The basic premise is a familiar one – in ignorance and in the spirit of exploration, a star ship seriously injures a living creature and of course the crew feels deep remorse and tries to rectify the situation. Although a sad concept intellectually, the episode really didn't project empathy for the creature – the story had little emotional impact but the sentiments expressed were good and honorable ones. I am a fan of Reviewer Tweekums postings about Voyager and often we agree – but not always which is as it should be. I love holodeck- based stories and my favorite scenes in this episode were of the holographic bar. Well, that's what makes a horse race. The secondary story of the Indian spirit guide was pretty good but didn't go anywhere. A pleasant if unspectacular entry.
15 Reviews
So so episode
Tweekums11 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This isn't one of the stronger Voyager episodes, this is largely because instead of having one main story and one secondary story it has one main story and three minor stories, none of which are bad but none are that exciting either. In the main story Voyager goes into a nebula hoping to find a fuel supply, instead they find they are trapped inside it and their power is being drained. Using phasers and torpedoes they manage to escape but soon realise that it wasn't a nebula but a giant organism which they have injured so Janeway decides to take Voyager back in an attempt to heal the damage they've done. In the minor stories Neelix is thinking about leaving Voyager as he thinks the captain is a little too keen to put the ship in harms way; Chakotay tries to help the captain by introducing her to her spirit guide and Tom creates a new holodeck program, which replicates a French bar, for the crew to relax in.
While there was nothing bad about this episode it never really gripped me as they never seemed in great danger and the secondary stories weren't to gripping either, the weakest being the introduction of the new holographic bar... although that might be down to my own bias against most holodeck based stories.
While there was nothing bad about this episode it never really gripped me as they never seemed in great danger and the secondary stories weren't to gripping either, the weakest being the introduction of the new holographic bar... although that might be down to my own bias against most holodeck based stories.
A plot thing happens for some character developments scenes.
thevacinstaller25 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
When Janeway does not get her coffee she starts ramming her spaceship into random nebulas. As with most ramming situations --- there is consequences and they have damaged a gigantic life form. From a story perspective I do find the idea quite interesting ---- using the Voyager spaceship as a surgeons tool to repair a living entity. It just doesn't come together in this one.
What I enjoyed about this episode:
What I enjoyed about this episode:
- Neelix's talk with Janeway about setting an example was pretty amusing. I just love Kate Mulgrew as an actresses. She gives this shocked/angered yet understood and adopted physical response in her face and it's just great.
- I enjoy the Doctor being a bit of a jerk (understandably) towards Janeway and the crew when he discovers they have caused injury to a sentient life form.
- Janeway is on a roll this episode and I personally appreciate her interest in Chakotay's spirituality! That's what an astute and caring captain would do! I mean the guy has a tattoo on his face --- he's serious about this stuff.
- Janeway AGAIN brings out her discipline and completely shuts down Neelix's verbal outrage at exploration. Neelix --- just go back to the kitchen you really don't want to annoy Katherine.
- Janeway goes 4 out 4 and establishes herself as a captain who is willing to be BFF'S with her crew. Janeway knows her way around a stick and crushes the competition in a game of pool. I loved how she played the part of the lust filled woman when the French suitor came around ---- probably to mess with the crew a bit.
Star Trek: Voyager - The Cloud
Scarecrow-887 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
While it will never be considered a classic episode of the show, The Cloud has a rather breezy, relaxed tone to it, more focused on character development than action or suspense. And every single Star Trek series had these. Sure there's a minor bit of danger involved towards the Voyager, but this episode is more considerate to the crew and their adapting to being lost in the Delta Quadrant, looking for their way back home. This episode focuses on exploring the unknown, encountering what they think is a nebula worthy of researching, not knowing it is a lifeform. When they investigate the nebula, for it is rich in omicron particles that could benefit the ship as an energy resource, they encounter a barrier that proves to be a nuisance. Organic matter attaching to the ship drains energy and the trip out of the "nebula" definitely exhausts reserves. It turns out that this isn't a nebula at all, with the use of weapons against it causing injury. So Janeway feels compelled to help heal it's wounds with use of the ship...the being also has regenerative abilities.
