Nothing Human
- Episode aired Dec 2, 1998
- TV-PG
- 46m
When an alien parasitically latches onto B'Elanna for survival, the Doctor calls upon a holographic Cardassian doctor for assistance, unaware he's a war criminal, thereby creating an ethical... Read allWhen an alien parasitically latches onto B'Elanna for survival, the Doctor calls upon a holographic Cardassian doctor for assistance, unaware he's a war criminal, thereby creating an ethical quandary.When an alien parasitically latches onto B'Elanna for survival, the Doctor calls upon a holographic Cardassian doctor for assistance, unaware he's a war criminal, thereby creating an ethical quandary.
- Alien Creature
- (voice)
- Lt. Ayala
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRoxann Dawson did not find this episode a comfortable experience. She cited this as the worst episode she ever took part in, due to the fact that her pet dog died during filming, and all she had to do for that week, while grieving, was lie on a bio-bed.
- GoofsThe Doctor and Crell are transferred from Holodeck two over to the sickbay. Since they are both holograms, this is something that can easily be done. The Doctor, however, has his mobile emitter on at the time. This is a physical piece of equipment, but it is shown to transfer over as though it was holographic.
- Quotes
[Cpt. Janeway and several crew members are listening to a very boring presentation by the Doctor on the holodeck]
Harry Kim: [on the bridge] 2100 hours, Commander. All systems reporting normal.
Chakotay: Acknowledged.
Harry Kim: Like I said, it's 2100 hours.
Chakotay: I heard you the first time, Harry.
Harry Kim: They've been in there over an hour.
Chakotay: I'm aware of that.
Harry Kim: Didn't the Captain ask you to rescue them after 30 minutes?
Chakotay: Harry, you and I were lucky enough to enjoy the Doctor's scintillating exhibition for two full hours. Would it really be fair of us to deny our friends the same unforgettable experience?
Harry Kim: [smiling] Of course not, sir.
In a nutshell, the crew encounters an injured member of insect-like alien race that attaches itself to Torres to sustain its life. The doctor (an Emergency Holographic Doctor: EMH) cannot figure out how to safely remove the organism so he creates a new holographic doctor from a portion of the ship's medical database that's not part of his own to assist. Unfortunately this doctor was based off a real Cardassian doctor that used cruel methods to acquire his research. Torres says she'd rather die than be assisted by this man and the audience is then treated to the controversy surrounding all sides of this situation.
First; the (sometimes nerdy) reasons why I think this was a bad Voyager episode: 1) The doctor is software. He shouldn't need to create another doctor to analyze this data. He should be able to read it in the same way Microsoft Word can read any word document I give it.
2) A few episodes ago the doctor was sent away so Paris and Kim attempt to create a backup doctor. This proves impossible. Then in this episode the Doctor and Kim quickly create a brand new EMH. And it was just a bit too easy to create this doctor and his personality.
3) We see Bajorian crew members (a race serious oppressed by the Cardassians) but I don't remember seeing any Bajorians on the ship before or after this episode. How convenient! 4) Torres would rather die than be treated by this Cardassian recreation or his research. While I don't doubt her convictions, this position would sound more plausible coming from an actual Bajorian than a Human-Klingon hybrid.
Second: Why I believe this would have made a better episode for DS9: 1) The DS9 doctor is human. Genetically enhanced, but human nonetheless. Therefore it would be believable for him to not know or not be able to assimilate Cardassian research. Being close to Cardassian space he could easily get the Cardassian in question or a protégé.
2) DS9 had an actual Bajorian (Kira) in its main cast. It would have seemed more natural for this Bajorian individual to be adamant against using this Cardassian research than Voyager's Torres. Bajorans popped up on that show all the time so their opinions would have seemed natural and not a convenient plot device.
3) I was nerdy enough to check the dates and this show was dated about a year after DS9's Kira gave birth to a human couple's child. If the concept of this show existed at that time, a DS9 version could have exploited that for further drama. With Kira being pregnant you immediately add more sides to the story. With the child not being hers you have a situation where the actual parents can cause additional friction. Oh well.
So I disliked how it was shoehorned into Voyager and cannot watch this episode without thinking it belonged on DS9.
- scs0
- Mar 30, 2007
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3