History Recap / StarTrekVoyagerS4E13MessageInABottle

'''Doctor:''' ''(cutting in with a smug expression)'' Let's just say I made an [[RoboSexual addition to my program]].

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: The "addition" the Doctor made to his program so he could have sex.

* ContinuityLockOut: An in-universe variant, as well as one to fans that haven't kept up with ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine.''
-->'''Doctor:''' Is the Federation at war with the Romulans?\\
'''EMH-2:''' No. The Romulans haven't gotten involved in our fight with the Dominion.\\
'''Doctor:''' The ''who?''\\
'''EMH-2:''' (is about to explain) [[{{Beat}} ...]] [[ItsALongStory Long story.]]

'''Doctor:''' [[ContinuityLockout The who?]]\\

[[caption-width-right:350:The Doc and the Dick. (Andy Dick.)]]

* MeaningfulName: In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the Gods. In this episode, the Romulans are stealing a powerful new starship from Starfleet.

-->'''Computer:''' [[AC:Specify attack pattern.]]\\

'''Computer:''' [[AC:Specify target.]]\\

* UnusualEuphemism: According to the ship's computer the ''Prometheus'' is designed for "deep space tactical missions". In short it's a warship just like the ''Defiant'', but Starfleet is clearly reluctant to admit that.

** Apparently the Doc wasn't kidding about his additional subroutine; he later reveals that [[spoiler:he fathered a child]] while stuck on the time-shifted planet for three years in "Blink of an Eye".

'''Doctor:''' The ''who?''

-->'''Mark II:''' My brilliant existence cut short... no time to explore the universe... no time to smell the roses... no time for... sex..."

'''Doctor:''' When I requested more away missions, this isn't exactly what I had in mind.

* ForgotAboutHisPowers: The Doctor [[PaperThinDisguise disguises his voice]] in a way that an ordinary human would, when he could have simply imitated one of the many Romulan crew members he interacted with.

* ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption: Janeway tries to negotiate with the Hirogen, but he isn't willing to listen. As he goes to sever the link a second time, he suddenly collapses from a ShockAndAwe attack.

** Considering that the commander of the mission was taking the ''Prometheus'' somewhere other than his assigned target, it's likely the Romulan Empire decided to claim he was acting on his own behalf rather than provoke future conflict by claiming responsibility for a failed mission.

* ShaggySearchTechnique: ''Prometheus'' has [[DarkestHour lost weapons, shields and navigation, and is being fired on by both Starfleet and Romulans]]. Neither holodoc has any idea what to do, when EMH-2 puts his hand on a console and inadvertently activates the Multi-Vector Assault Mode.

* ActionSurvivor: EMH-2's first reaction to hearing that Romulans have taken over is to switch himself off. He's so inept at anything outside his programming he can't even climb into a Jeffries tube properly, but when the Doctor is captured he quickly thinks up an IndyPloy to rescue him. Justified, since, as he later reveals, he is an experimental prototype program like the ship itself and hasn't even been field tested yet.

* [[AllMenArePerverts All Holographic Men Are Perverts]]: When the Doctor reveals he made a certain [[RoboSexual addition to his program]], EMH-2 eagerly asks if he can copy it onto his own database. The Doctor implies that he'll do it if he gets the EMH-2's cooperation.

-->'''Computer:''' [[AC:Specify attack pattern.]]
-->'''Doctor:''' Attack Pattern...Alpha?
-->'''Computer:''' [[AC:Specify target.]]
-->'''Both Doctors:''' ''ROMULANS!''
* BeadyEyedLoser
-->'''EMH-2:''' Ah yes, you're the Mark One EMH. The ''inferior'' program.
-->'''Doctor:''' Inferior?!
-->'''EMH-2:''' Beady eyes, terrible bedside manner. I recognize you.

-->'''Doctor:''' What are you waiting for? Shoot! Shoot!
-->'''EMH-2:''' There are so many controls...
-->'''Doctor:''' Find the one that says "Fire" and push it!

* BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce: Neelix's attempt to make Rodeo Red's Red-Hot, Rootin'-Tootin' Chili puts three crewmen in Sickbay with heartburn.
* TheBodyPartsThatMustNotBeNamed
-->'''Doctor:''' [[BadassBoast I'm as close to a sentient life-form as any hologram could hope to be]]. I socialise with the crew, fraternise with aliens. [[TheTriple I've even had sexual relations]].
-->'''EMH-2:''' Sex! How's that possible? [[BarbieDollAnatomy We're not equipped with a]]--
-->'''Doctor:''' ''(cutting in with a smug expression)'' Let's just say I made an [[RoboSexual addition to my program]].

-->'''Computer:''' Access to that system requires Level 4 clearance or above.

-->'''Doctor:''' ''(in a deep voice)'' Our viewscreen is not operational. We've had some trouble with...Starfleet commandos.
-->'''Almak:''' Where's Rekar?
-->'''Doctor:''' In the medical bay. He's suffered minor injuries.
-->'''Almak:''' Identify yourself.
-->''(The Doctor casts a desperate look at EMH-2)''
-->'''EMH-2:''' ''(whispers)'' You first.
-->'''Doctor:''' [[RepeatAfterMe You first.]] ''([[OhCrap realises what he said and winces]])''
-->'''Almak:''' Repeat your last statement. I don't understand.
-->'''Doctor:''' State ''your'' identity.

-->'''EMH-2:''' Please state the nature of the medical emergency...what the hell are you doing in my Sickbay?
-->''(Doc responds with FascinatingEyebrow)''
* CavalryBetrayal: The Holo-docs cheer when Starfleet reinforcements show up...only for them to fire on the ''Prometheus''.

-->'''Doctor:''' Is the Federation at war with the Romulans?
-->'''EMH-2:''' No. The Romulans haven't gotten involved in our fight with the Dominion.
* ConversationCut: The EMH-2 continues an uninterrupted sentence as they're transmitted from the Ready Room to the Bridge.
* CurbStompBattle: The ''Prometheus'' in multi-vectoral assault mode delivers this to a ''Nebula''-class Federation ship (disabled) and then to a Romulan Warbird (destroyed), though a ''Defiant''-class vessel helped in the latter fight.

** The Romulans locked down the ''Prometheus's'' communications system, preventing the Doctor from sending a distress call to Starfleet.

--> '''Doctor:''' Computer, how many Romulans are onboard?
--> '''Computer:''' 27.
--> '''Doctor:''' Are there any Starfleet crewmembers?
--> '''Computer:''' None alive.

* {{Foreshadowing}}

** Apparently the Doc wasn't kidding about his additional subroutine....he later reveals that [[spoiler: he fathered a child]] while stuck on the time-shifted planet for three years in "Blink of an Eye".

--> '''Doctor''': You hit the wrong ship!
--> '''EMH-2''': It wasn't my fault!
--> '''Doctor''': Well then whose fault was it, the torpedo's? You're supposed to tell it what to do!

* GrandTheftPrototype: The Romulans stealing the USS ''Prometheus''.

* HowAboutASmile
** The Doctor finds an occasional "please" doesn't hurt in getting EMH-2's help.
** B'Elanna gives Seven a lengthy tirade on how she never says "Thank you". [[BrickJoke She gets one]] after congratulating Seven on zapping the Hirogan.

* ImADoctorNotAPlaceholder: The Mark Two carries on the noble tradition.
-->'''Doctor:''' We need to retake the ship!
-->'''EMH-2:''' I'm a doctor, not a commando.

-->'''Tom:''' I'm a pilot, not a doctor!

* InstantAIJustAddWater: Averted; worried that he's going to be stuck as ''Voyager's'' doctor, Tom ropes in a reluctant Harry to create another EMH. It starts reciting a medical textbook word-for-word until the program crashes, whereupon Harry downloads the textbook onto his PADD, hands it to Tom and tells him to start reading.

-->'''Doctor:''' Is the Federation at war with the Romulans?
-->'''EMH-2:''' No. The Romulans haven't gotten involved in our fight with the Dominion.
-->'''Doctor:''' [[ContinuityLockOut The who?]]
-->'''EMH-2:''' ''({{beat}})'' Long story.
** Incidentally, the episode of ''Deep Space Nine'' in which the Romulans ''do'' get involved aired less than three months after this one and in the overall chronology of the shows was not long after either.
* KarmaHoudini: Played with. The Romulan Empire doesn't get into a war with the Federation getting caught red handed in attempting to capture Starfleet's new prototype warship (though due to the Dominion War, the Federation has more pressing matters) and killing its crew with [[ImplausibleDeniability soldiers clearly wearing Romulan Imperial Fleet uniforms]]. But Starfleet did destroy a Romulan Warbird, recaptured their stolen warship, and captured the commando unit responsible for stealing the ship.

