Learning Curve (episode)
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
| This article is written from the Real World point of view |
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| "Learning Curve" | ||
|---|---|---|
| VOY, Episode 1x16 Production number: 116 First aired: 22 May 1995 | ||
| ← | 15th of 168 produced in VOY | → |
| ← | 15th of 168 released in VOY | → |
| ← | 368th of 726 released in all | → |
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| Written By Ronald Wilkerson & Jean Louise Matthias Directed By David Livingston | ||
| 48846.5 (2371) | ||
Tuvok conducts a training session for Maquis personnel. (Season Finale)
Contents |
[edit] Summary
[edit] Teaser
Captain Janeway is in the midst of a Gothic holonovel, dressed in Victorian clothing and preparing to address her newly-motherless charges in her role as the Governess, Mrs. Lucille Davenport. As she opens windows, she lets fresh air into the stuffy, formal room and practices various greetings. Leaning out the window into the sunshine, she goes through various greetings, rejecting one because it is too formal, rolls her eyes at another for being too familiar ("I'm sure we're going to be very good friends.") She stands up and, clasping her hands at her waist, ventures another. "Hello, I'm Mrs. Davenport. Your father has asked me to be your new governess." Suddenly, the voice of a young boy comes from behind her. "Something our father did without mentioning it to us." She turns to see two young children dressed in formal clothing, standing in a bright shaft of sunlight from the doorway behind them.
She approaches, greeting each of them by name warmly. The young boy does not shake Janeway's extended hand but rather bows, as his sister curtsies. He arrogantly corrects Janeway's use of their first names, introducing himself as Henry Burleigh, Viscount Timmons, and his sister as the Lady Beatrice Flora, informing her that they are to refer to them as M'Lord and M'Lady. Janeway appears stunned at his response, but warmly agrees and ushers them into chairs to get to know them better.
Janeway tells them that she wants to be their friend in addition to their governess, to which Lord Henry responds with the Latin phrase "In ullam rem ne properemus" or, "Let's not rush into anything." When Janeway does not understand the Latin, Henry demands to know how she will teach him his lessons. Visibly forcing herself to not reveal her anger at his impertinence, Janeway admits her Latin is rusty, but effectively silences the young lord by informing him that she is more than qualified to instruct him. She assures him that when it comes to mathematics and the sciences, he will find her lessons challenging.
She then turns her attention to Beatrice, gently asking her what she likes to study. When the young girl replies "nothing," Janeway asks her about painting or needlework. Beatrice responds that she did just finish her first sampler, which Janeway wishes to see some time. Beatrice tells her that she no longer has it, that she gave it to her mother. Henry interrupts, clarifying that Beatrice is confused, and gave their mother the sampler before she died. Beatrice, however, passionately defends her belief that she had just seen her mother last night when the girl abruptly disappears. Lord Henry stands angrily, demanding to know what happened to her when he also disappears. Janeway asks the computer to restore the characters to program Janeway Lambda one, and learns that there has been a disruption of power to energy grid Beta 4. She contacts the bridge, where Chakotay confirms power fluctuations on Deck 6, and that Tuvok is investigating.
Approaching an open access panel on Deck 6, Tuvok contacts Torres in engineering to ask if she has authorized any equipment repairs. As she answers in the negative, Crewman Dalby emerges from the panel. Tuvok asks him what he is doing, to which Dalby cheerfully replies that he was in the area, noticed a malfunctioning bio-neural gel pack, and replaced it. Tuvok persists, asking the crewman if he had permission to complete the repair, and Dalby, in a carefree tone, responds that he was about to take it to engineering for analysis. Tuvok informs Dalby that Starfleet vessels operate under a protocol. Dalby, increasingly angry, defends his actions as justifiably the Maquis way, while Tuvok presses him on the inappropriateness of his actions, reminding him that he is no longer on a Maquis ship. "I'm aware of that, lieutenant. And every minute of every day I regret it. I was just trying to do my job. Trying to help out. If that goes against Starfleet's almighty rules, then put me in the brig." Finally, Dalby gets into Tuvok's face, saying menacingly, "Otherwise, leave me alone!" Tuvok is left in the corridor, perplexed at Dalby's reaction.
