Line #152 Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS4E13MessageInABottle


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/voyager_message_in_a_bottle.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:The Doc and the [[Creator/AndyDick Dick]].]]
3
4	A vast alien communications relay gives ''Voyager'' a narrow window of opportunity to contact a Starfleet vessel, so the Doctor is transmitted to the Alpha Quadrant. Unfortunately the vessel is an experimental prototype that has been seized by Romulan commandos, and the Doctor must gain the co-operation of its Emergency Medical Hologram Mark Two (guest star Creator/AndyDick JustForFun/InSpace) to take back the ship. HilarityEnsues.
5	-----
6	!!This episode provides examples of:
7	* AccentUponTheWrongSyllable: As Neelix only read the recipe for chili, he pronounces jalapenos with a hard J, making it sound more like Jolla-penas.
8	* ActorAllusion: This isn't the first time Judson Scott played a part in stealing a Starfleet vessel. In ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', Joachim (Scott) helped take over the USS ''Reliant'' with Khan.
9	* 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 that 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.
10	* AirVentPassageway: It helps if you can climb into the Jeffries tube in the first place.
11	-->'''Doctor:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Traditionally, one crawls in headfirst.]]
12	* [[AllMenArePerverts All Holographic Men Are Perverts]]: When the Doctor reveals he made a certain [[RoboSexual addition to his program]], the 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.
13	* AlmostDeadGuy: When the Doctor first arrives in the ''Prometheus''' sick bay, he discovers one of the crew members lying around is still alive, albeit gravely wounded. He revives the man, but he only survives long enough to tell him that the ship has been taken over by Romulans.
14	* AttackPatternAlpha: Spoofed when the Doctor needs to tell the computer to execute an attack and "Attack Pattern Alpha" is the first wild guess he can think of. Luckily for him, it does turn out to be a real attack pattern.
15	-->'''Computer:''' Specify attack pattern.\
16	'''Doctor:''' Attack Pattern ... Alpha?\
17	'''Computer:''' Specify target.\
18	'''Both Doctors:''' ''ROMULANS!''
19	* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: When the Doctor is 'volunteered' to be sent to the Alpha Quadrant.
20	-->'''Doctor:''' When I requested more away missions, this isn't exactly what I had in mind.
21	* BeadyEyedLoser:
22	-->'''EMH-2:''' Ah yes, you're the Mark One EMH. The ''inferior'' program.\
23	'''Doctor:''' Inferior?!\
24	'''EMH-2:''' Beady eyes, terrible bedside manner. I recognize you.
25	* BillionsOfButtons: The LCARS interface on the Bridge [[WhatDoesThisButtonDo throws both holograms into confusion]].
26	-->'''Doctor:''' What are you waiting for? Shoot! Shoot!\
27	'''EMH-2:''' There are so many controls ...\
28	'''Doctor:''' Find the one that says "fire" and push it!
29	* BirdsOfAFeather: B'Elanna and Seven, and the two holodocs.
30	* BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce: [[LethalChef Neelix]]'s attempt to make "Rodeo Red's Red-Hot, Rootin'-Tootin' Chili" puts three crewmen in Sickbay with heartburn, as he had added too many jalapenos.
31	* TheBodyPartsThatMustNotBeNamed:
32	-->'''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]].\
33	'''EMH-2:''' Sex! How's that possible? [[BarbieDollAnatomy We're not equipped with a]]--\
34	'''Doctor:''' ''(cutting in with a smug expression)'' Let's just say I made an [[RoboSexual addition to my program]].\
35	'''EMH-2:''' Before you leave, perhaps you could download those subroutines into my database?\
36	'''Doctor:''' We'll see.
37	* BorrowedCatchphrase: The EMH-1's activation greeting has clearly been passed into the next model.
38	-->'''EMH-2:''' Please state the nature of the medical emergency. ''(sees the Doctor)'' What the hell are you doing in my sickbay.
39	* BrokenRecord: The ''Prometheus'' computer, every time the Doctor asks it to do something helpful:
40	-->'''Computer:''' [[AC:Access to that system requires Level 4 clearance or above.]]
41	* CallBack:
42	** The Doctor [[ObfuscatingStupidity adopts his Season One restricted personality]] when interacting with the Romulans, a trick he used on Seska in "Basics, Part II".
