Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Night

Season 5, Episode 1
Stardate: 52081.2

Guest Stars:
Ken Magee as "Emck"
Steve Dennis as "Night Alien"
Martin Rayner as "Dr. Chaotica"

Written by: Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky

Events:
The episode opens with a black-and-white holodeck program "Satan's Robot Conquers the Earth", a take-off on the old Buck Rogers serial shorts (movies, not TV).

Harry plays the role of the side-kick. Tom plays the hero: Captain Proton. And a nameless yet buxom blonde plays the hysterical love interest.

Harry and the woman are in the evil clutches of the villain, Dr. Chaotica, a Ming the Merciless look-alike. Tom flies to the rescue with a rocket back pack and sporting a rather antique ray gun.

But before he can subdue the villain and before Chaotica can unleash his mighty murderous robot, in strolls the Doctor, in full colour, impatiently waiting to begin his own holodeck program (a Don Carlo opera). It seems Tom and Harry have run late.

There is a pushing match at the control panel as Tom and the Doctor each try to configure the holodeck for their own program when they manage to overload the holo-grid. A problem that is picked up at the command chair on the bridge where Chakotay sits.

Seven arrives at the bridge to provide Chakotay with a report from Astrometrics. Voyager has been traveling through a void, presumably between two galactic arms, for two months. Astrometrics has determined that there is nothing within 2500 light years of their current position. Beyond that the sensors are unable to function due to the theta radiation which permeates the space they're in.

Through Chakotay we learn that the ship has been in this void 53 days, and expects to be in it for another two years at least. Apparently the uneventful trip through the void has been straining the crew's morale. From outside the ship we can see they are in a completely dark area of space, without stars or any other source of light than Voyager.

The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When the show returns we learn that the ship must cross this void to return home. Because of the absence of any stellar systems they must use portable power cells to conserve energy. During the weekly briefing we learn that all ship's systems are performing well. Tuvok reports a sudden increase in theta radiation nearby, but the source is unknown. The Doctor reports that crew morale is down. Neelix offers suggestions to improve the morale, such as assigning the crew to different duties to add variety. He expresses an interest in Tactical. Tuvok accepts his fate. Neelix also suggests using a cargo bay as a third holodeck, which Harry accepts as an assignment. And Neelix points out that Kathryn has not been seen lately, making it clear that this is also affecting crew morale. Tom mentions a rumour that she doesn't leave her quarters.

This seems to be a touchy subject, as Chakotay shoots back that Kathryn needn't appear on the bridge, that she can command from wherever she likes.

Harry tries to lighten the moment by suggesting they just view this as a two year vacation, which the others greet with a less than enthusiastic response.

Chakotay returns to the bridge where we see a viewscreen full of inky nothingness.

The scene cuts to Neelix's quarters, where Neelix awakens from a bad dream. Looking out his viewport he promises himself that he'll make curtains to hide the view outside.

In the cafeteria Tom and B'Elanna are playing Torada, which appears to be a chess-like strategy game where pieces are exchanged and placed upon a circular board. Almost right away they start getting on each others' nerves. Neelix enters because he can't sleep, and as Tom and B'elanna's argument heats up he lectures them on the kind of example senior officers should provide. He then collapses, unable to breathe.

In Sickbay the Doctor diagnoses the problem as nihilophobia (the fear of nothingness). His prognosis is that Neelix will get used to it.

The scene cuts to Astrometrics where Tuvok has displayed a star field to assist his meditation. He views each star as a single thought. Seven interrupts and they discuss the finer points of rejuvenation. Tuvok prefers meditation. Seven believes hooking her cortical implant to the Borg regenerator is more efficient. Tuvok sagely postpones any decision on changing his methods.

Their conversation is interrupted by a long-range sensor which has discovered a dangerously high dose of theta radiation in the area, source unknown.

The scene cuts to Kathryn's darkened quarters, where Chakotay is briefing her on the phenomenon. It's 25 light years away and Kathryn decides it's worth investigating.

Chakotay then requests and later demands her company in a game of Velocity in the holodeck, pointing out it isn't a good idea for her to isolate herself from the crew at this time. She refuses and is obviously brooding over the decisions she made that placed Voyager in the Delta Quadrant in the first place. She describes the destruction of the Caretaker's array as "short-sighted and selfish" of her and has decided to leave the ship's business to Chakotay as she continues to brood.

