Review of Star Trek: Voyager

First off, I hardly ever take the time to write a review or even review products I purchase anymore do to my life being so busy but I promised myself I would after watching Voyager recently. I'm 54 now and remember when Voyager first aired on TV. I was really in love with TNG at the time and liked TNG way more than the original Star Trek series. So when Voyager came out my initial reaction was: "What's this?" I couldn't like it in anyway. I had just lost my TNG and the characters I so loved, Data, Picard, Troy etc. Don't get me wrong I did watch some episodes, but just couldn't get into it. I didn't like the spaceship design, the theme music, the "woman" captain!!! The Indian with a tattoo on his face, omg, it was all so different than what I had become accustomed to. I had convinced myself that they had veered way off course as far the whole star trek theme went. So, over the decades that followed I re watched all the movies and TNG in its entirety a couple of times and never thought to give Voyager another try until this year. This Christmas something came up in my past that got me all nostalgic and I decided to re watch all of TNG again. I got to talking to my younger brother about it and he said he was watching Voyager of all things and that he thought it was way better than TNG and to trust him. So after finishing TNG for like the 4th time in my life, I felt it was ok to move on and give Voyager an honest try. I went into it with an open mind. I had read some reviews both positive and some critical. Some were critical of Tuvok being to dry, some were critical of Chakote not being enthusiastic enough etc. But I didn't let that deter me and chose to come to my own conclusions. I have to admit that I did come away with some criticisms but they are minor in the grand scheme of things. I guess I can spell them out first: Janeway"s :"hair turbin", I mean, wtf was that all about, lol. She really is not a bad looking woman, but the hairdo was like: what do we do with all this hair? Some episodes it was down and she looked good. It's a silly criticism, but it was a distraction. Also her wrecked voice. So unattractive, but it was something out of control as a person. Her acting performance was excellent I thought and groundbreaking as women actress in a command role. I especially liked the episode where they find Emilia Earnhardt on a remote planet. That really taped into so many good things about I love of space and "what if". Onto Chikotee (I'm not going spell check any of this, so forgive me). He did a fine job throughout the series, but nothing terrible or nothing spectacular. Tuvok on the other hand was a pleasant surprise. There were some really good episodes where his acting was spectacular. Especially the one where he forgets who he is but remembers that Nealix is his friend. So innocent and emotional, a real departure from the detached in control Vulcan. Seven of Nine although controversial at the time was a great "pick up" role mid series. I'm a guy and man I tell ya, she was so freekin hot!!! But we soon realize how consequential her role is. She ties the Borg back into story in a big way making the Borgs appearance in the handful of episodes on TNG seem small. It was so nice to see her develop as a human. I wish they would have spent more time with the development of her character, I couldn't get enough of that and that brings me to the end. Of course they do make it back to earth and as far as TV series go it is very hard to wrap a show up that satisfies everyone and this show was no different. I mean you gotta stop somewhere with the story telling. A few things I would have liked to see: 7 of 9 falling in love. Nelix getting to see earth and be appreciated by the populous. In fact I wish they could have shown them being welcomed home. I wish they could have shown Janeway getting back together with her bf on earth. I do recommend Voyager to any star trek fan. Most of the stories were very rewarding covering such a diverse range of topics. I could "feel" the hard work and effort from the creators of TNG. Give it a try, you won't regret it one bit !!!!