[edit] Act One
- "Captain's log, Stardate 48466.5. Ordinarily, the loss of a gel pack would be a minor inconvenience. But here in the Delta Quadrant, it's a reminder of the precarious nature of our journey."
Janeway discusses the malfunctioning gel pack with Chakotay and Tuvok, demanding to know why this one failed despite the device's extremely reliable track record. Tuvok does not know, but assures Janeway that Torres is running a materials analysis. Janeway expresses the dangers inherent in the limited number of gel packs which run most of the critical systems on the ship. They are all the more limited because they cannot be replicated. Chakotay suggests that in the meantime they explore the possibility of switching some systems over to conventional isolinear circuitry. Janeway agrees to this plan.
Tuvok takes the opportunity to bring up the issue with Crewman Dalby. Tuvok describes the confrontation with the crewman as to the point of insubordination, prompting Janeway to remember the name Dalby having come up before in other complaints. Tuvok confirms her memory, citing Dalby's recent tampering with ship systems to increase a friend's replicator rations and missing duty shifts. Janeway asks Chakotay, as his former captain, what might be bothering Dalby. Chakotay explains that Dalby was always pretty aggressive, but that he was probably frustrated having to work within Starfleet protocols and procedure. Tuvok remains steadfast, stating that a starship must operate under protocols. Chakotay jokingly suggests that Dalby be brought in front of a disciplinary board, which Tuvok takes seriously and considers it perhaps the best approach. With a knowing smile, Janeway ends the disagreement by stating that she believes that option would not help.
She considers the situation and then with growing conviction, explains that Dalby is not the only Maquis who has had trouble adjusting. She maintains that it is not only a matter of attitude, but also of experience. She believes they have been unfairly expecting non-Starfleet crew members to operate as if they had attended the Starfleet Academy. Instead of punishing them, she proposes that they take on the responsibility of getting those crew up to speed, instruct them in how to run a Starfleet vessel, and show them why they do things the way they do. With a smile, she says she wants to give them the opportunity to feel like part of the team. Chakotay, warming to the idea, describes it as "a crash course in Starfleet operations – field training."
Janeway looks at Tuvok and asks him if he is prepared to take on a class of raw cadets, a suggestion he rebuffs at first. Janeway states that with sixteen years teaching experience at the Academy, Tuvok would be perfect for the job. Tuvok believes Chakotay to be the more logical choice as a Maquis and their former captain. But, Janeway points out, he doesn't have to earn the respect of the Maquis crew, but they, as Starfleet officers, do. Janeway asks Chakotay to select crew members who would most benefit most from the training, and Tuvok accepts the responsibility of instructing them and agrees to create a curriculum. With the decision made, Chakotay leaves, promising Tuvok that he will tell the Maquis he selects to "take it easy" on him.
In the first session in a cargo bay, Tuvok's rigid introduction is almost immediately interrupted by Crewman Henley, who demands to know why they have been singled out for this "honor." Tuvok reprimands the female crewman for interrupting a senior officer, and proceeds with the introduction. Chell, a Bolian crewman, interrupts right away but then remembers to ask for permission, which is granted. He wishes to know why he was selected, as he cannot conceive of any problems he may have caused.
Tuvok cuts off his lengthy self-defense to inform him that his report indicated that he was talkative, disruptive, and unreliable. When Chell begins to call this report an exaggeration with dramatic elaborations, Tuvok silences him and tells him that from now on, he is to speak only when spoken to. Chell objects and is assigned forty laps around the cargo bay, immediately raised to fifty when he blurts out another protest. Chell, his mouth still open in shock, looks to his classmates' stony faces and begins his first lap.
Tuvok goes on to describe the nature of the class: they will be held to the same standards as Starfleet cadets, there will be physical training, academic studies, as well as tactical situations which will be simulated on the holodeck. Tuvok approaches Crewman Gerron, a young Bajoran, asking the boy if he has been listening to him. Gerron nods slightly, looking down, his face in a tight frown. Tuvok demands that he look him in the eye when he is speaking when Dalby jumps in to defend the young man.
