Captain’s log: stardate 53329

Joe Menosky penned this Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) episode that delves into paranoia as she begins to suspect that the Voyager was intentionally transported to the Delta Quadrant.

After augmenting her alcove to assimilate more data, her neural pathways are unable to handle it, and begin correlating facts into vast conspiracy theories that position Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran) against one another.

She presents evidence that both are scheming to use a piece of technology to cement a hold in the Delta Quadrant, and perhaps use as a weapon in the Alpha Quadrant.

I really enjoyed this episode, it’s well-written, ties in nicely with other episodes, and incidents that have occurred throughout the series, and it’s the kind of thing that you can imagine someone on the internet trawling through all the episodes to come up with.

It’s fascinating to watch the effect that these houses of cards have on the captain and the first officer, and how, ever so briefly, it not only puts their friendship, but the Voyager’s entire future at risk.

I’ve complained previously about the quantity of Seven of Nine episodes since her appearance on the show, but this has to be one of my favorite ones, and puts her character to use in a new way. And it makes for a very entertaining episode, especially for those of us who love a good conspiracy theory.

By episode’s end, they are a few lightyears closer to home thanks to the technology they discover, and trust is reestablished.

Captain’s log; stardate unknown

David Zabel and Kenneth Biller pen this Voyager episode from a story concocted by Zabel. It first aired on 1 December, 1999. It’s also a bit of a different story, as it features some of the cast of The Next Generation, and is largely set in the Alpha Quadrant.

It seems Lt. Barclay (Dwight Schultz) is becoming obsessed with the Voyager crew (as they appear in Season One, because that’s all the information Starfleet currently has on them, despite the brief contact via the Doctor (Robert Picardo) previously) and their dilemma, and is trying to find a way to communicate and possibly save them. He turns to Counsellor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) for help.

Richard Herd takes on the role of Admiral Paris, Tom Paris’ (Robert Duncan McNeill) father. And much like his appearances on The Next Generation, Barclay interacts with the Voyager crew on the holodeck which serves as an escape for him, but he also has brilliant ideas about how to contact the Voyager.

It’s a great episode that gives some nice payoffs for Barclay’s character, as well as an emotional moment or two when Barclay’s plan works, and the crew of the Voyager are able to connect witht he Alpha Quadrant.

The Human Adventure continues next week as I explore more of Star Trek: Voyager – The Complete Series on DVD now available from Paramount Canada.

Boldy go…