Touch of Grey (episode)

Real world article

(written from a production point of view)

Admiral Janeway devises a clever plan to liberate her crew from Asencia's prison, where they're trapped with an angry captive from the Loom.

Summary[]

Teaser[]

While everyone on the USS Voyager-A is awaiting any communication from the crew of the USS Protostar down on Solum, Admiral Kathryn Janeway records a personal log in her ready room, wondering if things are becoming too much for her. Captain Chakotay enters, reminding her that she should know that both time and patience are needed, but Janeway reminds him in turn that she doesn't like having to wait. Chakotay presents Janeway with a framed Combadge as a gift for the anniversary of her first command, the USS Voyager, making Janeway realize that it's been 14 years since then.

Janeway and Chakotay both marvel at the accomplishments of the cadets who are on their mission on Solum, praising their resilience and how they have shaped both Janeway and Chakotay's lives. Janeway confides that she's thinking of early retirement to her farm in Indiana, much to Chakotay's surprise.

The two are called to the Bridge, where Wesley Crusher and Ilthuran beam in. Wesley collapses and tells Janeway that they are all in danger, and warns that even he doesn't know what will happen anymore.

Act One[]

In Sickbay, Ilthuran and Wesley lament not being able to help more down on Solum. The Doctor diagnoses that Wesley has suffered neural damage so severe that no one besides him could have endured it. He attaches a cortical stimulator to Wesley's temple, which should heal his brain physically, but Wesley's abilities are not likely to be usable any time soon.

Janeway demands to know where the Protostar crew are, and why Wesley is even here. Ilthuran and Wesley explain Wesley's plan, that Wesley facilitated the creation of Asencia's temporal weapon, intending to use the same technology to send the Protostar back to where (and when) it belongs. However, now that the Protostar crew have been captured, Wesley knows as little about what will happen next as everyone else.

Commander Tysess shows them Asencia's propaganda broadcast, claiming that she captured alien spies sent to infiltrate Solum. Asencia openly goads Admiral Janeway to come to Solum herself to face Asencia's punishment, lest it fall on her prisoners instead. Tysess counsels Janeway not to go, but she and Chakotay both vow not to let the crew of the Protostar suffer. The Doctor and Wesley both request to come with them, and Janeway agrees.

On Solum, Murf tries unsuccessfully to escape the force fields on a prison train transporting the captured Protostar crew. Gwyn feels terrible about what's happened because of her decision to split the group, but Zero, Maj'el, and Rok-Tahk remind her of the hope that Gwyn has also produced, even though things haven't gone according to Wesley's plan. The train arrives, and the crew are led into some sort of arena, as Asencia herself looks down over them from a control room.

On the Protostar, Hologram Janeway assists Voyager's senior staff in using the Vehicle replicator to create a Vau N'Akat ship for the away mission, since Asencia has deployed transporter scramblers across all of Solum. Ilthuran clearly would like to join the away mission, but Janeway counsels him to remain in asylum on Voyager, since he's the best chance Solum has for a lasting peace. Hologram Janeway admits to The Doctor that she is envious of his Mobile emitter, since she has never been able to leave the Protostar. The Doctor confides in her that he's nervous, since it's been so long since he's been on an away mission, but he realizes that whatever happens will make good material for his next Holo-novel. The Doctor is flattered when Hologram Janeway then tells him that she is a big fan of his holo-novels.

Act Two[]

As Wesley pilots the Vau N'Akat ship to Solum, Janeway reminds him that he should really talk to his mother sometime soon. They manage to sneak their ship past a Vau N'Akat security checkpoint by using The Doctor's ability to modulate his voice to sound like a Vau N'Akat Drednok. They land 2 kilometers away from the arena where the Prototar crew are being held, and will have to cross mountainous terrain on foot to get there.

When the crew enter the arena, Gwyn tries to convince Asencia to let them go and return the Protostar to restore the timeline. Asencia laughs and claims that she will make her own future using the technology she extracted from Wesley. To demonstrate this, she releases a captured Loom into the arena, delighting in the crew's fearful reactions.

The away team approaches the arena, though only The Doctor isn't visibly fatigued. Janeway orders Wesley and Chakotay to search for weaknesses in the security around it, while she and The Doctor approach the front entrance, planning to show Asencia what happens when she baits an Admiral.

Act Three[]

As the Protostar crew struggle to escape the Loom, guards bring Admiral Janeway before Asencia in the control room, and Janeway tries to negotiate the release of the prisoners. Chakotay and Wesley approach an alternate entrance when the guards are called away.

Dal R'El tells everyone that the plan is to stay alive. Gwyn manages to make the Loom damage the collar controlling it, which causes it to stop chasing them. Rok thinks it looks sick, and Zero starts sensing fear and loneliness from it. Maj'el ascertains that the Loom is trapped, just like they are. Zero senses that Admiral Janeway is near.

