Star Trek: 12 Best Alternate Reality Episodes

Say what you will about shows the hit the reset button at the end of a particularly difficult story but Voyager's Year of Hell was one of the best storylines in the entire seven year run.

With constantly approaching enemies, the crew battle to keep the ship flying while it crumbles around them. We are treated to shots of exactly how much damage the ship can take and continue to fly, with entire decks exploding and barely any functioning shields to keep them safe.

While there was little doubt about it, Kate Mulgrew solidifies Janeway's place at the table of greatest starship captains here. Ironically, a quote from another franchise installment sums up her character here. Paraphrased, it says that humans are wonderful creatures when everything is working. But, break them down and put their lives at risk for an extended period of time, they can become more vicious than the most blood thirsty Klingon.

Janeway becomes fanatical about saving everyone, a trait she has shown and would show again in the future. But here she is overcome by the job of surviving, slowly blocking off all of those around her. She sustains injuries so severe that the Doctor finally relieves her of command, which she ignores.

There was hope that the Krenim storyline could continue over a season and, while this wasn't to be, this two part episode delivers some of the finest efforts by any of Voyager's cast and crew.