"Heroes and Demons" 30th-anniversary reflections

Harry Kim's disappearance draws the Voyager crew into a medieval mystery as a holodeck recreation of the Old English epic Beowulf starts converting people into energy. There's just one person on the ship who can safely venture into the holographic forest to find the young ensign: the Doctor. That trip into the unknown leads to many firsts for the man briefly called Schweitzer, and reveals a very Star Trek story.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Heroes and Demons," how tapping into elements unique to the series creates a story true to the core of Star Trek, how it sets the stage for The Doctor's character, and what we think of his choice of name.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Setting (and the Sets) (00:02:11) A Doctor's Tale (00:13:03) Tapping into the Promise of Voyager (00:17:36) T'Pol Sidebar (00:24:27) Schweitzer! Schweitzer! (00:27:04) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:31:04) Closing (00:32:53)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"State of Flux" 30th-anniversary reflections

A scouting expedition to an alien planet leads to a game-changing discovery. Surprisingly, it's not leola root. Nor is it mushrooms; though these are all pretty tasty finds. Even the Kazon can't lay claim to the title, despite turning out to have Starfleet technology aboard their ship. But we're getting warmer. How did the Kazon get their hands on the tech? It looks like the Voyager crew have a traitor in their midst. As Janeway, Chakotay, and Tuvok set out to solve the Case of the Cream of Mushroom, the trail leads them to a shocking revelation. In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "State of Flux," Seska's big secret, how the story questions Starfleet ideals, and why establishing characters before plot twists matters.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Playing with Promise (00:02:35) Playing with Loyalties (00:06:37) Playing with Chakotay and Seska (00:10:49) Building Character for the Reveal (00:18:18) Questioning Starfleet Ideals (00:22:47) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:26:58) Closing (00:30:53)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Prime Factors" 30th-anniversary reflections

Having heard stories about Voyager—a ship of aliens from another part of the galaxy, lost in a world so far from home—the Sikarians decide to assist. Drawing in Voyager with a distress signal, their leader, Gath, offers a helping hand. He ain't got a clue how to get them out, but he does think he knows what they need: a little pleasure.

When Janeway accepts the offer of shore leave for the crew, Harry quickly finds a girl who's hot for stories and then finds himself miles and miles from nowhere, on the planet Alastria, 40,000 light years away. It turns out the Sikarians have a spacial trajector that can zip them around the quadrant. And with everyone on the planet hot for stories, the crew might just be able to trade all the Federation's literature for a quick ride home.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Prime Factors" and how the story challenges the principles of the crew while bringing opposing views together as it leverages the promise of the series premise.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Not Entirely Pleasurable (00:02:13) On the Other Side of the Fence (00:13:00) Conflicting Priorities (00:16:49) Can't Tech That Tech (00:25:23) Can't Flirt with Harry (00:29:25) Desperately Seeking Stories (00:31:55) Tuvok's Betrayal (00:37:45) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:48:23) Closing (00:52:53)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Emanations" 30th-anniversary reflections

Having failed to learn their lesson about roaming around in strange caves, a landing party from Voyager investigates an asteroid when they think they've discovered an unknown element. Instead of minerals, they find bodies—18 of them—and lose one of their own: Harry Kim. The eager ensign finds himself trapped in a coffin on an alien planet. What's worse is that the planet is nowhere near the asteroid. In fact, it's in another dimension. How will he get back? And what secrets of life, the universe, and everything will Janeway and her crew reveal to the poor alien woman who woke up on Voyager?

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Emanations," the exploration of aging and death, disregard for the Prime Directive, and cocoons.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Why Are We Here?! (00:02:07) How We Deal with Death (00:08:28) Other Dimensions, Other Realms (00:14:34) The Prime What?! (00:20:13) Elders and Euthanasia (00:28:51) A Shallow Exploration (00:33:31) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:38:44) Closing (00:43:39)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Ex Post Facto" 30th-anniversary reflections

While on the planet Banea, Tom Paris and Harry Kim visit the home of a scientist and are greeted by his young wife, Lidell. When the scientist is killed, Paris is accused of the murder and sentenced to relive the victim's final moments every 14 hours for the rest of his life. The Baneans believe that Lidell and Paris had an affair, and lust led to murder. But Janeway isn't buying it, and Tuvok vows to find out the truth … one memory at a time.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Ex Post Facto," the story's film noir foundation, the core science fiction concept, and whether the portrayal of Paris fits the character … to say nothing of the dog.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Eye of the Needle" 30th-anniversary reflections

The discover of a wormhole gives the Voyager crew hope that they might soon be home. But there's a catch: the wormhole is just 30 centimeters in diameter. Determined to make use of the anomaly, they figure out how to send a message in a bottle and hope for a response. The answer surprises them. Not only is it from the Alpha Quadrant, it is from a Romulan. Eventually, Janeway convinces the adversary to help them. But their hopes of being rescued are dashed by one more scientific twist.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Eye of the Needle," the story's scientific underpinnings, the crew's hopes of getting home, and the unexpected twist.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) She Blinded Me with Science (00:02:31) Inner Thoughts (00:07:03) Jeri Taylor's Janeway Influence (00:13:42) Size Matters (00:15:48) No Doctor Left Behind (00:23:01) Message in a Bottle (00:35:54) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:44:52) Closing (00:50:20)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"The Cloud" 30th-anniversary reflections

