Introducing Seven of Nine, portrayed by Jeri Ryan, into the Star Trek: Voyager ensemble was a pivotal moment for the series, significantly influencing the Star Trek universe as a whole. As a young fan of the show, I admired Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Lieutenant B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) for their empowering representation of women. I experienced a sense of loss when Jennifer Lien’s Kes departed from the series and was initially doubtful about the character of Seven of Nine.
My skepticism quickly dissipated, particularly following Seven’s notable debut in “The Gift,”the second episode of season four. Her introduction was not merely a ploy to elevate ratings through the allure of her appearance; rather, it showcased a profound and tumultuous character arc that resonated with the core Star Trek theme of defining humanity. The pivotal question arises: what might the Star Trek universe look like had Seven of Nine never joined Voyager?
The Unthinkable: Star Trek: Voyager Without Seven of Nine
Voyager’s Potential Stagnation—or Diminished Morality
Envisioning Star Trek: Voyager without the presence of Seven of Nine is a daunting task. The final four seasons, in particular, might have suffered significantly without Jeri Ryan’s contribution. In the absence of Seven, the repercussions would have been felt deeply: the Doctor’s (Robert Picardo) evolution could have stagnated, lacking a worthy counterpart to challenge or mentor him. Furthermore, Seven’s willingness to confront Captain Janeway would have altered the trajectory of Janeway’s character development drastically. The absence of Seven could have also stifled the growth of the Borg Queen into one of Janeway’s principal adversaries.
If Voyager had continued through seven seasons, its ratings could have further plummeted without a central focus on character growth—an element exemplified by Seven of Nine. What if the storyline encompassing the dramatic “Year of Hell”arc had been stretched over an entire season, rather than condensed into two intense episodes? This scenario would have plunged the series into an even darker narrative, an approach that could have distanced Star Trek from its foundational themes of hope and resilience.
The Ripple Effect: No Seven of Nine Would Have Reshaped Star Trek: Picard
Connecting with Admiral Picard’s Trauma
Even though Seven of Nine appeared in just three episodes during the first season of Star Trek: Picard, her impact on Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) journey was substantial. Prior to returning home aboard the USS Voyager in 2378, Picard’s traumatic experience as Locutus from Star Trek: The Next Generation illustrated the grim reality of Borg assimilation. Yet, Seven’s backstory as a former drone who regained her humanity offered a refreshing perspective, suggesting the possibility of redemption for other Borg victims.
The existence of the Borg Reclamation Project within Picard season one can be attributed to Seven of Nine. This project even reintroduced Hugh (Jonathan Del Arco), a former Borg drone, as a symbol of hope and restoration. In a similar vein, season three of Picard would have undergone a transformative shift without Seven’s essential involvement in Starfleet’s struggle against the Borg. A different officer on the USS Titan-A may have been compelled to lead Picard’s strategies, yet no substitute for Seven would deliver the profound emotional resonance necessary for such a pivotal storyline.
The Indispensable Role of Seven of Nine in Star Trek
A Legacy that Shaped Star Trek’s Future
The absence of Seven of Nine would have drastically altered the framework of the Star Trek franchise following Star Trek: Voyager. One cannot overlook her significant contribution to boosting Voyager’s viewership, which likely was an essential factor in the series running a full seven seasons. If interest in Voyager had diminished enough to warrant cancellation, we may never have encountered Star Trek: Enterprise. In this scenario, characters like Subcommander T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) might not have emerged at all, or would certainly have been less impactful.
Moreover, Seven of Nine stands as an iconic female figure within the franchise, depicting the complex journey of an outsider navigating humanity. Unlike Spock from Star Trek: The Original Series, who suppresses his human side, or Lieutenant Commander Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation, who longs for it, Seven’s narrative uniquely involves her reclamation of humanity. In this way, Star Trek: Voyager not only enriched the series with her character but also laid down a legacy that continues to ripple through the Star Trek continuum.