Malcolm Rivera
In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Living Witness, Captain Kathryn Janeway makes a statement about the Starfleet way: When diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative: violence. Force must be applied, without apology. This quote has been discussed extensively by fans, with some praising Janeway's badassery and others critiquing the show's politics. In the episode, Janeway negotiates with Vaskan ambassador Daleth about fighting a war with their Kyrian neighbours. The episode also includes a simulation viewed from a museum, where Janeway orders an attack on a planet, showcasing the impact of Voyager's intervention in bringing the Vaskans to power.
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What You'll Learn
Captain Janeway's characterisation
Captain Kathryn Janeway is a complex and multi-faceted character in the Star Trek universe. In the episode "Living Witness", Janeway's characterisation takes an interesting turn as the audience is presented with an alternate version of the captain from a mirror universe. This version of Janeway is described as "cruel and heartless", a stark contrast to the Janeway audiences know.
In the mirror universe, Janeway is in command of the ISS Voyager and is known for always having the ship on red alert. She decorates her ready room with small ancient weapons and is described as being very cruel to her crew. Her actions even earn her the sobriquet "The Murderess of Sato III" after she becomes Empress of the Terran Empire in 2379. This characterisation of Janeway presents a dark and twisted version of the captain, showcasing the potential consequences of unbridled power and a lack of empathy.
However, even in the primary universe, Janeway is not afraid to make tough decisions and resort to violence when diplomacy fails. In the episode "Living Witness", she negotiates with Vaskan ambassador Daleth about fighting a war with their Kyrian neighbours. When diplomacy fails, Janeway resorts to violence, ordering an attack on the planet and the use of biogenic weapons, demonstrating a pragmatic and ruthless side to her character.
Despite her tough exterior and willingness to use force, Janeway is also characterised by her intelligence, determination, and strong leadership skills. She is a skilled scientist and mathematician, having graduated from the Imperial Starfleet Academy with a doctoral degree in quantum cosmology. She is also a strategic thinker, as evidenced by her decision to switch to the command division and her role in uncovering Vice Admiral Horace Bonner's involvement in the Tholian attack.
Overall, Captain Janeway is a well-rounded and compelling character, whose complex characterisation adds depth and intrigue to the Star Trek universe. She challenges gender norms by captaining a ship while female and embodies a unique blend of strength, intelligence, and compassion, making her a role model for many fans.
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The Vaskan-Kyrian conflict
Daleth explains that they are aware of a nearby cyclic wormhole and can provide the coordinates and instructions on how to stabilise it. However, as they emerge, the Voyager comes under attack by the Kyrians. Janeway, embodying the sentiment that "when diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative: violence", orders the use of biogenic weapons on the Kyrian population. Daleth objects, arguing that the people are innocent and that they should only target their leader, Tedran. Nonetheless, Janeway insists on her approach, stating that it is the best way to bring down Tedran.
The episode then shifts to a museum, the Museum of Kyrian Heritage, where an older Kyrian, Quarren, recounts the story of the "warship Voyager" and its impact on their world seven hundred years ago. The simulation depicts Janeway ordering an attack on the planet, resulting in a climbing death toll. Despite Daleth's objections, Janeway detains him and continues her pursuit of Tedran. The simulation also shows the brutal interrogation of a Kyrian by 'Lieutenant' Kim and Chakotay, who eventually locate Tedran and lead an assault team to capture him.
Back in the museum, Quarren emphasises how Voyager's intervention brought the Vaskans to power. However, one of the Vaskans in the audience questions the validity of the story, sparking a discussion about the interpretation of historical events. The conflict between the Vaskans and Kyrians, as presented in the simulation, serves as a cautionary tale within the Star Trek universe, exploring the complexities of diplomacy, the use of force, and the impact of historical narratives.
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The use of biogenic weapons
In the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Living Witness", Captain Janeway is seen negotiating with Vaskan ambassador Daleth about fighting a war with their Kyrian neighbours. When diplomacy fails, Janeway resorts to violence and orders the use of biogenic weapons on the population.
Biogenic weapons, also known as bioweapons or biogenic devices, are designed to interfere with life forms rather than cause physical damage to infrastructure or starships. They include genetically engineered viruses, poisonous chemical compounds, and other similar materials. For example, cobalt diselenide is a biogenic weapon that is deadly to Cardassians, while trilithium resin is fatal to humans.