43	** In the pilot episode, the Doctor snarks at Harry Kim for handing him the wrong medical diagnostic tool. This time he's the one who picks up the wrong medical tool (as TechnologyMarchesOn InUniverse).
44	** The Doctor gives Mark-2 a ListOfExperiencesSpeech in which he brags of having crossed Borg space ("Scorpion"), travelled through time ("Future's End"), and encountered alien invasions ("Scorpion") and macro-viral infestations ("Macrocosm"). He then reveals that he's had [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking sexual relations]] (either "Lifesigns" or "Real Life").
45	* CantBelieveISaidThat: Three Romulan warbirds have turned up and their leader Almak is demanding to speak to someone. The Doctor tries to bluff his way out.
46	-->'''Doctor:''' ''(in a deep voice)'' Our viewscreen is not operational. We've had some trouble with...Starfleet commandos.\
47	'''Almak:''' Where's Rekar?\
48	'''Doctor:''' In the medical bay. He's suffered minor injuries.\
49	'''Almak:''' Identify yourself.\
50	''(The Doctor casts a desperate look at EMH-2)''\
51	'''EMH-2:''' ''(whispers)'' You first.\
52	'''Doctor:''' [[RepeatAfterMe You first.]] ''([[OhCrap realises what he said and winces]])''\
53	'''Almak:''' Repeat your last statement. I don't understand.\
54	'''Doctor:''' State ''your'' identity.
55	* CavalryBetrayal: The Holo-docs cheer when Starfleet reinforcements show up -- only for them to fire on the ''Prometheus'', believing the ship to still be under the control of the Romulans.
56	-->'''EMH-2:''' What are they ''doing''?\
57	'''Doctor:''' Firing on ''us''!\
58	'''EMH-2:''' They must think Romulans are on board!\
59	'''Doctor:''' [[OhCrap THEY'RE RIGHT!]]
60	* CharacterCatchphrase: It's pretty weird to see this being uttered by Andy Dick.
61	-->'''EMH-2:''' Please state the nature of the medical emergency ... what the hell are you doing in my Sickbay?\
62	''(Doc responds with FascinatingEyebrow)''
63	* ContinuityOverlap: This episode overlaps with mid-Season Six of ''Deep Space Nine'', meaning the Federation is currently embroiled in the Dominion War. As the Alpha Quadrant scenes are taking place in the post-''First Contact'' era, this episode also marks the first appearance of the new black-and-gray uniforms on ''Voyager''.
64	* ConversationCut: The EMH-2 continues an uninterrupted sentence as he and the Doctor are transmitted from the Ready Room to the Bridge.
65	* CoolStarship: The ''Prometheus'' is a sleek warship packed with bleeding-edge Starfleet tech, and can [[DetachmentCombat split into three separate pieces]] all on autopilot to deliver {{Curb Stomp Battle}}s.
66	* CurbStompBattle: The ''Prometheus'' in multi-vector 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.
67	* CutPhoneLines:
68	** Halfway through the episode, a Hirogen who claims the array for his species arbitrarily cuts the link.
69	** The Romulans locked down the ''Prometheus''' communications system, preventing the Doctor from sending a distress call to Starfleet.
70	* DetachmentCombat: The ''Prometheus'' can split into three vessels to attack an enemy from all sides simultaneously.
71	* DidntThinkThisThrough: While they play it for laughs with a C plot on ''Voyager'' of Tom and Harry trying to program a replacement EMH, it makes a clear point. Tom is simply nowhere near competent or skilled enough to be a replacement CMO for the Doctor. Janeway's decision to more or less pressure the Doctor to transmit himself across an alien relay network to a Starfleet ship and hope he makes it really seems reckless in the extreme given the fact that if the Doctor is lost, they will essentially be losing perhaps the one irreplaceable member of the crew. While getting word to Starfleet of ''Voyager'''s situation would be ideal, it's hardly an immediate life-or-death situation and could have had catastrophic consequences for the crew if they lost their single qualified Doctor.
72	* DidTheyOrDidntThey: The Doctor boasts that he's had sex, presumably a reference to either Denara Pel in "Lifesigns" or the holodeck wife he created in "Real Life" (hell, probably both).
