Tattoo
- FIRST SHOWN (US)
- 6 November 1995
- ON
- UPN
- STARDATE
- None given
- DIRECTED BY
- Alexander Singer
- PRODUCTION NO.
- 125
WRITTEN BYTeleplay by Michael Piller; story by Larry Brody
On an away mission, Chakotay finds a symbol that matches one from his people's heritage, and following it leads him to a mystery with roots deep in his own past.
Red alert: the full plot, ending included. Haven't watched yet?REVEAL SYNOPSIS
Searching a moon for minerals, Chakotay finds a symbol identical to one he knows from his people's heritage on Earth. Flashbacks show the teenage Chakotay resisting his father Kolopak's efforts to reconnect him with their traditions during a journey to Central America. Determined to find answers, Chakotay traces the symbol to a nearby planet, but violent storms seem to rise up whenever Voyager tries to approach. Stranded on the surface, he finally meets the planet's inhabitants, who bear the same tattoo as him. They visited Earth thousands of years ago and helped Chakotay's ancestors, but came to see humans as destructive, and now use the storms to defend their world. Chakotay persuades them that humanity has changed, and the storm releases Voyager just before the ship crashes. Meanwhile, the Doctor gives himself a simulated illness to prove that a mild infection need not stop anyone working, until Kes quietly extends it to teach him some sympathy for his patients.
- 01Robert Picardo pitched the Doctor's illness subplot himself, first to Jeri Taylor and then to Michael Piller.
- 02Henry Darrow makes the first of two appearances as Chakotay's father Kolopak. He had earlier played Admiral Savar in The Next Generation's “Conspiracy”.
- 03Location filming was held up for hours when the production's hawk spotted a crow, flew off after it and had to be found.