Dalby risks punishment to state that they all consider this course insulting. "We didn't ask to come aboard this ship," he says, "but we understand the situation we're in and we've done the best job we can. And now you're telling us that that's not good enough." Tuvok, responds, "That is correct," at which point Dalby has made up his mind. "Well, maybe that's too bad. Maybe we've done the best that we can and that's a good as you're going to get." Dalby asks the class if they want to stay, and Henley says that she doesn't have anything to learn from Tuvok. As they leave, Tuvok informs them that they are showing rank insubordination, ordering them all to stay where they are. Dalby calls out for Chell, who runs towards them. As he passes Tuvok, Chell conspicuously stops running and saunters out, leaving Tuvok standing in the cargo bay alone.
Later, in the mess hall, Gerron worriedly says that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to leave like that. Henley and Dalby assure him that nothing can happen to them, while Chell calmly reads a PADD. Behind them, Chakotay enters the mess hall and while getting himself a drink, overhears Dalby whispering that they are not going to jump through any Starfleet hoops. Chakotay strides over to the group and taps on Chell's shoulder, who looks up at him. After a slight pause, Chell grudgingly gets up and give Chakotay his chair, who pulls it up to Dalby and sits down.
The commander asks the group for their version of what happened, whereupon Dalby tells him that they are going to live up to their responsibilities, but they refuse to be treated like teenage cadets. Chakotay sips his drink as they continue. Henley tells him about Chell having to run laps and Dalby tell him that Tuvok was picking on Gerron. Dalby tells Chakotay that they are used to playing by a different rule book: "There's the Starfleet way, and there's the Maquis way." Chakotay confirms that Dalby wants to do things the Maquis way. When Dalby agrees, Chakotay strikes Dalby across the face and knocks him off his chair, saying "That's the Maquis way too isn't it? And if you want to keep doing it the Maquis way that's fine with me. We can do that tomorrow, the next day, every day until you report to Lieutenant Tuvok." Surrounded by the stunned faces of the crew, including the four members of the boot camp, Dalby shakily nods his head and says, "Yes, sir."
[edit] Act Two
The issue ends there – they take the class. At the second session, Tuvok hands out their study assignments and informs them of their unannounced exam schedules and then examines their uniforms. He reminds Crewman Henley that her headband, while certainly festive, is in violation of regulations. He pulls out a pendant worn by Chell, who launches into a detailed description of its Kazleti design, only to stop him and tell him it is in violation of the dress code. Chell protests that it was hidden, but then removes the necklace. Tuvok moves on to Gerron, who already know what is coming and takes off his Bajoran earring. Tuvok tells him that in addition, his boots are scuffed and should arrive in polished boots from now on. Gerron looks Tuvok in the eye and says, "Yes, sir." He has no corrections for Dalby, merely asking him if he has a problem, to which Dalby responds, "No, sir." Overall, the class is now compliant, if not holding back anger. Tuvok tells them to report to him at 1900 hours, providing no additional information about the task ahead.
Back on duty in engineering, Dalby talks to B'Elanna Torres about the field training. He seems to think it a waste of time, if not punishment, but when Torres says that it sounds like he's afraid of failing, Dalby asserts that he would not fail. Just as Torres tells him to make it through, an alarm sounds, indicating another power failure. Dalby identifies it as another bio-neural gel pack, and Torres informs the bridge that she is sending another repair crew. She assigns Dalby to replace the gel pack, asking him to make sure they don't have a cascade feedback causing the problems. As Dalby rushes off, Torres grabs a damaged gel pack and informs her staff she will be in sickbay if she's needed.
