Phlox was a member of the Hierarchy. While engaging in a reconnaissance mission in 2376, Phlox detected the USS Voyager, but instead of interfacing with its sensors, he interfaced with The Doctor instead. At the time, The Doctor was experiencing daydreams, which made Phlox believe that the exaggerated things The Doctor was thinking of were real. Phlox was played by actor Jay M. Leggett. The character's name inspired the naming of the Denobulan doctor of the same moniker. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 135, p. 22) Phlox's name comes from the script.