Voyager Flashback: Workforce

Star Trek: Voyager made several two-part episodes in its final season, most of which aired as "two-hour movie" events. But one aired in the conventional "come back next week for the conclusion" way. So here we are, at "Workforce." (Part one.)

Most of the crew of Voyager has had their memories erased, and have been placed in jobs in a highly industrialized alien society. As Janeway pursues a romance, B'Elanna faces single motherhood, and Tom Paris hustles to find work, Chakotay, the Doctor, Neelix, and Harry Kim must work from Voyager to find and rescue all the crew.

Voyager has already done a two-part episode where all the characters think they're someone else. So in a way, this episode is starting in a hole to be climbed out of: "been there, done that." Yet there are two subtle but key differences here that help a great deal. First, the identities here aren't being forced on Our Heroes in the way the holodeck caused them to fully portray "characters" in "The Killing Game." When they recover who they really are, they will have to wrestle more deeply with their actions as their alter egos. (Not that Voyager really does this kind of continuity... but the idea that there are lasting stakes here does change things.)

Second, and stemming from that first difference, the identities of Our Heroes have not been totally repressed. The Voyager crew on the planet are still acting in accordance with their core identities; they're simply in a different set of circumstances. Seven of Nine is still fastidious and precise. Tuvok still tries to bring logic to bear on his feelings. Tom Paris still feels drawn to B'Elanna. And all that informs Janeway's story line: if she wasn't required to be "the captain" all the time, she'd absolutely be seeking romance and companionship. (She's moving in with someone in a matter of days!)

So in some ways, this two-part episode represents a version of the series where at the end of the pilot episode, instead of setting course for the Alpha Quadrant, they all just found a random alien planet and settled there. It's like an alternate universe episode -- but in not actually being in an alternate universe, there is the possibility for unfolding events to have more of an emotional impact. We may not really get any emotional sucker punches, but we see a Tuvok that still feels "Vulcan" in some way despite laughing and feeling fear, we see a flicker of hurt when Chakotay realizes Janeway doesn't recognize him, and we have mixed emotions about Janeway feeling free enough to kiss a (non-holographic) man while unknowingly turning her back on her entire crew.

Part of why these moments don't hit harder is that they're saving story for part two. (In particular, B'Elanna will have a harder-hitting subplot there.) But also, part of it is that this episode is a little diluted with elements that don't work quite as well. Back on Voyager, there's a strange thread about the Doctor fighting to retain command of the ship (and in particular, feuding with Harry Kim) that just feels juvenile. Lots of talk about labor shortages comes up often enough that you'd think this episode is trying to make some classic Star Trek social commentary... but it never really does.

But for the most part, the story just feels big. And the budget goes big to match. This would have had to be a two-part episode just to pay for all the new sets: a two-level factory, a large bar (filled with extras), and an alien apartment. There's great CG shots of Voyager adrift in a gas cloud, a glimpse of Neelix's ship (for the first time in a while), and a sprawling alien cityscape (though the fake people walking in some of these shots are less great). There are a variety of alien makeups. Even a few cheap, "already paid for" elements look great -- there's the return of the First Contact spacesuits, and the grated staircase where the final showdown takes place was apparently just something attached to a building outside the shooting stage on the Paramount lot.

Other observations:

• Among the core traits that don't change: Janeway still talks to the computer (a new trait she recently picked up), and still somehow manages to make a replicator burn all her food.

• Speaking of food, they mention here that Chakotay is a vegetarian. I don't know that we've gotten that detail before. And I'm pretty sure we have seen (and/or will see) him eat meat on other occasions.

• The opening minutes of this episode may briefly leave you with the impression that Our Heroes are actually undercover on an alien planet (rather than unaware of their true identities). If you think that, and then are disappointed to learn what's really happening, don't be disappointed: Chakotay and Neelix do go undercover by the end of the episode!

As we end this episode, B'Elanna has been taken back to Voyager, Janeway is moving in with her new love interest, and it looks like Chakotay is about to be captured! Tune in next week to find out what happens next! But for now, I give "Workforce" a B+.