In sickbay, the gel pack lies on a biobed, its contents a murky brown instead of the typical brilliant crystalline blue. Torres asks The Doctor to examine the pack's biological component, since there appear to be no problems with the mechanical components. The Doctor places the gel pack back on the biobed, treating it with (uncharacteristically) warm bedside manner, even to the point of not wanting to discuss "the patient's" condition in front of it, as it would be "a serious breach of professional etiquette;" The Doctor is attempting to cultivate a greater sensitivity to his patient's needs. Noting Torres' exasperated response, The Doctor proceeds with his diagnosis: the gel pack has a very contagious infection. The Doctor predicts that the crew has not been infected, confirmed by Kes' scan of Torres, but says that to contain the infection, all the affected biopacks will have to be isolated and quarantined until a treatment regimen can be initiated. Torres begins to plan out loud, asking The Doctor how much time he will need. He replies that he does not know, and won't be able to stop the spread of the infection without locating its source.
Meanwhile, the "boot camp" continues. Tuvok has the class climb through over fifty Jefferies tubes and a ten kilometer run. The entire class struggles, sweating and straining to complete the exercise. Chell and Gerron struggle in particular, gasping for breath and even, as in the case with Chell, fantasizing that Tuvok will slip and plunge to his death. They run throughout the ship, passing chuckling crewmen (perhaps remembering their Academy days) in the mess hall, where Chell grabs a drink from a surprised crewmember. Crewmen Chell and Gerron, having been lapped three times at the end of the run, have to complete the course while the others gasp for breath after what Henley calls a "death march." Panting for breath, the group learns from Tuvok that they may be experiencing difficulty as he has increased the gravity on that deck by 10%. As lean on each other and the walls of the corridor, they find out that they will repeat the exercise the following evening, under the expectation of improved performance.
[edit] Act Three
Chell degausses the transporter room while Torres and Harry Kim discuss the biofilter. Kim has found no traces of the bacteria, and assures Torres that he has reviewed the transporter logs and there is no record of anything suspicious. Together they go over the latest imports from their stop at Napinne, which could have been the source of the infection. Kim lists the latest list of food imported by Neelix, varmeliate fiber, whole green putillos and schplict (grakel's milk) but all of them checked out. As they leave to check the environmental systems for something airborne, Torres asks Chell why he is using a micro-resonator rather than the magneton scanner to degauss the transporter room. Kim responds for Chell, informing Torres that Chell was using the tiny device on orders from Tuvok. Chell says Tuvok estimates it will take 26.3 hours, what Kim calls "a Tuvok estimate." As Kim and Torres leave, Kim tells Chell that he "missed a spot."
The next assignment for the class is a war games simulation on a holodeck version of the Voyager bridge Tuvok has created. He hopes that an exercise in teamwork with instill a sense of participation among the trainees. He places Dalby in command, with Chell at the Conn, Gerron at Operations, and Henley at Tactical. When Dalby sets the course, the simulation, which includes of series of random events, begins. Then Henley picks up a distress signal with a lot of interference, which Gerron confirms is a Ferengi ship. After attempts to hail the ship fail, Chell reminds Dalby that the Ferengi are known to deceive others by pretending to be in distress. Dalby says that they have a duty to provide humanitarian aid and has Chell change course to intercept.
Gerron announces the presence of a Romulan warbird decloaking off the port bow. When the warbird ignores hails and powers weapons, and Dalby calls for evasive action. Chell initiates evasive action Beta 93. They are hit on the lateral phaser bay with shields at 81% when another warbird arrives dead ahead, launching torpedoes and inflicting more damage. Gerron receives reports of casualties with damage to decks 11-15. Dalby calls for all photon banks to be armed, asking Chell to continue evasive action. He orders Henley to fire at will as the simulated Voyager is steadily bombarded, rocked by the impacts. Gerron announces that the shields are buckling, with a hull breach on deck 9. Dalby orders Henley to keep firing, to "do as much damage" as they can. With alarms screaming, sparks flying, and ruptured conduits smoking, Tuvok has the computer end the simulation and the bridge is magically restored.
Tuvok announces that they are all dead and that their first command was less than successful. Dalby falls back into the captain's chair, remarking that it was a no-win situation. Tuvok asks them for reasons for the failure, and they all sit silently. Finally, Henley is the first to speak, insisting that they went by the book, while Chell, with his usual defensive stance, is certain that his evasive action sequences cannot be faulted. Henley is proud to have gone down with phasers firing. Tuvok then turns to Gerron, who wonders why it matters what they did wrong. Tuvok sagely responds, "It matters because if you do not learn from your mistakes, you will be doomed to repeat them." Dalby jumps up to take responsibility, as he was in command and that the crew was just following his orders. When asked what he thought went wrong, Dalby says that he thinks they did everything they could; they were just outgunned.
