Latent Image (Star Trek: Voyager)

"Latent Image" is the 105th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager airing on the UPN network, the 11th episode of the fifth season. Robert Picardo said that this is not only his favorite Voyager episode, but also the most important in the development of the Doctor's character.[1]

"Latent Image"
Star Trek: Voyager episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 11
Directed byMike Vejar
Story by
Teleplay byJoe Menosky
Featured musicPaul Baillargeon
Cinematography byMarvin V. Rush
Production code206
Original air dateJanuary 20, 1999 (1999-01-20)
Guest appearance(s)

Plot

During a routine medical examination, the Doctor discovers evidence that Ensign Harry Kim has undergone complex brain surgery within the last two years which only the Doctor could have performed.

Having no memory of the procedure, the Doctor attempts to reconstruct the missing time period and discovers that certain files in his memory were deleted. A reconstruction reveals photos of an Ensign Jetal, a woman he has no recollection of.

The Doctor eventually discovers that Captain Janeway and the crew conspired to eliminate files concerning a traumatic event that caused a holographic equivalent of a psychotic break. After an attack during an away mission, the Doctor could only treat one of two equally critically injured patients - Ensign Jetal and Ensign Harry Kim. The Doctor saved Harry; Jetal died on the operating table. As time passed, the Doctor was overpowered by guilt, believing his friendship with Harry affected his decision to save him rather than Jetal. A conflict then developed within his ethical programming that compromised his impartiality.

On having the previously deleted files reinstalled, the Doctor's mental stability once again deteriorates, and Janeway is faced with deleting his memories or allowing the Doctor time to resolve his guilt, a decision that could leave the crew without a medic in the interim.

Seven of Nine argues to Janeway that, much as she herself did, the Doctor's personal development has advanced to where he deserves an opportunity to evolve beyond his program's original constraints, and, by extension, his very nature as a piece of technology. Janeway allows the Doctor to retain his memories so he can eventually reconcile with his past actions.

In the final scene, the Doctor reads from La Vita Nuova. The words differ from the actual poem to make them more applicable to the story and give a more profound sense of closure: "In that book, which is my memory, on the first page of the chapter that is the day when I first met you appear the words, 'here begins a new life'".

Reception

In 2012, Den of Geek ranked "Latent Image" as one of the top ten episodes of Star Trek: Voyager.[2]

gollark: Oh, you said and I didn't scroll down, silly me.
gollark: I heard somewhere that it got shortened to chi-mas, and the Greek letter chi looks like x.
gollark: "Okay", kite.
gollark: I have reasons, "kite".
gollark: For now, anyway.

See also

References
  1. Star Trek: Voyager Season 5 DVD Set, Disc 7: "Special Features"
  2. "Top 10 Star Trek: Voyager episodes". Den of Geek.
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