The phrase "" (Latin for "it does not follow") most famously serves as the title for Season 2, Episode 5 of Star Trek: Voyager . The episode explores the unsettling nature of an existence where one's reality suddenly lacks a logical connection to the past. Plot Summary: A Life That "Does Not Follow"
: In formal logic, a non sequitur is an argument where the conclusion does not follow from the premises. Harry Kim's current life is a "logical leap" that makes no sense based on his actual memories.
: Kim's attempts to explain his situation lead Starfleet Security to suspect him of being a Maquis spy. He eventually discovers that a "time-stream" accident involving a shuttlecraft caused him to switch places with his counterpart in this timeline. [S2E5] Non Sequitur
: With the help of Cosimo , an alien who watches over these time-streams, and Tom Paris —who in this reality is a disgraced civilian—Kim must find a way to recreate the accident to return to his proper place on Voyager . The Meaning of the Title
: The episode poses a classic sci-fi dilemma: should Kim stay in a comfortable, safe life with the woman he loves, or return to a dangerous, stranded existence for the sake of his "true" identity and duty? The phrase "" (Latin for "it does not
: It refers to an abrupt or unexpected turn in plot or dialogue. Kim's sudden shift from a starship in deep space to a coffee shop on Earth is a massive, jarring "non sequitur" in his personal narrative. Themes and Impact
: Like other famous "what if" episodes in the franchise, it allows the audience to see characters in a different light—specifically showing a version of Tom Paris who never found redemption on Voyager . Harry Kim's current life is a "logical leap"
The title works on multiple levels, drawing from both logic and literature:
