Caretaker

VOYAGER REVISITED: Caretaker Discussion Thread
Jules -- 11 Jul 2001, 13:19 GMT

"Wait. Let me guess. You were whisked away from somewhere else in the galaxy, and brought here against your will." -- Neelix

"Sounds as though you've heard this story before." -- Kathryn Janeway

Jules

Caretaker assignment accepted
Diane -- 11 Jul 2001, 15:56 GMT

Will watch tomorrow night and report on Friday.

Since this was my suggestion I might as well start the discussion
D -- 11 Jul 2001, 18:34 GMT

Definitely the best of the pilots.

Likes: Good introduction to the characters, including some of the traits that came to define them - Doc's gruff manner; Torres's "Klingon side"; Ensign Eager; Janeway worrying about the crew; Tom taking chances; Kes talking others around to what's "right"; even Chakotay crashing a ship, though here at least it was deliberate . Really set up the Kim/Torres and Kim/Paris friendships.

When Janeway is making her speech at the end, during the part about "seek out new worlds" the background music has a few chords from the TOS theme. The whole speech really defined the show.

"At ease before you sprain something."

"I don't need anyone to choose my friends for me."

Voyager pulling away from DS9 - the ship looks so clean and new.

Prime Directive:

I don't have any PD issues with Janeway's destroying the Array. The Caretaker made it clear he intended to destroy the Array so as not to let the Kazon acquire his technology and wipe out the Ocampa. If the Kazon ship hadn't crashed into the Array the self-destruct would have worked. Since the ship crashed because it was in a fight with Voyager & the Maquis after they'd inadvertently made an enemy of the Kazon, Janeway's actions assured the outcome that would have existed had they not become involved.

I did notice some things that were questionable re: the PD. First, when Neelix doesn't know what "beam over" means, they probably should have just tractored his ship in then met him in the shuttle bay. A minor point since he ended up transporting with them to/from Ocompa twice. A more problematic situation is the encounter with the Kazon on the planet's surface. They should never have told the Maj that they have technology to produce unlimited water, let alone that it was integrated into the ship's systems. An open invitation for them to go after Voyager. In their defense, Janeway & company were used to an area of space where such technology is taken for granted. They learned the hard way that the part of the Delta Quadrant they found themselves in was not as advanced.

Dislikes: Did we really need Quark? I realize they were trying to establish Kim's credentials as green, fresh out of the Academy v. cynical Paris, but there were enough other scenes where Kim's inexperience was obvious that this one doesn't seem necessary.

My big gripe, though, is and was with the holographic setting on the Array. With access to the Maquis ship's and Voyager's databases why choose a setting more than 400 years in the past (the clothes look like what the Waltons wore, 1930's/40's)? If he wanted a familiar atmosphere it would have made more sense to set in on a "contemporary" farm, or better yet in a park or the shore, which could be more generic, less obviously Earth?

General Observations: Watching it now, after seven years with the characters, I did notice some things that stick out as "we're just learning this stuff". Some of Janeway's orders in the first hour sounded a bit tentative; Tuvok's delivery comes off as a lot more stilted, as if Russ started out trying to sound like Nimoy; everyone seemed hesitant about the technobabble; and the prat falls when the ship is shaking are way too exaggerated.

Only a few obvious glitches - The Maj says the Ocampa live 2 miles, not 3 (actually 3.2) kilometers, underground. The Ocampa doctor tells Harry & B'Elanna that the Caretaker has been providing for them for 500, which if each generation is 4-5 years = 2000-2500 years, but Tuvok says more than a millennium, not more than two.

Why Quark?
Janeway216 -- 11 Jul 2001, 18:53 GMT

Because they had traditionally brought in a character from the previous series to "kick off" the new show.

Admiral McCoy performed an inspection tour of the Enterprise-D before she set sail.

Captain Picard came to see Sisko in "Emissary."

And Quark picked on Harry Kim before Voyager left.

It's simply a traditional part of the Trek franchise (although if they do something dumb for Enterprise I'll kill 'em).

From the other side, though, I can see your point: Why Quark? Why not Sisko paying his respects to Janeway and offering tips on how best to get around the Badlands?

Probably money and availability issues. The same way it was Bashir working with Data in "Birthright," which did seem a little implausible to me.

216

Since I had a chance to watch it last night
Nina -- 11 Jul 2001, 18:54 GMT

I'll go next.

Rebuttal, minor point: I thought the PD only applied to pre-warp civilizations. Granted, the Voyagers had a lot to learn about the advisability of sharing technology with DQ species! But I never thought the PD should have applied to Neelix or the Kazon - just that Janeway et al should have been wary of them on other grounds.

Things I loved:

Bad Attitude, Salt-and-Pepper Chakotay. I lost some writing time to just staring at him. WOW.

Janeway with her innocence intact. She's a Starfleet captain, and she's experienced a lot of things in her life so far - but NOTHING like what's just beginning. I especially love her "phone call to Mark" scene, every time I see it.

Tom sliding into the helm chair when the moment comes that he's needed there.

Tuvok admitting he misses his family, and Janeway promising to get him back to them.

I like your analysis of why destroying the array "worked" for you, D. Can't add to or disagree with a thing in it.

"Sounds as though you've heard this story before."
Deb47 -- 12 Jul 2001, 12:53 GMT

And in truth, we had.

In Kirk's version, his crew was threatened with being whisked away numerous times, but Captain Kirk et al always saved the day.

In Picard's series, his ship was taken to the far side of beyond at least twice... the most memorable for me was the one where Barclay turned into a superbrain and re-engineered the ship to bring them there... and back.

In Sisko's series... well, they were sent into the future and looked like they were stuck there... but through ingenuity and Odo's sacrifice of his people (anyone ever grouse about him changing "the future?") they got back.

This series opened with a very well know theme...

...and then stood it on its head.

They were whisked away...

...and couldn't get back.

Now THIS could get interesting, I thought lo so many years ago!

D47

(Will be back later Cap'n. Had to skip my assignment for a birthday party last night.)

CARETAKER...."The Road Not Travelled"
Mindy -- 12 Jul 2001, 23:26 GMT

I went over to Delta Blues and reread Jim's summary and analysis....and I came way remembering one thing:

How pissed off I was that TPTB did not follow through with so much of the promise of VOYAGER; did, in fact, kill so much of its premise within the first six months:

1) Chakotay's mistrust, and I would even say DISLIKE, for Tom Paris, and the fact that he now feels he owes his life to someone he very much wishes hadn't been the one to save it.

2) The close friendship and respect Tuvok and Katherine had for each other, one that was based on years of working together; okay, they gave us bit and pieces of it, but it seemed to me that it was only when the writers checked their "Bibles" and remembered that these two were supposed to be each other's "Damion and Pythas."

3) VOYAGER is all alone, without a base for resupplies, now a mix of outlaws and Starfleet, and yet it maintained its shiny, just-out-of-drydock appearance for seven years!

4) The psychological ramifications of being isolated from everything they know; okay, we got NIGHT and a B'lanna's depression-that-was-shown-and-solved-in-one-episode, but there was SO MUCH to be mined, and TPTB just didn't do it.

5) The biggest mistake, in my not-so-humble opinon: Erasing the "Maquis" factor within a few episodes (this goes along with #1). Part of the story should have been the melding of these two disparate groups of people into one cohesive unit. Some of you may argue that this happened, and, yes, it did, but it HAPPENED WAY TOO FAST!!!!! The first year could have been stuffed with character bits, Plot B's and even Plot A's concerning the major psycho-socio-political viewpoints, battles, bumps and bruises that should have occurred as these two groups cohesed. The first year, again in my not-so-humble opinion, should have ended with the realization that the ship had survived because through those last "12 months" the group had earned each other's gruding respect, familiarity, and yes, friendship. I think if TPTB had stuck to this original plan the show would not have lost so much of its original fan base and would have been much stronger for it.

Mindy

She doesn't ask you to do something she won't do.
Deb47 -- 13 Jul 2001, 01:32 GMT

It was neat at how much exposition went on in this pilot... how much background was given to set up the premise.

The teaser, with Chak/Tuvok/Torres in the fight/flight of their lives... seemingly winning... only to "lose".

The credits roll, and we still haven't seen a single starfleet uniform!

Then we finally get a glimpse of our new Captain.

Someone not afraid from the get go, to get her hands dirty. She didn't send a gopher for Tom, she went to the prison herself. And she didn't let him buffalo her... he "would be an observer"... and that was all.

Will she fall apart when she breaks a nail? He!!, her whole ship breaks apart, and she's in there pulling debris aside, taking her 1st officer's nonexistant pulse and the ship's pulse as well. When a frantic call comes from Engineering, she's on the way to save what she can.

Micromanaging, some might scoff.

MANAGING, I maintain!

Preventing a core breech, scanning her prison, trying to scam the holograms for information they don't want to give. Keeping her people calm and focused...

Sigh.

I could go on...

...cuz Janeway sure as Heck did.

Establishing a truce with Chakotay, not afraid to butt heads/chests with same, trying to bluff a Caretaker, not ashamed to ask for help from the dregs of the DQ, trying to bargain with the Kazon, flying by the seat of her pants when she finds herself in the middle of her first Neelix scam, Spelunking the interior of Ocampa, infiltrating the Array again with her trusty sidekick, and pi$$ing off some Kazon majorly by blowing this same Array to kingdom come.

Despite this blatant Homage to Janeway... the really awesome thing was... SHE wasn't the only interesting person we met that night!

Chakotay! Yum, yum!

(And NO... I'm no longer talking his alter ego... Beltran)

Chakotay!

Awesome in the teaser... distrustful in their first comm/viewscreen chat, betrayed in his first visit to her bridge, willing to "join forces" for the greater good of "finding B'Elanna", sensitive towards the aging banjo man, steadfast on and under Ocampa, courageous in his offer to die rather than let Tom risk his rescue, courageous in his sacrifice of his ship for "the cause of defeating the Kazon", sensitive in his "hand on the shoulder" thanksgiving to the "Crack Starfleet Transporter Chief" that saved him from Oblivion, honorable in his restraint of Torres as she challenged the Captain of the ship they now sought refuge upon.

Speaking of TOM PARIS!

I know, we weren't, but how could I go further without mentioning HIM?

Pushing the bravado with Janeway in New Zealand... pushing the envelope with Stadi in the shuttle, letting the green ensign twist in the wind, so he "learns" the lesson they obviously didn't teach very well in the academy, only to turn around and save him from the evil Ferengii Capitalist.

I'm sorry... but that scene will always make me think of my college days. After graduation, a friend 2 years my junior reminded me of a "time when I saved her" from being trolley meat in Boston. I laughed and said the action was so instinctual, "I" didn't even remember the incident. She did, and never stepped in front of one again.

I suspect Tom knew "Harry" would never let a Ferengi corner HIM again!

He was "righteous" with the Doctor, curt with his "new friend", snarky with the Commander who didn't want to shake his hand, "Johnny on the spot" when it came to backing up Harry in the sickbay fire and dealing with an arorgant program, helpful on the array, insightful when he was returned to the ship, righteous in standing up to Beltran AND Janeway on the bridge, steadfast on Ocampa, showing leadership abilities in the search for Harry/B'Elanna under Ocampa, heroic in returning for the missing Captain, and courageous in refusing to let a man who hated him die without a good faith try on HIS part!

Sigh.

And we haven't even MENTIONED how well he piloted/commanded Voyager while Tuvok & Janeway were off communing with the caretaker...

...Nor how the New Zealand sun showed off his beautiful BLUE eyes.

And then there was B'Elanna.

Hot-tempered in the teaser... but giving her Commander WHAT he wanted... a "fighting chance for life"... as McCoy once said to Kirk in ST-III.

Hot-tempered under Ocampa... and yet willing to listen to an ensign that was OBVIOUSLY still wet behind the ears.

(What is it about this ensign...like a puppy dog he seduced 2 of the hardest (softest?) hearted tough "guys" on the ship the first time they met him!)

Hot-tempered, and yet sweet, encouring the ensign beyond the limits he thought he had... jumping off the exam table into a firefight that could kill her, jumping at a Captain who mightdo the same?

THIS was the pilot?

Will 7 years be LONG enough to tell all the stroies these guys have?

D47

(Be back later)

Re: CARETAKER...."The Road Not Travelled"
AChampagne -- 13 Jul 2001, 02:11 GMT

Mindy, you put your finger on what I was thinking. That they deliberately left questions open, set us up for more info on some of these people, left us wanting more. And as I reflect on some of those question now. . .I am still wanting more.

Andrea

Re: Meanwhile... back at the ranch.
Deb47 -- 13 Jul 2001, 03:37 GMT

Those 4 stood out for me like a bleaking beacon.

And yet, there was even more.

The "Puppydog Ensign", for one.

Did I say he seduced 2 of the hardest/softest hearts the minute he met them?

I meant three.

"It's not crunchtime yet, Ensign. I'll tell you when."

Talk about Puppydogs... was I the only one who smiled when he first beamed aboard?

Little did Janeway know... that this puppy had teeth!

"Put your weapons down, or he dies, in an instant!"

Not to mention... Hormones!

"Hello sweeting!"

Talk about plot twists! They were about as likely a couple as... Kira and Odo.

But as willowy as she seemed... she hid a shaft of steel in her spine and wasn't shy about showing it.

To Neelix ("They saved me"... "I saved you!"... "With THEY'RE help!")

To her leaders ("We developed a skill for dependence!")

We learned how truely amazing was her feat, to leave the safety of her society and to reach for... to "see the sky".

The Doctor seemed only there for comic relief... and didn't strike much else in me during the pilot.

Amazing what a difference a few years would make!

People, including Beltran & Wang... have derided this show for its easy replicators (RB) or for its Keystone villians who could fly starships but would fall over for a glass of water (GW)... and yet these Villians epitomized the critics out there who talk about things being "too" easy.

In a technological society that has never heard of a replicator, or a transporter... the "little things" of life ARE important.

Inother words... to quote that wonderful old "Wild West philosophy"...

"Whiskey's for drinking. WATER's for FIGHTING over!

And finally, after 2 series, with perhaps 10 years of shows...we finally get another Vulcan as a regular member of the family!

"I am Vulcan."

"Neelix! Glad to meet you... Mr Vulcan!"

Sigh.

Its been nearly 30 years since one came aboard... and they STILL make the BEST straight men!

This ep was great at not only introducing characters, and possibilities, it also gave us readymade friendships. It was clear, the woman who came looking for her tactical officer, who talked to his family before she left on her mission, prized his friendship and counsul greatly.

But like Kirk... just because he was smarter and logical... didn't always make him "right".

She still had to make the final decisions on her own... and she didn't shy away from it.

I must agree with "D".

Destroying the Array, wasn't a "Prime Directive" kind of thing.

Both the Caretaker and the Kazon were warp capable species, and it was clear that the Caretaker planned to destroy the Array in order to save at least this generation of Ocampa.

Janeway's appearance on the Array arguably could have distracted him from implementing the destruct sooner.

The fight between Voyager and the Kazon led to the Kazon ship destroying part of the Array and therefore the self destruct.

Janeway didn't "ask" to be involved... but the actions of the Caretaker and the Kazon definately invited her to the party.

She could have been "holier than thou", and ignored the moral dilemma and just tried to use the array to "go home"... hoping they would succeed before Kazon replacements arrived.

But... "what would it benefit her... if she gained the world and lost her soul?"

"Sounds like you've heard this story before."

Yes.

Thousands of times.

Well... maybe hundreds.

Well, maybe fifty times.

Well, between TOS, TNG, DS9... maybe only 5 times.

Still.

When she stood on that bridge...

...filled with Starfleeters that were just getting to know each other, not to mention in some cases to know themselves...

...and Maquis that were just trying to get used to working with Starfleet instead of blowing it up or running from it...

... I realized, that "no".

I hadn't heard THIS story before.

Thank god.

D47

I laugh now remembering...
Janey -- 13 Jul 2001, 07:21 GMT

how adament I was against watching this show. I refused to watch it in the months before it aired and even the day the pilot aired I was still debating. I was a TNG girl through and through. Two teachers talked me into it - well made it a homework assignment anyway, I had to tape it. Just watch it, they said. You'll see. It's your kind of show. *sigh*

FINE.

The next day they said "I told you so."

I was hooked. What wasn't to like?

It began with a battle; the first person we see is a handsome 'renegade.' We're briefly introduced to the Vulcan and half-Klingon by his side. It is obvious they are the underdog, after all they are trying to "be creative with a thirty-nine year old re-built engine." They make a valiant fight and a narrow escape only to disappear in the wake of an unusual wave.

