For the casual observer looking for an episode to watch, you may either view the ratings of any particular episodes or even be so inclined to read the comments. Many of the comments rated this as one of the worst Voyager episodes, I strongly disagree. Many also claimed this episode was an affront to rationalism and scientific thought, no it was not. Though a debate could occur over the degree of sanctimony the alien species had, I believe this particular Voyager episode was more in spirit with Star Trek than most other Voyager episodes. I say this as Voyager often follow into a particular plot: first contact new species, a problem emerges with interaction (usually a major character is injured or detained), and through ethnocentric point of view, Voyager's crew solves the problem without trying to understand the other side's point of view. Voyager was far quicker to briefly highlight a disagreement in philosophy, to only ignore the bigger questions the particular incident raised towards or in comparison to the human condition. And since we need a convenient plot ending to the episode, a quick fix, save, or rescue is written it without really addressing the bigger issue. This episode was more in line with Picard and TNG, a willingness to go through a ritual even if it is to save a crewmen. Janeway did not enter the caves to become spiritually enlightened and when she finally became open to the experience and observed the ritual as would the alien species, was she enlightened. It did not necessarily change her character, but it made her briefly question her absolute devotion to science and devotion. Based on all the other comments, it almost seems that Star Trek is an atheist harbor, where a leap of faith cannot and should not occur. Although we should strive to be able to rationalize the beauty of the world, to understand the underlying mysteries of the universe, we should also be capable of appreciating not knowing and simply accepting either 1) one day we will know, or 2) have hope and faith in what we do. I did not see this as an attack on science, but simply the omission we do not yet understand everything and even if we did, sometimes we just have to believe something good will happen. I also do not believe the alien species had an ill will towards Kes, it was an accident, and they felt this transcendental experience is a worthwhile cause to share with the universe, especially those willing to sit and learn about strange new worlds and new civilizations. If I had a pet peeve with Voyager is that it only tried to solve problems through its own narrow understanding of the universe and saw itself as the gift to the world. Janeway and crew often thought they knew everything better and it took most of an episode to begrudgingly accept another point of view from another species. With all the negative comments for this particular, it is no wonder we have a polarized country that seeks to not back down in the endless fight that is religion versus science. Watch the episode, make up your own mind, but above all be the open-mindedness that true Trek truly envisioned. This was not a religion vs science episode and could have been a TNG episode.
50 Reviews
A question of faith
Tweekums20 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
During a routine visit to a planet Kes and Neelix leave the main group and explore on their own; upon finding a shrine Kes walks towards it but is shocked by an energy field protecting it. She is beamed back to the ship but the Doctor has no idea how to bring her out of the coma. Captain Janeway demands information about the energy field but is told that only the monks may go near it and the secular government doesn't interfere with them. Researching the planets history a case is found of a king who when to the shrine to plead with the ancestral spirits to save his son who had been caught in the energy field. The captain argues successfully that she too should be allowed be plead her case; the monks agree. When she goes to the planet a woman who is to be her guide meets her. After going through a series of ordeals she believes she is ready to save Kes but she still won't come out of her coma; in the end she must make a leap of faith and do something that could kill both herself and Kes if she is wrong.
While not the most exciting episode it was nice to see the captain have to rely on something other than science or engineering to solve a problem, it also made a nice change to see Chakotay take a sceptical stance and side with science rather than the spiritual rather than the captain.
While not the most exciting episode it was nice to see the captain have to rely on something other than science or engineering to solve a problem, it also made a nice change to see Chakotay take a sceptical stance and side with science rather than the spiritual rather than the captain.
Better than Q's philosophizing
LordManhammer13 April 2021
It's always amazed me that the character "Q" was such a fan favorite in the Star Trek franchises, and his episodes get great reviews for being intellectual and pondering the deep mysteries of the universe and human psyche. Even the season 2 episode of Voyager, "The Thaw," with its frenetic circus bullies, gets high marks for probing what it means to fear.
Yet "Sacred Ground" gets low reviews here, seemingly because self-professed science lovers are jumping out of their heads, offended that there is an alien religion in the episode. I find this confusing, because very many Star Trek episodes are heavily imbued with spirituality and religion. How can haters of this episode watch any of Deep Space 9, with its entire plot wrapped around a religion's protective spirits selecting a Federation officer to take their part in a cosmic war with evil wraith spirits?
Anyway, I tend to find Star Trek very boring when it's trying to philosophize. They only reach as far as a middle class sort of intellectualism. But this episode isn't about religion or meaning of life type stuff, it is about Janeway getting in her own way and having to learn that she has some leadership flaws that have been masquerading as Starfleet virtues. Janeway doesn't come around to religion and start doubting science, as many negative reviewers insist.
Janeway essentially undertook corporate management training and learned that she is so quick to give and take orders that she was losing grasp of her instincts and patience to solve a problem. She learned a new way to approach Voyager's predicament--instead of viewing it as a series of challenges she is really creating out of thin air to feel she is being productive, she may need to be open to the holistic experience of being in the Delta quadrant.
I do wish more time had been granted to Janeway's moment of enlightenment--this might help it feel less "religious." The downside to this episode is that honestly, I don't think Janeway actually needed these lessons, and I don't think she would have behaved as single-mindedly as she did starting the ritual, trying to bulldoze her way through it.
Yet "Sacred Ground" gets low reviews here, seemingly because self-professed science lovers are jumping out of their heads, offended that there is an alien religion in the episode. I find this confusing, because very many Star Trek episodes are heavily imbued with spirituality and religion. How can haters of this episode watch any of Deep Space 9, with its entire plot wrapped around a religion's protective spirits selecting a Federation officer to take their part in a cosmic war with evil wraith spirits?