This episode has a variety of subplots such as Paris introducing Kim to his French Bistro holographic program, Chakotay encouraging Janeway to find her spirit animal, Neelix reinventing himself as a morale officer to help boost the spirits of the crew, Kes planting an intimate kiss on the lips of an approving Neelix, and Janeway hoping to improve the morale of her crew by not distancing herself but instead integrating with them. Janeway's pool playing skills and the way Paris surrounds himself with French babes at the Bistro are highlights of the hologram. Neelix annoying Janeway about his new brand of coffee and surprising the crew on the Bridge with snacks offer some funnier moments. This will not serve as an example of the series' most exhilarating output, but it does prove it cares about its characters.
This episode has a variety of subplots such as Paris introducing Kim to his French Bistro holographic program, Chakotay encouraging Janeway to find her spirit animal, Neelix reinventing himself as a morale officer to help boost the spirits of the crew, Kes planting an intimate kiss on the lips of an approving Neelix, and Janeway hoping to improve the morale of her crew by not distancing herself but instead integrating with them. Janeway's pool playing skills and the way Paris surrounds himself with French babes at the Bistro are highlights of the hologram. Neelix annoying Janeway about his new brand of coffee and surprising the crew on the Bridge with snacks offer some funnier moments. This will not serve as an example of the series' most exhilarating output, but it does prove it cares about its characters.
Nice character episode, but Neelix frustrates
snoozejonc4 May 2022
Voyager enters a nebula searching for dilithium.
This is an enjoyable episode that is pretty lighthearted with good character interaction.
The plot is fairly thin and feels like something going on in the background whilst certain characters exchange banter. To be fair the dialogue and performances feel more natural than ever.
What it does well is create a sense of bonding (and other dynamics) between characters. The likes of Janeway, Tuvok, the Doctor, and Kes are all great value for their screen time.
The sci-fi aspect is full of technobabble and given the tone of the episode has no urgency. Also, why Neelix is portrayed as so unhappy in this episode considering how lucky he is with one moment of intimacy is beyond me!
This is an enjoyable episode that is pretty lighthearted with good character interaction.
The plot is fairly thin and feels like something going on in the background whilst certain characters exchange banter. To be fair the dialogue and performances feel more natural than ever.
What it does well is create a sense of bonding (and other dynamics) between characters. The likes of Janeway, Tuvok, the Doctor, and Kes are all great value for their screen time.
The sci-fi aspect is full of technobabble and given the tone of the episode has no urgency. Also, why Neelix is portrayed as so unhappy in this episode considering how lucky he is with one moment of intimacy is beyond me!
A likeable if not great episode.
Hey_Sweden19 February 2024
Searching for an alternative power source for Voyager, Janeway takes the starship inside what would seem to be a nebula - but the ship takes a number of hits, as it turns out that Janeway & others are sorely mistaken about what they've encountered. They soon set out to rectify the situation.
The story opens as Janeway is experiencing self-doubt, thinking about such things as keeping up crew morale, and possibly getting closer to her crew without losing her sense of authority on the starship.
There are various diversions here that are certainly pleasant, and at least somewhat relevant to the plot, as Paris has developed a holodeck program designed to look like a vintage pool hall / bar. There is also the interesting element here of Janeway connecting with Chakotay as the latter teaches her about getting in touch with her "animal guide", giving us some appreciated insight into his culture.
The overall story is certainly entertaining, with a number of emergency situations to contend with, but it doesn't leave much impact when all is said and done. Some of my favorite bits, though, include the conversations between Tom & Harry, and a HILARIOUS part where the Doctor has been put on "mute"!
I *will* say that I can understand viewer reservations about Neelix. Here, he's mostly a pest, albeit a pest that can be tolerated at times.
Seven out of 10.
The story opens as Janeway is experiencing self-doubt, thinking about such things as keeping up crew morale, and possibly getting closer to her crew without losing her sense of authority on the starship.
There are various diversions here that are certainly pleasant, and at least somewhat relevant to the plot, as Paris has developed a holodeck program designed to look like a vintage pool hall / bar. There is also the interesting element here of Janeway connecting with Chakotay as the latter teaches her about getting in touch with her "animal guide", giving us some appreciated insight into his culture.
The overall story is certainly entertaining, with a number of emergency situations to contend with, but it doesn't leave much impact when all is said and done. Some of my favorite bits, though, include the conversations between Tom & Harry, and a HILARIOUS part where the Doctor has been put on "mute"!