Several weeks into their journey home, both Janeway and Voyager find their energy reserves running low. For the captain, a simple trip to what used to be her private dining room for a cup of Neelix's even better than coffee substitute might be all that's needed. For the ship, however, a trip into a mysterious nebula is required. Voyager is hungry for omicron particles, and there seems to be a rich supply just ahead. But this cloud is not what it seems, and Janeway may need to turn to her animal guide to save the crew.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "The Cloud" and how the science-heavy plot wraps a character-focused story.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) How Do Starfleet Ships Run? (00:03:03) We Are Family (00:12:05) How Many Torpedoes? (00:18:29) Back to Family (00:21:25) Tiptoeing around Chakotay (00:23:34) A Poor Man's Quark? (00:35:02) Strange New Life Form (00:43:17) Sandríne's (00:47:27) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:54:44) Closing (00:57:24)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Phage" 30th-anniversary reflections

Chakotay, Kim, and Neelix beam into caves on a rogue planetoid to search for dilithium; but they come back empty-handed. Not only do they have no dilithium, Neelix left something even more important behind: his lungs. With these vital organs now in the possession of mysterious aliens, the ship's new self-proclaimed chef will have to postpone the opening of his kitchen and stay in sickbay, where the Doctor has fitted him with holographic lungs. As the crew search for the aliens and try to retrieve Neelix's organs, Janeway is confronted with an unexpected moral dilemma. After being stalked by Vidiians, you may never listen to that famous song by The Police the same way again.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Phage" and the introduction of a fascinating alien race in a story that hits right at the heart of Star Trek.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A Species with Depth (00:02:52) A Neelix Problem? (00:08:34) Cooking Up Storytelling (00:17:01) Ripe for Serialization? (00:21:07) Real-Life Science (00:25:30) Wrath and Compassion (00:28:05) The Doctor and AI Evolution (00:36:02) Kes Finds Purpose (00:42:44) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:44:26) Closing (00:48:22)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Time and Again" 30th-anniversary reflections

A planet orbiting a red dwarf presents a mystery that Janeway cannot resist, so Voyager makes a pit stop to investigate. She and Tom Paris beam to the surface and discover a timepiece that has stopped working, seemingly indicating the moment that an explosion destroyed all life. Believing there is nothing left to do, they prepare to return to the ship when the world around them suddenly changes. They've jumped back in time one day before the disaster, to a place where a singular color palette rules.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Time and Again" and whether another trip to the well of time is the best way to help viewers get to know the series in its third outing.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Going to the Well Too Many Times? (00:02:20) Budget Constraints (00:11:43) Why Are They There?! (00:16:30) Is the Mandate Clear? (00:21:35) Meeting Fan Expectations (00:27:20) Kes, Tom, and Developing Characters (00:32:57) The Technobabble Crutch (00:42:30) One World, One Outfit (00:44:47) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:48:38) Closing (00:52:28)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Parallax" 30th-anniversary reflections

Caught in a galactic escape room, the newly merged Starfleet and Maquis crews must work together to find a way out while fighting with each other. Meanwhile, the Doctor experiences shrinkage and Neelix does wonderful things with vegetables. Can Voyager become one big happy family and continue making their way home or will they remain trapped inside the event horizon of a quantum singularity?

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Parallax" and how the story advances the early concepts of the series. We also dive into Jerry Goldsmith's theme and musical mastery.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Crew Conflict (00:02:22) Forever Stranded? (00:10:46) Depth Perception (00:16:54) Better without Technobabble? (00:23:14) Finding the Characters (00:30:35) The Incredible Shrinking Doctor (00:33:31) Goldsmith's Theme (00:38:33) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:49:33) Closing (00:53:25)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Caretaker" 30th-anniversary reflections

In pursuit of Maquis rebels, the starship Voyager is pulled across the galaxy and quickly becomes entangled in local affairs. Captain Kathryn Janeway and rebel leader Chakotay, whose ship was also snagged by the entity known as the Caretaker, join forces as they look for a way back to Federation space. But first they must rescue missing crew members with the help of an odd merchant and his girlfriend. Once everyone has been safely returned, Janeway is faced with a difficult decision: take her crew home and abandon a world in need or destroy the Caretaker and strand Voyager 70,000 light years from the Federation.

In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing bring back our dedicated Voyager podcast in honor of the 30th-anniversary and kick off a retrospective that will take you through all of the series, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss "Caretaker" as well as the development of the show and its premise.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Connecting with Voyager (00:04:18) The Premise (00:15:28) Exploring the Great Unknown (00:23:05) Giving Themselves an Out (00:32:42) Getting to Know the Characters (00:39:15) Kate Mulgrew Saves the Day (00:50:34) The Prime Directive vs. Federation Ideals (00:57:27) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:04:54) Closing (01:11:14)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)