Sacred Ground
- Episode aired Oct 30, 1996
- TV-PG
- 46m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
After Kes is injured by an energy field on a planet's sacred ground, Janeway must undergo a spiritual quest in order to save her life.After Kes is injured by an energy field on a planet's sacred ground, Janeway must undergo a spiritual quest in order to save her life.After Kes is injured by an energy field on a planet's sacred ground, Janeway must undergo a spiritual quest in order to save her life.
Roxann Dawson
- Lt. B'Elanna Torres
- (as Roxann Biggs-Dawson)
Damaris Cordelia
- Security Guard
- (uncredited)
Tarik Ergin
- Lt. Ayala
- (uncredited)
Kerry Hoyt
- Crewman Fitzpatrick
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the directorial debut of Robert Duncan McNeill.
- GoofsThe elders claim that, to get through the biogenic field, one must have no doubt or hesitation, one must believe in making it past the field; yet, when Kes tried to walk through the field, she had no idea it was there and full confidence that she would make it past that particular area, and still she was struck down, an apparent contradiction. There is a difference, however, between doing something despite one's fears and doing something in ignorance of any possible consequence. This point was demonstrated by Janeway, who reached into the basket knowing some kind of creature was in there, as opposed to innocently reaching into it without knowing something potentially lethal was in it.
- Quotes
Old Man #2: If you can explain everything, what's left to believe in?
- ConnectionsReferenced in Inglorious Treksperts: We'll Always Have Paris (2021)
Featured review
It is not science vs fantasy or rationalism vs religion, it is simple faith
For the casual observer looking for an episode to watch, you may either view the ratings of any particular episodes or even be so inclined to read the comments. Many of the comments rated this as one of the worst Voyager episodes, I strongly disagree. Many also claimed this episode was an affront to rationalism and scientific thought, no it was not. Though a debate could occur over the degree of sanctimony the alien species had, I believe this particular Voyager episode was more in spirit with Star Trek than most other Voyager episodes. I say this as Voyager often follow into a particular plot: first contact new species, a problem emerges with interaction (usually a major character is injured or detained), and through ethnocentric point of view, Voyager's crew solves the problem without trying to understand the other side's point of view. Voyager was far quicker to briefly highlight a disagreement in philosophy, to only ignore the bigger questions the particular incident raised towards or in comparison to the human condition. And since we need a convenient plot ending to the episode, a quick fix, save, or rescue is written it without really addressing the bigger issue. This episode was more in line with Picard and TNG, a willingness to go through a ritual even if it is to save a crewmen. Janeway did not enter the caves to become spiritually enlightened and when she finally became open to the experience and observed the ritual as would the alien species, was she enlightened. It did not necessarily change her character, but it made her briefly question her absolute devotion to science and devotion. Based on all the other comments, it almost seems that Star Trek is an atheist harbor, where a leap of faith cannot and should not occur. Although we should strive to be able to rationalize the beauty of the world, to understand the underlying mysteries of the universe, we should also be capable of appreciating not knowing and simply accepting either 1) one day we will know, or 2) have hope and faith in what we do. I did not see this as an attack on science, but simply the omission we do not yet understand everything and even if we did, sometimes we just have to believe something good will happen. I also do not believe the alien species had an ill will towards Kes, it was an accident, and they felt this transcendental experience is a worthwhile cause to share with the universe, especially those willing to sit and learn about strange new worlds and new civilizations. If I had a pet peeve with Voyager is that it only tried to solve problems through its own narrow understanding of the universe and saw itself as the gift to the world. Janeway and crew often thought they knew everything better and it took most of an episode to begrudgingly accept another point of view from another species. With all the negative comments for this particular, it is no wonder we have a polarized country that seeks to not back down in the endless fight that is religion versus science. Watch the episode, make up your own mind, but above all be the open-mindedness that true Trek truly envisioned. This was not a religion vs science episode and could have been a TNG episode.
helpful•2020
- sirdscoast
- Sep 2, 2016
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 4:3
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