"Basics, part 2"
Production no. 846

Director: Winrich Kolbe
Written by: Michael Piller

"One hologram and one sociopath may not be much of a match for the Kazon, but we'll have to do."
(The Doctor)

Plot: Left behind on an alien planet, the Voyager crew must struggle to survive on a harsh planet whilst Seska and the Kazon prepare to use Voyager to conqure most of the Delta Quadrant. Believing all the crew to be stranded on the alien planet, the Doctor is surprised to find that Lon Suder is still on board and that Tom managed to escape on a shuttle and soon realises that it is up to them 3 to try to retake the ship from the Kazon and rescue the stranded crew.

Guest cast:

Brad Dourif ("Lon Suder")
Martha Hackett ("Seska")
Anthony DeLongis ("Maje Culluh")
Nancy Hower ("Ensign Wildman")
Simon Billig ("Ensign Hogan")
Russ Fega ("Paxim")
Scott Haven ("Kazon Engineer")
Michael Bailey Smith ("Alien #1")
David Cowgill ("Alien #2")

Some trivia:

* This is Brad Dourif's final appearance as Lon Suder though Martha Hackett will return as a holographic version of Seska in the later season 3 episode "Worst Case Scenario".
* Scott Haven, who plays the Kazon engineer, also played a guard in "Star Trek: First Contact" and the Jem'Hadar Virak'Kara in the DS9 episode "To the Death"

Memorable scenes:

* The scene where Suder realises that he may have to resort to violence again is quite a good scene.
* Another good scene is where Tuvok offers a Vulcan prayer to the dead Suder The 2 characters were very good together.

Some quotes:

"Trapped on a barren planet and you're stuck with the only Indian in the universe who can't start a fire by rubbing two sticks together."
(Chakotay to Janeway)

"I offer you a Vulcan prayer, Mr. Suder: May your death bring you the peace you never found in life."
(Tuvok)

My comments: I liked this episode especially the scenes between the Doctor and Suder. Brad Dourif is indeed a great actor and it was a shame to have Suder killed, even though it was a fitting end. It was also good to see the Voyager crew trying to fend for themselves without their technology to help them. Though, I suppose, one of the best things about the episode is that it is the last episode that deals with the Kazon, who were, by now, getting on the viewers' nerves! Anyway, it's an all-round great episode and a great ending to a cliffhanger.