Date: October 7, 2020

Season 2, Episodes 23, 24, and 25

Musical Accompaniment: iTunes, iTunes, and more iTunes.

Interstellar News: Good news came this morning but then the internet crashed and it’s been a weird day since.

“The Thaw” in TL;DR: Neelix takes Voyager to a planet that was a major trading spot but it’s uninhabited. There was a terrible accident but an automated message explains they should have been working on rebuilding starting four years ago. They find five people in stasis hooked up to an artificial mental landscape, but two of them are dead. Torres and Kim go in to investigate why they have not come out and it’s almost like Lwaxana’s holodeck program, it’s a circus. They’re captured by the townsfolk and Kim’s almost beheaded when the three survivors come to their aid and explain the head clown, fear, has kept them from leaving because he doesn’t want to end his life. The clown lets Torres leave but keeps Kim as a hostage, Janeway sends the EMH in so as not to risk any more human life. Torres tries something but it gets one of the other hostages killed, so Janeway gives the Clown an offer he can’t refuse… her for the other hostages. The Clown accepts, but it was a ruse and they shut down the program.

Favorite Quote:

The Clown: Well, you certainly know how to bring a party to a halt.

EMH: I don’t get out very much.

The Clown: I bet.

The clown having his party spoiled by the Doctor.

“All we have to do now is decide how to negotiate with an emotion.”: This was such a bananas episode right up until the end. Of course Voyager has to help, it’s the Starfleet way, but Kim and Torres can’t figure out what’s wrong so they enter and realize quickly they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. The clown, the manifestation of their collective fears, is absolutely fantastic and continues the theme of something wanting to live and survive. This again reminds me of the plot line in Eureka where an artificial town was set up, but this time there was an unexpected consequence and Fear took over their existence. I hated so much that Torres wasn’t able to make it in time and one more person died because of the artificial program. It’s a good lesson in unintended consequences. Janeway’s solution and the EMH’s interference were two highlights of this episode, but the biggest one was the performance of the Clown. It was a fantastic way to end the episode and I just don’t know what else I could have asked for, aside from everyone living. 9 supreme bagel bites for this episode.

“Tuvix” in TL;DR: Tuvok and Neelix are on a planet gathering samples of flowers that might be nutritious. When they are beamed up, however, there’s an accident and they are merged into one person who asks to go by ‘Tuvix’. One of the flowers caused symbiogenesis, merging the two men and it, creating this new species. They are able to recreate the accident with flowers but are unable to separate them, so it’s possible Tuvix must stay in this new, merged form forever. The EMH continues to work on it while Tuvix finds his place on the ship. Two weeks later the EMH and Kim come up with a plan, but Tuvix does not want to stop existing. Janeway believes it’s her decision and, after the Doctor will not perform the procedure against Tuvix’s will, she splits them in two.

Favorite Quotes:

Tuvok: We are not here to have fun. We are here to collect samples.

Neelix: Why, is there some regulation that says we can’t do both at the same time?

I mean, Neelix does have a point.

Janeway’s Jam: “Do we accept that we’re separated from our loved ones forever, or do we hold onto the hope that someday we’ll be with them again?”

“I suppose it would be like trying to extract the flour, eggs and water after you’ve baked the cake.”: The thing that bugs me the most is how the episode ends. How do Tuvok and Neelix feel about the separation? Did they remember anything? Did everything get divided okay… like does Tuvok like Kes and does Neelix have the hots for T’Pel? Everything else about this episode was so riveting. I mean I knew Tuvix wouldn’t stay together forever, I’ve seen the Season 3 senior staff photo, but I didn’t realize there would be so much time between when the accident happened and when a solution was found. It was a very human touch that the EMH refuses to perform the procedure and he quotes the Hippocratic Oath. I’m not entirely sure who suffers more in this episode, Kes or Janeway. Kes has lost her boyfriend and mentor in one moment… but they are still sort of there, not letting her have time to really grieve for either of them. Janeway has to make a really fucking difficult decision based on what she thinks Tuvok and Neelix would want. Again, we don’t get to see how they react after the separation… only how fucking awful she felt at having to do what she thought needed to be done. Watching Tuvix plead to Kes and the rest of the bridge was awful but powerful. I’m so torn I can’t rate this episode, the ending was such a letdown but the rest was quite compelling. I mean, it’s not every day a flower makes a person out of two people.