73	* DieHardOnAnX: "Die Hard" On The Prometheus. Hey, you're the one that wanted more away missions, Doc.
74	* DrJerk: The Mark-II model of jerkiness.
75	* EmbarrassingRescue: After the Doctor gets captured and the EMH-2 has to free him, he can't resist rubbing in the fact to his supposedly more worldly colleague.
76	* EverybodysDeadDave: When the Doctor asks the ''Prometheus'' computer if anyone's left aboard.
77	-->'''Doctor:''' Computer, how many Romulans are on board?\
78	'''Computer:''' [[AC:27.]]\
79	'''Doctor:''' Are there any Starfleet crewmembers?\
80	'''Computer:''' [[AC:None alive.]]
81	* ExplosiveInstrumentation: One Romulan RedShirt cops it in the face, but (surprisingly) doesn't die.
82	* ExpospeakGag: Neelix brings a couple of crewmembers to sickbay, who are suffering the consequences of eating his "[[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce Rodeo Red's Red Hot Rootin' Tootin' Chili]]". Tom Paris (filling in in the Doctor's absence) diagnoses them with "acute functional dyspepsia".
83	-->'''Neelix''': What's that?\
84	'''Paris''': Heartburn.[[note]] Hey, it could have been worse -- at least they didn't have [[Film/StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome immediate post-prandial upper abdominal distention]].[[/note]]
85	* FacePalm: Tom's reaction when the replacement EMH doesn't work as well as he'd hoped.
86	* FailedASpotCheck: The female Romulan commando who brings her wounded comrade to sickbay doesn't notice that the Doctor isn't "wearing" the new grey-black Starfleet uniform.
87	* FireForgedFriends: The two holographic {{Dr Jerk}}s can't stand each other at first, but end up being quite proud of how they worked together to resolve the crisis.
88	* ForeheadOfDoom: Tom [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman knocks on the forehead of the EMH]] that Harry is trying to create. "Do you think we should give him a little more hair?"
89	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
90	** The Hirogen make their first appearance.
91	** The "inferior" EMH Mark One being replaced (and the Doctor being transmitted to the Alpha Quadrant) becomes relevant in Season 6's "Life Line".
92	** Apparently the Doc wasn't kidding about his additional subroutine; he later reveals that he fathered a child while stuck on the time-shifted planet for three years in "Blink of an Eye".
93	** The EMH Mark 2 comments that the Romulans haven't joined the Federation's fight against the Dominion "yet". Later in the same season of ''Deep Space Nine'', the Romulans would end up doing just that at the end of "In The Pale Moonlight".
94	* 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. Though as he doesn't demonstrate that skill until Season 7's "Renaissance Man", he may not have developed the software to do that yet.
95	* ForgottenPhlebotinum: In ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'' and the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "The Wounded", it's explained that each Starfleet ship has its own unique [[OverrideCommand prefix code]], which allow another Starfleet ship to access their computer and make commands remotely, thus preventing an enemy who doesn't know it from maintaining control. Curiously, none of the Starfleet ships sent out to stop the ''Prometheus'' think about using it. Of course, the prefix code can be changed easily (Spock himself mentions in ''Wrath of Khan'' that their gambit would only work if Khan didn't change his, for example), so it's possible Starfleet tried this trick off screen and only attacked once that plot failed.
96	* FriendOrFoe: Starfleet attacks the ''Prometheus'' after the EMH's have already taken it back, then the EMH-2 accidentally torpedoes a ''Defiant''-class vessel.
97	-->'''Doctor''': You hit the wrong ship!\
98	'''EMH-2''': It wasn't my fault!\
99	'''Doctor''': Well then whose fault was it, the torpedo's? You're supposed to tell it what to do!
100	* GrandTheftPrototype: The Romulans stealing the U.S.S. ''Prometheus''.
101	* GrewBeyondTheirProgramming: The comparison to his somewhat naive and obstinate Mark-2 counterpart is a reminder of how far the Doctor has come on this path. It's also reflected with the contrast between how he behaves around the Romulans (basically, how he was in Season 1 before his CharacterDevelopment) and how he is the rest of the time.
102	* HamToHamCombat: Much of the episode is more or less two cantankerous [=EMHs=] arguing.
