Star Trek - Voyager, Episode 12: Heroes & Demons (1995)

Original airdate: 4/24/95. Stardate: 48693.2. The Emergency Medical Hologram (Robert Picardo, a.k.a. "the Doctor") gets his first "away mission" when assigned to rescue Chakotay, Tuvok, and Kim from a holodeck version of the epic poem Beowulf, in which Kim had been playing the hero's role. The holodeck has been corrupted by a life form made of photonic energy from a nearby protostar, and only the Doctor can safely confront the creature, which has assumed the role of Beowulf's demonic nemesis, Grendel. As the Doctor grows fond of his heroic duty--even enjoying the advances of the ill-fated Viking heroine Freya (nicely played by Marjorie Monaghan)--Janeway, Torres, and Paris devise a "prisoner exchange" that will return their lost shipmates to safety. A hokey premise with familiar plotting, but enjoyable for its expansion of the Doctor's character and Picardo's reliably nuanced performance. And while the Beowulf setting offers a welcomed detour for fans of ancient fantasy, the sword and sorcery is almost tongue-in-cheek in its gruff, Wagnerian theatricality. Still, an invigorating episode, worthy of its two Emmy nominations for cinematography and music score. Worth a look, for more open-minded Voyager loyalists. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

The Doctor goes after Grendel on the Holodeck

The hook on "Heroes & Demons," Episode 12 of "Star Trek: Voyager" (Written by Naren Shankar, Aired April 24, 1995) is that the Doctor (Robert Picardo) goes on his first Away Mission. The trick is that he does this without ever leaving "Voyager." It seems Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) is (wasting limited energy resources) playing the hero in the "Beowulf" program in the ship's holodeck when he disappears. Chakotay (Robert Beltran) and Tuvok (Tim Russ) enter the Holodeck and find the "Beowful" program still running, but no sign of Kim. When they join in the fight against Grendel they disappear as well. Tired of losing crewmembers, Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) sends the EMH off to do battle on the holodeck. The Doctor is apprehensive but willing to do honor to the new name he has adopted: Schwitzer. However once there he discovers he not only has to deal with Vikings and a monster, but the affections of the lovely Freya (Marjorie Monaghan).

For those of you who enjoy watching the propsect of the Doctor engaging in good old fashioned swordplay, this is the episode you want to watch. There are also some tentative movements for the Doctor in terms of honest emotions as clearly the producers are trying to set up the character for future developments. Since "Heroes & Demons" begins with "Voyager" taking samples of photonic energy from a protostar (and there is a breach in the transporter's containment field) you know that somehow this has something to do with what is happening on the holodeck. But "Heroes & Demons" is not so much a mystery episode as it is character development in the Doctor's journey to becoming "real," so the scientific explanation takes a back seat to the Doctor fighting the good fight and learning some valuable lessons from his first Away Mission. June 11, 2003

The Doctor's first away mission

When Harry, Chakotey and Tuvok disappear on the holodeck the Doctor is the only one who can be send to rescue them. It will be his first away mission: a special occacion, and not without hazard, since the safety limits are offline. The episode takes place in the time of Beowulf, with Vikings, desperate Kings,. monsters and fighting maidens. The Doctor has ample opportunity to show his poetic, romantic and valiant sides. Some scenes are very funny. Especially those where the Doctor,with his dry comments, intellect en photons interacts with the medieval supersticious Vikings. This is surely one of the better episodes for the Doctor. November 25, 2000

Oldest English Epic Given Fresh Life

Ensign Harry Kim disappears from the holodeck while taking part in a holonovel based on the oldest English epic, Beowulf. Tuvok and T'chokote enter the holodeck, but computer controls and safety measures have been disabled. They follow in the footsteps of Beowulf and bravely agree to stay and confront Grendel, hoping to learn what happened to Kim. But Grendel takes them, as well. It's up to the holographic Doctor to go on his first away mission and succeed where the heroes have failed. March 15, 2000

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