Janeway tries to offer herself in exchange for the prisoners, but Asencia just shoots her instead. Janeway falls over, but then seems to over-dramatically explain exactly how she is dying, earning quizzical looks from Asencia.

The real Janeway joins Chakotay and Wesley, revealing that The Doctor is stalling for time. Zero telepathically fills Janeway in on the situation with the captured Loom, and Chakotay suggests they could free the Loom as a distraction. Janeway quickly modifies her Combadge into an explosive and plants it on the control panel for the arena door. When she shoots it with her Phaser, it blasts a hole in the arena wall and also temporarily disables the arena's power, including the power to the Loom's collar. Freed of its shackles, the Loom escapes through the new door Janeway made for it in the wall.

In the control room, it is revealed that the "Janeway" that Asencia has been dealing with is actually The Doctor, who is still very much alive and can no longer stall for time. The Doctor uses a short-range transporter to quickly escape and meet up with the rest of the away team. Soon after, the Loom enters the control room and erases the guards, but leaves Asencia.

The Protostar crew meet up with the Voyager away team. Since they can't beam out to Voyager, Wesley remotely controls their Vau N'Akat ship to fly to their location to pick them up. As the ship flies away, unaffected by the standard Vau N'Akat weapons, guards inform Asencia that the people of Solum are revolting against them. Ilthuran is broadcasting his own message to Solum, convincing people to reject Asencia, invoking their motto There is no barrier we cannot overcome, for we are Vau N'Akat!.

On the way back to Voyager, Gwyn and Dal start to plead with Janeway to let them finish the mission they started to return the Protostar, and are surprised when she and Chakotay are immediately on board with it. Janeway says she's been reminded that boldness isn't only for the young. And when Starfleet is united, we can always overcome.

Log entries[]

"Admiral's personal log, stardate 62091.1. The Protostar crew are behind enemy lines on Solum, as we're awaiting communication, but it's been silent ever since. It was an impossible situation with no easy answers. Ha. But are there ever? After so many years in Starfleet, you'd think nothing could surprise me. I'm starting to wonder if it's becoming too much..."

- Janeway

Memorable quotes[]

"His neural pathways have been considerably damaged by Asencia's mind extractions. This level of neurolytic shock would have taken down anyone else. You being you, Mr. Crusher, you'll survive. This cortical stimulator should rebuild your neuropeptides. As for your "unique" abilities, I'm afraid they won't be returning anytime soon. But time will tell."
"It always does."

- The Doctor diagnosing Wesley

"What happened down there? Where is the Protostar crew, and why were you there in the first place?"
"Wesley allowed himself to be caught, so Asencia could finish her temporal weaponry."
"He what?!"
"I nudged events so those kids could use her tech to create a wormhole and send the Protostar back. We couldn't do it without her weapon. It had to happen that way. Now that Asencia's captured them, we're in uncharted territory. For the first time in... in a while, I'm in the dark like everyone else."

- Janeway, Ilthuran, and Wesley

"Forget it, Short 'n Slimy. There's no getting out of these. Jankom almost melted his Mitt trying."
"[angry sputtering]"

- Jankom and Murf

"Gwyn, what's wrong?"
"My planet's survival could be decided on one misstep. We shouldn't have split up. What if I've sealed their fate? Civil War--"
"Uncertainty is the predecessor to hope."
"If Asencia had Wesley and Ilthuran, Starfleet and Solum would be at war right now. That is the fate Wesley wished us to avoid. And that was accomplished by you."
"Sure, this isn't part of Wesley's plan, but even good things can come out of bad situations."
"You're right. And we've gotten out of worse. We control our fate."

- Dal, Gwyn, Zero, Maj'el, and Rok, during the group's pep talk to Gwyn

"Voyager is in good hands, Admiral."
"I know it, Commander. Keep my chair warm until I get back."
"I'll make sure he doesn't do anything too crazy."
"[Tysess clears his throat]"
"What?"
"Just like old times."

- Tysess, Janeway, Noum, and Chakotay as the away team heads off to Solum

"Steady as she goes, Mr. Crusher."
"I'm sorry. It's just – it's been a while since I've piloted, um, anything."
"Seems you haven't lost your touch. By the way, I had a chance to speak with your mother."
"How – how is she?"
"You should ask her yourself."

- Janeway and Wesley

"Identify your destination."
"Requesting permission to land at Sector 3142.5."
"Those coordinates are restricted. Dred-units must land elsewhere. Sector 3140.5 is where the off-worlders will be terminated."
"Ooh, can't wait. Should be a real humdinger. I mean... sounds acceptable. I'll save you a seat."
"Proceed."

- A Drednok, fooled by The Doctor awkwardly posing as a Drednok

"Humdinger? I'll save you a seat?"
"What do you want? I'm a doctor, not a covert operative."
"Aside from that, nice work, doctor."