Tuvok asks Dalby if the possibility of retreat had occurred to him. Henley is shocked at the idea of retreat, to which Tuvok responds that "the strongest tactical move is always the one in which you will reap the highest gain at the lowest cost. Going out with phasers firing may seem heroic, but in the long run, it is merely foolish. Retreat is often the best possible option." Dalby speaks for them when he quietly but sarcastically concedes that once again Tuvok has proven his point, that they are not Starfleet material. When Dalby angrily asks if they are dismissed, tacking on a perfunctory "sir," Tuvok ends the program and calls for an exit. The trainees are demoralized and file out, feeling as if they have failed. Tuvok is again left alone, this time seeming to wonder why his methods are not proving effective.
This perception is confirmed as Neelix approaches a pensive Tuvok in the mess hall, stating that he senses that his services as morale officer are required. Neelix remarks that Tuvok does not have a cup of tea, a PADD, and is not sitting in his usual place. Neelix can tell Tuvok has something on his mind, and that he can tell it is making lieutenant miserable by the "cloud of doom rising from him like a ground fog." Tuvok questions whether there are visible emanations which allow Neelix to interpret his mood, stating that he is making wild assumptions.
When Neelix presses him about the Maquis trainees, however, Tuvok does begin to describe their lack of progress. They are not responding well to his instruction, but Tuvok cannot isolate the problem and is at a loss. Tuvok has taught literally thousands of cadets and has never encountered these difficulties. He insists that his methods are sound and time-honored: he insists on strict adherence to rules and protocols and never wavers from that approach. He has always been successful in honing each cadet into a Starfleet officer.
In response, Neelix takes Tuvok to look at some Keela flowers gathered in small glass vases on the galley counter. They are small white, pink and purple blooms on delicate green stems. The flowers, Neelix demonstrates to the Vulcan officer, are remarkably strong due to their flexible stems, almost impossible to break. Occasionally on the same stalk, however, are stems that are not so flexible, and pulling one out, Neelix snaps the stem easily. Tuvok interprets Neelix's demonstration as implying that the Maquis crew are rigid and inflexible, and that they will never adjust to Starfleet rules.
Trying to break the news gently but still being direct, Neelix corrects him, that he was in fact calling Tuvok rigid and inflexible. But with taps of encouragement on the shoulder, Neelix proposes that if Tuvok were to learn to "bend a little," he may have better luck with his class. As the Talaxian returns to preparing a meal, Neelix reminds Tuvok that the Maquis are not Starfleet cadets, and that he can't treat them the same way. As he spoons a white substance into a pan, he suggests Tuvok get to know his students and try to find out what they are like inside. Walking over to Tuvok, he concludes that as a result, Tuvok might encounter a better teaching method.
Tuvok doesn't know if he has the ability to "find out what they are like inside," but then pauses as he begins to pick up an odor, turning to the plate of white food. Neelix inhales the potent odor with delight, informing Tuvok that it is Brill cheese, made from the schplict he recently acquired. He is making macaroni and cheese for Ensign Ashmore. The word "cheese" causes a rapid conjecture to form for Tuvok, who notes that to create cheese, one needs to cultivate bacteria. As Neelix agrees, he follows Tuvok's gaze to a ventilation intake located right above Neelix's food preparation area.
[edit] Act Four
- "Captain's Log, Stardate 48895.3. Lt. Tuvok has reported what may be a possible explanation for the infection in the bio-neural gel packs. I have asked Lt. Torres and her team to investigate Neelix's kitchen."