The scene cuts to the bridge where Harry stands watch and plays his newly completed clarinet concerto: "Echoes of the Void". Tuvok enters for a report and is invited to listen. We hear the same hauntingly lonely notes played over and over again at different octaves.

Meanwhile, Tom and Seven are in the holodeck where Tom has restored his program. He tries to explain a little of the plot to Seven, explaining that her role is to play the part of Constance Goodheart, Captain Proton's secretary who accompanies him on all his adventures. Chaotica has left the ship, but the murderous robot remains. Tom is to foil Chaotica's nefarious scheme and thus save the world while Seven is to distract the robot.

As the program starts the robot approaches Seven waving its arms menacingly and telling her to surrender. Seven deftly steps forward and opens a panel on the robot's chest and pulls out its wires, thus rendering the robot helpless.

She informs Tom that she has completed her mission and asks to leave. Tom is somewhat chagrined over this quick and easy solution.

Back on the bridge, Harry is still playing the same notes over and over as the ship is rocked by dropping out of warp. Power systems across the ship start collapsing, casting everyone in darkness.

The show cuts to commercials.

When it returns Harry removes a panel and tries to access the power reserves. Chakotay, wandering the halls with a wrist light, finds Neelix huddled against a bulkhead trembling with fear. Engineering is chaotic as crew members try to restart the power systems. On the holodeck Seven and Tom discover the ship's power is down except for independent systems like life support and the holodecks. They can't re-route power to the ship.

On the bridge Harry succeeds in restoring partial power, and with partial sensors is able to detect a dampening field affecting the ship's power. Tuvok, having determined they have enough power for a photon torpedo, re-configures it to emit a "sustained poly-luminous burst": a flare to light up the space around them.

Meanwhile, on the holodeck, Tom and Seven discover a brown glistening humanoid who immediately attacks and injures Tom. Seven, grabbing Tom's ray gun and instructing the computer to release the safety protocols uses it to shoot down the assailant.

Meanwhile, Chakotay and Neelix find themselves confronted by another such humanoid. As it approaches to attack, Kathryn shoots it in the back with a rather large phaser rifle. Taking command of the two she proceeds to acquire a portable power cell.

Meanwhile, Tuvok fires the photon and we glimpse three ships.

Meanwhile, Kathryn, Chakotay, and Neelix have arrived at Engineering with a power cell.

Meanwhile, on the bridge, emergency power comes online, including Tactical, and Tuvok raises the shields. This prevents the dampening field from having its effect and the rest of the ship's power systems come online. They detect 17 alien intruders on their ship.

Kathryn, down in Engineering, instructs Tuvok to fire warning shots at the ships when they do not respond to hails. The aliens fire back and in two shots bring down the shields.

Meanwhile Seven has brought Tom to Sickbay and explains what happened to them to the Doctor. The Doctor instructs her to retrieve the disabled alien.

As the dampening field begins to affect the ship again it is suddenly cut off as the ships break away and a fourth ship arrives. The fourth ship opens fire on the other three ships and they leave the area. Hailing Voyager the commander demands compensation for his use of his weapons in their defense, and Tuvok readily agrees.

The show cuts to commercials.

When it returns we are in the Transporter Room with Tuvok, Chakotay, and Kathryn. The alien commander of the fourth ship is being beamed in. They discover he is emanating high levels of theta radiation and adjust the area to compensate for it.

The alien commander, Cotrola Emck, is a Maylon. He offers to help Voyager escape the other aliens and the void. He explains that he uses a nearby spatial vortex that moves him directly to the other side of the void. In exchange for his assistance he demands the disabled alien. Kathryn asks a series of probing questions which Emck deftly ignores. Emck, at his request, is returned to his ship.

Down in Sickbay, the disabled alien resides on a bed in a darkened examining room. The Doctor explains to Kathryn that the alien sustained only minor injuries due to the weapon fire, but that the alien is dying from extreme theta radiation exposure.

The Doctor theorizes that the alien is a native to the void, completely adapted to operate in a lightless environment. Kathryn decides to communicate with it.

