*
One of the pitfalls of setting a Star Trek show away from home is that great difficulties result in exploring the full impact of any given story on a character. Most character building is based on character alone, but when that character is separated from most of what gives that character meaning, there is a necessary limiting effect.
What I mean to say here is the character of Tom Paris suffered the most from being adrift in the Delta Quadrant. The Maquis members of the crew had redemption arcs of their own, but Tom had a wider curve, since he was an outcast to both Maquis and Starfleet in the first episode. That he quickly proved his worth didn't mean that his inherent characters trait could easily be demonstrated later on, however. He was the outsider who could fit in, but was still an outsider. (And no wonder that he ended up married to B'Elanna Torres.)
In an episode like "Vis a Vis" (much like the misunderstood "Threshold"), Tom Paris undergoes one of his periodic lapses into antisocial behavior, grounded in his instincts that few are properly able to comprehend. When he alienates everyone, even tagalong buddy Harry Kim, there's no one to understand what he's really going through, no family or friends who knew what he was like before his life spiraled out of control. That's what's missing in most of his episodes. Robert Duncan McNeill seems to understand this in his acting most of the time, portraying Paris as someone who's tired of people not "getting" him, and sometimes simply doesn't care. He's got good instincts and bad instincts, and sometimes he's caught up in both of them.
"Vis a Vis" is a basic version of that character arc, which became harder to explore the longer the series continued.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
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Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Voyager 4x19 "The Killing Game, Part 2"
***
The second half of "The Killing Game" has the benefit of the crew finally coming together and formulating a strategy, while the arc for the Hirogen also comes to a culmination. With the metaphor of the French Resistance during WWII, it's both a period piece and a fond sendoff to the semi-regular appearances of the Hirogen on the series.
It's essential viewing for both the series and the season, and for all Star Trek fans looking to complete their Nazi set.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
J. Paul Boehmer
Memory Alpha summary.
The second half of "The Killing Game" has the benefit of the crew finally coming together and formulating a strategy, while the arc for the Hirogen also comes to a culmination. With the metaphor of the French Resistance during WWII, it's both a period piece and a fond sendoff to the semi-regular appearances of the Hirogen on the series.
It's essential viewing for both the series and the season, and for all Star Trek fans looking to complete their Nazi set.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
J. Paul Boehmer
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x18 "The Killing Game, Part 1"
***
The Hirogen go out with a bang after a strong fourth season effort in this two-parter that features yet another hostile takeover of the ship, this time with the crew being stuck into elaborate holodeck scenarios that allow the hunters to continuously track their prey, in ways that may prove a new future for the species.
It's essential viewing for the season and the series, a culmination of appearances for the Hirogen throughout the midpoint of the fourth season. Even though "Message in a Bottle," "Hunters," "Prey," and "The Killing Game" can be viewed separately, together they create a cohesive portrait for a Delta Quadrant species where very few others exist. Of course, by nature our crew can't hang around any of them for long, but the Hirogen benefit from more work than even the Talaxians, who are represented by Neelix for seven seasons, were able to muster, with a fairly complete understanding of who they are and where they're headed. Like the Kazon before them, they may not seem so different from Klingon warriors who live on hostile intent, but they've got ambition and nuance that suggests a culture that's living in the moment rather than in tradition.
It just so happens that some Hirogen are trying to come up with new methods other than actual murder to get what they want.
The particular method of holographic hunting the Hirogen eventually decide upon, Nazis, happens to be a franchise staple.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
J. Paul Boehmer
Memory Alpha summary.
The Hirogen go out with a bang after a strong fourth season effort in this two-parter that features yet another hostile takeover of the ship, this time with the crew being stuck into elaborate holodeck scenarios that allow the hunters to continuously track their prey, in ways that may prove a new future for the species.
It's essential viewing for the season and the series, a culmination of appearances for the Hirogen throughout the midpoint of the fourth season. Even though "Message in a Bottle," "Hunters," "Prey," and "The Killing Game" can be viewed separately, together they create a cohesive portrait for a Delta Quadrant species where very few others exist. Of course, by nature our crew can't hang around any of them for long, but the Hirogen benefit from more work than even the Talaxians, who are represented by Neelix for seven seasons, were able to muster, with a fairly complete understanding of who they are and where they're headed. Like the Kazon before them, they may not seem so different from Klingon warriors who live on hostile intent, but they've got ambition and nuance that suggests a culture that's living in the moment rather than in tradition.
It just so happens that some Hirogen are trying to come up with new methods other than actual murder to get what they want.
