Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
The Disease

Season 5, Episode 16
Stardate:

Guest Stars:
Musetta Vander as "Tal"
Charles Rocket as "Jippeq"
Christopher Liam Moore as the stowaway

Story by:
Kenneth Biller

Teleplay by:
Michael Taylor

Events:
The episode starts with an external view of a very long spacecraft that bears a vague resemblance to the ship sent to Jupiter in "2001: A Space Odyssey". As the camera zooms in we eventually find ourselves looking at a hatch inside the ship. The hatch opens and Harry and Tal stumble out of a room in a passionate embrace.

Harry whispers that he isn't supposed to be there and Tal reassures him that no one saw them. They recline on a bed and Tal removes Harry's communicator and throws it across the room. Harry is a bit dismayed by this, worrying, but Tal kisses him and he forgets all about it. He starts kissing her neck and her neck starts flickering with light. He asks her what it is but she doesn't tell him. Instead she drags him from the couch and throws him to a chair (actions which he cooperates with). She pulls up his shirt and starts kissing his chest, and once again we see the flickering light around her face and his chest and face.

The scene cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When we return we get another external of the alien ship (belonging to a species known as the Varo). Voyager is docked to one of the support struts about mid-point down the ship.

Janeway's supplemental log entry tells us that Voyager has been helping the Varo for over two weeks to repair the Varo warp propulsion system. They're nearly completed. Janeway also notes that the Varo crew are almost xenophobes, resisting Voyager's help.

Inside the Varo ship Janeway enters the ship's Central Control. She carries a rag and has grease smudges on her face and hands. She is greeted by Jippeq, who points out Janeway agreed that the Central Control would be off limits to her and the rest of Voyager's crew. She claims she came to reconfigure the warp assembly. Jippeq claims the assembly is classified. Janeway explains they can't finish the job till the assembly is reconfigured and Jippeq tells her to consider the work done.

Janeway insists, and Jippeq claims that after two weeks he's seen no progress. Janeway suggests he check the anti-matter injectors and he discovers they are now online. She claims they only need some anti-matter from Voyager but that she needs to access the warp assembly. Jippeq moves to another console and starts entering commands.

Janeway recalls when they first met that the Varo ignored her hails. She reminds him they've come far and asks him not to throw away their progress.

Jippeq admits they do have some things in common. Janeway tells us of the Varo history. They started as a small ship with a small crew 400 years earlier. Now they're a multi-generation ship and crew with a unique culture. Janeway wonders aloud whether this is Voyager's fate. Through this discussion she manages to convince Jippeq to allow them access to the assembly.

No sooner is consent given than B'Elanna and Tom walk in to arrange for the transfer of anti-matter. Janeway signals Chakotay on Voyager to transfer the anti-matter.

The scene cuts to Tal's quarters where we find clothing strewn across the floor. Tal stretches across her bed. We can see her back bears markings that seem to be natural for her species. She awakens and notices Harry is staring out into space through a porthole. She makes a joke and Harry stirs, obviously very deep in thought.

She invites him back to bed, but Harry can't sleep. She suggests cuddling but he isn't in the mood for that either. She tells him not to worry, that they haven't been caught.

But Harry frets anyway. He claims there are many Star Fleet protocols preventing him from doing what he has done with her ("personal contact"). He also claims Janeway forbade them any personal contact with the Varo.

Tal orders him to bed and Harry obeys.

The ship shudders and Harry realizes the repair crews are transferring plasma and that he and Tal are late. He jumps up and starts pulling on a pair of pants. Noticing that Tal is not getting ready he asks why she delays. She explains she's waiting to see him in her uniform. He looks down and realizes he's trying to put on her pants, so he throws them to her. Gathering the rest of his belongings Harry suggests they go separately and exits the room.

They do arrive separately in Central Control just in time to discover the anti-matter transfer isn't working and that the ship is riddled with micro-fractures. They stop the process and Janeway offers to help with the latest problem.

