Star Trek: Voyager Caretaker (1995–2001) Online

1995–2001 Kate Mulgrew Robert Beltran Roxann Dawson Winrich Kolbe

Original Title :: Caretaker
Genre :: TV Episode / Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Year :: 1995–2001
Directror :: Winrich Kolbe
Cast :: Kate Mulgrew,Robert Beltran,Roxann Dawson
Writer :: Gene Roddenberry,Rick Berman
Budget :: $23,000,000
Type :: TV Episode
Time :: 1h 30min
Rating :: 7.4/10

Star Trek: Voyager Caretaker (1995–2001) Online

Both the Voyager crew and the Maquis have to deal with the powerful alien - the Caretaker - who transported them 70,000 light-years across the galaxy, to see if he will send them back home. At the same time, a group of warrior aliens called the Kazon strive to gain control of the Caretaker's space station and become the most powerful force in the region.

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
	Kate Mulgrew	-	Captain Kathryn Janeway
	Robert Beltran	-	Commander Chakotay
	Roxann Dawson	-	B'Elanna Torres (as Roxann Biggs-Dawson)
	Jennifer Lien	-	Kes
	Robert Duncan McNeill	-	Tom Paris
	Ethan Phillips	-	Neelix
	Robert Picardo	-	The Doctor
	Tim Russ	-	Tuvok
	Garrett Wang	-	Harry Kim
	Basil Langton	-	The Caretaker
	Gavan O'Herlihy	-	Maje Jabin
	Scott Jaeck	-	Lt. Commander Cavit
	Angela Paton	-	Aunt Adah
	Armin Shimerman	-	Quark
	Alicia Coppola	-	Lieutenant Stadi

The character of Tom Paris was inspired by another Star Trek character, Cadet Nick Locarno from the Raumschiff Enterprise - Das nächste Jahrhundert: The First Duty (1992), who was also played by Robert Duncan McNeill. The creators decided they wanted a character "like" the cadet, and ended up with one who practically differed in name only. Oddly enough, McNeill was cast in the role as an afterthought.

The role of Janeway was the most sought after role, with Linda Hamilton, Nicola Bryant, Erin Gray, Lindsay Wagner, Patty Duke, Carolyn McCormick and Joanna Cassidy all vying for the role. Susan Gibney (Dr. Leah Brahms on Raumschiff Enterprise - Das nächste Jahrhundert (1987) and Captain Benteen on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) was originally asked to play Captain Janeway by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, but the studio rejected her, stating that she looked too young to be a captain. Scenes of her wearing a type of a command uniform (the type used on the previous shows) on the Voyager bridge were taped.

This is the only episode in the history of Star Trek for which the hairstyling cost more than visual effects because most of the Janeway scenes had to be re-shot after the studio requested that Janeway have a different hairstyle.

With their appearances in this episode, Armin Shimerman (Quark), Richard Poe (Gul Evek) and Mark Allen Shepherd (Morn) have all played the same character in three different live-action "Star Trek" series: Raumschiff Enterprise - Das nächste Jahrhundert (1987), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) and Star Trek: Raumschiff Voyager (1995). The only other actors to do so are Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), John de Lancie (Q) and Michael Ansara (Kang).

Even during auditions, the creative staff was unsure whether Janeway would be female or male. They opened up the auditions to both genders. Some of the male contenders for the role included Gary Graham and Nigel Havers.

Morn (Mark Allen Shepherd) appears in this pilot episode as well as the pilot episode Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Emissary (1993).

It was planned for the EMH to be called Dr. Zimmerman. They later decided to keep the character named "The Doctor" throughout the run, however the creator of the EMH program was later named Dr. Lewis Zimmerman. Certain episodes from seasons 1-2 feature the name in the closed captions for the Doctor's part.

The opening scene is very reminiscent of Krieg der Sterne (1977). The opening text gives the backstory followed by a large ship firing on a much smaller vessel.

Commander Benjamin Sisko previously mentioned that several ships had been lost in the Badlands in DS9: "The Maquis, Part I".

The underground Ocampa city was filmed at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Ethan Phillips (Neelix) and Jennifer Lien (Kes) do not appear in the syndicated version of this episode, as they are not seen until the second half of the original feature-length episode.

After TNG: "Birthright, Part I", this is the second and final appearance of Deep Space 9 outside of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

The first scene to be shot was the "tomato soup" scene with Paris and Kim.

