Happy 'Threshold' Day, Star Trek Sickos

Twenty-eight years ago, Star Trek posed a daring question, fitting for a franchise known for boldly going where no one has gone before: can experimental FTL travel push its limits to the point where the pilot and co-pilot undergo a bizarre transformation into amphibious creatures? The answer, as it turns out, is no. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that even the challenging moments in a long-standing franchise like Star Trek are sometimes worth revisiting.

It takes a lot for a Star Trek episode to be considered bad, and “Threshold” is a standout when it comes to examining the highs and lows of Star Trek Voyager. While the entire episode may not hold up, it’s worth noting the absurd climax where Captain Janeway and Tom Paris undergo a radical transformation into four-legged amphibians and even “reproduce” before being restored to their human forms – an experience that seems to embody the epitome of a disastrous work situation. However, it’s a shame that Voyager ventured into such extreme territory, as this is not an isolated incident for the series, even amidst its compelling concepts.

Screenshot: Paramount “Threshold” delves into Star Trek’s warp technology and the complications that arise when a starship exceeds the Warp 10 threshold. This intriguing concept taps into a fundamental aspect of Star Trek’s world-building – the limitations of Warp 10 have been present since the original Star Trek series – and explores the repercussions that Voyager encounters. With Tom Paris, played by Robert Duncan McNeill, embodying a daring pilot – a former Starfleet officer who concealed a piloting error, joined the rebellious Maquis group, and is now driven to prove himself – the show offered an ideal platform for pushing boundaries. Stranded in the Delta Quadrant, light years away from home, the Voyager crew was desperate to uncover new methods to shorten their arduous journey back. However, the flaws in “Threshold” lay beyond their aspirations.

It wasn’t primarily about the action or the execution either. When Paris breaks the Warp 10 barrier in a bid to expedite their return home, he undergoes a gradual yet alarming transformation – initially appearing to evolve, but according to Voyager’s holographic doctor, his changes accelerate at an unprecedented rate. It’s a riveting spectacle as we witness Paris slowly succumb to a grotesque, disturbing metamorphosis. The body horror depicted is among the most impactful in Trek history; including a viscerally unsettling scene where the afflicted Paris regurgitates his own tongue, berating Janeway for sympathizing with his grotesque state and accusing her of envy, regardless of the costs. These were all compelling ideas: effectual and showcasing the consequences of Paris’ hubris, evoking a sense of catharsis as he grapples with the repercussions. When Voyager initially premiered, audiences embarked on a similar journey alongside the crew.

Screenshot: ParamountRegrettably, the progression takes a turn for the worse, descending into an absurd “Inception” moment as Paris, rapidly transforming, seizes Janeway and coerces her into undergoing a similar transformation. The subsequent spectacle of amphibian copulation certainly raises eyebrows. There are numerous shortcomings here, even when overlooking the inherent absurdity of the show’s chief and second-in-command engaging in amphibian intercourse. The notion of Voyager being isolated from the rest of Star Trek, both spatially and narratively, undermines the events that set the stage for the crew’s anticipations of finding a path back home; a looming sense of anticipation gives way to an imminent letdown.

Additionally, the episode’s plot suffers from a lack of continuity, with scant repercussions carrying over from one episode to the next – neither Paris nor Janeway alludes to the events of “Threshold” in subsequent encounters or discussions. The moral or ethical implications, nor the challenges and dilemmas posed by the amphibious offspring left behind by Janeway and Paris, are not addressed. While Paris’ ongoing struggle for redemption on Voyager does persist throughout the show, it never delves into the consequences depicted in this episode.

Screenshot: ParamountSo, yes, “Threshold” falls short in various aspects. However, its comically surreal climax has softened its failure almost three decades later. The amphibian transformation has become a subject of artistic interpretations, humor, and memes, serving as a candid acceptance that while Star Trek may stumble, it still retains a sense of whimsy about itself. It may not be able to shed its reputation as one of the series’ lowest points, but embracing its campiness and absurdity gradually fosters an appreciation for the potential underlying “Threshold” and its intriguing ideas. Celebrating its anniversary has become a lighthearted affair in the years since, almost as a nod to one of the most peculiar scenes in Trek history. Want more io9 news? Find out the latest on Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s in store for the DC Universe in film and TV, and all the details on the future of Doctor Who.

Author: OpenAI