Ep 4. Phage

In Star Trek: Voyager, Season 3, Episode 4 titled "Phage", the Voyager crew encounters a new alien species, the Vidiians, who are suffering from a devastating disease called the Phage. The Voyager team investigates their distress call and responds to their plea for help.

Upon their arrival, the Voyager crew meets with Vidiian scientist Danara Pel, played by Susan Diol, who explains the nature of the disease. The disease attacks the Vidiians' major organs, forcing them to harvest organs from other species to survive. The Vidiians explain that they are searching for a cure but have not found one yet.

While on the Vidiian planet, the Voyager team splits up to explore different areas. Some members are attacked and captured by the Vidiians who need their internal organs to survive. One of the crew members, Neelix played by Ethan Phillips, is particularly vulnerable because he only has one lung. The Vidiians take Neelix's lung, leaving him to slowly suffocate and die.

Captain Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew, and her team work tirelessly to retrieve Neelix's lung from the Vidiians and find a cure for the disease. Meanwhile, Neelix is forced to accept his fate and prepare for his death. The Voyager team eventually finds a way to retrieve Neelix's lung and return it to his body. However, the crew is unable to find a cure for the Phage.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that the Vidiians are desperate for a cure, and they will do whatever it takes to survive, including taking organs from other species. The episode highlights the ethical issues surrounding organ donation, organ trafficking and human experimentation.

The Vidiians' desperation is underscored by the episode's dark and eerie tone. The episode is set in an underground tomb-like facility where Vidiians are lying on gurneys waiting for transplants. The episode's makeup and prosthetics are exceptionally well done, showcasing the Vidiians' ravaged bodies and hollowed-out eyes.

The episode also explores the relationship between Neelix and Kes, played by actress Jennifer Lien. Kes becomes very emotional, recognizing the bond she has with Neelix that goes beyond friendship. She ultimately demonstrates her love for him by offering to donate her own lung if it means saving his life.

"Phage" also touches on some deeper thematic topics such as resilience and survival. The Vidiians have been forced to adapt to their disease by harvesting organs from other species, highlighting their resourcefulness and ability to survive against all odds.

Overall, "Phage" is a well-crafted episode that blends science fiction with ethical dilemmas, making it a quintessential Star Trek episode. The episode raises questions about the value of life, the importance of organ donation, and the morality of human experimentation. Celestial themes of friendship, love, and loyalty make this episode endearing, while the exploration of desperate survivors struggling to survive brings a haunting reality to the show.