Star Trek: The USS Rhode Island, Explained

Star Trek: The USS Rhode Island, Explained

Key Takeaways

  • Harry Kim served as Captain of the USS Rhode Island in Voyager’s finale “Endgame.”
  • The USS Rhode Island played a vital role in Admiral Janeway’s mission to bring the crew back sooner.
  • Voyager’s episode showcases Harry Kim as Captain, breaking the Temporal Prime Directive to guide the crew back.

As a dedicated Star Trek fan with over three decades of fandom under my belt, I can confidently say that the USS Rhode Island has left a lasting impression on me. This vessel may not have the fame of the Enterprise or the Enterprise-D, but its impact in the finale of Voyager is nothing short of remarkable.


In the expansive universe of Star Trek, while The Enterprise and Enterprise-D might be the most recognized vessels, they’re not the only remarkable ones. Series like Discovery, Voyager, and Enterprise (the prequel series) are named after their crew’s ships too. Notably, the Enterprise in the prequel showcases a different designation (NX-01), while the one from The Original Series is NCC-1701. This barely scratches the surface of some truly iconic ships, some of which are quite peculiar. Some ships in the franchise are even etched in memory after just a single appearance in canon, such as the USS Rhode Island.

In the final episode of Star Trek: Voyager, titled “Endgame,” the USS Rhode Island was introduced as a significant addition. Given its reputation as one of the coolest ships in the series, it’s intriguing to wonder why this new ship is important for wrapping up the storyline. So, what makes the USS Rhode Island so crucial, and what role does it play in the conclusion of Star Trek: Voyager?

Harry Kim Served as The Rhode Island’s Captain

Star Trek: The USS Rhode Island, Explained

In the 25th and 26th episodes of Season 7, titled “Endgame,” we delve into the lives of the Voyager team after their long-awaited return from the Alpha Quadrant, a journey that spanned over twenty-three years. This episode commemorates the ship’s decade since its triumphant homecoming.

During those times, I found myself flourishing alongside my crewmates. Tom Paris embarked on a new journey as a holographic novelist. The Doctor, in an intriguing twist, adopted the identity of Joe and tied the knot with a human woman named Lana. Harry Kim, who had been overlooked for promotions throughout most of the series (a mystery that leaves fans scratching their heads), was seen ascending to the rank of captain. He commanded the Nova-class ship, the USS Rhode Island, embarking on a four-year exploration mission. Regrettably, this meant he couldn’t be present at Commander Chakotay’s funeral.

A Product of an Alternate Timeline?

Star Trek: The USS Rhode Island, Explained

Admiral Janeway, at one point in her career, chose to disregard the Temporal Prime Directive, a rule prohibiting interference with the natural flow of time. Over time, this arduous voyage claimed numerous crew members, including Seven of Nine. Moreover, Tuvok was struggling with a progressive neural condition that worsened due to lack of appropriate treatment and an unperformed mind meld, known as fal-tor-voh. This procedure usually requires a compatible Vulcan, often a close relative, but the voyage had prevented such a match. Recognizing potential lives that could have been spared if their journey had ended sooner, Janeway decides to travel back in time to lead her crew through a transwarp hub.

Despite Harry intercepting her before she could travel back in time, after Admiral Janeway steps off the USS Rhode Island and clarifies her motives in the ready room of the ship, he concedes to let her go since it’s a one-way trip. The USS Rhode Island played an essential role in protecting Admiral Janeway from Klingon warships to ensure her safety.

In a critical situation, Admiral Janeway found herself requiring a specific transwarp facility, but it was overrun by Borg. Despite the danger, she was prepared to proceed if it meant expediting her crew’s journey home. With a selfless act, she offered herself up to the Borg, allowing herself to be assimilated. In an ingenious plan, she had intentionally infected herself with a sophisticated virus capable of subduing the Borg Queen and her drones. Once the transwarp construction was demolished, numerous drones were eliminated along with Admiral Janeway. This strategic move not only inflicted severe damage on the Collective but also contributed significantly to bringing her crew home more swiftly.

In the scenario where these actions resulted in the elimination of the timeline that saw the crew return to the Alpha Quadrant at a later point, it remains uncertain if Harry Kim would command the USS Rhode Island within the primary timeline. However, while not strictly part of the canon, the game Star Trek Online does present the ship and an expansion pack depicts Harry as captain in 2410. This is quite intriguing when contrasted with the latest trailer for Lower Decks Season 5, which portrays various Harrys, many of whom have not advanced beyond the ensign rank. It seems that across most timelines, Harry Kim doesn’t seem to have much luck in terms of promotion.

Despite infrequent appearances, the USS Rhode Island significantly contributed to the Voyager team’s early return to the Alpha Quadrant and safeguarded numerous lives in the process. Captain Harry Kim demonstrated his dedication to his former crew, willing to bend Starfleet regulations for their sake. In the expansive universe of Star Trek, not every ship holds such influence over the timeline or provides a fitting conclusion to a series as the USS Rhode Island does.

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2024-10-25 21:05