"Virtuoso" is the 13th episode of the sixth season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, 133rd episode overall. It was aired on January 26, 2000.
Plot
Voyager encounters a slightly more technologically advanced race of people called the Qomar-- a race of people who measure at a maximum of 5 feet, who are minorly injured from a reaction to Voyager's engines. They appear to have enormous egos and dislike the Doctor simply for being a holographic entity. The Qomar become enthralled, after having initially dismissed him as a simple hologram, with the Doctor's ability to sing since they never conceived the concept of music. When the Doctor explains how music is used and how many others on the ship can use it naturally, the Qomar invite the crew to their homesystem--previously restricted to outsiders-- to solely learn more of music. The Voyager crew discover thousands of subspace channels encypted in many ways, and tons of traffic just above the homeworld. The Qomar decide to transmit his singing planet-wide, and make him a star. This accentuates his vanity, making him unpopular with his friends on Voyager. He asks to leave so he can pursue his music career on the planet. This causes more anger, as the crew believes they need his medical skills. The Doctor protests, even preparing Paris to take over his position. However, the aliens replace him with an upgraded singing hologram capable of a greater vocal range. The Doctor's hopes for a new life are dashed. In the end, the Doctor realizes they simply wanted him for his singing, not who he is as a sentient entity. The Voyager crew welcome him back.
Production
The shot of the Qomar homeworld is the same one previously used in the beginning of the episode "Year of Hell."
