Star Trek Voyager: Season One

Conceived as a transitional series that launched while Deep Space Nine was still airing original episodes, Voyager, the fourth live-action Star Trek TV series (which premiered on January 16, 1995) is set in the same 24th-century timeframe as DS9 and The Next Generation, and features Starfleet's first female commander--Capt. Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew)--who faces an immediate crisis (in the opening two-parter "Caretaker") when the starship Voyager is catapulted 70,000 light years ahead into the remote, unexplored Delta Quadrant of the galaxy, effectively cutting the ship off from any contact with Earth. Not only must Janeway cope with the lonely reality of a lifelong journey homeward, but her Starfleet crew includes a rescued contingent of Maquis, a rebel faction opposed to some of Starfleet's diplomatic policies. This onboard conflict was unique to DS9 and Voyager, as producers felt that Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's original concept of "zero conflict in Starfleet" had become an obstacle to potentially rewarding plot developments. As the first season progressed, Maquis/Starfleet tensions were keenly explored in such well-written episodes as "Parallax" and "Learning Curve," and new enemies were introduced, including the horribly disfigured Vidiians (inflicted with a flesh-rotting disease called "the Phage"), and the ruthless Kazon, who would make numerous appearances throughout this and subsequent seasons. More than any Star Trek series before it, Voyager found its voice and identity quickly, and its "castaway" premise drew impressive ratings while maintaining Roddenberry's popular forum for philosophical and ethical discourse. This five-disc box set presents all 15 first-season episodes in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo (they look and sound much better than cable or satellite broadcasts), with the fifth disc devoted to a fan-pleasing array of bonus features, the most fascinating being rare footage of Genevieve Bujold, the distinguished French-Canadian actress (Choose Me) who played Janeway for one day before the producers decided (wisely, it turns out) to replace her with Mulgrew. A variety of featurettes explore the show's conception, cast and crew, visual effects design, and the actual science behind Voyager's science fiction. Devoted Trekkies will also enjoy a few extra Easter egg features hidden among the two main menus of the bonus disc. Recommended. (J. Shannon)