Anyway, I tend to find Star Trek very boring when it's trying to philosophize. They only reach as far as a middle class sort of intellectualism. But this episode isn't about religion or meaning of life type stuff, it is about Janeway getting in her own way and having to learn that she has some leadership flaws that have been masquerading as Starfleet virtues. Janeway doesn't come around to religion and start doubting science, as many negative reviewers insist.
Janeway essentially undertook corporate management training and learned that she is so quick to give and take orders that she was losing grasp of her instincts and patience to solve a problem. She learned a new way to approach Voyager's predicament--instead of viewing it as a series of challenges she is really creating out of thin air to feel she is being productive, she may need to be open to the holistic experience of being in the Delta quadrant.
I do wish more time had been granted to Janeway's moment of enlightenment--this might help it feel less "religious." The downside to this episode is that honestly, I don't think Janeway actually needed these lessons, and I don't think she would have behaved as single-mindedly as she did starting the ritual, trying to bulldoze her way through it.
Inside a cult
skiop22 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
When seeing that this is the third-lowest-rated episode and has almost all negative comments, I have to wonder if I saw the same episode as everyone else.
At times, Star Trek has gone into pandering to religious people (i.e. "what happens after death is the greatest mystery"), but this isn't one of those times. In this episode, Kes is put into a coma by some force field and Janeway goes through a series of spiritual challenges to get Kes out of it.
These challenges mirror those that real-life cults do to control their members. Through this sort of brainwashing (involving e.g. hallucinogens, sensory deprivation, and extreme physical exertion), Janeway starts believing all this spiritual hokum, though there are rational explanations for everything that occurs. That's the power and danger of cults.
This largely reminds me of "The X-Files" episode "Beyond the Sea", in which the usually skeptical Scully, much like Janeway in this episode, starts accepting spiritual explanations out of desperation, but eventually realizes that everything that occurred had rational explanations.
At times, Star Trek has gone into pandering to religious people (i.e. "what happens after death is the greatest mystery"), but this isn't one of those times. In this episode, Kes is put into a coma by some force field and Janeway goes through a series of spiritual challenges to get Kes out of it.
These challenges mirror those that real-life cults do to control their members. Through this sort of brainwashing (involving e.g. hallucinogens, sensory deprivation, and extreme physical exertion), Janeway starts believing all this spiritual hokum, though there are rational explanations for everything that occurs. That's the power and danger of cults.
This largely reminds me of "The X-Files" episode "Beyond the Sea", in which the usually skeptical Scully, much like Janeway in this episode, starts accepting spiritual explanations out of desperation, but eventually realizes that everything that occurred had rational explanations.
God & Mrs. Costanza
Bolesroor2 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
We take a break from our deaths, non-existence, insanity, torture and pain to focus on... a coma!
Yes, Kes is killed when she enters the No-No Zone at a sacred Nechani shrine. (Maybe it's time to put up a Caution sign?) Now it's up to Janeway to go through the ancient ritual and ask the Gods to restore Kes to life. Why is the crew of Voyager touring sacred shrines when their ostensible goal is to GET HOME?!? Anyone? And was Estelle "Mrs. Costanza" Harris really the best choice to play one of the Gods?
At least we're finally allowing spirituality... the mystery of the universe is at last acknowledged. But not really, 'cuz Doc has medi-babble to explain Kes' condition and ultimate cure. At the end of the episode even Janeway is disgusted by the scientific gobbledygook. A smart move on the writers' part, because if we know it all there's nothing to believe in, and no reason to leave our house let alone our galaxy.
Considering the fact that all of the science in Trek- in which its characters beliefs are grounded- is pure fiction, it's only right to inject some humility and awe into a series that was built on open-mindedness and the joy of discovery. I'm still waiting...
GRADE: B-
Yes, Kes is killed when she enters the No-No Zone at a sacred Nechani shrine. (Maybe it's time to put up a Caution sign?) Now it's up to Janeway to go through the ancient ritual and ask the Gods to restore Kes to life. Why is the crew of Voyager touring sacred shrines when their ostensible goal is to GET HOME?!? Anyone? And was Estelle "Mrs. Costanza" Harris really the best choice to play one of the Gods?
At least we're finally allowing spirituality... the mystery of the universe is at last acknowledged. But not really, 'cuz Doc has medi-babble to explain Kes' condition and ultimate cure. At the end of the episode even Janeway is disgusted by the scientific gobbledygook. A smart move on the writers' part, because if we know it all there's nothing to believe in, and no reason to leave our house let alone our galaxy.
Considering the fact that all of the science in Trek- in which its characters beliefs are grounded- is pure fiction, it's only right to inject some humility and awe into a series that was built on open-mindedness and the joy of discovery. I'm still waiting...
GRADE: B-
Snore...too preachy and simple-minded for my tastes
misanthroputz10 December 2011
Despite my love for Star Trek (yes, even Voyager), to attempt addressing 'faith vs. science' in the Star Trek universe has always struck me as a futile venture. Given that virtually every conceivable paranormal/supernatural idea ever conceived -- psychic powers, souls, spirits, ghosts, even gods -- have already become a documented 'factual' part of this fictional reality, how can any ST character reasonably harbor doubt about the potential validity of any new spiritual faith? Why would anyone, as Janeway does in this episode, adopt a strongly skeptical world view, à la a 20th century scientist, in a universe where aliens with god powers abound (Metrons, Talosians, worm-hole aliens/Bayjor Prophets, the Caretakers/Nacenes to name but a few)?
Conversely, in a universe where every manifestation of a god or religion ends up with some sort of empirical explanation to justify the belief, why would any character ever need to "have faith" in the first place (i.e. who needs to "have faith" when you have evidence)? Overall, this real-world dilemma re: faith and science doesn't seem to translate very well into the world of Star Trek.
