After the season pilot for "Voyager", the show set out to build the characters, using odd space anomalies among other black holes, quantum abnormalities, and nebula as McGuffens, backdrop dangers to further tell stories on adapting to being "lost in a mysterious quadrant". In the second episode, Thomas Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) proves his mettle as a "pilot" while B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) has trouble taking orders in Engineering while her former Maquis commander, Chakotay (Robert Beltran), works to promote her to the chief if Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) will approve. Tension is high as those who served under Chakotay for the Maquis tell him privately they would support him in a mutiny if he so chooses. Chakotay, though, wants the Maquis officers and Starfleet officers to acclimate themselves into a cohesive unit
easier said than done.
However, this whole event horizon situation where the Voyager is unable to escape a quantum singularity (a type of black hole) could be Torres' chance to prove herself as a worthy candidate for the Chief Engineering position. Janeway challenges Chakotay, to see all officers under command and him functioning as her proper second, without playing favorites. So the show was still clear on its flawed characters and indifference among the crew, as Torres has her share of problems with the Federation officers, particular senior officer, Carey (Josh Clark), who she punches in the face during a disagreement! Janeway and Chakotay were still at odds although there was real respect shared between them, and the captain is willing to listen to her second in command with suggestions. Neelix and Kes prove to be valuable additions to the crew, as the former knows the quadrant quite well and the latter has a brilliant mind offering suggestions on organic food production due to a lack of energy resources.
The ship's holographic medical doctor, which is activated or deactivated when needed in Sickbay, played by Robert Picardi, suffers from "shrinking" and has requested assistance (but his condition is consider of less importance because of the quantum singularity). There is a brief exchange between Picardi and Kes (Jennifer Lien) that will become a nice friendship that develops. The shuttlecraft trip to the "crack" of the singularity, hoping to open it and escape, with Janeway and Torres, allows them to come to a place of understanding
the conclusion has the two of them having to figure out which Voyager (the singularity produces two Voyagers, with one a basic "time delay" duplicate of the other) is the right one to board! The science of the show can be a bit confusing and challenging (I often have to research the meanings behind the space and time complications facing the Voyager just so I can leave each episode not completely mentally overloaded!), but the characters are quite compelling, and the Voyager's dilemma in the Delta Quadrant trying to return to the Alpha Quadrant produces plenty of unpredictable journeys/missions.
This episode does continue to establish the unease that exists on the ship between the Starfleet and Maquis...how it is a work in progress. As Captain of the Voyager, Janeway shows that she's willing to listen and her patience, exuberant passion when answers come that might resolve crises, and ability to command despite impending obstacles (think about the constant problems that exist in being away from the Federation...) are commendable attributes.
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