While the concept of this episode is intriguing, the layers of reality when it comes to holographic technology were quite confusing. As a matter of fact, I assume that Kes walking away at the end, added another layer of confusion which we though had been solved. It was interesting to see Mr. Barclay (Broccoli from STNG) show up. I'm pleased to see the Doctor becoming more and more significant in this series.
14 Reviews
A confusing time for the Doctor
Tweekums30 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
When the Doctor comes on line he discovers that while he was off line the ship has been attacked and it appears that everybody else has evacuated... soon he learns that not everybody got off when B'Elanna comes into sick bay and tells him the captain is injured on the bridge and thanks to recently installed holo-emitters the Doctor can go there to treat her. No sooner has he treated her and he is sent to the mess to help Neelix who is pinned down by a Kazon. During the struggle something odd happens, the Doctor gets injured; something which should not happen to a hologram. Back in sick bay a quick scan shows that he is not a hologram but a human doctor, in fact he is Dr. Zimmerman, the man who he thought designed him. Assuming the computer is malfunctioning the captain orders the deactivation of all holographic programs, this results in everybody except the Doctor vanishing. Soon afterwards Reg Barclay appears explaining that it is true that the Doctor is Dr. Zimmerman but he is not on Voyager, just a malfunctioning holodeck program and he is suffering from a condition which makes him believe he is the character he was playing. To prove this he resets the program to the moment he was first activated in the Delta Quadrant and says if he wishes to survive he must end the program by destroying Voyager. Just as he is about to do this Chakotay appears saying that he is a hologram but trapped within Voyager's malfunctioning holodeck and if he destroys the ship there is program will be lost; he must then choose who to believe.
This was a pretty good episode where as soon as the viewer thinks he knows what is really going on new information is provided suggesting something else. Episodes centred on the Doctor tend to be good thanks to Robert Picardo's portrayal of the character. The only weakness of this episode the rather abrupt ending and the false ending where the Doctor believes he has got out of the program only to find that he is still trapped... he was right when he said that Kes had beautiful eyes though.
This was a pretty good episode where as soon as the viewer thinks he knows what is really going on new information is provided suggesting something else. Episodes centred on the Doctor tend to be good thanks to Robert Picardo's portrayal of the character. The only weakness of this episode the rather abrupt ending and the false ending where the Doctor believes he has got out of the program only to find that he is still trapped... he was right when he said that Kes had beautiful eyes though.
My favorite episode of Voyager so far
dirvingman-621364 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In true "Star Trek Golden Age" fashion, Voyager has been a spotty affair so far in seasons 1 and 2, but it has shown sparks of inspiration. This is the best one I've seen so far. The Doctor has been my favorite character since the start, so it's always great when he gets top billing in an episode.
This episode functions as Voyager's "The Measure Of A Man" - although not nearly as serious and thought-provoking, it has similar themes of this show's almost-but-not human figure trying to define who he is. Befitting the show's usual style so far, Voyager tackles things in a much less character-driven way, using action and conceptual development to lead the plot along. This time around, that method works wonderfully. And, there are important dimensions added to The Doctor's character that makes him even more of my favorite. So, while I can't say the episode is that deep or affecting, it's highly entertaining.
Also, props to Jonathan Frakes for his directing work on here. His creative choices in regards to shots and cuts brought some extra pop to this episode.
This episode functions as Voyager's "The Measure Of A Man" - although not nearly as serious and thought-provoking, it has similar themes of this show's almost-but-not human figure trying to define who he is. Befitting the show's usual style so far, Voyager tackles things in a much less character-driven way, using action and conceptual development to lead the plot along. This time around, that method works wonderfully. And, there are important dimensions added to The Doctor's character that makes him even more of my favorite. So, while I can't say the episode is that deep or affecting, it's highly entertaining.
Also, props to Jonathan Frakes for his directing work on here. His creative choices in regards to shots and cuts brought some extra pop to this episode.