“Resolutions” in TL;DR: Janeway and Chakotay were infected with a serious disease that the EMH can find no cure for, but they’re safe on the planet for some unknown reason. Janeway decides to transfer command to Tuvok while she and Chakotay figure out a cure. They are given everything they need for an extended camping trip but it’s unsaid they might be there forever. Voyager moves out of communications range right after Janeway says goodbye. She gets to work on trying to find a cure while Chakotay builds stuff in order to make their house a home. They encounter a monkey and, after a storm, realize that they’re likely going to be on the planet for a very, very, very, very long time. Meanwhile, on Voyager, Tuvok is doing wonderfully but the rest of the crew won’t give up and want to go to the Vidiians for help. He finally gives in but is prepared for an attack, which is exactly what happens. Dr. Pel, however, beams them over some medicine and Tuvok is able to get them the hell out of dodge and back to the planet in time to heal Janeway and Chakotay.

Favorite Quote:

Chakotay: If your tomatoes could spare you for a minute, I’d like your opinion on something in the house.

Janeway: Well, you’ve come to the right person. I always have an opinion.

Chakotay: Really?

Chakotay engaging in some sarcasm.

” I can’t sacrifice the present waiting for a future that may never happen.”: Well this was a hell of an episode. I’ll start with Tuvok and the events on Voyager. Tuvok makes a fine captain and handles things very professionally with a very emotional Kim. Kes gets him to see that this is what the crew needs so he says fine, but they MUST be vigilent The battle drills come in handy, Tuvok explains the plan perfectly, and it is executed flawlessly. I’m glad the EMH remembered you can’t beam stuff in or out when the shields are up, because sometimes that doesn’t happen. On the planet, Janeway geeks out over being a science nerd again and she’s so focused she forgets they also need to live there for quite some time. Chakotay, on the other hand, can’t help with the science but does whatever he can to make her life better. He builds her a tub, a headboard, and starts on a boat before they are rescued. There’s some sexual tension between them and Chakotay all but declares his love for Janeway, but whatever happened on the planet stays on that planet because they’re all business when they return to the ship. I love how well they work together and I’m curious if this will go anywhere. 9 absolutely adorable kittens curled up in the most precious of sleeping positions.

TA Out!

Date: October 6, 2020

Season 2, Episode 22

Musical Accompaniment: More of my iTunes mix

Interstellar News: Was hoping for some good news today, but it’s been delayed until tomorrow. I’m truly hoping my nerves last that long. I’m sorry my reviews have been so light lately.

TL;DR: Voyager is making contact with a private race called the Drayans, hoping to make friends, and several shuttles are doing recon. Tuvok and Bennet crash, Bennet dies, and Tuvok meets three little kids who are scared. The kids say they were taken there to die and Tuvok is determined to protect them until he has more information. Janeway, unfortunately, runs into issues with the Drayan leaders who are less than cooperative. In the end it’s Tuvok, one of the children, Janeway and Paris, and the Drayan leaders all on one of the moons where it turns out to be The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or “The Counter-Clock Incident” and the child is actually 96 and at the end of her life cycle. Tuvok helps her while Janeway and the Drayan leader make amends.

Favorite Quote:

Tuvok: I have four children. Now you must concentrate.

Corin: What are they like?

Tuvok: Well behaved.

Dad Tuvok pulling no punches.

“We often fear what we do not understand. Our best defense is knowledge.”: Daddy Tuvok is absolutely adorable, though he does forget that Tressa is not a Vulcan child when he hands her a phaser. The parts of the episode that focus on Tuvok show us more of the Vulcan he is and how wonderful of a father and mentor he can be. It’s unfortunate that they chose to liken being childlike to having Alzheimer’s or Dementia, but I understand they were just trying to get the audience to understand something that is clearly alien. What I don’t get is why, at the end, Tressa suddenly remembered her grandson? Janeway tried her best to be diplomatic and, in the end, it worked for her because they were able to come to an understanding. It shows how much two different cultures can learn from each other if they just listen, but tradition sometimes gets in the way. Overall a very strong Tuvok episode and another friend made in the DQ. 7 Oreo milkshakes for this episode.

TA Out!

Date: October 5, 2020

Season 2, Episode 21

Musical Accompaniment: An instrumental version of The Nightmare Before Christmas

Interstellar News: Another Monday filled with catching up from the weekend’s emails and last minute work.

“Deadlock” in TL;DR: Wildman goes into labor and, after a small complication, she delivers a baby girl. They’re heading toward Vidiian territory so Paris takes them through a plasma drift but something happens and engineering is suddenly overwhelmed with casualties and there’s a leak in the mess hall. The baby dies, Kim gets spaced, Kes disappears into a rift, and Voyager is being bombarded by proton bursts. Janeway leave the bridge and we pan to a second Voyager where Janeway #2 saw herself leave. Their ship is totally fine and no one has died or been injured in anyway, in fact they are the ones who have Kes because of a spacial scission. They eventually make contact with each other, Janeway talks to Janeway #2, and Janeway prime decides to blow up her ship so the other ship can survive. Unfortunately the Vidiians board Voyager #2 and start taking over the crew for their organs, so Janeway #2 sends Kim and baby Wildman over to Voyager prime and she self-destructs, causing Voyager #2 and the Vidiian ship to explode.