During Janeway's speech, right after she has stated that Voyager's directive will be "to seek out new worlds and explore space", a part of the Star Trek: The Original Series main title theme's introductory fanfare can be heard for a few seconds.

Originally, Geneviève Bujold was cast as Captain Elizabeth Janeway, but she dropped the role after the first day of shooting because she claimed to not be able to handle the week-by-week shooting schedule of a show such as Star Trek.

Jeff McCarthy, Voyager's chief medical officer, also guest-starred five years earlier as the soldier Roga Danar in TNG: "The Hunted".

The Voyager's engine intermix uses the same projector-based effect for the refit Enterprise from Star Trek: Der Film (1979).

This takes place in 2371.

Surface shots of the Ocampa homeworld was film at the El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, which had been used for the surface of the moon Lambda Paz, where Jean-Luc Picard, Dirgo and Wesley Crusher crash in TNG: "Final Mission".

This series premiere was initially aired as a single, two-hour long, feature-length episode, the first of four examples of its kind in the series, the second being "Dark Frontier", the third being "Flesh and Blood", and the fourth being "Endgame". In syndication, however, the episode was edited into two one-hour parts.

This episode was nominated for four Emmy Awards. It won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects.

Josh Clark appeared as a tactical officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D in the Star Trek: The Next Generation first season episode "Justice". Seven years later he portrayed the recurring character Lieutenant Joe Carey in seven episodes of Star Trek: Voyager. Given the time frames of TNG and VOY, it is possible that this unnamed officer is Carey, assuming a later transfer to Engineering division and departure from the Enterprise-D prior to 2371.

This is listed as one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" of Star Trek: Raumschiff Voyager (1995) in the 2008 reference book "Star Trek 101" by Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann.

Ensign Rollins was placed in command of USS Voyager while the senior officers were away, a rarity for a non-regular character in Star Trek.

Scott MacDonald has appeared in all of the Star Trek television spin-offs. His most frequent Star Trek role was that of the Xindi-Reptilian Commander Dolim during the third season of Star Trek: Enterprise. He has also played the roles of Tosk on DS9 "Captive Pursuit", Goran'Agar on DS9 "Hippocratic Oath", Sub Commander N'Vek on TNG "Face of the Enemy" and Ensign Rollins on Voyager "Caretaker".

Stardate: 48315.6.

The events of "Caretaker" were revisited in several episodes, including VOY: "Projections", "Cold Fire", "Before and After", "Night", "The Voyager Conspiracy" and "Shattered".

Brannon Braga missed the chance to be involved in the writing of this episode; he was on vacation at the time.

The episode starts with scrolling text to set up the first scene; this technique was originally used in the pilot episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Emissary".

One of the first questions Neelix asks Tuvok is if a replicator will make him a gold operations uniform, to which Tuvok replies, "It most certainly will not." In later episodes and seasons, Neelix dons the gold uniform in times of crisis.

For the only time in the series, Tuvok addresses Neelix as "Sir," when asking for directions once Voyager has arrived at Ocampa.

Janeway is seen drinking coffee with creamer, going against her usual order of "Coffee, black."

Mary Meinel-Newport is seen playing two apparently different Bolian females. One is her "regular" DS9 persona (possibly Lysia Arlin), seen in Quark's, the other is a Bolian crew member seen in Voyager's mess hall early in the episode.

Numerous costumes and props from this episode were sold off on an online auction. Among them was an unfinished costume for background actress Cindy Bohling.

Seven actors in this episode had previously appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation in a different role. Robert Duncan McNeill (in "The First Duty"), Tim Russ (in "Starship Mine"), Armin Shimerman (in "The Last Outpost"), Scott Jaeck (in "The Inner Light"), Bruce French (in "The Drumhead"), Jeff McCarthy (in "The Hunted") and Josh Clark (in "Justice").

47 reference: it is stated that interval between energy pulses from the array is 0.47 seconds.

Supervising producer David Livingston was forced to take over as director for two days of the shoot, after Winrich Kolbe fell ill and was unable to work.

The following senior officers were killed when the Caretaker brought Voyager into the Delta Quadrant: Lieutenant Commander Cavit (First Officer), Lt. Stadi (Conn Officer), Dr. Fitzgerald (Chief Medical Officer) and his Vulcan nurse (T'Prenna), and the Chief Engineer.

The first and final episodes have the same last line, "Set a course, for home," said by Captain Janeway. (Although Paris replies, "Aye, Captain")

User reviews

Chilldweller

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.

