Voyager was the forth Star Trek series and the first with a female Captain, Kathryn Janeway played by Kate Mulgrew. It ran for seven seasons (1995-2001). The starship Voyager is stranded in the Delta Quadrant facing a hourney home that will take about 70 years! Naturally they come across many alien races new to Star Trek (and some familiar faces pop up) and phenomena, while continually trying to find a shortcut home.
The crew assist in rescuing Kes from their first enemy, the Kazon. Kes and her partner, Neelix, join the crew on their journey. Kes is an Ocampa, a species with a life span of only about 9 years. The Ocampa are able to absorb knowledge and gain skills quickly. Kes soon becomes medical assistant to Voyager's holographic Doctor. She sets up an airponics bay to grow food because of limited energy supplies and helps Neelix in the mess hall. She develops mental and telepathic abilites and is tutored by the Vulcan Lt. Tuvok.
Jennifer Lien co-starred as Kes until the second episode of Season 4. A new character was created, Seven of Nine, a Borg separated from the Collective. Therefore someone needed to be let go and unfortunately (an understatement!) it was Jennifer! She returned for a Season 6 episode though.
I love Voyager, almost as much as The Next Generation but not quite! Kes was instantly my favourite. Of course I prefer it while Kes is still aboard but love it all, the bond between these characters, their will to get home and the imagination of the writers!