103	* HandGagging: Doc does this to the EMH-2 when he's about to tell the computer to sound the intruder alert, which would let every Romulan on the ship know a Starfleet officer was still active.
104	* HumanMail: An odd twist on the trope with the Doctor being sent to the ''Prometheus'' via long-distance call.
105	* HowAboutASmile:
106	** The Doctor finds an occasional "please" doesn't hurt in getting the EMH-2's help.
107	** B'Elanna gives Seven a lengthy tirade on how she never says "Thank you". [[BrickJoke She gets one]] after congratulating Seven on zapping the Hirogen.
108	* HypocriticalHumor:
109	** After griping over Seven's rudeness, B'Elanna quite likes how she sends a 'mild shock' into the annoying Hirogen.
110	** Also, back in "Parallax", when Torres herself, a Maquis, was a new addition to the ''Voyager'' crew she ''physically'' assaulted an ''actual'' Starfleet officer with whom she had a disagreement over an engineering issue! This was in addition to her own tendency towards excessively rude behavior. Making this a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
111	** Plenty with the two EMH's snarking each other for being [[BirdsOfAFeather arrogant and out of their depth]].
112	** The EMH-2 sneers at the Mark One's "lousy bedside manner," but later shoves an unconscious Romulan off a console. (He ''does'' say "Pardon me.")
113	** The Doctor, hardly a paragon of brevity, tells Mark Two that he should start a personal log instead of subjecting others to his boring rambling.
114	* ImADoctorNotAPlaceholder:
115	** The Mark Two carries on the noble tradition.
116	--->'''Doctor:''' We need to retake the ship!\
117	'''EMH-2:''' I'm a doctor, not a commando.
118	** Inverted when Tom Paris worries that he might be stuck in Sickbay forever if the Doctor fails to return.
119	--->'''Tom:''' I'm a pilot, not a doctor!
120	* InconvenientHippocraticOath: Having been programmed in a [[DarkerAndEdgier Federation in the midst of war]], the Mark Two is reluctant to treat an enemy soldier.
121	* IndyPloy: Happens constantly as the holodocs are hit by one OhCrap moment after another.
122	-->'''Doctor:''' That's the first thing you learn in the real world. Think on your feet.
123	* InformedAbility: The [=EMH=]-2 has the new grey Starfleet uniform, as well as a few new and improved gadgets in Sickbay. Otherwise, we just have to take him at his word that he's new and improved. Then again, not many holograms in general have our Doctor's ''joie de vivre'' or [[GrewBeyondTheirProgramming breadth of experience]].
124	* 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.
125	* InstantSedation: As usual, neurozine gas puts people out within seconds.
126	* InternalReveal: Starfleet and the Federation of course finally learn what the audience has known for over three Seasons: That ''Voyager'' (and the ''Val Jean'') were ''not'' destroyed in the Badlands, but were pulled across the galaxy and left stranded in the Delta Quadrant. In turn, ''Voyager'' is informed that Starfleet had officially declared their ship and crew lost 14 months ago (so, at some point during the show's third season) before the Doctor told them what happened.
127	* ItsALongStory[=/=]LockedOutOfTheLoop: This episode acknowledges what was going on in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' (who were partway through season 6 at the time).
128	-->'''Doctor:''' Is the Federation at war with the Romulans?\
129	'''EMH-2:''' No. The Romulans haven't gotten involved in our fight with the Dominion.\
130	'''Doctor:''' [[ContinuityLockOut The who?]]\
131	'''EMH-2:''' (is about to respond) [[LampshadeHanging ...long story.]]
132	** 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 afterwards either.
133	* 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. And 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. Also, since the Federation wants the Romulans to come in on their side against the Dominion, it's in everyone's interests to cover the matter up.
134	* KnockoutGas: Neurozine (a medical anaesthetic) is used as an ImprovisedWeapon to knock out the Romulans.
135	* LateToTheTragedy: The Doctor is transmitted to the ''Prometheus'' not long after Romulan commandos boarded and killed the crew.
136	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Seven says the ''Prometheus'' will move out of range in 41 minutes, which is about how long the episode still has to run. Ultimately, it takes at least several hours and more like a matter of days for the Doctor to complete his mission, report to Starfleet Command, and be transmitted back to ''Voyager''.
