Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
11:59

Season 5, Episode 22
Stardate: Unknown

Guest Stars:
Kevin Tighe as "Henry"
Bradley Pierce as "Jason"
John Carroll Lynch as "Moss"

Story by: Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky

Teleplay by: Joe Menosky

Events:
The show starts in a hallway where Neelix has met up with Janeway to show her the requisition reports. Neelix decides this is a good time to reveal his growing knowledge of Earth's landmarks (specifically the Great Wall of China).

As they reach Janeway's Ready Room she decides to quiz him about the "Millennium Gate". Neelix tells her it was built in the United States in the 21st century. It's visible from orbit with the naked eye. 3.2 km wide at the base, 1 km high, it was covered with solar panels and was a self-contained eco-system.

Janeway adds that it was the model for the first colony on Mars, and Janeway's ancestor, Shannon O'Donnel (according to Janeway one of the first women astronauts) was a "driving force" behind its construction.

Neelix is fascinated, so Janeway tells him the story.

While Shannon was in the space program she was also an "entrepreneur" who specialized in recycling life support systems. She'd been called in by the Governor of Indiana to assist on a project.

The scene changes to a car driving through Indiana at 5:00 AM, December 27th, in the year 2000. Kate Mulgrew plays the part of Shannon O'Donnel, who is driving the car.

As her car starts to break down, she passes a billboard announcing the "Future site of Millennium Gate". In this shot we can see that a model of the Apollo lunar module dangles from her rear view mirror.

The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When we return, Shannon is driving a station wagon through an Indiana town. She's lost and is looking for the Millennium Gate for gas, food, and a place to stay. Banners hung across the street announce the coming of the Millennium Gate while a store front window proclaims "Going Out Of Business". She asks a pedestrian for directions, and telling the pedestrian what she needs, the pedestrian tells her to head out of town to the highway and keep on going.

Not paying attention to where she's going she rear-ends another car. From this little incident we discover she's got no insurance and no cash to spare. The other driver decides there's no point in staying and leaves. Shannon tries to get her car started without success.

The scene changes and we see Shannon walking the streets. Posters on the wall announce the Millennium Gate. We notice another "Going Out Of Business" sign, giving the impression that the economy is depressed. Shannon enters the "Alexandria Books" store and is greeted by a man and his son. She explains that she's cold and is awaiting a tow truck. She's trying to get to Florida. The man agrees to let her stay, pointing out that Zeus was a guardian of travelers and he was willing to follow that example.

Through their discussion we learn that most of the town has closed up. We're introduced to the son, "Jason", and the father, "Henry Janeway". Looking down, Shannon sees a pile of printed flyers protesting the construction of the Millennium Gate. Jason explains that the Gate is "the world's first self-sustaining civic environment". Henry takes a dimmer view of it, calling it a "glorified shopping mall". He explains that all of the other businesses have sold out to make way for the Gate, and Shannon guesses that he's the last holdout.

Henry seems determined to keep his shop and prevent the Gate from being built. He wants to preserve the past. Shannon offers to help him, if he's willing to hire her. She explains that they can use a computer to notify people and gather support. But Henry doesn't like computers, and isn't hiring anyone. He reminds her that she's heading off to Florida.

Realizing she isn't going to make any money here, Shannon decides to go wait for the tow truck. But before she leaves she tries once again, explaining she needs the money to fix the car. Jason speaks on her behalf and Henry agrees. Shannon opens her leather bag and pulls out a plug and asks Henry if he believes in electricity. Henry smiles.

The scene cuts to a local bar at night. Henry explains to Shannon that a company from Texas has been offered a sweet deal to build the Gate in Indiana. The company has offered the local stores 20% above the market value of their stores, but the deal won't go through unless all of the stores sell out.

