Caretaker

After watching this episode of Star Trek Voyager I knew that this series of Star Trek would be one of the best. In this episode (the pilot) all the main characters are introduced. Kate Mulgrew plays a convincing role as Captain Janeway who is generally nice but when it is needed, which it mostly is, Janeway can also be a real bad-ass! The other characters have their good points and their bad points, Chekotay has his general knowledge of the outdoors and how to get in touch with his spirit guide. Tom Paris has his knowledge of 20th century history and Harry Kim has the knowledge of music (what good that will do on a star ship 75,000 lightyears from home we dont know). Tuvok being a vulcan the most knowledgeable species of them all has knowledge of well everything, constantly offering the logical way out to the rest off his crew. B'Ellana has knowledge of enginnering and is able to always have good suggestions on how to keep the ship in ship shape!! The Doctor or EMH has knowledge of medicine and how to treat anything from a stubbed toe or acute stomach pain from Mr Neelix's cooking! (One of the many jokes from Voyager's EMH). Neelix has knowledge of cooking and how to make lettuce in to a decent meal. Kes well she knows a bit of everything and is always willing to learn! Lets not forget the computer voice who has been with the Voyager crew through thick and thin always willing to answer their questions no matter how stupid or annoying they can be. So basically watch this series its full of fun and enjoyment!

As a pilot, Caretaker works reasonably well. Each new character is introduced adequately and also familar settings and characters are thrown in to support the plot.

Introducing the Kazon's was always going to be a bad move. However, the Neelix/Kes relationship was strong from the very start, and Mulgrew convinces as a new captain.

As he does throughout the series, the Doctor provided the humour elements which have become a trademark of ST: Voyager over the years. Its a shame Chakotay had to replace the demised 1st officer as he looked just right for the part.

Caretaker does not however grip you like the pilots for the other three Trek series', and although I think as a whole ST: Voyager outshines the lot of them put together, this TV movie demonstrates how they had to scrape away the mud before reaching the gold.

Voyager's pilot episode is just as great and gripping as The Next Generation's pilot Encounter at Farpoint, but the Caretaker earns an extra brownie point because it establishes each character's basic traits clearly to the viewers. When all the principal characters' crossed paths at the Ocampan underground tunnel, you really feel that the show is really off to a great start on creating an ensemble show (well until Seven of Nine comes in halfway in season four, then the show becomes a rather one-sided affair). Bon Voyage, it has been a great seven seasons and all of its characters will be sorely missed.

The crew of the USS Voyager find themselves trapped in the delta quadrant.

This is an enjoyable start to the show that sets the scene well.

'The Caretaker' uses its extended running time to introduce characters, send them on an adventure, explore themes and set the premise for the show. All of this it does competently.

Captain Janeway has a strong introduction from Katie Mulgrew, who nails an imposing Katherine Hepburn persona. She looks and sounds the part of a dependable commanding officer and has the charisma to lead the show.

All the Marquis characters are written cleverly into the ensemble, with Roxann Dawson standing out for me as the fiery Klingon B'Lanna Torres. Likewise Neelix and Kes are nicely worked into the setup.

Robert Picardo makes a good first impression as someone who will entertain on a regular basis from the inspired concept of his emergency holographic doctor.

As with many first episodes of TV shows, some of the exposition dumps feel quite forced to introduce characters and situations. None more so than Tom Paris. Robert Duncan McNeill does his best with dialogue that feels quite manufactured, and, for me, depicts a character merely trying to sound like badass.

What happens is mostly very good. There is plenty of excitement, drama and intrigue. Although when the big mystery the is revealed it comes from a fairly standard scene of verbal explanation. That being said it tackles some interesting subjects like playing God and the welfare state in typical Star Trek fashion. What the writers were thinking with the hillbilly scenes though, escapes me!

Visually it showcases great spectacle, particularly the space sequences and includes strong art design such as the planet's subterranean complex.

For me it is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

The Maqui are a bit under-explained, but I know from the past that it will happen. This pilot episode sets everything up. We are introduced to all the principle characters (more, of course, will be added later). We see why they are in the predicament they are in. We internal combustion but Janeway is a decent hub in the wheel. I can't believe 23 years have passed since this show first appeared. I'm going to wade my way through it one more time.