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Seven says the ''Prometheus'' will move out of range in 41 minutes, which is about how long the episode still has to run.

* MeaningfulEcho: The Doctor snaps "TheEnd!" to cut off EMH-2's BadassBoast over having rescued him. Later though the Doctor gives a proud "The End!" at the conclusion of their mutual BadassBoast at having won against all odds...[[VerbalBackspace though he adds "or not"]] when they see Starfleet beaming on board with phaser rifles.

* MoodDissonance: Despite being a comedic BreatherEpisode with a generally lighthearted mood and a comedian as the featured guest star, the story starts off with the Doctor finding the dying crew of the ''Prometheus'' -- a crew which was entirely slaughtered by the Romulans.

-->'''Janeway:''' I've been 'summoned'. Any guesses what this is about?
-->'''Chakotay:''' None.
* NoodleIncident: How the Romulans were able to capture the USS ''Prometheus'' and slaughter the Starfleet crew manning her.

-->'''B'Elanna:''' ''(charging into Sickbay)'' Doctor, you have to come with me. Quickly.
-->'''Doctor:''' ''(not stopping what he's doing)'' Would you mind at least ''telling'' me what all this is abou-- ''(vanishes as B'Elanna downloads him into the mobile emitter)''

* PhlebotinumBreakdown: It had been shown as far back as TNG, and would be shown in later VOY episodes, that starship computers ''can'' create semi-sapient holographic individuals with specialized skill sets. In the case of Moriarty on TNG, this was actually a bad thing because he was created entirely by accident with one poorly-phrased command. But, just for this episode, they cannot cajole ''Voyager's'' computer into creating a hologram that even exhibits lifelike behavior, much less simulate any skills.

-->''(Warning beeps)''
-->'''EMH-2:''' Be-be-beep? Be-be-beep? I've never heard that one before.
-->'''Doctor:''' [[OhCrap Oh, no.]]
-->'''EMH-2:''' What?
-->'''Doctor:''' I'm not sure, but I think [[WhatDoesThisButtonDo whatever I did]] initiated a warp core overload.

-->'''Doctor:''' We've got to find a way to turn this ship around.
-->'''EMH-2:''' ''(smirks)'' How? Waltz on to the bridge and take over the helm?
-->'''Doctor:''' Refresh my memory. ''Which'' of us has the terrible bedside manner?
-->'''EMH-2:''' You're not my patient.
-->'''Doctor:''' My first bit of good news.

* TechnoBabble: Spoofed

-->"My brilliant existence cut short; no time to explore the universe, no time to smell the roses, no time for...sex!"

'''Janeway:''' ''[[WhatTheHellHero And when he does?]]''\\

'''Janeway:''' ''({{Beat}})'' ...Is the sensor link stable?\\

* WhamEpisode: This is arguably the first episode that genuinely moves the metaplot along: Starfleet now knows about ''Voyager's'' situation. It might not be a coincidence that this episode comes almost precisely in the middle of the show's 7-year run.
* WhamLine
--->'''Janeway:''' A ship. What's so special about it?
--->'''Seven:''' I've analyzed the warp signature. It's a Starfleet vessel.

--->'''RedShirt:''' Romulans...they've taken over the ship! ''(dies)''

-->'''Doctor:''' They said they would contact your families to tell them the news and promised that they won't stop until they've found a way to get Voyager back home. And they asked me to relay a message. They wanted you to know you're no longer alone.

* HumanMail: An odd twist on the trope with the Doctor being sent to the ''Prometheus'' via long-distance call

** B'Elanna gives Seven a lengthy tirade on how she never says "Thank you". She gets one after congratulating Seven on zapping the Hirogan.

* MoodDissonance: Despite being a comedic BreatherEpisode with a generally lighthearted mood and a comedian as the featured guest star, the story starts off with the Doctor finding the dying crew of the Prometheus -- a crew which was entirely slaughtered by the Romulans.

-->'''Doctor:''' [[SarcasmMode Traditionally, one crawls in headfirst.]]