Star Trek: Dreadnought

Episode: "Dreadnought"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager

Season 2, Episode 17

Original Air Date: February 12, 1996

via Memory Alpha

Voyager encounters Dreadnought, a Maquis weapon of mass destruction programmed to hit a Cardassian target.  What's it doing in the Delta Quadrant?  It's assumed to have gotten there the same way and at the same time as Voyager.  Why is it targeting a non-Cardassian world instead?  Well, something seems to have gone wrong with the programming.  Okay, who programmed it in the first place?

B'Elanna Torres

The set up is a bit contrived but the story that unfolds from there is outstanding.  Wouldn't you know, after a turkey like "Threshold," Voyager would offer two of the strongest episodes to this point one right after the other. "Dreadnought" is 90% Torres.  Roxann Dawson-Biggs played both her own usual part and the voice of the Dreadnought ship computer.  She's wonderful in both roles.  Her performance is more than enough to carry the piece, then Captain Janeway adds a star move of her own to seal the episode as one of Voyager's best.  

Our captain realizes the best way to stop the Dreadnought from destroying its target is to sacrifice her own ship, and herself along with it.  It's a moving moment for all involved, audience included.  Solid Trek.  Thank goodness Torres saves the day and everyone survives.

Acting Notes

via Criminal Minds Wiki

Michael Spound played the role of Lorrum, the new Kazon contact for the treacherous Michael Jonas.  Spound was born in Santa Monica, California, April 8, 1957, then grew up in Concord, Massachusetts.  "Dreadnought" was his first of two Voyager episodes.  He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Theatre and Film.

In 1983, Spound won a principal role in the series Hotel which ran for five seasons.  Guest appearances include Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Family Ties.  Films include Must Love Dogs, The Ring and Bye Bye Love.  He also has a co-writing credit for 1981's Wacko.