The scene cuts to the transporter room where Harry and Tom are discussing events. Tom tells Harry he is aware of Harry's interest in Tal. Harry confirms this. Tom lectures him on chasing after the "wrong girl" again, mentioning a string of Harry's love interests, none of which worked out well for him.

Harry agrees to stop pursuing Tal.

In his quarters Harry immediately uses a coded channel to contact Tal. She's delighted. They discuss the previous night and both admit surprise over how good it felt. They agree to try it again.

Meanwhile, Tuvok is picking up an unauthorized transmission. Because it is encoded he cannot determine who is sending it, but Chakotay orders him to find the destination.

Down in Harry's quarters, the two lovers exchange pillow talk.

Back on the bridge, Tuvok has pinned down the destination to Tal's quarters. Tom, overhearing this, offers to take over the search and deliberately breaks the signal between Harry and Tal, then suggests it was just a glitch in the communications system. Chakotay orders a diagnostic process for the system.

Down in the cargo bay Chakotay briefs a group of officers about their duties while they try to find the micro-fractures on the Varo ship. While he explains his intentions Tom whispers to Harry about sabotaging the comm system to cover up for Harry. Harry admits he's been attracted to Tal since they met, that touching her is electrifying (not literally). Tom points out they are breaking the rules but Harry tells Tom she knows what they are doing. The briefing ends and Seven hands Harry a padd with instructions. Harry leaves.

In Astrometrics, Seven and Harry are working on the problem. On the screen we see one of the Varo pods compared to Voyager. The size of a pod is enormous in comparison.

Harry asks Seven what she thinks about love. Seven fails to see the relevancy of the question while they're scanning for micro-fractures. Seven asks him what kind of love and Harry specifies "romantic love". Seven runs through the biological symptoms of love and Harry feels she is describing a disease. She agrees it is much like a disease. Then she asks him if he is in love. Harry confesses he's trying to answer that question for himself. Then he gasps and his face literally lights up. Seven notices this and Harry tries to cover it up without success. Seven escorts him to Sick Bay.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we are in Sick Bay. Doc is trying to diagnose Harry's problem but has yet to learn of Harry's intimate relationship with Tal. He suggests radiation, food, medical supplies, and a few others. When Seven locates unusual synaptic activity in the brain Doc suggests it is being caused by an alien virus and prepares to quarantine the ship. When he announces that Janeway must be informed, Harry stops him to explain.

Doc waits for an explanation and Harry asks Seven to leave the room. She refuses, suggesting Doc might need her assistance, but Harry insists there is no virus and he must have privacy. She looks to Doc and when she receives a nod from him she leaves.

Harry explains that he had sex with Tal, though he doesn't mention her by name. Doc is astounded that Harry would engage in sex with an alien species without "medical clearance". He admits he didn't think events would develop the way they did. Doc tells him he didn't think at all or he'd have thought of the risk and refrained.

Doc explains he will have to do a complete medical examination of Harry and his partner, and he will have to inform Janeway as well.

The scene cuts to the ready room. Janeway is very disappointed. She reminds Harry he took a course on interspecies protocols and that the handbook on personal contacts with alien species is 3 centimetres thick.

Harry recites the relevant rule: "All Star Fleet personnel must obtain authorization from their CO as well as clearance from their medical officer before initiating an intimate relationship with an alien species". Janeway announces it is too late to recite the protocol. She places a formal reprimand in Harry's record and because his condition isn't life-threatening she doesn't confine him to Sick Bay. She does agree with Doc that both he and Tal should receive a complete medical examination.

Janeway tells Harry she is hoping to win the Varo's trust and perhaps gain some technical knowledge that will help them get home.

Harry asks for permission to speak freely, which he is granted. He states he has real feelings for Tal. She notes this and then orders Harry to break off the relationship. He consents to this.