Torres asks for the schematics of the air flow patterns of the whole ship while walking over to the cheese, now housed in a portable containment field. She reports that the cheese is full of volatile bacterial spores, and that it must remain isolated. Neelix waves off two members of Torres' team who scan a Laurelian pudding he is simmering for four hours, but is filled with remorse as he hears how the spores traveled up the intake, into the ventilation system, and on to disseminate into the ship, infecting the bio-neural circuitry. As they talk, the lights flash and system power down and up, causing Torres to worry that the infection has spread to the environmental systems, at which point they would be in more trouble than they thought. As she commands that the cheese be taken to The Doctor for investigation, she reassures Neelix that the contamination was not his fault.
As the investigation proceeds, Tuvok attempts to follow Neelix's advice and plays pool at Sandrine's with a recalcitrant Dalby to get to know him better. Trying to start conversation, Tuvok asks Dalby a number of questions, including whether he plays pool often, to which Dalby responds that he doesn't really, but did when he was younger. Tuvok asks him if he has any family, at which point Dalby stops and asks if this is all part of his training, as a way of testing his social skills. Tuvok states that it is simply to get to know him better, which may then lead to their relationship going more smoothly. As he expertly knocks ball after ball into the pockets, Dalby tells Tuvok "the brief history of Kenneth Dalby." He and his family lived on the Bajoran frontier where they had a hard life. Dalby coped by getting into a lot of trouble; he was angry at everybody and everything. This continued until he fell in love with a Bajoran woman and for a while wasn't angry any more. This woman, who taught him about love, is later viciously raped and murdered by three Cardassians. This event spurs him to join the Maquis where he then tried to kill as many Cardassians as he could. After this deadpan delivery, the crewman looks up at Tuvok, and with false cheer, asks the lieutenant if he had any family.
Tuvok answers that he does, but that there is nothing to report about them that would compare with the crewman's story. As Dalby returns to the pool table, Tuvok states that he has observed the protective relationship Dalby has with Gerron, asking if they had developed a friendship. Dalby says that he has not succeeded, that the young man won't let him get close. Dalby continues, sharing that the first time he saw Gerron, the young Bajoran reminded him of himself when he was that age. He thought maybe he could be the young man's friend and prevent him from turning out the way he had, but he didn't have much luck. Then they were pulled to the Delta Quadrant, where Gerron is now miserable being so far from home, a point Dalby makes firmly, telling Tuvok that he would appreciate it if he wouldn't make the young man more miserable than he already is. Tuvok reminds Dalby that Chakotay specifically recommended Gerron for the program, thinking that if Gerron could learn new skills, set and meet goals, that he may begin to feel better about himself. Dalby questions these motives, prompting Tuvok to assure him that it is their intention that the experience be positive for everyone. Dalby, already agitated by the conversation, puts down his cue stick and, coming in close on the lieutenant, informs Tuvok that he does not want to get to know him or be his friend, then turns around and leaves.
The Doctor continues to examine the cheese, stating that it is the most pernicious infective agent he has ever seen; it has systematically attacked each cell in the pack's biological matrix. Kes has exposed it to every known anti-bacterial agent to no avail. Sickbay sways as the ship experiences more power failures, confirmed by Janeway in the bridge, who in turn begs for good news from the medical findings. The Doctor reports that he is at a loss, but that they will keep trying. The Doctor wonders aloud to Kes why the bacteria didn't show up on any diagnostic scans of the ship. If the bacteria didn't spread from the cheese into the ship systems, he wonders, how did the gel packs get infected? Kes responds that she thinks she has read that viruses can live inside bacteria. The Doctor suddenly puts all the pieces together, surmising that the bacteria has been the host to the virus, and that there are thousands of viruses so small that they would have escaped detection. Kes begins to submit the gel packs to anti-viral agents.
Meanwhile, Tuvok and his class are engaging in an activity in a cargo bay. Dalby interprets the rocking to be the inertial dampeners to be malfunctioning. Noticing the escalating instability in the ship, Tuvok dismisses class. However, the door to the cargo bay will not open, even when Tuvok attempts various codes. Chell begins to panic.
Kim reports to Janeway that the gel packs are beginning to fail sequentially and that they are losing systems faster than they can compensate with backups. Chakotay asks about the isolinear circuits, but Kim reports that Torres has not completed the changeover, and that they could not even maintain life support at this point. Paris announces that propulsion is down as Kim informs them that every system on the main grid is down – communications, transporters, turbo lifts, even life support. Janeway has Torres transfer all power to life support and to continue working on the isolinear circuitry.
