Pathfinder
- Episode aired Dec 1, 1999
- TV-G
- 44m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
On Earth, Barclay uses holograms to formulate a plan to open communications with Voyager.On Earth, Barclay uses holograms to formulate a plan to open communications with Voyager.On Earth, Barclay uses holograms to formulate a plan to open communications with Voyager.
Majel Barrett
- Computer Voice
- (voice)
Tarik Ergin
- Lt. Ayala
- (uncredited)
Adolphus Hankins
- Starfleet Vice Admiral
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaA picture of Tom Paris in a cadet uniform is shown on Admiral Owen Paris' desk. It is actually a picture of Robert Duncan McNeill playing a different character in the Star Trek Universe: Nick Locarno from The First Duty (1992). Depending on which story you believe, either the Tom Paris character was originally meant to be Locarno but there were legal issues with "The First Duty"'s writers, or the Tom Paris character was developed separately and McNeill's casting was an afterthought when someone noticed the similarities between Locarno and Paris.
- GoofsWhen the camera pans across Admiral Paris' desk, you see a photo of Mr. Paris. It is clearly flipped because his communicator is on the wrong side of his chest. However, when Barclay and Admiral Paris are discussing Pathfinder and Admiral Paris glances at the photo just moments later, the communicator is suddenly on the correct side of the uniform.
- Quotes
Neelix: I'm ready for my lesson!
Seven of Nine: I've concluded that teaching you to sing is an inefficient use of my time.
Neelix: But I... I've... I've been practicing.
Seven of Nine: In your case, practice is irrelevant. Your vocal cords are incapable of producing basic diatonic tones, not to mention your rhythmic shortcomings.
Neelix: [sighs, disappointed] I sound so good in the sonic shower.
Seven of Nine: Perhaps you should confine your efforts to that location.
- ConnectionsReferences Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Featured review
Kinda annoying, and then emotionally moving
When this episode first aired, I imagine some viewers were checking their TV guides to check which Star Trek program they had tuned into, because you don't watch "Voyager" expecting to see Lt. Barclay open a door to greet Deanna Troi ... revisiting ST:TNG through two of that show's most annoying characters.
Surprisingly, Troi is not annoying at all ... which evidently inspired Dwight Shultz to double down on Barclay's irritating qualities. This makes for some tough going, because (like most Barclay episodes) the story focuses entirely on him and his neurotic self -- but even more so since he's telling it.
The good news is the often-overlooked Richard Herd as Admiral Paris, who yanks this episode up out of 'irritating' and thrusts it into 'genuinely moving'. We'll just have to accept his remarkable resemblance to Karl Malden -- nothing to be done about looks, and the talent is the man's own. Here's an actor who equals Patrick Stewart for serious scenes; they must have realized it on set as well, since they brought him back for a few more episodes after this.
The result is an OK first half (Barclay/Troi) and a genuinely strong second half (Paris), although I sorta feel for the regular cast -- "Voyager" is their show, but they're largely reduced to being background/support characters for Shultz. It must be said, though, that he's very good at playing the neurotic-but-brilliant Lt Barclay.
Ultimately, a definitely-recommended episode,but not where I'd start someone on watching "Voyager"
Surprisingly, Troi is not annoying at all ... which evidently inspired Dwight Shultz to double down on Barclay's irritating qualities. This makes for some tough going, because (like most Barclay episodes) the story focuses entirely on him and his neurotic self -- but even more so since he's telling it.
The good news is the often-overlooked Richard Herd as Admiral Paris, who yanks this episode up out of 'irritating' and thrusts it into 'genuinely moving'. We'll just have to accept his remarkable resemblance to Karl Malden -- nothing to be done about looks, and the talent is the man's own. Here's an actor who equals Patrick Stewart for serious scenes; they must have realized it on set as well, since they brought him back for a few more episodes after this.
The result is an OK first half (Barclay/Troi) and a genuinely strong second half (Paris), although I sorta feel for the regular cast -- "Voyager" is their show, but they're largely reduced to being background/support characters for Shultz. It must be said, though, that he's very good at playing the neurotic-but-brilliant Lt Barclay.
Ultimately, a definitely-recommended episode,but not where I'd start someone on watching "Voyager"
helpful•169
- skinnybert
- Dec 23, 2019
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3
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