10 Best Star Trek: Voyager Episodes
7. Distant Origin
Distant Origin is the series' take on other worlds' theories of evolution. The Voth species represent the humanity of the middle-ages, struggling to accept facts that go against accepted doctrine. Thanks to the fundamentalism that governs their society, Professor Gegen faces humiliation and ruin in the name of protecting doctrine.
Chakotay serves as his witness, even though he is initially kidnapped by the man. Together, they begin to understand each other, with the Starfleet officer going so far as to fight Gegen's corner in the final trial. However, in this scenario, Gegen is Gallileo here, with the Voth council being the Catholic Church. He is forced to recant his findings, promising never to attempt to publish them again.
The episode features a race that has descended from the Dinosaurs on Earth, though the majority of them absolutely refuse to believe this. It also contains what was, at that point, one of the largest vessels in all of science fiction. The Voth City Ship was six miles long, dwarfing Voyager and becoming the largest ship in Star Trek, beating the previous record-holder - V'Ger.
It is a somewhat sad ending, as the science of the man loses to the opiate of the masses. Voyager itself makes a lucky escape, never again encountering the species.