Episode no. Season 5
Episode 5 Written by Michael Taylor Production code 199 | Directed by John T. Kretchmer Featured music David Bell | |
Original air date November 11, 1998 (1998-11-11) | ||
"Once Upon a Time" is the 99th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the fifth episode of the fifth season.
Neelix tries to protect Naomi Wildman from the knowledge that her mother is in danger and may be lost on a mission.
Plot
Due to an ion storm, the Delta Flyer crashes on a planetoid becoming buried under three kilometers of rock. Ensign Samantha Wildman is seriously injured, and Lt. Tom Paris and Tactical Officer Tuvok attend to her as they wait for Voyager to locate and rescue them. The ship's attempts are hampered due to more storms.
Meanwhile, on board Voyager, Wildman's young daughter Naomi awaits her mother's return. The crew is unsure of how to explain to her that her mother is lost, and dreads the possibility that Sam may have died. The ship's morale officer, Neelix, takes it on himself to spend time with his little god-daughter as they wait for news. He distracts her with the popular children's fairy holo-tale The Adventures of Flotter. Later Naomi learns more about the incident by accident. Neelix finds her in the Flotter program and tells the tale of how he lost his own family.
With only minutes to spare, the crew finds the Delta Flyer and beams everyone to safety. Samantha Wildman survives her injuries, and, once sufficiently recovered, enjoys the holo-tale along with Naomi and Neelix.