Nothing hits an emotional chord like the fight of an underdog. Soon after the Maquis disappear we meet another underdog, courtesy of Kathryn Janeway, a Mister Tom Paris. A short while later the baby faced Ensign Kim. Then a junk trader named Neelix and the elfin Kes. At pilot's end two crews, two guides, and a holographic doctor are the underdog facing a journey of epic proportions led by a woman who had enough courage for all of them.

What's not to like?

The handsome renegade is full of spit and vinegar or at least seemed to be. He's got a good reign on that tmeper of his and cools his heels when he needs to. He knows when to step in - "Have one of your cracker jack transporter chiefs ready." - and he knows when to step aside - "She's the captain." A calm, clear headed thinker - little did he realize how important that was.

The Vulcan by his side was not who he appeared to be. Not a Maquis renegade but a Starfleet security officer, as well as a loyal friend, husband, and father. Stoic by nature but not completely devoid of emotion. He misses his family. "As I do them," he says, he may not show it, but his pain is hidden in the deepness of his eyes. A voice of reason in a time of crisis and a patient ear for his friend's dilemma.

A young half Klingon woman - an engineer with an attitude. She has her own battle of control, a battle within. Internal wrestling match is written all over her face but she refuses to appear weak. And she is the only one with the guts to question one person's decision for the lives of more than one hundred. "Who is she to be making that decision for all of us?" She's definitely got spunk.

There's a man with an attitude, a chip on his shoulder and eyes full of mischief plucked from a penal colony to be an observer. You'd expect him to be the pain but some things are so ingrained that despite your failures you still do them - obey orders, give a hand where its needed and help your friends. And your not so good friends. He's a pretty good pilot to boot and definitely optimistic. "I only wish your father could know." "Oh he will...when we get back."

He had a baby face - one look and you knew this kid graduated five minutes ago and was born yesterday. But wait, that boy ain't so soft (though he was wound up so tight he could 'sprain something'). Two senior officers warn him away from the traitor and what does he say about it? "No one chooses my friends for me." So he has a mind of his own - that's a relief. Then he's trapped on a planet with a deadly illness (did TPTB mean to foreshadow Harry's biologically turbulent seven years?) and an equally deadly half Klingon with an attitude. And he wins her over. Huh.

The poor Doc. We don't see him much but his first(?) day of activation wasn't a good one. No other doctors or nurses, just a baby ensign who doesn't know a medical tricorder from the standard. And he can't even turn himself off. "Is the crew always this difficult?" I hate to tell him, but the times that will follow aren't a walk in the park.

And then there's the funny little fur ball floating around a debris field - and spouts one of my favorite lines - "That's a very impressive title. I have no idea what it means but it is impressive." He's a bit of a swindler. He's getting all the water he wants to guide these people where he wants to go and gets them to save his girlfriend to boot. Not bad. But he's 'starfleet struck' and decides to stick with the lost souls. What a guy.

Jim Wright said it best: "an adorable pixie of a character, a voice like chocolate silk, a heart as large as the Delta Quadrant, and a passion for exploration that perfectly suited the starship experience." That little elf was something else all right. She had Janeway wrapped around her finger before she leapt off the biobed. And if not then, then it was definitely when she told off Toscot. That little thing had no talent for dependence. She's an independent, curious thinker with a heart of gold.

And then there was our captain. In the first 20-30 minutes of the show we see her: pull a man out of prison, talk sweet talk to her fiance, worry about her pregnant dog, tease a newbie ensign, get yanked across the galaxy, lose her first officer and helm officer not to mention her chief engineer, barks orders, prevents a warp core breech, and gets swept away...to a farm? Talk about your bad days...

And then discovers the people she intended to capture, along with her old friend, in some sort of medical lab. Then she loses that newbie ensign she teased - her worry and guilt evident. So she proposes a compromise with her would be captives. And then allies with a junk trader and saves his girlfriend and provokes a bunch of crabby aliens.

Then when all is said and done - despite the hellish first week on the job - she STILL stand by what she thinks is right and destroys the only possible short cut home - the Caretaker's array.

