Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
In The Flesh
Season 5, Episode 4
Stardate: 52136.4
Guest Stars:
Kate Vernon as "Valerie Archer"
Zach Galligan
Tucker Smallwood
Special Guest Star:
Ray Walston as "Boothby"
Written by: Nick Sagan
Events:
The episode opens with a startling scene. Star Fleet Academy's groundskeeper, Boothby is trimming flowers. With a panorama view we can see we are in the Star Fleet facility in San Francisco. There are many Star Fleet personnel walking about, including a few Ferengi in Star Fleet uniforms. Admiral Bullock is giving instructions to some recent arrivals. The scene changes angles and we then look through the lens of a holographic recorder being held by Chakotay, who eventually stops taking pictures and mingles with the crowd.
The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.
When the show returns Chakotay is taking tricorder readings of a stand of bamboo. According to his tricorder they register as maple trees. Boothby, who happens to have come across Chakotay at this point in time and learning of this problem suggests Chakotay get his tricorder replaced and offers to walk with him to the Logistical Support facility to get a replacement.
Boothby in a friendly manner asks Chakotay what his assignment is. Chakotay doesn't know, claiming he recently arrived from a three year mission on the Intrepid. Boothby says he thought the Intrepid was monitoring the Romulan Neutral Zone and Chakotay explains he caught a transport back from Deep Space 7.
Boothby introduces himself, claiming to have tended the gardens for 54 years. Chakotay has heard the name before.
They arrive at the facility and Boothby gives some additional directions. When Chakotay starts to walk towards the facility, Boothby calls him back and points out that Logistic Support is a secure area and he won't be allowed to carry his hologram recorder. Boothby jokes about Chakotay being a Romulan spy and Chakotay explains he is taking pictures for friends back home. Then Chakotay asks if he can take a picture of Boothby. Boothby calls over an ensign who takes the picture of Boothby and Chakotay together. And then Boothby leaves the smiling Chakotay.
Rather than entering the Logistic Support facility Chakotay finds a Star Fleet bar. He takes a seat at the bar where a book sits on the counter and he just starts looking through it when he is interrupted by a female human Commander. Seems he is sitting in her chair looking through her book ("A Cave Beyond Logic: A Vulcan Perspective on Platonic Thought"). She offers him her drink as well (a Klingon martini: gin, vermouth, and a touch of bloodwine). Chakotay gives up the seat and declines the drink.
The Commander's name is "Valerie Archer" and Chakotay introduces himself as "Jason Hyek". They make small talk until interrupted by another patron who is clutching his collar and making a noise as if he were choking. Meanwhile his face is turning shades of blue and appears to be altering its shape slightly. The patron is escorted off premises by two other patrons and Valerie seems to shiver as she describes the condition as "reverting". When asked if he has reverted Chakotay says no and Valerie volunteers that she is having difficulties with adjusting to being human. Apparently breathing oxygen, bipedalism, and sleeping bother her.
She then points out they are supposed to "think human, talk human, be human" and they stop discussing reversions.
She offers to be his guide and sets up a date at 7:00 PM when they are interrupted by Tuvok, who reminds Chakotay they have work to do.
Away from Valerie Tuvok reminds Chakotay they are on a reconnaissance mission. Chakotay tells Tuvok it was worth the risk because he discovered these are aliens trying to learn how to imitate humans. Tuvok points out they are due at the transporter coordinates and they move on.
Along the way they unknowingly stumble into a secure area and a security officer insists they must be debriefed by Star Fleet Intelligence. As the security officer turns his back on Tuvok the Vulcan gives him "the pinch" and the security officer lapses into unconsciousness. Chakotay calls upon Tom to beam the three of them up. Tim is a little surprised that three people are coming back, but follows orders.
On board the Delta Flyer Tom and Harry are a little surprised to see who their guest is. In the background we can see a large, domed space station. The Delta Flyer zips off to rendezvous with Voyager.
The show cuts to commercials.
When the show returns we are in the brig with the captured security officer. Kathryn, Chakotay, Tuvok and the Doctor are trying to find out who and what he is. They ask him several times but each time he responds as a real human security officer would respond. Despite efforts to get him to break his cover he refuses, even calling out a security alert on his comm badge (which was disabled while he was unconscious).
