A datastream is found to contain a hologram of Reg Barclay, but while the Pathfinder Project attempts to find out where its intercepted message went, the holo-Reg sets in motion a plan to bring one of the Voyager crew back to the Alpha Quadrant.

Playing Voyager as if it’s The Next Generation has worked well in the past, and this is the best one yet, combining the action back at Starfleet with a strong story back on Voyager, with the problem being that we know what’s going on at all times, but neither of the other parties does, and they can’t tell each other what they find out. It’s unusual to find a Voyager episode this well constructed, but that’s exactly what it is. There’s lots going on and regular surprises as things are gradually revealed and it all comes together.

Not only that but there’s even some comedy on offer. The Reg Barclay hologram is superb, as he’s programmed exactly how Reg would like to be: confident, professional, a huge hit with everyone. The only aspect that doesn’t quite make sense is that a hologram should be the perfect spy, as there is nothing that could possibly give it away. When holo-Reg suddenly shows his ‘Sinister’ subroutine to the Doctor, it’s an obvious giveaway that shouldn’t happen. As a hologram, he should be programmed to be nice and pleasant at all times. Aside from that, Dwight Schultz is superb in both his roles, making them markedly different, and Marina Sirtis gets a chance to have a far meatier role than she usually did in TNG. And wear a swimsuit, which really works well on her.

In many ways it seems this is really Star Trek. With Starfleet and Ferengi involved, it feels more homely to the viewer, rather than feeling that it’s trapped in the middle of nowhere with lots of dull aliens. It’s this familiarity that’s been missing from the series throughout, and to hear references to Will and Geordi as well makes it seem like we’re with friends once more.

If there’s anything that lets the story down, it’s a couple of really awful scenes: one is holo-Reg doing impressions of the crew of Voyager and the other is Tom and B’Elanna winding up Harry about getting home. The first, although important to the plot, is barely funny and yet the crew seem to find it hilarious. What’s most stupid is that it’s hardly tricky for a hologram to accurately imitate someone’s voice and not worthy of applause. The second is just horribly cruel and seems unlike Tom. He’s been credited with a little more subtlety in the past and this just seems vindictive. Aside from these, however, it’s a damn good episode with plenty to recommend it. Surely this can’t last…?

****

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