Best season?

[BlueStuff]

Hi all,

I'm actually in the process of watching Voyager through for the first time. I had of course seen random episodes here and there in the past, but this is my first time watching the show all the way through, in order. Just watched "Prime Factors".

I'm curious as to which season established fans tend to favor? Which season do you yourself believe is the best, or your favorite? I'd appreciate an attempt to avoid spoilers, but I understand the nature of the question inevitably sets me up for at least minor snippets.

 

[stardream]

I don't know what season most fans like and to be honest really wouldn't care. I've never been one to follow the crowd.


Season 5 is probably right up there as one of my favorite seasons of any TV shows ever. Its right up there with Matt Smith's first Season as The Doctor. Its not perfect of course and there are a few episodes that could be better but there is just something about this season I like.

Minor minor spoiler...someone described it as the crew's 'dark night of the soul' season. I think everyone of them goes through a crisis of one sort of another. Yes they do in other season's as well but for whatever reason it just seems a bit darker, more introspective this time around... at least it does for me.

I did not know until recently that it passed the Bechdel Test with a perfect score. (If you don't know what that is google it.) Its just a way of determining how women characters are used in TV and the movies. Doesn't make the episodes good or bad or feminist...its just a way of highlighting certain things. I found that more interesting than anything else.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

I was (one of?) the people that frequently uses that "dark night of the soul" line to describe season 5 and that was in fact the season I was going to pick. Of course, to be "picky", season 5 didn't end for me until episode #3 of season 6.

"Welcome back."

ETA: Stardream's comment on the Bechdel test.

I hadn't read anything re: Trek and the BT, so I DID google it and found this interesting note.

http://www.themarysue.com/star-trek-bechdel-test/

It surprised me that it didn't rank higher on the other 6 seasons, especially given the number of female characters. then again... perhaps TPTB were frightened that if they didn't push the Janeway/male interactions that it would simply be perceived as a "chick show" and avoided by many scifi fans.

The part I liked?

"The Power of Janeway!"

 

[Lynx]

Season 2.

No doubt about that!

Season 1 and 3 are also good.

 

[stardream]

I was (one of?) the people that frequently uses that "dark night of the soul" line to describe season 5 and that was in fact the season I was going to pick. Of course, to be "picky", season 5 didn't end for me until episode #3 of season 6.

"Welcome back."

ETA: Stardream's comment on the Bechdel test.

I hadn't read anything re: Trek and the BT, so I DID google it and found this interesting note.

http://www.themarysue.com/star-trek-bechdel-test/

It surprised me that it didn't rank higher on the other 6 seasons, especially given the number of female characters. then again... perhaps TPTB were frightened that if they didn't push the Janeway/male interactions that it would simply be perceived as a "chick show" and avoided by many scifi fans.

The part I liked?

"The Power of Janeway!"

I can't remember where I first saw that description but I do remember thinking YES. That's exactly how I see it. Memory Alpha called it 'dark and brooding'. Yes I can see how that theme could carry over to Season 6.

Please don't let that scare anyone off! The episodes aren't hopeless.

I thought it was the right time in the series for that sort of thing to start happening. They knew they could survive and take care of themselves and had gone up against all kinds of obstacles. By this time had been on the ship for five years and they started to turn inward. Its great for fans who like to focus on the characters.

However while there is plenty of action I could understand if the more 'action orientated' fans might not care for it.

 

[hux]

Personally speaking, I think season 2 is the most serialised, the most interesting and the most effective. The Seska arc is the only time Voyager played with ongoing story telling and there was a definite attempt to make the show feel more joined up throughout that season. I enjoyed it a lot.

That being said, I thought the show as a whole was a lot more slick, focused and self-confident after season 4. Janeway, the doctor and Seven become the focus which has it's advantages and disadvantages (depending on which characters you prefer) but I did feel the show improved as it went along.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

Season 5 is my favourite because I like the majority of the episodes more than any other season.

I don't believe there is a "best" of anything because it's all a matter of personal opinion.

 

[BlueStuff]

"Welcome back."

I seem to surface every couple of years. Fancy playing "the least disliked..." again?

 

[JonVP]

For me S3 till S5. Those are the best seasons.
During S1 and S2 the writers were still searching.
S6 onwards it became a little bit 'been there, done that'.

Of course, this is just my personal opinion.

 

[stardream]

Personally speaking, I think season 2 is the most serialised, the most interesting and the most effective. The Seska arc is the only time Voyager played with ongoing story telling and there was a definite attempt to make the show feel more joined up throughout that season. I enjoyed it a lot.

That being said, I thought the show as a whole was a lot more slick, focused and self-confident after season 4. Janeway, the doctor and Seven become the focus which has it's advantages and disadvantages (depending on which characters you prefer) but I did feel the show improved as it went along.

Does anyone know if the network put a stop to the arcs? I am not a big fan of season long arcs but I don't mind smaller mini arcs within a season.

 

[Mareika]

My favs are also S3 till S5 (with The Equinox II from S6). I like most of this episodes.
Although I like the characters of Janeway/Seven and Doctor, for me the focus on these three was way too much.
S7 had many episodes I very like (Shattered, The Void, Human Error, Workforce,..), but what a mistake to take Renaissance Man as the second last episode!!!And than Endgame!!! I don`t want to tell more.
Btw. I very liked Seska. It`s a pitty they used her more and longer.

 

[hux]

Does anyone know if the network put a stop to the arcs? I am not a big fan of season long arcs but I don't mind smaller mini arcs within a season.

Dunno but they dropped it pretty sharpish. Voyage became extremely episodic. Maybe someone thought it would be easier to sell the show if it didn't matter what order you watched them in.

I would have liked more mini-arcs.

 

[Terok Nor]

Season 4. Seven Of Nine was a breath of fresh air and to be fair to the writers they did some fantastic episodes that year such as Scorpion Part 2, The Gift, Revulsion, Year Of Hell, Message In A Bottle, Prey, Living Witness, One and Hope And Fear. The rest of the season was pretty awesome too apart from Nemesis and Mortal Coil.

Season 5 was really good too but not quite up to the standard of Season 4.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

"Welcome back."

I seem to surface every couple of years. Fancy playing "the least disliked..." again?

Ahh, I was referring to the last line of season 6's 3rd episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TZrjuSUuW8

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TZrjuSUuW8[/yt]

but "welcome back" to you too.

 

[WoTe]

I like seasons 2 & 3 best.

I don't think post-Kes, the show was as strong, but 4&5 seems a lot more watchable than 6 or 7 to me.

 

[Tosk]

Judging based on number of episodes per season I actually like, season 1 would probably be my favorite. But my fave episodes mostly come from other seasons.