A trek inception before inception.
thevacinstaller3 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I find that I enjoy pondering the questions raised by the story presented in this episode more so then I enjoyed the capably crafted episode.
The Doctor at this point in Voyager has not truly found his identity and appears to be stuck between being a holographic lightbulb and a valued member of the crew. I would argue that he certainly leans towards wanting to be more and perceived as being more than a simply hologram and this episode is an exploration of him trying to hang on to what sense of identity he has built up over the past two seasons of the show.
I wonder if the writers could have found a way to have this story arc with the introduction of a nefarious 'alien of the week' that perhaps had some synthetic quality to them and they resented the manner in which the doctor had been treated? That would have upped the stakes and provided plenty of tension.
It's always good to see Barclay. He's maybe the best or second best reoccurring guest star on Next Gen.
The neelix food fight was played for camp? That was the moment when I knew something was off. That was the intention, right?
I agree with the doctor --- Kes is beautiful.
I would describe Janeway's hair during the bridge steel beam scene as being messy yet dignified and I give it a 8 out of 10.
The Doctor at this point in Voyager has not truly found his identity and appears to be stuck between being a holographic lightbulb and a valued member of the crew. I would argue that he certainly leans towards wanting to be more and perceived as being more than a simply hologram and this episode is an exploration of him trying to hang on to what sense of identity he has built up over the past two seasons of the show.
I wonder if the writers could have found a way to have this story arc with the introduction of a nefarious 'alien of the week' that perhaps had some synthetic quality to them and they resented the manner in which the doctor had been treated? That would have upped the stakes and provided plenty of tension.
It's always good to see Barclay. He's maybe the best or second best reoccurring guest star on Next Gen.
The neelix food fight was played for camp? That was the moment when I knew something was off. That was the intention, right?
I agree with the doctor --- Kes is beautiful.
I would describe Janeway's hair during the bridge steel beam scene as being messy yet dignified and I give it a 8 out of 10.
Picardo and Schultz
snoozejonc5 July 2022
The Doctor appears to find the ship abandoned.
This is a strong episode with enjoyable performances.
The plot is elaborately written and obviously meticulously thought out, but you never think for a second it's going to to do anything but press the reset button at the conclusion. Plus the concepts of life and reality are quite familiar from episodes of The Next Generation.
For me the main reason to watch is the Doctor's fun journey back to reality, which has some clever twists and as it unfolds the tension increases. One scene that returns to the events of an early episode is particularly good.
The entertainment provided by pairing Robert Picardo with Dwight Schultz gives an added edge, as the charisma levels are off the charts.
Visually it is very good, which helps the storytelling and the various reveals when they happen.
This is a strong episode with enjoyable performances.
The plot is elaborately written and obviously meticulously thought out, but you never think for a second it's going to to do anything but press the reset button at the conclusion. Plus the concepts of life and reality are quite familiar from episodes of The Next Generation.
For me the main reason to watch is the Doctor's fun journey back to reality, which has some clever twists and as it unfolds the tension increases. One scene that returns to the events of an early episode is particularly good.
The entertainment provided by pairing Robert Picardo with Dwight Schultz gives an added edge, as the charisma levels are off the charts.
Visually it is very good, which helps the storytelling and the various reveals when they happen.
One of the few awesome episodes from the first 3 seasons
brianjohnson-2004315 February 2021
There aren't a lot of episodes from the first 3 seasons of Star Trek voyager which I would call "must-see" for science fiction fans. But this episodes I'd argue is one of them. The others would be: Eye of the Needle, Deadlock, Distant Origin, Worst Case Scenario, and Scorpion part 1.
What makes this episode great is that it's mysterious from the start. And it keeps the viewer engaged throughout. It even adds an extra twist at the end after one thinks that the writers ran out of tricks.
