You mean the pointless terrorist tactics? You mean Tigh's pretentious babbling? You mean how it was all reset a few episodes later? That arc?
If You Could Reboot VOY
- Thread starter RagazzaMatta
- Start date
You mean the pointless terrorist tactics? You mean Tigh's pretentious babbling? You mean how it was all reset a few episodes later? That arc?
Does it have to be TV? Cos I think Voyager is ideally suited to be rebooted as a movie. From last time this came up:
B
Belcher
Guest
Amazing post and lovely reply here.
Make it generally more believable from an in-universe perspective.
Really accentuate the feeling of loneliness, loss, and danger. Create an ongoing discussion throughout Season 1 that develops into a ship-wide controversy about whether or not to even travel home. Have a group of dissidents decide to leave Voyager and set up a colony on a peaceful planet to live out their lives instead of embarking on a journey they're sure they'll never finish.
No holodecks. Damage sustained to the ship is damage that is present from there forward...unless Voyager encounters a benevolent species that helps them make repairs. Have a hydroponics lab and show how 24th century people struggle to grow their own foods, and then show how rewarding that becomes over time. Whatever...be more realistic.
This doesn't mean the show can't be episodic but give it a more serialized feel where the audience can tell the crew is experiencing a broader journey with continuity and purpose.
Really accentuate the feeling of loneliness, loss, and danger. Create an ongoing discussion throughout Season 1 that develops into a ship-wide controversy about whether or not to even travel home. Have a group of dissidents decide to leave Voyager and set up a colony on a peaceful planet to live out their lives instead of embarking on a journey they're sure they'll never finish.
No holodecks. Damage sustained to the ship is damage that is present from there forward...unless Voyager encounters a benevolent species that helps them make repairs. Have a hydroponics lab and show how 24th century people struggle to grow their own foods, and then show how rewarding that becomes over time. Whatever...be more realistic.
This doesn't mean the show can't be episodic but give it a more serialized feel where the audience can tell the crew is experiencing a broader journey with continuity and purpose.
Problem is, from an In-Universe perspective...their situation wasn't anything new OR that bad. In fact, both TOS and TNG canonically had stated that Voyager should've been able to get back to Known Space rather quickly.
This is another thing...if Voyager doesn't find help then they are criticized as being a bunch of incompetents. If they DO find help then the show is criticized for not having them just travel along with all the accumulated damage. Either way the show is thrashed.
Well, you're undoubtedly correct, of course. But I was just presenting a version of VOY based on my personal wishes of what I'd like to watch.
There is a certain lightheartedness to VOY that is charming about the series, imo. I wouldn't necessarily want it to be more "dark" just for the sake of it. I would introduce more continuity though, and I'd make sure that big decisions and events held consequences that reverberated throughout the remainder of the series.
And that's just conceptual aimed at the narrative direction of the show. The discussion of the characters themselves is almost another thread...
But again, there is a certain warmth to VOY that I would seek to retain.
There is a certain lightheartedness to VOY that is charming about the series, imo. I wouldn't necessarily want it to be more "dark" just for the sake of it. I would introduce more continuity though, and I'd make sure that big decisions and events held consequences that reverberated throughout the remainder of the series.
And that's just conceptual aimed at the narrative direction of the show. The discussion of the characters themselves is almost another thread...
But again, there is a certain warmth to VOY that I would seek to retain.
Mulgrew as Janeway would stay, but she'd be more consistently written and shed struggle with a blend of personal and professional themes. She wouldn't demand absolute loyalty, and she certainly couldn't be faulted for VOY being stranded in the pilot episode. Essentially she'd be tweaked from the perspective of the scripts. Mulgrew's performances were always solid to great given the material, imo.
Chakotay, on the other hand, would leave. As would Kim.
Torres would be changed to a Cardassian character and Paris would be the XO.