In the halls of Voyager Neelix catches up with Tuvok and reports supplies stolen from the mess hall. Tuvok isn't unduly alarmed by this. However, Neelix claims he did some checking and has found evidence that the environmental controls were tapped into surreptitiously and resources were diverted to a Jeffries tube. Tuvok claims the instructions were encoded to avoid detection and walks off to investigate.

Reaching the appropriate Jeffries tube, Tuvok finds food and Neelix finds a Varo scanning device. Opening the next hatch they discover a male Varo hiding.

On the Varo ship, Harry has arrived at Tal's quarters. She is examining a pulsar field on a scanner. She wishes they could go there but it is too near inhabited planets for Jippeq to permit them to go there (they've had lots of difficult encounters with aliens and are, after all, xenophobic). Tal shows impatience with this policy and believes it will change soon.

Harry tells her of Janeway's order to break off the relationship. Tal asks why and Harry explains how his skin glowed. She is surprised, claiming this is a phenomenon within her species when two Varo "merge". She calls it the "shared heart" and claims it will grow stronger and be more difficult to stop if they continue being together. Harry prepares to leave and both have regrets they cannot pursue their relationship. Before leaving the room Harry asks her if she's going to let him leave. She tells him she will if this is what he wants, and Harry admits he doesn't want this. So they move into each other's arms and kiss.

Back on Voyager, Chakotay and Tuvok are questioning the stowaway. He claims he entered the ship through a docking port. He further claims Voyager's technology is easy to fool (Tuvok had challenged his statement, claiming the stowaway would have set off an intruder alert). The stowaway claims he isn't a criminal, that he wants to travel with Voyager to the next inhabited planet where he will disembark. Chakotay warns him he'll end up in the brig unless he answers their questions.

He claims he boarded four days ago as part of a work detail. He tells them there are thousands on the Varo ship who feel like prisoners and who want to leave the ship. He claims there are rumours that there might be violence as these people try to free themselves of the decisions made by their captain.

When Tuvok asks him about the rumours the stowaway grows suspicious, suspecting Chakotay and Tuvok are trying to trick him into revealing information so they can pass it on to Jippeq. He refuses to answer more questions, despite the fact Tuvok and Chakotay assure him they're not working for Jippeq. So Chakotay orders him to the brig and tells Tuvok to contact Jippeq to inform him of the presence of the stowaway.

As he leaves, the stowaway tells Chakotay to tell Jippeq there are hundreds more like him.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we're in Janeway's quarters with Janeway and Chakotay. Chakotay asks if there is any new information about the rumoured uprising. Janeway claims Jippeq only knows of rumours, but that he will question the stowaway to be sure.

Then Janeway hands Chakotay a padd outlining the new protocol for dealing with the Varo. Jippeq insists the crews be kept separate. Chakotay thinks this is harsh but Janeway claims she understands the position Jippeq is taking, blaming Harry's relationship for this.

Chakotay questions her decision to formally reprimand Harry, pointing out Harry has had a spotless record. She admits it's "a bit extreme" but then dismisses the decision as a learning experience for Harry.

Chakotay persists, asking her if she's made her decision because Harry disobeyed orders or because he let Janeway down. He asks her to reconsider. She claims she sets the same standards to all her officers.

Chakotay points out she encourages him to question her orders if he feels they're wrong. She claims he's her First Officer, and that Harry is just an ensign and hasn't earned the right to question her orders.

Chakotay says "I see".

Their conversation is interrupted by B'Elanna, who signals from Engineering to announce they have found "something". Janeway acknowledges and heads off to Engineering.

In Engineering B'Elanna and Seven reveal to Jippeq and Janeway that the micro-fractures have been caused by an artificially created virus that eats the hull. Apparently the virus is now working on Voyager's docking port. Jippeq doesn't want to believe this is sabotage but Seven suggests that someone may not be happy on the Varo ship.

