The first season of Star Trek Voyager was a successful shakedown cruise, and the second saw the series make good on its early potential. As Voyager's Captain Janeway, Kate Mulgrew maintained Starfleet integrity in the lawless expanse of the Delta quadrant, becoming the ethical conscience of a volatile mix of Maquis rebels and Starfleet crew, whose unanimous loyalty would be dramatically proven in the episode "The 37's." Janeway's moral guidance would also assert itself in "Death Wish" (a "Q" episode featuring Star Trek: The Next Generation's Jonathan Frakes) and "Tuvix," in which life-or-death decisions land squarely on her shoulders. Season two brought similar development to all the primary characters, deepening their relationships and defining their personalities, especially Robert Beltran as Chakotay (in "Initiations" and "Tattoo"), now firmly established as Janeway's best friend and command-decision confidante. Solid sci-fi concepts were a highlight in the second season as well, which also intensified Janeway's struggle with the villainous Kazon, exacerbated by the duplicitous Cardassian Seska (played by Martha Hackett). The psychologically intense "Meld" (featuring a riveting guest performance by Brad Dourif) was a Tuvok-story highlight, and the aptly titled "Basics, Pt. 1" provided an ominous cliffhanger, including a second planetary landing (in a season full of impressive special effects) that left Voyager's fate in question. The bonus features on this 26-episode set cater primarily to Trekkies (or Trekkers, if you prefer), but they also serve to inform non-fans of the show's ongoing progress. [Note: also newly available from Paramount is Star Trek: The Next Generation--Jean-Luc Picard Collection (2 discs, $26.99), which compiles seven fine Picard-centered episodes--including the classics "Family" and "Tapestry--as well as the excellent Patrick Stewart-hosted documentary From Here to Infinity: The Ultimate Voyage (not available separately on DVD).] Recommended. (J. Shannon)
Star Trek: Voyager--Season Two
Paramount, 7 discs, 1,183 min., not rated, DVD: $129.99 September 20, 2004
Star Trek: Voyager--Season Two
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