Written By: Kenneth Biller
Directed By: Alexander Singer
Rating: **** (out of 5)
The crew becomes very eager to play out this program, but as Tom soon finds out, much to his and the crew�s disappointment, the program isn�t finished.
At a staff meeting Janeway wants to discover who the author is, and it turns out it was Tuvok, who created the simulation as a security-training program in case the real Maquis did in fact decide to mutiny. Tuvok thought he got rid the program, obviously not, and believes the program should be fully deleted so as not to cause controversy. But Janeway believes that the program should be completed, much to his disapproval, she even tells Tuvok, �No offence, but, loosen up!�
Tom volunteers to complete the program and begins to incorporate plot enhancements that are extremely far fetched, and the crew have their own ideas for the plot. It�s enjoyable seeing how Tuvok reacts to Tom�s �Janeway manages to retake the ship and decides to execute the Maquis crewmembers,� and B�Elanna�s �Steamy love scene!�
Tuvok forces Tom to work with him to complete the program, and as they open up the holo-program for alteration, Voyager�s comm system disengages, the transporters go offline and a force field goes up around the holodeck that, when triggered, is rigged to explode to stop anyone entering the holodeck. Oh, and of course the holodeck safeties are switched off, duh!
Tom and Tuvok find themselves in a holo-brig near a holo-Seska who wants revenge against Tuvok for betraying her and the other Maquis crew.
Apparently the real Seska found the program, entitled appropriately; Insurrection Alpha, and saw it wasn�t complete so set up the rest of the program where she gets to kill Tuvok. The entire program is written so that no matter what happens, Tuvok, and supposedly anyone with him, would die.
Seska gives Tuvok and Tom an opportunity to run, giving her a chance to torture them, where they encounter Janeway who is killed by a �malfunctioning phaser,� a love struck Chakotay, and even a torturous Doctor who inoculates Tom with Acid and chokes Tuvok!
Janeway has only one option to save her crewmen and the ship, re-write the program herself, giving Tuvok and Tom help distinguishing a Plasma fire and re-writing Chakotays character in the hopes he will change Seska�s plan. She even manages to simulate an attack by alien ships on the holo-Voyager. I don�t know about the plausibility of re-writing the program in that way, but it�s a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
Eventually Seska is defeated by a �malfunctioning Phaser,� in a very smart move by Tuvok.
�Worst Case Scenario� is an episode that is essentially fluff. But it�s so much fun that it deserves a high rating. It has action and comedy all incorporated well into an original �holodeck malfunction� story, and it has Seska in it making it an episode that you must see!