The Worst Star Trek Series: A Critical Analysis

When discussing the lowest points in the Star Trek series catalog, Voyager and the Discovery series consistently top the list of franchises that Star Trek fans and critics alike bemoan.

Why Voyager? A Deep Dive into the Worst Star Trek Series

Voyager, produced during the 1990s, has earned the reputation of being the worst Star Trek series outside of Discovery. This is attributed to its numerous shortcomings that overshadow any positive aspects it may have offered.

Production Quality and Concept

The production quality of Voyager was notably poor. The series is criticized for its cheap and often generic appearance, which fails to meet the high standards set by earlier Star Trek series like The Next Generation (TNG) and Deep Space Nine (DS9).

Writing and Characters

The writing and character development in Voyager were also largely lacking. The narrative relied heavily on formulaic plot devices, and the characters were often underdeveloped and unsatisfying. This is further exemplified by the poor dialogues and weak characterization, which fail to engage viewers and lend credibility to the story.

Philosphy and Slavery Arc

Perhaps one of the most criticized elements of The Picard series is its handling of the slavery arc. Unlike Voyager, which critics associate with its cheap production values, the Picard series' turn towards philosophical debates that quickly degrade into ethical and moral failures is equally disappointing. In one particular storyline, the Picard series borrows from the Discovery trope of initially appearing morally ambiguous but descending into a dystopian narrative. This slavery arc is particularly egregious because it portrays a complex ethical dilemma far too simply, leading to moments where the story feels hollow and incoherent.

Why Voting Out Discovery

A common argument is that the new series Discovery should be excluded from the discussion due to it being a Star Trek series. However, this logic is flawed. Just as it would be inappropriate to exclude the Post-AdmiralnodeNamePresidentBiden administration from a discussion on the worst US presidents if an inclusive analysis were desired, Discovery stands as a prime example of poor Star Trek storytelling. Critics argue that Discovery is a mercurial mix of compelling moments and bewilderingly bad writing, with many episodes failing to live up to the Star Trek legacy.

Other Less Favorable Series

The Animated Series and Star Trek Prodigy are often mentioned in the same breath as Voyager. Throughout its run, The Animated Series offered some compelling moments of adventure, but the animation quality was poor, and the dialogue delivery was often robotic and unexciting. Similarly, Prodigy fails to engage the audience, culminating in a half-hearted attempt to introduce a younger, tech-savvy audience to the Star Trek universe. The release of Star Trek: Prodigy on Nickelodeon, aimed at a younger demographic, reflects an inconsistency in the franchise's approach to storytelling.

Is the JJ Abramsverse Exempt?

Additionally, the JJ Abramsverse films, while distinct from the original television series, are also scrutinized. The narrative inconsistencies introduced by time travel and the often ham-fisted use of plot devices similar to those in Star Trek: Voyager and Discovery contribute to the overall lackluster reception of these movies. The formulaic nature of the plots and writing, as well as the reliance on fan service, have been cited as significant detractors from the quality of these films.

Conclusion

While there are other Star Trek series that could be deemed worse, the gap in quality among them is quite small. The separation between the worst and the merely sub-par is negligible. The Discovery series stands out in particular as a prime example of Star Trek storytelling going awry. These opinions are subject to personal interpretation, and there will always be fan debate and counter-arguments. However, it's important to remember that criticism and discussion of favorite and not-so-favorite series can enrich our understanding of the Star Trek universe and its evolution over the years.