Summary for Star Trek: Voyager episode
Thirty Days

Season 5, Episode 9
Stardate: Unknown

Guest Stars:
Willie Garson as "Riga"
Benjamin Livingston as "Perfect"
Alissa Kramer as "Jenny Delaney"
Heidi Kramer as "Megan Delaney"

Co-Stars:
Ken Munson as the voice of "Admiral Paris"
Majel Barrett as the "Computer Voice"

Teleplay by:
Kenneth Biller

Story by:
Scott Miller

Events:
The episode starts with Kathryn pronouncing sentence upon Tom. He is demoted to Ensign and is given 30 days of solitary confinement in the brig. The camera follows him and two security officers to the brig. Along the way B'Elanna sees him and moves towards him, but then stops midway.

The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.

The show returns to the brig where a bored Tom decides to do pushups. He just begins when Neelix arrives with a meal.

Tom: "One...Two...Three Ninety-Eight...Ninety-Nine...One Hundred."

Neelix brings a padd that Tom requested. However, the holo-deck privileges Tom requested have been denied by Kathryn. Neelix starts to leave and Tom asks him to stay. But Kathryn has ordered only essential conversation and nothing else is permitted. Tom complains and Neelix looks sympathetic but walks away.

Tom picks up the padd and starts to dictate a letter to his father. He actually restarts the letter three times before he settles down to the process. He tells his father he's in jail again, and then proceeds to explain the events leading up to it.

We cut to a scene in the holo-deck. Tom is running his Captain Proton program again (black and white, don't adjust your set). He is flying through space thanks to a jet pack that throws out sparks like ones in the old Buck Rogers films used to do. Due to the fact we see no breathing apparatus and the fact he uses a wrist communicator to talk to his side-kick, Buster Kincaid, we realize that the 'space' in the holo-deck is very different from real space. Tom explains he's destroyed Chaotica's mind-control machine and is returning to their spaceship (another refugee from the Buck Rogers movies).

Tom receives a response from the Twin Mistresses of Evil, Felicia (?) and Demonica (the Delaney sisters). They've captured poor Buster and have him chained and ready for the brain-probe. Buster (Harry) heroically calls out that he's got things under control before they end their transmission.

Felicia orders Demonica to bring the brain-probe to the helpless Buster. Poor Demonica doesn't know which device her sister is referring to and Felicia must point it out to her. She grins and whispers her apologies to Harry, who reassures her that she's doing great.

This is really a great scene for humour. The Delaney sisters are rather attractive in their skin-tight suits and three inch spiked heels. They threaten to turn Harry into their puppet and slave which seems to delight..uhm, I mean 'worry'...their captive as they run their fingers down his cheek and over his chest (North American professional dominatrices are going to owe Voyager for any increase in their business this season ;-).

It's obvious from the facial expressions and voices that Demonica has more than a passing interest in Harry.

Just as things are getting interesting...uhm, I mean 'desperate' for our 'poor' side-kick, Captain Proton arrives through the door to foil their 'evil' plans. Confusing Felicia for Demonica (and being corrected) he informs them they'll be going to jail for a very long time.

The twins : "Ooh" (pronounced like "moon"). Demonica's pout is worth noting.

They regret the need to kill him.

Harry informs Proton "I've got everything under control, Proton. Shouldn't you be getting back to headquarters?" in a rather loud voice. Tom asks Buster, "And leave you at the mercy of these two?" And Harry whispers "Come on, Tom, I'm just getting to the good part.".

Unfortunately the "good part" will have to wait till another time as Chakotay calls the senior officers to the bridge.

The scene cuts to the hallway where Tom is asking Megan Delaney (Felicia) for some star charts. She confesses they aren't ready yet since there was a breakdown in equipment and Seven is repairing it (She does get around, doesn't she?).

Harry offers his services but Megan declines. After the sisters leave the scene, Tom points out he thinks Jenny Delaney (Demonica) likes Harry. He claims he already knows. Tom is surprised at the tone in Harry's voice, thinking Harry felt the same way for Jenny. But apparently Harry likes Megan. When asked why, Harry claims Jenny is aggressive and sometimes annoying while Megan is quiet and artistic and has a dimple in her right cheek.

