Cold Fire (Star Trek: Voyager)

Last updated

"Cold Fire"
Star Trek: Voyager episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 10
Directed by Cliff Bole
Story byAnthony Williams
Teleplay by Brannon Braga
Featured music Dennis McCarthy
Production code126
Original air dateNovember 13, 1995 (1995-11-13)
Guest appearances
  • Gary Graham - Tanis
  • Lindsay Ridgeway - Suspiria
  • Norman Large - Ocampa Man
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Tattoo"		Next →
"Maneuvers"
Star Trek: Voyager season 2
List of episodes

"Cold Fire" is the 26th episode of Star Trek: Voyager , the tenth episode in the second season. The episode aired on UPN on November 13, 1995. [1] It is a direct sequel to the series premiere "Caretaker" and explores the existence of another entity belonging to the Caretaker alien's species. This is also the first episode since "Caretaker" to depict members of the Ocampa species other than Kes.

Contents

Plot

Kes and the Doctor notice a peculiar change in the remains of the Caretaker, the alien who trapped Voyager in the Delta Quadrant. They seem to be resonating in response to an unusual energy source. Remembering that the dying Caretaker had mentioned a female of his kind, Janeway wonders if she could be nearby. If so, a meeting with her could be their ticket home. As a precaution, Tuvok develops a toxin that could debilitate the female lifeform if she poses a threat. Following the energy trail, the crew comes upon a space-station inhabited by Ocampa, who fire on the ship.

Kes agrees to act as the crew's liaison to her people, and when the Ocampa leader, Tanis, boards Voyager, she assures him that the crew comes in peace. In a private meeting, Tanis tells Kes that the female Nacene, Suspiria, is nearby. She has taken care of this group of Ocampa for 300 years, and has taught them to develop their psychokinetic skills. He shows Kes a sample of the powerful abilities she has yet to tap. Later, Tanis communicates with Suspiria, who demands that he deliver Voyager to her.

As Tanis leads the crew to Suspiria, he tutors Kes on her telepathic skills. The lessons nearly end in disaster when Kes tries to boil water with her mind and, to her horror, inadvertently boils Tuvok's blood instead. He collapses, writhing in agony.

Tuvok recovers from the near-fatal incident. Kes realizes the full potential of her mental powers when her mind causes the plants in the aeroponics bay to burn up. Tanis urges Kes to leave Voyager and live on the Ocampa space-station, where he says she will be embraced by Suspiria and surrounded by her own people.

Suspiria, who believes the lies spread by the Kazon and others about Voyager, comes aboard. She tells Janeway that she will destroy them in retaliation for the crew's having killed the Caretaker. By the time Kes becomes aware of her monstrous plot, Suspiria has already attacked several officers. Kes, in turn, attacks Tanis with her expanded psychic abilities, and Tanis's pain temporarily incapacitates Suspiria. Janeway is then able to fire the toxin, subduing her. Janeway allows Suspiria and Tanis to leave the ship, while Kes remains with her friends on Voyager.

Production

"Cold Fire" was developed under the working title "Untitled Kes Firebug". [2] While writing the episode, Anthony Williams worked as the assistant manager of advertising at Paramount Pictures. [3] The script's final draft was completed and submitted on August 30, 1995. [2] The teleplay was handled by Brannon Braga. "Cold Fire" was set in stardate 49164.8; it was not stated during the episode, but it was included in the shooting script. [4] According to executive producer Rick Berman, Suspiria had been developed in response to the studio's concerns that the show's focus on a crew separated from their home would be too depressing. Berman referred to the character as a "cover your ass" measure, as it allowed for a "fundamental shift" in the show's premise in case of a negative response from viewers. [5]

Director Cliff Bole reunited with guest star Gary Graham during the filming of the episode; the pair had worked together on the show M.A.N.T.I.S. [6] Graham did not enjoy his time on Star Trek: Voyager, comparing it to "taking a midterm when you really, really have to make a good grade". While requesting "two words" be changed, he said it had "t[aken] thirty minutes to get script approval on that back from the Ivory Tower". [7] He negatively compared Voyager to his time on the show Alien Nation, which he described as having a "very relaxed and joyously creative set", and his performance as Soval on Star Trek: Enterprise , which he felt had a more relaxed filming process. [8]

Reception

"Cold Fire" is rated 7.4 out of 10 on TV.com as of 2018. [9] It had 6.1 Nielsen points rating in 1995, and it first aired on November 13, 1995 on UPN. [10] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chakotay</span> Character from Star Trek: Voyager