The particular method of holographic hunting the Hirogen eventually decide upon, Nazis, happens to be a franchise staple.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
J. Paul Boehmer
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x17 "Retrospect"
*
If for no other reason than it helped shape the direction of two characters, this one is worth watching, even if it's not too great otherwise.
The Doctor and Seven were two characters the show never really got tired exploring, so it was only natural that they would develop some kind of relationship. Given that Seven basically replaced Kes, it's also appropriate that this happened, since The Doctor tended to try and live vicariously through the more innocent members of the crew, and you don't get more innocent than Kes and Seven. In his quest to push his own limitations, however, The Doctor could sometimes make huge mistakes, and he didn't seem to mind dragging others with him.
Hence what happens in "Retrospect." Actually, that's pretty much all there is. It doesn't really do much for Seven, which is weird, because she's supposed to be the hot new thing on the show, and one of her own episodes is co-opted by an existing character's story. The fact that The Doctor's lesson is a little redundant here is why I don't find it to be one of his stronger entries, but it's worth a look for its historical significance.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
If for no other reason than it helped shape the direction of two characters, this one is worth watching, even if it's not too great otherwise.
The Doctor and Seven were two characters the show never really got tired exploring, so it was only natural that they would develop some kind of relationship. Given that Seven basically replaced Kes, it's also appropriate that this happened, since The Doctor tended to try and live vicariously through the more innocent members of the crew, and you don't get more innocent than Kes and Seven. In his quest to push his own limitations, however, The Doctor could sometimes make huge mistakes, and he didn't seem to mind dragging others with him.
Hence what happens in "Retrospect." Actually, that's pretty much all there is. It doesn't really do much for Seven, which is weird, because she's supposed to be the hot new thing on the show, and one of her own episodes is co-opted by an existing character's story. The fact that The Doctor's lesson is a little redundant here is why I don't find it to be one of his stronger entries, but it's worth a look for its historical significance.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x16 "Prey"
*
The Hirogen episodes continue, and again it's worth watching, this time as much for the Hirogen themselves (featuring Star Trek veteran Tony Todd) as the first appearance of Species 8472 since the two-part "Scorpion" (and thus the beginning of the season).
Species 8472 was not only the one threat the Borg couldn't handle, but also one of the first purely CGI aliens, so they were more alien than most aliens, didn't have speaking parts, and so mainly represented themselves by way of reputation. That the Hirogen obsessed over them wasn't a surprise. "Prey" is more about the Hirogen than it is Species 8472 (this is the least important appearance for them), but it's worthwhile viewing for crossing both in one episode, and therefore a good episode to watch for fans of the series.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Tony Todd
Memory Alpha summary.
The Hirogen episodes continue, and again it's worth watching, this time as much for the Hirogen themselves (featuring Star Trek veteran Tony Todd) as the first appearance of Species 8472 since the two-part "Scorpion" (and thus the beginning of the season).
Species 8472 was not only the one threat the Borg couldn't handle, but also one of the first purely CGI aliens, so they were more alien than most aliens, didn't have speaking parts, and so mainly represented themselves by way of reputation. That the Hirogen obsessed over them wasn't a surprise. "Prey" is more about the Hirogen than it is Species 8472 (this is the least important appearance for them), but it's worthwhile viewing for crossing both in one episode, and therefore a good episode to watch for fans of the series.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Tony Todd
Memory Alpha summary.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Voyager 4x15 "Hunters"
*
This is another episode that defies the conventional wisdom of Seven's impact on the series, at least in her first season. This is technically a Seven episode, but it's far more about the emerging Hirogen threat (and its basic culture) than anything. She is a lead character in the Chakotay sense, to be frank.
As such, "Hunters" is designated as an episode for fans of the series, because it's an important one for you to watch if you want to know what Voyager actually did versus what detractors will say it was. The Hirogen and how the crew handled them are exactly the kind of experience you'd expect from a show that focused on a ship lost on the other side of the galaxy.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Tiny Ron
Memory Alpha summary.
This is another episode that defies the conventional wisdom of Seven's impact on the series, at least in her first season. This is technically a Seven episode, but it's far more about the emerging Hirogen threat (and its basic culture) than anything. She is a lead character in the Chakotay sense, to be frank.
As such, "Hunters" is designated as an episode for fans of the series, because it's an important one for you to watch if you want to know what Voyager actually did versus what detractors will say it was. The Hirogen and how the crew handled them are exactly the kind of experience you'd expect from a show that focused on a ship lost on the other side of the galaxy.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Tiny Ron
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x14 "Message in a Bottle"
****
One of my favorite episodes, easily, an essential episode for the series and the character of The Doctor, and thus essential in general, only lacking in hard relevance to the franchise, an opportunity that might be considered wasted considering how much was going on for it already.