Tuvok, Kes and the EMH would remain practically unchanged. Neelix would retain his visual appearance but his character would be completely changed -- less of a petty goof and more of a wise and highly respected guide.
I'd introduce an elderly Chinese or Japanese (not Asian-American) male character who taught educational classes the crew's youth and oversaw a gradually expansive hydroponics lab. He would periodically serve as a moral compass for Janeway and other characters.
The villains and the ship's challenges through the DQ would be largely changed.
Chakotay, on the other hand, would leave. As would Kim.
Torres would be changed to a Cardassian character and Paris would be the XO.
Tuvok, Kes and the EMH would remain practically unchanged. Neelix would retain his visual appearance but his character would be completely changed -- less of a petty goof and more of a wise and highly respected guide.
I'd introduce an elderly Chinese or Japanese (not Asian-American) male character who taught educational classes the crew's youth and oversaw a gradually expansive hydroponics lab. He would periodically serve as a moral compass for Janeway and other characters.
The villains and the ship's challenges through the DQ would be largely changed.
B
Belcher
Guest
Amazing post here. I loved reading them all.
infant stroller reviews
infant stroller reviews
I would do a reboot.
I would also eliminate the maquis premise, and just make Voyager a purely federation ship and crew. I would also eliminate the Caretaker angle that brought Voyager to the Delta Quadrant. The way Voyager was stranded in the DQ is actually because the federation discovered a new transwarp conduit network, much like as seen in End Game. Facing a pending Borg invasion force, rather than wait for other Federation ships to arrive and assist Voyager, Janeway commands her crew to to close the conduit by collapsing it within by taking voyager into the transwarp conduit, and firing photon torpedoes to collapse it. The plan worked and destroyed the transwarp network, but at a cost: the Voyager was sucked into the transwarp conduit, and ended up in the DQ (basically, the reverse of how Voyager got home in Endgame).
USS Voyager
Still an Intrepid Class ship, it would be largely unchanged. However, during the course of the series, I would like to see the ship deteriorate. It would start out shiny, new, and state of the art, but as time went on, battle damage and wear and tear would gradually accumulate, and the physical appearance of the ship would reflect that. Also, energy would be rationed, so luxuries like holodecks and replicated items would be severely rationed.
Captain Katherine Janeway
Newly promoted to captain. Young, inexperienced, and arrogant, having made captain at age 34. She is an engineering and tactical genius, but is a bit of a hot head, and can be brash. Externally, she exudes confidence, but internally, she's very unsure of herself and her decisions. She is more directly at fault for stranding Voyager, due to a brash and arrogant decision than the original series. This decision causes much friction on her ship, and many people don't respect her at first, including Chakotay. Through the course of the show, she is humbled, and learns to become a true and respected leader.
Cmdr Tuvok, First Officer and Science officer background
As with the series, he is a Janeway's mentor and former instructor from Starfleet academy. Rather than security, I would change Tuvok's occupation to science officer, as a Vulcan should be. I would age Tuvok further, making him around 165, having served aboard the Excelsior under Captain Sulu . Rather than have him take a break from Starfleet, he is credited as one of the longest serving officers in Starfleet history. Though a capable leader, and he acts as a father figure to the crew, he has turned down captaincies of his own, by personal choice, and prefers not to be in the forefront. He is much happier as second in command. Tuvok's personality would largely be the same, but more patient, and very wise.
LT Cmdr Tarak Ka-e-te-nay, AKA "Chakotay" Second officer and Tactical background
"Chakotay," an Apache, is a battle-hardened starfleet veteran of the Cardassian Border Wars, and is older at 57 years old. He is much respected for his tactical and strategic expertise, and his bravery in battle. His name literally means Warrior in Apache (it really does, actually). He goes by "Chakotay," to honor his best friend, an Andorian starfleet officer who died saving his life, during the Cardassian Border wars. Chakotay was a corruption/mispronunciation of Tarak Ka-e-te-nay's first and last name by the Andorian star fleet officer he served with.