On the way up to the bridge Tom points out that Harry has once again fallen for the unattainable woman. He lists Harry's interests (a hologram, a Borg, and now the wrong twin). Harry smiles and points out at least he's consistent.

Kathryn explains they've picked up something interesting on sensors and they've decided to investigate. They've found a 'planet' made entirely of water. It's bigger than the Atlantic and Pacific combined. Tuvok reports it is held together through the use of some kind of containment field.

We have a great exterior shot of Voyager over the rolling waves of the ocean. Terrific computer graphics.

Rising up from the ocean, three starships approach Voyager. Their weapons are armed and despite Kathryn's effort to reassure them they open fire. Voyager suffers no damage, thanks to their shields. When the ships refuse her hail Kathryn targets the lead ship's weapons and disables them. This inspires the ships to make contact.

We are introduced to Deputy Counsel Burkas of the Monayan Maritime Sovereignty who explains they've trespassed on Monayan space. Kathryn apologizes and points out they are explorers who are curious about their ocean and people. Burkas agrees to a tour after being reassured that Voyager won't bother them if they decline the opportunity to meet.

The scene cuts to a hallway where Kathryn is giving Burkas a grand tour of the ship. Burkas explains they have had to repel invaders in the past, which is why they are edgy when strangers show up. They arrive on the bridge where Neelix asks Burkas if they are native to the ocean. Burkas explains they are a nomadic people who found the ocean 300 years earlier.

Tom takes a particular interest in the ocean. Burkas explains his people farm the marine vegetation, extract oxygen for their ships and have settled there permanently. Tom asks about the size of their population and Burkas tells him there are 80,000 people living in the ocean.

Tuvok reminds them that they have other business to deal with and escorts the Monayans to the briefing room. Kathryn invites Tom due to his interest.

Neelix asks Burkas if his people still live in ships and Burkas tells him that most of his people still do. Some live in undersea dwellings.

Kathryn asks if they know how the ocean came into being. Burkas refers the question to Riga, who explains that the religious explanation is that a divinity created the ocean to sustain the Monayans but that he believes the ocean formed naturally like a gas giant.

Riga hints at a problem and after getting Burkas' consent explains to the staff that the ocean has been losing volume (7% in the last year). He believes the cause is at the center of the ocean, more than 600 km down. Their best research vessel can only penetrate 100 km and they are unable to investigate the core, where Riga believes the problem is gravimetric fluctuations.

Tom proposes that Voyager can get them to the centre of the ocean. Kathryn has already offered them whatever assistance she can provide.

In the Captain's quarters she and Tom are discussing Tom's interest over a cup of tea or coffee. Apparently Tom has been fascinated in sailing ships and the ocean since a young boy, reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Captains Courageous and Moby Dick amongst other sea adventures. He'd hoped to enter the Federation Naval Patrol but his father convinced him to join Star Fleet.

He reassures Kathryn that it will take no time to modify the thrusters on the Delta Flyer to allow it to be sea-worthy. Kathryn is relieved as it would take a week to make the modifications to Voyager itself. She gives Tom command of the mission.

Tom picks Harry for first mate, and Seven as bosun. He directs Seven to call him "Skipper" (hey little buddy). Riga arrives to join the away mission bearing all of his equipment, but Seven assures him the Delta Flyer can determine things like depth, pressure and currents, etc.

Tom welcomes Riga and tells him to stow his equipment in the Delta Flyer's hold and they'll be off. We get a nice exterior shot of the DF leaving Voyager and diving towards the ocean. Tom orders up "immersion shielding" and then we watch from beneath sea level as the DF plunges into the sea (shades of the flying sub from "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea").

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return we see the DF approaching the Monayan industrial complex. Lights everywhere, and ships are moving about and this seems like a thriving enterprise. Riga tells us this is the Oxygen extraction facility as well as the de-salinization (salt removal) plant. Seven commends it as "an efficient design".

