Star Trek Voyager - Vol. 1.3 - Phage / The Cloud [VHS] [1996]

"Phage" (Episode 5, Story by Timothy De Haas; Screenplay by Skye Dent and Brannon Braga; Aired: February 6, 1995) plays off the "Star Trek: Voyager" pilot in an interesting way. The ship is stuck in the Delta Quadrant because Captain Janeway put principle ahead of her crew and here we are just a few episodes later and she is confronted with essentially the same decision on a smaller scale. The episode also establishes the principle of bartering and negotiation that serves the crew in good stead as they try to get back home. "Phage" is also the episode when the Doctor comes up with the idea of Kes (Jennifer Lien) being his medical assistant (remember, the EMH was only supposed to a short term solution). It also provides a serious side to the happy go lucky Neelix, who is probably the most cheerful alien in the galaxy. Although he will always remain quaint until the very end of the series, Neelix really does provide necessary social and diplomatic skills and services to "Voyager."

In Episode 6, "The Cloud," Captain Janeway decides to investigate a nebula that has a high level of omicron particles, which could supplement the ship's energy reserves. However, something in the nebula starts draining the ship's energy. As was the case with the previous episode, "Phage," this episode plays off Janeway's tendency to put the welfare of others above those of her own crew. This, of course, was a contributing factor in the decision Janeway made in the pilot that got her vessel stuck in the Delta Quadrant. Beyond that, "The Cloud" is an above-average problem-solving "Star Trek" episode, where the scientific ideas they are throwing around actually make sense and help develop the resolution. We also see the Doctor show some abilities outside the realm of medicine. Then there is the episode's punch line when Janeway finds her senior bridge crew hanging out in a French bar on the holodeck. This is not a classic "Voyager" episode, but a very solid one that speaks well for the start the series got off to in Season 1. The first half-dozen episodes of "Voyager" are better than the same number from any other "Star Trek" series.

'The Cloud' turns out to be pretty disappointing in comparison with the first episode of the tape. They're may be coffee in that nebula, but a few good lines don't hide the fact that this one drags along for its 44 minutes, and really by the end it all turns out to be rather pointless anyway, much like this episode.

So that's one fantastic episode, and one clunker. Just one of each so far this season.