Chakotay was formerly a distinguished Captain, who sympathized with the Maquis, during the Maquis rebellion, after uncovering the atrocities committed by Cardassians on federation settlers in the DMZ. During one incident, he intervened by entering the DMZ against orders. In this incident, the Cardassians were about to wipe out a federation colony that refused to leave after the treaty was signed, until Chakotay intervened by putting his ship between the planet and the Cardassians. While war was averted through diplomacy and negotiations, and there was no loss of life, because he violated Admiral Necheyev's orders, she made him a scape goat. He was stripped of command and reduced to LT Cmdr. Chakotay's service record prior to this event was exemplary, which is why he was only relieved of command and demoted, and not releived of duty, permanently. Chakotay was a last minute addition to the Voyager crew, and really didn't want the assignment, and was even considering retiring from Starfleet at the time Voyager was stranded.
Janeway respects Chakotay's council on tactical matters. Unfortunately, Chakotay does not have much respect for Janeway, as he finds her inexperienced, overconfident, and reckless, which is ironic since Chakotay had a reputation for being a reckless himself, when he was her age. Tuvok often has to reign Chakotay in, when he clashes with him, or Janeway. Chakotay's much more hawkish and warlike, and his one flaw is that he has a prejudice against Cardassians, based on what he has seen in war. The irony is he is madly in love with Seska, who is secretly a Cardassian spy.
LT Cmdr Seska, communications officer (and spy for the Cardassian Union)
Seska is a Cardassian spy, surgically altered at the genetic level (gene re-sequencing) to appear human. As a consequence, of this procedure, Seska finds that her DNA is actually BECOMING human, and she is having to deal with human emotions,and is losing touch with her Cardassian self. THis is actually slowly driving her insane, over the course of the show.
Her mission was to gather intel on the newly-launched USS Voyager, and steal some of its technology. However, this mission was put on hold when Voyager ended up in the delta quadrant. Seska is the lover of Chakotay, though he is unaware of her true heritage. Seska often eggs Chakotay on, giving him ideas that he ought to lead a mutiny, and replace Janeway as captain. Her true motive is that if Chakotay is captain, she can control Chakotay, and possibly bring the Cardassians the USS Voyager, should they ever make it back to the Alpha quadrant. Chakotay is by the book, but since he has nearly 15 years as a starfleet captain, he thinks Seska may have a point, and is starting to consider a mutiny.
The Doctor:
I still like the idea of the doctor being an EMH on extended duty. I wouldn't do much to change his personality and depiction, at all. However, since he is a hologram, he could change his appearance. I like the idea of if he were to use a treatment pioneered by McCoy, he could appear as McCoy to deliver said treatment.
LT Cmdr B'elanna Torres, Chief Engineer
B'elanna would largely remain unchanged, however, I think I would change her background. Rather than being from a broken home where her dad ran away, instead, her father was killed by a her Klingon uncle as an "honor killing," because he married B'elanna's mother without his approval. Her mom was a Klingon outcast because she married a human AND she followed an engineering path, instead of a warrior career track. Both her parents were engineers, and as a result, B'elanna became an even more brilliant engineer. B'elanna's mother raised her alone and she would have been much like Keh'leyr in personality. It was the murder of B'elanna's father, and witnessing how other Klingons treated her and her mother over the years, that caused B'eLanna to reject Klingon society. B'elanna would gradually accept her Klingon heritage, as the series progressed.
Replace LT Tom Paris with Chief Helmsman Nick Locarno
Rather than a convict, I would replace Paris with Locarno. Personality wise, it would be about the same. But with a different backstory for the character. It would be revealed that Locarno was drummed out of starfleet officer school. However, with a word from an old friend of his father, Admiral Paris, Nick Locarno was able to enlist in starfleet, and worked his way up as an enlisted chief helmsman, in large part due to his piloting skill.
