Captain’s log: stardate 54474.6

Robert Doherty pens this episode from a story he developed with Micheal Sussman. It first aired on 31 January, 2001, and tried to bring some big topics up for discussion. This is something that Trek tends to do pretty well.

This time around, the Voyager comes to aid of a damaged vessel, and soon learns that it is a prison warden escorting prisoners to their execution. This brings the ethics of the Starfleet vessel and those aboard her into question as they decide what to do, and whether or not to interfere.

While the Prime Directive says that they cannot interfere, none of the crew are comfortable with the idea of delivering people to their deaths. And while the a number of the prisoners are vicious and cruel, not all of them are. The Doctor (Robert Picardo) and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) are able to argue both sides of the argument.

There is also a demonstration of the violence inherent in the aliens’ legal system (something that happens on occasion here as well) and it makes both points of the argument that more relevant. There’s also racial profiling and flaws in the justice system (like those who can afford to buy their repentance) brought to bear for examination. The story doesn’t strive to give any easy answers, but it does seek to have the discussion.

Recognisable character actor Jeff Kober makes an appearance in this episode as Iko, one of the prisoners, in fact he is the main character of the story, and he brings a sold turn to the character he brought to life.

Captain’s log: stardate 54518.2

Micheal Sussman and Phyllis Strong pen this episode from a story by Larry Nemecek, K. Kelley Burke, Raf Green and Kenneth Biller. It debuted on 7 February, 2001.

The Voyager comes under attack by a Klingon D7 cruiser, only to discover that it is a generational ship, that left the Alpha Quadrant one hundred years ago.

Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) does her best to convince the Klingons of the new political reality that exists between the Federation and the Empire, and when they learn of Torres’ (Roxann Dawson) pregnancy they believe her child is the saviour from one of their prophecies. A prophecy that will lead them to their new home.

I’ve always loved the look of the D7, and it’s very cool to see one on screen again, especially sliding alongside the Interpid-class starship that is the Voyager.

The Klingons sabotage their vessel so that it self-destructs allowing them to board Voyager (over two hundred of them in all) with the intent to protect the child until it is born. Soon they are everywhere, Torres and Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) find themselves watched and protected, and the viewer is left to wonder if all of these extremely faithful and religious Klingons will be joining the crew on the journey home.

All manner of problems arise, but the Klingon’s captain, Kohlar (Wren T. Brown) realises that Torres may not really be the key to the prophecy, he’s just seeking some guidance, and needs her to at least pose as the mother of the saviour. It lets Torres reconnect with her Klingon past, and become a little more accepting of it.

Things won’t be easy though, there are going to be all manner of complications, and Torres and her unborn child may not get through unscathed.

The Human Adventure continues Thursday when I continue my journey through the final season of Voyager, as I explore The Complete Series on DVD from Paramount Canada.

Boldly go…