I don't get the hate. I love Jonathon Rhys-Davies and I appreciate seeing how Captain Janeway decompresses during her rare downtime. "Get back to reality"??! We're watching sci-fi! Have fun & enjoy the adventure!
10 Reviews
Leonardo Da Vinci in space
Tweekums26 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This episode opens on the holodeck where we find Captain Janeway trying to persuade the holographic Leonardo Da Vinci not to leave Florence after his experimental glider fail publicly. Before the program can finish Voyager is attacked by small ships which use advanced transporters to steal many essential items including the computer core, weapons and the Doctors remote holographic emitter. They follow the ships to a planet and when Janeway and Tukok beam down to the surface they are surprised to find Leonardo there using the Doctor's emitter. They manage to find a few other minor items but it turns out the computer core is hidden in a shielded warehouse so Janeway and Leonardo must break to steal it back.
This episode wasn't one of the best as we didn't really get to know the alien who stole Voyager's equipment, instead it concentrated on the character of Leonardo who spent most of his time getting excited about the high-tech equipment, John Rhys-Davies was a bit hammy in the role but that did bring some humour to the part.
This episode wasn't one of the best as we didn't really get to know the alien who stole Voyager's equipment, instead it concentrated on the character of Leonardo who spent most of his time getting excited about the high-tech equipment, John Rhys-Davies was a bit hammy in the role but that did bring some humour to the part.
Caterina gets mugged
snoozejonc15 April 2023
Voyager has some of its key technology stolen.
This is a reasonably good episode with some fun character moments.
The objective of this episode is to get Janeway and the holographic Da Vinci character off the ship and on a little adventure together. They indulge in philosophical banter, take part in a fairly uninspired plot that leads to a contrived yet enjoyable finale.
Joe Menosky stated that he wrote the original story with more emphasis on Da Vinci reflecting on a futuristic alien world (not that production values allow for the desired environment to be conveyed visually), but it was ruined by others wanting more focus on the tech plot. It's hard to disagree with what's on screen, but there are some standout moments.
Certain characters have fun moments like Da Vinci, Janeway, Tuvok, The Doctor and Seven. All the associated actors are good on screen. If you're in a light-hearted, reflective mood, there is nothing offensive here, but I have a feeling it will prove to be an ultimately forgettable entry.
It's great to see John Rhys-Davies in action and the episode's director appears to make the best of limited production resources.
This is a reasonably good episode with some fun character moments.
The objective of this episode is to get Janeway and the holographic Da Vinci character off the ship and on a little adventure together. They indulge in philosophical banter, take part in a fairly uninspired plot that leads to a contrived yet enjoyable finale.
Joe Menosky stated that he wrote the original story with more emphasis on Da Vinci reflecting on a futuristic alien world (not that production values allow for the desired environment to be conveyed visually), but it was ruined by others wanting more focus on the tech plot. It's hard to disagree with what's on screen, but there are some standout moments.
Certain characters have fun moments like Da Vinci, Janeway, Tuvok, The Doctor and Seven. All the associated actors are good on screen. If you're in a light-hearted, reflective mood, there is nothing offensive here, but I have a feeling it will prove to be an ultimately forgettable entry.
It's great to see John Rhys-Davies in action and the episode's director appears to make the best of limited production resources.
B and E's still a problem in the 24th century.
thevacinstaller19 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The episode is the story of the apprentice teaching/nurturing her master. It was fun to see Janeway's interactions with Da Vinci ---- I am personally a big fan of the 'big' performances from the TOS era and I definitely get that vibe from this episode.
There was some limp filler moments in this episode ----- The doctor desperate for gossip like a junior high student ----- I assumed they slapped together a few scenes to fill contractual obligations!?
The flying scene was great ---- I felt like I was watching a 80's sitcom tv show for a second. If you sing the seal song, "I believe I can fly" you will enjoy it even more on your watch through.
I would have preferred a 45 minute episode of Janeway discussing philosophy and the truth of reality with Da Vinci --- but this was aright.
