Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Harry Kim
4. Cake In The Console
Back to before the very beginning, there is a grim irony to a set of notes provided by research company Joan Pearce and Associates on a draft script for Caretaker from 1994. Cited in Star Trek Voyager: A Vision of the Future, "page reference 18/24" reads:
Ensign Kim… new operations officer—This is a very responsible job for an ensign. Even on a smaller vessel, a higher rank would be indicated. Lieutenant?
Unfortunately for Harry, the running, though not completely funny, gag was better. Instead, the 'forever Ensign' was destined to spend the journey home playing second fiddle — or, in this case, second clarinet — the Buster Kincaid to Captain Proton.
Back in the Alpha Quadrant, we do know promotion was forthcoming for Kim by 2384 at the latest. On an LCARS panel in the transporter room of the USS Dauntless, as seen in Supernova, Part 1, but released in greater detail online by Star Trek: Prodigy motion graphic designer Dominique Rossier, Kim is listed as serving "tactical officer" of that ship, and with one extra pip.
After that, prime, non-alternate, and canon Kim's career remains a mystery. That is, except for an oblique reference in the 32nd century. Pause between 0:45 and 0:47 of the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy first look teaser trailer, you'll see "ADM HARRY S.L. KIM" engraved on the wall beyond a group of assembled cadets. As Harry himself might put it, 'Admiral' is quite a few more boxes on his chair, and cake in the console, too.