Kes and Neelix
I would omit Kes' 5 year lifespan right off the bat, as it is too restrictive, and Kes and Neelix would not be a couple. Kes and Neelix would be a civilian members of the crew, picked up in the DQ, and were rescued prior to Neelix's ship blowing up . Kes' people would be unknown to her, as she was separated from them when she was a baby for unknown reasons, and raised by Neelix. She would slowly learn of her powers, which eventually would grow to the point where she ascends to a higher plane of existence. Kes would be an unofficial ships councilor, and would act as a nurse in times of need. Much like her personality in the show, she is kind-hearted almost to a fault, and balances out Neelix's swindler tendencies with her honesty, even scolding him at times.
Neelix would be sort of like he was originally depicted. Neelix is more of a trader, scoundrel and swindler in this series, more like a Lando Calrissian, and less like a buffoon. Neelix became Kes' foster father. Though she was raised by Neelix, the roles of the two have almost reverse, and by the time of Voyager, she acts as the mature one of the two. Neelix would be important to the crew as his negotiating skills with DQ civilizations, and ability to trade.
Seven of Nine, Civilian Science officer
Seven was actually the leader of a Borg raiding party on Voyager, just prior to Voyager collapsing the transwarp conduit, and the only one to survive the Voyager crew's counter offensive. When it was discovered she was human, the command staff was split on what to do with her, much like Hugh in TNG. However, Kes advocated that they attempt to de-assimilate Seven. Seven would stay very borg looking in the beginning. There would be no cat suits, and she would actually look like an ugly cyborg through the first couple seasons, with her appearance gradually becoming human. Like the show, Seven would eventually become Voyager's science officer.
No Harry Kim.
I would also eliminate the maquis premise, and just make Voyager a purely federation ship and crew. I would also eliminate the Caretaker angle that brought Voyager to the Delta Quadrant. The way Voyager was stranded in the DQ is actually because the federation discovered a new transwarp conduit network, much like as seen in End Game. Facing a pending Borg invasion force, rather than wait for other Federation ships to arrive and assist Voyager, Janeway commands her crew to to close the conduit by collapsing it within by taking voyager into the transwarp conduit, and firing photon torpedoes to collapse it. The plan worked and destroyed the transwarp network, but at a cost: the Voyager was sucked into the transwarp conduit, and ended up in the DQ (basically, the reverse of how Voyager got home in Endgame).
USS Voyager
Still an Intrepid Class ship, it would be largely unchanged. However, during the course of the series, I would like to see the ship deteriorate. It would start out shiny, new, and state of the art, but as time went on, battle damage and wear and tear would gradually accumulate, and the physical appearance of the ship would reflect that. Also, energy would be rationed, so luxuries like holodecks and replicated items would be severely rationed.
Captain Katherine Janeway
Newly promoted to captain. Young, inexperienced, and arrogant, having made captain at age 34. She is an engineering and tactical genius, but is a bit of a hot head, and can be brash. Externally, she exudes confidence, but internally, she's very unsure of herself and her decisions. She is more directly at fault for stranding Voyager, due to a brash and arrogant decision than the original series. This decision causes much friction on her ship, and many people don't respect her at first, including Chakotay. Through the course of the show, she is humbled, and learns to become a true and respected leader.
Cmdr Tuvok, First Officer and Science officer background
As with the series, he is a Janeway's mentor and former instructor from Starfleet academy. Rather than security, I would change Tuvok's occupation to science officer, as a Vulcan should be. I would age Tuvok further, making him around 165, having served aboard the Excelsior under Captain Sulu . Rather than have him take a break from Starfleet, he is credited as one of the longest serving officers in Starfleet history. Though a capable leader, and he acts as a father figure to the crew, he has turned down captaincies of his own, by personal choice, and prefers not to be in the forefront. He is much happier as second in command. Tuvok's personality would largely be the same, but more patient, and very wise.
