Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Juggernaut
Season 5, Episode 20
Stardate: Unknown
Guest Stars:
Ron Canada as "Comptroller Fesek"
Lee Arenberg as "Pelk"
Scott Klace as "Dremk"
Alexander Enberg as "Malon 3"
Story by: Bryan Fuller
Teleplay by: Bryan Fuller and Nick Sagan
Events:
The show starts with an exterior shot of a massive Malon waste disposal ship, spewing out green theta radiation from several ports.
Inside, a Malon (Pelk) is playing with a toy Malon ship as if it were a toy plane. Another Malon (Comptroller Fesek) patiently stops his play. We're told that Pelk is preparing to give the toy to Fesek's son for his birthday.
They exchange some light-hearted banter, but are interrupted by the rocking of the ship to an explosion.
Checking their readings, they learn that one of the containers holding the theta radiation has buckled. They're unable to contain the damage, and a second container also begins to rupture. Despite the fact they are near a populated area, they decide they have no choice but to dump the containers.
Unable to seal off the decks, they cannot eject the containers. Unable to contact the crew members responsible for this task, Fesek gives a third Malon an order to seal the decks manually. The third Malon is quite hesitant, knowing that he'll be contaminated if he follows the order. But with a little intimidation from Fesek, the third rushes off to do his bidding.
With meaningful glances exchanged between Pelk and Fesek, the show cuts to opening credits and commercials.
The show returns to Tuvok's quarters, where he is preparing B'Elanna for meditation. The purpose of the exercise is to help B'Elanna regain some control over her emotions. B'Elanna is a reluctant participant, to say the least. We're told she'd wrecked Doc's holo-imager in Engineering. Apparently Doc had been taking pictures for a photo-essay ("A Day in the Life of the Warp Core"). After having told him to stop three times, B'Elanna lost her temper and destroyed the camera.
She explains that she apologized and replicated another holo-imager for Doc. She also feels she cannot be ordered to meditate. Tuvok reminds her this is Chakotay's order, and invites her to sit.
With eyes closed, and barely able to contain her amusement, B'Elanna tells us she is trying to envision Tuvok as a small boy. She says he must have been cute with his "pointy little ears". However, Tuvok settles her down and asks her to recall her first experience with uncontrollable anger.
She recalls a classmate in school, a Daniel Bird who used to call her "Miss Turtle-head" because of the ridges on her forehead. She begins to relive the emotions and Tuvok points out how her anger gave her strength and courage, that it protected her. He points out this anger runs deep in her, that it's been there for a long time.
B'Elanna shrugs it off, reminding Tuvok that she isn't Vulcan and will survive.
Tuvok: "Whatever you say, Miss Turtle-head."
B'Elanna's anger flashes, and Tuvok points out she is easily provoked. B'Elanna doesn't much care at that point. Feeling insulted she leaves Tuvok's quarters.
The scene cuts to the bridge, where Tom exits the turbo lift and asks Tuvok if he can help B'Elanna's temper. Tuvok claims it will be challenging for both of them.
Tom: "Take it from me, getting B'Elanna to control her temper is like convincing a Ferengi to leave his estate to charity."
Harry informs the captain that he's receiving an automated distress call from 2 billion kilometres away. They set a course to render assistance.
An external shot shows us several Malon escape pods (coffin-shaped craft each about the size of a shuttle).
On the bridge, Tuvok announces there are 37 of them. Tom announces they're contaminated with theta radiation. Harry reports two erratic life-signs and Janeway orders them beamed to Sick Bay and orders Sick Bay to initiate "bio-hazard containment" protocols. Tuvok announces that the theta radiation seems to be covering a 600 million kilometre radius, caused by what appears to be an abandoned Malon freighter traveling at high impulse speed.
Down in Sick Bay Janeway and Tuvok prepare to question the two survivors (Pelk and Fesek). Janeway suggests that the Malon are this far out seeking new places to dump their toxic waste. On orders, Doc revives Fesek, who inquires about his ship. He's told the ship is 3 million kilometres away.
