Heroes and Demons (episode)
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
| This article is written from the Real World point of view |
 |
| "Heroes and Demons" | ||
|---|---|---|
| VOY, Episode 1x12 Production number: 112 First aired: 24 April 1995 | ||
| ← | 11th of 168 produced in VOY | → |
| ← | 11th of 168 released in VOY | → |
| ← | 360th of 726 released in all | → |
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| Written By Naren Shankar Directed By Les Landau | ||
| 48693.2 (2371) | ||
When several crew members disappear inside Harry Kim's "Beowulf" holodeck program, the holographic Doctor is the only one who can rescue them.
Contents |
[edit] Summary
- Captain’s log, stardate 48693.2. We’ve altered course to investigate some unusually intense photonic activity in a nearby protostar. Lieutenant Torres and I are beaming aboard samples for further analysis.
Lieutenant Torres encounters an irregularity in the transport of samples from a nearby protostar; one of the containers is filled but the other is empty. After this irregularity is corrected on a second attempt, Torres informs Captain Janeway that she will perform a full, six-hour spectral analysis on both containers. It is concluded that the samples could be harnessed to improve the power converters by fifteen to twenty percent. Janeway attempts to locate Ensign Kim to expedite the analysis, however the computer informs her that Kim is not aboard the ship.
Janeway then goes to the bridge, where Lieutenant Commander Tuvok and Commander Chakotay aid her in a more thorough search of the ship for Kim. Noticing that Kim was last seen on the holodeck, Tuvok performs an intensive scan of the holodeck, though there is a high amount of interference. Realizing that the holodeck program cannot be shut down, Tuvok and Chakotay enter the program while it is still in progress.
They discover the holonovel, Beowulf, which is an emulation of "an ancient English epic set in 6th century Denmark" as described by Chakotay. Soon after this discovery, they encounter a holodeck character who shoots a projectile at Chakotay, though missing him. Tuvok and Chakotay come to the conclusion that holodeck commands and safeguards may be inoperative. The holodeck character identifies herself as "Freya, daughter of King Hrothgar", who believes they are possibly malevolent intruders.
Asking if they are Beowulf's men, Chakotay finds an opportunity to befriend Freya, by declaring that they are indeed such. Chakotay realized that since Kim chose the holodeck program, he was probably playing the lead character: Beowulf. Tuvok and Chakotay decide to remain with Freya, in hopes that she may aid them in their search for Kim. Freya alarmingly mentions that Beowulf has died. Freya takes them to the castle of King Hrothgar, to "avenge the death" of Beowulf. The men in the King's company tell Tuvok and Chakotay that Beowulf died with 30 warriors, at the hands of a merciless monster named Grendel.
Tuvok asks for Beowulf's body, but Freya informs him that Grendel dragged the body to its lair, although nobody saw the battle. The King loses faith in Beowulf's incapability in killing Grendel, and is terrified. The King and his company are doubtful of Tuvok and Chakotay's worthiness, and as a test require them to hold sentry of the castle.
Tuvok and Chakotay inform Janeway of the program. Tuvok suggests that Kim may truly be dead. Janeway requests tricorder analysis of the program. Tuvok and Chakotay discuss Beowulf as an example of human mythology. Tuvok sees it as illogical, claiming that Vulcans do not write about demons. Chakotay discusses alien mythology that relates to Beowulf, such as Vok'sha of Rakella Prime. It is discovered that the protostar emitted energy that caused the holodeck to malfunction. This caused Kim to be converted into energy.
One meter in diameter, a bright mass appears in the program. Torres tries to transport them out of the program but it does not work. They have disappeared to Torres and Janeway. Photonic energy created a defect that de-materialized Kim, Chakotay, and Tuvok. Lieutenant Paris is convinced that they may still be recoverable. To prevent a rescue team being consumed in the same fashion, Paris suggests that the The Doctor could be used, "because a hologram cannot be converted into energy because it's already energy". The Doctor would also have the advantage of being corporeal or incorporeal at will. The Doctor is asked to interact with the characters and discover the root of the malfunction.
Kes talks with The Doctor while he learns background information concerning Beowulf. Kes asks if The Doctor is nervous about the task, since it is different from his intended programming. The Doctor admits that the unfamiliarity of the environment outside of sickbay makes him uneasy. Kes explains that it will be a chance for The Doctor to become independent and more human. Kes suggests a name for The Doctor, and he agrees to further research a suitable name for himself.
The Doctor encounters Freya in the same fashion as Chakotay and Tuvok, and already knows every important detail about her, due to his copious research of Beowulf. After Freya gloats of her exploits, The Doctor asks Freya for Grendel's location. Freya finds The Doctor's willingness to locate such an epic monster as courageous and admirable. The Doctor says his name is "Schweitzer"; Freya says it is a warrior's name. She agrees to lead him to Grendel. Freya begins to forage sub-artic fungi, for a broth in a warrior's pre-battle concoction. The Doctor comments on the fungi in a clinical tone, describing it as detrimental to physical activity. Freya counters that anything that does not kill, makes one strong.
The King is introduced to The Doctor, and is received in a nearly identical fashion as Chakotay and Tuvok, with an identical script. The Doctor engages with one of the King's men, Unferth, in a swordfight to prove his worthiness in fighting Grendel. The Doctor slightly wounds the foe, and gives him medical advice thereafter. He gains the adulation of the King's audience as they chant "Schweitzer!" The men in the castle invite The Doctor to a feast of meat. The Doctor begins to gloat of unusually dry exploits (most notably "Parinisti measles") with copious amounts of advanced medical terminology. This confounds the men.
