After seven successful seasons, Star Trek Voyager concluded in 2001 with the two-part episode "Endgame" but why did the popular series end?
Star Trek: Voyager came to an end in 2001 after seven successful seasons on the air, but was the show actually canceled? Continuing the Star Trek franchise as its fifth series, Voyager debuted with a bang, and its premiere episode was viewed by over 20 million people (via AV Club) in 1995. Though the series saw a rating decline in its time, its 172 episodes were largely well-received by critics and fans for their fresh take on the Star Trek universe and unique approach to deep space exploration. Its near-decade on the air was an impressive feat, but many were still sad to see it go when the journey ended.
star trek: voyager
Following the exploits of the eponymous ship, the series saw the U.S.S. Voyager get transported across the galaxy by a godlike being, and the conceit of the program involved their 70-year journey back home. Making history with a female captain in the form of Katheryn Janeway, Voyager was as much about survival as it was about exploration, and its Delta Quadrant setting allowed for all new forms of life to be encountered. Offered as an alternative to the dour second half of Deep Space Nine, Voyager closely conformed to the original ideas of Star Trek and puts its emphasis on the mysteries of deep space.
Voyager's Season 7 Ending Continued A Star Trek Pattern
Like its predecessors, Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation, Voyager was given a satisfying conclusion at the end of season 7. The two-part finale "Endgame" saw Admiral Janeway travel across time and space to undo the devastating things she had to do to get her ship home. She also managed to cripple the Borg's offensive capabilities along the way. Despite its convoluted nature, it followed the finale precedent set by TNG and delivered an emotional final chapter for the characters, and it offered a look into the future of the franchise with its flash forward to the year 2404.
Unlike TNG though, the ending of Voyager was not a surprise, and the plan to end the series after seven seasons was already in the cards when producer Branon Braga left after season six to begin work on Enterprise. Kenneth Biller took over as the executive producer for the show's final season, but the plan was already there for the series to end when he was promoted. By the time of Voyager's conclusion, a precedent had been set by TNG and DS9, and seven seasons was the perfect length for a Star Trek series, even though Voyager could presumably have lasted longer because of its 70-year journey premise.
Could Star Trek: Voyager Season 8 Ever Happen?
Prodigy and Picard have shown that Voyager characters like Janeway play an important role in the 25th century, but the return of Voyager itself is unlikely. Janeway was promoted to admiral, and the crew members, including Seven of Nine, went on to pursue different careers and life paths after their treacherous journey. The Star Trek franchise's continued efforts to integrate Voyager into the ongoing canon makes the show even stronger in retrospect, but Star Trek: Voyager may never return because of its limiting story constraint. If the U.S.S. Voyager was to relaunch with the old crew, it wouldn't be quite the same if they were in the Alpha Quadrant.
MORE: Every Voyager Character Who Has Returned In Star Trek (& How)
