Caretaker

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

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

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

Being hurled away 75000 light-years from home... I mean, what a great way to start a new show. I grew up with the 90s trek and voyager is still my favorite. This pilot episode is certainly not dull, it sets the tone like no other trek show has done before. The adventure awaits!

The Maqui are a bit under-explained, but I know from the past that it will happen. This pilot episode sets everything up. We are introduced to all the principle characters (more, of course, will be added later). We see why they are in the predicament they are in. We internal combustion but Janeway is a decent hub in the wheel. I can't believe 23 years have passed since this show first appeared. I'm going to wade my way through it one more time.

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

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

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

As a pilot, Caretaker works reasonably well. Each new character is introduced adequately and also familar settings and characters are thrown in to support the plot.

Introducing the Kazon's was always going to be a bad move. However, the Neelix/Kes relationship was strong from the very start, and Mulgrew convinces as a new captain.

As he does throughout the series, the Doctor provided the humour elements which have become a trademark of ST: Voyager over the years. Its a shame Chakotay had to replace the demised 1st officer as he looked just right for the part.

Caretaker does not however grip you like the pilots for the other three Trek series', and although I think as a whole ST: Voyager outshines the lot of them put together, this TV movie demonstrates how they had to scrape away the mud before reaching the gold.