Shannon points out that this must make Henry quite unpopular and Henry admits even life-long friends and family have turned against him. He claims that if they were in the Roman age he'd be fed to the lions. They exchange a series of high points and low points about that age. Henry points out the air was breathable, literature had reached its pinnacle, families stuck together, and "lives that were worth living". Shannon points out there were no antibiotics, no cars, no telephones, lives were shorter, and there was no cold beer. The last point stumps Henry, who has to concede that point to Shannon.

He asks her if she has any plans for the Millennium Eve. Shannon admits she'll be asleep, like the last Millennium Eve. She claims when the year 2000 started, the world didn't end, no space ships landed, and the Y2K bug didn't turn off a single light bulb. Then she goes on to say that "the hucksters" pointed out that the real Millennium Eve wasn't until the end of the year 2000, so people were going to do it all over again. Henry concedes with a grin he's been selling a lot of "doomsday books" lately.

He delicately asks her if she had lost her job. She side-steps the question by explaining she's in a "transitional period". She explains she's going to Florida to live in a cabin she has there till she can get her life going again. We learn that Henry's family has owned the book store for generations. Shannon explains that she loves to explore. Henry points out that the station wagon doesn't look like a sailing ship. Shannon explains it's a rocket ship.

Their conversation is interrupted by a rumbling sound outside. When they go out to investigate they see a lot of heavy demolition machinery passing by.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we are out on the street the next day. A live report is being broadcast where a Mr. Moss (representing the company that intends to build the Gate) is announcing the intent to start construction of the Gate on the first day of 2001. He claims he's getting the town's full cooperation, and is interrupted by an angry Henry. Moss smiles and points out that Henry is the only holdout.

On camera, Henry decries the loss of the town's heritage if the project goes forward. The interviewer asks Moss if the rumour is true that the project will be built elsewhere if Henry doesn't sell. Moss confirms the rumour, but won't announce the alternate sites. If Henry doesn't see by New Year's Eve, the project will abandon the town. We also learn the town they're in is Portage Creek.

[Short note: I looked for Portage Creek on an old AAA map and couldn't find it. I did find Alexandria just off of state highway 9 to the north-east of Indianapolis. I wonder if this was the place they had in mind?]

Henry is delighted to know that he only has to hold out for a few more days. Jason is not so pleased, pointing out he goes to school with the kids of people who want Henry to sell. Henry reminds Jason that the school will be torn down if they sell. Jason claims a new school is supposed to be built, a better one. Henry flares, demanding to know whose side Jason is on. Then he apologizes, pointing out they're in it together.

The scene cuts to evening in the book store. Henry suggests they dine in Paris, and opens a book to show two pictures of 19th century Paris. With candle light, wine, a stick of bread and an apple they imagine themselves in old Paris.

Through their conversation we learn Henry is something of a recluse. He likes his books. He's never left Indiana and doesn't seem eager to explore the world.

We also learn that Henry has had the car repaired.

And we also learn that a romance between the two is just starting.

Back on board Voyager, an image of the Millennium Gate is on display in Astrometrics. Janeway is trying to reconstruct the historical records for its construction. Seven enters the room and they discuss Shannon O'Donnel. Janeway claims stories of Shannon inspired her to become a Star Fleet captain. Seven doesn't understand this, pointing out 15 generations have passed. Janeway explains "it isn't about chromosomes, it's about character."

The scene cuts to the Mess Hall, where Tom is quizzing Neelix about the seven wonders of the ancient world. Neelix is trying to recall the last wonder built, but admits he can't recall it. Tom can't recall it either. Seven, who is sitting nearby, tells them it's the Lighthouse in Alexandria.

Tom excuses himself, and Neelix asks Seven if she's learning more about Earth's history. Seven explains that Janeway asked her help to research Shannon. Neelix sits and offers to help. Picking up a PADD he reads the name "Sven 'Buttercup' Hats" (an ancestor of Seven's, a 22nd century prize-fighter). Seven explains that Janeway suggested Seven look up her own ancestors while she was working on this project.

