Critical Care (Star Trek: Voyager)

"Critical Care" is the twenty-first episode of the seventh season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager.

In this episode, Voyager encounters a highly organized, yet ethically questionable, society that prioritizes healthcare based on social contribution and perceived value to the collective. The Doctor, Voyager's holographic medical officer, is kidnapped by this society to work within their automated and highly regulated medical system. He is initially impressed by the efficiency of the system but soon becomes disillusioned when he discovers its inherent biases and dehumanizing practices.

The plot revolves around The Doctor's struggle to reconcile his Hippocratic oath with the society's utilitarian approach to medicine, which often results in the neglect of patients deemed less valuable. He works to expose the flaws in the system and fights for the right of all individuals to receive adequate medical attention, regardless of their social standing or perceived worth.

Meanwhile, Captain Janeway and the Voyager crew search for The Doctor, navigating the complex social hierarchy and bureaucratic obstacles of this new civilization. They uncover the dark secrets that underpin the society's apparent medical utopia.

The episode explores themes of medical ethics, social responsibility, utilitarianism versus individualism, and the value of human life. It questions the potential consequences of prioritizing efficiency and societal contribution above compassion and individual needs in healthcare systems. The story also highlights The Doctor's ongoing development as a character and his increasing capacity for moral reasoning and independent thought.