Star Trek: Voyager
Summary
Jennifer Lien leftStar Trek : Voyagerafter playing Kes for three seasons , even though Kes was a central and interesting character . premiere in 1995,Star Trek : Voyagerushered in a new generation of fans afterStar Trek : The Next Generationcame to an end . In a unique twisting , Captain Janeway ’s ( Kate Mulgrew ) starship USS Voyager was lost in the Delta Quadrant and embarked on a 7 - year voyage home . Jennifer Lien was aStar Trek : Voyagerseries regular as Kes . A penis of the Ocampa species , Kes own telepathic abilities and was romantically involved with Neelix ( Ethan Phillips ) initially , before breaking off the web inVoyagerseason 3 .
As a vernal but prodigiously gifted member of the USS Voyager ’s crew , Kes share certain traits with Wil Wheaton ’s Wesley Crusher fromStar Trek : The Next Generation . Although fans did n’t react with quite the same disdain as they did for poor Wesley , Kes certainly was n’t the most popular ofStar Trek : Voyager ’s crew . Jennifer Lien ’s exit came inStar Trek : Voyagerseason 4 ’s " The Gift , " after Kes ' psychic abilities set out spiral out of controlfollowing an confrontation with Species 8472 . threaten the very crewmates she had occur to love , the Ocampa decides to pass on Voyager , evaporating into gross zip and leave Kes ' circumstances jolly equivocal .
The good of Jennifer Lien ’s Star Trek : Voyager episodes as Kes center on her empathy , pity , and grow telepathic powers .
Why Jennifer Lien’s Kes Left Star Trek: Voyager
Kes’s story hit a bit of a dead end.
Both viewers and fellow cast members praised Jennifer Lien ’s acting talent , if not necessarily the growing of Kes as a case . As a result , Kes’Star Trek : Voyagerexit was n’t without disceptation . Several factor contributed to Kes ’s departure fromVoyager . Showrunners Rick Berman and Jeri Taylor admitted in interviews that theNeelix / Kes romanticism anglewas ill - judge and , despite Lien ’s best efforts , Voyagerhad gain a originative dead terminal with Kes and her unequalled biota . As an Ocampa , Kes had a tragicallyshort life of only nine years , which define the story possibilities for her case .
In the 2020 book , Star Trek Voyager : A Celebration , authors Ben Robinson and Mark Wright offered another reason for her departure , exact that Jennifer Lien endure from mental health issues that start out to impact her carrying out as Kes .
Given how apologetically writer and producer have spoken about Kes ' departure fromStar Trek : Voyagerover the years , it ’s no surprisal that the lineament was shortly invitedback forStar Trek : Voyagerseason 6 ’s " Fury . “In this sentence - twisting tale , an elderly Kes attacks Voyager for abandoning her , then travel back in time to prevent her young self from ever bring together its bunch . When the sometime Kes is killed in the past , her timeline is interchange , giving Captain Janeway , Lt . Tuvok ( Tim Russ ) , and Neelix an chance to peacefully send Kes home to be with her own form . Though not quite recompense for her reference ’s mishandling , " Fury " did offer Kes , and Jennifer Lien as an actress , a measure of redemption .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
Star Trek: Voyager Replaced Kes With Seven Of Nine
Seven of Nine’s introduction gave Voyager too many characters.
Star Trek : Voyagerintroduced a democratic new quality at the goal of season 3 : the femaleBorg - in - recovery nominate Seven of Nine(Jeri Ryan ) . With Jennifer Lien ’s position inVoyageralready under scrutiny and budget not reconcile a new character without sacrificing another , the conclusion was made to replace Kes with Seven of Nine . Another name in the firing line betweenStar Trek : Voyagerseasons 3 and 4 was Garrett Wang , who play Harry Kim . In a crotchet of circumstances , Wang was vote one ofPeoplemagazine ’s " 50 Most Beautiful People In The worldly concern " in 1997 , and this photo spare him the chop in lieu of Lien .
Star Trek : Voyager ’s swapping of Kes of Seven of Nine in season 4 was more unique than other character switches that had come before in the enfranchisement .
save Kes out ofStar Trek : Voyagerwas very much a doubly - edged blade . On one deal , the character had enormous potential difference that went unfulfilled due to poor creative guidance ; on the other , producers were justified in judging Kes to be one of their less successful creations , whereas Seven of Nine proved an inspired increase . The former Borg made a huge impression not just inVoyager , but on theStar Trekfranchise as a whole . Seven of Nine even became Captainof the fresh rechristened USS Enterprise - G inStar Trek : Picardseason 3 . In an idealistic scenario , Star Trek : Voyagerwould’ve been able to keep on Kes while still introducing Seven of Nine , but the packed - out cast might then have halter both character ' story .
Could Kes Return In Star Trek: Prodigy?
It seems unlikely Jennifer Lien would ever return, but perhaps one of Kes’s descendants could appear.
WhileStar Trek : Prodigyhas escort the return of some of thecharacters fromStar Trek : Voyager , it seems unconvincing that Kes would seem again . Not only would her short Ocampan lifetime have to be address in some way , but actressJennifer Lien give up acting presently after leavingStar Trek : Voyager.Lien did go on to come out as Davina inAmerican History Xand Agent L inMen in Black : The Animated Series , but she has unfortunately continued to struggle with mental unwellness and was nab several times between 2015 and 2018 .
Jennifer Lien rarely does rule appearances and seems to have moved on from act altogether . Lien does have experience voicing an revivify character from her sentence onMen in Black , though , so anything is possible in regards to voicing Kes inStar Trek : Prodigy . The fate ofStar Trek : Prodigyseason 3 , however , remain unknown as it wait a replacement from Netflix . disregarding , Jennifer Lien will always have a blank space within theStar Trekfandom asVoyager’ssweet Kes .
What Is Jennifer Lien’s Star Trek Legacy As Kes?
Jennifer Lien & Kes are remembered positively by fans and cast members.
Throughout her meter onStar Trek : Voyager , many of Kes ' narration obtain sundry review from fans and critics alike . The very short lifetime of the Ocampa made Kes ' fictional character a unmanageable one to write for and her relationship with Neelix never quite worked . Still , Jennifer Lien ’s performancewas almost universally praised . Overall , Lien and Kes are broadly remembered positively , even if her return inStar Trek : Voyagerseason 6 did the fictitious character no favors .
Jennifer Lien and Kes will always be remembered as a bright light within theStar Trekfamily .
Jennifer Lien present Kes in 68 episodes ofStar Trek : Voyagerand had a positive shock on the show and its part . Although her storylines did not always work , Kes was a enthralling character , and it would have been decent to see more of her . Whether Kes herself is mentioned or one of her Ocampan descendants pour down up , futureStar Trekprojects , such as a possible time of year 3 ofStar Trek : Prodigy , have the opportunity to cement Kes ’s legacy . But even if that does n’t go on , Jennifer Lien and Kes will always be remember as a bright light within theStar Trekfamily .
Cast