Having no luck with the federation databases Neelix suggests they look in the non-Federation databases. Inside a Ferengi database they uncover a picture of Shannon Janeway, surrounded by her children, grand-children, and even a few great-grand-children. Neelix also reports a few journalistic entries describing opposition to the construction of the Gate. Janeway explains the whole town was against Shannon.

[Short note - it may not be too obvious in this description, but Janeway's version of events are pretty much totally wrong when compared to the story we are shown]

We return to the year 2000, in the local bar, where Shannon is watching a news report stating that Canton Ohio welcomed Moss and the idea of the Gate being built there. The report went on to state that Henry Janeway still refused to sell out.

At that point, Moss walks into the bar looking for Shannon. We learn that he worked for the marketing branch of NASA, that he recognized Shannon and had done some research on her. Apparently she was to be an astronaut, but lost her position due to spending cuts. He wants to offer her a job as a consulting engineer in return for her convincing Henry to sell his store.

Shannon agrees to think about it.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we are shown the footage of Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon and delivering his famous line: "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for Mankind". Shannon wakes up and we realize she was recalling this event in a dream.

When she enters the bookstore from her second loft bedroom she finds Jason playing with her computer. He likes the games. Shannon asks where Henry is and Jason explains Henry has gone to Wilmington to buy some supplies (apparently no one in town will sell him anything). Shannon asks about Jason's mother, and we learn she died when he was young. When asked about how he feels about the Gate Jason admits it could be "cool".

Henry walks in at that point, interrupting their discussion. Jason leaves to do some work and Shannon takes the opportunity to try and convince Henry to change his mind. Henry isn't much interested, viewing the Gate as nothing more than a glorified mall that will tear down the older buildings he treasures. He manages to guess that Moss visited with Shannon, and when Shannon explains the offer Moss had made Henry is rather upset. He asks Shannon to stay with him and Shannon admits she doesn't want to be stuck in Portage Creek. Angry and rejected, Henry helps Shannon get her things together and when Jason asks what's going on Henry explains that Shannon is leaving.

Shannon leaves the store, followed soon after by an upset Jason. Henry walks out the door and calls after Jason, but Jason doesn't return.

Back on Voyager, Harry is telling us of his "Uncle Jack" who had piloted a ship to a nearby star in the year 2210, only to discover the star wasn't there. Apparently the star he thought he was going to was an electro-magnetic echo of a distant galaxy. Harry explains that the crew was in stasis during the trip (round trip took a year). He tells this story to Janeway, Tom, Seven and Neelix.

The discussion is interrupted by Doc, who ends up joining them and claims one of his relatives was a champion chess-player (computerized, of course).

When it's Tom's turn to talk of ancient family history, he claims most of his family had been farmers. But he recalls one ancestor who piloted the first orbital glider around Mars. Janeway claims Shannon had been involved in all the early Mars projects. But Tom, who claims to know all the names of the people involved in early Mars projects, has never heard of Shannon O'Donnel.

Janeway is thunderstruck.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return, Chakotay enters Janeway's Ready Room to deliver a report on the ship's status. But Janeway cuts him off and recites a series of reports where she deliberately changes the facts to fiction (such as Neelix being Cardassian and Seven's designation being "7 of 12"). She's been researching the source documents on Shannon and has uncovered a good deal of the truth, and tells Chakotay that history isn't as accurate as she'd like to think).

Back in the local bar in the year 2000, a news report states that there are just three hours left before the Gate project falls through for Portage Creek. Henry is still holding out. Moss and Shannon watch the report, and then discuss the options. Moss still wants Shannon to join the team, even though she failed to convince Henry. He gives her a card for his associate in Canton, Ohio.

Jason interrupts them, telling Shannon that Henry won't leave the store, that a crowd of people have gathered outside, and that the police are there. With the optimism of youth Jason asks Shannon to talk to Henry. He claims his dad will listen to her. Shannon disagrees, and apologizes to Jason as she leaves.