Freya sits with The Doctor near a roaring fire. Freya confesses her unease about Grendel, and asks The Doctor for counsel. Freya fears her courage would falter, but says The Doctor has bolstered it. Freya grows romantically attached to The Doctor, and they kiss. Freya invites The Doctor to her bed, but he declines, being interrupted to readings of photonic energy. It is Grendel.
Its tentacle grasps onto The Doctor, and as he is suddenly aware of feeling the creature's touch, he frantically requests to be transported to sickbay. He makes it; however, Grendel's tentacle prevents The Doctor's arm from being transported. Paris adds a new arm to The Doctor. The Doctor's tricorder readings cause Paris and Torres to research the energy further, discovering synaptic patterns. The protostar samples are discovered to be photonic lifeforms, and break free from the sample, passing the containment field and traveling about the ship.
Janeway decides to let the organism escape through the hull, since there is no present danger. She demands visual analysis of the breach, and an immediate repair of the hull following its breach. It rejoins a photonic lattice: a sort of "home" for the photonic organisms. Janeway concludes that Kim, Tuvok, and Chakotay were converted into energy and made up the three patterns present in the photonic mass. It is believed that Grendel is holding the crewmen hostage for the seizure of the photonic samples, which are in fact its living brethren. Janeway believes that releasing the sample to Grendel as a sign of goodwill to the organisms, may lead to the release of the Voyager crewmen.
Bringing the remaining organism in a container, The Doctor enters the holodeck. The Doctor claims the sample is a talisman to defeat Grendel. Unferth concludes that since no man has the power to destroy Grendel, The Doctor must be consorting with Grendel. Unferth attempts to slay The Doctor, but Freya blocks the attack with her body, eventually dying in the process. The warrior takes the sample and flees. Freya bids The Doctor farewell, concluding with a kiss. The Doctor takes her sword, and goes to the king to retrieve the sample. The Doctor proclaims himself the only man capable of defeating Grendel. Unferth accuses The Doctor of killing Freya, but he is quelled by The Doctor's bravado. The Doctor threatens Unferth with a lit torch, and proclaims "the only reason you won't die is because I've taken an oath to do no harm." The "oath to do no harm" is the Hippocratic Oath that is used among Starfleet medical personnel.
The Doctor calls for Grendel, who appears in the throne room. The Doctor sets free the photonic organism in the sample container. He asks Grendel to return the crewmen. Grendel agrees.
- Captain’s log, stardate 48710.5. Since the return of our missing crewman, we’ve been unable to locate any further traces of the photonic aliens.
Janeway praises The Doctor for aiding in the establishment of a peaceful relationship with a new species. Moreover she tells The Doctor that she is giving him a special commendation for exemplary performance as a Chief Medical Officer. The Doctor is humbled and thanks Janeway. The Doctor is asked if he wants to be addressed with a name, however he admits he prefers his current designation as "The Doctor".
[edit] Memorable Quotes
"This ancient Earth culture seems fascinated with monsters."
"Every culture has its demons. They embody the darkest emotions of its people. Giving them physical form in heroic literature is a way of exploring those feelings. The Vok'sha of Rakella Prime believe that hate is a beast which lives inside the stomach. Their greatest mythical hero is a man who ate stones for twenty-three days to kill the beast, and became a saint."
"Such fables are necessary only in cultures which unduly emphasize emotional behavior. I would point out there are no demons in Vulcan literature."
"That might account for its popularity."
"Are you a master of herb-lore?"
"Well, in a way, I suppose I am."
"You are truly a man of many talents, Lord Schweitzer. Your people must value you greatly."
"You would think so."
- - Freya and the Doctor, as the Doctor acts as Schweitzer
"The only reason you won't die is that I took an oath to do no harm."
- - The Doctor to Unferth, after the latter has killed Freya
[edit] Background Information
- Ethan Phillips (Neelix) does not appear in this episode.
- Michael Keenan later plays Patrick in DS9: "Statistical Probabilities", "Chrysalis".
- The name The Doctor assumes in this episode, Schweitzer, is a reference to Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a medical doctor, philosopher and recipient of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize.
- Janeway sports a new hairstyle for this episode. This was Mulgrew's actual hair and the new style was dropped after two episodes as it reportedly was difficult to keep in place. Seven of Nine would sport a similar bun in later seasons.
[edit] Awards
- This episode was nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dennis McCarthy) and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cinematography for a Series (Marvin V. Rush).
[edit] Video and DVD releases
- UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 1.6, catalogue number VHR 4006, 25 September 1995.
- As part of the VOY Season 1 DVD collection.
[edit] Links and References
[edit] Guest Stars
[edit] Co-Star
[edit] Uncredited Co-Stars
- Christopher Canole as a holographic Viking
- Tarik Ergin as Ayala
- John Tampoya as Kashimuro Nozawa
- Tom Morga as a holographic Viking
- Unknown performers as
[edit] Uncredited Stunt Doubles
- Tom Morga as stunt double for Christopher Neame
- Patricia Tallman as stunt double for Marjorie Monaghan
- John Nowak as stunt double for Robert Picardo
[edit] References
Amanita muscaria, annular confinement beam, antibody, atuta, base pair sequencer, bear, Beowulf, Beowulf, biobed, Danes, Denmark, elk, endoplasmic virus, First Contact, fungi, Gar-Dane, Grendel, heatho-bard, herb, Hippocratic Oath, holo-character, holodeck, holodeck conversion node, imaging control systems, king, matter conversion node, mead, neural net, Parinisti measles, phase spectrum analysis, photonic lattice, photonic lifeform, photonic matter, poison, power converter, primary imaging matrix, protostar, Rakella Prime, Schweitzer, Scyld, sorcerer, stomach, sword, synaptic pattern, transporter, Vok'sha, Vulcan literature
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