The alien bears a striking resemblance to the DC comic book character, Swamp-Thing, as shown in made-for-tv movies. It explains that it believes Voyager to be allied with the Maylon. That the Maylon are killing its people with theta radiation for no apparent reason.

Kathryn explains they were simply crossing the void to get home. That they are not allied with the Maylon. The alien accepts this and apologizes for the attack.

The Doctor suggests they take it to its people who might be able to help it. Kathryn re-routes a workstation to the helm so the alien can enter the coordinates for their destination.

Chakotay returns to the bridge and has a conversation with Tuvok. He seeks Tuvok's advice regarding Kathryn. Tuvok explains that he is aware of Kathryn's problem, that for the past four years he has noted her feelings of guilt.

Chakotay asks Tuvok if he has ever seen her like this before. Tuvok recalls one such occasion, during Kathryn's first year as a captain on board the USS Billings. She had sent a team in a shuttle down to a planet to survey a volcanic moon. The shuttle was hit by magma, seriously injuring some of the team. The next day she piloted a shuttle alone and surveyed the moon herself to show the crew the injuries had not been suffered in vain.

Tuvok notes she could have died. Chakotay comments "seeking redemption" and Tuvok agrees. Tuvok explains that Kathryn is rather unorthodox and that it is her greatest strength and weakness. They agree she is "stubborn as a Klingon".

Chakotay asks Tuvok to support him if Kathryn should try such a thing again. Tuvok nods his agreement.

On the bridge the ship Chakotay notes they have arrived at the coordinates provided by the alien. Tuvok raises the shields. The alien explains his people won't consider them friendly unless he signals them, which Kathryn permits.

Eight of the alien's ships decloak and 12 more approach.

The alien explains they have lived in the void for millions of years in peace. But the Maylon came and are killing them with theta radiation. The Maylon are too powerful for them to stop, and they don't know how to close the vortex. As the alien is beamed off the ship by its people it asks Kathryn to help them.

The show cuts to commercials.

When it returns Voyager has rendezvoused with the Maylon, who is releasing the theta radiation into the void. From within the Astrometrics lab Kathryn, Seven, and Chakotay are discussing the situation.

They hail the Maylon, explain that they've found out what he is doing, and want to know why. Emck explains that his civilization produces huge amounts of the radiation every day and that the vortex offers them a convenient place to dump the waste. He shows no compassion for the creatures who inhabit this part of space.

Kathryn offers Emck a solution. She offers the technology that recycles the waste products. Emck demands a demonstration.

The scene cuts to B'Elanna and Chakotay explaining the process while Emck tours Engineering. Emck is impressed and is convinced the technology does indeed work. And then he refuses it.

He had hoped their method was a fraud. But admits that if the technology were to be used he would be out of a job. He refuses the process.

B'Elanna gets angry. Chakotay continues to try to reason with Emck, but when pushed Emck points out they wouldn't last ten seconds in a fight with his ship.

Chakotay orders him off the ship and Emck storms away.

The scene cuts to Kathryn's quarters where Chakotay and Kathryn discuss options. Chakotay suggests contacting the Maylon authorities on the other side of the vortex in the hopes they will stop Emck's dumping practice. Kathryn doesn't want to leave it to them. She wants to blow up the vortex to prevent it from ever being used again.

The only problem is that the vortex can only be closed from the void side of the vortex. She and Chakotay argue over whether the cost of spending two years in the void is worth closing their escape route out. Chakotay thinks so, but Kathryn, recalling her previous decision four years ago, thinks not. She asks Chakotay if he's ready to captain the ship, explaining that there is no else whom she trusts more. Chakotay believes he's ready and Kathryn orders that he assemble the crew.

On the bridge all senior staff are assembled and waiting her arrival. She exchanges pleasantries with Harry and Neelix, and then hands out her orders. She decides to send Voyager through the vortex while she remains behind in a shuttle with a couple of photon torpedoes. Once Voyager is through she'll close the vortex from the void side, thus remaining stranded.

B'Elanna interrupts her to inform her that they are not going to follow those orders. She gives the order to Tom to proceed and Tom refuses, followed by Harry, Seven, the Doctor, and Tuvok.

