Several years ago now I did an article talking about my favorite episodes of TNG for each specific character. With 23 episodes a season there are plenty of chances to let our characters shine for an episode (take notes modern Trek), for better or for worst. I wanted to do one for Voyager but never got to it.
Last year at a convention for the 30th anniversary of Voyager Brannon Braga listed what he thought was the best episodes for each character. Some choices were interesting, but did I agree? I have always said Voyager was more of an ensemble show than TNG making character driven episodes more rare. But they had them. Here are my choices.
Like last time these are not necessarily the best episodes just the strongest character pieces, and like last time I will try to list my example of the worst episodes also. And for fun I’ll mention the episode Braga went with and why I disagree.
Should mention as always this is just opinion and for fun.
Neelix-Mortal Coil
Say what you want about Neelix but this is a great episode. Everyone loses faith at times and this episode deals with it wonderfully. I love also that it’s Chakotay that helps him, it’s one of the few times the character is truly useful. Yeah “Jetrel” is ok but this is better.
Worst-any early episode he was in raging jealous mode
Braga-the same, this is universally considered the best Neelix episode.
Lt.Tom Paris - 30 Days
This is an episode I should hate. Not only does Paris do something ridiculous but it needs a retcon to make it work. But somehow the script and the acting raise the episode for me to a classic. I believe Tom genuinely cares about the ocean planet and the fact he doesn’t run from the consequences shows growth. Easily his best episode.
Worst-Threshold. Do I need to explain why?
Braga-He said he liked the captain proton episodes, sure
Tuvok-Gravity
As much as I like this character, this was a hard choice. It seems like his episodes are either silly or boring as hell. I liked Riddles but that’s almost a Neelix episode . I settled for this one because while it is on the slow side, it’s probably the best look at his background. And his chemistry with guest star Lori Petty is good. And the script doesn’t involve him going insane or losing his mind, for once.
Worst-Repression, it’s like four other episodes mashed into one big mess
Braga-Meld, not awful but for me it starts out strong but gets goofy toward the end
Harry Kim-Timeless
Man what a tough one. Seemed like when he got an episode either the script sucked or he was a whiny baby in it. The Chute is good but not great. This episode is a true favorite, for any Trek series, and what I love is that we see the end result of Harry’s obsession over getting home when it’s goes awry.
Worst-The Disease. What you get when you have a ridiculous premise and two characters with no chemistry? A mess
Braga-the same
B’Elanna Torres-“Extreme Risk”
It took me a little over time to really like her, but like her I did. There are a lot of great episodes for her, like “Barge of the Dead” which is clearly meant to be the big Torres episode, but this one I just love. It deals with the subject of depression as she copes with the loss of her maquis family. I’ve come back to this one a million times.
Worst-Blood Fever. A mind meld makes her experience Pon Farr? please
Brags-he agrees with me
The Doctor-Projections
There are so many episodes to pick from (to many really) but this one wins for me. It’s the first episode of the show I liked, the first episode that made me like the doctor, and it sets up his character for the rest of the series. Yeah the fact it’s not real sucks but the doctor sells every scene he’s in. As for Living Witness, see my article about that one.
Worst-Virtuoso. Fame makes The Doctors ego rage out of control and it’s not his best outing
Braga-Latent Image. Not horrible but I’d need an article to cover my issues with this one
Chakotay-Unforgettable
Easily the hardest one on this list. Every damn episode he’s the focus of his boring as hell. Like nemesis for instance. I do like Shattered but does that really count? Almost every character I could do individuall lists of episodes not him so much. Yeah I’ve picked on this episode before about the forced romance but at least it doesn’t put me in a coma.
Worst-The Fight. Just baaaaad
Braga-Scorpion, guess he couldn’t pick one either
Seven of Nine-Imperfection
Yeah this was sure hard, I loved almost every episode she was in. There were a lot of contenders, infinite regress and one almost got the spot, so what makes this my first choice? Honestly it was almost a toss up but this is the one I think I come back to the most. Seven has to accept that she may be dying and there are some great moments with the other characters that elevate it. It covers similar ground as “Drone” but I like this one a little more.
Worst-Retrospect. I’d need a whole article to explain the misstep this episode was
Braga-Someone to Watch Over Me, fair enough it’s one of the few times we see there’s a human under they borg facade.
Kes-Before and After
One of the better episodes from the early days we see Kes living her life backwards. It’s also a nice alternate future when we know how the series really worked out.
Worst-Elogiun. Eat bugs, sure
Brags-same
Captain Janeway-Night
Lot of choices here including the final episode and of course Year of Hell. But Night wins because we finally see the captain regretting her mistakes. This is quite honestly my favorite episode of the series and it’s nice to see vulnerable Janeway once in awhile.
Worst-Fair Haven. Stupid ridiculous nonsense
Braga-Year of Hell, great episode but is it really Janeway at her best? At least it wasn’t counterpoint.
Agree or disagree? Comment and let me know. You may wonder if a DS9 one will follow but sadly I don’t know that show as well as TNG or Voyager.
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