When Seven became Seven: Celebrating 25 Years of "Human Error"

A woman sits in front of a piano and plays Chopin. Her blonde locks and delicate hands reveal her to be none other than Seven of Nine. In this character-specific episode, the audience is drawn in by the human features of Seven fully displayed as she disregards her Borg implants while on the holodeck. We see Seven wear several unique outfits of choice, along with different hairstyles, showcasing her experiments in fashion, makeup and styling. Without The Doctor's help, Seven takes it upon herself to spend hours in the holodeck forming a program specifically designed by her and for her. Written by Brannon Braga, André Bormanis and Kenneth Biller, and directed by Allan Kroeker this season 7 episode 18 stars Jeri Ryan as our beloved Seven of Nine. Airing on March 7, 2001, we see Seven of Nine donning a stunning red dress and her hair styled like an Old Hollywood starlet becoming fully human with nothing to lose, but a plethora to gain. Let us take a look at the tender humanist beauty of Voyager's Human Error on the 25th Anniversary of its airing...

                                     "Red. The child you spoke of...the girl. Her favorite color was red." 

               Seven of Nine speaking of her childhood favorite color in "The Gift" (season 4 episode 2) 

In this character driven saga comprised of 45 minutes, the episode begins with Seven playing a piano with her Borg implants removed. She sits in a warmly decorated room, with a classical bust upon a table and Tudor-era windows which view a snowy outdoors. Following the credits, we see Seven again but in the mess hall, apparently at Lieutenet B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris' baby shower. She shows herself as an expert conversationalist and shares a meaningful moment with Captain Janeway whereupon the Captain remarks "All I did was chart the course. You're the one who made the journey." The two discuss that Seven's Borg implants have been removed and Seven humbly requests a Starfleet uniform and the Captain suggests giving Seven her own quarters as well. Commander Chakotay then steps in and asks Seven to share a few remarks to the expecting couple. After a few smiles, everyone pauses but Seven and the words "bridge to Seven of Nine" are said by Captain Janeway who is on the bridge. It is revealed that the scene with Seven is holodeck program and she has been spending time on there to work on her social skills and humanity. This sets the tone for the episode to be one of Seven exploring herself to a length that has not been charted yet. 

Promotional picture of Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran) 

from "Human Error"

When you truly think about what transpires in this episode, you must take into consideration Seven's growth and change in attitude in "Unimatrix Zero" (season 6 episode 26 and season 7 episode 1). In the dreamscape realm of Unimatrix Zero she was reintroduced to a long-lost love named Axum. They had been together in the dream realm for six years during her time as a Borg, and in that time she was introduced to the feelings of romantic love. Sadly as the Borg Queen gained knowledge of this dreamscape, Unimatrix Zero was destroyed, along with any future whereabouts of Axum. Thus, it seemed Seven was alone again...but was she? 

Throughout the saga of "Human Error" we see Seven of Nine truly express her own individuality in a way that she had not done before. Starting first in light purple top with her hair coiffed in a pony tail she later dons a smart science-level Starfleet uniform climaxing to a stunning red dress with her hair down. In the meantime, Voyager is traveling through a weapons testing field which gives the viewer sole focus on Seven and not the other characters. The episode gives just enough screentime towards both plots which do not overshadow eachother. A scene in Astrometrics touches on Seven wanting to improve her social skills when invited to the real baby shower for B'Elanna and Tom. The latter chides a crass joke "what's the problem Seven? No baby showers in the collective?"

Back on the holodeck, we see Seven talking to a hologram of Neelix about expressing her interest in decorating her new quarters. Seven is wearing a Starfleet uniform perfectly tailored showing her growth and maturity (proof that she truly deserved a Starfleet uniform in her final season.) The kindly Talaxian suggests she add nic-nacs and she suggests a picture of her parents she desires to place in a frame. Suddenly, a chime on the door rings. It is revealed to be a romantically interested hologram of Chakotay. (As a side note, an audience member I do wish Seven had been given her own quarters at this point, along with a well-earned Starfleet uniform.) Chakotay and Seven immediately click and the chemistry skyrockets. In lieu of telling the real man of her feelings, Seven found it best to use a hologram of him. When tackling the subject of romance and Seven of Nine, the Voyager writers handled it wholsomely and respectful to her idiosyncrasies. Holo-Chakotay gives her a dreamcatcher where she replies with a thank-you and notes that she has taken interest in Native American mythology. The two begin to share flirtatious banter, with holo-Chakotay insisting he call her by his name since they are off-duty, but she instead calls him "sir" (we later see a similar banter between the two in "Endgame"). Seven tells holo-Chakotay of her interest in culinary science and invites him to "assess" her work, hence a date. He agrees and we see Seven smirk and a spark in her eyes that again, we have not seen before. 

