Star Trek: Voyager’s Robert Picardo stated four years ago what he wanted for his character in the immediate future, and his plans for Voyager’s EMH, known simply as the Doctor, are so very close to coming to fruition. One element of his statement has already become reality, and although the second part of his wish has yet to materialize,the franchise has plenty of opportunities for Picardo to be completely satisfied.
Debuting in the show’s first episode, Picard went on to play the Doctor inevery season ofStar Trek: Voyager. His artificial nature has already allowed him to show up far later in theStar Trektimelinethan many of his former crew mates, which is an exciting prospect for the ongoing possibility of the Doctor’s sprawling arc being fleshed out even more. However, there’s one very specific moment that needs to happen for Picardo’s four-year-old wish to come completely true, and it connects to thetimeline of Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine.
Robert Picardo’s Doctor Is Finally Back, In 2 Star Trek TV Shows
Picardo’s EMH returned in Star Trek: Prodigy & is set to appear in Starfleet: Academy
Speaking withTrek Moviein mid-2020, Picardo confirmed he thought it would be “great fun to play the character again,” especially after seeing Jeri Ryan reprise the role of Seven of Nine as part of theStar Trek: Picardcast. Thankfully, Picardo’s was able to fulfill this desire when he voiced the Doctor as part of theStar Trek: Prodigyseason 2 cast. Exciting as I found this animated reprisal,I was even more thrilled to discover he will play the Doctor againwhenStar Trek: Starfleet Academyis releasedin 2025 or 2026.
Star Trek Theory: Which Voyager Doctor Is Robert Picardo Playing In Starfleet Academy
Although Robert Picardo is most known for playing the EMH aboard the USS Voyager, he has portrayed other versions of the EMH Mk I through the years.
The Doctor’s 2024 return inStar Trek: Prodigywas the first time Picardo had been afforded the opportunity to reprise the role for 23 years, whenStar Trek: Voyagerended. It was also a huge tick in the actor’s list ofStar Trekdesires. He wanted to play the character again, but the declaration came on the back of another statement about a reunion he implied he’d love to see Voyager’s EMH experience.
Star Trek Has Yet To Reunite The Doctor With Seven Of Nine
Picardo & Ryan have both come back to Star Trek, but their characters haven’t crossed paths
In the same 2020 interview, Robert Picardo also said he was sure the Doctor, “would be as shocked and impressed with the now fully human Seven as [Picardo] was,” when the actor saw Ryan reprise her role inStar Trek: Picard.The Doctor became Seven’s humanity coach when Kes (Jennifer Lien) leftStar Trek: Voyager, so Picardo’s character witnessing her development would indeed be a fitting moment.
There’s still a chance for them to reunite if the much-desiredStar Trek: Legacyever happens, with Captain Seven in command of the USS Enterprise-G.
Sadly, despite Ryan and Picardo having both now returned toStar Trekin the franchise’s modern era, their characters have yet to cross paths again. However, there’s still a chance for them to reunite if the much-desiredStar Trek: Legacyever happens, with Captain Seven in command of the USS Enterprise-G. Plus,ifStar Trek: Prodigyseason 3 gets the green light, that would also be a prime setting for the Doctor and Seven’s reunion. It’s less likely that theStar Trek: Voyagerduo will meet inStarfleet Academy’s 32nd century setting, but not impossible thanks to various sci-fi tropes.