LT Cmdr Tarak Ka-e-te-nay, AKA "Chakotay" Second officer and Tactical background
"Chakotay," an Apache, is a battle-hardened starfleet veteran of the Cardassian Border Wars, and is older at 57 years old. He is much respected for his tactical and strategic expertise, and his bravery in battle. His name literally means Warrior in Apache (it really does, actually). He goes by "Chakotay," to honor his best friend, an Andorian starfleet officer who died saving his life, during the Cardassian Border wars. Chakotay was a corruption/mispronunciation of Tarak Ka-e-te-nay's first and last name by the Andorian star fleet officer he served with.
Chakotay was formerly a distinguished Captain, who sympathized with the Maquis, during the Maquis rebellion, after uncovering the atrocities committed by Cardassians on federation settlers in the DMZ. During one incident, he intervened by entering the DMZ against orders. In this incident, the Cardassians were about to wipe out a federation colony that refused to leave after the treaty was signed, until Chakotay intervened by putting his ship between the planet and the Cardassians. While war was averted through diplomacy and negotiations, and there was no loss of life, because he violated Admiral Necheyev's orders, she made him a scape goat. He was stripped of command and reduced to LT Cmdr. Chakotay's service record prior to this event was exemplary, which is why he was only relieved of command and demoted, and not releived of duty, permanently. Chakotay was a last minute addition to the Voyager crew, and really didn't want the assignment, and was even considering retiring from Starfleet at the time Voyager was stranded.
Janeway respects Chakotay's council on tactical matters. Unfortunately, Chakotay does not have much respect for Janeway, as he finds her inexperienced, overconfident, and reckless, which is ironic since Chakotay had a reputation for being a reckless himself, when he was her age. Tuvok often has to reign Chakotay in, when he clashes with him, or Janeway. Chakotay's much more hawkish and warlike, and his one flaw is that he has a prejudice against Cardassians, based on what he has seen in war. The irony is he is madly in love with Seska, who is secretly a Cardassian spy.
LT Cmdr Seska, communications officer (and spy for the Cardassian Union)
Seska is a Cardassian spy, surgically altered at the genetic level (gene re-sequencing) to appear human. As a consequence, of this procedure, Seska finds that her DNA is actually BECOMING human, and she is having to deal with human emotions,and is losing touch with her Cardassian self. THis is actually slowly driving her insane, over the course of the show.
Her mission was to gather intel on the newly-launched USS Voyager, and steal some of its technology. However, this mission was put on hold when Voyager ended up in the delta quadrant. Seska is the lover of Chakotay, though he is unaware of her true heritage. Seska often eggs Chakotay on, giving him ideas that he ought to lead a mutiny, and replace Janeway as captain. Her true motive is that if Chakotay is captain, she can control Chakotay, and possibly bring the Cardassians the USS Voyager, should they ever make it back to the Alpha quadrant. Chakotay is by the book, but since he has nearly 15 years as a starfleet captain, he thinks Seska may have a point, and is starting to consider a mutiny.
The Doctor:
I still like the idea of the doctor being an EMH on extended duty. I wouldn't do much to change his personality and depiction, at all. However, since he is a hologram, he could change his appearance. I like the idea of if he were to use a treatment pioneered by McCoy, he could appear as McCoy to deliver said treatment.
LT Cmdr B'elanna Torres, Chief Engineer
B'elanna would largely remain unchanged, however, I think I would change her background. Rather than being from a broken home where her dad ran away, instead, her father was killed by a her Klingon uncle as an "honor killing," because he married B'elanna's mother without his approval. Her mom was a Klingon outcast because she married a human AND she followed an engineering path, instead of a warrior career track. Both her parents were engineers, and as a result, B'elanna became an even more brilliant engineer. B'elanna's mother raised her alone and she would have been much like Keh'leyr in personality. It was the murder of B'elanna's father, and witnessing how other Klingons treated her and her mother over the years, that caused B'eLanna to reject Klingon society. B'elanna would gradually accept her Klingon heritage, as the series progressed.