137	* LostTechnology: Seven taps into an abandoned network of ancient communication relay stations, extending their sensor range far enough to detect a Starfleet vessel operating on the fringes of Federation territory.
138	* LuckBasedSearchTechnique: ''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.
139	* 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 officers beaming on board with phaser rifles.
140	* MeaningfulName: In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the Gods. In this episode, the Romulans are stealing a powerful new starship from Starfleet. Also, Prometheus is sometimes regarded as the god of technology for giving that fire to humans. Makes sense for a powerful weapons platform filled with experimental tech to carry his name.
141	* MessageInABottle: It's the episode title.
142	* 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 (not that we ever see more than two dead crew members and a handful of disruptor burns on the walls).
143	* NeverGiveTheCaptainAStraightAnswer: Seven -- justified due to NoSocialSkills and the fact that [[NoTimeToExplain time is critical]].
144	-->'''Janeway:''' I've been "summoned". Any guesses what this is about?\
145	'''Chakotay:''' None.
146	* NoodleIncident: How the Romulans were able to capture the U.S.S. ''Prometheus'' and slaughter the Starfleet crew manning her.
147	* NoTimeToExplain: Justified as they've only a short time to make contact with the Starfleet vessel before it moves out of range.
148	-->'''B'Elanna:''' ''(charging into Sickbay)'' Doctor, you have to come with me. Quickly.\
149	'''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)''
150	* OtherMeAnnoysMe: The AI version; the Doctor does not like his upgraded model.
151	* 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. Though in fairness, Moriarty was a fully-programmed character when he was altered; Harry was trying to make a new Doctor from scratch.
152	* PowerPerversionPotential: On hearing the Doctor has made an "addition" to his program, the EMH-2 suggests he might be allowed to download a copy.
153	* ProjectedMan: Taken up to eleven with the Doctor being transmitted 60,000 light years!
154	* RedAlert:
155	-->''(Warning beeps)''\
156	'''EMH-2:''' Be-be-beep? Be-be-beep? I've never heard that one before.\
157	'''Doctor:''' [[OhCrap Oh, no.]]\
158	'''EMH-2:''' What?\
159	'''Doctor:''' I'm not sure, but I think [[WhatDoesThisButtonDo whatever I did]] initiated a warp core overload.
160	** The ''Prometheus'' also goes to Blue Alert when its Multi-Vector Assault Mode is activated.
161	* RedShirt: The Doctor finds two in Sickbay.
162	* RedSkiesCrossover: The EMH-2 mentions [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine the Dominion War]] off-hand to the Doctor, much to his confusion.
163	* RuleOfCool: Multi-Vector Assault Mode. Sure, it looks awesome, but if you think about it logically, the space, power, and resources required for the separation and reintegration systems, as well as 2 extra sets of every ship's system to allow each segment to function individually, could have instead been used to simply give the Prometheus more powerful shields, weapons, and engines overall. Alternatively, they could have just built 3 small ships designed to work in concert, without even bothering with the separation and reintegration gimmick.
164	* SeenItAll: PlayedForLaughs as the Doctor tells the EMH-2 about his past experiences, particularly about having sex.
165	* SeriesContinuityError: Possibly with the Doctor not knowing who or what the Dominion is. "Caretaker" took place several months after the events of ''Deep Space Nine'''s disastrous first contact with the Dominion ("The Jem'Hadar" and "The Search"). Knowledge of the Gamma Quadrant would have been public by the time of ''Caretaker'' and thus the Doctor ''should'' have known. However, Starfleet only really had minimal intel on the Dominion at that point in the 24th Century chronology. Plus, the Doctor himself was first-generation technology and programmed for ''medical'' emergencies: hence, loading him with extraneous information might have been counter-productive. Also, as has been previously mentioned (and is shown again in this episode) creating or altering such a complex program is ''exceptionally'' difficult; in twenty-first century software parlance the Doctor might have "gone gold" some time before his installation on ''Voyager'' was finalized, with the designers counting on regular maintenance to upgrade his database.
166	* SnarkToSnarkCombat: With two EMH's in the same room, it's a RunningGag.
