22 “Must Watch” Episodes of Star Trek Voyager

Plus other recommendations with the qualifier **if**

SEASON 1

Caretaker (2-Parter), because it sets up the entire series.

Phage, because it’s a new idea we haven’t seen in Trek before, and the Vidiians are a recurring foe that will reappear later.

Eye of the Needle, because it’s a good story well executed

Learning Curve, because it addresses an underserved promise of the series – conflict between two different crews being forced to integrate, and the characterizations are solid.

SEASON 2

Projections, because it’s a Doctor episode, featuring Lt Barclay

Meld, because Brad Dourif (Wormtongue) is a good actor playing a psychotic betazoid, and Tim Russ gets to act.

Death Wish, because it’s a Q episode with a very Star Trekkian premise and the guest actor is lovely. Possibly my favourite ep of the entire series.

Tuvix, because it’s a compelling idea and the guest actor is great. I wrote a whole blog entry on this episode

Basics Part 1, **if** you want to watch Basics Part 2 (see below)

SEASON 3

Basics Part 2, **if** you watched part 1, because it resolves Brad Dourif’s character

Flashback, **if** you want a tie-in to Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country and Captain Sulu

False Profits, because Ferengi are amusing, and it ties in with the TNG episode “The Price”

Future’s End (2-parter) **if** you enjoy Ed Begley Jr, Sarah Silverman, and episodes where Star Trek characters time travel back to the modern day

Distant Origin, because it involves religion and dinosaurs

Scorpion Part 1, because it introduces Seven of Nine