Warlord (episode)
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| This article is written from the Real World point of view |
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| "Warlord" | ||
|---|---|---|
| VOY, Episode 3x10 Production number: 152 First aired: 20 November 1996 | ||
| ← | 51st of 168 produced in VOY | → |
| ← | 51st of 168 released in VOY | → |
| ← | 440th of 726 released in all | → |
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| Teleplay By Lisa Klink Story By Andrew Shepard Price & Mark Gaberman Directed By David Livingston | ||
| 50348.1 (2373) | ||
Kes is taken over by the mind-force of an obsessive rebel.
Contents |
[edit] Summary
On the holodeck, Neelix introduces Harry Kim and Tom Paris to his new, relaxational holoprogram, closely modeled after serene Talaxian vacation spot, Paxau Resort. He asks for their opinion of his programming job. They suggest a few modifications to make it more lively. Harry and Tom blend in some Earth-like components such as brighter, more casual clothing for resort employees, a Caribbean band and several holographic characters based on a title-winning women's volleyball team. Instead of being offended that their changes had fundamentally compromised the "realism" of his recreation, Neelix embraced the changes as fun additions. While Neelix dances to the Caribbean music, Tom and Harry are called away to the bridge.
Once there, Captain Kathryn Janeway immediately puts them to work. Together they skillfully maneuver USS Voyager in a delicate rescue operation. A nearby ship is nearing destruction, but Harry and Tom manage to deftly pluck the injured passengers away. All three are transported directly to sickbay. As The Doctor and Kes treat the aliens, one of them – a man named Tieran – dies. Unbeknownst to both the Doctor and Kes, however, he has managed to transfer his mind into Kes' body just prior to the moment of death. Over the next few days Kes undergoes a series of subtle attitudinal changes. At one point, she announces at least a temporary halt in her relationship with Neelix, citing his jealousy over the time she has been spending with the two survivors, Nori and Adin.
During Kes' changes, Voyager has continued traveling to the Ilari homeworld. Soon after Kes breaks up with Neelix, they arrive. Kes goes to the transporter room to see off her new Ilari friends — then promptly opens fire on all Starfleet personnel in the room. Now her personality changes radically, and she indicates that most of the time she had been spending with Nori and Adin had been in preparation for a dramatic escape from Voyager. The trio put in motion an elaborate plan to to capture a shuttlecraft and travel to a different location. En route, they pick up an addition passenger, Resh, and Kes reveals that she is in fact Tieran. While she admits her new form is a radical departure from the past, he is enjoying the fact that his new host has vast — if mostly untapped — mental powers. Resh doesn't share her optimistic view, balking at the idea that "Kes-Tieran" could possibly complete their mission. His doubts are erased when she shows him a part of her newfound powers. With a thought, she brings Resh to the brink of death. She releases him and bears no apparent grudge for his skepticism. "Kes-Tieran" notes that she intends to make him "First Castellan" when the coup succeeds.
Once on the surface, "Kes-Tieran" enters the ruling chamber and instantly kills the current Autarch and abducts Ameron, the Autarch's youngest son. She then sets herself up as the new regent, and starts to make over the palace in her image. She begins destroying the decorations of the previous inhabitants, citing them as unnecessary. She pauses however, when she comes to an ornate vase filled with flowers. For a moment it seems as though Kes' strong attachment to botany might allow her to resurface. Instead, "Kes-Tieran" plucks one of the stems, and rushes excitedly over to Nori and gives it to her. Nori worries that she may not still be Tieran's wife, but "Kes-Tieran" assures her that she is. She leans in to kiss Nori, but the lovers' reunion is interrupted by Resh.
Back on Voyager, the former Autarch's eldest son and heir-apparent, Demmas, discusses the threat that Tieran poses to Ilari society. He explains that Tieran is now in Kes' body. The condition, he asserts, is irreversible. Janeway refuses to accept that, and sends Tuvok on a mission to find Kes and remove Tieran's consciousness from her mind using a special device. However, Tieran senses Tuvok's arrival, using Kes' unexplored powers, and unmasks him before he can succeed. An attempt to mind meld with Kes temporarily brings her to the surface, but Tieran regains dominance and disables Tuvok.
Nevertheless, Tieran's dominance of Kes has been challenged. Kes, perhaps strengthened by her brief interaction with her mentor, has begun to fight back more vigorously. She and Kieran joust for mental dominance. At first, he attempts to seduce her into submission, trying to show her the benefits of the mental alliance. Though briefly tempted, Kes quickly becomes more resolute. She announces that she will never let him completely control her. Equally though, she is unsuccessful at driving him out of her mind.