- Janeway and The Doctor

"Haha, now this is some cheery decor."
"It appears to be ruins."
"An ancient city from Solum's past."
"It's been repurposed so that no one can escape."
"Escape what?"

- Jankom, Maj'el, Gwyn, Zero, and Dal observing the arena they've been forced into

"This is a mistake, Asencia. We need to get our ship back to Tars Lamora, or else we're all doomed."
"Oh, did my pet Traveler tell you that? I pried a few secrets from him, too. But I suppose you'll see that soon enough. I make my own future. Let it in."
"Huh? Murf! You're supposed to be security!"

- Gwyn', Asencia, and Jankom (as Murf hides behind him)

"A fresh breeze blows beneath an alien sky, quickening the senses, as our mission looms ahead. Invigorating! Inspiring, even!"
"You alright, Mr. Crusher?"
"I'm so used to stepping through temporal rifts, I forgot what it's like to use your quads."

- The Doctor, followed by a clearly fatigued Janeway and Wesley

"If I had my abilities, I could get us there right now. If they die because of me..."
"Before you were a Traveler, you were a Starfleet officer and, from what I hear, a heck of a good one. That's who we need now, Mr. Crusher."
"Okay. What's next, admiral?"

- Wesley, given a confidence boost by Janeway

"Asencia wanted to bait an Admiral? Well, it's time she got one."

- Janeway

"Admiral Janeway. You've come a long way from Earth. And yet, somehow even more pathetic and predictable than I remembered."
"You were far from a model Ensign. But enough of this. I'm here to negotiate the release of the prisoners. And you'll find my terms to be rather enticing."

- Asencia and The Doctor (posing as Janeway)

"I may have been a little harsh back in Sickbay. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be marooned on that planet."
"It's hard sometimes, to understand what I do, even for me. But you're welcome."

- Chakotay and Wesley

"Split up! Distract it!"
"What's the plan?! Ahh!"
"To stay alive is the plan! Ahh!"

- Dal and Jankom, trying to avoid the captured Loom

"Maybe we don't have to fight it."
"Whoa, whoa! Just cause it's sad and lonely doesn't mean it won't eat us, kid! Aww, Z, what'd Jankom just say? That thing doesn't wanna be friends."
"No, I sense... Admiral Janeway."

- Rok, Jankom, and Zero

"Time to improvise. As we used to say back on the farm, "Let's free the chicken from the coop.""

- Janeway, about to prove the perennial usefulness of Combadges

"People of Solum, do not embrace Asencia's war. I have met the off-worlders. They're not the enemy. Look around at what she's done to our once peaceful planet – the fear in our streets. Rise up. Let our voices be heard. There is no barrier we cannot overcome, for we are Vau N'Akat."

- Ilthuran

"Not gonna lie, Admiral, Jankom was pretty impressed with your percussive maintenance.""
"Just an old trick from my Academy days.""
"[excited Murf-speak]"
"I'm gonna guess and say, "You're welcome?""

- Jankom, Janeway, Murf, and Chakotay after their escape from Solum

"The way you rigged that tricorder into a remote terminal was so cool! Am I talking too much? You know you can tell me if I'm talking too much.""

- Rok, to Wesley after their escape from Solum

"I'm thinking of calling my next holonovel Mission Assignment Solum: The Adventures of Dirk Danger and the Dome of Loom... and Doom."
"That is certainly... a title.""

- The Doctor and Maj'el after their escape from Solum

"No matter what's changed, Solum's fallen into civil war."
"This isn't over yet."
"Admiral, I'm beyond grateful for the rescue, truly, but as you said down there, we're not out of the woods yet. I can't leave my people in the hands of that monster."
"We have to finish what we started, save Solum, and complete our mission."
"Agreed."
"I know you won't – Wait, really?"
"Whatever you need, we'll make it happen. We'll find a way to get the Protostar back, too."
"Wow. Thanks, but, uh, why?"
"Because I've been reminded that boldness isn't only for the young. And when Starfleet is united, we can always overcome."

- Gwyn, Dal, Janeway, and Chakotay

Background information[]

Production[]

This is one of two episodes in Star Trek: Prodigy that has a Teaser before the opening credits roll, the other being and "First Con-tact". It is fitting, in a way, since the Teaser does not feature any of the main Protostar cast, only the "adults" on the show. Janeway and Chakotay open the Teaser, talking about the past events that occurred on their debut series, Star Trek: Voyager. All episodes of Voyager had Teasers, and now these two characters pay homage that.

Continuity[]

Chakotay indicates this episode takes place 14 years, to the date, of Kathryn Janeway's first command in 2371 (suggesting 2385, which is also consistent with the stardate.) Though dialogue in the following episode, "Ouroboros, Part I", indicates it is still 2384.
When The Doctor impersonates Admiral Janeway to stall for time, his Mobile emitter doesn't seem to be visible. In all other instances when the mobile emitter is in use, it is clearly visible on his upper arm.