In Tal's room, Tal is looking at a Varo padd which displays the very virus Seven and B'Elanna discovered eating the hull. She receives a signal from Harry. He asks her where she is and she tells him near her computer. So he beams her to a shuttle craft which he has been using to repair a hole in the hull. He explains he finished the repair early and isn't due back for awhile. She's giddy and pleased and sits in his lap.

Looking over the controls, Tal presses a button, suggesting she believes it is a navigation control. In fact it's a weapons array control and she almost vaporized her living quarters. She laughs this off, suggesting her room needed cleaning. Then she suggests they take a trip to a nebula 300 thousand kilometres away. Harry agrees and off they go.

The nebulae isn't that spectacular, mostly a purple colour. But they enjoy each other's company until Harry starts complaining that all he can think about is the trouble he's in if he gets caught. He claims he's been programmed to be the model Star Fleet officer. Always doing what is expected and always excelling at what he does. Tal convinces him to pay attention to her.

Unfortunately their conversation is cut short. Tuvok in the Delta Flyer has come to order Harry back to Voyager and to instruct him to bring Tal as well. When Harry asks why Tuvok explains she is wanted by the Varo for sabotage.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return, Jippeq is livid. We find him, Tal, Harry, Tuvok and Janeway in the conference room. He claims to have found the schematic for the virus in Tal's database. Tal explains there are hundreds wishing to be free of the Varo ship. She explains that the ship is a series of self-contained ships which can be separated. But to do this they need to destroy the linkages that connect these components. This is what she designed the virus to do, not to destroy the components but to destroy the linkages. Jippeq points out that destroying the linkages will cause the deaths of innocents. Janeway suggests that Tal help them to prevent this catastrophe. She agrees to help them slow down the virus long enough to evacuate the linkages, but no more than that.

Jippeq reluctantly agrees, and they leave with Tuvok.

Janeway then turns on Harry. She explains she'd have him in the brig but for a report from Doc claiming he is biologically linked with Tal and not responsible for his actions. She orders him confined to Sick Bay where Doc will treat him. She then marches out for the Bridge and Harry storms after her. He refuses treatment, loudly, and Janeway orders him to her Ready room.

She threatens him with his rank and career. He doesn't care. He's in love with Tal. He asks her if she's ever been in love. She reminds him of her fiancé which she lost. Then she digs the knife in and claims Harry will lose Tal as well. Harry makes a passionate statement of his love for Tal. Janeway tells him Doc will help him deal with the loss. Harry asks her if she could have taken a hypospray to get over her feelings of loss every time she was away from her fiancé would she.

Unfortunately we don't get an answer as the ship shakes and Chakotay calls Janeway to the bridge. When Janeway and Harry arrive Chakotay explains the linkages are starting to explode. Janeway turns to Harry and tells him to take his station. Looking through the viewscreen we see the linkages exploding and being blown from the ship. Another explosion rocks Voyager and Janeway orders the ship away from the Varo ship. But the docking clamps are offline and they can't free themselves.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return, the Varo ship continues to experience explosions. Jippeq used a polaron burst to slow down the virus and Tal believes they need another two minutes to evacuate the affected areas of the Varo ship. Tom finally gets the docking clamps online and Chakotay orders the ship disconnected. But Harry suggests they extend the integrity field around the Varo ship to give them another minute to evacuate the linkages. Tuvok points out that if this is done Voyager will be lost if the Varo ship explodes. Janeway thinks for a second and then orders the ship to extend the field.

On the Varo ship Jippeq and Tal discuss the implications of Voyager risking their lives to help the Varo. Tal points out that not everyone is hostile.

The evacuation is successful and Jippeq prepares to use another polaron burst while Voyager is sustaining the Varo ship, to kill off the virus. But Tal believes it is too late to save the linkages and tells Jippeq that the ship will explode and destroy Voyager as well unless they let Voyager go. Reluctantly Jippeq concedes the controls to Tal who orders Voyager to disengage itself and escape.