Up in Kathryn's quarters she delivers bad news to Burkas. Based on a computer simulation she predicts a complete loss of containment in less than five years. The ocean will be gone. Burkas is dismayed. Kathryn recommends making plans for an evacuation. Burkas points out that if he takes this information to his government the 47 regional sovereigns will pass their first unanimous vote, asking for his head.

Back on the DF at 500 km down they detect a structure. They discover a massive artificial gravity field generator. Harry determines it is at least 100,000 years old. They begin uploading the artifact's database and are attacked by a giant sea monster (something of a cross between a zeuglodon and an octopus. This looks strikingly like the monster from Basics Part II).

The monster attacks the DF; when in contact it releases a bio-thermic discharge a lot like a huge electric eel. Riga hasn't a clue what this thing is. It releases 500,000 volt shocks, frying the shields. The DF is hit again and they lose thrusters. Seven uses the phasers to chase the creature off without killing it. But they quickly develop a hull breach, leaking water into the crew compartment. Tom leaps to rescue to save the DF.

The scene cuts to the Brig where Tom is summing up the situation for us. As he dictates his letter the ship is rocked with an explosion. Kathryn's voice announces red alert and all hands to battle stations. The security officer leaves the brig and Tom is left calling out to him. The ship is struck again and Tom hits his head and falls to the floor.

The scene cuts to commercials.

When we return we are in the brig where Doc is treating Tom for what Naomi would call a "boo boo".

We learn from Doc that the five ships attacked Voyager and that Ensign Calhane used a series of brilliant evasive maneuvers to escape them. Doc tells us Kathryn is considering making Calhane the Chief Conn Officer.

Doc prepares to leave and Tom pleads with him for a medical reprieve. He complains he's going crazy and Doc asks him "Isn't that the idea?". Tom requests a full psychiatric evaluation but Doc tells him he'll see him in 20 days.

Back on the DF Tom has repaired the breach through the use of a pistol-like laser torch. Harry itemizes all the system failures (communications, shields, and propulsion) and announces the structural integrity is weakening.

Seven proposes they blow ballast in the form of plasma and anything that's not nailed down and they will slowly rise to the surface.

Tom decides they'll stay and fix the generator. He figures they won't get another chance to fix it and since they're there they might as well fix it. Harry objects, pointing out that the information downloaded might not tell them what to fix.

So Tom decides he'll put on an environmental suit and they can leave him behind until they get the DF fixed. Harry refuses to leave Tom alone. Tom asks Riga and Seven, and Riga agrees to stay. Seven explains it isn't in her nature to disagree with the collective so the mission becomes a purely voluntary one.

The scene cuts to the surface of the ocean where we see an immense swirling of water vapour escaping the containment field.

On the bridge Tuvok reports this and when Chakotay asks him how they can prevent it Tuvok suggests the ship's deflectors might help.

Kathryn orders Chakotay to try and hail the DF again. The effort fails and when Burkas asks what happens Kathryn suggests the DF went too deep for the signal to reach them.

Burkas asks if they might have had an accident and Kathryn admits this is possible and Burkas demands certainty, asking Kathryn what is he to tell the Council.

Kathryn asks him if he's more interested in the lives of the DF or his political career.

This shuts him up.

Down in the DF the shuttle is rocked by a gravimetric discharge caused by the failure in the reactor. Harry tells us the generator has been transferring power from the containment field to structural integrity. Seems the water's density has been increasing over the last few years.

Tom asks Seven if he can transfer power from DF to the generator to stabilize the containment field. She says they can but this will only be a temporary measure. An external shot of the ocean shows the swirling water vapour diminishing until it stops.

On the bridge Tuvok reports the containment has returned to normal strength and Burkas suggests this is the work of the away team. Chakotay reports that the DF is slowly surfacing.

In the DF's lab Tom has been going over the database and reveals to Riga that the ocean was once part of a planet populated by a very advanced species. Apparently they created the generator and launched it into space and then used some kind of kinetic energy beam to move the water and everything in it to the generator where it was contained.

Tom speculates this might have been in response to a disaster or perhaps an experiment. Apparently it took 200 years to complete.

Then Tom explains that the generator isn't at fault. The oxygen mining operation was destroying the ocean.

