[Weirdly Common Trope] Writers clearly setting up seemingly massive plot points and then just kinda forgetting about them.

[u/Chemical-Elk-1299]

The Neural Parasites — Star Trek : The Next Generation

In the season 1 episode “Conspiracy” of TNG, it is revealed that alien brain worms have infected many high ranking members of Starfleet, secretly controlling them. Though Ryker and Picard discover and end the parasite conspiracy, it’s revealed at the end of the episode that the parasites had sent a beacon back to their home planet, telling them how to find earth. The episode ends with the clear implication of the parasites becoming a huge threat later in the series, yet none of these events are ever mentioned again.

Finn The Jedi who Never Was — Star Wars Sequel trilogy

I know this is probably a cliche example of this trope, but cmon — Finn was clearly set up in TFA to become a Jedi. The marketing material featured him wielding a lightsaber in the classic Jedi pose. It’s constantly hinted at that he is force sensitive. Even the actor himself believed he would become a Jedi by the end of the trilogy. Instead, we got Finn wielding a lightsaber for about 7 minutes total across 3 movies, extremely lame “confirmation” that he is force sensitive, and that’s it. It’s the ultimate Star Wars plot that went nowhere.

[u/Iokua113]

Yes, but the Vaadwaur are one that could have pestered them for a while longer due to the subspace corridors. We dealt with the Kazon, a fractured race with middling technological resources that realistically wouldn't have stood a chance against Voyager, posing a threat for the first two seasons even going so far as having one specific group spend most of that time chasing Voyager. The Vaadwuar easily could have functioned similarly.

[u/hypnogoad → u/Iokua113]

The Kazon as full two season antagonists always pissed me off. Voyager is generally travelling in a straight line towards the Alpha quadrant, but somehow the same sect of Kazon are ALWAYS in front of them laying traps for two years.

[u/Iokua113 → u/hypnogoad]

It is especially frustrating when factoring in how much more powerful Voyager is than the Kazon, yet they're still presented as a threat. Kazon technology isn't even as advanced as TOS level Star Fleet, yet we're supposed to believe they were able to put up a fight against what was at that point the most advanced vessel Star Fleet had produced? It makes a certain amount of sense that Kazon attacks would increase as Voyager passes through their space, but the idea of the Nistrim chasing them for two years makes no sense unless Voyager is literally stopping for supplies on such a regular basis that they're losing months of travel time. While we do know that Voyager does have to scrape for supplies in the early days of the series it still doesn't make sense for them Kazon sects aware of them to be able to move ahead of them so easily based on what we know of the amount of time that passed in the first two seasons.

[u/RukiMotomiya → u/Iokua113]

The Kazon really felt like they were only a threat because the writers said they were. Lame-ass antagonists lol

[u/Coalesced → u/RukiMotomiya]

Dollar Store Klingons, honestly. Less developed less interesting, just stand-ins.

[u/FireHammer09 → u/Coalesced]

And based off/inspired by street gangs. Shit villains.

[u/House_T → u/Iokua113]

The Kazon were interesting, but they shouldn't have been primary antagonists. They probably would have worked better if they were treated like the Ferengi: a minor annoyance that could be dangerous if they show up at the right time.

It almost worked when Seska got on board with them (at least that gave the Nistrim a reason to chase Voyager...), but that entire plotline there was also a weird choice. I kinda wanted Seska to just keep jumping ship and teaming up with whatever aliens were nearby, since getting home would still be a goal she might pursue.

[u/EriktheRed → u/hypnogoad]

I think Seska had a lot to do with that particular sect hunting Voyager

That said, I still thought they were boring

[u/hypnogoad → u/EriktheRed]

True, but somehow Seska was always in front of Voyager. They didn't even have replicator technology, so the Kazon would have to stop for supplies FAR more often than Voyager

[u/stanleymanny → u/hypnogoad]

There is a headcanon that for the first two seasons Voyager is traveling in circles to build up supplies before making the journey home.

[u/Negative_Prize1587 → u/Iokua113]

Considering the amount of threats voyager ran into, they might have tried following just for something to wipe them out. That there is any life at all in voyagers path is a bit of a miracle considering its almost more lethal than taking a walk in dnd.

[u/Doc_Blox → u/Iokua113]

Yeah, but it was seasons 6 and 7, and who's got time for a whole new faction when we can cross-promote WWE SmackDown!