Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Bliss

Season 5, Episode 14
Stardate: 52542.0

Guest Stars:
Scarlett Pomers as "Naomi Wildman"

Special Guest Star:
W. Morgan Sheppard as "Qatai"

Story by:
Bill Prady

Teleplay by:
Robert J. Doherty

Events:

The episode starts with an alien spacecraft dodging rather large lightning bolts in space. The ship fires on the source and is hit in return.

Inside the ship, an alien (Qatai) sounds more like a spac- age Ahab dueling with his mortal nemesis, the great white whale. Indeed, looking through the screen we see what appears to be a vortex shaped like a giant maw, seeking to consume the ship, issuing lightning bolts at the space craft. The alien taunts the vortex with his indestructibility. Losing control of his ship, Qatai and craft are swallowed up.

The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When we return we're on Voyager's bridge. Janeway skeptically announces the discovery of a wormhole that will take Voyager all the way to Earth. Tuvok reports the wormhole is 400 million kilometres away. She suspects some kind of trick. The coincidence is so great. Chakotay reports they've discovered "massive bio-plasmic readings" from the wormhole, suggesting a life form.

Chakotay suggests a probe and Janeway takes the ship to yellow alert and orders up a class-5 probe.

Meanwhile, the Delta Flyer is returning to Voyager with Tom, Seven and Naomi on board. Seven reports they were seeking a new source of deuterium but that their mission was a failure. On board, Naomi asks if she can accompany them again when they next seek out deuterium. Tom tells her it will be up to the captain and Seven suggests a "more experienced officer" will likely be chosen.

Naomi complains that she didn't have much to do and Seven tells her she learned more about the Delta Flyer.

Naomi asks if they can make first contact with someone, or have a space battle.

Tom : "Yeah. Can't we?" ;-)

Seven suggests they try that another time.

Then Tom offers Naomi a chance to pilot the DF. Seven doesn't seem to think much of the idea but Tom ignores her and Naomi jumps into the seat. Tom points to two buttons, explaining that pressing them in sequence brings the ship to one quarter impulse speed. Naomi dutifully presses the buttons (and a few others) and Tom asks her if she can chart their course back to Voyager. Naomi believes she can and starts pressing more buttons.

Back on Voyager, Seven accompanies Tom (who is carrying a sleeping Naomi) down the halls. Tom and Seven agree that Seven will start preparing the survey report while Tom explains to Naomi's mother, Samantha, why Naomi is two hours late for her bedtime.

Seven walks into Astrometrics and finds Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok and Harry working. On the screen we see the flight path of the ship through two solar systems and then on to a wormhole. We learn the wormhole is now 300 million kilometres away. Upon hearing the news that the wormhole is the genuine article, and that the probe sent in picked up transmissions that appear to come from Star Fleet (B'Elanna is downloading the messages), Seven is skeptical. She proceeds to start looking for anomalous readings. Tuvok claims there are none. She points out long-range scans would have detected it. Tuvok helpfully suggests she might have made an oversight. Janeway suggests she run a diagnostic, but is cheerfully optimistic and orders the ship to maintain its course to the wormhole.

As Seven sets about doing this, the four officers leave Astrometrics.

When she reports to Janeway in the ready room Seven announces the sensors work at "peak efficiency" and reports erratic neutrino levels. Janeway waves a padd claiming it's a message from Star Fleet telling them the neutrino flux is quite safe. Seven has her doubts about Star Fleet's assessment and suggests they examine the phenomena longer. Janeway refuses, claiming the wormhole could destabilize at any moment. Seven reminds her that Doc taught her to look before she leaps, but Janeway believes Seven's hesitation is a reluctance to face human culture. Janeway assures her she will do fine on Earth.

Their conversation is interrupted by Chakotay who delivers a second letter for Janeway. Janeway scans it and announces her old fiance, Mark, who was to marry someone else has broken the engagement with the other woman. Chakotay tells her he's been granted a full pardon and reinstated into Star Fleet and has been asked to teach Anthropology at the Academy. The two discuss their news and Seven is ignored.

Down in her quarters, Seven tries to access Janeway's logs regarding the phenomena, but the computer blocks her. She pulls an iso-linear chip and the computer grants her access.

The first log claims the wormhole is a well-constructed "deception", revealed by secondary scanning of the phenomena. Her supplemental log entry claims they're receiving telemetry from the probe and they believe they're receiving signals from Star Fleet. Janeway claims she's wondering if her earlier entry was in error. Her final log entry for that day shows she has embraced the idea that this is a legitimate wormhole.

Seven heads back to the bridge, but is met by Neelix who claims he has a letter for Annika Hanson from Claudia Hanson. Claudia is her aunt on her father's side, or so the letter states.

Neelix also announces he's been appointed Star Fleet's ambassador to Lantowan sector (apparently he'll be dealing with quadrupeds). This amazes Seven.

