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Message in a Bottle (Star Trek: Voyager)
Encyclopedia
"Message in a Bottle" is a popular episode of Star Trek: Voyager
, the fourteenth episode of the fourth season, which premiered January 21, 1998. The episode has an average rating of 4.6/5 on the official Star Trek
website (as of May 11, 2007).
locates an unattended network of alien sensor stations. Patching into this, she is able to locate a Federation
vessel on the far reaches of the Alpha Quadrant, the USS Prometheus. Voyagers crew attempts to send a message along the relay, but it is reflected back to them after degrading en route. Theorizing that a holographic signal would be stronger, and not degrade so quickly, they send the Doctor as a datastream.
Upon arrival, the Doctor discovers that the Prometheus is an experimental warship developed in secret by the Federation, but that the Romulan
s have learned of its existence and captured the vessel. Being pursued by the USS Bonchune, the Romulans initiate the first test of the new multi-vector assault mode, in which the Prometheus splits into three separate pieces to engage hostile ships.
Seeking assistance, the Doctor activates the ship's own EMH, a Mark II of the program (Andy Dick
). The second EMH cites protocol for an EMH to deactivate when its vessel was taken over, but Voyager's doctor notes that as both ships are at stake, they do not have that luxury.
Using the pretense of an infection on board, the Doctor goes to the bridge in an effort to open the atmospheric filters to flood the ship with anesthetizing gas and knock the Romulans unconscious. The ruse fails, but when he is captured and interrogated, the Doctor keeps the Romulans stalled long enough for the EMH Mark II to fool the ship's computer into opening the filters, permitting the distribution of the gas.
Unfortunately, just moments after they take control, the Prometheus is intercepted by three Romulan D'deridex-class warbirds.
Unfamiliar with the helm and weapons systems, the two EMH programs unsuccessfully attempt to fool the Romulans into leaving, before three more Starfleet
vessels arrive to retake their ship. In the ensuing battle, all six other vessels target the Prometheus. The EMH Mark II stumbles upon the command to put the ship into multi-vector assault mode. The strength of the Prometheus is quickly demonstrated when it easily overpowers and destroys one of the Romulan warbirds. With that loss, the Romulans retreat, and a Starfleet security detail transports over to the Prometheus.
Meanwhile, Voyagers crew has learned that the sensor array was not abandoned, but belongs to the Hirogen
, who announce themselves and demand that Voyager disconnect at once. Janeway tries to negotiate, but the Hirogen officer is recalcritrant. Seven of Nine buys time to await the Doctor's return by stunning the officer with a feedback loop. After the battle with the Romulans, the Doctor gets through and materializes in sickbay. He has good news: he has updated Starfleet on Voyager's situation. This is the first time Starfleet has heard from the vessel since it disappeared four years ago. The Voyager has been removed from Starfleet's list of destroyed ships, and a message sent back: "You're no longer alone". Starfleet
will be trying their best to return Voyager home, as well as tell their families that the crew is alive.
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
, the fourteenth episode of the fourth season, which premiered January 21, 1998. The episode has an average rating of 4.6/5 on the official Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
website (as of May 11, 2007).
Plot
After successfully extending the range of Voyager's sensors, Seven of NineSeven of Nine
Seven of Nine is a fictional character on Star Trek: Voyager, portrayed by actress Jeri Ryan. Born human, she was assimilated by the Borg at the age of six. Eighteen years later, Voyager left Borg space with Seven on board, after attempts to negotiate passage through Borg space proved only...
locates an unattended network of alien sensor stations. Patching into this, she is able to locate a Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
vessel on the far reaches of the Alpha Quadrant, the USS Prometheus. Voyagers crew attempts to send a message along the relay, but it is reflected back to them after degrading en route. Theorizing that a holographic signal would be stronger, and not degrade so quickly, they send the Doctor as a datastream.
Upon arrival, the Doctor discovers that the Prometheus is an experimental warship developed in secret by the Federation, but that the Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
s have learned of its existence and captured the vessel. Being pursued by the USS Bonchune, the Romulans initiate the first test of the new multi-vector assault mode, in which the Prometheus splits into three separate pieces to engage hostile ships.
Seeking assistance, the Doctor activates the ship's own EMH, a Mark II of the program (Andy Dick
Andy Dick
Andrew R. "Andy" Dick is an American comedian, actor, musician and television/film producer. His first regular television role was on the short-lived but highly influential Ben Stiller Show. In the mid-1990s, he had a long-running stint on NBC's NewsRadio...
). The second EMH cites protocol for an EMH to deactivate when its vessel was taken over, but Voyager's doctor notes that as both ships are at stake, they do not have that luxury.
Using the pretense of an infection on board, the Doctor goes to the bridge in an effort to open the atmospheric filters to flood the ship with anesthetizing gas and knock the Romulans unconscious. The ruse fails, but when he is captured and interrogated, the Doctor keeps the Romulans stalled long enough for the EMH Mark II to fool the ship's computer into opening the filters, permitting the distribution of the gas.
Unfortunately, just moments after they take control, the Prometheus is intercepted by three Romulan D'deridex-class warbirds.
Unfamiliar with the helm and weapons systems, the two EMH programs unsuccessfully attempt to fool the Romulans into leaving, before three more Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
vessels arrive to retake their ship. In the ensuing battle, all six other vessels target the Prometheus. The EMH Mark II stumbles upon the command to put the ship into multi-vector assault mode. The strength of the Prometheus is quickly demonstrated when it easily overpowers and destroys one of the Romulan warbirds. With that loss, the Romulans retreat, and a Starfleet security detail transports over to the Prometheus.
Meanwhile, Voyagers crew has learned that the sensor array was not abandoned, but belongs to the Hirogen
Hirogen
The Hirogen are a fictional race in the Star Trek universe, a long-running plot device in the Star Trek: Voyager television series, appearing nine times in Seasons 4-7....
, who announce themselves and demand that Voyager disconnect at once. Janeway tries to negotiate, but the Hirogen officer is recalcritrant. Seven of Nine buys time to await the Doctor's return by stunning the officer with a feedback loop. After the battle with the Romulans, the Doctor gets through and materializes in sickbay. He has good news: he has updated Starfleet on Voyager's situation. This is the first time Starfleet has heard from the vessel since it disappeared four years ago. The Voyager has been removed from Starfleet's list of destroyed ships, and a message sent back: "You're no longer alone". Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
will be trying their best to return Voyager home, as well as tell their families that the crew is alive.