Practically, this mental fight leaves "Kes-Tieran" in a diminished state. The conflict causes severe headaches to begin to manifest themselves. However, he remains in control, and orders Voyager to leave the planet's orbit or face his warships. Voyager leaves orbit, only to return soon afterwards with reinforcements from the legitimate ruler's army.
An away team beams to the surface, and attacks the palace. Most of the other Ilari guards and civilians are taken by surprise, and soon "Kes-Tieran" is cornered. However, it is discovered that he was able to transfer his consciousness to Ameron. Kes was able to sense his presence, and used the device to remove Tieran permanently. The two brothers reconcile, as Demmas assumes his rightful place as Autarch.
Back on Voyager, Kes tries to come to terms with the newly-explored powers that have been accessed within her – and the fact that she has changed.
[edit] Log Entries
- Captains log, stardate 50348.1. We've entered orbit around Ilari and sent a message to the Autarch, inviting him to visit the ship. Instead, he'll be sending an official representative.
- Captain's log, stardate 50351.4. We're holding a meeting with Demmas, the Autarch's eldest son and heir, in an effort to understand the recent hostile activity.
- Captain's log, supplemental. Demmas has decided to remain on board Voyager for the time being, but continues to monitor the worsening situation on Ilari.
- Captain's log, stardate 50361.7. Lieutenant Tuvok hasn't reported for our scheduled rendezvous and we've been unable to contact him. We're now considering other, more forceful options.
[edit] Memorable Quotes
"Yes, but how close would you have to get to use this device?"
"To be fully effective, it would have to come in direct contact with her skin."
"If I could get anywhere near her, I'd use a thoron rifle to be absolutely sure."
- The Doctor and Demmas talk about freeing Kes from Tieran
"If this was meant to be a trap, why tell us about it? I'm really not a monster."
- Kes dominated by Tieran
"I can't help wondering whether I could have fought harder."
"It was your absolute refusal to surrender which defeated him. You cannot ask more of yourself than that."
- Kes and Tuvok
"How can I go back to my normal life as if nothing ever happened?"
"You can not. This experience will force you to adapt. You are no longer the same person, and the course of your life will change as a result. Where that new course leads... is up to you."
- Kes and Tuvok
[edit] Background Information
- While controlled by Tieran, Kes breaks up with Neelix. Even after Kes is restored, the couple's relationship never recovers, and ultimately ends somewhere between the season 3 episodes "Unity" and "Darkling" where Kes enjoys a brief relationship with Zahir. The actual break-up itself is never shown.
- Kes also kills transporter operator Ensign Martin.
- This is the first episode when Roxann Dawson removes the "Biggs" part of her name from her acting credit, formally announcing her divorce from Casey Biggs (who was featured on DS9 as Gul Damar).
- The damaged ship was a re-use of the vessel that attempted to steal supplies from Surplus Depot Z15 at Qualor II in TNG: "Unification I".
- This episode deals with someone transferring their consciousness to others, much like the DS9 episode "The Passenger".
- This episode features three past and future Star Trek: Deep Space Nine guest stars. Galyn Görg previously played Korena Sisko in "The Visitor", Brad Greenquist later plays Krit in "Who Mourns for Morn?"" and Leigh J. McCloskey plays Joran Dax in "Field of Fire".
[edit] Video and DVD releases
- UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 3.5, 7 April 1997.
- As part of the VOY Season 3 DVD collection.
[edit] Links and References
[edit] Guest Stars
- Anthony Crivello as Adin
- Brad Greenquist as Demmas
- Galyn Görg as Nori
- Charles Emmett as Resh
- Karl Wiedergott as Ameron
- Leigh J. McCloskey as Tieran
[edit] Uncredited Co-Stars
- Tarik Ergin as Ayala
- Erinn Allison as Talaxian Masseuse
- Irving E. Lewis as stunt double for Tim Russ
[edit] References
airponics; bioelectric microfiber; cardiac induction; Caribbean; cortical implant; Denar; dermal regenerator; detection grid; drive plasma; electromagnetic pulse; first autarch; first castellan; Gallia nectar; gamma radiation; Ilari; Ilari (planet); Imperial Hall; Kim Sports Program Theta-2; lectrazine; Martin; nervous system; neural pattern; paraka wings; Paxau; Paxau Resort; plasma injector; reaction chamber; Rekarri starburst; synaptic stimulator; type-8 shuttlecraft; viceroy; volleyball; Vulcan mind meld; Vulcan nerve pinch; warp core breach; warp signature; Yaro Province
| Previous episode: "Future's End, Part II" | Star Trek: Voyager Season 3 | Next episode: "The Q and the Grey" |
