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{{sidebar episode
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<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
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| aSelf = Concerning Flight
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|image = Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine.jpg
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| sTitle = Concerning Flight
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|teleplay = [[Joe Menosky]]
  ⚫
|story = [[Jimmy Diggs]] & [[Joe Menosky]]
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| sSeries = VOY
  
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| nSeason = 4
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|director = [[Jesús Salvador Treviño]]
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| nEpisode = 11
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|date = 51386.4 ([[2374]])
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|sProductionSerialNumber = 179
  
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| nAirdateYear = 1997
  
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| sAirdateMonth = November
  
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| nAirdateDay = 26
  
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| sImage = Kate_In_'Concerning_Flight'.jpg
  
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| wsWrittenBy =
 
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| wsTeleplayBy = [[Joe Menosky]]
  
⚫
| wsStoryBy = [[Jimmy Diggs]] & [[Joe Menosky]]
  
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| wsDirectedBy = [[Jesús Salvador Treviño]]
  
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| nNthProducedInSeries = 78
  
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| nNthReleasedInSeries = 78
  
−
| nNthReleasedInAll = 495
  
−
| bFeatureLength = 0
  
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| nSerialAirdate = 19971126
  
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| wsDate = 51386.4 ([[2374]])
  
−
| aNextReleasedInAll = Mortal Coil (episode)
  
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| aPrevReleasedInAll = Statistical Probabilities (episode)
  
−
| aNextReleasedInSeries = Mortal Coil (episode)
  
−
| aPrevReleasedInSeries = Random Thoughts (episode)
  
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| aNextProducedInSeries = Mortal Coil (episode)
  
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| aPrevProducedInSeries = Random Thoughts (episode)
  
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|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Waltz (episode)
  
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|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = Random Thoughts (episode)
  
 
}}
  
}}
 
When pirates steal the ship's main computer and other critical equipment, Captain Janeway tries to track down the missing equipment with the help of the holographic Leonardo da Vinci.
  
When pirates steal the ship's main computer and other critical equipment, Captain Janeway tries to track down the missing equipment with the help of the holographic Leonardo da Vinci.
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== Summary ==
  
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
  
=== Teaser ===
−
On the [[holodeck]], amid angry shouts from the street below, a soaking wet [[Kathryn Janeway]] and the [[Leonardo da Vinci]] hologram retreat to da Vinci's studio, having failed an attempt to launch [[da Vinci's glider]]. Da Vinci, angered that he nearly got the two of them drowned with half of [[Florence]] watching, suggests relocating to [[France]]. Janeway accuses him of giving up on his most important works and questions him as to why. Da Vinci evades the issue, and Janeway is summoned to the [[bridge]] as the {{USS|Voyager}} is shaken by a sudden attack.
 +
On the [[holodeck]], amid taunting and jeering shouts from the street below, a soaking wet [[Kathryn Janeway]] and the {{dis|Leonardo da Vinci|hologram}} hologram retreat to da Vinci's studio, having failed an attempt to launch the [[Great Bird]]. Da Vinci, angered that he nearly got the two of them drowned with half of [[Florence]] watching, suggests relocating to [[France]]. Janeway accuses him of giving up on his most important works and questions him as to why. Da Vinci evades the issue, and Janeway is summoned to the [[bridge]] as the {{USS|Voyager}} is shaken by a sudden attack.
   
 
=== Act One ===
  
=== Act One ===
  +
[[File:Mobile emmiter stolen.jpg|thumb|The Doctor's emitter disappears]]
−
The physical damage from the attack is negligible but [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]] detects a slight destabilization along the [[shield]] perimeter. In [[engineering]], [[Lieutenant junior grade|Lieutenant jg]] [[B'Elanna Torres]] watches as the [[warp diagnostic assembly]] vanishes in a [[transporter]] beam. Throughout the ship, other objects are beamed off, including [[The Doctor]]'s [[mobile emitter]]. As ''Voyager'' prepares to return fire to the attacking ships, the weapon [[targeting sensor|targeting controls]] fail and Kim reports that ''Voyager''{{'}}s main [[computer]] processor was among the stolen items, rendering the ship's weapons, navigation and propulsion inoperable.
 +
The physical damage from the attack is negligible but [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]] detects a slight destabilization along the [[shield]] perimeter. In [[engineering]], [[Lieutenant junior grade|Lieutenant jg]] [[B'Elanna Torres]] watches as the [[warp diagnostic assembly]] vanishes in a [[transporter]] beam. Throughout the ship, other objects are beamed off, including [[The Doctor]]'s [[mobile emitter]]. As ''Voyager'' prepares to return fire to the [[Tau's ships|attacking ships]], the weapon [[targeting sensor|targeting controls]] fail and Kim reports that ''Voyager''{{'}}s main [[computer]] processor was among the stolen items, rendering the ship's weapons, navigation and propulsion inoperable.
   
  +
[[File:Computer processor stolen.jpg|thumb|The primary computer processor is stolen]]
 
The crew discovers that the unknown pirates used a high-energy transporter beam. Along with the computer processor and the mobile emitter, the pirates also stole five [[tricorder]]s, three [[phaser]] rifles, two [[photon torpedo]] casings, a [[plasma injector]] [[conduit]] and a month's supply of [[emergency ration]]s. The Doctor is most upset about the missing emitter but Janeway declares the computer processor to be the top priority for recovery. She tells Kim to do whatever he can to track the pirate ships.
  
The crew discovers that the unknown pirates used a high-energy transporter beam. Along with the computer processor and the mobile emitter, the pirates also stole five [[tricorder]]s, three [[phaser]] rifles, two [[photon torpedo]] casings, a [[plasma injector]] [[conduit]] and a month's supply of [[emergency ration]]s. The Doctor is most upset about the missing emitter but Janeway declares the computer processor to be the top priority for recovery. She tells Kim to do whatever he can to track the pirate ships.
   
 
Kim hopes to enlist [[Seven of Nine]]'s assistance in extending the ship's [[sensor]]s using the [[deep space imaging system]] in the [[astrometrics]] lab. Seven informs him she's already been working on that task for the past two hours. When Kim offers to help, Seven brusquely orders him to decompile databanks 59-17 to isolate an algorithmic feedback that is interfering with the resolution. She tells him to perform the procedure immediately or leave. He suggests she learn to phrase her requests more diplomatically.
  
Kim hopes to enlist [[Seven of Nine]]'s assistance in extending the ship's [[sensor]]s using the [[deep space imaging system]] in the [[astrometrics]] lab. Seven informs him she's already been working on that task for the past two hours. When Kim offers to help, Seven brusquely orders him to decompile databanks 59-17 to isolate an algorithmic feedback that is interfering with the resolution. She tells him to perform the procedure immediately or leave. He suggests she learn to phrase her requests more diplomatically.
   
−
With the computer functioning at half power, ''Voyager'' spends 10 days tracking its missing equipment to a [[planet]] that appears to be a center of [[economics|trade and commerce]]. Kim locates [[Starfleet]] signatures on the planet's surface, including that of the missing computer processor on the North [[continent]]. Janeway and [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Tuvok]] beam down to the northern continent, while Lt. jg [[Tom Paris]] and [[Neelix]] journey to the southern continent.
 +
With the computer functioning at half power, ''Voyager'' spends 10 days tracking its missing equipment to a [[planet]] that appears to be a center of [[economics|trade and commerce]]. Kim locates [[Starfleet]] signatures on the planet's surface, including that of the missing computer processor on the North [[continent]]. Janeway and [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Tuvok]] beam down to the northern continent, while Lt. [[Tom Paris]] and [[Neelix]] journey to the southern continent.
   
  +
[[File:Welcome to America.jpg|thumb|"''Caterina! Welcome! Welcome to America!''"]]
−
In the city, Tuvok locates a Starfleet signature too small to be the processor moving toward his and Janeway's location. They are stunned when the [[Leonardo da Vinci]] hologram appears, welcoming them to [[America]].
 +
In the city, Tuvok locates a Starfleet signature too small to be the processor moving toward his and Janeway's location. They are stunned when the Leonardo da Vinci hologram appears, welcoming them to [[North America|America]].
   
 
=== Act Two ===
  
=== Act Two ===
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Da Vinci takes Janeway and Tuvok to his new workshop, provided by his patron. The room is filled with stolen goods, including a phaser. Da Vinci says his patron provides the equipment in return for Da Vinci's ideas. He tells Janeway to be careful with the phaser, describing it as a weapon that shoots a bolt of lightning rather than projecting lead pellets. He promises to introduce Janeway and Tuvok to his patron that evening.
  
Da Vinci takes Janeway and Tuvok to his new workshop, provided by his patron. The room is filled with stolen goods, including a phaser. Da Vinci says his patron provides the equipment in return for Da Vinci's ideas. He tells Janeway to be careful with the phaser, describing it as a weapon that shoots a bolt of lightning rather than projecting lead pellets. He promises to introduce Janeway and Tuvok to his patron that evening.
   
−
[[File:Tau.jpg|thumb|left|Tau]]Back on ''Voyager'', Paris and Neelix return from the southern continent with an alien trader, whom they have lured to the ship with the promise of supplying a [[warp coil]]. [[Commander]] [[Chakotay]] questions the alien, who proves to be uncooperative until Chakotay threatens to throw him off the ship. He tells the ''Voyager'' [[officer]]s of a man called [[Tau (pirate)|Tau]], who controls the seventh [[province]] of the northern continent. Chakotay tells him he can keep the equipment he has, including the ''Voyager'' [[uniform]] he's wearing, and sends the alien on his way.
 +
[[File:Tau.jpg|thumb|left|Tau]]Back on ''Voyager'', Paris and Neelix return from the southern continent with an alien trader, whom they have lured to the ship with the promise of supplying a [[warp coil]]. [[Commander]] [[Chakotay]] questions the alien, who proves to be uncooperative until Chakotay threatens to throw him off the ship. He tells the ''Voyager'' [[officer]]s of a man called {{dis|Tau|pirate}}, who controls the seventh [[province]] of the northern continent. The pirates steal technology (using high-energy translocator devices) from passing ships then sells the technology on the black market. Chakotay tells him he can keep the equipment he has, including the ''Voyager'' [[uniform]] he's wearing, and sends the alien on his way.
   