We next find her in the galley looking for Tom (who has just fixed himself a snack). She asks him if the crew seems to be behaving unusually. She describes her encounter with Janeway and tells Tom she believes they are being fooled with false telemetry and letters bearing good news. Tom also received one, from a friend who has offered him a job as a test pilot with the latest prototypes. Tom claims he's written back and accepted the position. Realizing she will find no help here Seven leaves.

She next summons up Doc, who hasn't heard about the wormhole. Seven tells him she believes the crew is being deceived and needs Doc to discover whether there is a medical reason for the crew' behaviour. Doc promises to call in a few crew members for examination. Chakotay calls Seven to the bridge.

When she arrives we can see the wormhole on the screen. It's a blue-white nebulae shaped like a spiral galaxy, slowly rotating in a clockwise direction with a long point projecting from the centre.

Chakotay announces they are getting images from the other side. With a little fiddling they clear up the picture and we have a nice view of Earth (Africa turning into view on the left and the Persian Gulf in the center of the disk). Everyone seems mesmerized by the sight.

Chakotay asks how long will it take to enter the wormhole and Tom announces 53 minutes. Janeway orders they maintain course and gives instructions to Tom to land at Star Fleet Command when they arrive.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return, Seven is in Astrometrics still trying to figure out what the wormhole is. The computer reports it's a class one wormhole with no anomalies. She recalibrates the sensors and scans again without detecting anything wrong. Then she highlights a grid coordinate and an orange amorphous blob appears on the screen. Seven asks if the object is a vessel and the computer reports no vessels have been detected. She opens a communications channel and hails the object, which eventually responds. We see Qatai on the screen.

Qatai demands to know who is calling, and Seven introduces herself and announces she is on a ship 3.4 light years from Qatai.

Qatai advises her to turn around, explaining they are being deceived. Seven demands to know how and Qatai cryptically responds with "He knows what you want."

Then the signal is lost. When Seven demands to know the reason she is surprised by Tuvok who tells her Janeway has ordered this. Power to Astrometrics was re-routed to the navigational array until they clear the wormhole.

Seven tells Tuvok of her conversation with Qatai. Tuvok checks and finds no record of a conversation. Seven tells him the data is flawed, the sensors malfunctioning. But Tuvok doesn't believe her. She accuses him of being manipulated, that were his logic intact he would listen to her. He announces that access to Astrometrics is restricted and that she is dismissed. Seven leaves the room leaving a contemplative Tuvok behind.

In her quarters, Seven begins working on the computer but hears a noise. Investigating, she discovers Naomi hiding with her Flotter doll. Naomi announces she is hiding from everyone because they are acting strangely. She says they're smiling all the time and talking about Earth as if it were the greatest place to be. Seven asks if she wishes to go to Earth and Naomi admits that she's not. She points out that reaching Earth will mean she has to give up her room, Neelix, Seven, and she would have to stop playing "Kodiskot" (from "Infinite Regress").

Seven points out they are the only two who are not affected, and when Naomi wants to know what she means Seven admits she's not sure. She orders Naomi to stay put and then leaves the room.

Seven arrives in Sick Bay and calls for Doc. However, Tom steps forward instead, explaining that Star Fleet has ordered the Doc taken offline to avoid damaging his program while traveling through the wormhole. Tom offers to help with whatever medical emergency Seven might have but she leaves the room.

Trying to enter a turbolift, Seven is confronted by Chakotay and two armed security guards. Apparently Star Fleet has ordered Seven's Borg implants deactivated as the wormhole passes through a section of sub-space monitored by the Borg; Star Fleet doesn't want to take a chance that Seven's neural transceiver might attract the Borg's attention. Seven protests, claiming Doc should supervise the procedure. But Chakotay points out that with Doc offline they'll just place her in stasis till they arrive in the Alpha Quadrant.

With a smile Chakotay claims "Resistance is futile".

The show cuts to commercials.

Back on the Bridge, Tom announces they are 2000 kilometres away from the wormhole. The bridge crew are looking forward to getting home. Chakotay calls up to announce he's about to put Seven into stasis.

Down in the cargo bay Seven tells Chakotay that she needs to adjust her regeneration booth and Chakotay permits this. Seven quickly raises a Borg shield and passes through it. Janeway, aware of this, sends more security guards. Seven calls for Naomi, who joins Seven. Seven explains that Naomi should only listen to her, and then gives Naomi the job of foiling any effort to crash the shield (she points out a warning light and tells Naomi what buttons to press if the alarm flashes).

Chakotay tries to order Naomi out of the cargo bay but is ignored. Then Chakotay orders Naomi to step away from the console but Naomi doesn't move. When the alarm flashes, Naomi punches in the correct commands.

