Similar to the other Star Trek shows Season 2 improves as the actors grow into the roles, the character development / interactions are established and the writers / directors know better how to use the characters and what stories work. Here are many character focused episodes that develop them and give backstories. Excellent choice and execution. While Voyager overall was good it has more weaker or bad episodes compared to TNG and DS9. This season has a lot of good and some remarkable episodes. I give an extra point for this as there are some excellent ones. Remark: All of these shows started slower (First 2 seasons are inferior but not bad). Season 2 introduces Naomi Wildman who I enjoyed (in later seasons) and Lou Suder which is a fascinating character that should be used more. There are overall better episodes but also maybe the worst episode of the show with “Threshold”. They also give an excellent season final with a good cliffhanger that will get you hooked for Season 3. the last season failed in that regard. My recommendations are: “The 37s” for this creative and unique story and decision at the end. “Twisted” for the story, interesting menace and conclusion. “Persistence of Visions” for the mystery, interesting plot that challenge your perception and smart conclusion. “Tattoo” this is Chakotays episode and you will learn a lot about him. He is one of my favorite characters and here you see why. Also the overall story is good. “Cold Fire” this is Kes episode and I cant spoil the other stuff. Will admit that they should have continued this story-line in latter seasons. “Resistance” is a beautiful sad story and develops Captain Janeway. Also Caylem is one of the best non recurring actors. “Prototype” is B’Elannas story with an excellent story, menace and conclusion. “Meld” for Tuvok, especially Lon Suder and the whole messed up situation. Warning: Has one of the most shocking scenes with Tuvok and Neelix. “Dreadnought” is again B’Elannas episode as her past unexpectedly catches up to her. Good (back) story, unfolding and conclusion. “Death Wish” finally they returned Q. In DS9 they could not handle him right. In Voyager they did him excellent. Also Q2 is maybe the best guest star in Voyager. Excellent and challenging story with fitting characters and lots to discus. One of the best episodes of the show and Star Trek. “Lifesigns” for the interesting moral dilemma and adding to the lore for the Vidiians. Develops them and you can think a lot how you would act in their shoes. “Tuvix” for the excellent acting performance, interesting idea and story. However Captain Janeway acts like a sociopath at the conclusion and I would stop her and charge here for her crimes. This is the starting point for the Captain Janeway is often written with sociopath / psychopathic tendencies argument by some fans. Again I must clarify: I say Captain Janeway the character not the actor. Finally “Basics” is a fitting final episode with a great cliffhanger. It is the accumulation of many story arcs. Overall an expected improvement over the first season. I add 1 point for excellent individual episodes and would have given a 7/10 without it.

As always seemed to be the case with Voyager, episodes could fluctuate between brilliant and pretty awful from week to week, but the longer story arcs in this second season certainly made it a step up from season one.