 
On the planet, Tau is trying to make a deal with a potential customer who balks at his prices. Janeway and Tuvok shadow Tau, having found out that he is Da Vinci's patron. They also have determined that the computer processor is not in the city and believe that Tau can lead them to it. When da Vinci appears, Janeway instructs Tuvok to keep him occupied with small talk while she poses as a buyer and makes contact with Tau. Janeway tells Tau her client needs a computer to run a colony about 20 [[parsec]]s away. Tau shows her to a verbal interface that speaks in the ''Voyager'' computer's voice. Then he names his price &ndash; a [[warship]].
  
On the planet, Tau is trying to make a deal with a potential customer who balks at his prices. Janeway and Tuvok shadow Tau, having found out that he is Da Vinci's patron. They also have determined that the computer processor is not in the city and believe that Tau can lead them to it. When da Vinci appears, Janeway instructs Tuvok to keep him occupied with small talk while she poses as a buyer and makes contact with Tau. Janeway tells Tau her client needs a computer to run a colony about 20 [[parsec]]s away. Tau shows her to a verbal interface that speaks in the ''Voyager'' computer's voice. Then he names his price &ndash; a [[warship]].
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In Da Vinci's workshop, Janeway and Tuvok search for a storage facility or stronghold where the processor might be, using [[map]]s that Da Vinci has sketched of the area. Da Vinci interrupts the proceedings, but Tuvok uses a button on the emitter to freeze his program so he and Janeway can speak freely. Tuvok suggests returning to the ship with da Vinci's maps and his tricorder data and feeding the information into the ship's sensors. Janeway tells Tuvok to return to ''Voyager'', but she will remain on the planet and continue searching from there, with Da Vinci's help. Tuvok cautions her that the Da Vinci program may simulate the artist's genius, but also re-creates his notorious unreliability.
  
In Da Vinci's workshop, Janeway and Tuvok search for a storage facility or stronghold where the processor might be, using [[map]]s that Da Vinci has sketched of the area. Da Vinci interrupts the proceedings, but Tuvok uses a button on the emitter to freeze his program so he and Janeway can speak freely. Tuvok suggests returning to the ship with da Vinci's maps and his tricorder data and feeding the information into the ship's sensors. Janeway tells Tuvok to return to ''Voyager'', but she will remain on the planet and continue searching from there, with Da Vinci's help. Tuvok cautions her that the Da Vinci program may simulate the artist's genius, but also re-creates his notorious unreliability.
   
−
On ''Voyager'', The Doctor discovers that Seven of Nine's [[ocular implant|optical interface]] is misaligned and chastises her for missing her regular examinations. He then questions her about the happenings onboard ''Voyager'', saying he heard there was a "fuss" in the mess hall. Seven says she and Torres had a disagreement and The Doctor presses her for more details. Seven can't understand his need to hear about such trivialities but The Doctor says without his emitter he is once again imprisoned in sickbay and not kept informed. Seven elaborates that Torres called her an "automaton" and employed a string of profane [[Klingonese|Klingon insults]]. She also says that she was right and Torres was wrong. The Doctor hopes to hear more, but Tuvok summons Seven to astrometrics.
 +
On ''Voyager'', The Doctor discovers that Seven of Nine's [[ocular implant|optical interface]] is misaligned and chastises her for missing her regular examinations. He then questions her about the happenings onboard ''Voyager'', saying he heard there was a "fuss" in the mess hall. Seven says she and Torres had a disagreement and The Doctor presses her for more details. Seven can't understand his need to hear about such trivialities but The Doctor says without his emitter he is once again imprisoned in sickbay and not kept informed. Seven elaborates that Torres called her an "[[automaton]]" and employed a string of profane [[Klingonese|Klingon insults]]. She also says that she was right and Torres was wrong. The Doctor hopes to hear more, but Tuvok summons Seven to astrometrics.
   
 
Using the astrometric sensors, Tuvok and Seven pinpoint the location of the computer processor, but the building is surrounded by a dispersion field, making transport impossible. Seven suggests that the captain might be able to get inside and initiate a power surge in the processor to boost its signal, so ''Voyager'' can get a lock. Tuvok contacts the captain and she agrees to carry out the plan, with Da Vinci's assistance. Unfortunately, Tau overhears her conversation and forces Janeway at gunpoint to hand over her [[combadge]].
  
Using the astrometric sensors, Tuvok and Seven pinpoint the location of the computer processor, but the building is surrounded by a dispersion field, making transport impossible. Seven suggests that the captain might be able to get inside and initiate a power surge in the processor to boost its signal, so ''Voyager'' can get a lock. Tuvok contacts the captain and she agrees to carry out the plan, with Da Vinci's assistance. Unfortunately, Tau overhears her conversation and forces Janeway at gunpoint to hand over her [[combadge]].
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On the planet, Da Vinci can't recall where the entrance to the storage facility is. Janeway presses him, saying that inside the storage facility is a wondrous invention they can use to send a beacon to her Portuguese ship. All they have to do is find it and they will be rescued. Da Vinci surmises that anyone who built such a fortress likely would fear theft, so they would construct one entrance to the building facing away from the sunlight so as to blind anyone seeking the entry. He and Janeway locate the entrance and go inside.
  
On the planet, Da Vinci can't recall where the entrance to the storage facility is. Janeway presses him, saying that inside the storage facility is a wondrous invention they can use to send a beacon to her Portuguese ship. All they have to do is find it and they will be rescued. Da Vinci surmises that anyone who built such a fortress likely would fear theft, so they would construct one entrance to the building facing away from the sunlight so as to blind anyone seeking the entry. He and Janeway locate the entrance and go inside.
   
−
On ''Voyager'', Kim reports that 30 armed guards are closing in on the captain's position. Inside the storage facility, Da Vinci likens the layout to a labyrinth, but Janeway has a "[[compass]]" (her tricorder). The "compass" leads them to a collection of phasers, a [[plasma injector]], a [[site-to-site transport]] device and the missing computer processor. Janeway speaks to the computer, asking if it recognizes her voice. Da Vinci is stunned to hear a woman's voice emanating from within the processor. Janeway instructs the computer to produce a level 4 [[induction relay override]]. She tells Da Vinci to stand close to the machine as they await transport.
 +
On ''Voyager'', Kim reports that 30 armed guards are closing in on the captain's position. Inside the storage facility, Da Vinci likens the layout to a labyrinth, but Janeway has a "[[compass]]" (her tricorder). The "compass" leads them to a collection of phasers, a [[plasma injector]], a [[site-to-site transporter]] and the missing computer processor. Janeway speaks to the computer, asking if it recognizes her voice. Da Vinci is stunned to hear a woman's voice emanating from within the processor. Janeway instructs the computer to produce a level 4 [[induction relay override]]. She tells Da Vinci to stand close to the machine as they await transport.
   
−
''Voyager'' detects the power surge but an armed guard begins firing at Janeway and Da Vinci forcing them to retreat from the processor as it is beamed out, leaving them behind. Da Vinci is shot, but the beam passes through him, leaving him confused and fearful. Janeway subdues the armed guard. She picks up the site-to-site transport device, telling Da Vinci it is an invention from another land that can move them out of the building a few kilometers away in the blink of an eye. Da Vinci demands an explanation for all that he's seen. Janeway says he once told her it was a poor apprentice who could not surpass her master and that he must accept there are things she understands about the new land that he doesn't.
 +
''Voyager'' detects the power surge but an armed guard begins firing at Janeway and Da Vinci forcing them to retreat from the processor as it is beamed out, leaving them behind. Da Vinci is shot, but the beam passes through him, leaving him confused and fearful. Janeway subdues the armed guard. She picks up the site-to-site transport device, telling Da Vinci it is an invention from another land that can move them out of the building a few [[kilometer]]s away in the blink of an eye. Da Vinci demands an explanation for all that he's seen. Janeway says he once told her it was a poor apprentice who could not surpass her master and that he must accept there are things she understands about the new land that he doesn't.
   
 
''Voyager'' comes under attack by 13 vessels launched from the planet's surface. Chakotay tells Torres to get the processor back online quickly. "''We've still got a captain down there.''"
  
''Voyager'' comes under attack by 13 vessels launched from the planet's surface. Chakotay tells Torres to get the processor back online quickly. "''We've still got a captain down there.''"
   
 
=== Act Five ===
  
=== Act Five ===
  +
[[File:Kathryn Janeway, 2374.jpg|thumb|Janeway tries to explain their situation to da Vinci in terms he can understand]]
 
Janeway and Da Vinci are on the run in the planet's wilderness but da Vinci refuses to go any further until "Caterina" explains what's happening and tells him if they are dead. She asks him what his perspective would be if he were a [[sparrow]], if his mind were too small to perceive the world around him. Da Vinci concedes that the limits of his own mind prevent him from understanding how certain realities exist beyond his level of comprehension. With the guards closing in, Da Vinci abruptly changes directions, leading Janeway up the hillside.
  
Janeway and Da Vinci are on the run in the planet's wilderness but da Vinci refuses to go any further until "Caterina" explains what's happening and tells him if they are dead. She asks him what his perspective would be if he were a [[sparrow]], if his mind were too small to perceive the world around him. Da Vinci concedes that the limits of his own mind prevent him from understanding how certain realities exist beyond his level of comprehension. With the guards closing in, Da Vinci abruptly changes directions, leading Janeway up the hillside.
   
 
Torres gets the processor back online, restoring navigation, propulsion and sensors. The ship must get within 500 kilometers to retrieve the captain. Tuvok points out that the attacking ship will try to block ''Voyager''{{'}}s descent, and Chakotay tells Paris to get ready for some "fancy flying."
  
Torres gets the processor back online, restoring navigation, propulsion and sensors. The ship must get within 500 kilometers to retrieve the captain. Tuvok points out that the attacking ship will try to block ''Voyager''{{'}}s descent, and Chakotay tells Paris to get ready for some "fancy flying."
   
