Flashback (episode)

=== Reception and aftermath ===
* The writing of this episode prevented an idea similar to the installment's premise from being included in [[Marvel Comics]]' run of [[Star Trek: Voyager (Marvel)|''Star Trek: Voyager'']] [[comics]]. Shortly thereafter, writer [[Laurie S. Sutton]] remarked, "''The only challenge [of writing Marvel's ''Voyager'' comics] is to write a story to get [''Voyager''{{'}}s crew] home and then bring them back without it being disappointing like, 'They've got to get back and&ndash;aw, darn, they're back in the Delta Quadrant. Well, better luck next time!' As a matter of fact, I have some ideas for those kind of stories [&hellip;] Apparently, [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] has already beaten me to it [&hellip;] because I wanted to do a story where ''Voyager'' gets literally thrown back into the Alpha Quadrant, but back in time where they meet Captain Sulu. Well, they're doing a Sulu story, so I went, 'Aw, phooey!{{'}}''" A similar incident had occurred with {{e|Basics, Part I}}. ({{STV|9}})
* According to Grace Lee Whitney, when Brannon Braga advised her of script revisions, her first concern was how much she could tell [[Trekkie|the fans of ''Star Trek'']]. Although Whitney believed that the episode could not have been possible without fan support, Braga's reply was for her to tell the fans nothing. ({{STM|16}})
* Even before she began performing in the episode, Whitney had a chance to gauge audience reaction to it during the Novacon IV convention, held in the weekend prior to production. "''I lifted up the script at the convention,''" she recalled, "''and the fans just went crazy.''" Remarking on the episode itself, she said, "''It's wonderful for the show; it keeps the fans interested, and it's a great tie-in for the anniversary [&hellip;] George has a wonderful speech about the family of the ''Enterprise'' sticking together, which Tuvok just can't understand. The fans will love it!''" ({{STC|108}})
* Although Nichelle Nichols declined to appear in this installment, two of George Takei's compatriots from the original ''Star Trek'' series &ndash; namely, [[James Doohan]] and [[Walter Koenig]] &ndash; were very happy for Takei to appear on ''Voyager''. He revealed, "''Jimmy and Walter were both delighted for me.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 29, No. 6/7, p. 88)
* George Takei, who had fought long and hard for a Captain Sulu series to be greenlighted, hoped that the success of this episode might finally grant him that wish. "''This could be the first early warning sign!''" Takei remarked. "''Sometimes they use episodes as a pilot before they commit to a series, so &ndash; knock on wood!''" ({{STM|22}}) Indeed, Internet rumor suggested that this episode would serve as the pilot for a new Captain Sulu spin-off series, entitled ''Star Trek: The Adventures of Captain Sulu''. "''It was right about 'Flashback' happening, so who knows?''" Takei remarked, laughing. ({{STV|9}}) According to Grace Lee Whitney, the possibility of this episode leading to a Captain Sulu miniseries was not fantastical. She said of the installment, "''They told us it was a (backdoor) pilot for (an Excelsior) mini-series.''" {{st.com|grace-lee-whitney-on-trek-life-2||article}}
* The date on which this episode first aired was three days after ''Star Trek''{{'}}s 30th anniversary. The episode achieved a Nielsen rating of 5.2 million homes, and an 8% share. {{bl|voyagerview.com/review2.html}}
* Although no new ''Star Trek'' series with Sulu in command was ultimately commissioned (due to a lack of popularity for the idea), executive producer [[Rick Berman]] described this episode as "absolutely delightful." ({{STC|109|14}}) He also commented that this installment (in common with {{e|Trials and Tribble-ations}}, {{s|DS9}}{{'}}s own 30th anniversary offering) was "a lot of fun and [&hellip;] did very well in the ratings." ({{STM|24}})
* On the other hand, Brannon Braga ultimately believed this episode was of lesser quality than "Trials and Tribble-ations". Of this episode in particular, he said, "''It was a nice little tribute, not as good as 'Trials and Tribble-ations' from ''Deep Space Nine''. It was OK. I just think they came up with a better idea.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 29, No. 6/7, p. 88)
* This episode's successful viewer response made sense to Tim Russ. After praising the installment as "a killer episode," he added, "''It was so right, in terms of the 30th anniversary of ''Star Trek''.''" Contrasting the experience of watching this episode with the enjoyment he got from appearing in it, Russ declared, "''I think fans of the original series watching 'Flashback' get a different but similar kind of thrill.''" ({{STV|9}})
* ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' rated this episode 2 and a half out of 4 stars. (''Cinefantastique'', Vol. 29, No. 6/7, p. 87)
* ''[[Star Trek Magazine|Star Trek Monthly]]'' scored this episode 2 out of 5 stars, defined as "Impulse Power only". Additionally, [[Lou Anders]], a writer of the magazine, wrote a review of the installment, commenting, "''{{'}}Flashback' contains many interesting elements, such as the revelation that Tuvok has had two Starfleet careers. The performances are good, and it is a genuine pleasure to see George Takei, as superb as always, reprise his role as the popular original series character ''[&hellip;.]'' One wishes that he was given more to do in the episode. Unfortunately, the plot is slow, and Sulu's impromptu rescue attempt seems too poorly thought out and too uncharacteristically reckless to be believable.''" ({{STM|23|58 & 59}})
* The unauthorized [[reference works|reference book]] ''{{dis|Delta Quadrant|reference book}}'' (p. 135) gives this installment a rating of 8 out of 10.
* The book ''[[Star Trek 101]]'', by [[Terry J. Erdmann]] and [[Paula M. Block]], lists this episode as one of "Ten Essential Episodes" from ''Star Trek: Voyager''.
* In a {{y|1998}} interview, George Takei expressed an interest in making a return appearance on ''Voyager''. "''[I] would love to do the show again,''" he reckoned. "''Maybe I could work with the entire cast the second time around.''" ({{STM|42|41}})