The 37s

Click here to check the episode index.

Tom Paris lands the ship for the first time in season two’s premiere episode, “The 37’s.” It’s an exciting moment for me that’s supposed to be special for a starship of Voyager’s size, and it happens after they find a 1936 Ford pickup rusting and floating about in space. On the surface, the team finds a cryo-stasis chamber filled with humans. Upon revival, we learn they’re from 1937 Earth, including Amelia Earhart. Amelia’s partner holds everyone hostage, and when they manage to talk him out of it, they’re faced with more firepower from the planet’s native population. Turns out the Briori abducted 300 humans from earth and used them for slave labour. The slaves revolted and used the Briori technology to create their society. The idea of Voyager’s crew staying behind on the planet among the humans serves as the final conflict of the episode, as Janeway invites all the crew wishing to stay on the planet to assemble in the cargo bay later that day. The episode ends with two dramatic shots: first, of Janeway looking into the empty cargo bay, and second, when Tuvok announces “Captain on the bridge,” and they all stand and respect her.

This episode, man, that last scene, with the empty cargo bay and the respect for Janeway on the bridge – it just gets me every time. The episode actually full of sentimental moments, from Janeway admiring Earhart, to Earhart admiring Voyager, and I simply love those wholesome scenes. The episode itself, though, has one of the strangest plot structures in the whole series’ run, but it doesn’t manage to come off as a bad episode since the cast really gives it their all, especially in those aforementioned scenes. The final conflict, about whether or not the crew will stay on the planet, is quite contrived being introduced so late into the episode. They don’t even show the possible living situation that the Voyager crew was considering! This is an example of a story with a great premise, great world building, but not the greatest execution. They needed to streamline some of the world building elements to come into that conflict sooner, or come up with a different one – maybe the Briori are coming back, and Voyager can’t possibly bring everyone off the planet! Despite these flaws, this episode will always be one of my go-to’s for a tear-jerker. Nothing quite gets me than unconditional love for Janeway.

This was originally posted on Dec 22, 2020. Transported to neocities on Oct 20, 2025.