Star Trek: 10 Hated Characters You Grew To Love

10. Neelix

Let's get the worst bit out of the way up front: the relationship with Kes never worked, it was creepy as all hell and Neelix's character growth was stymied from the jump because of it. Loathe as we are to champion a break-up, separating Neelix and Kes was the best possible outcome. So, with that said, we can evaluate Neelix on his own.

Much credit must be given to Ethan Philips for how beloved Neelix has become. The man embued this Talaxian chef with a charm that seeped through in every performance. Was Neelix the most developed character in Star Trek? Nope. Was he the most popular? Also nope.

But did we come to love him? You bet your combadge we did. Seeing him return in Holograms All The Way Down was a genuinely pleasant experience, animated or not. One hopes that should we seek out the Talaxians again in Star Trek's future, Neelix will be the man to show us the way.