  +
[[File:Leonardo da Vinci and Janeway flying.jpg|thumb|left|"''Caterina! We're flying''"<br>"''Like the birds!''"<br>"''Like the birds!''"]]
−
Da Vinci leads Janeway to the summit of the hill, where he has completed constructing his glider, using [[duranium]]. ''Voyager'' detects the captain and da Vinci at the edge of the precipice but the ship is still too high for transport. With Tau and a guard firing on them, Janeway and Da Vinci launch the glider and fly away, stunning Tau and the guard. Kim is able to transport Janeway, Da Vinci and the glider to [[cargo bay]] 1.
 +
Da Vinci leads Janeway to the summit of the hill, where he has rebuilt the Great Bird glider, using [[duranium]]. Janeway quickly examines the glider, determining that the combination of design, construction, and materials do indeed make it airworthy. ''Voyager'' detects the captain and da Vinci at the edge of the precipice but the ship is still too high for transport. With Tau and a guard firing on them, Janeway and Da Vinci launch the Great Bird and fly away, leaving behind their stunned pursuers. Kim is able to transport Janeway, Da Vinci, and the Great Bird to [[Cargo bay]] 1.
   
  +
[[File:Leonardo da Vinci and Janeway beamed aboard.jpg|thumb|Leonardo, Janeway, and the Great Bird are beamed away in midair]]
−
Later, Janeway visits Da Vinci back on the holodeck and finds him packing to go to France, intent on re-creating the wonders he seen. She warns him that he won't be able to find similar materials to the ones he encountered in the New World but she bids him farewell and walks him to his [[carriage]].
 +
Later, Janeway visits Da Vinci back on the holodeck and finds him packing to go to France, intent on re-creating the wonders he has seen. She warns him that he won't be able to find similar materials to the ones he encountered in the New World but she bids him farewell and walks him to his [[carriage]].
   
−
== Log Entries ==
 +
== Log entries ==
−
*''Captain's log, stardate 51386.4. With ship's systems at nearly half capacity, it's taken us ten days to track our stolen technology. ''
 +
*"''Captain's log, stardate 51386.4. With ship's systems at nearly half capacity, it's taken us ten days to track our stolen technology.''"
   
−
*''First officer's log, stardate 51392.7. Though we've yet to hear from the captain and Tuvok, Paris and Neelix have returned from their mission to the southern continent with some disturbing evidence. ''
 +
*"''First officer's log, stardate 51392.7. Though we've yet to hear from the captain and Tuvok, Paris, and Neelix have returned from their mission to the southern continent with some disturbing evidence.''"
   
−
*''Captain's log, stardate 51408.3. We're back on course to the Alpha Quadrant. With the ship's computer and the Doctor's emitter returned to proper places, I've set aside some time to check on the maestro. ''
 +
*"''Captain's log, stardate 51408.3. We're back on course to the Alpha Quadrant. With the ship's computer and The Doctor's emitter returned to proper places, I've set aside some time to check on the maestro.''"
   
−
== Memorable Quotes ==
 +
== Memorable quotes ==
−
"You ''are the animal! A bird who cannot fly!''"<br />
 +
"You ''are the animale! A bird who cannot fly!''"<br />
 
"''Better than a man who cannot'' think!"<br />
  
"''Better than a man who cannot'' think!"<br />
 
"''The pigeon speaks! ''(imitating pigeons)'' Coo-Coo! Coo-Coo!''"
  
"''The pigeon speaks! ''(imitating pigeons)'' Coo-Coo! Coo-Coo!''"
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−
"''I must understand... Caterina
 +
"''I must understand&hellip; Caterina
 
To see objects disappear into thin air; to see lightning pass through my body; Caterina, are we spirits? Caterina, am I dead?''"<br />
  
To see objects disappear into thin air; to see lightning pass through my body; Caterina, are we spirits? Caterina, am I dead?''"<br />
−
"''Let me ask you something. If you were something other than a human being, if you are a different kind of animal, if you were a small bird, a sparrow, what would your life be like?''"<br />
 +
"''Let me ask you something. If you were something other than a Human being, if you are a different kind of animal, if you were a small bird, a sparrow, what would your world be like?''"<br />
−
"''I shall make my home in the tree, and the branch of an elm. I shall hunt insects for food, straw for my nest, and in the spring time I should sing for a companion.''"<br />
 +
"''I shall make my home in a tree, in the branch of an elm. I shall hunt insects for food, straw for my nest, and in the spring time I should sing for a companion.''"<br />
 
"''Then you would know nothing of the politics of Florence, the cutting of marble or mathematics''"<br />
  
"''Then you would know nothing of the politics of Florence, the cutting of marble or mathematics''"<br />
 
"''Of course not.''"<br />
  
"''Of course not.''"<br />
Line 109: Line 92:
 
"''My mind would be too small.''"<br />
  
"''My mind would be too small.''"<br />
 
"''As a sparrow your mind would be too small, even with the best of teachers.''"<br />
  
"''As a sparrow your mind would be too small, even with the best of teachers.''"<br />
−
"''If Aristotle himself was to perch himself on my branch... still the limits of my mind would prevent me from understanding.''"<br />
 +
"''If Aristotle himself were to perch on my branch and lecture till he fell off from exhaustion, still the limits of my mind would prevent me from understanding.''"<br />
 
"''Can you accept that there may be certain realities beyond your comprehension?''"<br />
  
"''Can you accept that there may be certain realities beyond your comprehension?''"<br />
  +
"''If I cannot accept that, then I would be a fool.''"<br />
 
: - '''Captain Janeway''' and The '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram'''
  
: - '''Captain Janeway''' and The '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram'''
   
Line 132: Line 116:
   
   
−
"''I have the will but not the means... captain.''" <br />
 +
"''I have the will but not the means&hellip; captain.''" <br />
 
: - '''Tuvok''', to Janeway
  
: - '''Tuvok''', to Janeway
   
Line 138: Line 122:
 
"''You're giving up.''"<br />
  
"''You're giving up.''"<br />
 
"''Hmm?''"<br />
  
"''Hmm?''"<br />
−
"Again. ''Your beautiful painting of the Adoration... The Great Bronze Horse in Milan... The Battle of Anghiari... unfinished, all of them. You were going to publish your notebooks; you never did. You have'' given up. ''Abandoned your most important works.'' Why?"<br />
 +
"Again. ''Your beautiful painting of the Adoration&hellip; The Great Bronze Horse in Milan&hellip; The Battle of Anghiari&hellip; unfinished, all of them. You were going to publish your notebooks; you never did. You have'' given up. ''Abandoned your most important works.'' Why?"<br />
 
: - '''Captain Janeway''' and The '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram'''
  
: - '''Captain Janeway''' and The '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram'''
   
   
−
"''Europe is'' despicable! ''Here I am free to do as I wish! Free from judgment! Free to'' fail! ''And without... without a sense of shame... without the'' taunts of the ignorant!"<br />
 +
"''Europe is'' despicable! ''Here I am free to do as I wish! Free from judgment! Free to'' fail! ''And without&hellip; without a sense of shame&hellip; without the'' taunts of the ignorant!"<br />
 
: - The '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram''', speaking about what he thinks is the New World to Captain Janeway
  
: - The '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram''', speaking about what he thinks is the New World to Captain Janeway
   
Line 158: Line 142:
   
   
−
"''They are in mid air... on what appears to be a crude gliding apparatus.''"
 +
"''They are in mid air&hellip; on what appears to be a crude gliding apparatus.''"
 
: - '''Tuvok'''
  
: - '''Tuvok'''
   
   
−
"''Earthquakes and idiots... Florence be damned!''"
 +
"''Earthquakes and idiots&hellip; Florence be damned!''"
 
: - '''Leonardo da Vinci'''
  
: - '''Leonardo da Vinci'''
   
Line 173: Line 157:
 
''"Back to the ship."'' <br />
  
''"Back to the ship."'' <br />
 
''"The Ship? You mean the Portuguese are still in the harbor?"'' <br />
  
''"The Ship? You mean the Portuguese are still in the harbor?"'' <br />
−
''"Well...not exactly...but they're nearby." '' <br />
 +
''"Well, not exactly &hellip; but they're nearby." '' <br />
 
: - '''Captain Janeway'' and the '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram''' conversing about Tuvok's sudden disappearance.
  
: - '''Captain Janeway'' and the '''Leonardo da Vinci Hologram''' conversing about Tuvok's sudden disappearance.
   
−
== Background Information ==
 +
== Background information ==
−
=== Story and Script ===
 +
=== Story and script ===
−
* A working title of this episode was "Da Vinci's Day Out". (''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 35]]'', p. 10) Initially, however, the plot did not include the holographic recreation of Leonardo da Vinci. Despite receiving no credit for contributing to the episode, it was co-executive producer [[Brannon Braga]] (one of many persons who added to the writing of the script) who had the idea of reusing the historical character herein; this possibility was inspired by the [[VOY Season 3|third season]] finale {{e|Scorpion}}, an episode that features the Leonardo hologram and that Braga co-wrote (with [[Joe Menosky]], another writer who worked on this episode). Joe Menosky recalled, "''[Freelancer] [[Jimmy Diggs]] came in and he pitched something that had to do with the Doctor's portable emitter and a character getting away with it. Because we had liked da Vinci in 'Scorpion,' when Brannon was listening to Jimmy's pitch, he just thought this is a cool way to get da Vinci off the ship and have an adventure. The way we work collaboratively in a situation like that, where there is no real story except 'da Vinci's day out,' we'll sit around and talk about it, all of us as a staff. What could we do here?''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
 +
* A working title of this episode was "Da Vinci's Day Out". ({{STM|35|10}}) Initially, however, the plot did not include the holographic recreation of Leonardo da Vinci. Despite receiving no credit for contributing to the episode, it was co-executive producer [[Brannon Braga]] (one of many persons who added to the writing of the script) who had the idea of reusing the historical character herein; this possibility was inspired by the [[VOY Season 3|third season]] finale {{e|Scorpion}}, an episode that features the Leonardo hologram and that Braga co-wrote (with [[Joe Menosky]], another writer who worked on this episode). Joe Menosky recalled, "''[Freelancer] [[Jimmy Diggs]] came in and he pitched something that had to do with The Doctor's portable emitter and a character getting away with it. Because we had liked da Vinci in 'Scorpion,' when Brannon was listening to Jimmy's pitch, he just thought this is a cool way to get da Vinci off the ship and have an adventure. The way we work collaboratively in a situation like that, where there is no real story except 'da Vinci's day out,' we'll sit around and talk about it, all of us as a staff. What could we do here?''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
−
* Joe Menosky generally disliked the way in which the story continued to be developed. "''This is when the collaborative process collapses [....] I had massive disagreements every step of the way with how this story should go, and I lost the argument every step of the way,''" Menosky related. "''Somebody in the room said, 'How does he get off the ship?' I said, 'That's irrelevant. It doesn't matter how he gets off the ship. That's like a one page or two lines of tech dialogue that you brush off, and you're on to the adventure.' I lost that argument. Everybody said it does matter how he gets off the ship. So we came up with this [....] story for how you get the mobile emitter off the ship [....] [It] drove the rest of the story in utterly the wrong direction. I couldn't argue my way out of it.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
 +
* Joe Menosky generally disliked the way in which the story continued to be developed. "''This is when the collaborative process collapses [&hellip;] I had massive disagreements every step of the way with how this story should go, and I lost the argument every step of the way,''" Menosky related. "''Somebody in the room said, 'How does he get off the ship?' I said, 'That's irrelevant. It doesn't matter how he gets off the ship. That's like a one page or two lines of tech dialogue that you brush off, and you're on to the adventure.' I lost that argument. Everybody said it does matter how he gets off the ship. So we came up with this [&hellip;] story for how you get the mobile emitter off the ship [&hellip;] [It] drove the rest of the story in utterly the wrong direction. I couldn't argue my way out of it.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
  +
* The first draft script of this episode was issued on {{d|27|August|1997}}. Revision pages were added twice on {{d|2|September|1997}}, and then once on [[3 September|3rd]], [[4 September|4th]], and [[5 September|5th September]] of that year.
−
* For this episode, Joe Menosky used personal knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci's life and surroundings to write about how the historical figure might interpret an alien planet. "''I do know late 15th century Italy and da Vinci's life really well,''" Menosky confidently remarked, "''so that every one of his statements is how a late 15th century Renaissance Italian would interpret an alien world.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
 +
* For this episode, Joe Menosky used his own previously acquired knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci's life and surroundings to write about how the historical figure might interpret an alien planet. "''I do know late 15th century Italy and da Vinci's life really well,''" Menosky confidently remarked, "''so that every one of his statements is how a late 15th century Renaissance Italian would interpret an alien world.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
−
* This episode's final draft script was submitted on {{d|5|September|1997}}. [http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/lilly/mss/subfile/taylorjinv.html]
 +
* This episode's final draft script was submitted on 5 September 1997. [http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/lilly/mss/subfile/taylorjinv.html] However, the script continued to change through the installment's production period.
   