Kathryn orders a sample of DNA taken to determine what he is and when the Doctor tries to get it the alien backs himself to a bulkhead, screams "Disease! Humans!" and poisons himself, thus dying.
We find out from Kathryn that Voyager is hiding behind a Class 3 moon while waiting to find out what is going on.
In the Astrometrics Lab Kathryn, Chakotay, Tuvok and Seven are reviewing the holo-images taken by Chakotay. We see the one of Chakotay and Boothby together and Kathryn tells the computer to return to that image. She recognizes Boothby from her days as a cadet when he would deliver roses to her.
They agree whoever the aliens are they've accumulated very detailed information about Star Fleet headquarters. Seven uses the main display to show the interior of the dome and we are treated to a bird's eye view of the facility in San Francisco. Seven is unable to determine what kind of power is being used but Tuvok reports they are heavily fortified and armed.
Their discussion is interrupted by the Doctor with a request for Kathryn to review his post mortem in Sick Bay. Before she leaves, Kathryn decides this might be the prelude for an all-out invasion and orders the rest to "prepare for the worst". She tells Tuvok to find a way to penetrate their defenses.
In Sick Bay the Doctor reports the security officer is an "alien" and that he has been genetically altered. He advises use of a hypo spray that will cause the alien to revert to its original form and as it turns out the form is that of Species 8472.
The scene cuts to the Captain's briefing room where the senior officers and Seven are in attendance. Tom suggests Species 8472 might be doing what the Soviets did in the 20th century: building American towns to train agents to infiltrate the United States. Harry suggests this is an effort to infiltrate the Alpha Quadrant. Tom suggests they might have already. B'Elanna agrees.
Seven suggests they may have learned about Star Fleet from the Borg.
Kathryn asks what they plan on doing with their data and Seven suggests conquering the Earth and Tuvok claims this is logical since Species 8472 has threatened to purge the galaxy of all life.
Kathryn decides Tuvok must continue to seek out a weakness to turn off the power supply to the habitat dome and assigns Seven the task of making nanoprobe warheads.
Chakotay suggests he keep his date with Valerie Archer in the hopes of learning more about their plans and Kathryn orders Tom and Harry to deliver him and keep a constant transporter lock on him. She then points out that this could be preparation for an all-out invasion of Earth and reminds them that they can't warn Star Fleet about it. She states they may be the only defense Earth has against this attack.
The show cuts to commercials.
When it returns Chakotay is reviewing the information in Astrometrics. Kathryn joins him and reminisces about her days at headquarters. She tries to fool Chakotay with a trick question which he correctly answers and then he turns to her and says that if she wants to know if he's human she could just order him and Tuvok to Sick Bay for a micro-cellular scan. Kathryn has already beaten him to the punch and has ordered the entire crew to be checked as she doesn't know whether an imposter is aboard Voyager.
In a crowded Sick bay Chakotay is given a clean bill of health as a human and Tuvok is really a Vulcan. We also learn the crew complement is currently 127.
The scene cuts to the Delta Flyer where Harry is handing over a modified tricorder designed to assist in reading their systems. Harry also hands him a type 1 phaser modified to fire Borg nanoprobes. There is some bantering between the three bachelors about dating alien women.
Best lines from the scene:
Tom: "Do you always arm yourself before a first date?"
Harry: "You've never had a date with species 8472."
Tom: "Personally, I don't go out with girls from other galaxies."
Harry: "You are a true explorer, Chakotay."
Tom: "Is she cute?"
Chakotay: "In her human form anyway."
Harry: "I've always wondered what it would be like to date an alien."
Chakotay: "I'll take notes."
Meanwhile, in Sick Bay, Seven is demonstrating her new and improved nanoprobes to the Doctor. The Doctor doesn't understand the reason for improving them and Seven explains that species 8472 is highly adaptive and may have developed an immunity since their last encounter. They test the new probes on the corpse and find that there is a resistance to the probes but given a few seconds more the nanoprobes work.
