Star Trek: Voyager, Season 7, Episode 5, "Critical Care"
Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Release Date: 07/10/2025
Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
After seven seasons and one very contested transporter accident, we welcome Voyager executive producer and co-creator of Tuvix, Ken Biller, for a wide-ranging conversation about the legacy of Star Trek: Voyager. Guest co-host Earl Green joins John to explore the creative pressures behind the series finale, the constraints of ’90s television, and how a light-hearted idea about a goofy transporter mix-up became one of Trek’s most morally complex debates. Also: alternate titles, unwritten sequels, and that time Ken was a Jeopardy! answer. It’s a candid, thoughtful look back from someone who...
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After seven seasons and one hell of a journey, it’s time to start wrapping up Star Trek: Voyager. John and Norman are joined by TrekCulture’s Ellie Littlechild to take a look back, starting with Ellie’s viral article “.” Which ones did we forget… and which ones should we? Then we turn to a much harder task: naming our personal top three “essential” Voyager episodes (spoiler: there’s no way we’re sticking three). Plus, we tackle some listener comments and invite you to stick around for more Voyager wrap-up coming soon. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episose Endgame, after 23 years in the Delta Quadrant, Admiral Janeway finally made it home, but at too high a cost. Now she’s crossing time and space to rewrite history, determined to give her crew a better ending. But who decides what the “right” ending is? And is it worth risking everything they already sacrificed to find out? One timeline, two stubborn Janeways, and a final reckoning with the Borg when Endgame goes into the Mission Log. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episose Renaissance Man, The Doctor doesn’t quite seem himself. In fact, he seems like just about everyone else on the senior staff. But the impersonations are part of a high-stakes mission: rescue Captain Janeway from a hostile alien race despite her veryspecific orders not to. It’s EMH meets ECH meets identity crisis when Renaissance Man goes into the Mission Log. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episose Homestead, there are Talaxians on that asteroid, and Neelix isn’t just drawn to their cause… he might be drawn home. With Janeway’s hands tied by the Prime Directive and hostile space-miners closing in, it’s Neelix who must decide where he belongs and who he wants to be. Mission Log says goodbye in Homestead. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its...
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On the Star Trek: Voyager episode Natural Law, Chakotay and Seven find themselves stranded in a protected zone among a pre-industrial alien society. Seven plays catch-up with cultural sensitivity while Chakotay’s inner anthropologist intensifies. But even good intentions have consequences when modern colonists arrive. Meanwhile, Tom Paris is cited for flying while cocky. This week, Mission Log explores Natural Law. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week,...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episose Friendship One, an old Earth probe was supposed to spread friendship across the galaxy. Instead, it sparked a planetary apocalypse. When Voyager finds the wreckage of Friendship One, they also find a civilization devastated by misused antimatter and eager to hold someone, anyone, accountable. Can Starfleet ideals survive the consequences of their own curiosity? Mission Log receives Friendship One. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Author, Author, The Doctor takes his first stab at fiction, but his holonovel hits a little too close to home. Captain Jenkins is a sadist, Tulak relishes punishment, and Lt. Marseilles just wants to get in your pants. The crew is shocked. The Doctor calls it “art,” and a Federation publisher calls it “contractually locked.” As Voyager debates creative expression vs. defamation, a deeper issue emerges: does the author have rights? “Photons Be Free”—but only if Starfleet says so, in Author, Author on this week’s Mission Log. Hosted by John...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Q2, Q drops by Voyager for a surprise visit, and he brings Q with him. No, not himself… the other Q. His son. This junior Q is every bit as powerful, unpredictable, and exasperating as his old man, with none of the charm (yet). When the Continuum threatens to de-Q him permanently, it’s up to Aunt Kathy to teach Q some responsibility before he’s stuck living as an amoeba or worse, a teenager. Mission Log wrangles Q, Q, and more Q in Q2. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao MISSION LOG SURVEY: and you could win rare, original TOS film cells! Offer...
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In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Human Error, Seven of Nine is trying something new: a little music, a little cooking, and a little romantic roleplay—typical holodeck experiments in humanity. But when feelings get real and a Borg failsafe kicks in, the cost of vulnerability may be more than just emotional. Oh, and yes, Voyager is also facing a dangerous space-time shockwave, but honestly? We’re just here for the “Human Error,” this week on Mission Log. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao MISSION LOG SURVEY: and you could win rare, original TOS film cells! Welcome to Mission Log, a...
info_outlineIn the Star Trek: Voyager episode, Critical Care, the Doctor is forced to confront a system where medical care is doled out based on social status.
Good thing that’s just science fiction.
No parallels to the modern world at all.
Mission Log administers Critical Care.
Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao
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Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show’s most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time.
In every episode of Mission Log we…
- Recap the story and analyze key moments.
- Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented.
- Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant.
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Technical Director - Earl Green
Producer - John Champion
Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi
Executive Producer - Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry
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