Star Trek: Voyager introduced a slew of new characters when it debuted in 1994, including Captain Janeway, the first female captain in a Star Trek series. With nine full-time cast members throughout each of its seasons, not every character got the spotlight all the time. Some shined brighter than others in individual seasons, thanks to specific episodes or scenes.
Some of the crew of the titular Intrepid-class starship started strong and waned late, while others enjoyed the opposite trajectory. As dynamics changed over the course of the series' seven seasons, new characters like Seven of Nine rose to prominence. Even so, some of the original cast shined brightest as Voyager neared the end of its long mission to get back home.
Season 1: Neelix
The first season of any new series is often devoted to establishing its characters. For Neelix, his early career on the show represented in some respects his zenith. As the comic relief, his role was usually one of humor. His best dramatic moment arguably came in "Jetrel," a first-season episode that explores his tragic backstory. In the episode, Neelix confronts the Jetrel, a scientist who created a weapon called the Metreon cascade, which utterly obliterated the Talaxian moon and killed Neelix's family.
Neelix's struggle to support Jetrel in his current mission to help survivors from a deadly blood disease leads to lots of classic Star Trek drama exploring difficult issues. Neelix is also arguably at his most essential in the first season, as the guide for Voyager through the Delta Quadrant along with his companion, Kes.
Season 2: Tuvok
Spock often saved the day with logic in Star Trek. The same was true of fellow Vulcan Tuvok. Actor Tim Russ did some of his best work in the show's second season, especially in the episode "Meld." It explores the consequences of Tuvok's mind-meld with Suder, a crew member accused of murder. Tuvok is gradually overcome with Suder's emotions and thoughts, allowing Russ to explore the full range of his ability in ways that Tuvok ordinarily wouldn't permit.
Tuvok also has a standout moment as the advocate for Quinn, a Q who wishes to leave the Q Continuum and die. His logical and impartial disposition makes him the ideal person to represent Quinn in the high-stakes proceedings that see Q (John de Lancie) attempt to argue for the immortal existence of all Q, regardless of how taxing it may be.
Season 3: Chakotay
Actor Robert Beltran had several highlights in the early seasons of the series after the former Maquis leader Chakotay joins the crew of the Voyager. The third season provided some of his best moments, especially in "Distant Origin." Chakotay becomes involved with the Saurians, a reptilian alien race who are evolved from dinosaurs on Earth. The Saurians refuse to acknowledge their true origins, and Chakotay works with one of their scientists to bring the truth out in the open.
This season was also key in advancing the relationship between Chakotay and Captain Janeway. The two had been strong allies from the start, but their differences started to come more to the fore in this season. A notable point of contention was Chakotay's disagreement with her making an alliance with the Borg to avoid Species 8472.
Season 4: Captain Janeway
Captain Janeway is one of the best captains in Star Trek history, and season four is a prime example of why that is. A great showcase for the character is the "Year of Hell" two-parter, which is one of the best Star Trek time travel episodes. Janeway does everything she can to keep the ship going through a deadly and costly year of battle with the Krenim Imperium, a force that tries using time travel to restore what they consider to be a proper timeline. In the end, Janeway sacrifices her life and her ship to restore the original timeline.
Her strength and conviction are on full display in other fourth-season episodes as well. In "Scorpion, Part II" she stands up to both the Borg and Species 8472, showing a fearlessness that is as strong as her scientific curiosity. Another crisis moment for Janeway occurs in "The Omega Directive," where she drives the crew to destroy the first known discovery of the Omega particle, over the objections of some like Seven of Nine.
Season 5: The Doctor
The Doctor is often at the heart of the humor in the series, and even some of the funniest Star Trek episodes of all time. The Emergency Medical Hologram was a standout from the start thanks to Robert Picardo, but season five arguably belongs to the Doctor. Some of his strongest episodes focus on his agency and value as a sentient being, including "Latent Image," in which he discovers the crew erased some of his memory. They thought they were helping him by sparing him the pain and guilt of losing a crew member.
Instead, they galvanize his desire to be treated as a human being, giving Robert Picardo some of his most dramatic moments in the entire series. He has many funny moments as well, including playing the President of Earth in the 1950s sci-fi-inspired episode "Bride of Chaotica!"
Season 6: Seven Of Nine
Seven of Nine joined the show in its fourth season and was a standout character from the start thanks to her compelling backstory and Jeri Ryan's performance. The sixth season is the apex for the character, thanks to a series of strong episodes. Seven's journey back to humanity takes a powerful turn in "Unimatrix Zero," in which she becomes the guardian of a group of young Borg drones, including Icheb. She also confronts the Borg Queen in this episode and discovers her journey outside the collective isn't exactly what she thought.
She also has a great showcase in "Dragon's Teeth," an episode in which Seven of Nine is placed in a moral quandary after she works to help the Vaadwaur, a race the Borg once decimated. This may have been one time in Star Trek the villains were right, since the restored Vaadwaur returns to their ancient, war-like ways, creating a new threat in the galaxy.
Season 7: B'elanna Torres
Chief Engineer B'elanna Torres had many great episodes and moments in the seven-year run of the show, but as Voyager reached the home stretch, her arc culminated wonderfully. B'elanna finds peace in many ways in the final season, especially in "Lineage." B'elanna discovers she's pregnant in this episode, and it leads to her questioning not only the genetic future of her child but her genetic history as well. Her pain over being ostracized for her Klingon heritage almost leads her to want to prevent that for her child. It ultimate leads to her finally accepting herself.
The season ends with the birth of her child with Tom Paris, the culmination of a long arc that also has another strong high point in "Drive." In this episode, the pair finally commit to each other after working together to fly in a specially designed starship in a space race.