Secondly, there is also some misguided commentary woven into this story that attempts to equivocate science with blind-faith, science with closed-mindedness, and the 'inexplicable' as being somehow a barrier to scientific investigation that only faith can transcend. Such tired canards may have traction among a few anti-scientific or scientifically-illiterate audience members who happen to also like Star Trek. However, given the staunchly pro-science history of this television franchise and its audience, I would think the writers would have anticipated most of the audience calling them out for relying on such sophistry. At such moments in this story, things simply degrade into a tedious and preachy diatribe.
I understand a writer's desire to develop a story that perhaps has relevancy in the real world (where faith and science do often conflict), but, in my opinion, the paramount goal in fiction is good story-telling above all else. I don't mind stories that also have relevancy and/or philosophical messages embedded in them, but when such things are included at the expense of the story the whole venture so often simply becomes sanctimonious trash. This episode is better than that, but it does dip it's big toe into that trash pile on more than one occasion. I tend to skip over it when it comes up on re-runs for that reason.
Conversely, in a universe where every manifestation of a god or religion ends up with some sort of empirical explanation to justify the belief, why would any character ever need to "have faith" in the first place (i.e. who needs to "have faith" when you have evidence)? Overall, this real-world dilemma re: faith and science doesn't seem to translate very well into the world of Star Trek.
Secondly, there is also some misguided commentary woven into this story that attempts to equivocate science with blind-faith, science with closed-mindedness, and the 'inexplicable' as being somehow a barrier to scientific investigation that only faith can transcend. Such tired canards may have traction among a few anti-scientific or scientifically-illiterate audience members who happen to also like Star Trek. However, given the staunchly pro-science history of this television franchise and its audience, I would think the writers would have anticipated most of the audience calling them out for relying on such sophistry. At such moments in this story, things simply degrade into a tedious and preachy diatribe.
I understand a writer's desire to develop a story that perhaps has relevancy in the real world (where faith and science do often conflict), but, in my opinion, the paramount goal in fiction is good story-telling above all else. I don't mind stories that also have relevancy and/or philosophical messages embedded in them, but when such things are included at the expense of the story the whole venture so often simply becomes sanctimonious trash. This episode is better than that, but it does dip it's big toe into that trash pile on more than one occasion. I tend to skip over it when it comes up on re-runs for that reason.
Janeways greatest adversary --- spirituality.
thevacinstaller15 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't enraged by this episode like some reviewers ---- but ---- I was certainly extremely bored by the glacial like pacing of it.
My take of it is that it is a story about fanaticism / the unwavering belief that you are right potentially being more of a hinderance then a benefit.
There is a bit of a commentary on Janeway brushing away spirituality as being utter non-sense and that sentimentality is echoed in many of the reviewers here. Have you ever checked out hinduism? It's like a guidebook to being an awesome person. Sadly, it appears that comparative religious studies are not a starfleet priority.
I admire the massive stones to write an episode like this but it needed re-working to really put the flame to 'science' beyond Janeway being a bit set in her ways.
I find it interesting that this is by far the most reviewed episode of voyager. Technically speaking this episode would qualify as a success since it appears to be worthy of great debate between viewers.
It's a 6/10 to me because it failed to move me emotionally/intellectually but I am bumping it up to 7/10 due to the heated arguments caused by it.
My take of it is that it is a story about fanaticism / the unwavering belief that you are right potentially being more of a hinderance then a benefit.
There is a bit of a commentary on Janeway brushing away spirituality as being utter non-sense and that sentimentality is echoed in many of the reviewers here. Have you ever checked out hinduism? It's like a guidebook to being an awesome person. Sadly, it appears that comparative religious studies are not a starfleet priority.
I admire the massive stones to write an episode like this but it needed re-working to really put the flame to 'science' beyond Janeway being a bit set in her ways.
I find it interesting that this is by far the most reviewed episode of voyager. Technically speaking this episode would qualify as a success since it appears to be worthy of great debate between viewers.
It's a 6/10 to me because it failed to move me emotionally/intellectually but I am bumping it up to 7/10 due to the heated arguments caused by it.
Faith vs science fail
vsek7 February 2021
3/10
What on the surface seems to be a charming challenge to science by religion, turns out to be a preachy mess. The authors of this episode (Lisa Klink & Geo Athena Trevarthen) seem to misunderstand science - which is most lamentable for authors of a science-fiction show. They are under the impression that a reasonable expectation in a scientific explanation is the same as believing without sufficient evidence (faith).
Furthermore, the "sages" (aka the three old people in god's waiting room) come off as religious zealots that have no problem with letting people suffer to spread their ideas. They could have easily told Janeway at the beginning of the episode how to treat a catatonic Kes and spare Janeway the ordeal. But no - Janeway has to come to a point were she says, she doesn't have an explanation but she believes it will cure Kes. Which is a strange way of thinking. She can explain it! The people most knowledgeable people just told her! They just refuse to give her a real explanation because they seemingly want to break her world view and convert her. In the light of the fact that the whole situation could have been avoided if they just told the Voyager crew about the dangerous field in the first place, makes it even more despicable that the aliens refuse to help.
Overall not a shining hour of Star Trek. This has to be one of the most anti-scientifical episodes of Voyager. The writers fail in portraying the science vs. faith debate. They even fail to give Chakotay some preachy faith lines in this one. As I'm sure this episode wants to show that faith has value, it has the reverse effect if you think about it for a minute or two. As writer Lisa Klink said in an interview "The point of the episode is that you can't explain everything. That's really what faith is about." and then showing at the end that they CAN explain it - but Janeway doesn't want to hear it and leaves the sickbay. If that is the mindset of people who have faith - then Voyager would never have been built. Very disappointing episode - it even makes you sick. Good guest performances, though.