After learning that the theta radiation had contaminated the ship, that 60 crew members had died in minutes, and that Fesek and Pelk had managed to reach an escape pod, Janeway is told that the Malon freighter will explode from an unbelievable amount of anti-matter waste. According to Fesek, everything within a three light-year radius will be destroyed.
Janeway immediately orders the ship out to five light-years from the Malon freighter, as well as sending out a warning to all other ships in the area. No sooner are the orders initiated than Tom discovers there is too much theta radiation around the ship, and the warp-field collapses because of it.
Janeway orders the ship to intercept the freighter. Fesek objects and Janeway explains that since they can't outrun the blast radius they might as well try to prevent the explosion. Fesek points out that the theta radiation will "liquefy" whoever enters the freighter. But Janeway sees no alternative.
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return we're on the bridge with the decontaminated Malons. Through the viewscreen we can see we've caught up with the freighter. B'Elanna reports the storage tanks will explode in about six hours. Tuvok reports several of the freighter's decks are not contaminated.
Fesek claims they must reach the command deck to contain the problem, and the command deck is contaminated. B'Elanna suggests they beam over to a lower uncontaminated deck and then decontaminate compartments one at a time till they reach the command deck. Fesek claims that if it could be done they'd have already done it.
B'Elanna explodes, pointing out their experience got them into this mess. She is reprimanded by Janeway. Fesek suggests they hide in a nearby nebula which will partially protect them from the blast, but Janeway notes there are other ships in the area. Fesek suggests there is nothing that can be done for them and B'Elanna explodes again, blaming the potential deaths of those other crews on the Malons. Janeway reprimands her a second time.
Janeway orders an away team to be prepared and Pelk tells Fesek to warn them about the "Bahar". Fesek explains it's a myth amongst new recruits that the storage tanks are inhabited by poisonous creatures who play havoc with Malon ships.
B'Elanna sneers.
Fesek doesn't believe in them, but Pelk claims they've been seen by members of the crew during the evacuation. Fesek points out that hallucination is one of the first signs of theta radiation poisoning.
B'Elanna explodes for a third time, scoffing at the idea claiming Pelk will make up any story to avoid going to the freighter.
The scene cuts to engineering. Chakotay points out an area on the fifteenth deck that they can safely beam to. They discuss strategies on how to gain access to the command deck, and decide to open the airlocks for "controlled decompressions" (Neelix's words). Chakotay explains that Doc has found a way of immunizing the body against theta radiation poisoning for up to 2 or 3 hours.
B'Elanna explodes again, this time over the Malon habit of dumping waste material elsewhere. Fesek asks if all the crew is as "diplomatic". Chakotay sends them off with Neelix for their inoculations against the theta radiation.
Chakotay starts to lecture B'Elanna on her attitude and B'Elanna explodes again over yet another lecture about her emotions. Chakotay points out he wants her to treat their "guests" better. B'Elanna explodes again, calling the Malon "the scourge of the quadrant" (and what does that make the Borg?). Chakotay reminds her that the Malon are their only hope of stopping the explosion. B'Elanna sneers, claiming diplomacy is "Janeway's answer to everything". Chakotay reminds her that he is the one giving the order, and orders her to control her temper.
Demanding a response from her, B'Elanna avoids giving one until Chakotay presses further.
In the Mess Hall, Neelix is working on a Telaxian soup-like recipe that is supposed to protect one from theta radiation. He explains to Chakotay it was what saved him and his crew when a ship he was on ran into a field of theta radiation that knocked out their propulsion. It apparently tastes and smells terrible.
Neelix thanks Chakotay for being assigned to the mission and Chakotay reassures him that he was the right person for the job.
In the halls, Tom catches up to B'Elanna who is on her way to the transporter. Tom wants to give B'Elanna her good-bye kiss and B'Elanna admits she was worried about another argument starting. They discuss her temper, Tom reassuring her that she'll manage well enough. Outside the transporter room they exchange a brief kiss and B'Elanna leaves the hall.
The scene cuts to a deck on the freighter. The away team beam are aboard, accompanied by the two Malon. They head off towards the next area, coughing as they go.
In another compartment filled with electro-static bursts they discover that their tricorders are causing the bursts. They turn off their equipment and take cover just in time as the gases explode around them.
