12 Darkest Star Trek: Voyager Moments Ever
7. Decision-Making And It's Mental Effects - Latent Image
In Latent Image, while conducting a routine medical examination of Harry Kim, the Doctor finds evidence of a two-year-old surgery he did not remember performing. The Doctor would know if he performed a surgery... right?
After investigating the events that led to his files being erased. While on an away mission, Harry Kim and Ensign Jetal were severely injured and the Doctor had to choose which one to save. He chose Harry and Ensign Jetal died. He was forced to make a decision which would not provide a happy ending for everyone involved.
His mental state deteriorated after the events, so Janeway had the memory files that contained those events erased. After learning this, the Doctor asks to have them reinstalled. When they are, his mental state once again deteriorates.
It's a dark moment, because the Doctor is wracked with guilt over his decision, and the effects it has on him is clear. His mental decline is tough to watch and the struggle for him to contain his emotions is clear. Knowing how badly it has affected the Doctor, Janeway who is watching him carefully, is left to wonder if he will climb out of the darkness in his mind.