In the Flesh (Voyager episode)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Star Trek: VOY episode
"In the Flesh"
Species 8472 assumes Boothby's appearance
Episode no.	98
Prod. code	198
Airdate	November 4, 1998
Writer(s)	Nick Sagan
Director	David Livingston
Guest star(s)	Ray Walston as Boothby Kate Vernon as Valerie Archer Zach Galligan as Ensign Gentry Tucker Smallwood as Admiral Bullock
Year	2375
Stardate	52136.4
Episode chronology
Previous	"Extreme Risk"
Next	"Once Upon a Time"

"In the Flesh" is an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the fourth episode of the fifth season.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Chakotay encounters a population of aliens who have assumed human form and created a simulation of Starfleet Academy. During his initial recon, Chakotay meets the groundskeeper, Boothby. The inhabitants of the academy appear to act human with typical Starfleet knowledge. However, upon conversation with one of the cadets, Valerie Archer, she reveals annoyances about breathing oxygen and sleeping, and he witnesses an alien beginning to revert from human form. Chakotay and Tuvok must end their survelliance when confronted by one of the aliens and refusing to attend a meeting for unauthorized personel. They render the alien unconsious and take him back to Voyager.

The captured alien refuses to reveal himself and kills himself when the doctor attempts to extract DNA. Janeway along with the crew is disturbed at the accuracy of the recreation and are worried that it acts as a training ground for an invasion of Earth. The doctor discovers that the guise is very difficult to detect (requiring microcellular scans to identify it as non-human). He manages to revert the corpse, revealing its true form as a member of Species 8472. Janeway is convinced the recreation is in preparation for invasion, and being unable to warn Starfleet, it is up to Voyager and her crew to prevent the invasion before it begins. Chakotay decides to follow up his date with Valerie to learn more.

Seven of Nine and the doctor prepare enhanced nanoprobes in case battle arises. The doctor expresses his hope for a diplomatic solution, but Seven is more realistic. Meanwhile, Chakotay continues his date with Harry Kim and Tom Paris waiting in the Delta Flyer in case he needs assistance. Valerie reveals her mixed feelings about humans, remarking that they are geneically impure, but can create beautiful works. She reveals an invasion of earth is due to happen in a matter of weeks or days, retaliation for their role in helping the Borg defeat them. Suspicious, she convinces Chakotay to end the date with a kiss, using it to obtain DNA and reveal that he is truly a human. She alerts the authorities, and Chakotay is captured while attempting to flee.

Seven and the doctor exhaust their supply of nanoprobes creating weapons for battle. Janeway still wants to opt for a diplomatic solution, but Seven presses the danger of the species and that it should be eradicated. Tom and Harry alert Janeway that Chakotay is in trouble and they were unable to beam him out. Chakotay is interrogated by Boothby, and the aliens are convinced that Starfleet is sending ships to attack. Tensions rise and weapons are pointed at each other, but no shots are fired. Janeway continues to press for a non-violent solution and invites them to talks.

The talks start off rough. The aliens do not believe that Starfleet knows nothing about their species. They reveal there are multiple training grounds, and Voyager would be unlikely to find them all before an invasion. Janeway lowers Voyager's weapons to attempt to lower tension. A truce is secured when Janeway agrees to give information on their nanoprobe technology in exchange for their information on genetic alteration techniques. Janeway and Boothby have a hope filled chat of peace, while Chakotay and Valerie leave with a good bye kiss.

[edit] Trivia

Valerie Archer mentions that she comes from a family of Starfleet officers. Assuming that a real Valerie Archer exists (which is likely, as all of Species 8472's information on Starfleet was taken from Voyager's computer memory banks), it is possible that she is a descendant of Jonathan Archer from Star Trek: Enterprise.