And so a motley crew set out most likely to encounter all kinds of adversity. They had to take on the challenge of surviving on their own, hoping to evolve and do better than they think they will.

And their caretaker spoke:

"Somewhere along this journey we'll find a way back. Mr. Paris, set a course...for home."

It is funny. How could I ever think I wouldn't love this show?

Right on target, Mindy.
Janeway216 -- 13 Jul 2001, 21:04 GMT

I didn't watch "Caretaker" as the Voyager premiere. I'm not even sure we had UPN in this market when Voyager premiered. So the first time I saw it was when the syndication loop started with it.

Look at the potential! I said. Everything that you brought up was THERE and was waiting to be acted on and would have been SO GOOD . . . and it was all gone by "Parallax."

I still pine for the "Voyager" that could have been.

216

In seven years with all the complaints, I still love Caretaker
Roxanne -- 14 Jul 2001, 01:34 GMT

D47, I agree with all you said. Janeway meets with my approval the minute she meets up with Tom.

Chakotay, well, his dimples sucker me into liking him.

Tom reminds me of my little brother who always got into scraps, and then I got him out.

Not sure about B'Ellana, or Tuvok yet, but Kim is just a little too trusting.

A few nits that bug me.

At the farm, Tom mentions that all the crew are accounted for. He can't know that as they still don't know for sure how many are dead on Voyager.

Also Harry mentions that there are Sporosthitian life signs. How can he know that when they don't even know what they are looking for?

Why, oh, why did they change Chakotay's hair style. Love that peppered look.

Roxanne

Re: Suckers for Dimples...
Displaced Nebbie -- 14 Jul 2001, 03:20 GMT

Believe it or not, I never NOTICED the Dimples till "Elogium".

I just gravitated to his "Angry warrior" persona.

Yum Yum.

with you on the "Sporocistene lifesign" thing, unless that's just a "designation" like silicon based lifesigns... or carbon based lifesigns...

with you on the # accounted for also... unless they also polled everyone regarding "who" was "known dead". If we have a crew of 150 + an observer, and "7" are known dead... and 144 are accounted for...

I reread an Omni magazine article from 2/95 about the "New Star Trek" show, and laughed at a couple things.

First, it called her "Katherine Janeway"

Second, it called Mulgrew definately "Hepburn-like"

Third, both Tim Russ and Ethan Phillips were scifi fans before they were on Voyager.

Fourth, they kept repeating TV Guide's prediction that Neelix would be the "break out character" on the show.

Guess TV Guide isn't right all the time.

Speaking of TV guide... when I looked at that montage poster of all the trek covers, I noticed the mag finally figured out how to "make money".

Print Trek covers.

It only took them 30 years to figure it out.

The 1st series had 3 covers. TNG had maybe 2 during the run, and shared honors on at least 2 others. DS9 had something like 7... a couple were shared honors also.

Voyager shared and alone, had something like 9 or 11 weeks of covers.

Scott, you have some big shoes to fill.

D47

I hope Hagan has a sense of humor in his life.
Roxanne -- 14 Jul 2001, 15:13 GMT

It isn't going to be easy being known as Mr. Captain Kathryn Janeway.

On the other hand, It will help to further his political career.

Roxanne

Re: Humor...
Deb47 -- 14 Jul 2001, 17:13 GMT

Oh, I think he does, RoxannE, she really "gave it' to him when she called him "Mr Mulgrew" in Cleveland, and he gave it back to her when he went down on his knees to do the "I'm not worthy" bow.

D47

Re: Why did they change the "Peppered" look?
Deb47 -- 14 Jul 2001, 17:17 GMT

Because they KNEW even she couldn't resist THAT look for seven years!

D47

That's the first sensible explanation I've heard!
Nina -- 14 Jul 2001, 18:00 GMT

LOL, Deb!

Well, rewatched Caretaker last night...
Displaced Nebbie -- 15 Jul 2001, 21:25 GMT

What can I say? Its been on my mind lately!

Even got my Mom to watch it. She didn't start watching Voyager until season 6, and I told her it was about "time" she saw how it all began.

Anyway, after rewatching it with the girls 2 weeks ago, and Mom this week, several things struck me.

One, I was glad that other people laugh in the same spots I do, when watching this show.

