After conducting a strange first contact, Neelix and Janeway return to Voyager in a shuttle, only to find that the ship has been overrun by giant, flying viruses. Neelix is quickly overcome, leaving Janeway to get her Rambo on. Stripped down to a tank top and a phaser-rifle, she and the Doctor work on a way to combat the viruses before the ship and its crew are completely lost.
This episode's set up is highly reminiscent of Genesis, another stereotypical Brannon Braga episode. They are stereotypical in that they are both episodes that are founded on terrible science in order to generate a modestly entertaining product. I think we should start on the science, so that I can end on a (relatively) high note. Viruses are fascinating. They are constructed in a fundamentally different way from most other biologic entities in the world around us, because they aren't made of cells. The idea that a viruses could be used as the building blocks for life, instead of cells, allowing for giant super-viruses, is great! However, rather than take a science idea and build on it, the writers were more interested in having creepy, magical, flying blobs that run around trying to sting you. All I'm asking is that the writers crack open an encyclopedia, or talk to a biologist, or something, anything.
That said, the episode does a decent job of being a sci-fi/horror/action movie. I don't want the writers making all the episodes like this, or even more than one per season or so, but if the result is well-executed like this one, then I guess I'm for it. It was nice to see Janeway as a capable action hero, and the events were paced effectively. Since there was less dialogue in this episode than most, and there were several new angles on familiar locales, I spent a fair amount of time examining the interior of Voyager. It certainly feels more cramped (particularly the hallways) than the Enterprise, which works well not only to set the mood in this episode, but in general it gives the ship a more utilitarian, efficient look.
Watchability: 3/5
Bottom Line: Decent action episode, but beware of the (continued) bad science!
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