Series: Star Trek: Voyager
Season 3, Episode 23
Original Air Date: April 30, 1997
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| via Memory Alpha |
Forra Gegen, a Voth paleontologist, discovers his species traces its origins all the way back to Earth. He and his research assistant set out to observe Voyager's crew incognito. Unfortunately, they're rather clumsy about it and our friends discover their presence on the ship quickly. In a panic, Gegen kidnaps Chakotay in order to take him back as proof of the genetic link to the leaders of his world.
"Distant Origin" is a send up of Galileo's trial over his revelation of a non-geocentric universe. People cling hard to their mythology and let's be honest, we don't have to go back centuries to find examples in human experience. Nor do we have to travel to distant worlds. It's all playing out in the United States of America, 2026. Those who adhere to a nationalist Christian view of human origin, human law and the white protagonist role in American history hold greater political power in our nation than they have in generations. Truth is negotiable. Might makes right.
It's an excellent episode - indeed, one of Voyager's best. Using the holodeck to extrapolate how dinosaurs could have evolved into an intelligent, humanoid life form is the coolest application of the technology to date (and deeply AI in hindsight). "Distant Origin" is also a wonderful Chakotay story. Our First Officer is going to have to fight for narrative relevance in the series moving forward (true for most of the cast) but he's the right choice as Gegen's sideman at the trial. Chakotay is willing to sublimate his ego a lot more quickly than would have been possible for any of the other principals.
Acting Notes
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| via King of Queens Wiki |
Concetta Tomei played the role of Odala, leading minister of the Voth's Ministry of Elders. Tomei was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, December 30, 1945. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an education degree then, after teaching for four years, studied theatre at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Tomei's stage resume is stellar. She appeared in Richard III with Kevin Kline, The Elephant Man with David Bowie and Cyrano de Bergerac with Kline and Jennifer Garner. On television, she's had principal roles on China Beach, Providence and Madman of the People. She's had recurring roles on L.A. Law, Falcon Crest and Wings and guest roles on 7th Heaven, Touched by an Angel and The King of Queens. Her best-known film role is Mrs. Crandell in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead.
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