A Returning Character In Star Trek's Next Show Confirms Voyager Is The Most Important Series Of The TNG Era

Although it finished airing more than twenty years ago, Star Trek: Voyager remains one of the most beloved Star Trek series ever. The story of Captain Cathryn Janeway's starship lost in the Delta Quadrant had an iconic mix of unique storylines and compelling characters. From the very beginning, the crew of the USS Voyager was a mix of former Maquis rebels and Starfleet personnel, and over time Voyager incorporated more and more non-traditional crewmembers. Ethan Phillips Talaxian chef, Neelix, was a Delta Quadrant native, and Jeri Ryan's former Borg drone Seven of Nine became a Captain in Star Trek: Picard.

One of the most fascinating characters in Voyager, however, is the Emergency Medical Hologram, also known as the EMH or the Doctor, played by Robert Picardo. The Doctor appeared in the first episodes of Voyager as a stopgap measure after the ship's doctor died, but over seven seasons he evolved into one of the most compelling characters Star Trek ever created. Now, it is confirmed that the Doctor will be appearing in the latest series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, connecting Voyager to the distant future of Trek.

The Doctor In Starfleet Academy Confirms Voyager’s Importance To Star Trek

He Bridges The Gap Between The TNG Era And New Star Trek

Robert Picardo joining the cast of Starfleet Academy as the Doctor means that Voyager remains important to Starfleet even hundreds of years in the future. But this isn't a huge surprise. The USS Voyager-J already appeared in seasons 3-5 of Star Trek: Discovery, where it was fitted with the new Pathway Drive. That confirms that the legacy of Captain Janeway and her crew was already alive and well in the 32nd century. Having the Doctor appear in Starfleet Academy means that, above and beyond a legacy of ship designs, the Federation of still values experience and insight from Voyager.

From a meta-perspective, having the Doctor in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy bridges the new Star Trek shows and the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Doctor is an ambassador from the most popular era of Star Trek. Furthermore, it only makes sense for the Doctor to appear in Starfleet Academy because, as a hologram, he is immortal, so no other characters from the TNG era can reasonably appear in the upcoming show. So, for new and old viewers of Star Trek alike, bringing the Doctor into Starfleet Academy creates an invaluable link between new and classic Trek.

Why Voyager Is Such An Influential Star Trek Show 30 Years Later

It Added A Lot Of Lore And Has A Lot Of Great Episodes

There is, of course, another reason why Robert Picardo is returning to Star Trek as the Doctor more than 30 years after he originated the role – Voyager is a great show. It broadened the horizons of Star Trek by showing life deep in the Delta Quadrant. It added depth and complexity to the Borg and the Q continuum, both of which have remained important to Star Trek even as new shows continue releasing. And Voyager was the first Star Trek series to really show a Starfleet Captain on the back foot, without the power of the Federation at their back.

Beyond these narrative details that give Voyager an undeniably compelling premise and place in Star Trek lore, Voyager has a lot of genuinely incredible episodes. The moral quandary that Captain Janeway faced in "Tuvix" remains a subject of fierce debate decades after the episode aired. Also, Voyager season 5 includes legendary episodes like "Course: Oblivion" and "Counterpoint." Star Trek: Voyager is still influential in 2025 because it is a fantastic piece of television, and hopefully, Robert Picardo will bring that same energy to Starfleet Academy.