Kathryn explains they could all be hanged for mutiny, and then asks for an alternative suggestion. Chakotay proposes launching torpedoes out the back of Voyager after they have entered the vortex. With sufficient power to the aft shields and maximum speed they should be able to exit the vortex ahead of the shockwave. The constant carrying of theta radiation has weakened a cargo area on the Maylon ship, which Tuvok believes can be hit with a direct phaser blast and thus disable the Maylon's ship.

Kathryn agrees to their plan. In an aside to Chakotay she acknowledges that he had told them in advance what to expect from her. He agrees.

Battle stations is called for, and the episode cuts to commercials.

The show returns with Voyager in battle with the Maylon. Voyager firing all weapons is unable to affect the Maylon's shields. The vortex is close, and B'Elanna brings up the aft shields for their entry. Another shot from the Maylon ruptures one of the nacelles, leaving Voyager with only one warp engine. Tom pilots them through another spread of spatial charges from the Maylon ship, causing Seven to note "Captain Proton to the rescue".

Another shot from the Maylon and the other engine goes offline, causing Voyager to move through inertia only. This prevents the ship from outrunning the shock wave they plan on creating. Kathryn tells Tuvok to reinforce the aft shields with the main deflector, thus allowing them to ride the shockwave out of the vortex.

Just as the Maylon blocks their path to the vortex the aliens native to the void decloak and open fire on the Maylon. One is destroyed but the others continue to distract it and weaken its shields. Kathryn orders an attack on the cargo hold and succeeds in destroying the Maylon ship.

As Voyager passes through the threshold of the vortex it drops three photon torpedoes that explode, destroying the vortex and sending a massive shock wave down the vortex, pushing Voyager out the other end.

They are 200,000 km away from the edge of the void.

Gradually, stars start appearing on the view screen. They've made it through the void.

End of episode.

Personal reflections:

"Night" appears to me to be an effort to write a metaphor for the Star Trek: Voyager series.

The ship, much like the series, is lost in the void that befalls all unappreciated TV. The crew, restless and nervous, reflecting their concern for their inability to draw a large audience. The blame, as always, falls upon the star. Namely the captain.

The natives of the void, nameless yet faithful fans who have faith in Voyager. While the evil Maylon represents the TV executives ready to pull the plug unless Voyager abandons its faithful following to their undeserved fate.

And to remind us of how much better Voyager is to other sci-fi shows we are treated to a few black-and-white Buck Rogerish scenes for comparison.

The conclusion, a vote of confidence by the cast for Kathryn's continued presence on the ship/series was a bit of a foregone conclusion given that there have been no reports of removing her from show by the producers.

The plotline was pretty straight-forward, supporting typical Trek values like responsible recycling of waste products and the rights of individuals to a pollution-free environment.

There weren't too many memorable moments in this episode. The best line was Neelix to the Doctor upon being diagnosed with a fear of nothingness: "You're not helping, Doctor." as the Doctor explained his own experience with nothingness whenever he is deactivated.

The most memorable scene was Seven's dismantling the robot within thirty seconds of the start of the holodeck program.

My impression of this episode was that we were witnessing a combination of mea culpa and a redefining of the characters.

The mea culpa was obvious. Kathryn accepting all blame for the series' problems starting with her decision in "Caretaker".

The redefining was somewhat more subtle. For one thing, Tom and B'Elanna are not quite so close. Tom casts himself as a hero while B'Elanna is excitable yet knowledgeable in her field. Chakotay is defined as the reliable one. Harry is artistic. Seven is efficient. Neelix is the helpful one. The Doctor is the disciplinarian. And Tuvok is the sage. And Kathryn is redefined as the unorthodox captain. Contrary to her previous image as the one who disliked Kirk for his unorthodox she now embraces it as an explanation for all of her decisions which do not coincide with our view of Trek and Trek's canon.

It was entertaining to note how each of the primary areas of focus for this episode, Engineering and the ship, were commanded by women with men taking orders. I couldn't help but recall how the roles are reversed from other Treks. In a sense Tom's holo-program with the screaming woman gave us a sense of how old fashioned the anti-thesis is.

So Voyager breaks through the void to see a new section of space, and the series hopes for a new lease on life.

Only time will tell.

Thanks for your attention.



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