Star Trek: Voyager's "Year of Hell" Left Us Wanting More
If you're a "Star Trek: Voyager" fan, chances are you've seen "Year of Hell." One of the best episodes of the series, the whole concept of this time-traveling, history-altering Krenim had everyone glued to the screen. It’s a story where Captain Janeway (played by Kate Mulgrew, of course) and the crew have to face the Krenim Imperium led by Annorax (played by Kurtwood Smith - that dude is great in almost anything!) And for fans who enjoy seeing a strong captain stand up to an amazing villain? You bet it was exciting!
Remember, "Year of Hell" ends with a bang, literally! The crew’s at a major showdown against Annorax, who's messing with the timeline to fix things in the past. Janeway takes matters into her own hands, in typical, courageous Janeway fashion, and literally crashes Voyager into Annorax's ship. BAM! That ends the episode with a timeline reset – back to zero, just like the start of it all, except no one has any memory of those harrowing events. But what's interesting? That wasn't always the way the episode was planned.
Janeway's Sacrifice – More than Just a Reset Button
"Year of Hell" is known for its wild ride and a little heartbreak. But, what might be most disappointing for the fans is the choice the creators made when it came to how that time-reset ending actually unfolded. It might be tough to think that the whole "Year of Hell" episode would be different in any way, but apparently, the "Voyager" team had a more compelling ending, one that would have made the series finale a lot more memorable for fans!
In an interview, a writer named Joe Menosky (a writer behind so many great “Star Trek: Voyager” episodes!), described a scene that got scrapped! Instead of Janeway wiping out all memory of that whole adventure with the reset button, the plan was for the crew to remember certain moments - a small but vital consequence of messing with time. Remember Chakotay, that hot headed pilot in the crew? The writer explained in an interview that a new Krenim, on an errand for Annorax, would be asked about an incident and be surprised to hear that he'd never known about this weird “Colony”. In this plan, the story ends on a somber note. There is no reward in the new timeline, just a bittersweet sense that there was something huge, and something lost.
That 'It Was All Just a Dream' Trope—It's Not So Awesome
Sure, we understand why Rick Berman, the executive producer, thought the ending was just too complicated, which means, if they decided to stick with this version of the ending, fans could get really frustrated if “Voyager’s” writers had to come up with an explanation for the whole “why they’re remembering things” part. It could’ve left the show feeling very unfinished.
But there was another problem. "Year of Hell" actually gave us the very thing that’s probably the worst trope ever used in all of "Star Trek”: The ‘It Was All a Dream’ ending. It’s a common move where characters, even those who have lived a lifetime, somehow find themselves waking up and nothing was real. And we know “Voyager’s” creators had some issues with the Reset Button throughout the whole series! Imagine watching one of the most epic “Voyager” storylines and having to pretend it never happened, making it all meaningless – which unfortunately, the team ultimately decided was the right path. Fans are still disappointed today! They have also mentioned it as one of the reasons the reset button was a horrible idea!
Annorax’s Downfall—A Cruel Time Travel Ending
You can’t have the “reset button” if there’s no villain! It’s fair to say Annorax was a terrifying and unforgettable "Star Trek: Voyager" villain. He went so far as to mess with the timeline and tried everything to reverse his wife’s death! A brutal and crazy villain – totally terrifying! It’s fair to say he deserved some real justice in “Year of Hell.” If we had stuck with Menosky’s vision, Annorax wouldn't have just gotten everything back – his life, his wife, his control. He'd be stuck in an alternative world that would remind him every moment of his actions. Talk about a truly evil ending that might make the world a little bit more equitable.
Now we’ve got to talk about "Voyager’s" reset-button tendencies, which seem to have been a pretty major thing throughout the whole series, from Season 1’s “Time and Again” episode. It almost felt like they were lazy with time-travel explanations and the plot. In the long run, having those characters actually remember those terrible events of “Year of Hell” would have brought some true tragedy and heartbreak that might have made the episode even more memorable! I wonder if it will make you feel anything more intense? The crew wouldn’t have forgotten that ‘Year of Hell,’ so fans wouldn’t either!
The next time you're revisiting "Voyager’s" history, take some time to appreciate how complex and interesting that "Year of Hell" episode truly was. Remember the crew and their trials as well as how that story arc became one of their greatest challenges. And remember that even when those incredible events seem to be gone - they are, in some ways, a testament to “Voyager’s" greatest moment. It will make you want to explore other “Voyager" stories for that same thrilling chaos and wild adventure!
