Concerning Flight

I don't get the hate. I love Jonathon Rhys-Davies and I appreciate seeing how Captain Janeway decompresses during her rare downtime. "Get back to reality"??! We're watching sci-fi! Have fun & enjoy the adventure!

Voyager has some of its key technology stolen.

This is a reasonably good episode with some fun character moments.

The objective of this episode is to get Janeway and the holographic Da Vinci character off the ship and on a little adventure together. They indulge in philosophical banter, take part in a fairly uninspired plot that leads to a contrived yet enjoyable finale.

Joe Menosky stated that he wrote the original story with more emphasis on Da Vinci reflecting on a futuristic alien world (not that production values allow for the desired environment to be conveyed visually), but it was ruined by others wanting more focus on the tech plot. It's hard to disagree with what's on screen, but there are some standout moments.

Certain characters have fun moments like Da Vinci, Janeway, Tuvok, The Doctor and Seven. All the associated actors are good on screen. If you're in a light-hearted, reflective mood, there is nothing offensive here, but I have a feeling it will prove to be an ultimately forgettable entry.

It's great to see John Rhys-Davies in action and the episode's director appears to make the best of limited production resources.

"Concerning Flight" from Star Trek: Voyager Season 4 is one of my favorite episodes. For me it's a nostalgic feel and It's just a very charming adventure that blends humor, action, and a touch of whimsy in a way that's uniquely delightful. John Rhys-Davies shines as the holographic Leonardo da Vinci, bringing warmth, wit, and gravitas to the role. He's a very good actor who elevates every scene he's in, making the character feel both fantastical and deeply human. The dynamic between Janeway and da Vinci is especially engaging, full of mutual respect and curiosity. The episode's mix of Renaissance wonder and sci-fi technology creates a refreshing change of pace, making it both memorable and fun.

I'm really bored with Janeway's sojourns in the holodeck, working with Leonardo Da Vinci. Isn't it enough to pursue space pirates and try to get the ship back in shape without bringing an historical character our of the past. First of all, one has to really question the whole concept of this component of a fantasy world. It's neat they have it, but is it within the bounds of imagination, at least as sophisticated as this. And how does on get into the head of a character like the great Renaissance man. Mostly, I sort of dozed off because of the slow movement of this story.

While season 4 of Voyager contains some great episodes, this has to be seen as a lapse in quality.

The setup in itself is kind of interesting, aliens stealing tech from the ship but then it all goes downhill from there. The Holodeck representation of Leonardo daVinci is copied on the Mobile Emitter by the thieves and works for them on an alien planet. As if an inventor and artist from the Renaissance era could possibly be of any real use in the 24th century, the "Prince" of thieves even creates a workshop for daVinci to work in. It just doesn't make any sense and it's hard to believe, Star Trek veteran Joe Menosky wrote this. The "Prince" is shown to be a ruthless capitalist - why would he waste resources in a holo-program of a hundreds of years old historical figure of earth? What could daVinci offer?

Remember it was an important plot point in the past, not to let Federation technology fall into alien hands? It was a real problem when the Kazon were around. Who knows what could happen? But here, Chakotay even lets one guy keep his Phaser rifle and other stuff and tells him to get out. I'm sorry: what?

At times embarrassing, the dialogue between Kathryn and Leonardo makes little sense, given his 24th century environment. He doesn't seem to be irritated that all these aliens are supposed to be Americans. It's played for comedy - even when he fires a phaser - but it's just silly and nonsensical.

The criminals also forgot to secure or reprogram the stolen computer processor. Janeway can just input orders with her still active security code.

Kate Mulgrew and John Rhys-Davies are good actors but this is just a silly story. The villain is weak and the repurposed factory set unconvincing as an alient industrial plant.

While there is some lesson here that Leonardo should not do so many things at once? Or not to give up? But it has nothing to do with Janeway, which makes this a fine lesson for daVinci but it's ultimately pointless, because he is just a holodeck character and also because it doesn't really teach any other real character a lesson.

This is one of the shows that feel very 90's - but not in a good way. If you want to cringe while Captain Janeway girlishly smiles at a hologram of Leonardo daVinci while in mid-air on a (luckily previously built) flying apparatus, then go ahead.

A bottom-of-the-barrel episode in the likes of Fair Haven.

4/10.