Up on the bridge Harry claims he's being blocked from crashing the shield. Seven grabs a phaser rifle from a case and orders a site-to-site transport to Engineering just as Tuvok arrives in the cargo bay.

In Engineering, Seven phasers B'Elanna and every other member of the Engineering crew in the room. Then she erects a level ten force-field and orders the computer to encrypt all command functions to prevent anyone from stopping her. Harry announces phaser fire in Engineering and Janeway sends Security. Tuvok, with two security guards, arrives at Engineering; discovering the force field, he tell Janeway it will take a few minutes to work their way through. Tom announces Seven is tampering with the engines and Janeway finds out which workstation she is working at and sends an electro-magnetic pulse to that station, shocking Seven into unconsciousness.

Tom tells Janeway they've reached the threshold, and on the screen is the blue-white orifice of the wormhole. Janeway orders the ship in and an external shot shows Voyager entering the maw of the object that swallowed Qatai's ship.

As Voyager enters the object, the opening closes behind it. The ship is buffeted by lightning. Tom claims this is just a bit of turbulence and the screen continues to show the interior of a wormhole. Janeway cheerfully orders Tom to continue.

An external shows the ship inside a huge cavernous object which fires lightning through the ship.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we go through a series of vignettes, all dream-like. Neelix is greeted by cheerful Star Fleet delegates in a hall way. The bridge crew see Earth on the view screen.

Following this dream-like sequence we see the reality, Tom passed out at his station while the ship continues through the cavernous object that swallowed them. Everyone is passed out.

Back in the dream-sequence Tuvok meets his wife in a hall. They greet each other with the Vulcan touching of fingers (seen in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" between the brainless Spock and Saavik).

In reality Tuvok is shown unconscious.

Turning a corner we find Naomi is not affected by this phenomena. She is walking the halls looking for Seven. She enters Engineering and sees an unconscious Seven laying where she fell. Naomi runs into the force field erected by Seven, so she calls to Seven to try and awaken her.

At the sound of her name, Seven regains consciousness and brings down the field for Naomi to join her. Naomi quickly briefs her on the state of the crew, and the ship shakes. Seven checks and finds that the hull is "de-molecurizing". Seven tells Naomi to return to her quarters, but Naomi offers to help and tells Seven she doesn't want to be alone. Looking down at Naomi Seven nods her agreement with this arrangement. They leave Engineering.

Exiting from the turbolift, Naomi spots Neelix unconscious on the floor. She rushes to him, almost heart-broken. Seven tells Naomi he will be fine and that they must continue. Naomi doesn't move and Seven kneels to assure her that they will return for Neelix. She nods and stretches out her arms for a comforting hug. Seven looks at the arms and then picks the child up and carries her.

Walking through what looks like the Mess Hall they can see the sides of the object outside the ship. Naomi observes that this doesn't look like Earth and Seven agrees. They arrive in Astrometrics and Seven scans the object. She finds that it is 2000 km across and seems to be alive.

Seven regains contact with Qatai who tells them they were warned. Seven explains how the crew was deceived and Qatai chuckles about how they thought they were getting what they wanted.

Seven proposes to beam Qatai over to Voyager but that Qatai must lower his shields. This causes Qatai some concern, suspicious that the creature is trying to fool him into believing a star ship is about to rescue him. He explains that shields are all that's holding his ship together. Seven offers to bolster his shields but also tells him that his shields have fifteen minutes and that he can stay and die or take a chance that she's real.

He agrees to her terms and Seven beams Qatai over.

Qatai inspects Astrometrics and pinches Naomi before he decides the ship is real.

Qatai explains that the creature has tried to fool him many times, with wealth and with friends brought back from the dead. Seven asks what it wants and Qatai explains it eats everything. Seven refers to the creature as an anomaly and Qatai corrects her by describing it as a cunning beast that uses thoughts to lure in its prey.

Naomi compares this to a pitcher plant, a reference Qatai doesn't understand. After Naomi has explained how the pitcher plant imitates pheromones to lure in insects, Qatai agrees. But he claims the beast eats star ships.

Qatai claims he's been hunting it for forty years (once more taking on the appearance of Ahab from Moby Dick). Over the years he's developed a partial immunity to the creature's telepathy. He had a plan to destroy the beast from the inside by destroying the beast's primary neural plexus. But the beast had fooled him into thinking the digestive chamber was the neural plexus, thus trapping him.

Naomi asks how will they get out of the "monster". Seven corrects her, telling her the beast isn't a monster. But Qatai corrects Seven, claiming it is a monster and that the only way out is to destroy it.

The show cuts to commercials.

In Sick Bay they summon forth Doc and quickly bring him up to date. Seven orders Qatai to download his database on the "monster" and Doc sets about trying to revive the crew.