−
=== Cast and Characters ===
 +
=== Cast and characters ===
−
* Janeway actress [[Kate Mulgrew]] interpreted the flying in the conclusion of this episode as being symbolic. Indirectly referring to both the Leonardo da Vinci hologram (played by co-star [[John Rhys-Davies]]) and her own character of Janeway, Mulgrew stated, "''He did indeed, in the end, give [her] the greatest gift of all, which was emotional flight and freedom.''" (''[[Star Trek: Voyager Companion]]'', p. 179)
 +
* Janeway actress [[Kate Mulgrew]] interpreted the flying in the conclusion of this episode as being symbolic. Indirectly referring to both the Leonardo da Vinci hologram (played by co-star [[John Rhys-Davies]]) and her own character of Janeway, Mulgrew stated, "''He did indeed, in the end, give [her] the greatest gift of all, which was emotional flight and freedom.''" ({{voyc|179}})
   
 
=== Production ===
  
=== Production ===
  +
* This episode was in production between {{d|9|September|1997}} and [[18 September]] 1997.
  +
* [[11 September]] was the third day of production on this episode, as well as being [[Roxann Dawson]]'s [[birthday]]. ({{STM|180|96}})
 
* The Starfleet-issue "[[plasma injector]] [[conduit]]" that Leonardo da Vinci obtains from a seller appears to be the same device that is used to dispense [[felicium]] in {{TNG|Symbiosis}}.
  
* The Starfleet-issue "[[plasma injector]] [[conduit]]" that Leonardo da Vinci obtains from a seller appears to be the same device that is used to dispense [[felicium]] in {{TNG|Symbiosis}}.
−
* Tuvok appears to be wearing the same costume that [[Tuvok (mirror)|Mirror Tuvok]] wears in the earlier-produced {{DS9|Through the Looking Glass}}.
 +
* Tuvok is wearing the same costume that was worn by the [[mirror universe]] [[Tuvok (mirror)|Tuvok]] in the earlier-produced {{DS9|Through the Looking Glass}}.
−
* The glider that Janeway and the holographic Leonardo da Vinci fly was built especially for this episode. (''[[Star Trek: Communicator]]'' issue 119, p. 66)
 +
* The glider that Janeway and the holographic Leonardo da Vinci fly was built especially for this episode. ({{STC|119|66}})
−
* For establishing shots of the city in this installment, the city was composited into footage of the [[Santa Monica]] hills. (''[[Delta Quadrant (reference book)|Delta Quadrant]]'', p. 213) This usage of a location so close to the [[Paramount Pictures]] lot was influenced by the fact that, although the production team wanted to make the flying sequence a particular highlight of the installment, they were faced with geographical limitations for the scene. Director [[Jesús Salvador Treviño]] remembered, "''We worked at making this a special moment [....] It was not easy to do because we had to find a hill-top that was close enough to [[Los Angeles]] for us to film in that wasn't going to take us hours and hours to get to, that was accessible by car so that we could drag up all our equipment, including the glider that we built for the scene, and then stage it in such a way that we were able to convey the idea that they took flight and they were in flight.''" (''[[Star Trek: Communicator]]'' issue 119, p. 66)
 +
* For establishing shots of the city in this installment, the city was composited into footage of the [[Santa Monica]] hills. (''{{dis|Delta Quadrant|reference book}}'', p. 213) This usage of a location so close to the [[Paramount Pictures]] lot was influenced by the fact that, although the production team wanted to make the flying sequence a particular highlight of the installment, they were faced with geographical limitations for the scene. Director [[Jesús Salvador Treviño]] remembered, "''We worked at making this a special moment [&hellip;] It was not easy to do because we had to find a hill-top that was close enough to [[Los Angeles]] for us to film in that wasn't going to take us hours and hours to get to, that was accessible by car so that we could drag up all our equipment, including the glider that we built for the scene, and then stage it in such a way that we were able to convey the idea that they took flight and they were in flight.''" ({{STC|119|66}})
−
* The illusion that Janeway and the Leonardo hologram are flying was created mostly with live-action shots but also involved a [[CGI]] glider. Jesús Salvador Treviño explained, "''We did that through the creative interplay of the actual glider and the camera angles of how it's taking off and how it's flying, intercut with a computer-generated glider that we put into master shots that I filmed for that purpose.''" (''[[Star Trek: Communicator]]'' issue 119, p. 66)
 +
* The illusion that Janeway and the Leonardo hologram are flying was created mostly with live-action shots but also involved a [[CGI]] glider. Jesús Salvador Treviño explained, "''We did that through the creative interplay of the actual glider and the camera angles of how it's taking off and how it's flying, intercut with a computer-generated glider that we put into master shots that I filmed for that purpose.''" ({{STC|119|66}})
   
−
=== Continuity and Trivia ===
 +
=== Continuity and trivia ===
−
* This episode marks the second of two appearances of the holographic Leonardo da Vinci in the series (following his introduction in "Scorpion"), though his workshop subsequently reappears in the later fourth season installment {{e|The Omega Directive}} in which it makes its final appearance, having previously appeared in not only "Scorpion" but also the fourth season outings {{e|Scorpion, Part II}}, {{e|The Raven}} and {{e|Scientific Method}}.
 +
* This episode marks the second of two appearances by the holographic Leonardo da Vinci in the series, following his introduction in {{e|Scorpion}}. His workshop holodeck program also appears in the fourth-season episodes {{e|Scorpion, Part II}}, {{e|The Raven}}, {{e|Scientific Method}} and {{e|The Omega Directive}}.
  +
* Reference to 47: ''Voyager''{{'}}s computer core claims to have access to 47 million data channels.
−
* This episode tells us that ''Voyager''{{'}}s main computer core is capable of "simultaneous access to [[47]] million data channels, transluminal processing at 575 trillion calculations per nanosecond, operational temperature margins from 10 [[Kelvin]] to 1,790 Kelvin." This works out to 575 zettaflops, or about ''9 quadrillion times'' the processing power of the 300 MHz Pentium II, the fastest desktop processor at the time of the episode's first airing. Under Moore's Law (a doubling in processor power every 18 months), this computational power would only take 65 years (in the year 2062) to be achievable in the real world.
 +
* This episode establishes that ''Voyager''{{'}}s main computer core is capable of "transluminal processing at 575 trillion calculations per [[nanosecond]]". This is equivalent to 575 zettaflops, or about 9 quadrillion times the processing power of the 300 MHz Pentium II, the fastest desktop processor at the time of the episode's first airing. Under Moore's Law (a doubling in processor power every 18 months), this computational power would take only sixty-five years (in the year 2062) to be achievable in the real world.
⚫
* It is revealed in this episode that [[James T. Kirk]] might have broken a promise that, in {{TOS|Requiem for Methuselah}}, he made to [[Flint]] &ndash; an immortal [[Human]] male who was born in [[4th millennium BC|3834 BC]] and who Kirk met in [[2269]] on [[Holberg 917G]]. The promise, specifically, was that Kirk would never reveal Flint's immortal nature nor the fact that he had lived under many historical aliases, one of which was Leonardo da Vinci. However, Janeway mentions here that Kirk claimed he had met Leonardo (although she also states that the evidence of their meeting was "less than conclusive"). Kirk may not have mentioned that Flint was Leonardo da Vinci, or where he himself had met an immortal claiming to be Leonardo. Another possibility is that Flint subsequently revealed himself to humanity when he learned that he was mortal, and that Kirk thereupon published a full account of his meeting with Flint. Alternately, Kirk may have made his records public after Flint's death, given that he was no longer immortal after leaving Earth.
  
  +
* The description of ''Voyager''{{'}}s computer processing as "transluminal" would seem to imply that faster-than-light travel is involved. However, the term "superluminal" is usually used for this. "Transluminal" is in fact a medical term, referring to the passage across or along a lumen (cavity in a bloody vessel).
⚫
* The prop used for ''Voyager''{{'}}s computer processor was later reused as [[Garos]]' [[Malurian]] generator on the [[Akaali homeworld]] in the [[ENT Season 1|first season]] ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode {{ENT|Civilization}}.
  