Replace LT Tom Paris with Chief Helmsman Nick Locarno
Rather than a convict, I would replace Paris with Locarno. Personality wise, it would be about the same. But with a different backstory for the character. It would be revealed that Locarno was drummed out of starfleet officer school. However, with a word from an old friend of his father, Admiral Paris, Nick Locarno was able to enlist in starfleet, and worked his way up as an enlisted chief helmsman, in large part due to his piloting skill.
Kes and Neelix
I would omit Kes' 5 year lifespan right off the bat, as it is too restrictive, and Kes and Neelix would not be a couple. Kes and Neelix would be a civilian members of the crew, picked up in the DQ, and were rescued prior to Neelix's ship blowing up . Kes' people would be unknown to her, as she was separated from them when she was a baby for unknown reasons, and raised by Neelix. She would slowly learn of her powers, which eventually would grow to the point where she ascends to a higher plane of existence. Kes would be an unofficial ships councilor, and would act as a nurse in times of need. Much like her personality in the show, she is kind-hearted almost to a fault, and balances out Neelix's swindler tendencies with her honesty, even scolding him at times.
Neelix would be sort of like he was originally depicted. Neelix is more of a trader, scoundrel and swindler in this series, more like a Lando Calrissian, and less like a buffoon. Neelix became Kes' foster father. Though she was raised by Neelix, the roles of the two have almost reverse, and by the time of Voyager, she acts as the mature one of the two. Neelix would be important to the crew as his negotiating skills with DQ civilizations, and ability to trade.
Seven of Nine, Civilian Science officer
Seven was actually the leader of a Borg raiding party on Voyager, just prior to Voyager collapsing the transwarp conduit, and the only one to survive the Voyager crew's counter offensive. When it was discovered she was human, the command staff was split on what to do with her, much like Hugh in TNG. However, Kes advocated that they attempt to de-assimilate Seven. Seven would stay very borg looking in the beginning. There would be no cat suits, and she would actually look like an ugly cyborg through the first couple seasons, with her appearance gradually becoming human. Like the show, Seven would eventually become Voyager's science officer.
No Harry Kim.
Last edited:
I think the premise is quite sound and sensible. Since the Maquis/Federation divide was largely eviscerated, there wasn't much reason to retain it as being integral to the show's genesis at all, rather than a backstory that plays a role in the story of some characters. Janeway's evolution is quite interesting and I think would certainly do quite a bit to reconcile many of her detractors, as it would much more openly lay bare a plausible rationale for so many of the inconsistencies that are integral to criticism of her. Chakotay's transformation is well thought out, and obviously would make him a much more grounded figure, from his origins to the amplification, yet significant change in how the Maquis experience has effected him. I won't definitively swear to it, but I also appreciate where I think you've gotten his actual name from. 
I find the remainder of your suggestions to be logical and organic ones, that would prove, in some cases, to be effective counterweights to what the characters actually brought to the series. I do especially like what you've done to Kes in allowing her to realize so much more than TPTB carelessly neglected to develop, especially given the superlative quality of the actor portraying her. One thing I should point out though, is that the Ocampan lifespan was, in fact, 9 years.
Serious plaudits for your thoughtfulness in laying this out as you've done!
I find the remainder of your suggestions to be logical and organic ones, that would prove, in some cases, to be effective counterweights to what the characters actually brought to the series. I do especially like what you've done to Kes in allowing her to realize so much more than TPTB carelessly neglected to develop, especially given the superlative quality of the actor portraying her. One thing I should point out though, is that the Ocampan lifespan was, in fact, 9 years.
Serious plaudits for your thoughtfulness in laying this out as you've done!
If they were going to go for a Mixed crew thing in the first place, they should've used more than just Fleeters and Maquis. They should've had there be Klingons, Romulans, Feds and DQ Aliens all thrown into it together.