The scene cuts to Shannon in her car. She's reciting the events we've witnessed into her tape recorder. As she passes the sign telling her that she's leaving Portage Creek, she takes a bite out of a chocolate chip cookie. The time is 11:15 PM.

The scene cuts to the street where Henry's bookstore can be found. As Jason said, there are people there as well as police. Moss is telling a news crew that he wishes things could be different, but that the project cannot go ahead in Portage Creek. Then he sees Shannon. Clearing the way for her, she first passes Jason (who is also outside), and then she enters the store.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return Shannon is banging on Henry's door. He announces that he's closed, but the sign says "Open" and Shannon points this out. Henry finally agrees to let her in. The argue back and forth about the past versus the future. Henry believes Shannon is trying to get the job in Ohio but Shannon explains that the reason she's back is because her cookies tasted bad. She tells him that she treats herself to chocolate chip cookies when she gets on the highway as a little ritual. But this time the cookies didn't taste good because he wasn't with her.

Henry explains he prefers oatmeal cookies because he's allergic to chocolate.

She tells him that Moss has offered her a job in Ohio, even though she couldn't get Henry to change his mind. She has a second chance and she can't let it go. She doesn't want to work in a bookstore. But she wants to stay in Portage Creek with Henry and Jason if he'll have her. So she's prepared to turn down the job.

Henry considers this, and then suggests that he could open up a new bookstore in the Gate.

Shannon smiles.

Henry asks her if she'll drive away again. She says she might, but if she does he'll be coming with her.

Henry asks for the time, and Shannon claims "a minute before midnight". They rush outside together, but Henry stops at the door to switch his sign from "Open" to "Closed". The crowd cheers, and with Jason under one arm and Shannon under the other they walk out together, into the future and the new millennium.

[Short note - Even though I've been watching this episode with many pauses over the past three hours, this scene brings tears to my eyes. It's quite touching. I suppose watching a good person, treated like a heel, finally treated like a hero, does something for me.]

The scene cuts to Janeway's quarters. She is somewhat disconsolate. Neelix requests her presence in the Mess Hall. When Janeway arrives, she is greeted with a "Happy Ancestors Eve", a celebration he and the senior staff have just invented to honour those who came before.

With some prompting Neelix offers Janeway a gift, a picture of Shannon and her immediate descendants. Janeway isn't sure she wants the picture, but Seven and Tuvok assure her that the historical facts are "irrelevant", that Shannon inspired Janeway to join Star Fleet and that it is that inspiration which Janeway should honour.

Doc sets up his camera and takes a picture of the entire senior staff, a "family portrait". In the fore-front is Janeway's gift. After the picture is taken the shot zooms in on the gift and the picture comes to life. A little boy, one of Shannon's great-grand-children, jumps into the lap of a very elderly Shannon (Mulgrew in make-up).

End of episode.

Personal reflections:

Within the first ten minutes of the show we know that Shannon O'Donnel is Janeway's ancestor, and we're introduced to Henry Janeway. This pretty much precludes any suspense about how things are going to turn out between these two. Rather a shame, actually. Suspense could have been maintained throughout the show if they'd decided to forgo the mentioning of Henry's last name till the conclusion.

Nonetheless, it was an interesting tale. While it has nothing to do with their mission, it was fun to watch the crew kick back and tell stories of their ancestors.

It was a story of how the past and future meet in the present, of how, sometimes, the little people of the world make a difference that affects the future, and of how history can never capture the whole truth.

Despite Janeway's disillusionment with the historical facts, her family's tales were in at least one way more accurate than history. Without Shannon, the Gate wouldn't have been built in Portage Creek. The details may have been lost along the way. Embellishments encroached into the chronicle, but a kernel of truth remained.

And in a sense, that is the way of mythology.

Chalk this one up as one of Voyager's better episodes. Nit-free, with pathos and pluck, this episode was well done.

Congratulations to all who worked on it.

Thank you for your attention.



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