Time passes and we find B'Elanna in Sick Bay. Doc is trying a procedure which Qatai claims won't work. As B'Elanna is revived she finds herself talking to her friends in the Maquis, the ones who were massacred. Doc tries convincing her that she is hallucinating but she doesn't appear to hear him. Doc tries another procedure and B'Elanna goes back to sleep. Qatai points out B'Elanna didn't want to hear what Doc was saying. He claims they never do.

Qatai explains that 39 years earlier he'd responded too late to a distress call from a colony ship carrying 3000 colonists. They all died. Doc believes the beast isn't sentient but Qatai believes otherwise, pointing out it was smart enough to have the crew disable Doc.

The ship shudders, waking up Naomi who has been sleeping on a bio-bed. She calls for Seven who comforts her. But they are interrupted by Qatai who claims he's found the solution. He points to a display showing the type 9 photon torpedo and calls for them to use it to kill the beast. Doc protests, claiming Star Fleet isn't supposed to destroy life. Qatai points out this is self-defense and Seven agrees there isn't time to find another way. But Doc suggests they do something to make themselves less palatable. Using some of Voyager's anti-matter and Qatai's tetryon weapon they might be able to convince the beast to disgorge them.

Qatai agrees it might work.

In the transporter room Qatai prepares to return to his ship. Doc has accompanied him and hands him a padd, suggesting a change in the shield frequency to better block the beast's attacks.

Qatai is impressed and offers Doc a position, suggesting the beast wouldn't be able to manipulate the EMH. Doc translates this into "My Ishmael to your Ahab" and declines. Qatai points out he would be missing "the hunt of a lifetime".

Doc: "I'm a doctor, not a dragon-slayer." ;-)

Qatai is beamed back to his ship.

In Engineering Seven joins Doc who has reconfigured all bridge controls through one console (Seven is impressed).

Seven signals Qatai that they are ready to dump the anti-matter. Qatai complains that the last jolt affected his targeting array but with a few curses gets it under control.

Seven orders Doc to release the anti-matter. Doc does so and Qatai fires into the field of anti-matter, creating a spectacular burst of radiant energy. Doc reports they are moving back up the throat of the beast. Then Seven announces they are clear of it, which surprises Doc. A signal from Qatai explains what is happening. The beast is affecting Seven, convincing her that they've escaped when in fact they are still within the creature and need more anti-matter bursts to get free. Doubtfully Seven orders another burst and Qatai fires upon it. This time it is enough and both Qatai and Voyager escape the creature. Seven orders the ship away at high warp speed.

Doc leaves to tend to the crew. Seven offers Qatai assistance in repairing his ship but Qatai needs to follow the beast. He claims he'll make repairs on the way.

Qatai wishes them a safe journey home, and suggests they keep an eye out for "pitcher plants".

Back on the bridge the crew start waking up, looking for Earth. They discover they're still in the Delta Quadrant and that all controls are routed through Engineering. Janeway signals Engineering and demands to know what is happening. Seven tells her Doc will explain and that she will file a complete report after regenerating.

As Voyager streaks home Janeway explains they've left a series of beacons to warn other ships about the creature.

In Astrometrics, Seven joins Naomi looking at an image of Earth. While neither is enthusiastic about reaching Earth, they both agree that it can't be all bad and they will eventually find out whether the place is any good or not.

The last scene shows Qatai once again heading into the mouth of the creature; whether he is fooled into seeing something else or whether he is once again trying to kill it, we may never know.

End of episode.

Personal reflections:

I've got to admit, I liked this episode. For some reason the idea of the masses being fooled and only a brave few being aware of the truth and fighting against all odds to rescue everyone appeals to me ;-).

This being another Seven episode it was nice to see her developing a more human side. Her interaction with Naomi was touching, a small frightened child reaching out for comfort and Seven responding as a human should. Finding out they still play "Kodiskot". I found these moments touching.

It was interesting to learn of the hidden desires of the crew. That Janeway hopes to be reunited with Mark seems to me to be a rather startling surprise. Or that Chakotay hopes to be pardoned and re-instated in an organization he left because they refused to defend Federation colonies along the Cardassian border. Or Neelix's hope to be a Federation ambassador to quadrupeds??? Very enlightening ;-).

Qatai as Ahab was a nice touch too. The idea of a space monster being pursued across the light years by a lone hunter who isn't mad but is set on vengeance was well done. Kudos to Mr. Sheppard who put in a captivating performance (did anyone else recognize the voice of Data's "grandfather": Dr. Ira Graves from TNG's "The Schizoid Man"?).

I've also noticed Doc is using more McCoy-isms ("I'm a doctor, not a dragon-slayer."). It's a nice tribute, but let's not overdo it. Doc and McCoy are not the same people and I think it would be wrong to lose that distinction by giving him McCoy's lines (though once in a while is appreciated).

Thanks for your attention.



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