The scene cuts to Tom as a little boy, playing with a sailing ship. His head snaps to his left when he hears his father scolding him and instructing him to do his homework. Then his face snaps to the front when he hears Kathryn pronouncing judgment over him.

Then his father is telling him to go to his room. We see little Tom in the brig, sitting on the floor. His father tells him to stay there.

His father's voice turns into Harry's voice calling his name. Tom's been sleeping and having a dream.

Harry helps him to sit up and Tom asks him how he got past the guard.

Harry : "The vulcan neck pinch."

Apparently Kathryn consented to give "a few minutes" to visit Tom. He asks Tom what he's been doing and Tom tells him about the letter. However, Tom is thinking of giving it up.

Harry says that would be pointless but Tom points out his father will never hear it. Harry suggests he finish it anyway, reminding him that his father used to tell him how he never finished anything.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return, the DF docks with Voyager and we find ourselves in a briefing room where Burkas and Riga are discussing the situation with Kathryn, Tom and B'Elanna.

B'Elanna offers them a way of extracting Oxygen that won't damage the ocean, but it will take a while to become operational. Burkas is eager to go and Riga reminds him that several mining plants will have to be closed. Burkas agrees to take it under consideration and when Kathryn explains they have several more proposals Burkas suggests they give them to Riga for his report.

When Tom asks who will read the report, Burkas names a couple of sub-councils and Riga points out the situation is much too serious to wait the few months it will take.

Tom tells Burkas to listen to Riga, claiming that if they don't act soon the ocean won't survive. Burkas claims they will take it under advisement.

Then Tom suggests Burkas is just going to side-step the issue and ignore the problem.

Burkas is indignant, pointing out his family has defended the ocean for ten generations and they don't need anyone who's only visited the place for three days telling them what to do.

Burkas leaves the briefing.

Tom asks Kathryn that they not leave things this way and she asks him what he would have her do. Tom sneers, "Oh yes, the all-mighty prime directive," and Kathryn orders B'elanna from the room. She looks back at Tom as she leaves and say "I'll see you later."

Kathryn tells him to check his attitude at the door when he enters a briefing with her. She explains that they have helped the Monayans as much as they can and now it was up to them. And that the ship would be leaving the following day.

In the holodeck, Captain Proton sits trying to figure out what's happened. B'Elanna enters and Tom explains that he went down to experience his childhood fantasy but discovered a cause he believes in. He wants to protect the ocean but he's not allowed. B'Elanna hints that he could and tells him she's proud of him.

The scene cuts to the transporter room where Riga is about to beam down. Tom catches him just in time and dismisses the transporter operator.

Tom asks Riga what Riga thinks will happen. Riga claims the bureaucracy will do nothing more than a token effort. Tom asks him what should happen and Riga suggests the plants be shut down. Tom asks what would happen if someone could do this, pointing out that while they're down they might as well be refitted.

Riga begins to follow Tom's thinking but Tom points out he's not allowed to interfere unless in response to someone's direct request.

Riga agrees to do it and Tom points out he'd be risking his life. Riga agrees.

On the bridge Tuvok reports an unauthorized departure and Kathryn realizes Tom has launched the DF.

On the DF Tom takes a dive into the ocean.

The show cuts to commercials.

When we return Tom refuses Voyager's hail and Chakotay orders a tractor beam but the DF is out of range.

Burkas calls them and claims the DF has crossed the Monayan border and demands that Voyager recall the shuttle by any means necessary. Kathryn explains Tom and Riga have taken the DF without authorization.

Underwater the DF is pursued by three Monayan starships, two of which fire on the DF and both miss. Riga tells Tom they are going down too fast and Tom tells him it's the only way to outrun the Monayan ships.

The computer announces the hull pressure is critical and Kathryn commands Tom to return to Voyager.

Tom refuses the captain's request and Kathryn informs him that he is disobeying a direct order. Tom acknowledges this. And cuts off communication.

On the bridge they realize Tom is heading for the mining operations and Kathryn asks about phasers. Tuvok announces it will create a thermo-dynamic shockwave. Chakotay suggests a photon with a proximity fuse and Tuvok says it's possible to modify a torpedo. Kathryn orders this to be done.