  ⚫
* It is revealed in this episode that [[James T. Kirk]] might have broken a promise that, in {{TOS|Requiem for Methuselah}}, he made to [[Flint]] &ndash; an immortal [[Human]] male who was born in [[4th millennium BC|3834 BC]] and who Kirk met in [[2269]] on [[Holberg 917G]]. The promise, specifically, was that Kirk would never reveal Flint's immortal nature nor the fact that he had lived under many historical aliases, one of which was Leonardo da Vinci. However, Janeway mentions here that Kirk claimed he had met Leonardo (although she also states that the evidence of their meeting was "less than conclusive"). Kirk may not have mentioned that Flint was Leonardo da Vinci, or where he himself had met an immortal claiming to be Leonardo. Another possibility is that Flint subsequently revealed himself to Humanity when he learned that he was mortal, and that Kirk thereupon published a full account of his meeting with Flint. Alternately, Kirk may have made his records public after Flint's death, given that he was no longer immortal after leaving Earth.
−
* To produce the level 4 induction relay override, Janeway uses the command code Janeway pi-one-one-zero.
  
  +
{{dthumb|File:Voyager main computer processor.jpg|File:Malurian antimatter reactor.jpg|The main computer processor in this episode|The antimatter reactor in "Civilization"}}
⚫
* In the novel ''{{dis|Violations|novel}}'' by [[Susan Wright]] set in the first season, ''Voyager''{{'}}s main computer was also stolen.
  
  ⚫
* The prop used for ''Voyager''{{'}}s [[main computer processor]] was later reused as [[Garos]]' [[Malurian]] [[antimatter reactor]] on the [[Akaali homeworld]] in the {{s|ENT}} [[ENT Season 1|first season]] episode {{e|Civilization}} though slightly re-dressed.
  +
* Although alien signage is present at the industrial site where Janeway and da Vinci make their escape, a sign with the word "Danger", in English, can also be clearly seen.
  +
* During the final scene, the closed captions for this episode contain an additional, unspoken line of dialogue between Janeway and da Vinci. He asks if Janeway can speak [[French language|French]] and suggests he may have use for an assistant in Paris, potentially changing the tone of the scene.
  +
* The stardate given in this episode, 51386.4, would put it in between the two-parter episodes {{e|Year of Hell}} (stardate 51268.4) and {{e|Year of Hell, Part II}} (stardate 51425.4). However, the latter episode took place in an alternate timeline that did not come to pass, allowing the events of this episode, as well as the previous episode {{e|Random Thoughts}} (stardate 51367.2), to take place instead of the events seen in the "Year of Hell" duology.
   
−
=== Reception and Aftermath ===
 +
=== Apocrypha ===
  ⚫
* In the {{novel}} ''{{dis|Violations|novel}}'' by [[Susan Wright]] set in the [[VOY Season 1|first season]], ''Voyager''{{'}}s main computer was also stolen.
  +
  ⚫
=== Reception ===
 
* Joe Menosky's evaluation of this episode was colored by his dissatisfaction with its evolution. "''I hated this episode despite the fact that I wrote it,''" he admitted. Menosky also referred to the plotline about The Doctor's mobile emitter being stolen as an "unbelievably tortured tech story." On the other hand, Menosky described the way in which he himself wrote about the Leonardo hologram's interpretation of the alien world as "the one thing I'm happy about" and stated, "''At least I got that right.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
  
* Joe Menosky's evaluation of this episode was colored by his dissatisfaction with its evolution. "''I hated this episode despite the fact that I wrote it,''" he admitted. Menosky also referred to the plotline about The Doctor's mobile emitter being stolen as an "unbelievably tortured tech story." On the other hand, Menosky described the way in which he himself wrote about the Leonardo hologram's interpretation of the alien world as "the one thing I'm happy about" and stated, "''At least I got that right.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
−
* Likewise, Jesús Salvador Treviño was ultimately proud of one scene in particular. "''The sequence where Leonardo and Janeway take flight was really special for me [...] and I thought we pulled it off,''" he said. (''[[Star Trek: Communicator]]'' issue 119, p. 66)
 +
* Likewise, Jesús Salvador Treviño was ultimately proud of one scene in particular. "''The sequence where Leonardo and Janeway take flight was really special for me [&hellip;] and I thought we pulled it off,''" he said. ({{STC|119|66}})
−
* Executive producer [[Jeri Taylor]] thought highly of this episode in general. She opined, "''It's a lot of fun.''" (''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 36]]'', p. 12)
 +
* Executive Producer [[Jeri Taylor]] thought highly of this episode in general. She opined, "''It's a lot of fun.''" ({{STM|36|12}})
−
* This episode achieved a Nielsen rating of 4.1 million homes, and a 6% share. [http://voyagerview.com/review2.html]
 +
* This episode achieved a Nielsen rating of 4.1 million homes, and a 6% share. {{bl|voyagerview.com/review2.html}}
 
* ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' rated this episode 2 out of 4 stars. (''Cinefantastique'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 91)
  
* ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' rated this episode 2 out of 4 stars. (''Cinefantastique'', Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 91)
−
* ''[[Star Trek Magazine|Star Trek Monthly]]'' scored this episode 3 out of 5 stars. (''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 40]]'', p. 59)
 +
* {{STM|40|59}} scored this episode 3 out of 5 stars.
−
* The unauthorized [[reference works|reference book]] ''[[Delta Quadrant (reference book)|Delta Quadrant]]'' (p. 215) gives the installment a rating of 8 out of 10.
 +
* The unauthorized [[reference works|reference book]] ''{{dis|Delta Quadrant|reference book}}'' (p. 215) gives the installment a rating of 8 out of 10.
 
* Among the items from this episode which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction|''It's A Wrap!'' sale and auction]] on eBay was a [[crossbow]]-like hand-held weapon. {{stala|9659}}
  
* Among the items from this episode which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction|''It's A Wrap!'' sale and auction]] on eBay was a [[crossbow]]-like hand-held weapon. {{stala|9659}}
   
Line 216: Line 210:
   
 
== Links and references ==
  
== Links and references ==
  +
{{VOY Cast (S4-S7)}}
⚫
=== Starring ===
  
  +
=== Guest Stars ===
−
* [[Kate Mulgrew]] as [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]]
  
  +
* [[John Vargas]] as {{dis|Tau|pirate}}
  ⚫
* [[Don Pugsley]] as [[Alien commerce planet buyer 002|Alien Visitor]]
   
−
=== Also Starring ===
 +
=== Special Guest Star ===
  +
* [[John Rhys-Davies]] as {{dis|Leonardo da Vinci|hologram}}
−
* [[Robert Beltran]] as [[Commander]] [[Chakotay]]
  
−
* [[Roxann Dawson]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[B'Elanna Torres]]
  
−
* [[Robert Duncan McNeill]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Tom Paris]]
  
−
* [[Ethan Phillips]] as [[Neelix]]
  
−
* [[Robert Picardo]] as [[The Doctor]]
  
−
* [[Tim Russ]] as [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tuvok]]
  
−
* [[Jeri Ryan]] as [[Seven of Nine]]
  
−
* [[Garrett Wang]] as [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]]
  
   
−
=== Guest stars ===
 +
=== Co-Stars ===
−
* [[John Vargas]] as [[Tau (pirate)|Tau]]
 +
* [[Doug Spearman]] as [[Alien commerce planet buyer 001|Alien Buyer]]
  ⚫
* [[Majel Barrett]] as [[Computer Voice]]
⚫
* [[Don Pugsley]] as [[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Alien visitor's species|Alien Visitor]]
  
   
−
=== Special guest star ===
 +
=== Uncredited Co-Stars ===
−
* [[John Rhys-Davies]] as [[Leonardo da Vinci]]
 +
* [[Andrew Alden]] as [[Tau's guard 002|alien guard]]
  ⚫
* [[Bobby Aldridge]] as [[Tau's guard 003|alien guard]]
  +
* [[John Austin]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 001|alien trader]]
  +
* [[B. Banks]] as [[Rotciv commerce planet visitor 001|Rotciv trader]]
  +
* [[Richard Bishop]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 002|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Margaret Blanchard]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 009|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Denise Blasor]] as [[da Vinci's workshop Florentines 001|Florentine (voice)]]
  +
* [[Steve Carnahan]] as [[Rotciv commerce planet visitor 001|alien trader]]
  +
* [[S. Dean]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitors 001|alien trader]]
  +
* [[C.C. Denprasert]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 011|alien trader]]
  +
* [[J. Durant]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitors 001|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Andrew English]] as [[USS Voyager ops officer 011|operations division officer]]
  +
* {{dis|Chris Evans|actress}} as [[Alien commerce planet visitors 001|alien trader]]
  +
* [[M. Janati]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitors 001|alien trader]]
  ⚫
* [[Ty Murphy]] as [[Tau's guard 001|alien guard]]
  +
* [[Heather Rattray]] as [[USS Voyager ops officer 030|operations division officer]]
  +
* [[Guy Richardson]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 010|alien trader]]
  +
* [[L. Robinson]] as [[Reptilian with bumpy skin 002|alien trader]]
  +
* [[H. Rosslow]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 014|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Mike Satterfield]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 012|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Musso Sparks]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 013|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Warren Tabata]] as [[USS Voyager ops officer 034|operations division officer]]
  +
* [[Fedra Thompson]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 006|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Joan Valentine]] as [[USS Voyager ops officer 018|operations division officer]]
  +
* [[G. Victor]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitors 001|alien trader]]
  +
* [[W. Welch]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 007|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Ellery White]] as [[Alien commerce planet visitor 008|alien trader]]
  +
* [[Unknown actor]] as [[da Vinci's workshop Florentines 001|Florentine (voice)]]
   
−
=== Co-stars ===
 +
=== Stand-ins ===
  +
* {{dis|Aaron|stand-in}} &ndash; [[stand-in]] for Doug Spearman
−
* [[Doug Spearman]] as [[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Alien buyer's species|Alien Buyer]]
  
  +
* [[Cameron]] &ndash; stand-in for Jeri Ryan
⚫
* [[Majel Barrett]] as [[Computer voice]]
  
  +
* [[Sue Henley]] &ndash; stand-in for Kate Mulgrew
−  
  +
* [[Susan Lewis]] &ndash; stand-in for Roxann Dawson
−
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
  
