This episode is actually a lot of fun. Yes, it's a holodeck episode, but I like the fact that it's centered around the doctor and his attempts to locate missing crewmen. Not every episode can be a 10/10 life changing episode that pushes the overall story forward but as filler episodes go, this one is ok by me.
8 Reviews
I'm a doctor not a demon slayer.
thevacinstaller27 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I am giving this episode a 7 primarily because I laughed for 30 seconds straight at the sight of a comically huge hunk of elk meat being held by the Doctor and the sight of a Saturday morning cartoon stereotype Scandinavian Vikings with glorious beards just cracked me up.
In terms of Janeway's hairstyle --- I personally call this this 'playful professional' and I give it a 8 out of 10.
This is the first doctor centric episode and it takes him out of his comfort zone and places him into a situation where he has to think outside his programming and adapt to the situations. He had a nice bonding moment with Freya and embarrassingly he did not jump at the option of keeping her bed warm! Come on, Doc! Ultimately the Doctor does get a taste of what the FUN human emotions like passion can feel like and he gets a Janeway pat on the back and uplifting talk after saving three members of the crew.
Couldn't have done it without you, Doc.
In terms of Janeway's hairstyle --- I personally call this this 'playful professional' and I give it a 8 out of 10.
This is the first doctor centric episode and it takes him out of his comfort zone and places him into a situation where he has to think outside his programming and adapt to the situations. He had a nice bonding moment with Freya and embarrassingly he did not jump at the option of keeping her bed warm! Come on, Doc! Ultimately the Doctor does get a taste of what the FUN human emotions like passion can feel like and he gets a Janeway pat on the back and uplifting talk after saving three members of the crew.
Couldn't have done it without you, Doc.
The Doctor's first away mission
Tweekums22 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
After beaming matter from a proto-star onto the ship some of it escapes and the captain suggests that Harry should help sort the problem so they can get more to refuel, the problem is he is nowhere to be found. He was last seen going to the holodeck and when Chakotay and Tuvok go to investigate they find that the program is still running but something is wrong and it appears the safety features may not be working correctly. The program playing is a version of the Beowolf legend and the characters claim that Harry, who was playing the title role was taken by a monster called Grendel has taken him the same way it has taken many of them... when they investigate they too disappear. The last readings from their instruments suggests that the monster was in fact a photonic life form. As the Doctor is photonic he is chosen to go into the holodeck to investigate further and to try to save the lost crewmen. He is a but nervous as he has never been outside the sick bay before. His first meeting with Grendel does not go well and he looses an arm. Luckily being a hologram that is easily fixed and he is sent back in, this time he takes a canister of the proto matter with him as they have come to the conclusion that it is a life form like the photonic Grendel. Not surprisingly since the missing crewmen were all main characters this works... that doesn't mean there is no loss though; the Doctor became friends with Freya, one of the holographic characters, and she is killed protecting him from another character who distrusts him.
This was a decent episode although given the number of times the holodecks have malfunctioned and endangered crew members in the various series it is amazing this dangerous technology is still in use. It did give the opportunity to see the Doctor somewhere other than sickbay though and he finally picks a name although after Freya's death he decides not to keep it. This could have been a worse episode but Robert Picardo does a great job as the Doctor and makes a potentially bland story fun. I initially thought the over the top acting by the holodeck characters was poor but then thought it was justified by the fact that they were part of a program designed to be over the top.
This was a decent episode although given the number of times the holodecks have malfunctioned and endangered crew members in the various series it is amazing this dangerous technology is still in use. It did give the opportunity to see the Doctor somewhere other than sickbay though and he finally picks a name although after Freya's death he decides not to keep it. This could have been a worse episode but Robert Picardo does a great job as the Doctor and makes a potentially bland story fun. I initially thought the over the top acting by the holodeck characters was poor but then thought it was justified by the fact that they were part of a program designed to be over the top.
Robert Picardo saves this one
snoozejonc10 June 2022
Voyager crew members disappear in the holodeck and the Doctor investigates.
This is a good episode for fans of the Doctor and Beowulf.
The plot delivers a good excuse to get Robert Picardo adventuring through a very different setting, which is refreshing to watch. If it was any other character it might have been tedious as the plot alone is not that interesting.
Picardo's dry humour and reactions to the absurdity of everything is entertaining and you can see for the first time his potential for so much more than just sickbay moments.
I think to fully appreciate the episode you need to have read Beowulf fairly recently or at least retained certain parts referenced in the script like Grendel's arm.
