"The 37's" was written by Jeri Taylor and Brannon Braga. One of four season two episodes produced during season one (the others being "", "Elogium", and ""), "The 37's" was originally intended to round out ; UPN delayed these episodes to begin "Voyager"s second season before other networks' shows. This delay influenced a lot of decision-making about an episode that wound up pushed to the . Both writers wanted to end the first season by showing the Starfleet and Maquis factions aboard the ship banding together as a crew, accepting their long journey home, and "whining less about home." The landing of "Voyager" was also intended to take advantage of the last episode of the season as an opportunity to really wow the audience.