Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Once Upon A Time

Season 5, Episode 5
Stardate: Supplemental

Guest Stars:
Justin Louise as "Treevis"
Nancy Hower as "Ensign Wildman"
Scarlett Pomers as "Naomi Wildman"

Special Guest Star:
Wallace Langham as "Flotter"

Written by: Michael Taylor

Events:
The episode starts in a magical forest. It's a beautiful place. Naomi Wildman walks up to a pond and throws in a rock to wake up the spirit of the pond: Flotter T. Water the Third.

Seems Flotter was sleeping and isn't very eager to play with Naomi at the moment. Naomi thinks Flotter is just frightened of the tree monster: Treevis. This gives Flotter the incentive to rise from his pond as a fountain, finally taking a humanoid form. He is all blue with scintillating silver specks and obviously a creature of the water.

Flotter denies the accusation and reminds Naomi he just needs his beauty sleep. Naomi reminds him they are on a mission and Flotter has prepared what they need.

It seems they are trying to capture the tree monster. Flotter leads Naomi to the trap he has devised for capturing the monster. He has rigged some tiny bells to a vine, believing that tree monsters are afraid of high-pitched noises. Once the tree monster climbs the tree to escape the noise the tree is supposed to catapult him into the pond where he will "sink like a log".

Naomi reminds him that logs float but Flotter is unconcerned about such a petty detail.

Their discussion is interrupted by Treevis, the tree monster, who thinks their plan is "terrible".

Treevis demands to know who they are and they introduce themselves. Treevis doesn't recognize Naomi's element, since she is neither water, earth, or plasma. She explains that she is a human, an explorer who lives in space. Treevis is delighted and wants to know more. He climbs down from the tree and takes up a reclining position on the moss ("Timber" he says as he falls).

He asks Naomi what it's like and she hands us the best line of the scene:

Naomi: "Well...You know. Space battles with aliens. Strange anomalies."

Treevis asks to visit her starship and she puts off a decision until she can ask her Mother.

Flotter observes that for a monster Treevis is very polite. Treevis jerks on the vines, causing the bells to ring, and points out it doesn't scare him at all. Then he confesses that his "bark is worse than my bite".

Naomi suggests to Flotter that they might have jumped to conclusions regarding Treevis. Flotter agrees but points out that Treevis is still "stealing" his water with his roots. Treevis is very upset at this, and the two look to come to blows when Naomi intervenes and points out that they really need each other.

Flotter's water helps Treevis grow. And Treevis' branches protect Flotter's water from being evaporated by the sun.

Flotter admits she has a point and Treevis points out she is a thinker. Naomi insists they shake hands and make up and they agree to this. Treevis complains about Flotter's wet palms and Flotter complains about Treevis' sappy fingers.

This happy moment is interrupted by Neelix calling in to holodeck 2 for Naomi. It's bedtime and her mother wishes to speak with her. Naomi quickly ends the program.

In her quarters Naomi is telling her mother about making a new friend out of Treevis, promising to introduce her when she returns to the ship. Samantha explains they're going to be delayed a few days, but promises to bring back some crystals and holo-pictures for her album. Naomi isn't pleased but dutifully goes to bed when asked to.

Samantha then talks with Neelix. Apparently the Delta Flyer where Samantha is at the moment took a beating in an ion storm and it will take some time to repair the Flyer. And another storm is on the way. Her signal is cut off just after she asks Neelix to say goodnight to Naomi for her.

The scene cuts to the Flyer, where Samantha announces communications just went down. Tuvok announces a level 7 ionic front is closing on the Flyer at 33,000 kilometres per hour. They lack the power for the thrusters to keep them ahead of the storm and it hits.

The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When the show returns we are in the Captain's ready room with the rest of the senior staff and Neelix. They are listening to the last distress call sent by Tuvok just before the second ionic storm hit. Tuvok's announcement explains that life support is failing and they are looking for a place to land.

Harry has triangulated their coordinates and B'Elanna points out that another level five storm stands in the way. Kathryn says they've been through worse and orders the rescue underway.