(In that regard, consider that Andy Dick appears as the new version of the emergency medical hologram, and there's no reference to Lewis Zimmerman, also played by Robert Picardo, or even Julian Bashir, who flunked his chance to become that model a year earlier.)
But Andy Dick, a pop culture oddity who made his best mark on NewsRadio, is such an unusual Star Trek presence that even without a series of priceless interactions with Picardo (who probably only ever had comparable fun on the show in "Heroes and Demons") his appearance would have helped this episode stand out.
The Doctor's unexpected visit to the Alpha Quadrant has the benefit of another appearance from the Romulans on the show (it was a missed opportunity for the creators to forget about this recurring theme in the later seasons), even though this one's far more random than "Eye of the Needle."
But the biggest development and most relevant element for later episodes and thus for the series as a whole is the debut of the Hirogens, who quickly became a defining alien species both for the season and the show as a whole.
In short, there's very little about this episode that should prevent you from watching it.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Andy Dick
Memory Alpha summary.
One of my favorite episodes, easily, an essential episode for the series and the character of The Doctor, and thus essential in general, only lacking in hard relevance to the franchise, an opportunity that might be considered wasted considering how much was going on for it already.
(In that regard, consider that Andy Dick appears as the new version of the emergency medical hologram, and there's no reference to Lewis Zimmerman, also played by Robert Picardo, or even Julian Bashir, who flunked his chance to become that model a year earlier.)
But Andy Dick, a pop culture oddity who made his best mark on NewsRadio, is such an unusual Star Trek presence that even without a series of priceless interactions with Picardo (who probably only ever had comparable fun on the show in "Heroes and Demons") his appearance would have helped this episode stand out.
The Doctor's unexpected visit to the Alpha Quadrant has the benefit of another appearance from the Romulans on the show (it was a missed opportunity for the creators to forget about this recurring theme in the later seasons), even though this one's far more random than "Eye of the Needle."
But the biggest development and most relevant element for later episodes and thus for the series as a whole is the debut of the Hirogens, who quickly became a defining alien species both for the season and the show as a whole.
In short, there's very little about this episode that should prevent you from watching it.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Andy Dick
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x13 "Waking Moments"
*
Here's another episode that's fun to watch if you're a fan of the basic Star Trek format of a crew running into a situation where aliens are just messing with them (much like the earlier "Scientific Method").
Again, Chakotay finds himself in a nominal lead position, but there's very little to his part in the story other than following along as everyone falls asleep and can't wake up. There are other episodes like this, notably in Next Generation and Enterprise, but again, this is a worthy variation.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Here's another episode that's fun to watch if you're a fan of the basic Star Trek format of a crew running into a situation where aliens are just messing with them (much like the earlier "Scientific Method").
Again, Chakotay finds himself in a nominal lead position, but there's very little to his part in the story other than following along as everyone falls asleep and can't wake up. There are other episodes like this, notably in Next Generation and Enterprise, but again, this is a worthy variation.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x12 "Mortal Coil"
*
This was always one of my favorite episodes of Voyager, and I struggled how best to characterize it with my four ranking methods, since it flirts with nearly all of them.
But I had to be honest with myself. You can enjoy the series without having seen it, because Neelix is basically enjoying a classic Let's-Torture-O'Brien episode (a recurring phenomenon in Deep Space Nine, and even his earlier appearances in Next Generation). And come to think of it, actually, but there were a lot of Let's-Torture-Neelix, episodes, too, and this was possibly the one that defines those, the most literally life-or-death-moment story in the character's canon.
But it stops short of actually saying something about him, other than being one of his more personal experiences, since he struggles with thoughts of suicide after being revived from a near-death state (he had similar problems in the first season's "Phage"). There's talk of Talaxian culture, but Neelix only cared about Talaxian culture when it was relevant, when he really needed to. Most of the time he was defined by his ability to embrace a larger worldview than even his Starfleet hosts could manage (which is what made him annoying to some fans).
What's funny is that this recurring bout with homesickness that was the only thing that made Neelix seem at all out of place on the ship actually coincides in an episode with the emerging presence of Naomi Wildman, for whom this is a key early appearance (though she's played by a different actress than Scarlett Pomers, who would assume the role in the fifth season). Naomi is the Voyager baby, born during the second season, and thanks to rapid aging (should have been Ocampan!) a character who helped mark the progress and suggest the real toll of the ship's long journey home, where if things had developed differently would have been among the first of the second generation to handle daily operations. That's why she quickly transitions to "captain's assistant," spending less time hanging out with Neelix (an ideal father figure) and more with Janeway and Seven (mother figures).
