Captain’s log: stardate 50312.5

Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky pen the conclusion to the two-parter that sees Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill), Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran) stuck in the California of the 90s and attempting to stop Henry Starling (Ed Begley, jr.) from disrupting future history, and reclaim the 29th century timeship the nefarious CEO has his hands on. All while the Voyager hangs in orbit, hoping to remain undetected.

The episode first premiered on 13 November, 1996 (just over a week before the Enterprise E went back in time in theaters for Star Trek: First Contact).

Sarah Silverman is helping the Starfleet crew as Rain Robinson, and perhaps with her help, the Voyager will be able to complete its mission and get back to the future…

Of course, the story also has to explain how the Doctor (Robert Picardo) appears in Starling’s office, considering his a hologram (a holo-emitter, which will remain in effect until the end of the series), and how the crew are going to get the information Starling co-opted from the Voyager’s database.

Time travel episodes are always fun, and this one is definitely up there, it’s wonderfully entertaining. And of course, there is the wonderful location work, and the totally embracing of the 90s (which has previously mentioned was when the episode was shot, but wow what a time capsule now!).

To be clear not all the visual effects work, some of them are blatantly computer designed, and looks dated, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great episode!

Captain’s log: stardate 50348.1

Lisa Klink pens the teleplay for this Kes (Jennifer Lien) episode that came from a story by Andrew Shepard Price and Mark Gaberman. It first aired on 20 November, 1996, just days before First Contact had its theatrical debut.

Kes is taken over and possessed by the mind and spiritual force of a dying and dangerous rebel who is determined to retake his home planet, no matter the cost to Kes, himself, or Kes’ friendships… or even her romantic relationship. The love affair between she and Neelix (Ethan Phillips) ends this week.

Tuvok goes after Kes, she has been his protege for awhile now, but is there anything of Kes remaining inside her possessed body? There is a darkness there now, and even when the character is returned, she remains a changed person, and her place in the crew will now be under question.

On a side note, we get our first visit to the Paxau Resort, the sunny beach holo-program that serves as a frequent gathering place for the crew.

Next week the Voyager continues her trip home, and I’ll be with her as I explore The Complete Series on DVD from Paramount Pictures!!

Boldly go…