I felt like this episode needed the South Park guys to break in with a song about standing up for what you believe it, even it if violates the most basic laws of your culture. I admit when the episode opened with Paris being demoted and Jailed didn't really shock me, it was either going to be him or Torres someday. But when it turns out it was because he decided some fish people shouldn't be allowed to ruin their ocean world? Especially since his act of attacking one of their economic centers would have almost certainly not stopped the actions he was so worried about. Maybe if they had set up over a few seasons the idea that he really loves oceans but this was pretty much totally out of the blue. Also I kinda doubt Starfleet allows for 30 days solitary confinement. That is definitely getting into cruel and unusual territory.
We open as I mentioned with Tom being demoted and sentenced to the titular thirty days in the brig. He settles in pretty quick since this isn't is first stint. Neelix finds him working out when he shows up with food, but can't stay to talk as it would violate the captains orders. Paris decides to narrate a letter to his father explaining what happened. It seems they encountered a huge sphere of water without a planet. When they approached ships came out and started shooting but Janeway was able to talk some sense into them with the phasers. Two representatives beam to Voyager and after some getting comfortable admit that their waterworld is in trouble and they suspect that the answer lies in the center of the water drop. Paris volunteers to take the Flyer in with the fish peoples science representative and since he is for this episode obsessed with the ocean Janeway agrees. Seven, Kim, Paris and the fish guy fly in and find a huge generator at the core of the ocean. But something goes wrong and engines fail and they start springing leaks. Since it is their one shot though Paris keeps them there until they can get some temporary fixes on the ancient reactor and then they float to the surface.
Apparently the problems are being caused by oxygen harvesting by the fish people and Paris gets very upset about it in a meeting. Janeway tells him to fall in line but that night he has a talk with Torres. She tells him to follow his passion so he steals the Flyer and takes it in along with fish scientist guy. They decide to blow up the oxygen harvesters so Janeway has to shoot a torpedo at their missile. Janeway's plan works and Tom gets arrested. Cut to Tuvok letting him out 30 days later. Tom does finish his letter to his father though, but I suspect his dad won't see this as an act of protest so much as a really poor career move.
Review: I consider myself an environmentalist, but it is stunts like this that make people thing wanting to not destroy the planet makes you a wacko.
3 out of 10
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