In the midst of all this, we have a scene between Seven and The Doctor where he inquires as to her missing so many regeneration cycles which is taking a toll on her health. She asks if he can extract a component which has been bothering her and he comments that she has to keep her Borg implants if she wishes to maintain her health. She says the misses sleep cycles are for "research" she is conducting and relents how her personal life should not be his concern. The Doctor taken aback replies "I wasn't aware you had a personal life". This is an important factor for both characters as The Doctor had been the one to teach Seven social skills, whereupon he had actually fallen in love with her in "Someone To Watch Over Me" (season 5 episode 22). Now he had to let those feelings go and allow her to come full circle into her individuality. 

Holo-Chakotay gives Seven a dreamcatcher 

Seven looking ever-so professional in Starfleet uniform 

Later that day Seven is approached by Icheb who has arrived in Astrometrics to relieve her of duty because The Doctor wants her to regenerate. We then see Seven in front of her alcove contemplating regenerating but she decides to go down to Engineering instead. She approaches the real B'Elanna (who is yet again dealing with engineering issues) giving her a baby gift as she missed the baby shower and asks a question on hairstyling. In this out-of-character moment, B'Elanna looks at Seven as if she were crazy and Seven elaborates on B'Elanna's "appealing coiffure". Seven leaves and Ensign Harry Kim and B'Elanna look at eachother like that was not Seven but an "alien intruder". We transition over to Seven making modifications to the holodeck which sweeps us into the most beautifully mature and womanly manner Seven has thus appeared. 

When she walks up to the mirror to see herself we see a sense of pride in her eyes as she stands in her own quarters. Her room is dimly lit with fuchsia and blue highlights. A stunning image of a star cluster also hangs on her walls. As Seven looks at herself she sweeps her hair to the side as she is dripped in red from shoulder to toe. The red velour dress worn in this episode was one of the most sensual yet becoming dress shown in a romantic setting. As the scene progresses holo-Chakotay arrives and both of them share a few flirtations as they begin cooking in her state-of-the-art kitchen. He comments on the music softly playing in the backdrop and it is revealed Seven has an interest in music, most notably Chopin. The courting between the two and romantic aesthetic of the evening was something rare to see on television. Most series would skip such pleasantries and go down a rabbit hole of negativity or unnecessarily sexualize them. However, Voyager did not. As the evening cascades, Seven stops what she is doing and takes ahold of holo-Chakotay's face and comments "remain still" followed by you have an intriguing facial structure" (which is so very Seven of Nine to say). As she explored his face and tenderly touched it, her innocent inquisitive nature truly showed where most of the time she was stern, cool and directly to the point. We then prepare ourselves for the grand moment in which Seven kisses holo-Chakotay and the two hold eachother in a loving embrace. She hears a metal sound and he asks "what's wrong" whereupon she replies "nothing". The scene fades like an Old Hollywood film and cuts to black. 

That unforgettable moment...

The next scene shows Seven waking up beside holo-Chakotay after a most certainly enjoyable yet visibly modest evening, Seven is called to duty by the real Chakotay. Prior to this we see her experiencing a nightmare in which various scenes of her on the holodeck, but an even more riveting one as we see Seven walking up to a mirror in her red dress, but the image she sees is herself as a Borg. As we see her walking through the corridor placing her hair up in her infamous French twist, she reports to duty at Astrometrics. The real Chakotay asks if everything is alright....which if only he knew. Icheb makes a coy remark whereupon Seven relieves him and goes back to the holodeck. 