Chakotay is a fictional character who appears in each of the seven seasons of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. Portrayed by Robert Beltran, he was First Officer aboard the Starfleet starship USS Voyager, and later promoted to Captain in command of the USS Protostar in Star Trek: Prodigy. The character was suggested at an early stage of the development of the series. He is the first Native American main character in the Star Trek franchise. This was a deliberate move by the producers of the series, who sought to provide an inspiration as with Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series for African Americans. To develop the character, the producers sought the assistance of Jamake Highwater, who falsely claimed to be Native American. Despite first being named by producers as a Sioux, and later a Hopi, Chakotay was given no tribal affiliation at the start of the series, and eventually was assigned ancestry with a fictional tribe in the episode "Tattoo”. It wasn’t until his appearance in Star Trek: Prodigy that he was formally identified as a descendant of the Nicarao people of Central America.

Kes (<i>Star Trek</i>) Star Trek character

Kes is a fictional character played by Jennifer Lien on the American science fiction television show Star Trek: Voyager. The series follows the crew of the starship USS Voyager, stranded far from home and struggling to get back to Earth. Kes joins the crew in the pilot episode "Caretaker", opening an aeroponics garden and working as the medical assistant to the artificial intelligence known as the Doctor. She is a member of a telepathic alien species known as the Ocampa who have latent psychic abilities and a life span of only nine years. Her storylines focus on encouraging the Doctor to develop his humanity and dealing with her Talaxian boyfriend Neelix's jealousy. She also seeks to expand upon her mental capabilities, leaving in the fourth season after her powers threaten to destroy the ship. She reappears in a season six episode and features in Star Trek: Voyager novels and short stories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Paris</span> Fictional character from Star Trek

Lieutenant Thomas Eugene "Tom" Paris is a fictional character in the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager and is portrayed by Robert Duncan McNeill. Paris is the chief helmsman, as well as a temporary auxiliary medic, of the USS Voyager, a Starfleet ship that was stranded in the Delta Quadrant by an alien entity known as the Caretaker.

Star Trek: Voyager is an American science fiction series created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller and Jeri Taylor. It aired from January 16, 1995, to May 23, 2001, on UPN, with 172 episodes over seven seasons. The fifth series in the Star Trek franchise, it served as the fourth after Star Trek: The Original Series. Set in the 24th century, when Earth is part of a United Federation of Planets, it follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager as it attempts to return home to the Alpha Quadrant after being stranded in the Delta Quadrant on the far side of the galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kazon</span> Fictional species portrayed as interstellar gangsters in Star Trek: Voyager

The Kazon are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek franchise. Developed by Star Trek: Voyager series' co-creators Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor, the Kazon serve as the primary antagonists during the show's first two seasons. They are represented as a nomadic species divided into eighteen separate sects, and characterized by their reliance on violence. A patriarchal society, the Kazon have a low opinion of women, and place pride in men becoming warriors and proving themselves in battle. The Kazon storylines frequently revolve around the attempts of Jal Culluh and his Kazon sect to steal technology from the USS Voyager, with the assistance of former Voyager ensign Seska. During the second season, the Voyager crew uncover more about the alien species' history and culture through a temporary truce. In their final major appearance, the Kazon successfully commandeer Voyager, but are eventually forced to surrender and retreat. The alien species have minor cameo appearances and references in the show's subsequent seasons, and have also been included in Star Trek Online and novels set in the Star Trek universe.

"Caretaker" is the series premiere of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. It was first broadcast as a double-length episode on January 16, 1995, as the first telecast of the fledgling United Paramount Network (UPN). It was later split into two parts for syndication, but released in its original one-episode format on DVD and streaming services. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet and Maquis crew of the starship USS Voyager after they are stranded in the Delta Quadrant far from the rest of the Federation.

"Tuvix" is the 40th episode of the science fiction television program Star Trek: Voyager. The episode originally aired on May 6, 1996, and tells the story of Tuvok and Neelix being merged into a unique third character named Tuvix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vidiians</span> Fictional alien race in the Star Trek franchise

The Vidiians are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek franchise. Developed by Star Trek: Voyager series' co-creators Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor, they serve as recurring antagonists during the show's first two seasons. They are represented as a nomadic species suffering from a pandemic known as the Phage, which destroys their tissue. A society with highly developed medical technology, the Vidiians harvest organs from corpses and living beings to stall the progression of the Phage, and experiment on other alien species in an attempt to develop a cure. Vidiian storylines frequently revolve around the aliens' attempts to take Voyager crew members' organs, though a Vidiian scientist named Danara Pel serves as a love interest for The Doctor. The alien species have made minor appearances in the show's subsequent seasons, and have been included in novels set in the Star Trek universe.

