"Maneuvers" is the 27th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, and the 11th episode in the second season. In this science fiction television show, the spacecraft USS Voyager encounters the Kazon and former crew member that defected, Seska. The episode features many scenes with Chakotay, Seska, and various guest stars in the role of the Kazon. It also features several special effect sequences with various spacecraft.

Martha Hackett guest stars as Seska, returning to reprise that character, and she plays opposite Anthony De Longis cast as the Kazon sect leader First Maj Culluh. Voyager regular First Officer/Maquis leader Chakotay is played by Robert Beltran.

The episode aired on UPN on November 20, 1995.^[4]

Summary

"Maneuvers" is a science fiction television show episode that was first broadcast on UPN Network on November 20, 1995. This follows the story of starship Voyager, which after departing Deep Space Nine was taken to the other side of the Galaxy.^[5] There they encountered aliens known as the Kazon.^[5] One of their crew members, a Maquis, turned out to be a Cardassian spy and defected to the Kazon.^[5] Her name was Seska, and plot of this episode involves Seska and the Kazon's dealings with Voyager, commanded by Janeway.^[5]

This continues the story that began with "State of Flux" and this story is continued in "Basics (Part I and Part II)" (the two-part episode bridging season 2 and 3).

"Maneuvers" was written by Kenneth Biller and directed by David Livingston.^[6] David Livingston directed many Star Trek episodes in this era, including for Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999), Star Trek: Voyager, and Enterprise. Overall he directed 62 episodes of Star Trek, including 28 for Voyager.^[1][7]

Plot

The Voyager crew detect a Federation probe and set course for it, hoping for potential contact with the Federation. However it is a trap; the Kazon Nistrim attack with the help of the traitor Seska. (Seska was a Cardassian spy who infiltrated the Chakotay's Maquis cell, joined Voyager's crew in the Delta quadrant, then left for the Kazon.) Kazon leader Maj Culluh boards Voyager and escapes with a transporter technology-module, believing Federation technology will allow him to unite and lead other Kazon sects.

Aware that Federation technology will change the balance of power in the quadrant, Janeway wishes to pursue. However, Chakotay blames himself for Seska's betrayal, as he allowed Seska to infiltrate the Maquis and eventually join Voyager. To avoid endangering the rest of Voyager's crew for his mistake, Chakotay steals a shuttle to pursue the Kazon alone. He is able to infiltrate Culluh's ship and destroy the transporter, but is captured. Culluh invites other Kazon leaders aboard and claims he has obtained Voyager's command-codes from Chakotay and can capture Voyager with ease.

Voyager pursues Chakotay and finds the Kazon fleet. Voyager engages the Kazon while Torres attempts to transport Chakotay away, but Seska blocks the transport. In response Janeway transports Culluh and the other sect leaders aboard Voyager, releasing them in return for Chakotay and the Federation shuttle. Meanwhile, Seska informs Voyager she has impregnated herself with Chakotay's DNA. After the battle Janeway commends Chakotay for his intentions, but expresses disapproval of his insubordination.

Reception

This had a Nielsen rating of 5.4 points when it was broadcast in 1995.^[8]

Doux Reviews gave "Maneuvers" 2.5 out of 4.^[9] Tor.com rated it 4 out of 10.^[6]

Sources

External links

• "Maneuvers" at IMDb
• "Maneuvers" at Memory Alpha
• "Maneuvers" at Wayback Machine (archived from the original at StarTrek.com)