  +
* [[Lemuel Perry]] &ndash; stand-in for Tim Russ
−
* [[Andrew Alden]] as an [[List of Tau's species#Armed Guard #3|armed guard]]
  
  +
* [[J.R. Quinonez]] &ndash; stand-in for Robert Picardo, John Rhys-Davies, and Don Pugsley
⚫
* [[Bobby Aldridge]] as an [[List of Tau's species#Armed Guard #2|armed guard]]
  
  +
* [[Robert Rasner]] &ndash; stand-in for Ethan Phillips
⚫
* [[Ty Murphy]] as an [[List of Tau's species#Armed Guard #1|armed guard]]
  
  +
* [[Keith Rayve]] &ndash; stand-in for Robert Duncan McNeill and John Vargas
  +
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] &ndash; stand-in for Robert Beltran and John Rhys-Davies
  +
* [[John Tampoya]] &ndash; stand-in for Garrett Wang
   
 
=== References ===
  
=== References ===
−
''[[Adoration of the Magi]]''; [[Alpha Quadrant]]; [[America]]; [[Aristotle]]; [[Arno]]; [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[Avignon]]; [[The Battle of Anghiari]]; [[bird]]; [[bistro]]; [[Borgia]]; [[bronze]]; [[compass]]; [[compression phaser rifle]]; [[computer core]]; [[Earth]]; [[elm]]; [[Europe]]; [[Florence]]; [[Florentine]]; [[France]]; [[Sigmund Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]; [[galleon]]; [[Genoa]]; [[Da Vinci's glider|glider]]; [[holodeck]]; [[horse]]; [[Italian language]]; [[Italy]]; [[King of France]]; [[James T. Kirk|Kirk, James T.]]; [[Klingonese]]; [[Leonardo da Vinci]]; [[logic]]; [[mathematics]]; {{dis|Milan|city}}; [[mobile emitter]]; [[Mont Ventoux]]; [[New World]]; [[Paris]]; [[patron]]; [[Petrarch]]; {{dis|Phoenix|mythology}}; [[pigeon]]; [[plasma injector]]; [[Portuguese]]; [[red alert]]; [[Renaissance]]; [[Scandinavia]]; [[Sicily]]; [[small talk]]; [[Spanish]]; [[Theseus]]; [[tricorder]]; [[Turkish|Turks]]; [[Giorgio Vasari|Vasari, Giorgio]]; {{dis|Vulcan|island|Vulcan, Island of}}; [[Vulcan]]s; [[wine]]
 +
[[16th century]]; [[ability]]; [[abduction]]; [[accusation]]; ''[[Adoration of the Magi]]''; [[alloy]]; [[Alpha Quadrant]]; [[Americas]]; [[angel]]; [[antimatter injector]]; [[apprentice]]; [[Aristotle]]; [[Arno]]; [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[automaton]]; [[Avignon]]; ''{{revname|The|Battle of Anghiari}}''; [[bed]]; [[bird]]; [[bistro]]; [[Borgia]]; [[briefing room]]; [[bronze]]; [[businessman]]; [[calculations per nanosecond]]; [[candleholder]]; [[cargo bay]]; [[castle]]; {{dis|chest|container}}; [[command override]]; [[Unnamed Delta Quadrant planets#Commerce planet|commerce planet]]; [[Commerce planet city 001|commerce planet city]]; [[compass]]; [[compression phaser rifle]]; [[computer core]]; [[computer processor]]; [[conduit]]; [[confinement beam]]; [[confiscation]]; [[continent]]; [[couch]]; [[countryside]]; [[cuckoo]]; [[damage report]]; [[data bank]]; [[dispersion field]]; [[dragon]]; [[Earth]]; [[elm]]; [[Europe]]; [[evasive maneuvers]]; [[execution]]; [[feather]]; [[Florence]]; [[Florentine]]; [[France]]; {{revname|Sigmund|Freud}}; [[galleon]]; [[Genoa]]; ''[[Ginevra de' Benci]]''; [[grain]]; [[Great Bird]]; [[harbor]]; [[heart]]; [[holodeck]]; [[holographic character]]; [[horse]]; "[[in comparison]]"; [[induction relay]]; [[insect]]; [[Intrepid class decks|''Intrepid'' class decks]]; [[Italian language]]; [[Italy]]; [[Kelvin]]; [[kilometer]]; [[King of France]]; {{revname|James T.|Kirk}}; [[Klingonese]]; ''[[Leonardo da Vinci's workshop]]''; [[logic]]; ''[[maestro]]''; [[main computer]]; [[marble]]; [[mathematics]]; [[memory]]; {{dis|mercury|element}}; [[mess hall]]; [[Milan, Italy|Milan]]; [[mobile emitter]]; [[Mont Ventoux]]; [[mugged]]; [[New World]]; [[notebook]]; [[open country]]; [[nest]]; [[optical interface]]; [[painting]]; [[Paris]]; [[parsec]]; [[patron]]; [[petrarch]]; [[philosopher]]; {{dis|Phoenix|mythology}}; [[photon torpedo casing]]; [[pigeon]]; [[plasma injector]]; [[Portuguese]]; [[power surge]]; [[pre-Cartesian]]; {{dis|precipice|cliff}}; [[prisoner]]; [[profane]]; [[rebirth]]; [[red alert]]; [[Renaissance]]; [[resurrection]]; [[sack]]; [[saying]]; [[Scandinavia]]; [[Scandinavian]]; [[sea dog]]; [[Sicily]]; [[site-to-site transporter]]; [[small talk]]; [[sorcery]]; [[Spanish]]; [[sparrow]]; [[spear]]; [[statue]]; [[straw]]; [[student]]; [[subspace frequency]]; [[targeting control]]; [[Tau's ships]]; [[tavern]]; [[teacher]]; [[temperature]]; [[Theseus]]; [[topography]]; [[topographical computer]]; [[translocator device]]; [[transluminal processor]]; [[transporter attack]]; [[transporter beam]]; [[tricorder]]; [[Fictional pirates 001|Turkish pirates]]; [[Turkish|Turks]]; {{revname|Giorgio|Vasari}}; {{dis|Vulcan|island|Vulcan, Island of}}; [[Vulcan]]; [[waitress]]; [[wine]]
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=== External links ===
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* {{startrek.com|database_article/concerning-flight|"Concerning Flight"|external}}
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* {{mbeta-quote|Concerning Flight}}
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* {{wikipedia-quote|Concerning Flight}}
   
 
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[[Category:VOY episodes]]
  
[[Category:VOY episodes]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 1 February 2024

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

When pirates steal the ship's main computer and other critical equipment, Captain Janeway tries to track down the missing equipment with the help of the holographic Leonardo da Vinci.

Summary

Teaser

On the holodeck, amid taunting and jeering shouts from the street below, a soaking wet Kathryn Janeway and the Leonardo da Vinci hologram retreat to da Vinci's studio, having failed an attempt to launch the Great Bird. Da Vinci, angered that he nearly got the two of them drowned with half of Florence watching, suggests relocating to France. Janeway accuses him of giving up on his most important works and questions him as to why. Da Vinci evades the issue, and Janeway is summoned to the bridge as the USS Voyager is shaken by a sudden attack.

Act One

Mobile emmiter stolen

The Doctor's emitter disappears

The physical damage from the attack is negligible but Ensign Harry Kim detects a slight destabilization along the shield perimeter. In engineering, Lieutenant jg B'Elanna Torres watches as the warp diagnostic assembly vanishes in a transporter beam. Throughout the ship, other objects are beamed off, including The Doctor's mobile emitter. As Voyager prepares to return fire to the attacking ships, the weapon targeting controls fail and Kim reports that Voyager's main computer processor was among the stolen items, rendering the ship's weapons, navigation and propulsion inoperable.

Computer processor stolen

The primary computer processor is stolen

The crew discovers that the unknown pirates used a high-energy transporter beam. Along with the computer processor and the mobile emitter, the pirates also stole five tricorders, three phaser rifles, two photon torpedo casings, a plasma injector conduit and a month's supply of emergency rations. The Doctor is most upset about the missing emitter but Janeway declares the computer processor to be the top priority for recovery. She tells Kim to do whatever he can to track the pirate ships.

Kim hopes to enlist Seven of Nine's assistance in extending the ship's sensors using the deep space imaging system in the astrometrics lab. Seven informs him she's already been working on that task for the past two hours. When Kim offers to help, Seven brusquely orders him to decompile databanks 59-17 to isolate an algorithmic feedback that is interfering with the resolution. She tells him to perform the procedure immediately or leave. He suggests she learn to phrase her requests more diplomatically.

With the computer functioning at half power, Voyager spends 10 days tracking its missing equipment to a planet that appears to be a center of trade and commerce. Kim locates Starfleet signatures on the planet's surface, including that of the missing computer processor on the North continent. Janeway and Lt. Commander Tuvok beam down to the northern continent, while Lt. Tom Paris and Neelix journey to the southern continent.

Welcome to America

"Caterina! Welcome! Welcome to America!"

In the city, Tuvok locates a Starfleet signature too small to be the processor moving toward his and Janeway's location. They are stunned when the Leonardo da Vinci hologram appears, welcoming them to America.

Act Two

Janeway notes that Da Vinci is wearing The Doctor's mobile emitter and asks him how he got to "America." He tells "Caterina" that he doesn't know how he got here but surmises that perhaps Spanish sailors kidnapped him and brought him to the New World on a galleon. He then speaks of his patron, whom he calls "the prince of the city." Janeway realizes that she was running the Da Vinci simulation when the computer processor was stolen and that da Vinci's program must have still been active in the processor's memory. To explain her own presence there, Janeway concocts a cover story that she traveled to "America" on a Portuguese ship. Tuvok responds to Da Vinci's query about his "curious ears" by saying he's from Scandinavia.

Da Vinci takes Janeway and Tuvok to his new workshop, provided by his patron. The room is filled with stolen goods, including a phaser. Da Vinci says his patron provides the equipment in return for Da Vinci's ideas. He tells Janeway to be careful with the phaser, describing it as a weapon that shoots a bolt of lightning rather than projecting lead pellets. He promises to introduce Janeway and Tuvok to his patron that evening.

