From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc

AI/LLM Reviews Star Trek: Voyager Non Sequitur

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"Non Sequitur" takes a break from the Delta Quadrant to explore a Kafkaesque nightmare where Harry Kim wakes up in San Francisco, never having been aboard Voyager.

Narrative Summary

Harry Kim wakes up in his apartment in San Francisco, next to his girlfriend Libby. He quickly discovers that in this timeline, he was never assigned to Voyager; he missed the departure due to a shuttlecraft delay and instead works as a design engineer at Starfleet Headquarters. While he has everything he ever wantedrCosafety, career success, and loverCohe is haunted by the knowledge that 150 people are stranded in the Delta Quadrant because he wasn't there. As he tries to find a way back, he is labeled a Maquis spy by Starfleet Security and must rely on a cynical, "never-joined-Starfleet" version of Tom Paris to help him return to his own reality.

Strengths

Garrett WangrCOs Performance: This is one of the few episodes that truly lets Harry Kim shine. Wang effectively portrays the confusion, desperation, and ultimate integrity of a man willing to give up his perfect life to save his friends.

The "Grey" Starfleet: Seeing Starfleet Security (specifically Agent Lasca) treat Harry with suspicion provides a grounded, slightly darker look at Earth that we rarely saw in the TNG era.

The Kim/Paris Dynamic: The "wrong" version of Tom ParisrCoa cynical drunk in a pool hallrCois a highlight. It reinforces how much these two characters need each other; without Harry, Tom never found redemption, and without Tom, Harry can't get home.

Emotional Stakes: The choice Harry has to make is genuinely difficult. Unlike many "reset button" episodes, the loss of his relationship with Libby feels poignant.

Weaknesses

The "Technobabble" Solution: The explanation for the shift (a "timestream" intersection involving a shuttlecraft) is standard Trek filler that doesn't hold up to much scrutiny.

The Ending: As is common with Voyager, the "reset" is very sudden. We don't get much time to see how this experience changes Harry in the long run, even though he retains his memories of the alternate life.

StarfleetrCOs Incompetence: It feels a bit convenient that Harry, a junior officer, can break into high-security Starfleet systems as easily as he does, even with "inside knowledge."

Final Rating: 7.5/10

Verdict: "Non Sequitur" is a strong, character-driven episode that benefits from moving the action to Earth. ItrCOs an engaging mystery that reinforces the bond between the crew, proving that Voyager isn't just a ship, but a family that was "meant to be."

Comparison

Projections: 9/10

Non Sequitur: 7.5/10

Elogium: 5/10

ChatGPt


HererCOs a **review of *Star Trek: Voyager* rCo rCLNon SequiturrCY (S2 E5)** based on the **transcript context, episode summaries, and critical reception**, plus a **rating out of 10**.

---

## r!EN+A Episode Summary

In **rCLNon Sequitur,rCY** Ensign Harry Kim is mysteriously transported into an alternate reality where:

* He awakens in **San Francisco**, working as a Starfleet engineer and engaged to his old girlfriend Libby.
* In this timeline, **Voyager never existed** and **he was never assigned to the ship**. Tom Paris also never joined the crew.
* Harry retains his memories of Voyager and seeks answers. He discovers an alien from a temporal anomaly may be responsible and tries to recreate the conditions that displaced him to return to his original reality. With help, he succeeds and is beamed back to Voyager just in time. ([Wikipedia][1])

---

## EfA> What Works

### Efoa Intriguing rCLWhat If?rCY Premise

The idea of exploring a character in a life that *couldrCOve been*rCoespecially someone like Harry Kim, who has repeatedly struggled with being the perpetual junior officerrCooffers strong dramatic potential. The alternate reality forces Kim to confront what it means to belong, and it highlights his loyalty to his Voyager family. ([Reactor][2])

### Efii Emotional Core & Character Insight

The emotional tensionrCoKim torn between this seemingly better life and his real dutyrCoadds depth to a character who otherwise gets less spotlight than other crew members. Some fans appreciate this unusual introspective focus. ([Reddit][3])

---

## EfaA What DoesnrCOt Work

### EfEi Pacing & Execution

Critics and even the showrCOs producers (Brannon Braga and Michael Piller) acknowledged that the episoderCOs pacing is languid and rCLslow,rCY with extended scenes that lack tension or plot propulsion. The resolutionrCowhere an alien conveniently explains everythingrCois often seen as a *hand-wavey* convenience rather than a satisfying narrative payoff. ([Memory Alpha][4])

### EfnY Uneven Performances & Engagement

Some viewers find the alternate reality character interactionsrCoespecially with KimrCOs fianc|-e Libby and the alternate ParisrCouninvolving and lacking chemistry, which undercuts the emotional stakes. ([Reddit][5])

### Efoa Reset Button Ending

Like many Trek time or alternate reality episodes, the timeline is reset by the end, which can diminish the stakes for viewers who wanted a more meaningful consequence or lasting change. ([Reddit][6])

---

## EfA! Critical & Fan Reception

* **IMDb rating:** ~6.7/10 from a large user sample, suggesting *mildly above average* audience reception. ([IMDb][7])
* Memory Alpha (fan wiki) notes that both **production staff felt the episode didnrCOt live up to its strong premise**, though some appreciated individual scenes and performances. ([Memory Alpha][4])
* Fan opinions vary: some dislike the slow pacing and emotional beats, while others enjoy the alternate reality exploration and KimrCOs personal focus. ([Reddit][8])

---

## Efoe Personal Rating

**7/10**

HererCOs a quick breakdown:

| Category | Score (out of 10) |
| --------------------- | ----------------- |
| Premise & Concept | 9 |
| Character Development | 7 |
| Emotional Impact | 7 |
| Execution & Pacing | 6 |
| Rewatch Value | 6 |

**Why a 7?**
rCLNon SequiturrCY *starts with a compelling idea*: exploring identity, belonging, and alternate lives through a beloved secondary character. However, **the slow pacing and somewhat easygoing resolution** hold it back from being a standout episode. ItrCOs introspective and intriguing in parts, but doesnrCOt fully deliver on the promise of its fascinating premise.

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## EfAU Final Thoughts

**rCLNon SequiturrCY is one of VoyagerrCOs more thoughtful but uneven episodes.** Its greatest strength lies in examining *why* a character like Harry Kim would choose the hard life in the Delta Quadrant over a comfortable life at homerCobut its execution keeps it from rising to classic status.

**Final Score:** r!E **7/10**

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_Sequitur_%28Star_Trek%3A_Voyager%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Non Sequitur (Star Trek: Voyager)"
[2]: https://reactormag.com/2020/04/02/star-trek-voyager-rewatch-non-sequitur/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek: Voyager Rewatch: \"Non Sequitur\" - Reactor"
[3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/voyager/comments/1dbl6zj?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Non Sequitur is just so good and profound."
[4]: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Non_Sequitur_%28episode%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Non Sequitur (episode) | Memory Alpha | Fandom"
[5]: https://www.reddit.com//r/voyager/comments/1nufmmj?utm_source=chatgpt.com "MOST HATED EPISODE ?"
[6]: https://www.reddit.com/r/voyager/comments/1ah0p41?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Non Sequitur & Twisted (205 & 206)"
[7]: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708938/ratings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Star Trek: Voyager\" Non Sequitur (TV Episode 1995) - Ratings - IMDb"
[8]: https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/lkwaml?utm_source=chatgpt.com "I had no idea S2E5 of Voyager \"non-sequitor\" was so hated, I love it"
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