167	-->'''Doctor:''' We've got to find a way to turn this ship around.\
168	'''EMH-2:''' ''(smirks)'' How? Waltz on to the bridge and take over the helm?\
169	'''Doctor:''' Refresh my memory. ''Which'' of us has the terrible bedside manner?\
170	'''EMH-2:''' You're not my patient.\
171	'''Doctor:''' My first bit of good news.
172	* SubspaceAnsible: The introduction of the Hirogen Communication Array, one of these in BigDumbObject form consisting of relays scattered across a huge swath of the galaxy.
173	* SuperPrototype: The brand-new USS ''Prometheus'', an advanced Starfleet warship packing tons of weaponry, flys faster than ''Voyager'', has a shipwide holographic projection system, and can [[BifurcatedWeapon split into three smaller ships in combat]].
174	* TechnoBabble: Spoofed.
175	-->''(Warning beeps)''\
176	'''EMH-2:''' Doctor, some... thing just went off line.\
177	'''Doctor:''' ... Specifically?\
178	'''EMH-2:''' The secondary gyrodyne relays in the propulsion field intermatrix have depolarised.\
179	'''Doctor:''' ''(rolling eyes)'' [[LaymansTerms In English!]]\
180	'''EMH-2:''' I'm just reading what it says here!
181	* ThatsAnOrder: Chakotay doesn't actually say this to B'Elanna when she gets pissy about Seven, but it's clear in his tone.
182	--> '''B'Elanna:''' I'm telling you, Chakotay -- if she gets in my way again, I am ''not'' responsible for what happens.\
183	'''Chakotay:''' ''(DeathGlare)'' You're a senior officer on this ship. ''Act'' like one. Find a way to deal with her!
184	* TooYoungToDieLamentation: The Mark Two has only been active for six weeks. The Doctor's ListOfExperiencesSpeech makes him realise what he'll be missing out on if the Romulans blow them out of space.
185	-->'''Mark Two EMH:''' My brilliant existence cut short; no time to explore the universe, no time to smell the roses, no time for ... [[MustNotDieAVirgin sex!]]
186	* UnusualEuphemism: According to the ship's computer the ''Prometheus'' is designed for "deep space tactical assignments". In short it's a purpose-built warship just like the ''Defiant'', but Starfleet is clearly reluctant to admit that.
187	* 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 [[ShockAndAwe when his own console electrocutes him]].
188	-->'''Janeway:''' ''(alarmed)'' What happened?\
189	'''Seven:''' ''([[DissonantSerenity calmly]])'' I generated a feedback surge along our sensor link.\
190	'''Torres:''' You killed him?\
191	'''Seven:''' It was a mild shock. He will recover.\
192	'''Janeway:''' [[WhatTheHellHero And when he does?]]\
193	'''Seven:''' He wasn't responding to diplomacy.\
194	'''Janeway:''' ''({{Beat}})'' ... Is the sensor link stable?\
195	'''Seven:''' Yes, Captain.\
196	'''Janeway:''' Keep watching for the Doctor. Let me know if our "friend" gives us any more trouble. ''(casts DeathGlare at Seven and leaves)''
197	* WalkAndTalk: Opens with B'Elanna storming down a corridor on ''Voyager'', griping about Seven to Chakotay.
198	* 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 seven-year run.
199	* WhamLine:
200	** Early on:
201	--->'''Janeway:''' A ship. What's so special about it?\
202	'''Seven:''' I've analyzed the warp signature. It's a Starfleet vessel.
203	** And later when the Doctor finds an AlmostDeadGuy on board that vessel.
204	--->'''RedShirt:''' Romulans ... they've taken over the ship! ''(dies)''
205	** And after the two holograms have stopped the ship's trajectory.
206	--->'''Doctor:''' Unless I'm mistaken, and for once I sincerely hope I am, there are three Romulan warbirds on an intercept course. ''(followed by the best OhCrap expressions on their faces)''
207	* WhileYouWereInDiapers: "I was saving ''Voyager'' from annihilation when you were only a gleam in your programmer's eye!"
208	* YouAreNotAlone: At the end of the episode, the Doctor delivers a message from Starfleet Headquarters.
209	-->'''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.

Context Recap / StarTrekVoyagerS4E13MessageInABottle