Tau

Tau

Back on Voyager, Paris and Neelix return from the southern continent with an alien trader, whom they have lured to the ship with the promise of supplying a warp coil. Commander Chakotay questions the alien, who proves to be uncooperative until Chakotay threatens to throw him off the ship. He tells the Voyager officers of a man called Tau, who controls the seventh province of the northern continent. The pirates steal technology (using high-energy translocator devices) from passing ships then sells the technology on the black market. Chakotay tells him he can keep the equipment he has, including the Voyager uniform he's wearing, and sends the alien on his way.

On the planet, Tau is trying to make a deal with a potential customer who balks at his prices. Janeway and Tuvok shadow Tau, having found out that he is Da Vinci's patron. They also have determined that the computer processor is not in the city and believe that Tau can lead them to it. When da Vinci appears, Janeway instructs Tuvok to keep him occupied with small talk while she poses as a buyer and makes contact with Tau. Janeway tells Tau her client needs a computer to run a colony about 20 parsecs away. Tau shows her to a verbal interface that speaks in the Voyager computer's voice. Then he names his price – a warship.

Act Three

In Da Vinci's workshop, Janeway and Tuvok search for a storage facility or stronghold where the processor might be, using maps that Da Vinci has sketched of the area. Da Vinci interrupts the proceedings, but Tuvok uses a button on the emitter to freeze his program so he and Janeway can speak freely. Tuvok suggests returning to the ship with da Vinci's maps and his tricorder data and feeding the information into the ship's sensors. Janeway tells Tuvok to return to Voyager, but she will remain on the planet and continue searching from there, with Da Vinci's help. Tuvok cautions her that the Da Vinci program may simulate the artist's genius, but also re-creates his notorious unreliability.

On Voyager, The Doctor discovers that Seven of Nine's optical interface is misaligned and chastises her for missing her regular examinations. He then questions her about the happenings onboard Voyager, saying he heard there was a "fuss" in the mess hall. Seven says she and Torres had a disagreement and The Doctor presses her for more details. Seven can't understand his need to hear about such trivialities but The Doctor says without his emitter he is once again imprisoned in sickbay and not kept informed. Seven elaborates that Torres called her an "automaton" and employed a string of profane Klingon insults. She also says that she was right and Torres was wrong. The Doctor hopes to hear more, but Tuvok summons Seven to astrometrics.

Using the astrometric sensors, Tuvok and Seven pinpoint the location of the computer processor, but the building is surrounded by a dispersion field, making transport impossible. Seven suggests that the captain might be able to get inside and initiate a power surge in the processor to boost its signal, so Voyager can get a lock. Tuvok contacts the captain and she agrees to carry out the plan, with Da Vinci's assistance. Unfortunately, Tau overhears her conversation and forces Janeway at gunpoint to hand over her combadge.

Act Four

As Janeway distracts Tau, Da Vinci subdues him from behind. Da Vinci fears execution for attacking his patron and refuses to join Janeway. She tells him he's a prisoner there and convinces him he's needed back in Europe. More importantly, she needs him now. The pair travel to the storage facility, which Da Vinci says he's visited before.

On Voyager, Kim has lost the captain's combadge signal but is able to maintain a lock on the mobile emitter. Chakotay tells him not to beam Da Vinci back to the ship just yet, as the captain may need his help.

On the planet, Da Vinci can't recall where the entrance to the storage facility is. Janeway presses him, saying that inside the storage facility is a wondrous invention they can use to send a beacon to her Portuguese ship. All they have to do is find it and they will be rescued. Da Vinci surmises that anyone who built such a fortress likely would fear theft, so they would construct one entrance to the building facing away from the sunlight so as to blind anyone seeking the entry. He and Janeway locate the entrance and go inside.

On Voyager, Kim reports that 30 armed guards are closing in on the captain's position. Inside the storage facility, Da Vinci likens the layout to a labyrinth, but Janeway has a "compass" (her tricorder). The "compass" leads them to a collection of phasers, a plasma injector, a site-to-site transporter and the missing computer processor. Janeway speaks to the computer, asking if it recognizes her voice. Da Vinci is stunned to hear a woman's voice emanating from within the processor. Janeway instructs the computer to produce a level 4 induction relay override. She tells Da Vinci to stand close to the machine as they await transport.

Voyager detects the power surge but an armed guard begins firing at Janeway and Da Vinci forcing them to retreat from the processor as it is beamed out, leaving them behind. Da Vinci is shot, but the beam passes through him, leaving him confused and fearful. Janeway subdues the armed guard. She picks up the site-to-site transport device, telling Da Vinci it is an invention from another land that can move them out of the building a few kilometers away in the blink of an eye. Da Vinci demands an explanation for all that he's seen. Janeway says he once told her it was a poor apprentice who could not surpass her master and that he must accept there are things she understands about the new land that he doesn't.

Voyager comes under attack by 13 vessels launched from the planet's surface. Chakotay tells Torres to get the processor back online quickly. "We've still got a captain down there."

Act Five

Kathryn Janeway, 2374

Janeway tries to explain their situation to da Vinci in terms he can understand

Janeway and Da Vinci are on the run in the planet's wilderness but da Vinci refuses to go any further until "Caterina" explains what's happening and tells him if they are dead. She asks him what his perspective would be if he were a sparrow, if his mind were too small to perceive the world around him. Da Vinci concedes that the limits of his own mind prevent him from understanding how certain realities exist beyond his level of comprehension. With the guards closing in, Da Vinci abruptly changes directions, leading Janeway up the hillside.

Torres gets the processor back online, restoring navigation, propulsion and sensors. The ship must get within 500 kilometers to retrieve the captain. Tuvok points out that the attacking ship will try to block Voyager's descent, and Chakotay tells Paris to get ready for some "fancy flying."

Leonardo da Vinci and Janeway flying

"Caterina! We're flying"
"Like the birds!"
"Like the birds!"

Da Vinci leads Janeway to the summit of the hill, where he has rebuilt the Great Bird glider, using duranium. Janeway quickly examines the glider, determining that the combination of design, construction, and materials do indeed make it airworthy. Voyager detects the captain and da Vinci at the edge of the precipice but the ship is still too high for transport. With Tau and a guard firing on them, Janeway and Da Vinci launch the Great Bird and fly away, leaving behind their stunned pursuers. Kim is able to transport Janeway, Da Vinci, and the Great Bird to Cargo bay 1.

Leonardo da Vinci and Janeway beamed aboard

Leonardo, Janeway, and the Great Bird are beamed away in midair

Later, Janeway visits Da Vinci back on the holodeck and finds him packing to go to France, intent on re-creating the wonders he has seen. She warns him that he won't be able to find similar materials to the ones he encountered in the New World but she bids him farewell and walks him to his carriage.

Log entries

  • "Captain's log, stardate 51386.4. With ship's systems at nearly half capacity, it's taken us ten days to track our stolen technology."
  • "First officer's log, stardate 51392.7. Though we've yet to hear from the captain and Tuvok, Paris, and Neelix have returned from their mission to the southern continent with some disturbing evidence."
  • "Captain's log, stardate 51408.3. We're back on course to the Alpha Quadrant. With the ship's computer and The Doctor's emitter returned to proper places, I've set aside some time to check on the maestro."

Memorable quotes

"You are the animale! A bird who cannot fly!"
"Better than a man who cannot think!"
"The pigeon speaks! (imitating pigeons) Coo-Coo! Coo-Coo!"

- The Simulated Florentines and the Leonardo da Vinci Hologram


"I must understand… Caterina To see objects disappear into thin air; to see lightning pass through my body; Caterina, are we spirits? Caterina, am I dead?"
 "Let me ask you something. If you were something other than a Human being, if you are a different kind of animal, if you were a small bird, a sparrow, what would your world be like?"
"I shall make my home in a tree, in the branch of an elm. I shall hunt insects for food, straw for my nest, and in the spring time I should sing for a companion."
"Then you would know nothing of the politics of Florence, the cutting of marble or mathematics"
"Of course not."
"But why not?"
"My mind would be too small."
"As a sparrow your mind would be too small, even with the best of teachers."
"If Aristotle himself were to perch on my branch and lecture till he fell off from exhaustion, still the limits of my mind would prevent me from understanding."
"Can you accept that there may be certain realities beyond your comprehension?"
"If I cannot accept that, then I would be a fool."

- Captain Janeway and The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram


"'The great bird will take flight and bring glory to its nest.' So I have bragged for months! Instead we almost drown with half of Florence watching."

- The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram


"Caterina, have you been to France?"
"Not recently"
"Ah. The King of France is a great admirer of mine. 'The Divine Leonardo' is all I hear when I walk through his streets. And what music do I find in the streets of Florence, eh? The cooing of pigeons and the babbling of fools! Caterina, we are leaving!"

- The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram and Captain Janeway


"STUPIDO! FOOLISH FLORENTINES!"

- The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram


"Those colors look good on you."

- Chakotay, to an alien wearing a stolen Starfleet uniform


"I have the will but not the means… captain."

- Tuvok, to Janeway


"You're giving up."
"Hmm?"
"Again. Your beautiful painting of the Adoration… The Great Bronze Horse in Milan… The Battle of Anghiari… unfinished, all of them. You were going to publish your notebooks; you never did. You have given up. Abandoned your most important works. Why?"

- Captain Janeway and The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram


"Europe is despicable! Here I am free to do as I wish! Free from judgment! Free to fail! And without… without a sense of shame… without the taunts of the ignorant!"

- The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram, speaking about what he thinks is the New World to Captain Janeway


"No matter how vast the differences may be between cultures, people always have something that somebody else wants and trade is born."

- Captain Kathryn Janeway


"Your compass is speaking to you!"

- The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram


"Machines that fly through the air! Lightning flung from one's hands! Mechanical women who live in boxes! These things I have seen!"

- The Leonardo da Vinci Hologram, after having seen his glider fly, phasers fire and Voyager's computer speak.


"They are in mid air… on what appears to be a crude gliding apparatus."

- Tuvok


"Earthquakes and idiots… Florence be damned!"

- Leonardo da Vinci


"I feel like we've just been mugged."

- Tom Paris, after the ship's equipment was stolen


"Where did he go?"
"Back to the ship."
"The Ship? You mean the Portuguese are still in the harbor?"
"Well, not exactly … but they're nearby."

- Captain Janeway and the Leonardo da Vinci Hologram' conversing about Tuvok's sudden disappearance.

