Ep 14. Memorial

In Star Trek: Voyager season 6 episode 14, entitled "Memorial," the crew of the USS Voyager discovers an alien monument that is broadcasting a message that causes members of the crew to experience vivid hallucinations of a devastating war. As the crew tries to uncover the purpose of the monument, they begin to question the nature of memory and their own understanding of history.

The episode begins with the Voyager crew on a routine survey mission when they detect an unusual energy signature on an uncharted planet. The source of the energy is revealed to be a massive monument erected by an unknown alien species. The monument is broadcasting a message that only some of the crew can hear, and it's causing those who hear it to experience intense hallucinations.

Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Torres are the first crew members affected by the monument. They experience a vivid reenactment of a battle from the alien species' history, complete with sights, sounds, and smells. As the episode progresses, more members of the crew become affected, and the hallucinations become more intense and frightening.

Captain Janeway orders an investigation into the source and purpose of the monument. She is hesitant to allow members of the crew to continue to explore the monument, but she eventually relents when it becomes clear that the monument poses no immediate danger to the crew.

During the investigation, the crew discovers that the monument is a memorial to a devastating war that occurred on the planet thousands of years ago. The monument serves as a reminder to the alien species of the consequences of war and the importance of peaceful conflict resolution.

As the crew continues to explore the monument, they discover that it is broadcasting a message that is causing the hallucinations. The message seeks to create a shared experience of the war among those who hear it, in order to prevent future conflicts from occurring.

The crew realizes that the purpose of the monument is to teach the importance of peace and the dangers of war. While the hallucinations are intense and frightening, they serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of war and the need for peace.

As the episode concludes, the crew reflects on the experience and the lessons that they have learned. They realize that memory is a powerful tool, and that it can shape our understandings of the present and the future. They also recognize that history is often written by the victors, and that it is important to consider multiple perspectives and interpretations of events.

"Memorial" is a thought-provoking and powerful episode that explores complex themes related to memory, history, and conflict resolution. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and the need to learn from history in order to build a better future.