I *will* say that I can understand viewer reservations about Neelix. Here, he's mostly a pest, albeit a pest that can be tolerated at times.
Seven out of 10.
A fresh chapter
uxckjnh10 February 2021
Depleted power reserves?
skippyj19558 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Always wondered why: if power reserves were so low they couldn't use the replicator to make coffee, where did the power come from to generate never-ending holodeck images? Something just never seemed right about this...
Warmed Over Stuff That Would Have Fit in 1966
Hitchcoc10 August 2018
The premise here is that Janeway, feeling lonely and depressed, wonders what she can do to raise the spirits of her crew, to connect with them while maintaining her position. So instead of going on their endless journey, they decide to go inside a nebula which is much more sophisticated than they ever imagined. In fact, it's the kind of thing that Kirk would have tried to match wits with. It eventually becomes downright silly. When I watched this series for the first time, I grew tired of Neelix within a couple episodes.
Depleting interest reserves
jurific2 March 2017
A rather weak episode that is as nebulous in its 3 disjointed story concepts as in subject matter. Healing the cloud entity as a plot relies almost entirely on technobable and limited low budget visuals which diminish the already low stakes low interest plot line. Paris' bar begins one of the many terrible holodeck segments voyager cycled through between seasons. With seemingly endless possibilities, a seedy bar with holographic prostitutes simply cannot be the place you invite your crew-mates to hang out in. Lastly the chakotay section was actually alright, if a but fluffy, and constantly tight-roping the line between offensive and tasteful.
Janeway comes across so far this season as a talented scientist with inconsistent command ability. In the same episode she puts down Neelix's whining with authority, and then later allows him to disrupt all bridge operations with a snack and a proclamation about his new self-appointed ship officer position. Others have already touched on her questionable decisions to risk everyone's life, ship power, and fuel reserves on a humanitarian detour.
All in all, a Pretty weak and disjointed episode that never really impressed and leaves the viewer a little frustrated by the characters.
Janeway comes across so far this season as a talented scientist with inconsistent command ability. In the same episode she puts down Neelix's whining with authority, and then later allows him to disrupt all bridge operations with a snack and a proclamation about his new self-appointed ship officer position. Others have already touched on her questionable decisions to risk everyone's life, ship power, and fuel reserves on a humanitarian detour.
All in all, a Pretty weak and disjointed episode that never really impressed and leaves the viewer a little frustrated by the characters.
Overall, not what a captain would do.
dukeb0y19 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a big fan of Voyager. I just signed up for NETFLIX, and I will watch the whole series, star to finish.
OK, NOTE SPOILERS!!!!
Voyager see a cloud, and goes to investigate. I understand that, to EXPLORE. It's human nature. But at some point, military training MUST take over. After all, it'a captains' DUTY to protect his or her ship. Voyager enters the 'cloud' and gets trapped, and blasts it's way out. 14 crewmen hurt. The 'cloud' is a living thing, and hurt by the Voyager entering it.
So what's JANEWAY going to do? Goes back in to HEAL the 'cloud'.
First of all, I don't think any captain would risk casualties, or the whole ship, to heal the 'cloud'.
Second, in TOS, there was always another opinion (Balance of Terror, for example), where Capt'n Kirk would ask for other view, like any good commander.
I'm sure if Capt'n Janeway asked for thoughts about going back into the 'cloud' someone would have said "You nuts for risking the ship".
Like the Dodo bird, Janeway should have sailed off, and not worried about the 'cloud'.
OK, NOTE SPOILERS!!!!
Voyager see a cloud, and goes to investigate. I understand that, to EXPLORE. It's human nature. But at some point, military training MUST take over. After all, it'a captains' DUTY to protect his or her ship. Voyager enters the 'cloud' and gets trapped, and blasts it's way out. 14 crewmen hurt. The 'cloud' is a living thing, and hurt by the Voyager entering it.
So what's JANEWAY going to do? Goes back in to HEAL the 'cloud'.
First of all, I don't think any captain would risk casualties, or the whole ship, to heal the 'cloud'.
Second, in TOS, there was always another opinion (Balance of Terror, for example), where Capt'n Kirk would ask for other view, like any good commander.