Two... whoever said that acting is taking the "small" parts and infusing them with a look or an action to magnify their part, only needs to watch Caretaker for vindication.

RDM's performance as Tom Paris last night was a wonderful example.

First, although he was supposedly a "typical ladies man", eyeing Janeway in New Zealand, flirting with Stadi on the shuttle, not to mention the hologram on the Array... the only "lady" that really caught his attention was when Stadi cooed... "There she is. Intrepid class... sustained velocity 9.975, 15 decks, crew complement of 141, with bioneural gel packs."

Before that little speech, Stadi wasn't all that warm and sensual, but like a good pilot... like Tom Paris, she only really lit up for the "true" love in their lives.

A good ship.

Beyond the "drooling over the Voyager" scene, however, I really found myself watching him as he stood in the background on the bridge... clenching his fist before the displacement wave hit, and afterwards hovering behind Janeway... sneaking under her radar to peak at various monitors as they both worked to assess the damage. Looking over his shoulder to run after Harry when "he" was given a job but "Tom" wasn't during the mop-up.

Of course my favorite scene will forever be on the bridge "near the end", when Janeway turns to him and tells him he has "the con"... his eyes don't believe it... but he jumps for the chair before she can come to her senses. THIS is what he's trained for and hoped for all his life. he just had to go to the DQ to get it.

D47

My take on "Caretaker"
Shadda -- 15 Jul 2001, 23:13 GMT

I don't know why this seems so hard to do, but for some reason it does. Maybe all the woulda, coulda, shouldas involved. I couldn't decide whether of not I should be talking from retrospect or as though I had just seen it and had no history with the show. That's hard to do.

Anyway, I loved this show. It was fabulous and I just adored all of the characters. I even liked Neelix.

What an interesting dynamic cast of characters. I adored Janeway. That woman has spunk! I like spunk What a scary situation she finds herself in. She has a lot to learn and will be doing it while flying by the seat of her pants. Talk about trial by fire. I am left with the feeling of confidence and faith.

I adored Kes, another woman with spunk. Pixie or not, I wouldn't mess with her. She is adorable and tough. What an exciting combination. She will be one of the ones to give us the sense of wonder we lose far to soon in our lives.

I was mesmerized by B'Elanna, yet another woman with spunk. As I said, I like spunk. She speaks her mind and has a chip on her shoulder. I can't wait to see what put it there and how she, with sheer will and determination, will remove it herself.

These are women that won't be walked on or shuffeled aside during the exciting times. These are women that will stand up for themselves and others and fight the good fight.

Now, Tom! Wow, do I love this character. So much going on beneath the surface. What really happened at Caldik Prime, I want more then just pilot error. I want details so I can decide for myself. Why don't you like your dad Tom? I can't wait until you tell us. Those eyes, the things he can do with them. The tanrished star, I look forward to watching him polish that star and set it up in the sky for all to see.

Chakotay, angry, confident, determined, betrayed. I look forward to watching him overcome his inclination to take charge. I look to his learning to listen and give advice. I look forward to his reaching out to a bitter pilot with the hand of friendship. He has the maturity. He has the confidence. He will teach his crew to share and "play nice" with their enemy so they can become a team. He will champion their rights and make sure they aren't overlooked by the Starfleet personnel. He will have to play a key part in keeping that ship running on more then one level.

Tuvok, I really like this guy. Sardonic wit, logical and loyal. He will be fun to watch as he puts up with all the emotionalism going on around him. He will have to keep his own council on occasion since I don't, at this time, see any other Vulcans on board. I can see the rest of the crew testing his patience to it's absolute limit. The tension between he and Chakotay will have to be played out over several episodes but they will eventually have to make up. It will be interesting to see how they treat his betrayal of Chakotay, even if it was as a spy. He misses his family. I love that.

Harry, what a little cutie. Not something he would like to hear about himself. Also, what a stand up guy. He is definately his own man, and he will have to be with the two people he has chosen as friends. Paris and Torres could easily ride roughshod over him. He will have to be strong, but they will teach him a lot and will probably look out for him and protect him, even when he doesn't want to be protected.

What can I say about Neelix. Like I said, I like him. He will be a great asset, once he learns to look out for others instead of just himself.

