The Omega Directive
- Episode aired Apr 15, 1998
- TV-PG
- 46m
Detection of an Omega particle puts all other priorities and Starfleet directives on hold. Janeway is duty-bound to destroy that particle above all else, but Seven objects.Detection of an Omega particle puts all other priorities and Starfleet directives on hold. Janeway is duty-bound to destroy that particle above all else, but Seven objects.Detection of an Omega particle puts all other priorities and Starfleet directives on hold. Janeway is duty-bound to destroy that particle above all else, but Seven objects.
- Lt. Ayala
- (uncredited)
- Alien Scientist
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
I liked how Seven looked at the cross and the 3.2 secs she saw the non-spoiler article is a favorite crucifixion and resurrection year 32AD of the Lord. Not accident by the writer.
Christ maybe coming back in 2032 according to Hosea 6:2. A day is a 1000 years after all. This episode made me think: After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
Look at world events. Maybe many of us can have what Worf (one remembers that episode of finding Kahless), Janeway, and Seven were looking for?
When Voyager discovers traces of a molecule, the Omega molecule, the Omega directive is automatically enabled. A classified mission to wipe out this molecule because one particle alone can rupture subspace and a chain reaction of several particles could destroy subspace in a whole quadrant, incapacitating warp travel in that quadrant forever.
First Janeway acts all secretive and tries to solve this problem alone, with only minimal information to her crew. Since Seven of Nine knows about this molecule already, Janeway involves her. Chakotay though convinces Janeway to give more information about Omega and her mission, so the crew can help her. Janeway thus assembles a senior staff meeting. Strangely, B'Elanna is not invited although she is chief of engineering. Although Janeway tells her senior officers to keep the mission classified, they all seem to be quite open afterwards. They talk about destroying this molecule on the bridge while not only senior officers are present but a bunch of ensigns, too. On the away mission several crewmen are directly involved and see and hear everything. At that point, Janeway could have just opened a channel to the whole ship and gave away all classified information which wasn't classified anymore anyway.
When they encounter a planet with millions of such molecules, which were used by local scientists to create an inexhaustible energy source, the crew beams those molecules into a containment chamber on the ship, neutralizes some particles and detonates the rest in space with a torpedo. I wonder how this detonation doesn't cause a chain reaction and blow up subspace. Quite illogical. And how comes, they can just beam those highly complex molecules to the ship and rematerialize them with no problem? Also, the alien scientists most likely will continue their research on those molecules. Why didn't Janeway offer them another technology to help them with their energy shortage? At least tell them that they are playing with fire. It's just a matter of time when there is the same threat again to the quadrant. And isn't that molecule said to be rare? Yet, those scientists obviously created millions of them.
My feeling was that they overacted too much. And not being knowledgeable, I imagine that it could have been the director that caused the performance issues.
The plot has a mysterious premise that unfolds well, but it is mainly a character arc for Seven of Nine and contains some good allusions to the development of religious beliefs. She has the most interesting scenes that link well the sci-fi aspect and help the character develop. Janeway also has a strong episode and both Jeri Ryan and Katie Mulgrew do justice to the material.
Arguably the writers using an alien species as antagonists is unnecessary, as the character development and stakes are entertaining enough already.
Visually it is a good one, particularly in certain scenes involving Seven as the story develops.
For me it's a 7.5/10, but I round upwards.
Did you know
- TriviaRoxann Dawson (B'Elanna Torres) went into labor during the production of this episode. That is why B'Elanna is seen in Engineering towards the beginning of the show, but is strangely absent when Captain Janeway briefs the senior officers during the special meeting about Omega.
- GoofsSeven of Nine makes a personal log entry, but she gives the date as "Stardate 15781.2," transposing the first two digits. It should have been "Stardate 51781.2."
- Quotes
[last lines]
Seven of Nine: For 3.2 seconds, I saw perfection. When Omega stabilized, I felt a curious sensation. As I was watching it, it seemed to be watching me. - The Borg have assimilated many species, with mythologies to explain such moments of clarity. I've always dismissed them as trivial. Perhaps I was wrong.
Captain Kathryn Janeway: If I didn't know you better... I'd say you just had your first spiritual experience.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Star Trek: Nemesis Review (2009)
Details
- Runtime
- 46m
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3