Meanwhile, on the space station, Chakotay meets up with Valerie Archer who is talking with Boothby at a table. Apparently Valerie didn't think Chakotay would show up and Boothby didn't think Chakotay was her type. Boothby excuses himself and Chakotay takes a seat.
Valerie has been offered the position of First Officer on a Klingon ship. Boothby seems to favour this promotion. When Chakotay asks her why she takes his advice Valerie explains half the captains in Star Fleet got there by listening to Boothby. She mentions a few names, including Picard.
Chakotay steers to the conversation to a tour and she asks him if he can dance.
Best line from the scene: Chakotay: "I've been accused of trying."
Valerie suggests attending "Pon Farr Night" at a Vulcan nightclub.
Meanwhile, the Delta Flyer has been waiting four hours for further contact from Chakotay and haven't heard anything yet. Harry is pacing the floor, worried, while Tom is busy with his controls.
Best lines from the scene:
Harry: "The last 8472 I met tried to dissolve me from the inside out."
Tom: "So they're just trying to get to know you better, Harry. You can't fault them for that."
Meanwhile, back on the space station, Chakotay and Valerie seem to be getting along alright as they return to her quarters. They continue to make small talk while Chakotay casually examines the room. He notices a console of alien origin.
Valerie expresses the beliefs of 8472 that humans are primitive and violent towards those outside their Federation. But she also notes they have beautiful ways of expressing themselves through the arts. She then rises to obtain an isomorphic injection (this helps her to retain her human form). She offers one to Chakotay but he declines. She heads off to her room and Chakotay examines the alien console, using his modified tricorder.
Valerie returns in a robe and injects her thigh, which briefly changes back to an 8472 leg and then back again to being human. Chakotay interrupts his research and returns to chatting with Valerie. She explains that within weeks and perhaps days they'll move on to Earth itself. Chakotay suggests this isn't necessary, that humans might not be interested in attacking species 8472. She points out that humans were allied with the Borg and invaded their space.
She states exactly what Kathryn said: "We have to prepare for the worst."
Chakotay announces his need to leave, and Valerie insists on a kiss. They do so, and her hand brushes his face. After Chakotay leaves Valerie scans her fingers and discovers Chakotay is indeed a human. She contacts Boothby and informs him of the situation. She advises Boothby that Chakotay should be interrogated and advises the dome go to full daylight to make it easier to catch him.
Meanwhile Chakotay finds himself surrounded by daylight and followed by Star Fleet personnel. He calls on Tom to beam him out but gets no response. He is forced to beam down an approaching Star Fleet officer and starts to run, only to find himself surrounded and seized.
The show cuts to commercials.
When the show returns we are in Kathryn's office where Seven delivers a status report on the nanoprobe weaponry. They've only been able to produce 22 torpedoes before they ran out of their supply of nanoprobes. Kathryn demands more and Seven states that it isn't possible. Kathryn insists that the Doctor drain them from her blood stream and grow them in a petrie dish if necessary. But she can't forget Star Fleet Directive 010 which states all peaceful resolutions must be tried before engaging in hostile actions. Seven suggests she ignore that protocol considering 8472's stated purpose.
Their discussion is interrupted by Tuvok calling Kathryn to the bridge. Tom and Harry are reporting that they've lost Chakotay's lock and that his effort to contact them was cut off. Kathryn asks if they've been detected and they do not believe so since no one has tried to fire on them.
Kathryn orders the Borg weapons to be brought online and to take Voyager to rendezvous with the Delta Flyer.
Back on the station Chakotay is brought before Boothby and Valerie for debriefing. After a slight amount of reluctance Chakotay tells them that there is only Voyager in the Delta Quadrant and that they found the station because they picked up what looked like a Star Fleet subspace transmission and tracked it. Boothby allows that in trying to make their simulation perfect they might have gone a little too far.
Boothby suggests that Voyager has sent a message to Star Fleet and suspects a fleet is on its way, but Chakotay denies it. Admiral Bullock interrupts to announce Voyager's arrival. Boothby orders shields raised and weapons prepared. Chakotay tells him the ship has come to find him. Boothby orders a genetic extraction be performed on Chakotay in the hopes it will help them to maintain their forms.