A short time passes and Tuvok announces the torpedo is ready but that the DF is beyond targeting range.

Burkas calls them to inform them that their refinery workers have been given five minutes to evacuate the structure.

Tuvok points out that Tom will have to rise to a depth of 2 kilometres to fire his torpedo thus giving Voyager a shot at the DF.

Harry reminds them they're talking about Tom and asks are they going to fire on him. Kathryn claims Tom gave up status as a protected member of the crew when he took the DF out of the shuttle bay.

Tom starts to rise and Kathryn gives him his final warning. He ignores it.

Tom asks Riga if he wants to back out but Riga says onward. Tom instructs him to arm the missile.

By interspersing shots of Tom and Tuvok counting down we must surmise the two kilometre depth is not only DF's maximum depth for firing its missile but also Voyager's maximum depth for targeting an object underwater for a photon.

The two ships launch their missiles and Voyager's intercepts the DF missile before it can hit the refinery. Tuvok reports the photon torpedo "deflected" the DF's missile and that the DF is disabled.

Later, as Voyager is warping through space homeward bound Kathryn updates her log. The DF was salvaged and Tom was found guilty of insubordination, theft of a shuttle, reckless endangerment and behaviour unbecoming an officer. Given the opportunity to speak freely Tom explains his side and Kathryn responds with her side.

Tom admits he's broken the rules and he points out this time he did it for a reason: for something he believed in.

Kathryn admires his convictions but announces she can't ignore his actions and reduces him to Ensign and sentences him to thirty days solitary in the brig.

The scene cuts to the brig where Tuvok announces the end of the thirty days. Tuvok suggests he shave, as Tom has developed stubble on his chin.

In his quarters, after shaving, Tom receives a call from B'Elanna. She asks him if he's free for dinner and he asks her if she wants to be seen with an ex-convict. She orders him to her quarters at 0700 and adds "Ensign" as a reminder of his demotion.

Tom finishes his letter to his father, confessing he doubts he'll ever understand his father but hopes the letter will help his father understand him. He files the letter in his personal database and orders it be transmitted when the ship is within range of Earth.

The episode ends.

Personal Reflections

Despite the nits I thought the execution of the plot better done in this story that most Voyager episodes I've seen this season. Characters were more careful explaining to the audience why things were or were not possible. More attention to some details of the plot were evident.

Unfortunately there were some glaring exceptions (noted in the Nits section).

While not a perfect show this episode certainly gave us more of what I look for in a good Trek show. Adventure, danger, an astronomical anomaly and a monster to boot. Voyager managed to get away from the "Aliens want to kill us" motif (although I noticed the reference to an off-camera battle with an unidentified group of ships).

There were some bright spots in the show worth mentioning. In order of appearance the Captain Proton story was very enjoyable, mostly for its campiness. I'm certainly willing to vote in favour of several returns of the Delaney twins. Where have these ladies been hiding for four years?

The sea monster was very well done (hooray for computer graphics). Very believable and I found myself wondering what it ate ;-)

The artificial gravity generator with a containment field was a very cool idea. Well thought out and with a history as well. Its problem and required solution (no pun intended) were intelligent and explained well.

The argument between Tom and Burkas was weak. Tom's newly invented passion for the ocean didn't provide sufficient motive for him deliberately insulting Burkas. At least there is the saving grace of a nod to this unusual behaviour in the discussion between Tom and B'Elanna on the holo-deck.

Kathryn once again comes across as Captain Bligh from "Mutiny on the Bounty". Sugar sweet when romancing a diplomatic contact but cut throat at heart. I think she showed a lot of gall asking Burkas whether he was more concerned with lives or his political career. Especially since she should have been spending that time managing the rescue operation.

Fortunately she didn't figure prominently in this episode. In fact, this was primarily a Tom episode, guest starring Harry.

The relationship between B'elanna and Tom surfaces again, sort of. They are certainly interested in each other and friendly, but not exactly intimate.

I'd be interested in seeing other Biller/Miller shows.

Thank you for your attention.



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