Synopsis:
The ship is surrounded by creatures whose presence
accelerates Kes' reproductive process and threatens Voyager's
key operating systems.
When the ship encounters a swarm of space-dwelling lifeforms,
the crew first opts to study them from a distance. But after the
creatures draw Voyager into their midst, their unusual energy
patterns create problems for many of the ship's systems and
cause some very strange symptoms in Kes. First the Ocampan
begins eating everything in sight. Later she becomes delirious,
and her body goes through peculiar changes.
As the crew tries to figure out a way to move away from the
lifeforms without harming them, the Doctor examines Kes and
discovers that they are wreaking havoc with her metabolism. They
are pushing her prematurely into the "elogium" -- the
phase in which Ocampan women become fertile. The process occurs
only once in an Ocampan's life, so if Kes ever wants to have a
child, she must do so immediately.
Janeway and Chakotay discuss the implications of having
babies on board Voyager, while Kes asks Neelix to father her
child. Neelix's initial hesitation causes Kes to question
whether he really wants a baby. Later, Neelix consults with
Tuvok about the pros and cons of parenthood. Finally, he returns
to Kes and tells her he's ready, only to discover that now she
is having second thoughts.
Anxious to escape the swarm, the crew attempts to move away,
but the swarm follows. Suddenly, an even larger version of the
creatures appears and blocks Voyager's way. Bewildered at first,
the crew realizes that it is a "suitor" for the swarm
and that it thinks Voyager is a rival. Every aggressive move
they make is met by a stronger countermove from the creature.
Finally, Chakotay suggests the ship act submissively by
"rolling over." Happily, the plan works and the swarm
moves away with the big creature. Later, Kes ultimately decides
against having a baby, but is relieved by the Doctor's belief
that her elogium may have been a false alarm brought on by the
electrophoretic field created by the swarm; it could recur later.
Ironically, Janeway learns that an ensign named Wildman is
pregnant, so the crew will soon welcome a new arrival after all.
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Cast:
Kate Mulgrew as Kathryn Janeway™
Robert Beltran as Chakotay™
Roxann Biggs-Dawson as B'Elanna Torres™
Robert Duncan McNeill as Tom Paris™
Jennifer Lien as Kes™
Ethan Phillips as Neelix™
Robert Picardo as The Doctor
Tim Russ as Tuvok™
Garrett Wang as Harry Kim™
Guest Cast:
Gary O'Brien as Crew member #1
Terry Correll as Crew member #2
Nancy Hower as Ensign Wildman
Creative staff:
Director: Winrich Kolbe
Story By: Jimmy Diggs & Steve J. Kay
Teleplay By: Kenneth Biller and Jeri Taylor
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