Furthermore, the "sages" (aka the three old people in god's waiting room) come off as religious zealots that have no problem with letting people suffer to spread their ideas. They could have easily told Janeway at the beginning of the episode how to treat a catatonic Kes and spare Janeway the ordeal. But no - Janeway has to come to a point were she says, she doesn't have an explanation but she believes it will cure Kes. Which is a strange way of thinking. She can explain it! The people most knowledgeable people just told her! They just refuse to give her a real explanation because they seemingly want to break her world view and convert her. In the light of the fact that the whole situation could have been avoided if they just told the Voyager crew about the dangerous field in the first place, makes it even more despicable that the aliens refuse to help.
Overall not a shining hour of Star Trek. This has to be one of the most anti-scientifical episodes of Voyager. The writers fail in portraying the science vs. faith debate. They even fail to give Chakotay some preachy faith lines in this one. As I'm sure this episode wants to show that faith has value, it has the reverse effect if you think about it for a minute or two. As writer Lisa Klink said in an interview "The point of the episode is that you can't explain everything. That's really what faith is about." and then showing at the end that they CAN explain it - but Janeway doesn't want to hear it and leaves the sickbay. If that is the mindset of people who have faith - then Voyager would never have been built. Very disappointing episode - it even makes you sick. Good guest performances, though.
One of the best science fiction episodes I have seen
christopher-cole8323 November 2012
It saddens me that many of the previous reviewers of this episode of Star Trek: Voyager have taken such a dim look at this episode and written it off.
First thing I must absolutely mention is that many of history's greatest scientists were also great men of faith. Men such as Nicholas Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, who might be looked favorably upon by fans of a science fiction series set in space, as well as Blaise Pascal, Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Gregor Mendel, William Kelvin, George Gabriel Stokes, James Clerk Maxwell, Max Planck, and even Albert Einstein who famously said "I want to know how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details" and "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." Scientists who ignore there is a strong correlation between their faith and some of the greatest discoveries in history do a huge disservice to themselves and ignore their own history.
Second, it seems counter-intuitive to me for anyone to say that science holds all the answers, when there is so much more to the human experience. I am not talking about religion here specifically, but also philosophy and a fascination with the unknown, and a desire on our part to figure things out. How boring and uninteresting would life be if all there was in the universe, in our experience, was only what we saw or could observe in some fashion? Could such a life be called "life"? I hardly think so.
Kes, while exploring an area of religious significance for the Nechani people, is rendered unconscious and dying. Captain Janeway, ever the rational scientist who is skeptical of religious belief, finds precedent in the literature of the Nechani that would allow her to undergo a ritual in order to save Kes' life. But what happens when the rational mind meets something it can't wrap its head around?
I commend the writers of this episode of Voyager to go to the places where science fails. And for the reviewer who said that science fiction shouldn't deal with fantasy, what a load of crock. The whole Star Trek franchise is fantasy, unless you actually happen to live in the 24th century.
First thing I must absolutely mention is that many of history's greatest scientists were also great men of faith. Men such as Nicholas Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, who might be looked favorably upon by fans of a science fiction series set in space, as well as Blaise Pascal, Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Gregor Mendel, William Kelvin, George Gabriel Stokes, James Clerk Maxwell, Max Planck, and even Albert Einstein who famously said "I want to know how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details" and "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." Scientists who ignore there is a strong correlation between their faith and some of the greatest discoveries in history do a huge disservice to themselves and ignore their own history.
Second, it seems counter-intuitive to me for anyone to say that science holds all the answers, when there is so much more to the human experience. I am not talking about religion here specifically, but also philosophy and a fascination with the unknown, and a desire on our part to figure things out. How boring and uninteresting would life be if all there was in the universe, in our experience, was only what we saw or could observe in some fashion? Could such a life be called "life"? I hardly think so.
Kes, while exploring an area of religious significance for the Nechani people, is rendered unconscious and dying. Captain Janeway, ever the rational scientist who is skeptical of religious belief, finds precedent in the literature of the Nechani that would allow her to undergo a ritual in order to save Kes' life. But what happens when the rational mind meets something it can't wrap its head around?
I commend the writers of this episode of Voyager to go to the places where science fails. And for the reviewer who said that science fiction shouldn't deal with fantasy, what a load of crock. The whole Star Trek franchise is fantasy, unless you actually happen to live in the 24th century.
Is It Really Religion?
Hitchcoc23 August 2018
I found this long and meandering. What happened to Kez was too bad. But then it leads us to a bunch of double talking beings who keep belittling the advancements of the universe. They don't answer questions; they don't provide information. It was like reading Carlos Castenada back in the 70's with old Don Juan making pronouncements, allowing us to find truth. Of course, he was using peyote. Katherine pretty much becomes numb and is pushed along by fear and despair. Eventually, the spirits take over. We are to believe they are non-corporeal. Why give a stranger a nasty jolt, bringing her close to death in the first place? What is their motivation?
Skip this episode
bendauxier11 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is the mandatory "but what if faith though" episode that, by law, I guess, has to appear every so often in a science-based series. It is also the worst example of that trope I can think of. Here the role of "science" is played by a woman willing to go to any lengths to find a cure for her friend's illness, and "faith" (which...caused the illness to begin with) is played by a bunch of insufferable contrarians tormenting the woman and wasting her time with smug jabberwocky while her friend lies dying.
By the end, our hero is...humbled? By how...impressive faith is?
Personal feelings on religion aside, this is just bad writing.