Back in the cargo bay, just as Gerron is attempting to open the cargo bay doors with the manual override, Dalby reports that he can't get the main cargo door open either. Tuvok attempts to contact the bridge but receives no answer.
[edit] Act Five
Just as the situation gets worse, with decks losing life support and gravity, The Doctor reports with good news – he has found the problem. So far, he explains, the gel packs have not been able to fight off the infection because they could not do what humanoid organisms do. Understanding where The Doctor was going, Janeway finishes his sentence – the gel packs can't get a fever. He reports that heating the gelpacks has proven successful in his experiments. However, he says that he does not have the power to heat all the gelpacks, ship-wide.
Janeway turns to Torres for the solution for how to super-heat the gel pack system. The chief engineer proposes that they could accomplish this by infusing the gel packs with a high-energy plasma burst from a symmetrical warp field, which Janeway confirms would be generated by inverting the warp towards the ship. Torres proposes that they run the warp engines to 80% of maximum while standing still. The captain is concerned that this procedure be possible when all the control failures. It's risky, but Torres suggests rerouting all the emergency power to the warp engines it might be enough. Wary of the risk, the captain decides it is worth it and directs that all power to be diverted to the warp engines. Paris deactivates the nacelle control system and prepare to engage the warp engines. Janeway orders him to begin, at which point the nacelles move into position, the warp glow emanating from the engines.
Back in the cargo bay, the trainees and Tuvok recognize the change in the power. Dalby notes that a conduit is getting very hot, while Henley notes the increase in environmental temperature. Chell continues to panic, while Tuvok assures them that the captain is most likely doing something to deal with the system failures. He urges his students not to let fear get the best of them. He assigns Gerron to check if the console in the control room is still functioning, sending the young man up a ladder to the small room while he and the rest go to try to access a Jeffries tube from the forward bulkhead.
The bridge officers are stifling and shaken about as the ship struggles under the power. Tom Paris wipes sweat from his forehead while Chakotay informs them that they are only at 74%, not enough for a plasma burst. The captain orders Paris to increase antimatter flow, which Kim reports is having an effect, with the engines at 340 Kelvin. Janeway directs Paris to get the temperature up somehow, and achieves 360 Kelvin. At 79% of maximum, Chakotay says they should risk trying the plasma burst. Janeway agrees and instructs Torres, who warns them that it may blow out some of the conduits. Janeway orders her to proceed.
Meanwhile, the trainees open an access panel only to be blown down by an exploding conduit. They all look as plasma gas begins to seep in, and Tuvok announces the room will become poisonous within minutes. As Tuvok tells them that they must leave immediately through the Jeffries tube, Dalby demands, "What about Gerron?" They all look up to see the young man slumped over the rail, unconscious. Dalby tells Tuvok that they can't leave him, but Tuvok orders them all into the Jeffries tube, that "it is always tactically correct to sacrifice the few for the many." Dalby is furious and lunges up to go get Gerron himself, shouting that this is one time when retreat is not an option. However, Tuvok stops him, pinning his arm behind his back. Tuvok commands the others into the Jeffries tube, and tells Dalby that if he does not get into the tube, he will break his arm. As Dalby accuses him of killing Gerron, he climbs into the tube, which Tuvok seals, he himself remaining inside the cargo bay. Coughing from the plasma gas, Tuvok runs to Gerron.
On the bridge and throughout the ship, crewmembers are gasping, dripping in sweat, and struggling to stay conscious. Janeway asks The Doctor for an update, who reports that bacterial levels are dropping. He reports that in a few minutes, the system will be purged. Janeway reminds him that they need life support back on as soon as possible.
While the heat and gas continue to build, Tuvok climbs the ladder to reach Gerron, then placing him over his shoulder and begins the climb back down. Overpowered by the plasma gas, Tuvok falls from the ladder with Gerron. He attempts to crawl while dragging Gerron, but ultimately collapses.
