Ep 18. Ashes to Ashes

When a long-lost crew member of the USS Voyager suddenly reappears after years of being presumed dead, Captain Janeway and her team are left with more questions than answers. Ensign Lyndsay Ballard was a member of Voyager's crew when she was killed on an away mission several years earlier. But when the Voyager receives a distress signal from the Delta Quadrant, they discover that Ballard is alive and living among a group of aliens.

Janeway and the team are thrilled to see Ballard alive and well, but they quickly realize that something is amiss. Ballard is no longer the same person they remember, and she seems to have turned her back on everything that Voyager stood for. She has joined the group of aliens, and she is completely devoted to their cause. The rest of Voyager's crew must unravel the mystery of what happened to Ballard and why she is no longer the same person they knew.

As the team delves deeper into Ballard's story, they uncover a sinister plot that threatens the safety of the entire crew. When Ballard originally disappeared, she was taken captive by a group of aliens who were experimenting on her and manipulating her mind. They tried to turn her into one of their own, and although she resisted at first, she eventually succumbed to their influence. Now, Ballard is completely devoted to their cause, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to help them achieve their goals.

Janeway and her team are determined to save Ballard, but they soon realize that they may not have the power to break the alien's hold on her. Ballard is committed to the group, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to help them succeed. As Voyager races to stop the aliens from carrying out their deadly plan, they must also find a way to reach Ballard and bring her back into the fold.

"Ashes to Ashes" is a gripping episode that explores the themes of loyalty, manipulation, and redemption. The story is well-crafted, and the viewer is kept guessing until the very end. Janeway and the Voyager crew are at their best in this episode, as they struggle to save a lost member of their team and prevent a catastrophic disaster. The actors all give strong performances, with attention given to the character development of Lyndsay Ballard, who must confront her own demons and come to terms with the person she has become.

Overall, "Ashes to Ashes" is a great episode of Star Trek: Voyager that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It is a testament to the show's ability to tell compelling stories and create compelling characters, even in its later seasons. For fans of the series, this episode is a must-watch, and for those who are new to Star Trek, it is a great place to start.