Dinosaurs in space--this is the wacky premise of "Distant Origin," but the episode is anything but wacky. This is another masterpiece of #StarTrek storytelling, at once compelling the intellect, the imagination, and the emotions. And this is Why #Voyager #VOY25

Another Chakotay-centric story, the episode doesn't even feature our regular cast until 15 minutes in. Instead, we follow Professor Gagen and his research assistant as they track down and analyze the remains of a Voyager crew member who died in "Basics."

The story which unspools is high-concept--arguing that the Hadrosaur evolved into a space-fairing race, ending up in the Delta Quadrant--and its allegorical--pitting empirical research against the stiff doctrine of the state.

I am a Christian, devout and believing in the inerrancy of scripture, BUT a religion and person without open-minded inquiry isn't free to become their best selves. Organized religion which extinguishes natural curiosity to maintain political and social power is dangerous.

And that's why this episode is vital to the franchise and to any thinking person, whether religious or not.

Aside from the allegorical aspects of the story, the scope of the Voth ship is cinematic; their over-powering technology is even more startling than the Borg; the make-up is incredible and sparks the imagination; and, finally, Chakotay's speech at the end is inspiring and

entirely representative of #StarTrek humanism--that the struggle to progress is to be celebrated and valued--it might be the ultimate Star Trek ethos, paired with IDIC. And this is Why #Voyager.