Heroes and Demons

Episode Summary & Review

Summary

Stardate: 48693.2 Harry Kim disappears from the holodeck while roleplaying in his medieval holo novel, “Beowulf.” According to the characters, he died at the hands of a mystical beast called “Grendel.” When Chakotay and Tuvok investigate and also disappear, Janeway transfers the Doctor to the holodeck for his first Away Mission: to investigate/rescue the three vanished crewmembers. Kes encourages the Doctor to pick a name for himself and chooses Doctor Schweitzer. In the story, he survives fear, romance, and heartbreak to unmask the unlikely trespasser as a photonic alien life form taking the form of Grendel and turning missing crewmembers into energy.

Our Take

A fun showcase for the Doctor, who finally gets to be the hero instead of the complaint department. The Beowulf setting is thin and the alien explanation is hand-wavy, but Robert Picardo sells every moment, especially the awkward romance and his brief identity crisis over the name Schweitzer. Lightweight but charming, and worth it for fans of the hologram.