By the end, our hero is...humbled? By how...impressive faith is?
Personal feelings on religion aside, this is just bad writing.
Star Trek at its best
darthrust22 September 2021
As someone who has struggled with the idea of religion and faith through my life, and who decidedly falls within the science camp that Janeway belongs to, this episode gave me a lot to think about.
This is Star Trek at its best, when it stirs something in you, when its themes and ideas cause you to think about the world in ways you hadn't before.
I can understand why some people don't like this episode, but for me it's always been profoundly interesting.
This is Star Trek at its best, when it stirs something in you, when its themes and ideas cause you to think about the world in ways you hadn't before.
I can understand why some people don't like this episode, but for me it's always been profoundly interesting.
A solid episode
jbloom-2976717 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I'm very much agnostic and I liked this episode. I was surprised to see such low ratings on IMDB. I liked that they show how life can still have mysteries. What is ultimately true, faith or science? I mean I believe science but the point is we don't know. Maybe I like it because I'm agnostic. I also liked how far Janeway was willing to go for Kes.
This episode does not belong in the Trek universe.
aburke-552-76598311 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is the worst episode of any Trek series I have seen. I had been recommended Voyager by a buddy and this episode almost made me quit watching. Thankfully, it looks like it was written on spec and the writer didn't do anything else with the series.
The problem with this episode is that Janeway, a scientist, suddenly decides to abandon rationality in the face of adversity. Star Trek is specifically about a future in which reason and science have triumphed over superstition and fear. It is completely out of character.
By the end of the episode, the sheer immortality of a religious sect prepared to let someone die because they were ignorant of a dangerous part of a shrine is barely remembered as Janeway is apparently upset by the scientific explanation of how she saved Kess. It is ridiculous.
The end of this episode should have been reason prevailing over the terrible disregard for life shown by the religious sect.
I am disappoint.
The problem with this episode is that Janeway, a scientist, suddenly decides to abandon rationality in the face of adversity. Star Trek is specifically about a future in which reason and science have triumphed over superstition and fear. It is completely out of character.
By the end of the episode, the sheer immortality of a religious sect prepared to let someone die because they were ignorant of a dangerous part of a shrine is barely remembered as Janeway is apparently upset by the scientific explanation of how she saved Kess. It is ridiculous.
The end of this episode should have been reason prevailing over the terrible disregard for life shown by the religious sect.
I am disappoint.
A great character story - faulty religious undertones
Kerstin_Mamma17 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Most people either give this a low grade if they don't like the religious comments in this episode which is totally fair, the episode does suffer from that type of irrationallity and pandering towards religious people and is also why religious people seem to rate this episode among their favourite just because it agrees with their irrational views and beliefs which shouldn't be how you rate an episode.
I believe that this episode should be rated just like any other. They all seem to miss the point of this episode and why this episode only works with and because of Janeway and would not work with any other captain even Sisko even though he has another type of religious confrontations being a religious icon. Janeway is a scientist and was a science officer before she was in command which was astablished in the very first episode and ever since then this character trait has influenced her decisions and character development all through our the seasons. To then have this character encounter a situation like this and question themselves and to then surrender to irrational views that are counter to your own to save a member of your crew only to later find out that there was nothing spiritual about it and there indeed was a scientific solution all along. It will shake a person's core and change them. The acting was exelent, the writing was a bit meh especially the religious stuff since it was indeed irrational and illogical and just straight up faulty and detrimental however it served the character dilemma perfectly which is why I am giving it a 7/10 because this generic story that usually comes up in every sci-fi show usually falls flat, this one simply got lucky because of Janeway's character identity and past and Kate Mulgrew's stellar acting. I usually find these episodes dumb and pointless but turned out to be quite an enjoyable character story and it wasn't actually magic or unknowable in the end.
Oooh totally forgot but the way Kes just walked into that energy field, how dumb was that?!
I believe that this episode should be rated just like any other. They all seem to miss the point of this episode and why this episode only works with and because of Janeway and would not work with any other captain even Sisko even though he has another type of religious confrontations being a religious icon. Janeway is a scientist and was a science officer before she was in command which was astablished in the very first episode and ever since then this character trait has influenced her decisions and character development all through our the seasons. To then have this character encounter a situation like this and question themselves and to then surrender to irrational views that are counter to your own to save a member of your crew only to later find out that there was nothing spiritual about it and there indeed was a scientific solution all along. It will shake a person's core and change them. The acting was exelent, the writing was a bit meh especially the religious stuff since it was indeed irrational and illogical and just straight up faulty and detrimental however it served the character dilemma perfectly which is why I am giving it a 7/10 because this generic story that usually comes up in every sci-fi show usually falls flat, this one simply got lucky because of Janeway's character identity and past and Kate Mulgrew's stellar acting. I usually find these episodes dumb and pointless but turned out to be quite an enjoyable character story and it wasn't actually magic or unknowable in the end.
Oooh totally forgot but the way Kes just walked into that energy field, how dumb was that?!
Bad characterization and overly preachy.
brooklynbenik2 May 2020
This episode paints Janeway as someone who is terrified of the unknown and only likes the quantifiable. She's literally a Starfleet captain who's been to the Q CONTINUUM! She's fine with the unknown and stuff that's not absolute but this episode paints her as a militant atheist who looks down on spirituality which is canonically not true. The spirits were insanely condescending and were like "Ha! We understand and you don't!" and would mess with her for no reason. In the end, they negate the whole message which was awful anyway. Skip this, you're better off. It attacks scientific and spiritual minded people alike.
Some interesting themes but did not hook me
snoozejonc13 December 2022
Janeway has to take a leap of faith in order to save Kes.
