous reviews for a further
explanation). But they are replaced with two equally as good extras that are
worth watching.
And there you have the fourth season of Star Trek: Voyager.
It’s a great set that any Trekkie will certainly not hesitate to buy.
If you’re not a Trekkie, I’m surprised you’ve read this far.
And for those on the edge of fandom, I’ll tell ya all day and all night
this set is worth having, but then I’d also tell you to start with the
first season and work your way up. But for fans, or interested people everywhere
else, this set is great. It preserves all 26 episodes in a beautiful look, and
the sound is excellent as well. You won’t be disappointed here. So go
ahead and get season for of Voyager. Face it, resistance is
futile.
Season 4 Episodes: A+
Season 4 Extras: A (because I really like those paintings!)
Overall DVD Set Score: A
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