Doc. Not much to say there. He is funny. Rude but funny. I like him and it will be interesting to watch the crew start to take him seriously. I just hope we aren't going to develop another Data.

Now, the show itself. It was fun and a great adventure. An appropriate beginning of what should be an epic adventure. I agreed with Janeway, of course, she had to blow up the array or this would have been the shortest series in history. I do wish her hands had been a little more tied and she had had no other choice. I don't like the thoughts of 70 years of guilty angst. That kind of angst can never be resolved. Don't get me wrong, I love angst, but we already have the Tom guilty angst, lets not over do it.

What I would like to see in the future. I want to see how Janeway and Chakotay learn to share some of their leadership duties. Janeway is the Captain, but Chakotay has to bring his crew around to that way of thinking. It won't be easy. Tom is a great catalyst between the two crews. How he works with hatred surrounding him and how he gains their trust and confidence should be interesting to watch.

One thing they do have is plenty of crew. With a compliment of 150 they have more then enough crew to keep everyone from having to work double shifts. The original crew was only 141 so they have extras now. But, do certain areas not have enough skilled crew left. Having to train people in areas they have no interest isn't gong to be easy. What they don't have are supplies. Scrounging around for those will be difficult.

Okay, I'm tired and I'm done. Stick a fork in me.

Shadda

I couldn't agree with you more Deb
Shadda -- 15 Jul 2001, 23:19 GMT

I really noticed that whole change that comes over him when he see Voyager for the first time. I really apprecited everyone's performances. They weren't nearly as stiff and stilted as I thought they would be upon rewatching.

Shadda

Re: "Spunk"
Deb47 -- 16 Jul 2001, 04:25 GMT

You are right, Shadda... boy would Lou Grant "hate" this show!

Glad you came to the party.

What a great review of a wonderful pilot.

I agree with your "angst" about "do we review with our foreknowledge", or just "sit back and enjoy the ride?"

I vote for "enjoy the ride"...

And I think we can (nearly) all agree... the ride will be wonderful for at least the next three years.

D47

Although I didn't do my "homework" . . .
Janeway216 -- 16 Jul 2001, 22:28 GMT

. . . I'll just try to fudge the "class discussion" like I did when I was in high school!

Looking back with seven seasons of hindsight, what I rue most about "Caretaker" is the sheer promise there that was never fulfilled. It almost feels like a pilot for a different show. There's a great deal of sunny idealism, some intriguing characterization that had faded by the end, and a plot that manages to serve all the characters -- not just the ones the producers like.

Speaking of the plot, I think it holds up well over the years. It moves nicely along without an excess of talk. Considering that they only had roughly ninety minutes to work with, we're given good broad glances at each character, enough to leave lots of room for filling in later.

There's Chakotay, the Really-Only-Mildly-Angry Warrior. There's B'Elanna Torres, the Angry Klingon Gal. There's Tuvok, the Vulcan. There's Tom Paris, the Renegade. There's Captain Janeway, the Leader. There's Harry Kim, the Newbie. There's the Doctor, the Mechanical Man. There's Neelix, the Rascal. And there's Kes, the Enigma.

They're a good lot. There's lots of sparks between them. I only wish some of them had been fanned into flame.

And, indeed, "Caretaker" holds its own among the Trek pilots. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" suffered, I think, from Roddenberry wanting to put some grandiose message in it about the frailty of man and the dangers of absolute power. "Encounter at Farpoint" was dated even during its time, from when TNG was trying to emulate TOS rather than embracing the fact that they were a completely new show and needed to go their own way. "Emissary" gets too "cerebral". But "Caretaker"? Action, intrigue, love, hate . . . it's there. It's masterful. It leaves you begging for next week.

None of the others really did that for me.

If I'd seen "Caretaker" as the first episode of Voyager, young, bright, and idealistic, I'd have signed on with this crew in a heartbeat.

As Harry said, so many years later . . . "To the journey."

216
Who may find the time to post even MORE later.

Re: CARETAKER...."The Road Not Travelled"
Sherry -- 18 Jul 2001, 00:45 GMT

I feel exactly the same way, Andrea: The writers set up a challenging, fiery situation in the forced mixture of the Starfleet and Maquis crews--and then ignored SO many questions and possibilities. It frustrated (and frustrates) me, too!

Sherry