MEDICAL LOGS

VIS A VIS
Season 4 : Episode 88

 

DOCTOR'S LOG:

An alien giving his name as Steth is brought aboard where Paris enjoys spending time helping him to repair his engine - an unusual type featuring coaxial warp drive. But it turns out that the alien has the ability to make selective DNA exchange and, being on the run from the Benthan authorities, uses it to exchange bodies with others to attain a series of disguises. He swaps bodies with Paris then with Janeway. When he is finally apprehended by Daelen, another alien with whom "Steth" swapped bodies, the body exchanges are corrected in Sickbay and "Steth" taken into custody.

MEDICAL PERSONNEL:

Paris' Sickbay training is voluntary (but expected), but he has been missing shifts. When Paris, actually "Steth" in Paris' body, shows up early for his shift, the Doctor sets him this work, but "Steth" gets out of it (see the Doctor's response to his excuse in DOCTOR'S QUOTE): "Begin with a thorough biobed diagnostic. I want you to recalibrate each physiosensor, making sure to enter every metabolic referrant precisely. When you're through with that, run a protein structure analysis and then continue your review of the thirty-seven steps of a cardio-pulmonary reconstruction procedure."

DOCTOR'S QUOTE:

To Paris/"Steth": "It all makes sense to me now: the misplaced aggression, the shirking of responsibilities - all classic signs of an inferiority complex. I had no idea my superior abilities were affecting your psyche so strongly. Take the rest of the day off. Reflect on your strengths. Realise your worth."