We're offered a pretty good external view as the Varo component ships disengage from the main super-structure.

Janeway reports that most of the components have chosen to stay together, but those who wish to leave have been granted permission to break away from the main group.

In Tal's quarters Harry pays a visit. He explains that Janeway gave him permission to say goodbye. Tal is thrilled to see him. She asks him how he is doing and he claims he's lovesick. She claims they have drugs to help her with the withdrawal.

Harry asks her where they will go and she describes a binary system that appealed to her. He asks her to think of him the next time she sees a nebula like the one they visited. She agrees.

Back on Voyager Doc is very concerned that Harry won't take his medicine to get over his love sickness.

Janeway enters and Doc demands that she order him to take his medicine. She asks Doc if Harry will die without his medicine. Doc has to admit he won't. She asks if he will recover and Doc admits he will but that the recovery time will be much longer. Janeway refuses to order Harry to take his medicine, and then excuses Doc while she talks to Harry.

She tells Harry she won't relieve him of duties while he suffers, nor will she remove the reprimand. But she admits that when Harry arrived he was an excited young ensign and she felt more protective of him. She claims if it was Tom who had broken the rules she'd have done everything the same, but she wouldn't have been surprised. But she was surprised at Harry, who never broke the rules. Harry points out that was five years ago and he has changed. She agrees. He's not the perfect bridge officer anymore, but he's a better man.

In the Mess Hall, Neelix is closing up and Harry sits at a table staring at a display. Neelix offers Harry a bowl of soup and use of the replicator if he wants it and Harry thanks him. Neelix prepares to leave and finds Seven entering the Mess Hall. Neelix offers to help Seven but she is there to see Harry.

She thanks Harry for completing several of Seven's astrometric scans earlier in the day. Harry explains he had time between duty shifts. She speculates he was trying to distract himself and he claims it didn't work. He reminds her that she compared love to a disease, but that he was willing to live with the symptoms.

She tells him she thought of love as a weakness, but Harry has shown her it is also a strength. She wishes him to get well soon.

Harry says nothing, and stares out at the stars as Seven leaves.

End of episode.

Personal reflections:

Be forewarned. I'm about to do something I've rarely done in the Personal Reflections section.

I'm gonna rant. Those who prefer to avoid rants are advised to stop here.









Ok, you've obviously chosen to read the rant:

Despite the fact this looked like it might be a Harry show, it ended up being a Seven-Janeway show with Harry making more than the usual number of appearances.

This gets so tiresome.

I don't care how they do it, but I want to see Janeway off the show at the earliest possible moment. I've never known a less likable regular Trek character.

And Seven ought to change her name to "shadow" given how often she appears and all the functions she performs. It is a wonder anyone else in the cast has anything to do at all. They seem to be there only to offer Seven someone to talk to, someone to hold her tools, someone to say "gee, isn't Seven wonderful".

I think of Deep Space Nine ending, and what a wonderful ensemble cast that show has. And then I look at Voyager and all I can wonder is why the cast and crew continue with this abomination.

I wonder whether someone is deliberately trying to sabotage Trek. There is nothing likable about Janeway. Every other member in the cast except Seven is dispensable and are frequently not in scenes where they should be expected to appear. This is to give Seven yet another chance to dazzle the audience with her omniscience.

And Seven isn't a likable character either. She is cold, pushy, arrogant, and always everywhere at once.

So whose vision is it to try and sell these characters to Trekkers? After five years isn't it obvious this isn't working? Isn't it obvious that the ensemble-cast, character-driven stories of TOS, TNG and DS9 sell much better than the Janeway and Seven Show (or should that be Seven and Janeway Show)?

Given some of the habits I've witnessed amongst two of the Voyager writers it is extremely obvious why this show doesn't sell. These people have no concept of what Trek is about.

<end rant>

Thanks for your attention.



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