The episode largely explores the idea of one character not knowing what is or isn't real. And being put in a situation where it's seemingly very important for him to make the correct determination about reality. All of these sorts of stories are very relatable because we know of people who are convinced of things which are false to their detriment. We know that many likable characters are still easily fooled.
And although this sort of story has been done before many times, it's interesting and different to see this sort of story from the perspective of a seemingly artificial form of life questioning if he isn't artificial. It's usually the other way around. It's easy to forget some of the important story details of this episode as well. And that makes it fun to re-watch. This episode also, although confusing, doesn't rely on time travel for creating the confusion or trying to resolve the confusion. And that's something that I appreciate given how common it seems for sci-fi writers to use time-travel or space-time anomalies as their tool for establishing confusing and interesting scenarios for their characters.
What makes this episode great is that it's mysterious from the start. And it keeps the viewer engaged throughout. It even adds an extra twist at the end after one thinks that the writers ran out of tricks.
The episode largely explores the idea of one character not knowing what is or isn't real. And being put in a situation where it's seemingly very important for him to make the correct determination about reality. All of these sorts of stories are very relatable because we know of people who are convinced of things which are false to their detriment. We know that many likable characters are still easily fooled.
And although this sort of story has been done before many times, it's interesting and different to see this sort of story from the perspective of a seemingly artificial form of life questioning if he isn't artificial. It's usually the other way around. It's easy to forget some of the important story details of this episode as well. And that makes it fun to re-watch. This episode also, although confusing, doesn't rely on time travel for creating the confusion or trying to resolve the confusion. And that's something that I appreciate given how common it seems for sci-fi writers to use time-travel or space-time anomalies as their tool for establishing confusing and interesting scenarios for their characters.
Similarity to Descartes 'I think therefore I am'
claphamstephen24 January 2021
An excellent episode which raised all sorts of of questions about what is reality. The doctor's thought processes in trying to establish what reality he is part of, resemble the stages in Descartes' arguments to prove whether or not he existed (as a basis for knowledge) in his 'Discourse on the Method' which ended with his famous conclusion 'I think therefore I am'!! As well as being a very thoughtful episode, there are touching moments with Kes, making it a thoroughly enjoyable piece of television!
The Lonely Doctor
deronboyd10 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The doctor surprisingly, even disconcertingly, finds himself completely alone on board Voyager. As his primary function is to care for those crewmen, a crewless ship makes him, well, useless. For a brief moment the Doctor begins to contemplate the Human condition of Usefulness. But, soon, the Universe takes a turn for the good Doctor.
Robert Picardo's adept acting skills bring pathos, humor, even his character learns compassion while he's a merely computer generation. In fact, he's pretty much the Voyager's version of Data, which lacks some originality, but he's the series link into examining "Humanity" with the most humane component of a crew, it's Doctor. We also get plenty of back story regarding The Doctor and his genesis, a one Dr. Zimmerman.
As with most later franchise series' after The Original, there's a typical need for techno-babble which is about the only use for B'Lanna Torres' character here. Yawn. Conduits, power relays, phase inverters. That should be a Star Trek drinking game. Every time some worthless techno-babble gets throw around, one should have to take a drink! Be more enjoyable that way.
Kazons appear again as the nemesis du jour, and the always entertaining Neelix, also ably acted by actor Ethan Phillips plays the foil keeping the mood light; a refreshing diversion from the techno-babble normally used to strengthen a Star Trek plot.
The episode is directed by Next Generation star Johnathan "Two Takes" Frakes, who understands well the Star Trek universe, and keeps the pace lively as well as intriguing, divulging only enough information to push the plot forward and keep the action moving. His experience is evident at shaping an entertaining episode. There's some shifts, some feigns, and the viewer is often kept guessing what's REALLY going on here.
Barclay makes a rather awkward, and inexplicable appearance, I guess as a vehicle to shoe-horn him into the script some way, and give Trek geeks something to get all giggily about. It's kind of a stretch, but fortunately the strength of the script thus far makes it merely a distraction than a detriment. Past the novelty of a Starfleet officer popping into a series set 70,000 light years away in a different quadrant, the story carries on well scripted and well acted.