The biggest problem was that all their attempts to go home HAD to fail otherwise the show would be over, it's Gilligan Syndrome. They kept using Janeway as the plot device to keep them from getting home.
How they got stuck would've been easily solved if it had been established it was the Caretaker himself who brought them to the DQ with his own powers, and he was simply too weak to send them back. The Array couldn't send them back at all, so they never had a choice.
This might sound a bit silly, but after reading all the relaunch novels I must say that there is probably no better way to "relaunch" the series than the story the books offer.
I would definitely not do any "episode of the weeks" storys since it's 2016 and not 1996 anymore. Expand the storylines or several episodes and/or seasons.
I would definitely not do any "episode of the weeks" storys since it's 2016 and not 1996 anymore. Expand the storylines or several episodes and/or seasons.
I thought it was pretty clear Voyager was Janeway's first command and I think that's more interesting than starting out with her not actually being a captain at all.
Changes I would make
Have Janeway be not so adamant about no romances with any of the crew and in general have the crew be a bit more informal (not have slightly unkempt hairstyles and uniforms be indicators of depression).
Janeway being more willing to form alliances and make compromises and/or Chakotay more often having strong disagreements with her (too often his disagreements felt very very qualified).
More attention to the crewmembers who did die.
Have Neelix be a bit less cheery and not only get mad over being jealous about Kes.
Changes I would make
Have Janeway be not so adamant about no romances with any of the crew and in general have the crew be a bit more informal (not have slightly unkempt hairstyles and uniforms be indicators of depression).
Janeway being more willing to form alliances and make compromises and/or Chakotay more often having strong disagreements with her (too often his disagreements felt very very qualified).
More attention to the crewmembers who did die.
Have Neelix be a bit less cheery and not only get mad over being jealous about Kes.
Last edited:
Here's what I would've done:
-Voyager's captain would be Elizabeth Shelby. She would be pretty much how she was in "The Best of Both Worlds" but over the course of the series she would become less abrasive and more trusting in others and not just in her own awesomeness. Plus I think when Voyager inevitably encountered the Borg it would be more emotionally resonant for Shelby and also for the audience due to "The Best of Both Worlds".
-XO would be Ro Laren. She would be in charge of the Maquis group that Voyager is pursuing. I can see a lot of sharp elbows between Shelby and Laren, which might not be helped-at least at first-with their both serving on the Enterprise at one point. Maybe by the end of it they can both laugh at their experiences with Riker. Heck, it would make Riker being summoned by Q even more fun.
-Tuvok. Wouldn't really change him. He would've infiltrated the Maquis still. However I think it might take Ro a little longer to become friendly with him again. I could also see maybe Shelby and Tuvok serving under Hanson at some point in the past, maybe on the Melbourne.
-The Doctor. I wouldn't change him.
-Torres. I would make her half-Orion/half-human. I want to get away from the Klingons. TNG and DS9 delved into them heavily. Why not another TOS race? And her struggle might be similar, in fighting against people's perceptions of her due to their perceptions or misperceptions of her people. Reminds me of an Orion character in PAD's Imzadi novel.
-Nicholas Locarno instead of Paris. Locarno found his way to the Maquis because he had nothing else after getting drummed out of the Academy. He took a lot of rage out by joining the Maquis. He is one of Ro's most ardent soldiers. Maybe him and Ro have a little something going on as well.
-Replace Kim with Kem. Ensign Kem would be the first Cardassian in Starfleet. He's dealing with stuff from all sides, Cardassians, fellow Starfleet officers, and Maquis. Roughly keep his personality the same as Harry Kim's though with some tweaks to make him less lame. Fine with Garret Wang playing him too.
-Seska. Wouldn't change her much. She and Ro are good friends, consider each other sisters. So Seska's betrayal will run deep and make Ro question a lot of things. Seska and perhaps Locarno are two of the most anti-Starfleet members among the Maquis. Seska because's really a Cardassian and Locarno because of his disgrace and fear of jail.
