Natural Law 

Chakotay and Seven of Nine's shuttle is crippled by an energy field and they crash on a planet inhabited by a primitive species.

Director:

Terry Windell

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (based upon "Star Trek" created by), Rick Berman (created by)

Stars:

Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Mulgrew	...	Captain Kathryn Janeway
Robert Beltran	...	Chakotay
Roxann Dawson	...	B'Elanna Torres
Robert Duncan McNeill	...	Tom Paris
Ethan Phillips	...	Neelix
Robert Picardo	...	The Doctor
Tim Russ	...	Tuvok
Jeri Ryan	...	Seven of Nine
Garrett Wang	...	Harry Kim
Paul Sandman	...	Healer
Autumn Reeser	...	Ventu Girl
Robert Curtis Brown	...	Ambassador
Neil Vipond	...	Kleg, Flying Instructor (as Neil C. Vipond)
Ivar Brogger	...	Barus
Matt McKenzie	...	Port Authority Officer

Storyline

Chakotay and Seven of Nine's shuttle is crippled by an energy field and they crash on a planet inhabited by a primitive species.

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Plot Keywords:

indigenous peoples | 24th century | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Natural Law

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ivar Brogger (Barus) previously played Orum in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Unity".

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Goofs

When trying to find Seven while talking to the natives, Chakotay points to his right eyebrow trying to reference Seven's ocular implant. Seven has the implant over her left eye. It would have been more appropriate for Chakotay to point to his left eyebrow.

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Quotes

Tom Paris: [receiving the instructor] It's an honor to meet you, sir. May I show you to the Delta Flyer?
Kleg, Flying Instructor: Why?
Tom Paris: Um... so you can explain what I did wrong and then administer the test.
Kleg, Flying Instructor: It sounds to me like you need lessons in patience as well.
B'Elanna Torres: [ironic] Oh, Tom is very patient, sir.
Neelix: [likewise] Never impulsive.
Harry Kim: Take all the time you need. He'll enjoy the extra attention.

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: Voyager - Main Title
(uncredited)
Written by Jerry Goldsmith
Performed by Jay Chattaway

User Reviews

Chakotay and Seven really do great justice to the Prime Directive.

The Prime Directive is often mentioned on the Trek shows. Its concept is that the Federation should NOT interfere with native species and allow them to grow naturally. Here they play lipservice to it at times.

Chakotay does some lousy piloting of the shuttle and gets way too close to an area they were told not to approach! The invisible shield above smashes their craft and he and Seven crash through the barrier and land below. There they encounter a very primitive tribe of nice tribal folks and almost immediately Chakotay starts interacting with them. I guess that the Prime Directive was recently repealed. Seven, however, thinks that the Prime Directive DOES still apply and disagrees with Chakotay. She then shows her devotion to the Prime Directive by losing her tricorder--something which she never recovers and they eventually leave behind. Later, with the help of the natives, they find a way to contact Voyager. Unfortunately, now the Ledosians plan to improve the lives of these tribesmen---and it's all made possible by the break in the invisible dome caused by the shuttle.

There's another minor plot in which the always impulsive and child- like Paris gets in trouble with some locals due to his hotdogging while piloting his shuttle. They insist that he take a class on how to fly! The Captain agrees and even though he thinks it's beneath him, he takes the class--always looking for a way to skip out this. After all, he IS a man-child and being responsible just ain't how he rolls. Fortunately, his instructor is NOT wowed by Paris' lies and attempts to get out of the class or end it prematurely.

In the end, after massive exposure of the Federation to the tribespeople, the Captain then decides to close this dome forever. This is sort of like deciding your daughter will remain a virgin after she's already had her baby! All in all, a confusing and morally ambiguous episode that just seemed inconsistent and odd to say the least.