Captain’s log: stardate 53849.2

Identity theft still exists in the 24th century as we learn in this episode directed by LeVar Burton and written by Robin Burger.

First airing on 19 April, 2000, the story follows a trio of thieves Dala (Kaitlin Hopkins), Mobar (Gregg Daniel) and Zar (Francis Guinan),who are impersonating Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran).

It seems the trio are trying to scam residents of the Delta Quadrant out of their resources, and consequently giving the Starfleet crew a bad name after the residents realize they’ve been conned.

When the Voyager tracks down the con artists Janeway runs her own con on the criminals, and gets justice and revenge.

Dala and her trio do their best to imitate the Voyager crew, and it’s funny to see the changes in character and costume. There’s something fun and playful about this episode while still being faithful to the series and what has gone before it.

It also makes sense, that sooner or later, someone in the quadrant would try to pull a scam like this.

Tom (Robert Duncan McNeill) and Neelix (Ethan Phillips) who were first taken in by the con artists begin to wonder if they have lost their own edge, which leads to some fun comedic moments with the Doctor (Robert Picardo).

All in all, it’s a very enjoyable episode that tells a different kind of story, while also making it a lot of fun.

Captain’s log: stardate 53918.0

B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) finds herself the inspiration for an alien playwright in a pre-industrial culture after she crash lands on the planet in this episode written by Joe Menosky.

Debuting on 26 April, 2000, this one is a little different as well as Torres attempts to get in touch with the Voyager and return to her ship. At the same time, the poet and playwright, Kellis (Joseph Will) uses her logs on the Delta Flyer to create entertainment for his patrons.

As the pair begin to work together, struggling to repair the Flyer, and come up with a new play for Kellis’ patron. All while the Voyager continues it’s protracted search for their missing engineer.

The episode features a pair of recognizable actors in (sadly) but parts, Tony Amendola, and Kellie Waymire, who would take on a recurring role in the next Trek series, Enterprise.

As the pair work to contrive a final play, one to turn Kellis’ patron’s heart away from war, which is threatening on the horizon, rescue draws closer, until a rescue occurs at just the oppotune moment to make a persuasive argument against violence.

The Human Adventure continues next week as season six prepares to draw to a close while I explore Star Trek: Voyager – The Complete Series on DVD from Parmount Canada.

Boldly go…