The good news for year 3 was that Voyager finally managed a great episode. [Before and After](http://www.exasperatedcalculator.com/archives/2012/08/trekathon-467-before-and-after-voy/) is up there with the very best of Star Trek. Unfortunately, it took almost 60 episodes, and is matched this year by two of the worst: [Alter Ego](http://www.exasperatedcalculator.com/archives/2012/08/trekathon-453-alter-ego-voy/) and [Favorite Son](http://www.exasperatedcalculator.com/archives/2012/08/trekathon-464-favorite-son-voy/). Sadly both Harry Kim episodes – the writers can’t find anything interesting to do with him except slap him around. At least the writers are going for range – the worst Voyager so far within an episode or two of the best so far.
But there is more promise than in Season 2. The show has tried for the fences a few more times, with episodes that take brave risks. These risks aren’t paying off as often as I’d like, but at least they’re being tried. We’ve ditched the boring Kazon, and now have a much more interesting foe in terms of the Borg. I’m more optimistic than I was.
Overall it’s still a bad series of TV, but sneaks ahead of TNG Season 2 (which the previous season couldn’t manage).
That takes the rankings to:
The very best of Trek:
– TNG Season 6
– DS9 Season 2
Strong performers:
– TNG Season 3
– TNG Season 5
– TOS Season 2
– TNG Season 4
Mixed bag:
– TOS Season 1
– DS9 Season 2
– DS9 Season 1
– VOY Season 1
– TNG Season 7
Not good:
– DS9 Season 3
– VOY Season 3
– TNG Season 2
– TAS Season 1
– VOY Season 2
– TOS Season 3
– TAS Season 2
– TNG Season 1
Two more episodes of DS9 for Season 5.