Neelix asks about Naomi, suggesting she not be told. Kathryn wants to know why and Neelix explains Naomi is a very sensitive girl and hopefully her mother will return before Naomi starts to worry. Kathryn admits Neelix knows her best and leaves the responsibility of keeping Naomi distracted to Neelix.

In the cafeteria Neelix and Naomi are discussing Naomi's ambitions. Naomi thinks she should start "pulling my weight around here" and Neelix suggests aeroponics. Naomi has in mind the bridge and Neelix suggests she could be the Captain's assistant. Naomi wants to fly the ship and Neelix defers that decision to the captain.

Their discussion stops briefly as Naomi notices Seven entering the cafeteria with two crew members in tow. Seven is giving them instructions about internal sensors.

Naomi is afraid of the "borg lady". She doesn't want Neelix being assimilated and she doesn't want to become a part of Seven's collective. Neelix tries to persuade her that Seven is a "nice lady" and that there isn't much chance they'll be assimilated into her collective.

The conversation is interrupted by Harry who calls Neelix away from the table. They need more medkits in case they send another away mission out to rescue the Delta Flyer.

Neelix has a few stashed away in a cargo bay. Then Harry wants to know how Naomi is doing. Neelix explains that on the "Naomi Stress Scale" where one is a slight touch of insomnia and ten is a full blown panic attack, Naomi is about a five.

While Neelix and Harry discuss the medkits Seven approaches Naomi's table and asks if the seat is taken. First Naomi says no and quickly follows this with a yes. Seven asks her to explain and Naomi fearlessly tells her she can't sit at her table because the seat is taken. Seven agrees to move on and Naomi watches her walk away, amazed that she fended off this 'borg attack'.

When Neelix returns Naomi announces "I am Borg." and the two chuckle at her joke. Neelix reminds her it is time for her botany lesson with the Doctor. Naomi asks to visit the holodeck again to play another "Flotter" story but Neelix insists. Naomi doesn't much like the Doctor either "He talks to much." she explains. Neelix says that's his way. "Can't you re-program him or something?" she asks, but Neelix tells her the Doctor wouldn't like that. And off they go for her appointment.

Meanwhile, on the Delta Flyer, things aren't good. Another storm front is moving in and they are having difficulty finding a planetoid they know is in the area. Samantha finds it just in time and they descend rapidly as the storm closes in. Just as they are in need of the thrusters some of them go offline and the Delta Flyer crashes into the planet, burying itself as it goes. When the lights come back on Tuvok is crouched over an unconscious Samantha, announcing that she needs immediate medical assistance.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return to the Flyer we learn they're about three kilometres beneath the surface of the planet. Samantha has a punctured kidney and is bleeding internally. Tom believes she needs surgery. She also has a nasty cut on her head.

Tuvok has sent another distress call to Voyager but there was no response. They can't leave the ship as the cavern they carved is filled with fluorine gas. They're helpless and must await rescue.

Meanwhile, Voyager has managed to track the Flyer to the planetoid and has picked up the engine signature of the Flyer in the upper atmosphere.

Kathryn asks Neelix how Naomi is doing and Neelix reports that she still doesn't know anything is amiss.

They manage to pinpoint the spot where the Flyer impacted and they find debris but no sign of the Flyer. Harry suggests either the Flyer incinerated through the atmosphere or it is buried beneath the planet.

Kathryn orders Chakotay to take rescue teams down to determine the fate of the flyer. Chakotay takes Harry with him and they leave the bridge.

Meanwhile, in Sick Bay, the Doctor is teaching Naomi about mitochondria ("the warp core of the cell", as Naomi puts it). They have a pleasant discussion about how the mitochondria ancestor broke through the walls of the cell and decided to stay. She asked if the cell and the mitochondria made friends and the Doctor agrees, calling this "symbiosis". "Friends" responds Naomi. The Doctor agrees.

Naomi remembers that her mother was supposed to call her today and asks the Doctor if they can call her mother and fortunately Neelix shows up just in time to distract Naomi yet again.

Neelix: "There is a time for education and then there's a time for..."
Naomi: "Flotter!"