GoodLike

"Caretaker: Part 1" - This episode starts with a Maquis (a group of rebels) ship fleeing from Cardassians into the Bad Lands. Shortly after entering the Bad Lands, there is a flash of light.

A week later the Voyager is on a mission to find them as one of the people on the Maquis ship was the Voyager's Security Chief, whom was undercover.

Once they get to the Bad Lands they experience the same conditions as the Maquis ship. The ship gets damaged, killing the first officer and the doctors, leaving them only with the EMH (Emergency Medical Hologram) for treatment. Not only that but they also find that they have been sent into the Delta Quadrant, 70,000 light years from the federation and are right next to the Maquis ship.

Everyone from both ships gets teleported to the array without warning. It would appear that is what brought them there. It isn't long before they are greeted by an old woman and her neighbors.

But who are these people? And what do they intend to do with their guests?

Anaginn

I have been a casual fan of all of the Star Trek incarnations. While I remember fondly the highly innovative and ground-breaking first Star Trek, I never re-watch that series mostly because I didn't care for William Shatner's portrayal nor for the show's (general) portrayal of women – and oh, those stupid uniforms! So to hear that a new Star Trek series was to have a woman captain was intriguing – I am pleased that Kate Mulgrew so well pulled it off. The pilot episode clearly establishes the characters and I like the cultural and ethnic diversity of the combined crew. This episode was a good start to a strong television series. One side note – in the scene where Captain Janeway tells the Caretaker that he should let the Ocampa take care of themselves etc., I was immediately reminded of Captain James T. Kirk who also expounded on the necessity and virtue of self-reliance when talking about a people who were being "taken care of."

Rivik

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!

invasion

This feature length episode serves well to introduce the regular characters that will feature in the series and to set up the situation they find themselves in. In the opening scene a Maquis ship is chased into the Badlands by the Cardassians and find themselves caught in a wave that throws them across the galaxy. One of the people on that ship was an undercover Star Fleet officer so a ship is dispatched to the Badlands to find him; that ship is the USS Voyager. We are quickly introduced to the crew we will be spending the next seven years with: Captain Catherine Janeway, Tom Paris a pilot currently in prison and Harry Kim, an ensign on his first mission. Soon after getting to the Badlands Voyager also finds itself flung across the galaxy to the Delta Quadrant. Several crew members are killed in the process this of course leaves several key positions unfilled so when they are forced to join forces with the Maquis there are important positions for them to fill and as the Doctor was killed we get to see Star Trek's first major character who is a hologram. After a visit to the array that brought them to the Delta Quadrant one member of each crew is kidnapped and transported to a nearby planet. In order to get them back they get help from local trader Neelix and Kes. As well as making two new friends in the Quadrant they also make an enemy of the Kazon, the species that appears to control that area of space.

This episode was a good opener as it successfully introduced a full cast of characters, obviously it will take more episodes to really get to know them but this was a good start. It also showed that even though they were on the other side of the galaxy they wouldn't allow harm to come to others to help them get home. While a lot of time is spent introducing the characters there is still plenty of action including a tense scene where the crew attempt to escape from the Ocampa's underground city though tunnels where the stairways are starting to collapse due to an earthquake and a space battle with the Kazon to prevent them gaining control of the array.

Prorahun

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.

Munimand

Voyager has always been my favourite TV series from the franchise, maybe it's the nostalgia from College days, but this one truly hit the spot.

I hadn't seen the pilot since it first went out, it's a good, solid start to the show, it sets the scene, introduces the characters and gives a flavour of what's to come. In some ways it's a little raw, and some of the special effects are a little crude by today's standards, but this is approaching 25 years old, so you could argue it holds up well.

Some nice scenes, including some rather creepy and strange villagers, it of course introduces the fabulous Captain Janeway. It did its job and got me hooked on the series, so a solid 7/10, great episodes would follow.