Favorite Quotes:

Paris: This is ridiculous. It’s been seven hours. How long does it take to deliver a baby?

Janeway: As long as it takes, Mr. Paris.

Tuvok: Indeed. During the birth of our third child, my wife was in labor for 96 hours.

Kim: Four days?

Tuvok: I have learned that pregnancy and patience go hand in hand.

Paris being obtuse, Janeway being understanding, Tuvok being Tuvok, and Kim proving he knows math.

Doctor’s Orders: “I am programmed to be heroic when the need arises.”

“Mr. Kim, we’re Starfleet officers. Weird is part of the job.”: Let me start off by saying I don’t buy for a minute that only Kim and the baby died with all of the damage Voyager prime took. I hate that they couldn’t send more than a few people through the rift, but you also don’t want doubles floating around. I mean look what happened with Tom Riker. At the same time, it’s a nice way to double the crew. Despite that, this was a fun way to show how each set of circumstances turned out differently when one thing was changed. This reminds me of Sliding Doors where the main character’s life takes two different paths but eventually winds up having to make the same decision twice.

I did love the smooth transition between Voyager prime and the second one, because after all the devastation I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I am so very glad Wildman is able to be a mother and that baby will have a village to raise it. I’m also glad we get to see more of Harry Kim because he’s still just so green and needs more life experience. I also think it’s wonderful that you can tell just how bad of a time Voyager is having by Janeway’s hairstyle and facial expressions. One of the best moments was when they were talking about Torres… “well MY B’Elanna”, it was just fantastic. There were so many shocks, twists, and turns, this episode totally kept my attention. From the devastation on the first ship to the Vidiians coming out of left field and taking out Tuvok, Paris, and the others. The EMH doing everything possible to protect the baby, Kim doing a damn barrel roll and kicking some Vidiian ass, and finally the smug ass look Janeway #2 has on her face once the Vidiians come onto the bridge and see the ship is about to explode. Lots of good stuff which calls for 8 bowls of Raisin Bran with extra raisins and oat milk.

TA Out!

Date: October 4, 2020

Season 2, Episode 20

Musical Accompaniment: An instrumental mix I have on my iTunes.

Interstellar News: I did so much yesterday that I have no energy left for today.

TL;DR: Neelix debuts “A Briefing with Neelix” because he’s also apparently a journalist now. Paris is leaving Voyager to join a Talaxian convoy but it’s almost immediately attacked by the Kazon and he’s taken prisoner. Neelix digs around and finds out there’s a traitor and it’s Paris, except Tuvok and Janeway already knew there was a traitor and Paris has been acting the past several months in order to flush out the real traitor, who is later revealed to be Jonas. Neelix and Jonas find themselves along in engineering as Jonas tries to disable Voyager, but Neelix foils him and eventually Jonas falls to his death. Paris returns and apologizes to everyone, including Chakotay, and the EMH is promised a segment the next day.

Favorite Quote:

EMH: In the interest of time, I’m willing to forgo my story on the adrenal gland. I will concentrate instead on my latest idea. The Klingon glottis, friend or foe?

Considering there’s only one Klingon on board, I’m sure this will get roaring reviews… /s

“It’s the job of a journalist to be independent.“: Neelix’s show is a nice change of pace, but I do hope they don’t continue it. Neelix already wears too many hats and this would be adding yet another. He’s great at showing his love through food and trying to be the ship’s eternal optimist and he’s excellent at being the DQ guide when they need him to be, but journalist doesn’t quite make sense for him. It’s interesting that he breaks the case open in a few days when Tuvok has been looking for weeks, but Tuvok is stymied by logic and experience. Sometimes you have to look at something from a completely new perspective in order to ask the “right” question. I also loved that the EMH was first very apprehensive and then got super excited about sharing his medical knowledge and hearing himself talk.

The meat of this episode deals with the end of two subplots that we’ve seen over the last few episodes: Paris and Jonas. Paris was seen in a downward spiral with no apparent reason, though it’s made clear that was all a ruse. I understand why Tuvok and Janeway didn’t want to include Chakotay, but the reason they gave is absolute bullshit. He committed to doing this the Starfleet way right at the top of the beginning of the series, and it would make sense for him to leave to want to “rescue” Seska and his child from the Kazon or maybe even join them because he’s sick of Janeway’s bullshit. It’s a better story than making Paris be the resident fuck up and maybe they flush out the traitor before anything bad happens this way. For me, I’m still unsure why Jonas decided to betray the rest of the crew and I’m going to continue to be disappointed. Oh well, it could have been worse. 5 overly stuffed burritos smothered in cheese for this one.

TA Out!