They leave Sick Bay after Naomi thanks the Doctor, and along the way they discuss Neelix's past. Naomi wants to know what holodeck program was his favourite as a boy and Neelix explains they didn't have holodecks. But that they had a forest and that he and his sisters used to play in it and make up their own stories. Naomi asks him about his sisters and this is obviously a painful discussion for him. He does his best to answer her questions truthfully without revealing that they died (as told in "Jetrel"). Fortunately they arrive at the holodeck in time to avoid any further questions on that matter.

They review the chapters and agree to play "Flotter, Treevis, and the Ogre of Fire". Neelix is concerned it might be too scary but Naomi assures him she won't be scared if he joins her. The computer narrates the story "Once upon a time in the Forest of Forever, Flotter and Treevis encountered a strange element they'd never seen before..."

We find Treevis' finger is on fire and he is very scared and hurting from this. Flotter comes to the area, pointing to a burning branch and explains he told Treevis not to touch it. Naomi tells Flotter to put it out, pointing out that water puts out fire. Flotter puts his hand over the burning finger and the fire goes out, causing Treevis to hug his friend in joy and gratitude. Then Flotter points his finger at the burning branch and his finger acts as a water hose, putting out all the flames but one which Flotter blows out. Neelix comes up and congratulates Naomi for her quick thinking and Flotter says: "Who's the furball?" Neelix introduces himself, a little non-plussed by the description Flotter used.

Naomi asks how this happened, and Treevis and Flotter explain that it came from a flash in the sky. Naomi at first thinks they mean lightning, but notices there are no clouds in the sky. When asked for her "theory" by Neelix she says it could only be the Ogre of Fire. Neither Treevis or Flotter seem to have heard that name, and when they ask they are answered by a large ball of fire with a face. It seems the Ogre of Fire wants to burn down the forest, and as the ball expands Flotter is consumed and evaporated, much to Naomi's dismay.

After a time the forest is nothing but twisted limbs with flames still burning in places. Naomi and Neelix are looking for Flotter, although Neelix thinks that perhaps they should play another program. When Neelix calls out to see if anyone is still there Treevis responds. He is back up in a tree, "a little hot under the bark". Treevis doesn't know where Flotter is either.

By this time Neelix is concerned that this is getting a little too real and so calls bedtime and escorts a protesting Naomi off the holodeck.

In Engineering Neelix has asked a favour from Harry. He wants a replicated stuffed toy of Flotter for Naomi. Harry is happy to oblige. Harry recalls loving the Flotter stories when he was a boy. He recalls one story where Flotter believes Treevis was a rubber tree and continues to trip him to see if he would bounce.

As much as Neelix appreciates the favour, he is upset about the conditions under which Naomi lives. In one outburst Neelix states this isn't a place for a child to grow up. Harry says he'd have given anything to be on Voyager when he was a boy.

They replicate the Flotter doll (look for it at your next Trek convention ;-) and Neelix leaves to take it to Naomi.

In Naomi's room Naomi is working on a plan to save Flotter when Neelix arrives with the Flotter doll. Naomi thanks him but points out that isn't Flotter. Neelix points out that Flotter isn't Flotter but just a holographic character.

Naomi has done research on what happens to water when it's heated and has figured out that if they can cool down the forest Flotter might "re-liquefy". Neelix admits she's "clever".

Then Naomi asks about her mother. Neelix reassures her that her mother will return soon. Naomi asks if anyone has talked to her and Neelix admits not for a day or two. Naomi then recites the appropriate Star Fleet protocol that calls for all away teams to check in at least once every 24 hours. Neelix admits she'll make a good Captain's Assistant and assures her that everything will be okay. He then tucks her into bed and at her request gives her the Flotter doll he replicated for her.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we find Neelix in a nightmare, dreaming of the death of two Talaxians to Jetrel's weapon. He awakes with a start as the Talaxians are consumed. This explains Neelix's discomfort with the holodeck story. He checks in on Naomi and finds her sleeping and decides to visit Astrometrics to see if there are any new developments. He finds Seven mapping the caverns beneath the crater. They extend 37 kilometres beneath the surface but otherwise there is no new information.

