Star Trek: Prodigy episode “Mindwalk” sees Admiral Janeway reference one of the more ridiculous episodes of Star Trek: Voyager where she and Lieutenant Tom Paris devolved into salamanders. In an attempt to contact the crew of the USS Dauntless without activating the destructive weapon the Diviner has placed in the heart of the Protostar, Dal and Janeway end up in each other’s bodies. While Dal clumsily attempts to conceal his identity aboard the Dauntless, Janeway learns the truth about the Protostar crew and promises to help the youngsters once she returns to her body.
Once Janeway and the Protostar crew realize Dal’s augmented Organian DNA is the key to restoring them to their rightful bodies, they devise a daring plan that involves both Dal and Janeway exiting their respective ships while still traveling at warp speed. While Dal is somewhat hesitant about the risky plan, Janeway takes it in stride, mentioning that nothing could be as bad as being turned into a salamander. It’s a sly reference to one of the strangest episodes in all of Star Trek.
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The Voyager Episode When Janeway Became A Salamander Explained
In the Star Trek: Voyager season 2 episode “Threshold,” Lieutenant Tom Paris undertakes an experimental shuttle voyage in an attempt to reach Warp 10 and break the transwarp barrier. The shuttle manages to hit Warp 10, but Paris is rendered unconscious and the shuttle briefly shifts in and out of reality. Once brought back aboard Voyager, an insane Paris begins to transform into an amphibian-like creature. He eventually escapes sickbay and attacks Janeway, taking her with him back to the shuttle where he once again breaks the transwarp barrier.
Voyager’s first officer Commander Chakotay manages to track Paris and Janeway to a distant jungle planet, where the pair have not only devolved into giant salamanders, they’ve also mated, leaving behind a brood of baby salamander creatures. Chakotay brings Paris and Janeway back to Voyager, where the Doctor is able to restore them to human form. “Threshold” is a genuinely bizarre hour of television, and even episode writer Brannon Braga has mentioned on more than one occasion he wishes it had never been made.
Prodigy Is Really A Sequel To Star Trek: Voyager
Despite the fact it poked fun at one of Voyager‘s weirder moments, Prodigy is really a loving continuation of Voyager‘s story. Chakotay’s original Protostar mission was a direct followup to Voyager’s exploits in the Delta Quadrant, while the reinvention of the villainous Kazon and the USS Dauntless have their origins in Voyager. Prodigy has even begun borrowing musical cues from Voyager’s soaring theme song.
More than anything, Prodigy is a rightly celebrated second act for Kathryn Janeway, one of Star Trek‘s most beloved characters. The Protostar’s Hologram Janeway has been a delightful addition to the character’s legacy, but the return of the flesh and blood Admiral Janeway has been thrilling, and the notion that she might take Dal and friends under her wing as the series progresses is an exciting prospect. Star Trek: Voyager may have had its ups and downs, but Star Trek: Prodigy is honoring it in the best possible ways.
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