Special Agent Matti
Imagine a race that's been in space for so long that it doesn't know which planet it started on. Imagine a race that's been in space for so long that their technology includes transwarp drive and beaming entire starships into a Cargo Bay! If that's your sort of thing, then watch this episode and wet your panties.
Now despite Distant origin having Chakotay in it (whose panties have always seemed a little bit loose to this Trekkie), it's still brilliant. The plot is not as simple as it might appear - it positively writhes with the power struggles that drive it along. The ethics are impeccably difficuLieutenant The effects are stunning. Hello? Who could possibly think of beaming Voyager into a cargo hold? How could anyone possibly have a brain that large?
One of the more subtle joys of this episode is that it isn't really centred on Voyager (or even Chakotay - yeehar!), they are a mere aside in the real game - discovering the origin of the species - which turns out to be dinosaurs! Oh yes! Star trek: the jurassic generation! But hang on, you shout, dinosaurs could never have made it into space! They all died! Ah yes, I replie, but the dinosaurs you know are just the ones who got left behind.
What a joy it is to be a Trekkie!
FYI: The bones discovered in the cave belonged to... Ensign Hogan, who was killed by the cave creature after the crew were deposited on Hanon IV by the Kazon.
PG (Low level violence, adult themes)
DVD retail: 9 September 2004