-If I did use Seven of Nine, her process to looking human again would be slow. She would look like a Borg for a while and gradually look more human as her humanity was restored. Perhaps having Seven onboard could be a way for Shelby to confront her fears and prejudices and overcome them too.
Not sure what would do about the others. I liked Chakotay so I would want to keep him. Not so sure about Neelix or Kes.
As for villains, I would scrap the Kazon as the early primary antagonist for the Vidiians. Also the Vaadwaur would've played a bigger role in later seasons. And Species 8472 wouldn't have been so amenable. I would've had them wipe out the Borg-or nearly almost all the Borg. And if the Borg are near extinction that might make the decision to keep Seven alive and bring her on board even more important and consequential for Shelby and Voyager. Plus it might have other species harmed by the Borg out to get revenge on Seven by attacking Voyager.
-Voyager's captain would be Elizabeth Shelby. She would be pretty much how she was in "The Best of Both Worlds" but over the course of the series she would become less abrasive and more trusting in others and not just in her own awesomeness. Plus I think when Voyager inevitably encountered the Borg it would be more emotionally resonant for Shelby and also for the audience due to "The Best of Both Worlds".
-XO would be Ro Laren. She would be in charge of the Maquis group that Voyager is pursuing. I can see a lot of sharp elbows between Shelby and Laren, which might not be helped-at least at first-with their both serving on the Enterprise at one point. Maybe by the end of it they can both laugh at their experiences with Riker. Heck, it would make Riker being summoned by Q even more fun.
-Tuvok. Wouldn't really change him. He would've infiltrated the Maquis still. However I think it might take Ro a little longer to become friendly with him again. I could also see maybe Shelby and Tuvok serving under Hanson at some point in the past, maybe on the Melbourne.
-The Doctor. I wouldn't change him.
-Torres. I would make her half-Orion/half-human. I want to get away from the Klingons. TNG and DS9 delved into them heavily. Why not another TOS race? And her struggle might be similar, in fighting against people's perceptions of her due to their perceptions or misperceptions of her people. Reminds me of an Orion character in PAD's Imzadi novel.
-Nicholas Locarno instead of Paris. Locarno found his way to the Maquis because he had nothing else after getting drummed out of the Academy. He took a lot of rage out by joining the Maquis. He is one of Ro's most ardent soldiers. Maybe him and Ro have a little something going on as well.
-Replace Kim with Kem. Ensign Kem would be the first Cardassian in Starfleet. He's dealing with stuff from all sides, Cardassians, fellow Starfleet officers, and Maquis. Roughly keep his personality the same as Harry Kim's though with some tweaks to make him less lame. Fine with Garret Wang playing him too.
-Seska. Wouldn't change her much. She and Ro are good friends, consider each other sisters. So Seska's betrayal will run deep and make Ro question a lot of things. Seska and perhaps Locarno are two of the most anti-Starfleet members among the Maquis. Seska because's really a Cardassian and Locarno because of his disgrace and fear of jail.
-If I did use Seven of Nine, her process to looking human again would be slow. She would look like a Borg for a while and gradually look more human as her humanity was restored. Perhaps having Seven onboard could be a way for Shelby to confront her fears and prejudices and overcome them too.
Not sure what would do about the others. I liked Chakotay so I would want to keep him. Not so sure about Neelix or Kes.
As for villains, I would scrap the Kazon as the early primary antagonist for the Vidiians. Also the Vaadwaur would've played a bigger role in later seasons. And Species 8472 wouldn't have been so amenable. I would've had them wipe out the Borg-or nearly almost all the Borg. And if the Borg are near extinction that might make the decision to keep Seven alive and bring her on board even more important and consequential for Shelby and Voyager. Plus it might have other species harmed by the Borg out to get revenge on Seven by attacking Voyager.
Similar threads