They finally reach the first set of controls that activate the airlocks, and discover the controls are offline. Fesek suggests he and Pelk will take care of it, but Chakotay insists B'Elanna accompany them. After a brief disagreement, Fesek and B'Elanna go on while Pelk remains behind with Chakotay and Neelix (apparently there is only room for two in the injector port where the manual controls reside).
In the port, Fesek explains to B'Elanna he is a sculptor for half the year, but that he must run waste out of Malon Prime for the other half to ensure Malon Prime remains pollution free. Of course, B'Elanna isn't impressed, despite Fesek's claim that they go to a lot of trouble to find isolated areas for dumping.
When they finally engage the manual controls, they discover the controls don't work either. Chakotay is notified, and Pelk suggests that the airlock might be clogged. He volunteers to fix it, and with an additional booster from Neelix of the anti-theta radiation drug, leaves the area.
In another compartment Pelk doesn't get very far before he senses a presence. Running from it he is enveloped by a cloud (there are lots of clouds venting into the room). There are a series of yells and finally Chakotay and Neelix find Pelk babbling about having seen "the creature".
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return, Fesek and B'Elanna have joined the rest of the away team. Chakotay has called for a beam out but there's too much interference. While awaiting the transporter, Pelk tells Fesek of the creature and then dies. When the transporter is active again, Chakotay orders them to beam out Pelk's body and to have the doctor do an autopsy to discover the cause of death.
After Pelk is taken away, Fesek volunteers to open the airlocks and Chakotay accompanies him, ordering that no one should work alone.
One the bridge of Voyager, Harry reports that the away team has vented five decks. Tuvok reports that they'll finish the work in three hours, but that the storage tanks will explode in less than two.
Janeway has an alternative plan in mind. If the away team can't save the ship, Voyager will use tractor beams to "nudge" the Malon freighter into a star, hoping that the star will protect them from the blast. Tuvok considers the plan risky, pointing out the impact of the tractor beam might set off the explosion.
Back on the freighter, B'Elanna discovers blisters on her hand and face. According to Fesek she's received a fatal dose of radiation. He claims they have drugs that will cure this, two sections away. B'Elanna protests but Chakotay orders her and Fesek to get the drugs.
In the Infirmary they discover a Core Labourer (one who works close to the storage tanks) dead on the table. Apparently he was being treated when the disaster struck. Fesek explains that only three out of ten Core Labourers survive a mission, that they know this when they volunteer, and that they make more money in one mission than a Malon can make in a lifetime. Fesek tells us the pay will go to the labourer's family. He then injects B'Elanna with the drug that's supposed to save her life. Two very large needles are inserted into her neck and the drug is injected.
The scene cuts to Astrometrics, where 7of9 has calculated the force needed to push the Malon ship into the star. She has also worked out another alternative plan to help Voyager survive the explosion. Tuvok suggests that "with luck" they won't need her plan. 7 states that she didn't think Vulcans believed in luck. Tuvok admits they don't, but working with Janeway has taught him to believe otherwise.
Meanwhile, on the freighter, the away team is moving as fast as it can. They open the airlock for the next deck and quickly discover the airlock for the deck they're on is opening. They evacuate the deck, but Chakotay is struck by flying debris and the others fail to realize this till they've reached the next deck. Realizing he's missing and in a vacuum, B'Elanna orders the transporter to beam Chakotay to Sick Bay. A few seconds pass and the report comes back that they've got Chakotay and that he's okay.
B'Elanna explodes again, blaming Fesek for the mishap. Fesek denies any responsibility for the problem.
While they argue we see them from another point of view. Into our field of vision a hand appears.
Neelix tells them both to stop fighting and they continue to the next deck. Meanwhile in the shadows we see a figure watching them, following them.
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return we're on Voyager's bridge. Tuvok reports Chakotay's condition as stable, and offers to beam to the freighter to take command of the mission. Janeway refuses to sanction that suggestion. Tuvok expresses concern for B'Elanna's ability to lead, and Janeway states that she has faith in B'Elanna.
