From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc

AI/LLM Reviews Star Trek: Voyager The 37's

Google Gemini

"The 37's" is an episode defined by its high-concept premise and its deep emotional stakes. Originally intended as the Season 1 finale, it functions as a thematic bridge, asking the crewrCoand the audiencerCoif the journey home is truly worth the hardship when a viable alternative presents itself.

Narrative Summary

Following a mysterious SOS from a 1936 Ford truck floating in space, the Voyager crew discovers a planet inhabited by the descendants of humans abducted from Earth in the 1930s. Among the "cryo-stasis" victims is Amelia Earhart. The crew discovers a thriving human civilization of over 100,000 people, leading Janeway to offer the crew a choice: continue the 70-year journey to Earth or settle in this new "Earth" in the Delta Quadrant.

Strengths

The Amelia Earhart Dynamic: Meeting a historical icon who shares JanewayrCOs passion for flight and exploration provides a beautiful mirror for the Captain. The chemistry between Kate Mulgrew and Sharon Lawrence (as Earhart) is excellent, grounded in mutual respect between two pioneers.

The Choice: The episoderCOs strongest asset isn't the sci-fi mystery, but the psychological toll of the journey. For the first time, the crew is given a legitimate out. The tension in the cargo bay as Janeway waits to see who will leave is a series highlight.

World Building: The "Cities of the 37's" represent a fascinating "what if" scenariorCoa human society that developed without the baggage of Earth's 20th and 21st-century wars.

The Landing: Seeing Voyager actually land on a planet surface was a massive visual effects achievement for 1995 and remains an iconic image for the series.

Weaknesses

The Briori: The alien abductors are treated as a plot device and never seen, making the "mystery" aspect of the episode feel slightly hollow compared to the character drama.

Pacing: The resolution of the 37's themselves (Amelia and her colleagues) happens quite quickly, and they are largely sidelined once the "choice" for the Voyager crew takes center stage.

The Reset Button: While powerful, the fact that zero crew members chose to stay behind feels a bit unrealistic given the diverse backgrounds of the Maquis and Starfleet personnel, even if it was necessary for the show's format.

Final Rating: 7.8/10

Verdict: "The 37's" is a classic Voyager "high-concept" episode. While it leans heavily on a "fish-out-of-water" historical trope, it succeeds because it forces the crew to reaffirm their loyalty to Janeway and their mission. ItrCOs an essential piece of character development for the early series.

ChatGPT

HererCOs a **review of *Star Trek: Voyager rCo rCLThe 37rCOsrCY*** (based on the *Chakoteya* transcript and known summaries/reviews), with a **rating out of 10**:

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## r!E **Episode Review rCo rCLThe 37rCOsrCY (VOY S2E01)**

### Efou **Plot Summary**

Voyager detects a **distress signal tied to 1930s Earth artifacts** rCo including a rusty truck and an old Lockheed Electra rCo leading them to a planet where **humans abducted in 1937** (including Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan) are found in **cryostasis**. The away team revives them, sparking confusion and conflict. They learn an alien race called the **Briori** kidnapped about 300 humans centuries ago, but the humans **rebelled, wiped out the Briori, and built thriving cities** over fifteen generations. Janeway offers her crew a **choice to stay with this human society or continue VoyagerrCOs long journey home**, ultimately reinforcing their determination to return to Earth. ([chakoteya.net][1])

---

## Efai **What Works**

**rLo High-Concept & Nostalgic Premise**
Using the mystery of **Amelia EarhartrCOs disappearance** as a sci-fi hook is clever and emotionally resonant, blending real history with *Star Trek* exploration. ([Wikipedia][2])

**rLo Emotional & Thematic Weight**
The central choice rCo stay in a human settlement or keep voyaging home rCo touches on **identity, belonging, and mission purpose**. Many fans find JanewayrCOs final moment in the empty cargo bay powerful, underscoring crew unity and loyalty. ([Reddit][3])

**rLo First Planet Landing & World-Building**
This is one of VoyagerrCOs first **planet surface missions**, offering a refreshing change of pace and broader world-building within the Delta Quadrant. ([trekcentral.net][4])

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## EfaA **What Falls Short**

**rLy Rushed & Overstuffed Narrative**
Critics note the episode packs **multiple big ideas** rCo historic mystery, cryostasis awakening, hostile encounter, and sociopolitical choice rCo into a single hour, which can feel rushed or underdeveloped. ([Grokipedia][5])

**rLy Plot Logic & Sci-Fi Stretch**
Plot elements (e.g., how relics and rust survive centuries in space, or why no colony tech is shown) make less scientific sense and can pull viewers out of immersion. ([Reddit][6])

**rLy Underused Guest Characters**
Although Amelia Earhart is a compelling entry, her role recedes in the second half, and some feel the narrative squanders rich character potential. ([Wikipedia][2])

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## Efoa **Reception & Audience Response**

* IMDb users rate *The 37rCOs* around **7.3/10**, showing **mixed to positive** reception. ([IMDb][7])
* Critics are divided: some praise its ambition and emotional beats, others call it **gimmicky or uneven**. ([Wikipedia][2])
* Reddit discussions echo this split, with many fans **loving the emotional moments**, while others point out **plot holes or sci-fi leaps**. ([Reddit][8])

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## Efo+ **Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10**

**Why this score?**

* **Concept & Curiosity:** ryaryaryaryarya (4/5) rCo Historical sci-fi hook is intriguing.
* **Character & Theme:** ryaryaryaryarya (4/5) rCo Provocative choice about home vs. duty.
* **Execution:** ryaryaryaryarya (3/5) rCo Rushed pacing and some logic issues. * **Rewatch Value:** ryaryaryaryarya (3.5/5) rCo Warm moments and big ideas linger.

**Summary:**
*rCLThe 37rCOsrCY* is a **bold, high-concept Voyager episode** that mixes real-world mystery with Delta Quadrant exploration and emotional team dynamics. While it doesnrCOt completely flesh out every intriguing thread, it offers memorable moments rCo especially JanewayrCOs leadership and the crewrCOs reaffirmed commitment to their journey rCo making it a **worthwhile and thoughtful entry** early in *VoyagerrCOs* run. ([Wikipedia][2])

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If you want, I can outline the **key emotional and thematic beats scene by scene from the Chakoteya transcript**!

[1]: https://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/119.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Voyager Transcripts - The 37's"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_37%27s?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The 37's" [3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/voyager/comments/1ec6xqf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "S02E01 - The 37s - I'm devastated that Earhart didn't go with the crew"
[4]: https://trekcentral.net/star-trek-voyagers-the-37s-the-earhart-mystery/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek: Voyager's 'The 37s' & The Earhart Mystery rCo Trek Central"
[5]: https://grokipedia.com/page/The_37%27s?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The 37's" [6]: https://www.reddit.com/r/DaystromInstitute/comments/twu6dd?utm_source=chatgpt.com "In \"The 37's\" the fact that no one from the planet joins Voyager seems implausible."
[7]: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708976?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Star Trek: Voyager\" The 37's (TV Episode 1995) - IMDb"
[8]: https://www.reddit.com/r/voyager/comments/p1wchm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The 37s"
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