Product Details

• Actors: Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Lien, Robert Duncan McNeill
• Directors: Winrich Kolbe
• Writers: Gene Roddenberry, Jeri Taylor, Michael Piller, Rick Berman
• Producers: Brad Yacobian, David Livingston, J.P. Farrell
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: February 1, 2000
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000003K9E
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,796 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #2 in	Video > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Television > Star Trek: Voyager
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A program that never entirely made up its mind what it's supposed to be about, Star Trek: Voyager began life in 1995 with some truly fascinating prospects in its two-hour pilot episode, "Caretaker."

"Caretaker" opens in the 24th century, a setting contemporary with that of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Carrying over story elements from each of those series, Voyager's debut finds Starfleet Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) stepping into the middle of Federation troubles with the Maquis, an army of rebels violently resisting the interplanetary organization's treaty with brutal Cardassians. Janeway hopes to intercept a Maquis cell that unknowingly has a Starfleet spy, Tuvok (Tim Russ), in its midst. Instead, both Voyager and the Maquis ship under surveillance are accidentally catapulted out of the galaxy's Alpha Quadrant (the familiar stomping grounds of Starfleet personnel) by a benign but dying being called the Caretaker. Voyager ends up in the unexplored Delta Quadrant, some 70,000 light years away. Several of Voyager's key crew members are killed during the mishap, prompting an agreement with the skilled Maquis fugitives to cooperate on returning home.

So much seemed dramatically promising in this debut of Star Trek: Voyager, especially the unwieldy alliance of Starfleet regulars and hostile Maquis, and the likelihood that a lifetime spent in isolation, trying to get home, would lead to the development of a self-contained society on the ship. The curiously cheesy sets and fascinating, progressive management style of Janeway (half mommy, half taskmaster) were also new developments in Star Trek culture. Yet things didn't turn out to be quite so intriguing or original as the years passed--though that doesn't mean Voyager isn't a sporadically good show. It just isn't the one that "Caretaker" seemed to promise. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars they started with a terrific blueprint, May 8, 2000

By	D. Klees (United States) - See all my reviews

Like the pilot episodes for "Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine", "Caretaker" was a fascinating mix of familiar concepts and brand new possibilities. Based on this program alone one would think the production team would truly succeed in getting back to the sense of wonder at the unknown that infused Star Trek before it got to the point where the Federation became more thoroughly mapped than some parts of the U.S.

To be sure, the ingredients were there. As portrayed by Kate Mulgrew, Captain Janeway hits the right balance: not quite as thoughtful as Picard but not as prone to "cowboy diplomacy" as Kirk. Add to that an intriguing Vulcan security officer, a testy holographic doctor, a highly vocal group of Federation rebels and a host of other potentially interesting characters and you've got quite a crew. The story (and the series) started with some nice nods to established "Star Trek" lore for the faithful and quickly ditched it all to put the crew 70,000 light years from their Starfleet support systems. This was the show's boldest move and if they'd kept on the path this episode layed out they might have surpassed their predecessors.

Like the premieres of "Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine" there's a deeper mystery at work around our heroes and if they don't figure it out quickly, there won't be a next episode. They do figure it, of course, and in the noble Star Trek tradition they sacrifice a quick way home for the sake of others less able to protect themselves. This time, though, the commanding officer's decision does not get a unanimous seal of approval thanks to the presence of the rebel faction who found themsleves dragged across the stars just as Voyager's crew was. This group, called the Maquis, reluctantly join up with Voyager's crew as they set off for what could be a several decade journey home. This forced marriage between the disciplined Federation and the individualistic Maquis offered great potential which was sadly underused in future episodes.

Indeed, despite the unfamiliar surroundings of the Delta Quadrant, many of the subsequent episodes relied on tried and true Star Trek cliches. Aside from some really good character studies and a few intriguing encounters with other races, an unshakeable sense of deja vu quickly overtook the series. For this story, though, it all seemed so fresh and dynamic and exceptionally easy to enjoy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Mr. Kim, at ease before you sprain something." --Janeway, August 18, 2000

By	A. G. (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This was a great start to the series. We are introduced to characters that have a lot of potential for growth, and a setting with possibilities limited only by the writers' imaginations. Unfortunately, their imaginations turned out to be more limited than the series premiere seems to promise. By the end of Season Five, the series had begun to taste rather stale in the mouths of many fans. As we enter Season Seven, we can hope that they will finally "push the envelope" and take some chances with the characters. It is episodes like the pilot that make us wonder just what *Voyager* could have been . . . maybe even *should* have been. All fans should see this one; it's fun to see unfamiliar tension between some of our favorite characters, and the Delta Quadrant has a really "fresh" feel. One wonders if the writers ever watch this episode and think about all the possibilities they neglected in six years . . .

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After watching "Caretaker", I was hooked, January 7, 2004

By	Sara Swihart (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'd watch an episode of Star Trek if there was nothing else on to watch, but for some reason, something about "Voyager" intrigued me. After watching "Caretaker", I was instantly hooked.

Kate Mulgrew makes a superb showing as Trek's first female captain. "Voyager" has many firsts that have never before been done in Star Trek, such as being so far away from home. Other episodes have lost contact with Starfleet, but they've still be close enough to home. Voyager is out there in the middle of no where.

This first episode reminded me of the Newbury Medal winning book "The Giver". The people were so sheltered in their world. They didn't know what it was like on the outside. Kes' people are kind of like that. The Caretaker provides everything for them, but he is dying and is looking for a replacement.

This was definitely a great beginning to the show. I can't wait to get the first season DVD set!