Meanwhile on Voyager, Kathryn has raised shields and powered weapons. Tom calls in claiming the Delta Flyer has lost shields thanks to a few potshots from the station. Kathryn orders him to bring the flyer in.
Kathryn orders Seven to target the station's weapons array and Seven disagrees, believing the power supplies would be a better target. Kathryn wants to cause as few casualties as possible and Seven continues to argue until Kathryn makes it plain this isn't the time for a debate.
Meanwhile, on the station, Valerie performs the genetic extraction. Chakotay tries to reason with her, tries to convince her that they need to talk directly and stop making assumptions. He's interrupted by a warning signal indicating Voyager has arrived.
Meanwhile on the bridge, Tom and Harry have returned. Boothby contacts the ship and tells them to "run along". Kathryn declines, insisting on the return of Chakotay and an explanation regarding the station. Boothby boasts of having sophisticated weapons and being able to shut down Voyager's tactical systems before they can fire the nanoprobes.
Kathryn suggests he reconsider by reminding him of the result of their last encounter where 8472 lost. She suggests they meet and talk in the hopes of coming to an understanding rather than engaging in a war.
The show cuts to commercials.
When it returns we are in Voyager's briefing room where Boothby, Admiral Bullock, and Valerie sit across from Kathryn, Chakotay, Seven and Tuvok.
The 8472s take a very dim view of the crew's ability to live up to the ideals of the Federation while Kathryn insists they adhere to those directives. They argue back and forth and get nowhere until Kathryn decides it's time to stand down their weapons
In the ensuing discussion it turns out that species 8472 is planning a reconnaissance mission and nothing more. The relationship between Chakotay and Valerie helps to bridge the gaps of distrust. They strike a deal, exchanging technical knowledge on nanoprobes and genetic alterations.
The scene cuts to a hallway where Seven delivers a padd containing the information on their nanoprobe weapons. Kathryn is delighted, hoping this will lead to peace. Seven isn't so sure. Kathryn explains it takes faith to create peace.
On the Station Tuvok and Neelix are being given their welcome speech by Bullock (the same one as the beginning of the show). Tuvok will be given a tour of the power facilities while Neelix will be shown environmental controls.
Meanwhile, also on the station, Boothby and Kathryn are having a discussion about the prospects for peace. Boothby explains they'll be returning to fluidic space in a few days. Kathryn asks whether the other 8472 will accept the peace and Boothby offers no guarantees but tells her he'll do his best to convince them. He makes it clear that the governing body of the 8472s aren't as forward thinking but hopefully a few of them will see the light. Their conversation ends with Boothby offering Kathryn a rose.
Meanwhile Valerie and Chakotay bid farewell with a kiss.
End of episode.
Personal reflections:
If you don't pay too much attention to the inconsistencies this was a good episode. It's great to see Ray Walston again. For those of you of younger years, Ray is the grandfather of sci-fi TV. Back in the mid-sixties he had a little series called "My Favorite Martian" with Bill Bixby. Ray turned invisible whenever his antennae popped out of his head and if I recall correctly his finger conducted telekinetic energy. I still recall the episode where one of his antennae broke (from a sling shot if I recall correctly).
Anyway, Ray's program was on before "Lost In Space" or TOS and he was TV's first alien star, preceding Nimoy's Spock by a couple of years. When I saw him in TNG's "The First Duty" (also starring a younger Robert Duncan McNeil) I was so pleased that Trek would honour the man who started sci-fi TV with an impressive guest spot. It's really nice to see Voyager do the same.
Ray's part as Boothby in this episode has to be experienced rather than described. He is a classic and portrays himself well as a champion of the common working class individual. Straight talking and no nonsense approach gives him a lot of charm.
This was a good Chakotay episode, allowing him to flirt with the lady as well as bridge the gap between the two species. His soft-voiced approach worked well in this episode and it is easy to see him as a diplomat with respect for life and ideals.
The banter between him, Tom, and Harry was entertaining and it's nice to see Harry use Chakotay's name in his presence rather than the usual "Commander".
Thanks for your attention.
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