Star Trek: Heroes and Demons

Title: "Heroes and Demons"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager
Season 1, Episode 12

Original Air Date: April 24, 1995

via Memory Alpha

Ensign Kim disappears while playing in a Beowulf-scape on the holodeck.  When Chakotay and Tuvok go in after him, they disappear, too.  A holographic problem requires a holographic solution.  As such, the Doctor is the best choice to get to the bottom of things.  

What seems like it will be a Harry story as he's the one missing evolves into a Doctor story, and a meaningful one.  The EMH gets significant development.  For the first time, the Voyager crew sorts out a way for him to go anywhere beyond sickbay.  He also gets to eat.  He even tries on a name for a while, Dr. Schweitzer, though he gives it up in the end.

"Heroes and Demons" is one in a series of episodes in which the possibilities for the Doctor character expand.  From the beginning, it is clear he's not content being contained in a box.  He wants to be part of the crew, making contributions and being treated with respect.  This is hardly the first story in which he saves the day but it is the first one in which he does so beyond sick bay, and beyond the specific role for which he is programmed.  It also expands his capacity to develop relationships, though it's still at the initiative of others - Kes on Voyager and the warrior Freya in the holodeck.  With the latter, he shares his first kiss.

Acting Notes

via The New Systems Commonwealth Wiki

Marjorie Monaghan (Freya) was born in Orange County, California, March 19, 1964.  She's rather tall, though not quite as tall as the 6' 11" Robert Picardo described.  She's 6' tall.  Picardo is 5' 10".

Monaghan is best known for the recurring character Tessa Halloran on Babylon 5.  She also had regular roles on the short-lived Space Rangers and Rescue 77.  Films include The Bonfire of the Vanities, Regarding Henry and Nemesis.