Neelix asks Seven about her human family, if she ever thinks of them. She states "infrequently" and explains she was six years old when the Borg took her. Neelix tells us that this isn't much older than Naomi is now. Neelix asks her if she thinks of her parents and Seven admits she barely remembers them. Neelix suggests that might be a blessing.

Their conversation is interrupted by Chakotay who is calling on Seven for the data she's been compiling. She announces she will meet him at the crash site. Seven stops before leaving and looks back at Neelix.

Seven: "I adapted. The child, Naomi, will adapt as well."
Neelix: "Borg wisdom."

Seven leaves.

On the bridge Kathryn is requesting updates and checking scans. Neelix arrives with a thermos of coffee and offers it to the bridge crew. Kathryn declines, saying, "One more cup and I'll jump to warp."

Neelix wants to know if there have been any developments and Kathryn explains they have three rescue teams on the surface and there are no results.

Kathryn tells Neelix he should tell Naomi and prepare her for the worst. Neelix declines. Kathryn points out that she told him to keep her occupied but not to lie to her. Angrily Neelix points out he is her godfather and will decide what's best for her. As he walks away Kathryn calls to him and escorts him to her office.

Kathryn throws Neelix an ultimatum, either he tells Naomi or she will. Neelix blows up, yelling at her "You don't have the right!!" He points out she doesn't know what it is like to have no one to care for her as a child. Neelix does and he won't put Naomi through it until they have determined the truth.

Kathryn points out that he is right, but that this situation is different. Naomi has Neelix to take care of her and that she must be told.

Neelix agrees to do it first thing in the morning. Kathryn points out they have a few hours left and invites Neelix to help them on the bridge. Neelix agrees.

Meanwhile, on the Delta Flyer, Tom and Tuvok make an effort to polarize the hull so they will stand out from the rock that surrounds them. The effort fails and Samantha says they are not ever getting out alive.

This leads to an interesting exchange between Samantha and Tuvok:

Samantha: "Who's going to look after Naomi?"
Tuvok: "You should not concern yourself with that now."
Samantha: "How can you say that?"
Tuvok: "My youngest child has been without a father for four years. Yet I am certain of her well-being. That I conveyed my values to her before leaving and I have confidence in the integrity of those around her. You have been an exemplary mother to Naomi. And she is in the hands of people you trust. She will survive and prosper no matter what becomes of us."
Samantha: "Thanks, Tuvok."

Meanwhile, Naomi awakens from a dream about her mother and, not finding Neelix asks the computer for his whereabouts. The computer reports he is on the bridge. She wanders out of her quarters in search of her mother and overhears B'Elanna giving instructions to her staff about phaser drills. She hides in the transporter room as B'Elanna's team beams to the surface. Eventually Naomi makes it to a turbo lift and orders the lift to the bridge.

She arrives just in time to hear that Seven has found a hull signature behind a collapsed section of the cave and to hear Kathryn order Sick Bay to prepare for "heavy casualties".

Her eyes widen at this news and Neelix turns and sees her. He calls to her but she runs back into the turbolift and escapes the bridge.

The show cuts to commercials.

When the show returns Neelix is running down a corridor calling for Naomi. He asks the computer to locate her and it reports she is in her quarters. When Neelix arrives he finds her comm badge is attached to the Flotter doll but Naomi isn't there. Neelix whispers "clever".

Meanwhile, Naomi has returned to the holodeck and reactivated the "Ogre of Fire" program.

Meanwhile, under the planetoid's surface, Seven has located duranium alloys and believes they have found the Flyer. She cannot locate lifesigns so they cannot beam the crew out. Chakotay suggests they beam out the entire Flyer but Seven points out there is too much rock to do so. Chakotay calls in all the rescue teams to start digging out the Flyer.

Meanwhile, on the Flyer, Tom is recording his farewell to B'Elanna. Tom tries at humour and is interrupted by the computer announcing life support has fallen to critical levels.

Tom's last words to B'Elanna: "So long."