In "Mortal Coil," however, there's little to suggest how important she'll become. She's a prop.
But hopefully you care about what happens to Neelix, too!
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
This was always one of my favorite episodes of Voyager, and I struggled how best to characterize it with my four ranking methods, since it flirts with nearly all of them.
But I had to be honest with myself. You can enjoy the series without having seen it, because Neelix is basically enjoying a classic Let's-Torture-O'Brien episode (a recurring phenomenon in Deep Space Nine, and even his earlier appearances in Next Generation). And come to think of it, actually, but there were a lot of Let's-Torture-Neelix, episodes, too, and this was possibly the one that defines those, the most literally life-or-death-moment story in the character's canon.
But it stops short of actually saying something about him, other than being one of his more personal experiences, since he struggles with thoughts of suicide after being revived from a near-death state (he had similar problems in the first season's "Phage"). There's talk of Talaxian culture, but Neelix only cared about Talaxian culture when it was relevant, when he really needed to. Most of the time he was defined by his ability to embrace a larger worldview than even his Starfleet hosts could manage (which is what made him annoying to some fans).
What's funny is that this recurring bout with homesickness that was the only thing that made Neelix seem at all out of place on the ship actually coincides in an episode with the emerging presence of Naomi Wildman, for whom this is a key early appearance (though she's played by a different actress than Scarlett Pomers, who would assume the role in the fifth season). Naomi is the Voyager baby, born during the second season, and thanks to rapid aging (should have been Ocampan!) a character who helped mark the progress and suggest the real toll of the ship's long journey home, where if things had developed differently would have been among the first of the second generation to handle daily operations. That's why she quickly transitions to "captain's assistant," spending less time hanging out with Neelix (an ideal father figure) and more with Janeway and Seven (mother figures).
In "Mortal Coil," however, there's little to suggest how important she'll become. She's a prop.
But hopefully you care about what happens to Neelix, too!
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x11 "Concerning Flight"
*
"Concerning Flight" is one of those episodes that helps define what exactly Voyager thought of itself. For a lot of fans, the show was a poor substitute for Next Generation, compounded with the sin of trying to go for a premise that seemed like it should have been one thing, and because it wasn't, only made things worse by not even being what it appeared to be.
But Voyager always knew what it wanted to be, and that was an opportunity to do the basic Star Trek exploration template in a setting with a fresh set of aliens to explore, an uncharted region of space, with characters who were pioneers of their own kind. It should be no surprise, then, that Leonardo da Vinci (portrayed by John Rhys-Davies) eventually turned up as a mentor figure for Captain Janeway (originally appearing in "Scorpion, Part 1" at the end of the previous season), years before, it should be noted, either The Da Vinci Code or Rhys-Davies' appearances in the Lord of the Rings trilogy (but following his high profile role in Sliders).
Essentially, this is an episode that gives a minor supporting character his own story, well in advance of Vic Fontaine receiving similar treatment in Deep Space Nine, while at the same time giving a holographic character a chance to let loose a little, thereby continuing one of the themes of the series suggested by the presence of The Doctor (as last seen in "Revulsion" only a few episodes earlier).
This is the kind of episode that is important for someone who didn't previously understand what Voyager was doing for seven seasons to have another look at. It's not essential viewing, but it does reveal one of the show's most basic layers.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
John Rhys-Davies
Memory Alpha summary.
"Concerning Flight" is one of those episodes that helps define what exactly Voyager thought of itself. For a lot of fans, the show was a poor substitute for Next Generation, compounded with the sin of trying to go for a premise that seemed like it should have been one thing, and because it wasn't, only made things worse by not even being what it appeared to be.
But Voyager always knew what it wanted to be, and that was an opportunity to do the basic Star Trek exploration template in a setting with a fresh set of aliens to explore, an uncharted region of space, with characters who were pioneers of their own kind. It should be no surprise, then, that Leonardo da Vinci (portrayed by John Rhys-Davies) eventually turned up as a mentor figure for Captain Janeway (originally appearing in "Scorpion, Part 1" at the end of the previous season), years before, it should be noted, either The Da Vinci Code or Rhys-Davies' appearances in the Lord of the Rings trilogy (but following his high profile role in Sliders).