In the episode, Janeway's use of biogenic weapons results in eight million casualties during the Great War. The Doctor, an android, integrates the biogenic weapon with the ship's phasers, and Janeway orders the ship to fire. This is all revealed to be a simulation, viewed from a window in a museum, the Museum of Kyrian Heritage, 700 years after the events it depicts. The Doctor's backup version is reactivated and placed on trial for war crimes, including the creation of weapons of mass destruction.
The episode explores the impact of Janeway and the "warship Voyager" on the Kyrians and Vaskans, and how their actions led to centuries of Kyrian oppression under the Vaskans. It also highlights the potential consequences of the use of biogenic weapons, which are generally disapproved of by the Federation.
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The role of the Borg
The Borg, a formidable foe in the Star Trek universe, play a significant role in the episode "Living Witness." In this episode, Captain Janeway of the USS Voyager encounters a situation where diplomacy has failed, leading to a confrontation with the Borg.
The episode explores the complexities of intergalactic conflict and the difficult choices faced by Captain Janeway. When negotiations with the Vaskan ambassador, Daleth, break down, Janeway resorts to violence, stating, "When diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative: violence. Force must be applied, without apology. It's the Starfleet way." This quote encapsulates the dire circumstances that prompt Janeway to take drastic action.
The Borg's involvement in the episode is crucial. Janeway initiates a "Borg activation sequence," activating a fully Borg Seven of Nine and three other drones. This activation serves as a tactical decision by Janeway to utilize the Borg as a powerful weapon against her adversaries. The Borg's advanced technology and collective consciousness make them a formidable force, capable of subduing invaders and providing a strategic advantage in combat.
However, Janeway's decision to ally with the Borg is controversial. Some viewers perceive it as a selfish and ignorant move, as seen in the episode's online discussions. They criticize Janeway for deviating from the Starfleet ideal of diplomacy and peaceful resolution. By empowering the Borg, Janeway risks endangering other species and potentially disrupting the balance of power in the galaxy.
The episode presents a nuanced portrayal of Janeway's character, showcasing the difficult choices leaders must make during interstellar conflicts. The role of the Borg in this episode highlights the complexities of intergalactic politics and the potential consequences of failed diplomacy. It raises questions about the ethics of forming alliances with powerful and potentially dangerous entities like the Borg.
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The impact of Voyager's intervention
In the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Living Witness", Captain Janeway's infamous quote, "When diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative: violence. Force must be applied without apology. It's the Starfleet way," sets the tone for the impact of Voyager's intervention.
The episode explores the consequences of Voyager's actions centuries after the fact. In the episode, a backup version of The Doctor is reactivated and attempts to uncover the truth about alleged war crimes committed by Voyager against the Kyrians and the Vaskans. The simulation depicted in the episode showcases Janeway's impatience with diplomacy and her willingness to resort to violence to achieve her goals. She orders the use of biogenic weapons on the population, detains those who object, and focuses on locating the Kyrian leader, Tedran, to bring him down.
The episode portrays a darker side of Captain Janeway and Voyager, challenging the typical portrayal of Starfleet captains and ships in the Star Trek universe. It raises questions about the ethics of Janeway's decisions and the consequences of those choices for the civilizations they encountered. The discovery of a data storage device from Voyager buried in the ruins of Kesef suggests that the truth about Voyager's actions may be uncovered, further emphasizing the long-term impact of their intervention.
Overall, the episode "Living Witness" presents a complex and thought-provoking narrative that explores the impact of Voyager's intervention, challenging the typical ideals of diplomacy and peaceful resolution often associated with Star Trek.
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Frequently asked questions
A: Captain Janeway says, "When diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative: violence. Force must be applied without apology. It's the Starfleet way."
A: Captain Janeway says this quote while negotiating with Vaskan ambassador Daleth about fighting a war with their Kyrian neighbours.
A: In return for the coordinates and instructions on how to stabilize a cyclic wormhole, Captain Janeway agrees to help the Vaskan ambassador fight a war with their Kyrian neighbours.
A: Captain Janeway orders her crew to use biogenic weapons on the Kyrian population.
A: Captain Janeway is the captain of the ISS Voyager.