There was some limp filler moments in this episode ----- The doctor desperate for gossip like a junior high student ----- I assumed they slapped together a few scenes to fill contractual obligations!?
The flying scene was great ---- I felt like I was watching a 80's sitcom tv show for a second. If you sing the seal song, "I believe I can fly" you will enjoy it even more on your watch through.
I would have preferred a 45 minute episode of Janeway discussing philosophy and the truth of reality with Da Vinci --- but this was aright.
Let's Get Back to Some Semblance of "Reality"
Hitchcoc31 August 2018
I'm really bored with Janeway's sojourns in the holodeck, working with Leonardo Da Vinci. Isn't it enough to pursue space pirates and try to get the ship back in shape without bringing an historical character our of the past. First of all, one has to really question the whole concept of this component of a fantasy world. It's neat they have it, but is it within the bounds of imagination, at least as sophisticated as this. And how does on get into the head of a character like the great Renaissance man. Mostly, I sort of dozed off because of the slow movement of this story.
Gimli the Dwarf in America
XweAponX13 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
What was great about Voyager, and Most Treks, was that they had a great Script Supervisor, Cosmo Genevese, whose credits go all the way back to Perry Mason. We know that certain Characters in Trek Episodes of the '90's are named after beloved Crew, Kivas Fajo from The Next Generation episode "The Most Toys" was named after Lolita Fatjo (Who I met along with Patrick Stewart at the Creation Trek Convention in San Diego in 1993). The job of the Script Supervisor is to worm out inconsistencies and even keep track of things that occur from episode to episode. Cosmo's episodes of Voyager are always totally and internally consistent with The Trek Universe, and Cosmo himself was honored in the episode "Non-Sequitor" as the Alien Caretaker of Harry, "Cosimo".
In this episode, his work is evident in the Tech used by some intergalactic criminals and thieves, in S3e24 of Voyager, a race of alien chumps "displace" the crew of Voyager with a trick gadget.
A Translocator. At the start of this, Janeway is helping Gimli, Er, Leonardo Da Vinci (John Reese-Davies) perfect his "Flying Machine" and they fall into the Arno River much to Leo's Chagrin.
As he packs for a Holographic visit to France, Voyager is attacked, and when the shields go down, these double headed hi-brow Ugly Alien Crooks Translocate a whole Stewpot of Tech from Voyager right under their nose, including The Doc's Mobile Emitter and even the running Da Vinci Program.
The Crippled Voyager, sans the Main Majel Barret-Roddenberry Voiced Computer limps into "Genoa" at Impulse, taking them 10 days to get there.
When Janeway and Tuvok beam down who do they run Into but Leonardo, who is buying a Plasma Shunt ripped off straight from Voyager from a crook, so he can make "Mercury run in 3 directions".
Leonardo becomes Janeway's "Inside Renaissance Man" in more ways than I can count. Of all the guest stars of Voyager this is perhaps my favorite, and one of my favorite JR-D roles as well, other than Gimli and Treebeard in LOTR.
John Vargas is "Tau", Leonardo's new "Patron", and he has several "Fortresses" on the planet filled with stolen Booty. All Janeway is interested in is their Main Computer Core, which is hidden in one of these.
Leonardo becomes Janeway's main gateway into these fortresses, his talents with Cartography give Janeway a most precise map of the region, which Seven of 69 uses to locate the Main Computer Core. He even starts drawing Tuvok's Ears.
Not only is the Leonardo Simulation incredibly funny, there are some wonderful strains of Music that play whenever he is in the scene.
This episode could have been expanded to a double Episode and we could have seen more of Paris', Neelix's and Chakotay's exploits on the other continent, as it is, their involvement is limited to a scene with Donald Pugsley as an Alien Buyer, Chakotay tells him "These Colours look good on you" (And they did).
Leonardo helps them get back the Core, Leo thinks there is a magical woman in a box. And Leo also gives Janeway the means to effect escape from "America" with his new "Flying Machine" which is actually a Hang Glider- The "Portuguese Ship" (aka Voyager) scoops (Beams) them up and takes them back to "Florence" (Cargo Bay 2/The Holodeck).