The next scene between holo-Chakotay and Seven of Nine is the same setting we had scene in the intro of the episode. Seven is shown in a dark turtleneck shirt with her hair coiffed in a 1960s style headband. Holo-Chakotay sits besides her as she pridefully plays Chopin. He comments how he expected "chopsticks" and "had no idea" she was so good. He asks she next play one of his favorites: Of Foreign Lands and People: Dreams from Childhood by Robert Schumann (which I highly reccommend a listen). He sees her lean on the metronome for order and how it cuts off her musicality and individuality. Of all the scenes that stood out to me in this episode it would be this one. He tells her to stop and add "more of herself" to the piece instead of the order of the metronome. She starts to play without its ticking and she starts to make 'human errors' and doubts herself. He asks her what she is feeling and she replies "my tempo is erratic" and he responds by saying not what you are thinking...what are you feeling. Seven starts getting anxious and reaches to use to the metronome again and he stops her. He tells her to rely on her emotions and not the Borg-like order of the uniform interval. Being a dancer I could connect to this scene as comparing dancing "on" the music verses dancing "with" the music. It was a great metaphor that sometimes we must let go of a regiment and elaborate on our own unique interpretations. This scene between holo-Chakotay and Seven was additionally special because it touched on holo-Chakotay reminding  Seven of her disconnect from the Hive Mind and how it "terrified" her. She begins to play free from the metronome adding her own intervals in the music and the two share sweet romantic glances as strings culminate in the backdrop of the music she is playing. It was a beautiful scene between the two that truly touched on the humanist viewpoint of Star Trek, removed from the techno-babble, Starfleet and aliens. Not long after Seven hit her stride in playing she received a call from the bridge wondering why she had not been at her post as Voyager traveled through an active mine field. She had been caught. 

Promotional picture of Seven of Nine beside her piano 

A visibly shaken Seven returns to her post at Astrometrics where she starts making mistakes in the codes and Captain Janeway is completely dissatisfied. The two women meet in the Captain's quarters where Janeway tries to understand what Seven has been up to which caused her to be in the holodeck for "forty-nine hours in six days". Seven responds with a lie, a very 'human error' to make. She states she has been working on a gravimetric array, which Janeway states she would like to see. Seven returns to Astrometrics where she is chided by Icheb and she states she must "correct an error". The audience can feel what is coming as Seven holds a culmination of shame, despair and grief. 

As the episodes starts to close, Seven looks at the dreamcatcher hanging on her wall as she returns back to her holographic quarters and blows out some candles. Holo-Chakotay returns and gives Seven "Antarian moon blossoms" only for him to be rebuked by a timid and cold Seven. She states she is ending their relationship and we hear that familiar metal sound from when she had kissed him earlier. Seven's emotions come to a halt and holo-Chakotay compares her "backing away" to hiding behind the metronome earlier. Seven replies with her usual "it's irrelevant" when he responds "real intimacy with another person...nothing's more relevant." For the first time, Seven is heartbroken. She states "the ship needs me" and he replies "so do I!". As holo-Chakotay tries to stop her from making the mistake of ending them, she walks away and begins to call for The Doctor as her cordial node shuts down. The next scene shows her on the ground and The Doctor realizes her lack of Borg implants and the image of Chakotay is all a holo-program. Hence, the reason why she had missed so many regeneration cycles. 

Scenes from Seven's quarters. Note the dreamcatcher Chakotay had given her.

After her collapse, everything comes to a halt when Seven awakens in sickbay and sees The Doctor above her. She tells The Doctor that she "has been conducting simulations" to better her social skills and how Commander Chakotay seemed "like an appropriate" choice in romance due to his "admirable qualities". Instead of judgement and humor, we get a tender side of The Doctor who encourages Seven in her steps in regaining her humanity and even says that her quarters suited herself. This moment showed, that although The Doctor had unrequited feelings for Seven, he did not let that erode his assessment of the situation nor shame Seven in a moment that she never intended on going public showed a sweet and thoughtful touch. Seven closes off The Doctor's compliments on her trying to regain her experiences and emotions from "Unimatrix Zero" and she returns to work. Meanwhile, the B-plot of the episode comes to an end with Seven helping the crew get through the active mind field in space and regaining her previously revoked transporter control. Yet again, she proves herself to be the efficient Seven of Nine from before.  