This is a so so episode that I have no particularly strong feelings about like others.
It has a fairly simple premise of faith Vs science which is shrouded in some good uncertainty from the writers, however the character stakes are so ridiculously high (for a mostly talky episode) that, for me, it generally falls flat.
We know Janeway and Kes are going to be fine, but we go through numerous scenes of philosophical dialogue exchange and heavy technobabble to bring us to another deus ex machina ending.
The most positive aspect is the performance from Katie Mulgrew, who along with Robert Picardo make the episode watchable. Ethan Phillips has more weak Neelix material that he can do little with.
Robert Duncan McNeill does a decent job with a fairly static screenplay. There are several atmospheric moments that bring it to life.
This is a so so episode that I have no particularly strong feelings about like others.
It has a fairly simple premise of faith Vs science which is shrouded in some good uncertainty from the writers, however the character stakes are so ridiculously high (for a mostly talky episode) that, for me, it generally falls flat.
We know Janeway and Kes are going to be fine, but we go through numerous scenes of philosophical dialogue exchange and heavy technobabble to bring us to another deus ex machina ending.
The most positive aspect is the performance from Katie Mulgrew, who along with Robert Picardo make the episode watchable. Ethan Phillips has more weak Neelix material that he can do little with.
Robert Duncan McNeill does a decent job with a fairly static screenplay. There are several atmospheric moments that bring it to life.
Religion is bad, science is bad, thought is bad, just obey the magic spirits.
waffle24724 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Just no. It's a terrible story, no place in any universe fiction or real. The underlying moral seems to be "Thinking is bad." - not sure what the writers were trying to really get at but it's quite badly explained. I don't think the writers spent much time on this one, as with the rest of the end of season 3 it was a little awkward & felt thrown together at the last minute. Given a lot of the interviews post Trek days it does seem that the writers were forced to fudge the scripts a lot at the last moment. I always skip this episode now.
Neither Science nor Religion - Something Else
liambean13 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Most reviewers are putting this into a science vs. religion context. I know this is a popular battleground. That doesn't make it right or even pertinent.
The basic plot is this. Voyager is visiting a planet populated by largely friendly people. Clearly, some inhabitants are deeply spiritual and others are influenced by science. They've struck a balance though. The factual and spiritual have agreed not to interfere with each other's views. Spiritual matters are left to those inclined to faith and scientific matters to those who trust observation.
Clearly there is a parallel here between the "Voyager Universe" and attitudes about science and religion in the United States.
While on shore leave Kes and Neelix visit a shrine. Kes steps into the entrance of the shrine and is hit with a high-energy "biogenic" field that puts her into a coma. She is beamed back on board Voyager and The Doctor attempts to find the cause and a cure. He can see that her neural pathways are damaged, but he cannot determine how to reverse the process. Worse, Kes will likely die unless a means to reverse the damage is found.
Neelix is frantic to do something to save Kes' life. In his research he happens upon a very ancient story about a similar situation. A king's son is exposed to the field and the King petitions the spirits to save his son. As with most apocryphal stories, what the King actually did is not in the story; only that the spirits took favor on the king and restored the son to life.
Based on this information, Janeway petitions the monks of the shrine to go through the "purification ritual." Off camera, she does research on religious rituals, from her statements we are left to conjecture that most of what she's researched are ancient Earth rituals practiced involving deprivation, hardship, and physical tests of strength; much like Native American rituals practiced before the Europeans stepped foot on these shores.
The order gladly accepts Janeway's petition and she is met by a friendly, non-assuming woman, who at first appearance is minor maintenance personal. We soon learn that she is Janeway's "guide."
Armed with her assumptions, Janeway submits herself to tests of endurance, most of which she herself assumes are required. Janeway is first asked to change her clothes and is then ushered into a room with three older people who are apparently waiting...for what she does not know. Because these three people seem not to know what is going on, and are engaged in what seems to be gossip, Janeway gives them little credence. Any questions she asks the three are answered vaguely or with other questions.
Her guide patiently helps her, but also admonishes Janeway that that the tests are meaningless. After many trying ordeals, including being bitten by an unseen creature, Janeway returns to the ship only to find that the data The Doctor has gathered from Janeway's ordeal is useless. What little he has been able to gather is no help in effecting a cure.
Janeway returns to the shrine and her guide reminds her that the tests of endurance were meaningless. She tells Janeway that she, the captain, devised the tests herself. Once again, Janeway changes into ceremonial robes and is ushered into the "waiting room" inhabited by the same three old people.
This time Janeway's questions are no longer based on her presumptions. She actually sits down with the intention of talking to the three to find out what they know. They are open questions and it becomes obvious that the three people she discarded as lost and ineffectual, are actually the spirits themselves. The spirits seem to represent kindness, reason, and action. "Action" advises the captain to kill Kes by taking her through the field again. He tells her "she's dead anyway. Kill her." Janeway leaves the room determined to take the advice of the spirits.
Janeway asks that Kes be beamed down, and with Neelix and The Doctor in attendance, picks Kes up and together they step through the field. Whatever energy has damaged Kes is now reversed and Kes makes a speedy recovery.
Back on board Voyager the doctor comes up with a rationale for the cure, but Janeway is only half listening. She's no convert, but she is no longer so sure science has all the answers.
This, in my opinion, is what makes this episode interesting. It's not about religion, not really. It's more about not allowing preconceived notions to so influence our thinking that we are closed to new ideas and concepts.
In my opinion, this episode borrowed concepts from aboriginal animism and Buddhism. The purpose seemed to be to encourage open mindedness.