One Wonders if a man like Leonardo Da Vinci could adapt to being Shanghaied to America, or the 24th Century. The Simulation had no problems interacting with his Patron and crooked merchants, and he had already made a connection to "Katrina Janeway". This concept is explored in this episode, to the maximum John Ryse-Davies could make us really Believe it.
It would have been interesting to know if they really got that hang glider to fly...
As Leo Quotes, "Monstrous and Wonderful are the peoples of Undiscovered lands".
In this episode, his work is evident in the Tech used by some intergalactic criminals and thieves, in S3e24 of Voyager, a race of alien chumps "displace" the crew of Voyager with a trick gadget.
A Translocator. At the start of this, Janeway is helping Gimli, Er, Leonardo Da Vinci (John Reese-Davies) perfect his "Flying Machine" and they fall into the Arno River much to Leo's Chagrin.
As he packs for a Holographic visit to France, Voyager is attacked, and when the shields go down, these double headed hi-brow Ugly Alien Crooks Translocate a whole Stewpot of Tech from Voyager right under their nose, including The Doc's Mobile Emitter and even the running Da Vinci Program.
The Crippled Voyager, sans the Main Majel Barret-Roddenberry Voiced Computer limps into "Genoa" at Impulse, taking them 10 days to get there.
When Janeway and Tuvok beam down who do they run Into but Leonardo, who is buying a Plasma Shunt ripped off straight from Voyager from a crook, so he can make "Mercury run in 3 directions".
Leonardo becomes Janeway's "Inside Renaissance Man" in more ways than I can count. Of all the guest stars of Voyager this is perhaps my favorite, and one of my favorite JR-D roles as well, other than Gimli and Treebeard in LOTR.
John Vargas is "Tau", Leonardo's new "Patron", and he has several "Fortresses" on the planet filled with stolen Booty. All Janeway is interested in is their Main Computer Core, which is hidden in one of these.
Leonardo becomes Janeway's main gateway into these fortresses, his talents with Cartography give Janeway a most precise map of the region, which Seven of 69 uses to locate the Main Computer Core. He even starts drawing Tuvok's Ears.
Not only is the Leonardo Simulation incredibly funny, there are some wonderful strains of Music that play whenever he is in the scene.
This episode could have been expanded to a double Episode and we could have seen more of Paris', Neelix's and Chakotay's exploits on the other continent, as it is, their involvement is limited to a scene with Donald Pugsley as an Alien Buyer, Chakotay tells him "These Colours look good on you" (And they did).
Leonardo helps them get back the Core, Leo thinks there is a magical woman in a box. And Leo also gives Janeway the means to effect escape from "America" with his new "Flying Machine" which is actually a Hang Glider- The "Portuguese Ship" (aka Voyager) scoops (Beams) them up and takes them back to "Florence" (Cargo Bay 2/The Holodeck).
One Wonders if a man like Leonardo Da Vinci could adapt to being Shanghaied to America, or the 24th Century. The Simulation had no problems interacting with his Patron and crooked merchants, and he had already made a connection to "Katrina Janeway". This concept is explored in this episode, to the maximum John Ryse-Davies could make us really Believe it.
It would have been interesting to know if they really got that hang glider to fly...
As Leo Quotes, "Monstrous and Wonderful are the peoples of Undiscovered lands".
Season 4 outtake
vsek15 April 2021
While season 4 of Voyager contains some great episodes, this has to be seen as a lapse in quality.
The setup in itself is kind of interesting, aliens stealing tech from the ship but then it all goes downhill from there. The Holodeck representation of Leonardo daVinci is copied on the Mobile Emitter by the thieves and works for them on an alien planet. As if an inventor and artist from the Renaissance era could possibly be of any real use in the 24th century, the "Prince" of thieves even creates a workshop for daVinci to work in. It just doesn't make any sense and it's hard to believe, Star Trek veteran Joe Menosky wrote this. The "Prince" is shown to be a ruthless capitalist - why would he waste resources in a holo-program of a hundreds of years old historical figure of earth? What could daVinci offer?