Essentially, this is an episode that gives a minor supporting character his own story, well in advance of Vic Fontaine receiving similar treatment in Deep Space Nine, while at the same time giving a holographic character a chance to let loose a little, thereby continuing one of the themes of the series suggested by the presence of The Doctor (as last seen in "Revulsion" only a few episodes earlier).
This is the kind of episode that is important for someone who didn't previously understand what Voyager was doing for seven seasons to have another look at. It's not essential viewing, but it does reveal one of the show's most basic layers.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
John Rhys-Davies
Memory Alpha summary.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Voyager 4x10 "Random Thoughts"
Please take note: It is apparently possible to get a bad episode out of B'Elanna Torres.
Unlike "Day of Honor" earlier in the season, an attempt to draw a more generic episode out of Torres and her continuing efforts to find peace with herself doesn't work, especially when you draw anything significant for Torres herself from the story, and instead make it more about Tuvok's investigation. I love Tuvok, but he's not always compelling as a lead character, being the typical dispassionate Vulcan, which does not lead to a compelling (read: charismatic) detective, which is probably why the show stopped trying to do episodes like this with him. They just plain didn't work.
Unfortunately, that also meant that Tuvok started receding further and further into the background, much like Chakotay, with the wrong lessons being learned, or lessons being misconstrued. Conversely, it was fortunate that they didn't afflict Torres with more material like this. It took a while, and not until the next season, but they got this character back on track.
But in the meantime, look away. This one's not worth your time, unless you want to see a bunch of missteps. With Voyager, a Star Trek series some fans said were full of them, this might at least be worth examining to see where real problems developed.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Unlike "Day of Honor" earlier in the season, an attempt to draw a more generic episode out of Torres and her continuing efforts to find peace with herself doesn't work, especially when you draw anything significant for Torres herself from the story, and instead make it more about Tuvok's investigation. I love Tuvok, but he's not always compelling as a lead character, being the typical dispassionate Vulcan, which does not lead to a compelling (read: charismatic) detective, which is probably why the show stopped trying to do episodes like this with him. They just plain didn't work.
Unfortunately, that also meant that Tuvok started receding further and further into the background, much like Chakotay, with the wrong lessons being learned, or lessons being misconstrued. Conversely, it was fortunate that they didn't afflict Torres with more material like this. It took a while, and not until the next season, but they got this character back on track.
But in the meantime, look away. This one's not worth your time, unless you want to see a bunch of missteps. With Voyager, a Star Trek series some fans said were full of them, this might at least be worth examining to see where real problems developed.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x9 "Year of Hell, Part 2"
****
This is a story that only gets stronger the more desperate everyone gets, from guest star Kurtwood Smith to Chakotay, who almost gets points as lead character to Tuvok bonding with Seven to Janeway with an awesome one-liner to close out the experience.
"Year of Hell" is essential viewing for Voyager, and it's a rare two-part episode in the franchise where the conclusion is completely worthy of the set-up, not to mention the story continuing seamlessly from one half to the next, without need for significant tinkering on what exactly you're supposed to be caring about.
Whereas there are more clear standout characters in this half, it's still an ensemble effort, and therefore most clearly enjoyed for all of them. If you're a fan of this series, you have to see this one.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Kurtwood Smith
Memory Alpha summary.
This is a story that only gets stronger the more desperate everyone gets, from guest star Kurtwood Smith to Chakotay, who almost gets points as lead character to Tuvok bonding with Seven to Janeway with an awesome one-liner to close out the experience.
"Year of Hell" is essential viewing for Voyager, and it's a rare two-part episode in the franchise where the conclusion is completely worthy of the set-up, not to mention the story continuing seamlessly from one half to the next, without need for significant tinkering on what exactly you're supposed to be caring about.
Whereas there are more clear standout characters in this half, it's still an ensemble effort, and therefore most clearly enjoyed for all of them. If you're a fan of this series, you have to see this one.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Kurtwood Smith
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x8 "Year of Hell, Part 1"
****
Two-part episodes are always a big deal in Star Trek, especially if they aren't a season finale/premiere, since that's what's most typical. Voyager started to make an art-form of it in the third season, but the best ones are in the fourth.
"Year of Hell" is the story that most fans expected the whole series to look like, and so if you're wondering what that would have actually been like, look no further.
Based on aliens first referenced in the third season episode "Before and After," this is the epic story of everything that could possibly go wrong, the ship and the crew completely degenerating, and not because of any enemy that has a particular problem with Voyager itself, but rather a regional problem that the series premise always had as a possibility, moreso than any other Star Trek crew might have expected, except maybe Enterprise.
