Ashes to Ashes (Star Trek: Voyager)

"Ashes to Ashes" is the 138th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 18th episode of the sixth season. It has an average fan rating of 4/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009.

Plot

An alien contacts Voyager, claiming to be a deceased member of the crew, Ensign Lyndsay Ballard. She explains that an alien race, the Kobali, reanimated her after her coffin was buried in space. The Kobali reproduce by altering the DNA of dead individuals of other races, though such people are (at least initially) prisoners of the Kobali so that they may more easily adjust to their new lives. Ballard escaped from her 'new' family, stole a ship, and spent 6 months searching for Voyager.

When she finds Voyager, she is under attack from a Kobali vessel. Disabling the pursuing vessel, she makes audio contact with Voyager—only to be disconnected when Mezoti, an adolescent former Borg drone, accidentally closes the channel in an attempt to notify Captain Janeway.

When contact is re-established, Ballard is brought to Sickbay, where she retells the story of her death. Harry Kim, who was involved with Ballard, is present to confirm the details, and the Doctor confirms that the alien's DNA contains portions that match Ballard's medical records.

When the Captain clears Ballard for duty, she attempts to return to her "old" life, but finds adjustment difficult—the Doctor has managed to restore her physical appearance, but biologically, she's still Kobali (as there wasn't enough human DNA in the ensign's body to revert her). She discovers that fact for herself all-too-clearly when she attempts to eat her favorite food in the Mess Hall, and finds that it suddenly tastes 'metallic' and unappealing.

Eventually, Q'Ret - Ballard's Kobali "father" - returns, demanding the return of his "daughter," Jhet'laya. After a tense meeting in the briefing room (which Ballard ends prematurely), she finds herself in the Mess Hall, depressed and isolated. When Harry Kim attempts to console her, and suggests that they alter one of Tuvok's meditation holoprograms as a prank, Ballard suffers a painful "reversion" of her Kobali physiology.

In Sickbay, the Doctor discovers that a pathogen that was introduced into Ballard's bloodstream is forcing Ballard's body to reject the Doctor's improvised "reconstructive surgery." Ballard must visit Sickbay twice daily if the treatments are to remain effective. Ballard loses her temper upon hearing that she would, essentially, be confined to Sickbay for the rest of the 75-year journey, and lashes out vocally and physically, shouting angrily in untranslated Kobali.

Appalled at her new, more "volatile" Kobali personality, Ballard discovers that Voyager is no longer the home she once knew; corridors that she once walked with familiarity are now alien, she is unable to remember her human family due to the Kobali's alterations, and her new Kobali personality is too emotionally volatile.

When Q'Ret returns, with two other vessels, Ballard decides that she needs to leave - she no longer belongs on Voyager, and the ship will be destroyed if she stays. A distraught Harry Kim refuses to lose her again, but Ballard/Jhet'laya tells him that she was already lost to him when she died...but at least this time they got to say "goodbye."

Signalling the Kobali to break off their attack, Harry and Jhet'laya have one final moment together in the transporter room. Harry has been practicing his Kobali as a farewell surprise.

An amused Jhet'laya appreciates his efforts, but points out that instead of a touching farewell, he said "the comets are tiresome." The two share one final laugh and a kiss before Jhet'laya steps up to the transporter pad and beams over to the Kobali ship.

As Harry is seen looking over a hair brush that used to belong to Ballard, Mezoti comes over to comment it is a pretty brush. Harry explains it belonged to a friend of his and offers it to her. Mezoti questions his action wondering if his friend would mind. Harry explains he is sure she'd want it being used with someone with such pretty hair. Mezoti, being nice and thankful of her gift, offers Harry the chance to join her on the Holodeck. Harry smiles, suggests messing with the Tuvok program, and the two walk off hand in hand.

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Ashes to Ashes

• "Ashes to Ashes" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Ashes to Ashes" at TV.com

• "Ashes to Ashes" at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• "Ashes to Ashes" at StarTrek.com