Seven and holo-Chakotay argue

Upon helping the crew, Seven retires to her cargo bay whereupon The Doctor solemnly arrives and tells her the reason why her cordial node shut down. She asks if he can repair her and he informs her The Borg design all cordial nodes to shut down after a drone regains the emotions of love, the greatest of all feelings. For the storyline to conclude that the Borg had put a fail safe in each drone to prevent them from love, the greatest emotion of all was very impactful. As The Doctor poetically states why The Borg did it is because "finding one's heart is the surest road to individuality". After Seven's realization that being in a relationship would kill her, she punishes herself by refusing a surgery The Doctor plans to help her. She tells The Doctor "they were only holographic fantasies....an insufficient use of my time" where he replies "you don't really believe that". And deep down, he was right - it was the Borg talking - not her. The pain in her voice and expression says it all. She bids The Doctor goodnight and the subject is closed. 

As the episode would come to a close, the real Chakotay chases Seven down the corridor and asks her on a cooking date with the crew. Being frightful and ashamed to say what had previously just happened, she turns it down with a saddened stare. He replies "you should try socializing with the crew a bit more...it would do you some good". As he walks away, she looks at him and turns just as he goes to look at her - giving hope that one day they might end up together. The scene cuts to black and the episode is concluded. 

Like two ships passing in the night, Chakotay and Seven glance at eachother as they both walks away

If you have finished Voyager, you of course will know that Chakotay and Seven DID end up together and like all of Voyager's characters received a happy conclusion in "Endgame" (season 7 episode 25). Some people may not know this, but "Human Error" was written as a precursor to the series finale of Voyager in which Seven would pursue the real Chakotay in the finale and sacrifice herself knowing she could never be with him. Some of the writers felt that Seven was never meant to go home to Earth as she had essentially belonged to the Delta Quadrant. As a fan of the series and an even bigger fan of the character development of Seven of Nine, I am relieved they did not go this route. Much how I feel about the ending of Eleven's character in Stranger Things, Seven dying in Voyager's finale would have not made me want to rewatch the series knowing all that character development was in vain. In fact, one could argue that "Human Error" truly captured the character of Seven and WHY she needed to reach Earth. She had her whole life ahead of her with hope, someone who loved her and a family who would never abandon her. Keeping Voyager - and Seven's conclusion positive was exactly how it needed to end. 

On a personal note, I would like to add that out of all the episodes in Voyager - and the Star Trek franchise, I felt most connected to "Human Error".  It was riveting, inspiring and showed a futuristic aspect of a woman growing into herself with no apology. This character-driven episode became more than just Seven's magnum opus, it was her very essence as a character and her final walk through the threshold of humanity. We saw her experience a vast array of emotions, express her femininity with no bounds and even make decisions the audience knows she'll regret. In this, I saw myself in Seven when I began to grow into myself and let go of negativity that tried to prevent me from doing so. After the agony of reclaiming her individuality which was stolen from her childhood and early youth, I understood this aspect of Seven of Nine. She, like me had been a victim who became a survivor. Seven did not wallow in her past, she moved forward with conviction. No one could be her and she only wanted to be herself. 

Additionally the music choices in the episode are beautifully selected. The holodeck scenes paired with music from the Romantic period is perfect. Most notably, Chopin's Nocturne in E minor, Op 72 and Schumann's Kinderszenen "Of Foreign Lands and People: Scenes from Childhood" stand out as timeless selections. As a ballet dancer, the use of Chopin especially made me feel as I was apart of an adagio, slowly and beautifully culminating into something poetic. 

Seven's femininity and strength in this episode was something so powerful to me when I watched it my high-school years and continue to watch post-college. The proudness in her uniform and happiness in finding someone who understood her was beautifully composed. As a trauma survivor, watching Seven timidly take ahold of herself and choose what she wanted in her human life made me feel seen. Jeri Ryan did a phenomenal job with the material given and played Seven with great grace and reverence in this culmination of her character. The writers of Voyager made a beautiful script when composing this episode and out of all the Voyager episodes, I find it most underrated in its final season. I understand that certain fans who did not like the pairing between Seven and Chakotay were turned off because they wanted the latter with someone else on the ship. However I think as a viewer one needs to put that aside even if they feel that way because this episode is not just a romantic story - it is a human story. It is a story of a woman who decides to create a life for herself, even if for a short time where she is happy and can truly be herself with no judgement. Being twenty-five years old now, this episode timelessly shines. When looking for a character-driven episode in Star Trek, look no further than "Human Error". It truly takes you on a journey into finding oneself, the mistakes you make along the way and the hope that you will receive what you utmost desire.  

"You look perfect."

Indeed she was.