Pathfinder
- Episode aired Dec 1, 1999
- TV-G
- 44m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
On Earth, Barclay uses holograms to formulate a plan to open communications with Voyager.On Earth, Barclay uses holograms to formulate a plan to open communications with Voyager.On Earth, Barclay uses holograms to formulate a plan to open communications with Voyager.
Majel Barrett
- Computer Voice
- (voice)
Tarik Ergin
- Lt. Ayala
- (uncredited)
Adolphus Hankins
- Starfleet Vice Admiral
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaA picture of Tom Paris in a cadet uniform is shown on Admiral Owen Paris' desk. It is actually a picture of Robert Duncan McNeill playing a different character in the Star Trek Universe: Nick Locarno from The First Duty (1992). Depending on which story you believe, either the Tom Paris character was originally meant to be Locarno but there were legal issues with "The First Duty"'s writers, or the Tom Paris character was developed separately and McNeill's casting was an afterthought when someone noticed the similarities between Locarno and Paris.
- GoofsWhen the camera pans across Admiral Paris' desk, you see a photo of Mr. Paris. It is clearly flipped because his communicator is on the wrong side of his chest. However, when Barclay and Admiral Paris are discussing Pathfinder and Admiral Paris glances at the photo just moments later, the communicator is suddenly on the correct side of the uniform.
- Quotes
Neelix: I'm ready for my lesson!
Seven of Nine: I've concluded that teaching you to sing is an inefficient use of my time.
Neelix: But I... I've... I've been practicing.
Seven of Nine: In your case, practice is irrelevant. Your vocal cords are incapable of producing basic diatonic tones, not to mention your rhythmic shortcomings.
Neelix: [sighs, disappointed] I sound so good in the sonic shower.
Seven of Nine: Perhaps you should confine your efforts to that location.
- ConnectionsReferences Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Featured review
Hurray for Barclay, Boo! for Bad Plot Motivations
It's always great to see stuttering, socially awkward Reg Barclay in an episode.
Unfortunately, the forced character motivations hamstring the episode and keep it from becoming a really quality Voyager outing. Barclay has become obsessed with Voyager's plight (perhaps because they are stranded alone in the Delta quadrant, and he is stranded alone inside his hopelessly cringey social ineptness). He has developed a theoretical method of creating a singularity and using it to establish 2-way communications with Voyager. But his commanding officer, who otherwise seems patient and rational, refuses to allow Barclay to test this theory, or even to recommend it to higher-ups in Starfleet.
The burning question when watching this episode is then: WHY? Why wouldn't they let Barclay try? By all accounts throughout the story, there is absolutely no ramifications to trying... except to reach the stranded Voyager and finally establish full comms with them. One, of course, knows why this stubbornness exists.... to create drama as artificial as Barclay's wormhole! To make him struggle and finally prevail.... over nothing, really.
This really makes what is a watershed moment in the show a, well, a hollow pursuit.
Unfortunately, the forced character motivations hamstring the episode and keep it from becoming a really quality Voyager outing. Barclay has become obsessed with Voyager's plight (perhaps because they are stranded alone in the Delta quadrant, and he is stranded alone inside his hopelessly cringey social ineptness). He has developed a theoretical method of creating a singularity and using it to establish 2-way communications with Voyager. But his commanding officer, who otherwise seems patient and rational, refuses to allow Barclay to test this theory, or even to recommend it to higher-ups in Starfleet.
The burning question when watching this episode is then: WHY? Why wouldn't they let Barclay try? By all accounts throughout the story, there is absolutely no ramifications to trying... except to reach the stranded Voyager and finally establish full comms with them. One, of course, knows why this stubbornness exists.... to create drama as artificial as Barclay's wormhole! To make him struggle and finally prevail.... over nothing, really.
This really makes what is a watershed moment in the show a, well, a hollow pursuit.
helpful•1510
- William_E_Hunter
- Feb 14, 2020
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3
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