On the freighter we find B'Elanna kneeling, meditating. Neelix comes into the compartment to announce that they've cleared a path to the command deck. Under Neelix's persistent questioning B'Elanna admits to meditating, but asks Neelix not to tell Tuvok. They exchange some griping about the freighter and the mission and Neelix reassures B'Elanna they'll get through this.
In another compartment, all three prepare to enter the command deck, but they're unable to determine whether it is safe within or not. Fesek volunteers to enter first, and is soon followed by the other two.
With some quick work B'Elanna manages to get one containment field up but Fesek points out they need two fields, one for each tank that has ruptured. Neelix announces they only have ten minutes left.
In Voyager's Sick Bay, Chakotay wakes up and Doc starts asking him about Pelk. It seems Doc found unidentified tissue in Pelk's wounds. The computer reports the completion of its analysis. Apparently the sample is irradiated with theta radiation but isn't decomposing.
Doc passes this information on to 7, who runs a new scan for additional life forms. She discovers one and informs the away team.
On the freighter, the away team faces an explosion and a loss of power. Passing this on to Janeway she tells them to evacuate the control room so they can be beamed aboard Voyager. As the three rush towards the door it seals itself. 7 reports the alien presence is approaching them. The away team discover themselves being gassed, with no way out.
Harry tells Janeway he can't beam the away team out of the command room because of its shielding.
Seven, monitoring the progress of the alien and the away team, informs them that the alien has entered the command room. But the away team don't react. They're still trying to open the door and vent the gas pouring in.
Neelix is attacked and suffers chemical burns. Then Fesek is attacked and disappears in clouds of gas. B'Elanna, grabbing a metal bar, strikes the intruder and then manages to vent the gas. Before her stands a Malon Core Labourer. She threatens him with death if he doesn't back off, but the labourer claims he's already dead.
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return, the intruder is determined to destroy the ship and everything he can for the sake of revenge. Janeway has pushed the ship into a collision course with the star. The intruder, hearing this, activates the thrusters to change the course. Tuvok can't compensate for this. B'Elanna tries reasoning with the Malon but finally resorts to brute force to stop him. She deactivates the thrusters and the away team (including Fesek) leave the command room and are rescued. Meanwhile the ship explodes within the atmosphere of the star. Voyager is spared any significant damage.
In the aftermath, Doc claims to have removed most of the damage done to the away team. He wasn't able to do much for Fesek because of his long-term exposure. Janeway tells him she will drop him off on a Malon ship in the next sector. Fesek claims he doesn't know what to tell his people. B'Elanna suggests the truth.
Down in her quarters, B'Elanna recalls the fight with the labourer. She climbs into her sonic shower and activates it. We watch as the dirt from the mission is removed from her body.
End of episode.
Personal reflections:
<sigh>
Another "B'Elanna throws a temper tantrum" episode. Didn't we do this story in "Parallax" (first season, second episode)? In fact, isn't this the central theme in most of the B'Elanna-oriented episodes.
Even Worf, a full Klingon, can control his temper better than this.
What must it be like to work under this walking time-bomb? Why isn't she an engineering specialist with no crew under her rather than head of engineering? How many requests for transfer does Janeway get from other members of the engineering crew who must be tired of working for someone as foul-tempered and easily-provoked as B'Elanna?
What did we learn about B'Elanna in this episode? That she was called "Miss Turtle-head" as a child and that she's always on the verge of exploding. The former is of minor interest. The latter isn't news to anyone who has seen her in a previous B'Elanna episode.
Did she learn to control her anger? No, her solution to the problem was to beat the labourer to a pulp. Did she learn to see the Malon differently? No, her last words were as much a sneer as her first. Did they do anything to make this character more endearing for the audience? No, she's still just as unappealing as ever.
So this is yet another "B'Elanna temper-tantrum" episode with no new insights into her character and no new developments in her personality.
<sigh>
Given that the writers still don't seem to know how to develop this character, it is probably just as well she resides in the background through so many episodes.
Voyager, where women have attitude and men wear cups.
Oh yes, nice to see mom finding Alexander more work on Trek :-(
Thank you for your attention.
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