Nits for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Juggernaut
1. Theta radiation and the Warp Field.
When we arrive at the site of the escape pods we are told by Tuvok that the theta radiation extends out to a radius of 600,000,000 kilometres. Shortly after that, we are told in Sick Bay that the Malon freighter is 3,000,000 kilometres from Voyager and the escape pods.
To travel from their current position to the near edge of the theta radiation-affected area would take a little over 33 minutes at the speed of light (a little less than 45 minutes at three-quarters impulse speed, an hour and six minutes at half impulse speed, about 2 hours and 12 minutes at one-quarter impulse speed).
This is, of course, assuming they have to go all the way to the edge of the affected area before getting their warp engines working again. It also doesn't take into account a course in the opposite direction from the one the freighter is taking at "high impulse speed" (Tuvok's words). If we take that course then the time is reduced considerably (assuming the theta radiation is traveling in the same direction and at close to the speed of the object that released them into the vacuum of space [the amount of drag caused by the cosmic vacuum isn't nearly as great as the drag of a planet's atmosphere]).
When they begin examining the problem from the bridge, B'Elanna announces the Malon ship will explode in 6 hours.
So why didn't they leave the theta radiation-affected area and then jump to warp speed to escape the blast area (Warp 9 is 1000 times the speed of light, the explosion is limited by the physical laws of nature that keep particles from moving faster than the speed of light)?
And are we to believe that despite traveling through the void for two months using warp speed in "Night" they are unaware of the effects of theta radiation on warp fields? Didn't someone announce to Janeway when they came within 600,000,000 kilometres of the freighter that the theta radiation would prevent them from moving at warp speed? And if so, why did Janeway give an order to use warp speed to escape the area when they were within 3 million kilometres of the freighter?
How do we know Voyager can use impulse power? Simple. First, the Malon freighter is traveling at "high impulse speed" according to Tuvok. Second, Voyager manages to catch up to the Malon freighter, which it couldn't do unless it could travel at a higher impulse speed than the freighter.
Of course, the nit could have been avoided by placing an inhabited system in the area and then giving Janeway the need to save the system from the coming catastrophe (such as a request for assistance from the threatened planets).
Nit Value: 5.00 (we're not all dummies out here, despite the apparent assumptions made by the writers).
2. Doc's cure.
Sorry. I don't buy this. Doc has a way of blocking theta radiation from permeating the body for 2-3 hours, yet theta radiation can collapse a warp field and liquefy unprotected flesh. Apparently they can even breathe the stuff and require no protective clothing whatsoever.
Nit Value: 0.25
3. Coughing.
How difficult would it have been for them to bring breathing apparatus so they could breathe properly? What are they breathing in that makes them cough and how does the lack of clean atmosphere affect their progress? 300 years of technology development and research and they can't think of bringing a fireman's gas mask?
Nit Value: 0.50
4. Saving B'Elanna.
I'll accept that Doc managed to work out a formula of his wonder drug for the Malons. But where did Fesek get his training on human/Klingon anatomy to know that inserting two large needles into B'Elanna's neck won't kill her, and how does B'Elanna find the faith in this guy when she's been busting his chops since the moment she saw him? Why not insist they take the injector back to the others so Neelix or Chakotay could do it?
Nit Value: 0.50
5. The alien enters the command room.
How does this alien enter the command room with no one noticing the hatch has opened? How did the alien then seal the hatch after entering?
Nit Value: 0.50
Summary:
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Nit Value for "Juggernaut": 6.75
Wulf's Nitpicker Rating: 3.25
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10 - Nit Value = Wulf's Nitpicker Rating
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