Star Trek: Voyager has given the Star Trek fandom some of its most prevalent memes, like Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) declaring that "there's coffee in that nebula", and later requesting that the holodeck "delete the wife" of Janeway's holographic love interest. One Voyager meme that doesn't star Janeway comes from Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) in Star Trek: Voyager season 6, episode 18, "Ashes to Ashes", when Seven matter-of-factly states that "fun will now commence." 25 years later, Seven of Nine's funniest Star Trek: Voyager line graces gifs and comment threads aplenty, especially when something entertaining really is promised.
It's not surprising that "fun will now commence" became a meme, because Seven of Nine's quote is hilarious all on its own, but the line also has context that actually matters to Seven of Nine's Star Trek: Voyager character arc. The real fun commences two episodes earlier, in Star Trek: Voyager season 6, episode 16, "Collective", when the USS Voyager encounters a mini-collective of Borg children on a derelict Cube. Like Seven, Star Trek: Voyager's Borg children can be taught to regain their individuality, so Seven promises to take responsibility for the children until they can be reunited with their families.
Seven Of Nine’s Funniest Star Trek: Voyager Line Becoming A Meme Explained
Seven of Nine Commences The Fun, Borg Style
Seven of Nine's funniest line was in Star Trek: Voyager season 6, episode 18, "Ashes to Ashes" before it became a meme. In the episode's B-plot, Seven of Nine's Borg children are subjected to Seven's rigorous—and comedically precise—schedule. This day consists of two breaks when "nutrients are consumed", education in the science lab and holodeck, and a half-hour of exercise, followed by just one hour allotted for recreation. At 1500 hours on the dot, Seven perfunctorily declares that "fun will now commence," like the kids can just flip a switch to start having fun.
"Fun will now commence" has been adopted by the Star Trek fandom as a recurring meme because it's probably the most Star Trek way to get a party started. Besides the humor of Seven trying to regulate something as human as having fun, neurodivergent fans may relate to Seven of Nine's attempt to fit in. Borg do not engage in spontaneity, so if Seven is expected to let the kids have fun, it has to go on the schedule. "Fun" having prompt start and end times is Seven's way of framing uncomfortable ambiguity within a comfortable, rigid framework.
Why Seven Of Nine Being Funny On Star Trek: Voyager Is So Memorable
Seven Isn't Supposed To Be Funny, Which Is Why She Is
Seven's other funny lines from "Ashes to Ashes" are almost as meme-worthy.
Jeri Ryan's comedic timing and impeccable delivery mean Seven's other funny lines from "Ashes to Ashes" are almost as meme-worthy as "fun will now commence." After discovering Azan (Kurt Wetherill) and Rebi (Cody Wetherill) cheating at kadis-kot, Seven issues "Punishment Protocol 9-Alpha"—also known as standing in the corner—to them and Icheb (Manu Intiraymi) for failing to comply. Even better, Seven demonstrates growth when she lets Mezoti (Marley S. McClean) have some real fun, with permission to "Resume your disorder." That kind of memorable humor is a great way to develop Seven's Star Trek: Voyager character arc.