On par with some of the stronger TNG episodes, it exhibits however some of the faults of TNG as well, where the resolutions become dependent on a increasing level of techno-babble which is a little disappointing. I think they started to either have to stretch the ending to fill time, or just got stumped where to go with it. The climax feels a little weak compared to the strength of the rest of the episode.
Still, so far the best of the 2nd Series, even though for some reason it was produced in the 1st Season, and held to the 2nd. They would have done well to air it earlier.
Robert Picardo's adept acting skills bring pathos, humor, even his character learns compassion while he's a merely computer generation. In fact, he's pretty much the Voyager's version of Data, which lacks some originality, but he's the series link into examining "Humanity" with the most humane component of a crew, it's Doctor. We also get plenty of back story regarding The Doctor and his genesis, a one Dr. Zimmerman.
As with most later franchise series' after The Original, there's a typical need for techno-babble which is about the only use for B'Lanna Torres' character here. Yawn. Conduits, power relays, phase inverters. That should be a Star Trek drinking game. Every time some worthless techno-babble gets throw around, one should have to take a drink! Be more enjoyable that way.
Kazons appear again as the nemesis du jour, and the always entertaining Neelix, also ably acted by actor Ethan Phillips plays the foil keeping the mood light; a refreshing diversion from the techno-babble normally used to strengthen a Star Trek plot.
The episode is directed by Next Generation star Johnathan "Two Takes" Frakes, who understands well the Star Trek universe, and keeps the pace lively as well as intriguing, divulging only enough information to push the plot forward and keep the action moving. His experience is evident at shaping an entertaining episode. There's some shifts, some feigns, and the viewer is often kept guessing what's REALLY going on here.
Barclay makes a rather awkward, and inexplicable appearance, I guess as a vehicle to shoe-horn him into the script some way, and give Trek geeks something to get all giggily about. It's kind of a stretch, but fortunately the strength of the script thus far makes it merely a distraction than a detriment. Past the novelty of a Starfleet officer popping into a series set 70,000 light years away in a different quadrant, the story carries on well scripted and well acted.
On par with some of the stronger TNG episodes, it exhibits however some of the faults of TNG as well, where the resolutions become dependent on a increasing level of techno-babble which is a little disappointing. I think they started to either have to stretch the ending to fill time, or just got stumped where to go with it. The climax feels a little weak compared to the strength of the rest of the episode.
Still, so far the best of the 2nd Series, even though for some reason it was produced in the 1st Season, and held to the 2nd. They would have done well to air it earlier.
Does the EMH dreams of electric Kes?
jakubenterprises28 February 2024
The doctor takes a trip through the universe of Philip K Dick. As PKD would put it, "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."
The android, I mean doctor, is unable to distinguish between what is reality and what is an extension of his own holographic universe, whether he is a real human being or just an identical simulacra. Its great for his own character arc but unlike a classic PKD story the lines between what is real and imagined identity, and furthermore what the protagonist can trust of their own fundamental perceptions and consciousness, is neatly tied up. Even the doctor smirks knowing that he no longer has any illusions of whether his entire system of perception is real or fake. Compare this to say other PKD inspired movies like Blade Runner or Total Recall where the story leaves you with the distinct possibility that the protagonist is choosing to live in the reality they would prefer. Not as a replicant, not in a virtual mental vacation.
Even the relationship between Kes and the doctor felt very Dickian to me. She has another man sure but...does she love the doctor anyway? Is she trying to help him or hurt him? When she walks away into her own universe where he can't follow she leaves him one last time asking if it (his life, their feelings) was real.
It's a lot more palatable to know that it ends so that every thing is as it should be for the next episode. But it leaves me without that bewildered craving for the total disruption of the senses and basic human comprehension of reality that a book like The Three Stigmata of Eldritch Palmer could give me.
