The Production GuideScript To Screen: Voyager's Return
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideThe final shooting script of Voyager's Return is dated 29th July 1974. There were blue page amendments on 31 July, with a yellow page on 6th August, and pink pages on 5th and 6th August. It started filming on Wednesday 7th August, but there were further pink pages on 16th August (day 8 of filming). The episode completed on 21st August, day 11 of filming.
In the 29th July script, Queller's alias is "Dr Ernst Linder". In the 31st July blue pages he is "Dr Lander". On the 5th August pink pages he is "Dr Linden".
On pages 14 to 16, we see Dr Linder (Queller) and Haines for the first time. The scene was filmed (on 19th August) but cut from the episode, as the following scene 40 (below) is a better introduction to the characters.
37. INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB 37
The experimental lab is a visually interesting area
where exotic research is carried out on Alpha.
Strange futuristic artefacts are suspended above
several individually marked out bays. Some are to do
with laser and light frequency experiments, others to do
with propulsion and automatic handling devices.
DR. ERNST LINDER, a tail, distinguished, elderly man,
is working with his assistant JIM HAINES, a younger
man of about 28. The relationship is one of easy
comradely respect for each other. They are working on
a piece of equipment.
LINDER is bent over the equipment peering at it. HAINES
is watching him.
LINDER turns to HAINES
HAINES
See what I mean? It should
function but it doesn't.
LINDER :
Hmmm, yes.
LINDER gives him a canny good-humoured look.
LINDER
Of course it couldn't be the
energy cell duct?
HAINES
No...
HAINES stops. A sheepish grin comes to his face.
HAINES
(smiles)
You know damn well it is.
LINDER
(poker faced)
It's only a suggestion.
HAINES
I know your suggestions...
(grins)
I'll get a new one.
HAINES walks away. LINDER looks after him, smiles
briefly.
ON HAINES
As he walks to the doors he passes HELENA who is on
her way in. They nod at each other.
ON HELENA
She comes up to LINDER who is meticulously attentive
to the job in hand.
HELENA
Doctor Linder...
LINDER nods at her. HELENA looks at him working for a
beat. LINDER stands back, then smiles at HELENA.
LINDER
Doctor Russell.
HELENA
I need your help. Computer
referred me to you. It seems
you're our resident expert
on fast neutrons.
LINDER
I have some small knowledge
of the subject. What is the
problem?
HELENA
An emergency situation. A
fast neutron source is
approaching us from space.
LINDER reacts;
HELENA (Cont'd.)
An early probe ship sent from
Earth.
LINDER reacts more strongly
HELENA
A Voyager class vessel.
Voyager One to be exact.
This has a peculiar effect on LINDER. His hands
convulsively clutch the end of the work bench.
LINDER
(whisper)
Voyager One..?
We then move to Main Mission to show Bergman briefly explaining how they will control the ship. On the 5th August pink pages, the line of Koenig is dropped; originally Bergman is less confident here.
We then have scene 40, which is the first we see of Queller and Haines on screen. In the script, scene 37 above had established Queller was aware of Voyager, and disturbed by it.
39 INT. MAIN MISSION 39
ON THE BIG SCREEN. S.FX.
Still pulling back until we are behind BERGMAN and
KOENIG who are watching the screen.
BERGMAN
The problem is to get access to the
computer's security codes and
get access to the command
circuit. If we can do that we
might get it to shut down the
drive and activate its
chemical rockets.
KOENIG
Without the security codes
what makes you think it will
obey?
BERGMAN
I don't, but we have to start
somewhere.
40. INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB.
HAINES comes into the Lab carrying a small box of
components. He moves down to where LINDER is sitting
at a desk drawing plans. HAINES is mad about some-
thing. He starts to unpack the box impatiently.
HAINES
(through the action)
You've heard there is a
Voyager ship out there?
LINDER is not really listening.
HAINES
Did you hear what I said?
LINDER
Yes...
HAINES
They're playing games with
the Queller Drive again.
LINDER is only half listening. His attention is on
the plans in front of him.
HAINES (Cont'd.)
Just like Voyager Two all over again.
LINDER reacts.
HAINES (Cont'd.)
They've trying to stop it...
shut down it's drive.
LINDER reacts.
LINDER
They can't do that!
LINDER suddenly turns away and walks off.
There is a slight change in the 5th August pink page version of this scene, with Haines quoting the line "They've forgotten everything and remembered nothing", usually mis-attributed to Talleyrand but adapted from a 1796 letter by Jacques Mallet du Pan.
HAINES
They're playing games with the Queller Drive.
LINDER is only half listening. His attention is on the plans
in front of him.
HAINES (cont'd)
Like Voyager Two all over again. They've
forgotten everything and remembered nothing.
Know what they're trying to do? They want to
stop it... shut down it's drive.
LINDER reacts.
LINDER
They can't do that!
Copyright Martin Willey