I'm sure if Capt'n Janeway asked for thoughts about going back into the 'cloud' someone would have said "You nuts for risking the ship".
Like the Dodo bird, Janeway should have sailed off, and not worried about the 'cloud'.
Too touchy-feely for me...I just wanted to see them kill something!
planktonrules3 February 2015
"The Cloud" is a very weak episode for "Star Trek: Voyager"--and hopefully it's not a sign of things to come. The show irritated me- -perhaps because I'd rather see action instead of 'spirit animals' and other touchy-feely and rather embarrassing plot elements.
Voyager encounters a nebula, so they do what any Federation ship would do--they fly right into it to explore. But getting in and out is NOT an easy affair and the ship loses a lot of energy getting out of the massive thing. Soon Torres realizes that it was NOT a nebula but some sort of giant living creature--and being intergalactic do- gooders, Janeway takes the ship back inside to fix the damage they caused.
In addition to this 'nice' plot, the show bogs down in what seems irrelevant. Paris introduces crew to his holo program of a French bar and Janeway goes on a spirit guide journey to discover her spirit animal. Yech.
Voyager encounters a nebula, so they do what any Federation ship would do--they fly right into it to explore. But getting in and out is NOT an easy affair and the ship loses a lot of energy getting out of the massive thing. Soon Torres realizes that it was NOT a nebula but some sort of giant living creature--and being intergalactic do- gooders, Janeway takes the ship back inside to fix the damage they caused.
In addition to this 'nice' plot, the show bogs down in what seems irrelevant. Paris introduces crew to his holo program of a French bar and Janeway goes on a spirit guide journey to discover her spirit animal. Yech.
An ok episode made worse by Neelix
mattleese871 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly, Neelix grew on me as the show progressed, but these last couple of episodes, his character really irritated me. This episode is a classic example of finding a new form of life as the A plot, but it also has multiple other plots going on at the same time, none of which I found particularly compelling. Tom and Harry hang out in Sandrine's for the first time... and it's kinda boring, not to mention an energy drain. Chakotay has one of his first big "generic Native American" moments with Janeway, which just feels culturally insensitive. Then there's Neelix just being suddenly super negative about the crew and Janeway, all of whom I thought he seemed to respect before. Just kind of weak in my opinion and kind of forgettable to me.
The Cloud
Prismark103 April 2023
The episode opens with Captain Janeway pondering how she could boost morale in the ship. Neelix's cooking does not help matters.
Captain Janeway cannot even get a decent cup of coffee from the replicators. The ship needs to preserve power.
However a nebula the Voyager encounters offers hope. It could replenish the ship's energy resources.
Only when they go through the nebula, Voyager ends up damaging it. The nebula was a living organism. Now having lost some of the ship's power reserves, Voyager needs to go back and repair the entity.
This story is an example why Star Trek: Voyager is not held in high regard. After the ship gets in peril. The action switches to Paris and Harry Kim in the holodeck. It recreates a sleazy Parisian bar. It just felt so random.
Hold on, the ship does not have enough power to make a cup of coffee. Then they lost more of the power reserves but Paris and Kim randomly end up going to the holodeck..
Neelix is irritating by complaining to Captain Janeway about being in peril. Later he storms into the Bridge and proclaims himself as a morale officer.
Tuvok does not help matters when he chastised Kim for saying he had never seen anything like it when Voyager enters the nebula.
Captain Janeway cannot even get a decent cup of coffee from the replicators. The ship needs to preserve power.
However a nebula the Voyager encounters offers hope. It could replenish the ship's energy resources.
Only when they go through the nebula, Voyager ends up damaging it. The nebula was a living organism. Now having lost some of the ship's power reserves, Voyager needs to go back and repair the entity.
This story is an example why Star Trek: Voyager is not held in high regard. After the ship gets in peril. The action switches to Paris and Harry Kim in the holodeck. It recreates a sleazy Parisian bar. It just felt so random.
Hold on, the ship does not have enough power to make a cup of coffee. Then they lost more of the power reserves but Paris and Kim randomly end up going to the holodeck..
Neelix is irritating by complaining to Captain Janeway about being in peril. Later he storms into the Bridge and proclaims himself as a morale officer.
Tuvok does not help matters when he chastised Kim for saying he had never seen anything like it when Voyager enters the nebula.
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