Nikojas

This is a pretty good episode. Part I especially has some theatrical qualities; although I'm pretty sure it was unintentional. I really want to talk about a couple of inconsistencies that bother me about Voyager. For one thing, the death of Stasi (?) the Betazed helmsman and other 'minor' characters throughout the series. Tom Paris just bends over her and says 'she's dead' and that's it - if this was a regular character, they wouldn't ever just stop there... they would build some 'bio- temporal' chamber or freeze the body until they can repair them, they would never just say, oh well 'Captain Janeway's dead'. The worst offense was in 'Random Thoughts' - The old lady had just stabbed the woman Neelix was talking to, and 'oh, she's dead' excuse me, but her stabbing was far from the EMH's abilities to heal, they could've beamed her to sickbay and she could have been healed, but they needed a death I suppose. Kes sucks - she's too goody-goody, the best thing the show ever did was exchange her for Seven of Nine. Neelix is a very weak character also IMO. I hate everything about Kes, her hair, everything... they should have changed her hair sooner... although she was good in 'Before and After'. Giving Paris the chance to 'prove himself' by saving Chakotay was contrived and derivative. Although saying derivative is now derivative. G. Wang is a poor/average actor... he was decent in 'Timeless' (a personal fav.) - but his comedic timing and delivery is non-existent. I cringe whenever I hear him make a joke - 'What makes you think were friends' and of course, the worst: 'Turkey Platter'... jeezus.

Faebei

Decent kickoff to the explorer Trek series has starship Voyager being snatched by this space station called an "array" 70,000 light years across the other side of the galaxy, in the uncharted Delta Quadrant. Captain Janeway loses medical personnel and key members of her Bridge crew. Her chief security officer, Vulcan Tuvok, has been undercover on a ship operated by the Maquis, quasi-Federation / anti-Cardassian group also lost in the Delta Quadrant. In charge of the Maquis vessel is Native American Chakotay and half-human / half-Klingon engineer specialist, B'Elanna Torres. Caretaker is an alien lifeform that protects a species of highly intelligent telepaths known as the Ocampas. A member of the Ocampas is Kes, the beloved of a Taxon named Neelix, who has a vast knowledge of the Delta Quadrant, both wanting to be a part of the Voyager crew's journey to find home. Caretaker is dying, and its ability to send the Voyager back is not an option due to its weakening state. Meanwhile a threat to the Ocampas called the Kazon want the array for their own use, with Caretaker begging Janeway to not allow it. Chakotay might just help in that regard. Included is a desert planet with an underground civilization where the peaceful Ocampas thrive as the Kazon survive above on the unbearable surface where it is hot and water-deprived. Taken from the Maquis is Torres and Ensign Kim from the Voyager, by Caretaker, sent to the Ocampas with Janeway, her "reclamation project (pilot Tom Paris), Neelix, Kes, and Chakotay on a rescue mission to retrieve them. Ultimately this brings members of the Maquis and Starfleet together, even if it will be a bit rocky at the beginning. Paris was responsible for an accident that killed three officers and was temporarily a member of the Maquis...he has a bad rep for only looking out for himself, later proving this to be not altogether true when he saves Chakotay from certain death and volunteers to find Kim on the rescue mission. Torres admits to being in Starfleet to Kim, and her Klingon side produces an aggressiveness and seething anger she has trouble controlling. There is some early Neelix / Tuvok fun when the Taxon gets a nice bath as the Vulcan meets him in his quarters, quite annoyed as logic is tested by spirited glee.

Zut

This is a two-part pilot episode to introduce this new Star Trek series. And, to pass on the baton, so to speak, the show begins on Deep Space 9.

It's difficult to judge any series based on its pilot episode. The show spends a lot of time introducing characters, dumping LOTS of back story onto the audience as well as forming the characters. As a result, the folks on this particular episode are a bit wooden and difficult to believe. For example, Mr. Neelix is much, much more talkative and annoying in this one--and fortunately, over time the show smoothed these rough edges.

As for the plot, it's only okay. The show begins with the Maquis and Federation battling each other. But, due to a strange array on the opposite side of the galaxy, they are pulled many thousand light- years away. Now both a Maquis and Federation ship must work together to somehow try to make it back home. Why they were brought there and how they'll get back is pretty much the focus of the show- -as well as the series.

Realistic

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.

Helldor

Nice concept. Oversimplified. Good characters.

It was OK but didn't live up to the Trek legend.

Need I say more?

SupperDom

Caretaker was really great, but as many other Trekkers will note, Voyager went way downhill from here. With the Next Generation in the movies and DS9 not exploring space, the pilot for Voyager takes audiences where they have never gone before. The story is interesting and way above in the quality department then most of the Voyager episodes. There is good acting too. Sadly, Voyager does go down from here and loses it's creativity.

Pedar

I really hated this movie. The acting was so bad, the actors weren't "in" the story, do you know what i mean ??.

And the plot, well after ten minutes anyone can see how the movie is going to end.

Categories

Related Videos

Star Trek: Voyager Caretaker (1995–2001) Online

User reviews