Exploring the USS Rhode Island in Star Trek

Essential Insights

Harry Kim took on the role of Captain aboard the USS Rhode Island in the concluding episode of Voyager, titled “Endgame.”
The USS Rhode Island was instrumental in Admiral Janeway’s objective to expedite the return of the Voyager crew.
The finale of Voyager features Harry Kim as Captain, defying the Temporal Prime Directive to assist in bringing the crew home.

While the USS Enterprise and its successor, the USS Enterprise-D, are among the most renowned starships in the Star Trek universe, they are certainly not the only notable vessels. Other series such as Discovery, Voyager, and Enterprise also derive their titles from their respective starships. Enterprise, being a prequel series, showcases an earlier model identified as NX-01, while the well-known vessel from The Original Series is designated NCC-1701. This introductory overview barely begins to touch upon some of the unforgettable ships in the franchise, including some that are quite unconventional. One such vessel that made a significant mark, despite a single appearance, is the USS Rhode Island.

The USS Rhode Island made its first appearance in the impactful two-part finale of Voyager, “Endgame.”Given that the main ship of the series is often regarded as one of the most exciting in the franchise, the introduction of a new ship during the series’ conclusion undoubtedly carries some level of importance. What exactly is the significance of the USS Rhode Island, and how does it contribute to the resolution of Voyager?

Harry Kim as Captain of the Rhode Island

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The two-part finale, Season 7, Episodes 25-26, “Endgame,”captures the lives of the Voyager crew post their long-awaited return from the Alpha Quadrant. Their journey spanned a staggering twenty-three years, and this episode marks the tenth anniversary of their arrival back home.

Different members of the crew flourished over the years. Tom Paris chose to become a writer of holographic novels, while The Doctor, taking on the name Joe, married a human named Lana. Surprisingly, Harry Kim, who remained without a promotion for most of the series—a fact that continues to baffle fans—finally ascended to the rank of captain. He commanded the Nova-class ship, the USS Rhode Island, during a four-year exploratory mission, which unfortunately limited his ability to attend Commander Chakotay’s funeral.

An Event from an Alternate Timeline?

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By the series finale, Janeway had been promoted to admiral and made the contentious decision to breach the Temporal Prime Directive, which prohibits interfering with the natural flow of time. Throughout her arduous journey, she faced significant losses among her crew, including Seven of Nine. Furthermore, Tuvok’s condition was deteriorating due to a genetic neural affliction, exacerbated by his inability to access crucial treatment that typically required a mind meld with a close Vulcan relative.

Although Harry initially intervened to detain her before she could travel back in time, he ultimately permitted Admiral Janeway’s journey after she elucidated her reasoning in the USS Rhode Island’s ready room, understanding that she was undertaking a perilous, one-way mission. The USS Rhode Island played a critical role in protecting Admiral Janeway from the onslaught of Klingon warships.

Despite the risks, she was determined to find a quicker path home for her crew. In a bold and selfless move, she sacrificed herself to the Borg, allowing for her assimilation after intentionally infecting herself with a futuristic pathogen capable of incapacitating the Borg Queen and her drones. The destruction of the transwarp conduit effectively weakened the Borg Collective, greatly aiding in accelerating the crew’s return while having devastating effects on her own fate.

Since these actions resulted in the alteration of the timeline where the crew eventually made their way back to the Alpha Quadrant much later, the current timeline left Harry Kim’s future as captain of the USS Rhode Island uncertain. Nonetheless, while the video games might not hold canonical status, Star Trek Online does feature the Rhode Island and depicts Harry at the helm as its captain in the year 2410. This is particularly interesting, especially with the recent Season 5 trailer of Lower Decks, which exhibits several versions of Harry, most of whom have never advanced beyond the rank of ensign. It appears that throughout the multiverse timelines, he faces continuous setbacks.

Although the USS Rhode Island has had limited appearances, its role in facilitating the Voyager crew’s earlier return to the Alpha Quadrant was invaluable, safeguarding countless lives. Harry Kim’s character, who not only achieved the rank of captain but also demonstrated his commitment to his former crew by prioritizing their needs—even at the expense of breaking Starfleet regulations—managed to shine brightly in this concluding chapter of their journey.

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