It's Voyager as an opera. It's the later "Course: Oblivion" played out, and is uniquely effective, even if there's a reset bottom by necessity waiting at the end, BattleStar Galactica by way of Star Trek, why this was never done before and why even the third season of Enterprise waited until the end of the Xindi arc to finally duplicate it.
The weight of Janeway's command is a key element of the story, although this time it's nothing of the decisions she has to make (only the ones she has to make), as close as this series will ever get to a movie, and in fact the first time Voyager makes its own surrogate movies, when it became possible for Star Trek to present this kind of experience in its TV incarnations, which led to the epic Dominion War in Deep Space Nine and plenty more in Enterprise.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Kurtwood Smith
Memory Alpha summary.
Two-part episodes are always a big deal in Star Trek, especially if they aren't a season finale/premiere, since that's what's most typical. Voyager started to make an art-form of it in the third season, but the best ones are in the fourth.
"Year of Hell" is the story that most fans expected the whole series to look like, and so if you're wondering what that would have actually been like, look no further.
Based on aliens first referenced in the third season episode "Before and After," this is the epic story of everything that could possibly go wrong, the ship and the crew completely degenerating, and not because of any enemy that has a particular problem with Voyager itself, but rather a regional problem that the series premise always had as a possibility, moreso than any other Star Trek crew might have expected, except maybe Enterprise.
It's Voyager as an opera. It's the later "Course: Oblivion" played out, and is uniquely effective, even if there's a reset bottom by necessity waiting at the end, BattleStar Galactica by way of Star Trek, why this was never done before and why even the third season of Enterprise waited until the end of the Xindi arc to finally duplicate it.
The weight of Janeway's command is a key element of the story, although this time it's nothing of the decisions she has to make (only the ones she has to make), as close as this series will ever get to a movie, and in fact the first time Voyager makes its own surrogate movies, when it became possible for Star Trek to present this kind of experience in its TV incarnations, which led to the epic Dominion War in Deep Space Nine and plenty more in Enterprise.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Kurtwood Smith
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x7 "Scientific Method"
*
"Scientific Method" is definitely one of those episodes you'd better at least like Star Trek to enjoy, because it was a story that could have been told in any of the series, and in fact was in most of them.
That being said, it's still worth a look, if only for that reason, for comparison by how Voyager tells this particular one, versus how it was done in, say, Next Generation ("Clues," for one), because it's fun to watch (hey, you'll watch a thousand crimes on a given CSI, but you won't do the same for Star Trek?), as aliens experiment on our crew, who tries to figures just what the heck is going on, and how to stop it.
I imagine that the show's creators were looking for exactly this kind of episode at this point in the season (otherwise, presumably they wouldn't have made it). Because at the heart of the TV franchise is exploration of wacky alien cultures, and sometimes the results are fairly typical.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
"Scientific Method" is definitely one of those episodes you'd better at least like Star Trek to enjoy, because it was a story that could have been told in any of the series, and in fact was in most of them.
That being said, it's still worth a look, if only for that reason, for comparison by how Voyager tells this particular one, versus how it was done in, say, Next Generation ("Clues," for one), because it's fun to watch (hey, you'll watch a thousand crimes on a given CSI, but you won't do the same for Star Trek?), as aliens experiment on our crew, who tries to figures just what the heck is going on, and how to stop it.
I imagine that the show's creators were looking for exactly this kind of episode at this point in the season (otherwise, presumably they wouldn't have made it). Because at the heart of the TV franchise is exploration of wacky alien cultures, and sometimes the results are fairly typical.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x6 "The Raven"
**
For any of you cynics out there who started to believe that Seven of Nine came to unfairly dominate Voyager, it may be worth noting that her first true spotlight episode came a half dozen episodes into her first season, and it happened to be a strong character entry that delved into her background.
It's true. The things that were most fascinating to the writers early on about Seven (as opposed to what was fascinating to costume designers) were her development as an individual, and how exactly she'd become a drone in the Borg Collective in the first place. And it's really quite interesting, because just a season later, the title craft would be seen in action, and the exact circumstances that led it (and Seven) to this point in the first place.
I used to try and argue that Voyager was far better at multi-episode story arcs than it was given credit for, but I guess what fans actually wanted was a series like BattleStar Galactica, which pleased a small but vocal audience when BattleStar Galactica finally happened.
"The Raven" is the kind of episode that helps define what exactly the creators of Voyager thought would be interesting to do in the vein of what fans wanted, even if it wasn't exactly what they wanted (but then, small audiences can like whatever they want to).
