Season 4 was the best of Voyager and season 5 is the second best season. However from season 5 onward there is a small but steady decline. In season 5 they added the delta flyer to the mix, continue a story arc with our favorite new alien species and have great episodes with connections to real live problems / moral dilemmas. There are many allegories and all are done excellent. I complain however for the episode “Course Oblivion”. Maybe the best episode I hate for any show. Cant spoil but the conclusion or outcome ruins this for me. Don't get me wrong this is probably a must see or 10/10 episode. But it is the stuff that I will never rewatch. Also “11:59” is probably one of the weakest episodes of the show. You can skip it and nothing is lost. Overall this is a return to Voyagers problems. Real good episodes mixed with bad ones and mediocre compared to TNG and DS9. But the good ones far outshine the bad ones. Was tempted to give 10/10 with a bonus point but the weak episodes are valid enough that I abandoned this. My recommendation are: “Void” for its interesting concept and moral dilemma straight out from real life (It is an allegory). “Drone” for the One and the emotional and impactful story. Yes I know the accident that started the story is weird and even hilarious for Star Trek. “In the Flesh” for the mystery, idea and conclusion. A well done continuation of a previous arc. Also Ray Waltson as guest star. He is just an awesome actor. “Timeless” for Chakotay, Kim the interesting story in two timelines and of cause for guest star LeVar Burton. “Nothing Human” for the medic moral dilemma and question how far is to far. Great acting from the doctor and Crell Moset. “Thirty Days is a Tom Paris episode. Again a dilemma that is a real life allegory. Also again the first directive is evil. There are cases where it is good but not always. I think in Star Trek it did a lot of harm to innocents. “Counterpoint” for this intense story and moral implications. I must not even point out the allegory. “Last Image” for the doctor, the mystery and again moral dilemma. Again captain Janeway did something horrible (Again an out of character writing error for me) but I would have no better solution here as all solutions have ramifications and can lead to disaster. Honorable mention “Bride of Chaotic” finest B-Movie action in Star Trek. As fun as silly and a bit to silly or hilarious for my taste. “Gravity” has a remarkable idea that is used to fullest potential. Great story, execution and conclusion. “Bliss” is Star Treks version of ****. Excellent form start to finish. “Dark Frontier part 1 and 2” is Seven of Nines story and a really good Borg story. Wont spoil but has focus on character development and relations. “Think Tank” for the Think Tank and cat and mouse games. A shame that they did not continued this arc. “Warhead” for this great story. It is intense, meaningful and well written. Again with real live allegories. Sorry must be vague because of spoilers. “Equinox” is a great season final. Beware the story is not unicorns and rainbows. It shows what have could be or another side and I am again vague because of spoilers. One of the best and impactful stories of Voyager and Star Trek.

Season 5 is the perfect example of how a serialised show’s need to reset everything after each episode (or set of episodes) can hold a show back. There are some great ideas here, and they do still make for pretty good viewing, but when you know everything is going to go back to normal in the end it really removes and sense of jeopardy.