Remember it was an important plot point in the past, not to let Federation technology fall into alien hands? It was a real problem when the Kazon were around. Who knows what could happen? But here, Chakotay even lets one guy keep his Phaser rifle and other stuff and tells him to get out. I'm sorry: what?
At times embarrassing, the dialogue between Kathryn and Leonardo makes little sense, given his 24th century environment. He doesn't seem to be irritated that all these aliens are supposed to be Americans. It's played for comedy - even when he fires a phaser - but it's just silly and nonsensical.
The criminals also forgot to secure or reprogram the stolen computer processor. Janeway can just input orders with her still active security code.
Kate Mulgrew and John Rhys-Davies are good actors but this is just a silly story. The villain is weak and the repurposed factory set unconvincing as an alient industrial plant.
While there is some lesson here that Leonardo should not do so many things at once? Or not to give up? But it has nothing to do with Janeway, which makes this a fine lesson for daVinci but it's ultimately pointless, because he is just a holodeck character and also because it doesn't really teach any other real character a lesson.
This is one of the shows that feel very 90's - but not in a good way. If you want to cringe while Captain Janeway girlishly smiles at a hologram of Leonardo daVinci while in mid-air on a (luckily previously built) flying apparatus, then go ahead.
A bottom-of-the-barrel episode in the likes of Fair Haven.
4/10.
The setup in itself is kind of interesting, aliens stealing tech from the ship but then it all goes downhill from there. The Holodeck representation of Leonardo daVinci is copied on the Mobile Emitter by the thieves and works for them on an alien planet. As if an inventor and artist from the Renaissance era could possibly be of any real use in the 24th century, the "Prince" of thieves even creates a workshop for daVinci to work in. It just doesn't make any sense and it's hard to believe, Star Trek veteran Joe Menosky wrote this. The "Prince" is shown to be a ruthless capitalist - why would he waste resources in a holo-program of a hundreds of years old historical figure of earth? What could daVinci offer?
Remember it was an important plot point in the past, not to let Federation technology fall into alien hands? It was a real problem when the Kazon were around. Who knows what could happen? But here, Chakotay even lets one guy keep his Phaser rifle and other stuff and tells him to get out. I'm sorry: what?
At times embarrassing, the dialogue between Kathryn and Leonardo makes little sense, given his 24th century environment. He doesn't seem to be irritated that all these aliens are supposed to be Americans. It's played for comedy - even when he fires a phaser - but it's just silly and nonsensical.
The criminals also forgot to secure or reprogram the stolen computer processor. Janeway can just input orders with her still active security code.
Kate Mulgrew and John Rhys-Davies are good actors but this is just a silly story. The villain is weak and the repurposed factory set unconvincing as an alient industrial plant.
While there is some lesson here that Leonardo should not do so many things at once? Or not to give up? But it has nothing to do with Janeway, which makes this a fine lesson for daVinci but it's ultimately pointless, because he is just a holodeck character and also because it doesn't really teach any other real character a lesson.
This is one of the shows that feel very 90's - but not in a good way. If you want to cringe while Captain Janeway girlishly smiles at a hologram of Leonardo daVinci while in mid-air on a (luckily previously built) flying apparatus, then go ahead.
A bottom-of-the-barrel episode in the likes of Fair Haven.
4/10.
Kinda dumb.....Janeway hangs out with DaVinci.
planktonrules21 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
When the show begins, a group of small spacecraft buzz around Voyager and uses beams to steal various stuff from the ship. I was confused by this, as normally on the show, you CAN'T beam things through the shields. Regardless, some of the stuff is very important--such as the Doctor's mobile emitter (which allows him to leave the sick bay) and the ship's computer! So Janeway and Tuvok beam down to a nearby planet to see if they can find any traces of their stuff.
Up until this point, the show is pretty good. However, once on the planet it gets pretty dumb. Apparently the mobile emitter is being used by Leonardo DaVinci--the version that came from the holodeck! He apparently works for the guy responsible for the thefts. So, he and Janeway go on an adventure together to save the day.