He then helps Samantha to the console, as Tuvok prefers to say farewell through the use of words on a PADD.

Samantha's message: "Hi honey. I know you're feeling sad right now but I want you to listen very carefully to me, okay? First of all, I love you. Second I want you to know I'm proud of you. How smart you are, how funny, how kind you are to other people and I know you are going to grow up to do extraordinary things. Last, and I know this is a hard one, try not to be scared."

Computer: "Warning. Oxygen depletion in ten minutes."

Samantha: "Listen to Neelix. He'll be taking care of you now. Bye honey."

Meanwhile, on the holodeck where the burnt-out Forest of Forever stands. Neelix is calling out to Naomi. Treevis and Flotter block his path (Flotter explains that Naomi "re-liquefied" him). They tell Neelix Naomi doesn't want to see him. Neelix tries to delete the characters and discovers the computer will not comply because the program has been "encoded". Flotter and Treevis accuse him of lying and wonder whether he can swim or if they should hang him from one of Treevis' branches. Neelix notices the top of Naomi's head from behind a fallen log and calls to her. She agrees to talk with him but Flotter warns him "No more lying."

Naomi asks if her mother is dead. Neelix says they don't know. She asks what happened and Neelix explains. She asks him how she can believe him and Neelix explains what he went through when he lost his family. She suggests he was just pretending that nothing was wrong and he tells her he had hoped to spare her feelings. She asks him if he ever pretended nothing had happened to his family and he says "sometimes". She asks if it helps and he says "not really".

The ship shakes and Kathryn warns the ship that a level 8 ion storm is approaching. Neelix says they must return her to her quarters and Flotter and Treevis are scared, fearing the return of the Ogre of Fire. She reassures them that she'll be back.

Meanwhile, Kathryn warns the rescue teams they have six minutes to get the Flyer out before the whole cavern collapses from the ion storm. Chakotay and B'Elanna are burning their way through the rock.

The show cuts to commercials.

When the show returns the shields are down to 83% and Kathryn plots an escape course.

In the Flyer the crew have two minutes of oxygen left.

Tuvok: "In accepting the inevitable one finds peace." Tom: "If that's another Vulcan saying, Tuvok, I'll stick with 'Live Long and Prosper'."

At the last minute the rescue teams set up the markers to beam out the Flyer and once safely aboard Voyager they get underway just in time to avoid the ion storm.

The scene cuts to Sick Bay where a very happy Naomi and Neelix enter to greet Samantha with a big hug. Samantha looks up and thanks Neelix.

The scene cuts to Samantha and Naomi walking the now restored Forest of Forever. They are greeted by Flotter, Treevis, and Neelix. Flotter has missed Samantha, who has grown up since the last time he saw her.

An adventure is suggested and Flotter states there is a castle with a giant beetle he's wanted to investigate. All except Neelix head off to the castle.

Kathryn is also there, though no one saw her until she speaks to Neelix. She assures him that Naomi is a courageous girl and she just wanted to check-up on her future Captain's Assistant.

She then tells Neelix of the time she flooded the whole forest when she was six by diverting the river because Flotter had predicted a drought.

End of episode.

Personal reflections:

These 'death' shows are really starting to get to me ;-).

Bad enough DS9 did such a show this week but listening to Samantha record her final message was a bit tough to listen to.

This show revolves around Naomi, and what she is old enough to know about her mother's fate and about death in general.

Despite Neelix's best efforts and Kathryn's firm convictions Naomi finds out for herself what is happening and runs to her friends: Flotter and Treevis, to protect her.

In the end she accepts the truth and she is fortunate to find that her mother lives.

Having lost my father and grandfather when I was ten I can relate to the problem. I didn't have the luxury of not knowing because it is rather hard to explain the absence of a father who returns daily from work and a grandfather who lived in the room next to mine.

In my opinion, and for what it is worth, Neelix was right. As long as there was hope Naomi didn't need to know there was a problem. Telling her would take her hope away, or at least make it difficult to keep her hope alive.

And that is a very lonely feeling for a child with only one parent.

Thanks for your attention.



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