The basic plot is this. Voyager is visiting a planet populated by largely friendly people. Clearly, some inhabitants are deeply spiritual and others are influenced by science. They've struck a balance though. The factual and spiritual have agreed not to interfere with each other's views. Spiritual matters are left to those inclined to faith and scientific matters to those who trust observation.
Clearly there is a parallel here between the "Voyager Universe" and attitudes about science and religion in the United States.
While on shore leave Kes and Neelix visit a shrine. Kes steps into the entrance of the shrine and is hit with a high-energy "biogenic" field that puts her into a coma. She is beamed back on board Voyager and The Doctor attempts to find the cause and a cure. He can see that her neural pathways are damaged, but he cannot determine how to reverse the process. Worse, Kes will likely die unless a means to reverse the damage is found.
Neelix is frantic to do something to save Kes' life. In his research he happens upon a very ancient story about a similar situation. A king's son is exposed to the field and the King petitions the spirits to save his son. As with most apocryphal stories, what the King actually did is not in the story; only that the spirits took favor on the king and restored the son to life.
Based on this information, Janeway petitions the monks of the shrine to go through the "purification ritual." Off camera, she does research on religious rituals, from her statements we are left to conjecture that most of what she's researched are ancient Earth rituals practiced involving deprivation, hardship, and physical tests of strength; much like Native American rituals practiced before the Europeans stepped foot on these shores.
The order gladly accepts Janeway's petition and she is met by a friendly, non-assuming woman, who at first appearance is minor maintenance personal. We soon learn that she is Janeway's "guide."
Armed with her assumptions, Janeway submits herself to tests of endurance, most of which she herself assumes are required. Janeway is first asked to change her clothes and is then ushered into a room with three older people who are apparently waiting...for what she does not know. Because these three people seem not to know what is going on, and are engaged in what seems to be gossip, Janeway gives them little credence. Any questions she asks the three are answered vaguely or with other questions.
Her guide patiently helps her, but also admonishes Janeway that that the tests are meaningless. After many trying ordeals, including being bitten by an unseen creature, Janeway returns to the ship only to find that the data The Doctor has gathered from Janeway's ordeal is useless. What little he has been able to gather is no help in effecting a cure.
Janeway returns to the shrine and her guide reminds her that the tests of endurance were meaningless. She tells Janeway that she, the captain, devised the tests herself. Once again, Janeway changes into ceremonial robes and is ushered into the "waiting room" inhabited by the same three old people.
This time Janeway's questions are no longer based on her presumptions. She actually sits down with the intention of talking to the three to find out what they know. They are open questions and it becomes obvious that the three people she discarded as lost and ineffectual, are actually the spirits themselves. The spirits seem to represent kindness, reason, and action. "Action" advises the captain to kill Kes by taking her through the field again. He tells her "she's dead anyway. Kill her." Janeway leaves the room determined to take the advice of the spirits.
Janeway asks that Kes be beamed down, and with Neelix and The Doctor in attendance, picks Kes up and together they step through the field. Whatever energy has damaged Kes is now reversed and Kes makes a speedy recovery.
Back on board Voyager the doctor comes up with a rationale for the cure, but Janeway is only half listening. She's no convert, but she is no longer so sure science has all the answers.
This, in my opinion, is what makes this episode interesting. It's not about religion, not really. It's more about not allowing preconceived notions to so influence our thinking that we are closed to new ideas and concepts.
In my opinion, this episode borrowed concepts from aboriginal animism and Buddhism. The purpose seemed to be to encourage open mindedness.
Religious? Who cares?
nasgab-14 November 2017
I'm not a religious person, and I don't have an issue with someone who is, unless they're harmful towards others of course, so when there's an episode that's a little spiritual I pop it in neutral and coast through it. Maybe if everyone stopped trying to analyze every single aspect of a sci-fi show it might be more palatable. Frankly, the worst episode of any Star Trek version is better than best episode of anything ever made for TV. I don't "hate" any episode, but there are some that I like a lot more. However, this one could have flowed better, and I didn't care for the end of it. I kind of expected Janeway and Tess to actually enter the altar, not just bump into it. So, keep showing this episode and I'll keep watching.
Worst Star Trek Episode I Have Seen
randeroid-482-41104921 September 2012
1. This episode was difficult to get through because of the nonsense.
2. This broke cannon and Gene Roddenberry's guidance. Star Trek is science fiction, not fantasy, not make believe, not superstition.
3. Star Trek is one of the precious few sanctuaries for a science fiction audience. Does Paramount comprehend this audience?
4. Is science fiction going to keep pandering to the superstitious among us? Can we stop worrying about hurting their feelings already? Just because they got an 'F' in science should not mean that the rest of us have to endure the dumbing down of everything, everywhere. Again this is supposed to be our sanctuary.
That is all I have to write about this. However, I need 10 lines of text to meet the posting guidelines. I am just about to rail on that too.
2. This broke cannon and Gene Roddenberry's guidance. Star Trek is science fiction, not fantasy, not make believe, not superstition.
3. Star Trek is one of the precious few sanctuaries for a science fiction audience. Does Paramount comprehend this audience?
4. Is science fiction going to keep pandering to the superstitious among us? Can we stop worrying about hurting their feelings already? Just because they got an 'F' in science should not mean that the rest of us have to endure the dumbing down of everything, everywhere. Again this is supposed to be our sanctuary.
That is all I have to write about this. However, I need 10 lines of text to meet the posting guidelines. I am just about to rail on that too.
No not the best episode but...
tom9929 December 2021
No this is not the best episode, but it's not the worst either. This episode teaches Janeway a lesson, the captain is driven to always have scientific explanation for everything, in this episode she must learn to accept that there isn't always one. I think a solid 6 is a good score.
People don't seem to understand this episode. It's not bad.