The android, I mean doctor, is unable to distinguish between what is reality and what is an extension of his own holographic universe, whether he is a real human being or just an identical simulacra. Its great for his own character arc but unlike a classic PKD story the lines between what is real and imagined identity, and furthermore what the protagonist can trust of their own fundamental perceptions and consciousness, is neatly tied up. Even the doctor smirks knowing that he no longer has any illusions of whether his entire system of perception is real or fake. Compare this to say other PKD inspired movies like Blade Runner or Total Recall where the story leaves you with the distinct possibility that the protagonist is choosing to live in the reality they would prefer. Not as a replicant, not in a virtual mental vacation.
Even the relationship between Kes and the doctor felt very Dickian to me. She has another man sure but...does she love the doctor anyway? Is she trying to help him or hurt him? When she walks away into her own universe where he can't follow she leaves him one last time asking if it (his life, their feelings) was real.
It's a lot more palatable to know that it ends so that every thing is as it should be for the next episode. But it leaves me without that bewildered craving for the total disruption of the senses and basic human comprehension of reality that a book like The Three Stigmata of Eldritch Palmer could give me.
it's about the journey, not the destination
nebmac26 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
For much of the episode, we're led to believe that the character we thought was the Doctor is actually the Doctor's human creator trapped in a holodeck simulation. Well, we know that can't be right or else there wouldn't be much of a series left, so it's up to writer Brannon Braga to take us to the inevitable "it was all a dream" ending in a meaningful way.
The first half is interesting enough, with increasingly bizarre twists moving the plot along nicely. Lt. Barclay's role may feel contrived, but it's still fun to see the interactions between two of the most socially awkward characters in the Trekverse. Unfortunately, the climactic scene in Engineering has too much technobabble and not enough suspense, while the ending is best summed up in one word: meh.
The episode's redeeming quality is its setup of the Doctor's quest to be accepted as a sentient being, an increasingly important theme as the series progresses. On it's own, though, "Projections" is kind of a letdown.
The first half is interesting enough, with increasingly bizarre twists moving the plot along nicely. Lt. Barclay's role may feel contrived, but it's still fun to see the interactions between two of the most socially awkward characters in the Trekverse. Unfortunately, the climactic scene in Engineering has too much technobabble and not enough suspense, while the ending is best summed up in one word: meh.
The episode's redeeming quality is its setup of the Doctor's quest to be accepted as a sentient being, an increasingly important theme as the series progresses. On it's own, though, "Projections" is kind of a letdown.
Great episode about reality vs illusion
tomsly-4001511 December 2023
This episode is like the movie Inception or the Matrix. Multiple layers of reality inside a holographic projection. As a viewer you ask yourself which version of reality is the real one and which is another illusion inside a holo projection. It feels like being trapped in a dream not knowing that you are dreaming.
And we meet Barclay again. He tries to convince the doctor that he is a real person inside a holographic program that is trapped inside the program because of an accident. The only way to leave the simulation is to end it as it was programmed to end: Either by returning Voyager home or by destroying it. The doctor gets dragged deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole. He tries to figure out what and who is real and what is just an illusion. But how can you prove an illusion inside an illusion? Every action while being inside a holo program is just interacting with the hologram itself.
This episode is tense until the end. And just like you think, the doctor has made it, he is just fooled by the program again.
And we meet Barclay again. He tries to convince the doctor that he is a real person inside a holographic program that is trapped inside the program because of an accident. The only way to leave the simulation is to end it as it was programmed to end: Either by returning Voyager home or by destroying it. The doctor gets dragged deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole. He tries to figure out what and who is real and what is just an illusion. But how can you prove an illusion inside an illusion? Every action while being inside a holo program is just interacting with the hologram itself.
This episode is tense until the end. And just like you think, the doctor has made it, he is just fooled by the program again.