Background information

Story and script

  • A working title of this episode was "Da Vinci's Day Out". (Star Trek Monthly issue 35, p. 10) Initially, however, the plot did not include the holographic recreation of Leonardo da Vinci. Despite receiving no credit for contributing to the episode, it was co-executive producer Brannon Braga (one of many persons who added to the writing of the script) who had the idea of reusing the historical character herein; this possibility was inspired by the third season finale "Scorpion", an episode that features the Leonardo hologram and that Braga co-wrote (with Joe Menosky, another writer who worked on this episode). Joe Menosky recalled, "[Freelancer] Jimmy Diggs came in and he pitched something that had to do with The Doctor's portable emitter and a character getting away with it. Because we had liked da Vinci in 'Scorpion,' when Brannon was listening to Jimmy's pitch, he just thought this is a cool way to get da Vinci off the ship and have an adventure. The way we work collaboratively in a situation like that, where there is no real story except 'da Vinci's day out,' we'll sit around and talk about it, all of us as a staff. What could we do here?" (Cinefantastique, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
  • Joe Menosky generally disliked the way in which the story continued to be developed. "This is when the collaborative process collapses […] I had massive disagreements every step of the way with how this story should go, and I lost the argument every step of the way," Menosky related. "Somebody in the room said, 'How does he get off the ship?' I said, 'That's irrelevant. It doesn't matter how he gets off the ship. That's like a one page or two lines of tech dialogue that you brush off, and you're on to the adventure.' I lost that argument. Everybody said it does matter how he gets off the ship. So we came up with this […] story for how you get the mobile emitter off the ship […] [It] drove the rest of the story in utterly the wrong direction. I couldn't argue my way out of it." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
  • The first draft script of this episode was issued on 27 August 1997. Revision pages were added twice on 2 September 1997, and then once on 3rd, 4th, and 5th September of that year.
  • For this episode, Joe Menosky used his own previously acquired knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci's life and surroundings to write about how the historical figure might interpret an alien planet. "I do know late 15th century Italy and da Vinci's life really well," Menosky confidently remarked, "so that every one of his statements is how a late 15th century Renaissance Italian would interpret an alien world." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
  • This episode's final draft script was submitted on 5 September 1997. [1] However, the script continued to change through the installment's production period.

Cast and characters

  • Janeway actress Kate Mulgrew interpreted the flying in the conclusion of this episode as being symbolic. Indirectly referring to both the Leonardo da Vinci hologram (played by co-star John Rhys-Davies) and her own character of Janeway, Mulgrew stated, "He did indeed, in the end, give [her] the greatest gift of all, which was emotional flight and freedom." (Star Trek: Voyager Companion (p. 179))

Production

  • This episode was in production between 9 September 1997 and 18 September 1997.
  • 11 September was the third day of production on this episode, as well as being Roxann Dawson's birthday. (Star Trek Magazine issue 180, p. 96)
  • The Starfleet-issue "plasma injector conduit" that Leonardo da Vinci obtains from a seller appears to be the same device that is used to dispense felicium in TNG: "Symbiosis".
  • Tuvok is wearing the same costume that was worn by the mirror universe Tuvok in the earlier-produced DS9: "Through the Looking Glass".
  • The glider that Janeway and the holographic Leonardo da Vinci fly was built especially for this episode. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 119, p. 66)
  • For establishing shots of the city in this installment, the city was composited into footage of the Santa Monica hills. (Delta Quadrant, p. 213) This usage of a location so close to the Paramount Pictures lot was influenced by the fact that, although the production team wanted to make the flying sequence a particular highlight of the installment, they were faced with geographical limitations for the scene. Director Jesús Salvador Treviño remembered, "We worked at making this a special moment […] It was not easy to do because we had to find a hill-top that was close enough to Los Angeles for us to film in that wasn't going to take us hours and hours to get to, that was accessible by car so that we could drag up all our equipment, including the glider that we built for the scene, and then stage it in such a way that we were able to convey the idea that they took flight and they were in flight." (Star Trek: Communicator issue 119, p. 66)
  • The illusion that Janeway and the Leonardo hologram are flying was created mostly with live-action shots but also involved a CGI glider. Jesús Salvador Treviño explained, "We did that through the creative interplay of the actual glider and the camera angles of how it's taking off and how it's flying, intercut with a computer-generated glider that we put into master shots that I filmed for that purpose." (Star Trek: Communicator issue 119, p. 66)

Continuity and trivia

  • This episode marks the second of two appearances by the holographic Leonardo da Vinci in the series, following his introduction in "Scorpion". His workshop holodeck program also appears in the fourth-season episodes "Scorpion, Part II", "The Raven", "Scientific Method" and "The Omega Directive".
  • Reference to 47: Voyager's computer core claims to have access to 47 million data channels.
  • This episode establishes that Voyager's main computer core is capable of "transluminal processing at 575 trillion calculations per nanosecond". This is equivalent to 575 zettaflops, or about 9 quadrillion times the processing power of the 300 MHz Pentium II, the fastest desktop processor at the time of the episode's first airing. Under Moore's Law (a doubling in processor power every 18 months), this computational power would take only sixty-five years (in the year 2062) to be achievable in the real world.
  • The description of Voyager's computer processing as "transluminal" would seem to imply that faster-than-light travel is involved. However, the term "superluminal" is usually used for this. "Transluminal" is in fact a medical term, referring to the passage across or along a lumen (cavity in a bloody vessel).
  • It is revealed in this episode that James T. Kirk might have broken a promise that, in TOS: "Requiem for Methuselah", he made to Flint – an immortal Human male who was born in 3834 BC and who Kirk met in 2269 on Holberg 917G. The promise, specifically, was that Kirk would never reveal Flint's immortal nature nor the fact that he had lived under many historical aliases, one of which was Leonardo da Vinci. However, Janeway mentions here that Kirk claimed he had met Leonardo (although she also states that the evidence of their meeting was "less than conclusive"). Kirk may not have mentioned that Flint was Leonardo da Vinci, or where he himself had met an immortal claiming to be Leonardo. Another possibility is that Flint subsequently revealed himself to Humanity when he learned that he was mortal, and that Kirk thereupon published a full account of his meeting with Flint. Alternately, Kirk may have made his records public after Flint's death, given that he was no longer immortal after leaving Earth.
  • The prop used for Voyager's main computer processor was later reused as Garos' Malurian antimatter reactor on the Akaali homeworld in the Star Trek: Enterprise first season episode "Civilization" though slightly re-dressed.
  • Although alien signage is present at the industrial site where Janeway and da Vinci make their escape, a sign with the word "Danger", in English, can also be clearly seen.
  • During the final scene, the closed captions for this episode contain an additional, unspoken line of dialogue between Janeway and da Vinci. He asks if Janeway can speak French and suggests he may have use for an assistant in Paris, potentially changing the tone of the scene.
  • The stardate given in this episode, 51386.4, would put it in between the two-parter episodes "Year of Hell" (stardate 51268.4) and "Year of Hell, Part II" (stardate 51425.4). However, the latter episode took place in an alternate timeline that did not come to pass, allowing the events of this episode, as well as the previous episode "Random Thoughts" (stardate 51367.2), to take place instead of the events seen in the "Year of Hell" duology.

Apocrypha

Reception

  • Joe Menosky's evaluation of this episode was colored by his dissatisfaction with its evolution. "I hated this episode despite the fact that I wrote it," he admitted. Menosky also referred to the plotline about The Doctor's mobile emitter being stolen as an "unbelievably tortured tech story." On the other hand, Menosky described the way in which he himself wrote about the Leonardo hologram's interpretation of the alien world as "the one thing I'm happy about" and stated, "At least I got that right." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 93)
  • Likewise, Jesús Salvador Treviño was ultimately proud of one scene in particular. "The sequence where Leonardo and Janeway take flight was really special for me […] and I thought we pulled it off," he said. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 119, p. 66)
  • Executive Producer Jeri Taylor thought highly of this episode in general. She opined, "It's a lot of fun." (Star Trek Monthly issue 36, p. 12)
  • This episode achieved a Nielsen rating of 4.1 million homes, and a 6% share. [2](X)
  • Cinefantastique rated this episode 2 out of 4 stars. (Cinefantastique, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 91)
  • Star Trek Monthly issue 40, p. 59 scored this episode 3 out of 5 stars.
  • The unauthorized reference book Delta Quadrant (p. 215) gives the installment a rating of 8 out of 10.
  • Among the items from this episode which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay was a crossbow-like hand-held weapon. [3]

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest Stars

Special Guest Star

Co-Stars

Uncredited Co-Stars

Stand-ins

References

16th century; ability; abduction; accusation; Adoration of the Magi; alloy; Alpha Quadrant; Americas; angel; antimatter injector; apprentice; Aristotle; Arno; Atlantic Ocean; automaton; Avignon; Battle of Anghiari, The; bed; bird; bistro; Borgia; briefing room; bronze; businessman; calculations per nanosecond; candleholder; cargo bay; castle; chest; command override; commerce planet; commerce planet city; compass; compression phaser rifle; computer core; computer processor; conduit; confinement beam; confiscation; continent; couch; countryside; cuckoo; damage report; data bank; dispersion field; dragon; Earth; elm; Europe; evasive maneuvers; execution; feather; Florence; Florentine; France; Freud, Sigmund; galleon; Genoa; Ginevra de' Benci; grain; Great Bird; harbor; heart; holodeck; holographic character; horse; "in comparison"; induction relay; insect; Intrepid class decks; Italian language; Italy; Kelvin; kilometer; King of France; Kirk, James T.; Klingonese; Leonardo da Vinci's workshop; logic; maestro; main computer; marble; mathematics; memory; mercury; mess hall; Milan; mobile emitter; Mont Ventoux; mugged; New World; notebook; open country; nest; optical interface; painting; Paris; parsec; patron; petrarch; philosopher; Phoenix; photon torpedo casing; pigeon; plasma injector; Portuguese; power surge; pre-Cartesian; precipice; prisoner; profane; rebirth; red alert; Renaissance; resurrection; sack; saying; Scandinavia; Scandinavian; sea dog; Sicily; site-to-site transporter; small talk; sorcery; Spanish; sparrow; spear; statue; straw; student; subspace frequency; targeting control; Tau's ships; tavern; teacher; temperature; Theseus; topography; topographical computer; translocator device; transluminal processor; transporter attack; transporter beam; tricorder; Turkish pirates; Turks; Vasari, Giorgio; Vulcan, Island of; Vulcan; waitress; wine

External links

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