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
For any of you cynics out there who started to believe that Seven of Nine came to unfairly dominate Voyager, it may be worth noting that her first true spotlight episode came a half dozen episodes into her first season, and it happened to be a strong character entry that delved into her background.
It's true. The things that were most fascinating to the writers early on about Seven (as opposed to what was fascinating to costume designers) were her development as an individual, and how exactly she'd become a drone in the Borg Collective in the first place. And it's really quite interesting, because just a season later, the title craft would be seen in action, and the exact circumstances that led it (and Seven) to this point in the first place.
I used to try and argue that Voyager was far better at multi-episode story arcs than it was given credit for, but I guess what fans actually wanted was a series like BattleStar Galactica, which pleased a small but vocal audience when BattleStar Galactica finally happened.
"The Raven" is the kind of episode that helps define what exactly the creators of Voyager thought would be interesting to do in the vein of what fans wanted, even if it wasn't exactly what they wanted (but then, small audiences can like whatever they want to).
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Voyager 4x5 "Revulsion"
**
The nature of the Doctor as an artificial life-form was a dominant feature of not only the character but the series, something some fans liked to compare with Data from Next Generation. Yet I would argue that Voyager did more to seriously explore this than its predecessor, making it one of the elements I like to point to when trying to make the argument that the series deserves more respect than it generally gets.
In this episode, the Doctor runs into a Delta Quadrant hologram who metaphorically suggests that he could stand to get a little more respect from his own crew, because in the worst case scenario he could easily become taken for granted (and become homicidal!).
"Revulsion" is certainly episodic, not planting any obvious seeds for future stories, but it's a good reminder of what you can expect from even the most average Doctor entry. In short, he's another key member of the Voyager ensemble, easily the one the show's creators tended to support most consistently.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Leland Orser
Memory Alpha summary.
The nature of the Doctor as an artificial life-form was a dominant feature of not only the character but the series, something some fans liked to compare with Data from Next Generation. Yet I would argue that Voyager did more to seriously explore this than its predecessor, making it one of the elements I like to point to when trying to make the argument that the series deserves more respect than it generally gets.
In this episode, the Doctor runs into a Delta Quadrant hologram who metaphorically suggests that he could stand to get a little more respect from his own crew, because in the worst case scenario he could easily become taken for granted (and become homicidal!).
"Revulsion" is certainly episodic, not planting any obvious seeds for future stories, but it's a good reminder of what you can expect from even the most average Doctor entry. In short, he's another key member of the Voyager ensemble, easily the one the show's creators tended to support most consistently.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Notable guest-stars:
Leland Orser
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x4 "Nemesis"
*
Chakotay eventually became such an underrated character that his role was completely downplayed by fans, creators, and perhaps even actor Robert Beltram.
Yet like B'Elanna Torres he was always a go-to character for spotlight episodes, which is more evident in the early season. "Nemesis" is one of those transition episodes, where his dominant appearances become a little more random, relying more on the idea of the character than anything he might be able to say in the story itself, much less the fate of the crew's journey.
I would almost rate this as a franchise episode rather than a character episode, because it's a fairly generic experience, yet believing in the character of Chakotay, I will choose the distinction of character as a reason to watch this one, even though it does nothing more than use him as the lead.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Chakotay eventually became such an underrated character that his role was completely downplayed by fans, creators, and perhaps even actor Robert Beltram.
Yet like B'Elanna Torres he was always a go-to character for spotlight episodes, which is more evident in the early season. "Nemesis" is one of those transition episodes, where his dominant appearances become a little more random, relying more on the idea of the character than anything he might be able to say in the story itself, much less the fate of the crew's journey.
I would almost rate this as a franchise episode rather than a character episode, because it's a fairly generic experience, yet believing in the character of Chakotay, I will choose the distinction of character as a reason to watch this one, even though it does nothing more than use him as the lead.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x3 "Day of Honor"
*
Any episode of Voyager that spotlights B'Elanna Torres is sure to be a standout in some regard, usually (thanks to the always exceptional Roxanne Dawson) for the character herself, because she is more often than not tied up in her own personal journey.
This one has her experiencing a really bad day, which for B'Elanna is virtually a daily occurrence, certainly in the early seasons, yet it's a transitional moment, thanks to the fact that she finally finds herself willing to consider Tom Paris as a serious romantic interest, a development that dominates her role for the remainder of the series.
If you want to like the series, then watching any episode featuring B'Elanna will help you with that. She was consistently one of the most compelling characters on the show.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha Summary.
Any episode of Voyager that spotlights B'Elanna Torres is sure to be a standout in some regard, usually (thanks to the always exceptional Roxanne Dawson) for the character herself, because she is more often than not tied up in her own personal journey.
