Voyager’s Tom Paris Is Exactly Like Kirk in an Embarrassing Way

Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) Star Trek: Voyager shares an embarrassing fact with James T. Kirk (William Shatner) from Star Trek: The Original Series. Paris was the pilot and doctor of the USS Voyager, and a key member of the Travelercast of characters for all seven seasons of the series. On the other hand, Captain Kirk was the Captain of the USS Enterprise, the main character of Terms of Service and the Terms of Service film series and Without a doubt the most recognizable man in the whole world Star Trek franchise.

Although Paris and Kirk belonged to very different periods in Star Trek timeline, the two ended up having some important things in common. They were both the resident bad boys of their respective showswith impetuous personalities and a tendency to break the rules. Along with that, Paris and Kirk were notorious women, famously known for having many romantic partners during their respective series. However, there is a more interesting way Paris and Kirk resemble each other.

Star Trek: Voyager downgraded Tom Paris, just like Admiral Kirk in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Paris and Kirk were the only main character demotions in the franchise for a long time

THE Star Trek: Voyager The Season 5 episode “Thirty Days” saw Tom Paris demoted to the rank of Ensign and thrown in prison after violating the Prime Directive. This was a surprising move given that Star Trek didn’t often show its main characters receiving such severe punishments. In truth, the only other main character in a Star Trek series will be downgraded before Tom is then Admiral Kirkwho was reduced back to the rank of Captain after his actions in the film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

It is important to note that there were significant differences between the Kirk and Paris demotions. Kirk being named captain again was less a punishment than a reward, as it came after he and the crew of the Enterprise saved Earth from a significant threat. In contrast, Tom’s being made an ensign was really punishment from Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), and the 30 days he spent in prison sent him home. However, Tom’s demotion was significant at the time because it was the first for a main character since Kirk was remade Captain.

Other Main Star Trek Characters Have Been Demoted

Modern Star Trek saw more downgrades

Since Traveler ended, however, the modern Star Trek the franchise has shown other downgrades of main characters. The most obvious of these was Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) being completely stripped of any position following his mutiny in Star Trek: Discovery season 1. Although Michael eventually returned to captain the USS Discovery, his initial punishment was perhaps the most severe demotion ever. Star Trek character received, fitting the shocking crime of mutiny and his involvement in starting the Federation-Klingon war.

The other main character from a modern series to be demoted was Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) from Star Trek: Lower Decks. Before Lower decks season 1, Mariner had previously been demoted to Ensign for her contentious relationship with law enforcement. However, in the Season 1 episode “Moist Vessel,” Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) decided to punish her daughter by promoting Mariner to the rank of full lieutenant and then demoting her after Mariner insulted a visiting admiral. Thanks to Discovery and Lower decks, Star Trek: VoyagerTom Paris is now in the best company among the franchise’s demoted characters.