"State of Flux" is the eleventh episode of Star Trek: Voyager, which was a science fiction television show that ran from 1995-2001. Recurring Voyager characters Seska and Lt. Carey star, along with the show's main cast, in an episode that sees the return of the Kazon aliens previously introduced in "Caretaker".

"Cathexis" is the thirteenth episode of Star Trek: Voyager, a science fiction television show that ran from 1995–2001. Part of the Star Trek franchise, it features a starship from the United Federation of Planets stranded on the other side of the Galaxy that must make its way home as it encounters aliens and various phenomena. On board a mixture of Federation, Maquis, and alien crew members live and work.

Basics (<i>Star Trek: Voyager</i>) 26th episode of the second season and 1st episode of the third season of Star Trek: Voyager

"Basics" comprises the 42nd and 43rd episodes of the science fiction television Star Trek: Voyager, the cliffhanger between the second season and the third season.

"Elogium" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the 20th episode overall. The episode first aired on the UPN network on September 18, 1995. The story was written by freelancers Jimmy Diggs and Steve J. Kay, based on Diggs' experience while serving in the United States Navy. It was rewritten by executive producer Jeri Taylor and guest writer Kenneth Biller.

"Prophecy" is the 160th episode of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, the 14th episode of the seventh season. It deals with Klingon religious beliefs and stem cells. Starship Voyager, making its way home after being flung to the other side of the galaxy, encounters an old Klingon starship.

"Twisted" is the 22nd episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the sixth episode in the second season. Set in the 24th century, the Starfleet ship U.S.S. Voyager is stranded in the Delta Quadrant on the opposite side of the Galaxy from Earth in the Alpha Quadrant. In this episode, a spacial anomaly distorts the ship and the crew must work through their relationships amidst difficult and constantly changing surroundings.

"Learning Curve" is the sixteenth episode of Star Trek: Voyager and final episode of the first season. In this episode Tuvok forces some of the Maquis crew into a Starfleet training program and systems malfunction throughout the ship as the bio-neural gel packs begin to fail. This episode has several guest stars including Derek McGrath as Chell, Kenny Morrison as Gerron, and Catherine McNeal as Henley. Tuvok is part of the regular cast and is played by Tim Russ.

"Fury" is the 143rd episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 23rd episode of the sixth season. It saw the return, for this episode only, of former regular cast member Jennifer Lien as her character Kes. As with her final regular appearances in the first two episodes of the fourth season of the show, Lien is given an "Also Starring" credit, after the opening title sequence and before the Guest Stars are listed.

"Sacred Ground" is the 49th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the seventh episode of the third season. In this episode a crew member of the star ship Voyager is injured by an energy field in an alien temple.

"Warlord" is the 52nd episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the tenth episode of the third season. This is a science fiction television episode, part of the Star Trek franchise, that aired on UPN on November 20, 1996. This is the story of USS Voyager, a Federation starship stranded in the Delta Quadrant with a motley crew of Star Trek aliens, Maquis, and Starfleet. In this chapter the crew encounters the Ilari aliens, which commandeer Kes's body during political struggles on their homeworld. The crew works with factions of the aliens as Kes struggles to maintain control of her mind.

"Riddles" is the 126th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the sixth episode of the sixth season. Roxann Dawson makes her directorial debut. The episode follows a crewmember of a spaceship in the 24th century who has his mind attacked by aliens; upon his return, his shipmates try to help him recover. Set in the Star Trek universe, the episode takes advantage of previously established lore about Vulcans, to explore emotions, recovery, and friendship.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Star Trek: Voyager". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Lilly Library Manuscript Collections". Lilly Library. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012.
  3. ↑ "The Best of All Worlds". Star Trek Monthly . No. 10. New York: Titan Magazines. December 1995.
  4. ↑ Ruditis (2003): p 76
  5. ↑ Poe (1998): p 192
  6. ↑ Florence, Bill (February 1998). "Interview – Cliff Bole". The Official Star Trek: Voyager Magazine. No. 15. New York: Titan Magazines.
  7. ↑ Gross & Altman (1996)
  8. ↑ T'Bonz (March 16, 2012). "Graham: T'Pol Was Soval's Daughter". TrekToday . Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  9. 1 2 TV.com. "Star Trek: Voyager: Cold Fire". TV.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  10. ↑ "WebTrek - Star Trek: Voyager * NIELSEN RATINGS". users.telenet.be.

Book sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.