This one has her experiencing a really bad day, which for B'Elanna is virtually a daily occurrence, certainly in the early seasons, yet it's a transitional moment, thanks to the fact that she finally finds herself willing to consider Tom Paris as a serious romantic interest, a development that dominates her role for the remainder of the series.
If you want to like the series, then watching any episode featuring B'Elanna will help you with that. She was consistently one of the most compelling characters on the show.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha Summary.
Voyager 4x2 "The Gift"
**
The addition of Seven of Nine to Voyager also meant the subtraction of Kes, the plucky Ocampan first met in "Caretaker," one of the Delta Quadrant natives welcomed into the crew (saying it like that suddenly makes me wonder what the series would have been like if there had been more than just her and Neelix at the beginning).
Kes had been the innocent character, the one who was literally the youngest and least experienced, even though in many ways she was an extraordinary member of her species (as is typical in Star Trek), looking to push the boundaries of her potential. Early on, that meant seeing what would happen when she interacted with the only other member of the crew who had even less experience, the holographic Doctor (a sum of programming and therefor to be considered "older").
Eventually, however, Kes was paired with Tuvok, who could function as more of a mentor than the Doctor (or Neelix or Tom Paris, other characters she tended to share screen time with). Like Seven during this episode with Captain Janeway, Kes finds herself pushing at her personal boundaries to a considerable degree, making the decision to leave the ship, and in the process pushing it that much closer to home.
It's an important episode on both a character and series level.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
The addition of Seven of Nine to Voyager also meant the subtraction of Kes, the plucky Ocampan first met in "Caretaker," one of the Delta Quadrant natives welcomed into the crew (saying it like that suddenly makes me wonder what the series would have been like if there had been more than just her and Neelix at the beginning).
Kes had been the innocent character, the one who was literally the youngest and least experienced, even though in many ways she was an extraordinary member of her species (as is typical in Star Trek), looking to push the boundaries of her potential. Early on, that meant seeing what would happen when she interacted with the only other member of the crew who had even less experience, the holographic Doctor (a sum of programming and therefor to be considered "older").
Eventually, however, Kes was paired with Tuvok, who could function as more of a mentor than the Doctor (or Neelix or Tom Paris, other characters she tended to share screen time with). Like Seven during this episode with Captain Janeway, Kes finds herself pushing at her personal boundaries to a considerable degree, making the decision to leave the ship, and in the process pushing it that much closer to home.
It's an important episode on both a character and series level.
Franchise * Series * Essential * Character
Memory Alpha summary.
Voyager 4x1 "Scorpion, Part 2"
****
The fourth season premiere of Voyager was a game-changer for the series, carrying a number of responsibilities: opening the season, concluding the "Scorpion" story, introducing Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, and boosting ratings.
The success rate of these ambitions was certainly high, considering Seven was an immediate breakout favorite among fans, and Jeri Ryan herself became a mainstream star, whose career is one of the few to survive into regular work outside of her Star Trek experiences.
This is an episode any franchise fan can enjoy even if they're not particularly a fan of the series, though series fans will certainly enjoy it as well, without question. The inclusion and effective use of the Borg is a rare moment where the Next Generation made a notable impact outside of "Best of Both Worlds" and First Contact, something that was surprisingly rare for the fan favorite villains. It is an essential episode for the series, and can be viewed as a spotlight for several characters, including Seven, Janeway, and Chakotay.
Having all four distinguishing features of a Star Trek episode, this one is a franchise standout.
Franchise * Series * Character * Essential
Memory Alpha summary.
The fourth season premiere of Voyager was a game-changer for the series, carrying a number of responsibilities: opening the season, concluding the "Scorpion" story, introducing Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, and boosting ratings.
The success rate of these ambitions was certainly high, considering Seven was an immediate breakout favorite among fans, and Jeri Ryan herself became a mainstream star, whose career is one of the few to survive into regular work outside of her Star Trek experiences.
This is an episode any franchise fan can enjoy even if they're not particularly a fan of the series, though series fans will certainly enjoy it as well, without question. The inclusion and effective use of the Borg is a rare moment where the Next Generation made a notable impact outside of "Best of Both Worlds" and First Contact, something that was surprisingly rare for the fan favorite villains. It is an essential episode for the series, and can be viewed as a spotlight for several characters, including Seven, Janeway, and Chakotay.
Having all four distinguishing features of a Star Trek episode, this one is a franchise standout.
Franchise * Series * Character * Essential
Memory Alpha summary.
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