Origins of the 'Unimatrix Zero', a secret starfleet network
Remembering the Journey to 'Unimatrix Zero'Published May 23, 2025
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of 'Voyager' Episode 'Unimatrix Zero,' creator Mike Sussman recalls the inception of the plot.
It all started back in the late '90s, when the doors of our platform were open to aspiring writers who were passionate about the franchise. Sussman, an ardent fan, seized the opportunity, landing an internship with the writing staff. Starting as an intern, he eventually worked his way up to become a story editor on Voyager.
This journey into the world of TV writing was not an easy one, but Sussman's persistence paid off. In Voyager's sixth season, he managed to sell a couple of ideas to the producers. One of these, a story that eventually transformed into 'Unimatrix Zero's' cliffhanger, began as a concept quite different from its final form.
Flash forward to October 1999, when the internet celebrated its 30th anniversary. An article in The New York Times mentioned the web's founder and his vision for a "galactic network." This set off a chain of ideas in Sussman's mind. He realized the Trek universe was ready for a revolution, similar to the one sparked by the internet in the real world. This served as the starting point for his 'Unimatrix Zero' pitch.
Seven of Nine, the Voyager character with whom Sussman centered his story, discovers a transwarp signal originating from outside the galaxy. She finds it is a link to a vast intergalactic internet that connects countless worlds. With the potential to revolutionize inter-species communication, the story holds a powerful message for audience members, resonating with the impact and promise of the internet in the contemporary world.
Sussman's pitch encountered some challenges along the way. The original concept bore a resemblance to a previous episode, and the idea of Seven of Nine engaging in a romantic relationship was not immediately well-received. However, there was potential in the initial concept, and after refining it into two alternative versions, Sussman made the sale.
'Unimatrix Zero' is now a legendary episode of Voyager, and Sussman's journey to its creation stands as a testament to the power of persistence and the impact of new technology on our world and our storytelling.
- Sussman's 'Unimatrix Zero' pitch was inspired by the internet's 30th anniversary and its founder's vision for a "galactic network," merging pop-culture and technology in the creation of an intergalactic internet within the 'Trek' universe.
- The 'Unimatrix Zero' story, featuring a transwarp signal and a vast intergalactic internet, offers a reflection of contemporary society's experiences with movies-and-tv shows and the real-world impact of the internet and pop-culture.
- As the 'events' of 'Voyager' unfolded, aliens and entertainment intertwined in unique ways, such as Sussman's proposal for 'Unimatrix Zero,' showcasing how fresh ideas and technology can shape the landscape of both pop-culture and our collective consciousness.