The Doctor's unaffected, perky voice contacts the struggling bridge officers, informing them that the bacteria have been destroyed. Janeway orders Kim to start getting the systems back online.
In the cargo bay, through the billowing gas clouds, the door is forced open by the trainees. Chell props it open long enough for Henley and Dalby to run in and pick up Gerron and Tuvok and drag them to safety. Back in the corridor, gasping and drenched in sweat, the trainees collapse, smiling in success. Holding Tuvok up, Dalby says, "I thought Starfleet rules said that was an unacceptable risk." Tuvok responds that is was, but that he "recently realized that there are times when it is desirable to bend the rules." Dalby responds, looking at his friends, "Lieutenant, if you can learn to bend the rules, I guess we can learn to follow them." With that, they support Tuvok and Gerron to sick bay, while Voyager continues on its way home.
[edit] Log entries
[edit] Memorable Quotes
"There's the Starfleet way, and there's the Maquis way."
- - Kenneth Dalby
"Come with me. I want to show you something. These are Keela flowers. They're beautiful and remarkably strong. The stem is flexible. It's impossible to break. But, occasionally, on the same plant, there's a bloom whose stem is not so flexible. Ah, here's one, see? And when the stem is brittle, it breaks."
"You're saying that the Maquis crew is rigid and inflexible, that they will never adjust to Starfleet rules."
"No, Mr. Vulcan. I'm saying that you are rigid and inflexible. But maybe if you learn to bend a little, you might have better luck with your class."
- - Neelix and Tuvok
"Get the cheese to sickbay."
- - B'Elanna Torres
[edit] Background Information
- Lindsey Haun, who played Beatrice Burleigh in this episode and "Persistence of Vision", later played Belle in "Real Life".
- The character Mariah Henley was named for Sue Henley, Kate Mulgrew's stand-in and the actress who played Ensign Brooks.
- This was the last episode of season 1 of Star Trek: Voyager.
- This episode appears to be the point when friction between the Maquis and Starfleet crews is finally reconciled. The tensions between the two are revisited in the 3rd season episode "Worst Case Scenario" and in season 7's "Repression".
[edit] Video and DVD releases
- UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 1.8, catalog number VHR 4008, 6 November 1995.
- Although this was the last broadcast episode of season 1, CIC Video released the four "hold-over" episodes in their production order, as part of the first season release. Volume 1.9 begins with "Projections". Volume 2.1 begins with "Initiations".
- As part of the VOY Season 1 DVD collection.
[edit] Links and references
[edit] Guest Stars
- Armand Schultz as Kenneth Dalby
- Derek McGrath as Chell
- Kenny Morrison as Gerron
- Catherine MacNeal as Mariah Henley
[edit] Co-Stars
- Thomas Dekker as Henry
- Lindsey Haun as Beatrice
- Majel Barrett as the USS Voyager computer voice
[edit] Uncredited Co-Stars
- Tarik Ergin as Ayala
- Kerry Hoyt as Crewman Fitzpatrick
- Louis Ortiz as Ensign Culhane
- John Tampoya as Kashimuro Nozawa
- Unknown actor as Ensign Murphy
[edit] Uncredited Stunt Doubles
- Dennis Madalone as stunt double for Kenny Morrison
- Unknown stunt performer as stunt double for Tim Russ
[edit] References
apple; Ashmore; Bajoran; bio-neural circuitry; bio-neural gel pack; Bolian; brig; brill cheese; Cardassians; cargo bay; circassian fig; Davenport, Lucille; D'deridex-class; distress call; Ferengi; grakel milk; holodeck; holonovel; hull breach; "Janeway Lambda one"; Jefferies tubes; Kazleti; Keela flower; Kobayashi Maru Scenario; Latin; Laurelian pudding; macaroni and cheese; magneton scanner; manual override; Maquis; mathematics; mess hall; micro-resonator; morale officer; nacelle control system; Napinne; "Paris 3"; plasma burst; pool; putillo; red giant; schplict; Sequence Beta 93; Starfleet Academy; tea; varmeliate fiber
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