Visually it is very strong with great set design, costuming and special effects. The cinematography makes the most of the medieval setting.
This is a good episode for fans of the Doctor and Beowulf.
The plot delivers a good excuse to get Robert Picardo adventuring through a very different setting, which is refreshing to watch. If it was any other character it might have been tedious as the plot alone is not that interesting.
Picardo's dry humour and reactions to the absurdity of everything is entertaining and you can see for the first time his potential for so much more than just sickbay moments.
I think to fully appreciate the episode you need to have read Beowulf fairly recently or at least retained certain parts referenced in the script like Grendel's arm.
Visually it is very strong with great set design, costuming and special effects. The cinematography makes the most of the medieval setting.
A lot of good, a lot of bad.
planktonrules5 February 2015
"Heroes and Demons" is the sort of Star Trek story that I generally hate--a holodeck tale. Too often in the various Trek shows this gimmick was overused--as if the writers had run out of ideas so they placed the crew in the old west, the time of Robin Hood or in a Sherlock Holmes story. I realize some people liked these sort of shows but they so often had little to do with the series and seemed like filler. In this case, however, there still is a bit to like...even if it is set within the story "Beowulf"--and as a student, I HATED "Beowulf"!
When the show begins, Torres and the Captain are performing an experiment. Little do they realize that they are NOT dealing with some inert space material but a living being. The entity takes up residence in the holodeck and that is a problem because it then attacks folks who try to battle Grendel--as Grendel is this entity. So, because it is harmful to people, the Doctor is given his chance to go one a mission into the program and try to rescue three lost crew members.
It's nice seeing more of the Doctor. He's definitely my favorite of the crew and seeing him come into his own in this story is a lot of fun. Enjoyable but overall a mixed bag.
When the show begins, Torres and the Captain are performing an experiment. Little do they realize that they are NOT dealing with some inert space material but a living being. The entity takes up residence in the holodeck and that is a problem because it then attacks folks who try to battle Grendel--as Grendel is this entity. So, because it is harmful to people, the Doctor is given his chance to go one a mission into the program and try to rescue three lost crew members.
It's nice seeing more of the Doctor. He's definitely my favorite of the crew and seeing him come into his own in this story is a lot of fun. Enjoyable but overall a mixed bag.
Maybe Read a Book or Something
Hitchcoc12 August 2018
I wonder what percentage of Star Trek incarnations have an encounter with a malfunctioning holodeck. This device is so beyond reality that no one ever explains how it works. In this one, Harry gets messed up in a Beowulf novel setting. Of course, there is another alien presence that gets into the mix and he and others find themselves captive. The high point is the involvement of the Doctor who, because he is a hologram, gets into the action. Hs character is so much more interesting than most on board the ship.
Heroes and Demons
Prismark109 September 2023
The Holodeck is malfunctioning again. Harry Kim disappears as he partakes in the Beowulf story. Chakotay and Tuvok search for him but they too are zapped by a mysterious surge of what could be a sentient energy force.
In case they can somehow be found and resurrected. It is the the Emergency Holographic Doctor to go on his first away mission.
The Doctor enters a world of swords and monsters. The man programmed to save lives, finds himself in battle and even falling in love.
The story gives Robert Picardo time to shine. No longer confined to the medical room. He got the handle of the character rather quickly now he gets to have fun.
The cod Shakespeare acting though leaves a lot to be desired.
In case they can somehow be found and resurrected. It is the the Emergency Holographic Doctor to go on his first away mission.
The Doctor enters a world of swords and monsters. The man programmed to save lives, finds himself in battle and even falling in love.
The story gives Robert Picardo time to shine. No longer confined to the medical room. He got the handle of the character rather quickly now he gets to have fun.
The cod Shakespeare acting though leaves a lot to be desired.
Beowulf epic gone awry on the holodeck
Paularoc10 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorite Voyager episodes. Kim disappears from the holodeck; Chakotay and Tuvok go looking for him and they too disappear. Kim had been running a holodeck program depicting the Anglo-Saxon epic poem "Beowulf" which takes place in Denmark where a local monster is terrorizing the populace. It is determined that it is only safe for the Doctor (since he is a hologram), which he does. He develops an attachment to the young female warrior, Freya. Robert Picardo as the Doctor does his usually wonderful job with just the right amount of humor and pathos. The overblown performances of the actors portraying the Danes are right for the setting but somewhat amusing nonetheless. This is one of the best Voyagers.
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