I agree with Bolesroor--this one is a bit of a headache.
planktonrules8 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The Doctor (Robert Picardo) is my favorite character on "Star Trek: Voyager". Yet, oddly, this is one of my least favorite characters-- mostly because the show is rather poorly written and the ending very unsatisfying.
When the episode begins, the Doctor is activated and finds that no one is aboard the ship--or at least that is what the sensors tell him. Soon, he learns that there are three crew members on the ship as well as a Kazon soldier. It seems that two Kazon ships attacked and the crew left the stricken ship. But the Captain is injured and needs his help so Torres sends the Doc on a mission outside the medical lab. What follows is a show that is VERY confusing and again and again you find out that what you are seeing ISN'T true. How they inserted Barkley (from "Star Trek: The Next Generation") didn't feel right. And, after I kept seeing that was I previously saw was not real, I found myself feeling a bit annoyed--as the show seemed to offer way too many of these curveballs. I was even more annoyed when the show ended--and you learned that NONE of this happened and a very contrived and unsatisfying reason is given for all this. Huh?!
All in all, a HUGE disappointment and I should have loved the show since it was all Doctor all the time!
When the episode begins, the Doctor is activated and finds that no one is aboard the ship--or at least that is what the sensors tell him. Soon, he learns that there are three crew members on the ship as well as a Kazon soldier. It seems that two Kazon ships attacked and the crew left the stricken ship. But the Captain is injured and needs his help so Torres sends the Doc on a mission outside the medical lab. What follows is a show that is VERY confusing and again and again you find out that what you are seeing ISN'T true. How they inserted Barkley (from "Star Trek: The Next Generation") didn't feel right. And, after I kept seeing that was I previously saw was not real, I found myself feeling a bit annoyed--as the show seemed to offer way too many of these curveballs. I was even more annoyed when the show ended--and you learned that NONE of this happened and a very contrived and unsatisfying reason is given for all this. Huh?!
All in all, a HUGE disappointment and I should have loved the show since it was all Doctor all the time!
A Headache
Bolesroor2 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Identity crisis, anyone? Just when you thought you had figured out "Total Recall," along comes the ultimate holodeck-within-a-holodeck episode of Trek, a mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a warp drive.
The Doctor "awakens" to the realization that he is, in fact, real, and that all else is a holodeck illusion. After three-thousand twists and turns I simply pinched myself to be sure I was real. As usual, "Voyager" takes a good premise and makes it as dark, difficult and painful as it can be.
Fun is fun but should fun be giving me a headache? Chill out, folks.
GRADE: C
The Doctor "awakens" to the realization that he is, in fact, real, and that all else is a holodeck illusion. After three-thousand twists and turns I simply pinched myself to be sure I was real. As usual, "Voyager" takes a good premise and makes it as dark, difficult and painful as it can be.
Fun is fun but should fun be giving me a headache? Chill out, folks.
GRADE: C
A hologram of a hologram within a hologram
slackersmom26 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Time travel episodes usually give me a headache, and this episode about holograms does also. One thing I don't understand about the Doctor in this show-- he can do so many things that 'real' people can do (very conveniently, usually), but I don't know why he can't recognize other holograms when he sees them. I know, I know-- holograms aren't supposed to be easily identified as holograms. But you'd think that one hologram (who is basically made of nothing but light beams, after all) would be able to identify and recognize other "light beam beings." Similar to how family pets aren't fooled into thinking that the cat or dog on TV is real, it's not 'real' to them.
Anyway, the Doctor exhibits talents and abilities that are convenient at the time, and yet very inconsistent throughout the course of the show--and illogical at times. Within the context of the show it would have been easy for someone to program him to identify other "photonic beings."
Anyway, the Doctor exhibits talents and abilities that are convenient at the time, and yet very inconsistent throughout the course of the show--and illogical at times. Within the context of the show it would have been easy for someone to program him to identify other "photonic beings."
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