The idea of DaVinci running about with Janeway is amazingly dumb and a bit embarrassing. John Rhys-Davies is kind of fun in the role and hams it up good. But the whole pairing is just insane and the escape using DaVinci's flying machine made me cringe. There are also some odd inconsistencies--things that just don't make a lot of sense. Why do the Voyager crew try not take back everything that was stolen? Why not punish them or at least make it so they cannot keep attacking and stealing from passing ships? And, most importantly, why take time out from running away from the baddies to dialog with DaVinci? Couldn't you just do this LATER on the ship?! Overall, a very weak show--one that seems like the writers were low on ideas.
Up until this point, the show is pretty good. However, once on the planet it gets pretty dumb. Apparently the mobile emitter is being used by Leonardo DaVinci--the version that came from the holodeck! He apparently works for the guy responsible for the thefts. So, he and Janeway go on an adventure together to save the day.
The idea of DaVinci running about with Janeway is amazingly dumb and a bit embarrassing. John Rhys-Davies is kind of fun in the role and hams it up good. But the whole pairing is just insane and the escape using DaVinci's flying machine made me cringe. There are also some odd inconsistencies--things that just don't make a lot of sense. Why do the Voyager crew try not take back everything that was stolen? Why not punish them or at least make it so they cannot keep attacking and stealing from passing ships? And, most importantly, why take time out from running away from the baddies to dialog with DaVinci? Couldn't you just do this LATER on the ship?! Overall, a very weak show--one that seems like the writers were low on ideas.
Road To Stupidity...Starring Katherine Janeway and Leonardo da Vinci
nytehawq15 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Another episode where Janeway is too slow to act when her ship is attacked. As a result major technology is stolen from Voyager by less technologically advanced people. In an attempt to "covertly" re-aquire Voyager's stolen tech they encounter Janeway's the holographic Leonardo da Vinci character from her holodeck program. The da Vinci hologram is using the EMH doctor's holo emitter which was among Voyager's stolen tech. Half the show is Janeway and da Vinci engaged in stupid conversation of Janeway trying to convice da Vinci to help while trying to explain all the new technology existing. It is amazingly frustrating and irritating to watch.
The final act of stupidity is Janeway and da Vinci escaping by using Leonardo da Vinci's "flying machine" when being pursued. The pursuers, with energy rifles in their hands, just stare dumb founded as Janeway and da Vinci make their incredibly slow escape.
Such a stupid story. Watching this episode kills brain cells
The final act of stupidity is Janeway and da Vinci escaping by using Leonardo da Vinci's "flying machine" when being pursued. The pursuers, with energy rifles in their hands, just stare dumb founded as Janeway and da Vinci make their incredibly slow escape.
Such a stupid story. Watching this episode kills brain cells
Forget 24th century tech, here comes Da Vinci!
tomsly-4001527 December 2023
The writers really stretch the idea of holograms that come to life to the limit. The doctor is basically a sentient being, much more like Data ever was. Last time we saw this lunatic isomorph that also acted like a living and breathing life form and now it is Janeway's holodeck maestro Leonardo Da Vinci that leads the plot. If holograms would be so independant and helpful, every ship would be stacked with holo emitters and holograms would be everywhere performing all sorts of jobs. Why send crew members into Jefferies tubes if you could send in holograms? If a spaceship is boarded by aliens I would activate an armada of holographic soldiers, programmed to be the top of the elite, and would remove the safety measures from the holodeck. Then I would send waves after waves against the intruders. They would not feel pain, would not actually die and in return would be able to kill any attacker. And if some holograms would vanish, the computer would just generate more and more. Or just program some heavily armored battle androids and cyborgs with the most devastating weapons possible. They even could fight in lethal atmospheres or in extreme hot or cold environments - plasma leaks, hull breaches, poisonous gases... they would not care!
