Voyager began at the end of Deep Space Nine's seventh year, which seems to be a trend with Star Trek series. Led by Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Voyager travels in the unknown Delta quadrant, 70,000 light years from home. Their main purpose is to get home. Along the way, they meet new civilizations, both friendly and not, in this unexplored area of space. With this pilot scenario, Voyager had the potential to be an outstanding series.

The 16 episode season consists of the following titles: Caretaker, Parallax, Time and Again, Phage, The Cloud, Eye of the Needle, Ex Post Facto, Emanations, Prime Factors, State of Flux, Heroes and Demons, Cathexis, Faces, Jetrel, and Learning Curve. Those of you used to the other Star Trek series, may find this set short on episodes, as season one only produced 16 episodes. "Caretaker" starts the series off as the two hour pilot, with Janeway patching together her crew from survivors of their journey into the Delta Quadrant, and the enemy they were chasing, the crew of a rebel ship from the Maquis.The pilot also introduces new aliens Kes, played by the gorgeous Jennifer Lien, and Neelix, played with heart by Ethan Phillips. We also are introduced to the holographic doctor, played with humor by Robert Picardo. The doctor's character provides many "Spock" like moments throughout the series, as he discovers he's much more than a hologram. Other series regulars include Roxann Dawson, as Chief engineer Lt. Torres, Garrett Wang as young Ensign Harry Kim on his first assignment out of Star Fleet Academy, Tim Russ as Vulcan Tuvok, Janeway's confidant, Robert Beltran as the native American Maquis captain and first officer, and Robert Duncan McNeill as Tom Paris, recruited from prison by Janeway for this mission. Other outstanding episodes include "Phage" and "Faces", which introduces a civilization that is ravaged by a virus that horribly disfigures their bodies, and they are willing to do anything to find a cure, including stealing body parts. "Faces" provides Roxann Dawson as Torres to confront her half Klingon, half human sides, providing an excellent showcase for her acting talents. "Eye Of The Needle" provides the first opportunity for the crew to get home but are thwarted by an ironic twist of fate. "Learning Curve" , as the series final episode from season one has the crew confronting itself, as the Maquis and Star Fleet crews settle their differences.

The picture in this set is very good for a television production. Some of the artifacts that occurred in Deep Space Nine episodes, and even Next Generation discs, are not a problem with this first set. Paramount should consider widescreen picture for all Star Trek episodes, which is my only beef with the picture. Sound is in 5.1 Dolby, and is what you'd expect for a science fiction series, with good placement and separation of channel sounds.

The slip case for Voyager seems a bit cheesy for a Star Trek set, mostly plastic and gaudy tangerine orange. Episode breakdown is listed on the inner shell, only visible when you remove the disc. A booklet, like that provided for Next Generation, would have been much preferred. The extras package follows much the same formula of the other Star Trek sets.The last disc includes the extras, including some terrific interviews with Kate Mulgrew, both past (1994) and present. Paramount is known for its short featurettes and this set is no exception. We do get a look at Voyager's first captain, Genevieve Bujold, who was not up to the task and replaced after a day and half of shooting the pilot. The entire list of extras include: Braving the Unknown: Season One Voyager Time Capsule: Kathryn Janeway The First Captain: Bujold Cast Reflections: Season One On Location with the Kazons Red Alert: Visual Effects Season One Launching Voyager on the Web Real Science with Andre Bormanis Photo Gallery There are also some Easter eggs hidden on the menu screens.The extras are much of what we expect from a Star Trek set but nothing outstanding. The Bujold footage is worth seeing.

While still not quite as exciting as Next Generation, Voyager has my vote as the series that had the most potential throughout its run of seven years. Mulgrew brings new character dimensions to the captain's chair, and the supporting cast has its moments. Storylines vary but all in all, Season one is very entertaining, although short on episodes.