JDelrose13 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Science is a belief system. Science was not always there, waiting to be plucked from the ether, but a philosophy that evolved out of many more primitive, magical, and indeed religious beliefs. The self evident nature of our scientific understanding of reality is merely our current stage of development, and also infinitely arbitrary. It's pure hubris to look upon something like alchemy and say "that's obviously fake" and then turn around and say about science "that's obviously real in all facets". Science is an approach to understanding reality, that is what the word "science" describes. Ironically, it might be described as "unscientific" to reify "science" by conflating it with "objective reality," such are the limits of language sometimes. Our approach will change, as it always has. The episode doesn't mention all this explicitly, but takes it for granted, I think. More explicitly in the episode: if faith exists as an approach to the unknown, science is one such belief system, among many potentially. Ultimately a suitably philosophical Star Trek episode, and one I think gets too much hate from people who simply aren't doing enough reflection on it, and conflating science and reality, thus viewing it as a very shallow, pseudo thought provoking, trial of faith with misleading twists and turns. It's not especially deep either, but I was surprised to see that most don't appear to be being the least bit charitable, or to even attempt to derive a coherent meaning from the episode. It's decent!
It seems every ST series has at least one episode that needs to be tossed out!
abuonvinorosso5 April 2013
And, IMO, this was the dead fish that washed up on the Voyager beach. I generally tend to like stories that address the faith/religion vs secular/science divide, so I am often very willing to overlook a lot of shortcomings (e.g. I liked K-PAX, The Ledge, and Contact....) but this story was simply unsalvageable. I generally agree with the complaints that come before mine. This story relied on cartoonish stereotypes -- sanctimonious superiority from the magic-believers and bewilderment that borders on stupidity from the science thinkers -- and a simpleton's view of a very old (and usually interesting) societal debate that has been part of every human society since the dawn of time.
An awful stinker!
latin_heart15 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Let me get this straight. According to this episode, science is dogmatic, arrogant and wrong. And the solution to all problems is to disregard critical thinking for the sake of blind and erroneous faith! No wonder our world is in such a mess today! As much as I disagree with this view, I wouldn't mind if it came from the weekly Sunday service at church. I would ignore it and continue with my life. But when this view comes from Star Trek, I take offense.
Being non-religious doesn't mean non-spiritual. Spirituality as a concept is so much more than religious dogma, doctrines and rituals. And it doesn't need to be dumped down to superstitions and belief to the supernatural. I always enjoyed when traces of spirituality surfaced in Star Trek's stories. They elevated the stories giving them sometimes a profound impact. But this turkey of an episode, just blows it! It's a complete reversal of the Star Trek philosophy. Nonsensical, illogical and utterly silly!
I particularly take offense with two major themes in this episode:
A)That it portrays science as dogmatic, arrogant and wrong. Funny how the exact opposite is indeed the case, and it is religion itself that has showcased these characteristics time and again throughout its history! Actually, its the hallmark of religion to be dogmatic, arrogant and rigid. Well, when you can't hold up to scrutiny, accuse the others of your faults!
B)In the conclusion of the episode, it is revealed that there was indeed a perfectly sound scientific explanation for Kes's accident and its treatment, one that the religious people didn't bother to mention at all, leaving Kes to face death because she unintentionally and unknowingly and with no malice triggered the 'biogenic forcefield'. Actually this theme is indicative of religion and religious teachings in general. An 'infidel' facing divine punishment and death because of his unbelief and lack of faith towards a particular doctrine/religion. A punishment brought forward by 'all-loving' God/gods/spirits, who are perfectly happy to provide love and treatment once the 'infidel' succumbs to the required belief. But not before! Well, so much for 'freedom-of-will' that God supposedly gave to man!
Even Kate Mulgrew's acting couldn't save this episode for me. And her character's blatant inability to acknowledge the simple truth and succumb to blind, erroneous faith just made me wanna shot the screen! By far, one of the worst Star Trek episodes. Gene Roddenberry would surely turn in his grave!
Being non-religious doesn't mean non-spiritual. Spirituality as a concept is so much more than religious dogma, doctrines and rituals. And it doesn't need to be dumped down to superstitions and belief to the supernatural. I always enjoyed when traces of spirituality surfaced in Star Trek's stories. They elevated the stories giving them sometimes a profound impact. But this turkey of an episode, just blows it! It's a complete reversal of the Star Trek philosophy. Nonsensical, illogical and utterly silly!
I particularly take offense with two major themes in this episode:
A)That it portrays science as dogmatic, arrogant and wrong. Funny how the exact opposite is indeed the case, and it is religion itself that has showcased these characteristics time and again throughout its history! Actually, its the hallmark of religion to be dogmatic, arrogant and rigid. Well, when you can't hold up to scrutiny, accuse the others of your faults!
B)In the conclusion of the episode, it is revealed that there was indeed a perfectly sound scientific explanation for Kes's accident and its treatment, one that the religious people didn't bother to mention at all, leaving Kes to face death because she unintentionally and unknowingly and with no malice triggered the 'biogenic forcefield'. Actually this theme is indicative of religion and religious teachings in general. An 'infidel' facing divine punishment and death because of his unbelief and lack of faith towards a particular doctrine/religion. A punishment brought forward by 'all-loving' God/gods/spirits, who are perfectly happy to provide love and treatment once the 'infidel' succumbs to the required belief. But not before! Well, so much for 'freedom-of-will' that God supposedly gave to man!
Even Kate Mulgrew's acting couldn't save this episode for me. And her character's blatant inability to acknowledge the simple truth and succumb to blind, erroneous faith just made me wanna shot the screen! By far, one of the worst Star Trek episodes. Gene Roddenberry would surely turn in his grave!
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