While there are some funny moments when Da Vinci joins Janeway on her journey, it ultimately doesn't make much sense. After some alien species mugged important technology from the Voyager, the crew is sent to retrieve the stolen computer and the doctor's mobile holo emitter. Somehow though, they are not so keen this time in returning ALL Starfleet technology. I remember when Janeway once was really concerned, that Starfleet technology in the wrong hands could change the balance of power in the delta quadrant. Well, obviously she forgot about that... On the planet's surface, Janeway and Tuvok run into Da Vinci (what a coincidence), that was somehow transferred to the surface when the ship computer has been stolen. Wearing the doctor's holo emitter, he is now able to walk around freely. He even has befriended himself with the head of the thieves that is now also his new patron and even provided him with a new workshop. Here you ask yourself: What does a 24th century mobster want from a 15th century artist and inventor that he would not even know? Da Vinci, as brilliant as he might have been, wouldn't achieve anything with computers, AI, warp drives and translocation devices. When he encounters the stolen computer for example, he thinks, that there is a mechanical woman inside a box. Not a big help for anyone I guess.
Also, Da Vinci is a hologram! Nothing more, nothing less. But Janeway treats him like a human being. If I would be chased down by bad guys with phaser guns, I would not talk to Da Vinci like to a 5 years old child, hiding the truth from him. What's the point in pretending this planet is America and the Portuguese have transported them there by sailing ships? You cannot hurt Da Vinci's feelings! If you need him later being Da Vinci again, just reset his program! Simple as that. This whole charade is really stupid. It would have made more sense, if Janeway would have someone reprogrammed Da Vinci's character to then have someone at her side that has the creativity and skill of Da Vinci paired with the knowledge of someone from the 24th century.
At the end, Janeway and Da Vinci escape the bad guys by flying away with a crude contraption built by Da Vinci. And the bad guys just watch, how they slowly fly away without firing a single shot at them. The whole scene has B-movie quality. Really, really bad. It is time for less hologram action! There is nothing at stake if holograms ride along. If Da Vinci would have "died" during the chase, I would have not cared at all. After all, he would not have been gone forever anyway. If needed, just start his program again and voilà, Da Vinci would have been back - even speaking English instead of Italian!
While there are some funny moments when Da Vinci joins Janeway on her journey, it ultimately doesn't make much sense. After some alien species mugged important technology from the Voyager, the crew is sent to retrieve the stolen computer and the doctor's mobile holo emitter. Somehow though, they are not so keen this time in returning ALL Starfleet technology. I remember when Janeway once was really concerned, that Starfleet technology in the wrong hands could change the balance of power in the delta quadrant. Well, obviously she forgot about that... On the planet's surface, Janeway and Tuvok run into Da Vinci (what a coincidence), that was somehow transferred to the surface when the ship computer has been stolen. Wearing the doctor's holo emitter, he is now able to walk around freely. He even has befriended himself with the head of the thieves that is now also his new patron and even provided him with a new workshop. Here you ask yourself: What does a 24th century mobster want from a 15th century artist and inventor that he would not even know? Da Vinci, as brilliant as he might have been, wouldn't achieve anything with computers, AI, warp drives and translocation devices. When he encounters the stolen computer for example, he thinks, that there is a mechanical woman inside a box. Not a big help for anyone I guess.
Also, Da Vinci is a hologram! Nothing more, nothing less. But Janeway treats him like a human being. If I would be chased down by bad guys with phaser guns, I would not talk to Da Vinci like to a 5 years old child, hiding the truth from him. What's the point in pretending this planet is America and the Portuguese have transported them there by sailing ships? You cannot hurt Da Vinci's feelings! If you need him later being Da Vinci again, just reset his program! Simple as that. This whole charade is really stupid. It would have made more sense, if Janeway would have someone reprogrammed Da Vinci's character to then have someone at her side that has the creativity and skill of Da Vinci paired with the knowledge of someone from the 24th century.
At the end, Janeway and Da Vinci escape the bad guys by flying away with a crude contraption built by Da Vinci. And the bad guys just watch, how they slowly fly away without firing a single shot at them. The whole scene has B-movie quality. Really, really bad. It is time for less hologram action! There is nothing at stake if holograms ride along. If Da Vinci would have "died" during the chase, I would have not cared at all. After all, he would not have been gone forever anyway. If needed, just start his program again and voilà, Da Vinci would have been back - even speaking English instead of Italian!
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