Star Trek: Voyager - Season 7 [DVD] [1996]

Star Trek Voyager is a science fiction adventure based on the original series created by Gene Roddenberry. Each episode follows the Federation Star-ship U.S.S. Voyager and her crew, as they navigate their way home through unknown and often hostel space, after being transported against their will to the other side of the Galaxy.

This is the seventh and final season of Star Trek Voyager, and the boxed set contains all twenty six episodes, as well as a selection of special features.

Naturally after watching seven seasons of anything, you come to feel that you know the characters, and come to care about what happens to them in the end. As a result you can expect an emotional response especially towards the end of the season, as you know things are coming to a close.

The obvious highlight of this season was the two part final "End Game" which is action packed and gripping, but more importantly it ended things nicely, while also tying up all the loose ends.

Generally all episodes in this season were very entertaining and enjoyable to watch. The most note worthy few being "Renaissance Man" with Robert Picardo in fine form as both the Doctor and the ECH. "Q2" one of my personal favourites, and "Shattered" which showed time periods in both Voyager's past and possible future. There was only one episode I didn't enjoy and that was "Nightingale" simply because I felt it wasn't faithful to one of the character background and established traits (Kim's). Also there were a few small but obviously plot holes, and a rather pointless puppy love sub-plot between Torres and Icheb.

But all things considered, with plenty of brilliant moments and some excellent episodes make this final season one of the best. The cast continue to be in fine form, the stories are great and have been well implemented.

With Star Trek Voyager the question of whether or not the crew would ever get home was always present as the show continued, and as such it was a common theme in many episodes. I'm glad the series finished the way it did and when it did, as I felt it was the right time for the show to come to a conclusion.

I've heard many people say in the past that they felt that Voyager was the weakest of the Star Trek sage, personally I disagree. I find it the most involving, the easiest to relate to, and the one that offers the best and most diverse characters.

The only thing I can complain about is that the Borg (a race of cybernetic drones) seem to have been somewhat 'toned down' and tamed in Star Trek Voyager. They seem less menacing and less dangerous when compared to their appearances in The Next Generation and in the First Contact movie.

As expected picture and sound quality throughout the series is excellent. And you have the added bonus of being able to watch without commercial interruption -unlike the television broadcasts.

For any new comers I would strongly recommend watching Voyager from the first season and working up to this season, as it will give you all the necessary background, and let you become involved with cast. For established fans, or long time watchers there has never been a better time to buy these boxed sets as their price continue to drop.

VOYAGER becomes the 3rd Star Trek incarnation to complete its seventh year. Its final 26 episodes are, in the main, successful.

The season kicks off with a strong conclusion to the season 6 cliff-hanger UNIMATRIX ZERO. There is something very affecting about the principal of several Borg drones being able to fulfil their individuality during regeneration. The season 7 premiere delivers a respectable conclusion to this premise.

Moving on from the opener, there are several bland entries (including the 7 of 9 showcase IMPERFECTION, DRIVE [which sees the marriage of 2 crew members] & the Tuvok centred REPRESSION).

However some of the seasons success stories include: LINEAGE (which focuses on Torres parental worries), the WORKFORCE 2-parter (in which the crew are unknowingly forced to work on alien planet), AUTHOR AUTHOR and the audacious penultimate episode RENAISSANCE MAN; a really effective blend of action & tongue-in-cheek sentiment, which perfectly showcases the ability of the cast ensemble (with, of course, the doctor at the forefront).

ENDGAME is the shows highly effective series finalé, and is packed with menace, suspense and plenty of character moments, presented in one highly polished presentation.

While it may have been heavily critised by some people for its lack of continuity and engaging drama, VOYAGER may well have been a mere victim of poor timing (airing too close to DS9, and to TNG's demise). Faced with ENTERPRISE - surely many fans will feel nostalgia, for a show that was largely unappreciated.

Well having watched most of the seasons on video the quailty of the picture and the extras were incrediable on DVD.

Everyone moans about the final episode but if you are looking to buy this don't be put off.

The ending was a nice alround round off of the series and it had to come at some point and it is well worth watching.

Another brilliant aspect of getting the series on DVD is the extras series 7 ones are excellent.

I am probably biased as I think Voyager is the best series but off all the endings this one was good.

This is a must have for any trekkie.

Live long and Prosper those who read this.

Ps. the best bit in the whole series is at the end of homestead involving Tuvoc watch out for it. (he's would be quite talented on the dance floor).