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Original airdate: 5/15/95. Stardate: 48832.1. While providing background history for the character of Neelix, "Jetrel" follows Star Trek tradition with a parable about scientific ethics and moral responsibility. When a Haakonian physician named Jetrel (James Sloyan) contacts Voyager with an urgent request, Neelix (Ethan Phillips) is forced to confront his painful, hidden past: it was Jetrel who, 15 years earlier, had developed the metreon cascade superweapon that killed Neelix's family and 300,000 other Talaxians on their home moon of Rinax. Now Jetrel has pledged to cure surviving Talaxians (including Neelix) of a deadly form of metreon radiation, but Neelix remains bitterly hateful toward his former enemy, who must live with the guilt of their shared tragedy. With too-obvious parallels to the atomic bomb and J. Robert Oppenheimer, there's little room for subtlety in this worthy attempt to explore the moral complexities of scientific progress, and the restrictions of one-hour television demand that overwhelming emotional conflicts be resolved in the course of a few dramatic scenes. Within those parameters, however, "Jetrel" is a substantial episode, boasting excellent performances by Phillips and Sloyan, a reliable Star Trek guest who, including this episode, has played members of four alien species in three different series. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Neelix faces the Haakonian who killed his family
During the first season of "Star Trek: Voyager" the character of Neelix (Ethan Phillips) stood out compared to the rest of the crew, not only because he was a Talaxian, native to the Delta Quadrant, because also because he was the only person on the starship who was better off aboard "Voyager." In Episode 15, "Jetrel" (Story by James Thornton & Scott Nimerfro, Teleplay by Jack Klein & Karen Klein and Kenneth Biller, Aired May 15, 1995) we find out why as we learn some of Neelix's back story and the character gains some needed depth.

"Voyager" is contacted by Ma'Bor Jetrel (James Sloyan), a Haakonian who makes a request to meet with Neelix. However, Neelix is less than thrilled with this idea since the Haakonians had conquered his planet fifteen years earlier using a superweapon called the Metreon Cascade. Jetrel was the scientist who invented the weapons, which was used to kill hundreds of thousands of Talaxians on their moon, including the family of Neelix. Jetrel, who is sort of a combination between Albert Einstein and Joseph Mengele apparently, has been checking out Taxalians who survived that particular attack for exposure to metreon isotopes. Neelix agrees to be examined and it turns out he has the fatal blood disease caused by the exposure.

Jetrel convinces Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) to go to the Talaxian system to pursue a cure. It seems the Haakonian is dying of the same disease. However, Neelix discovers there is more than mere irony to that particular bit of information and when "Voyager" arrives at Rinax, the Talaxian moon, he has some confessions about his past to share with Kes (Jennifer Lien) as well. Meanwhile, it turns out that no one could suspect what Jetrel really wants to accomplish before he dies. What makes "Jetrel" a solid episode is that the character of the Haakonian scientist is given some depth as well, so that both Jetrel and Neelix go through some significant changes over the course of the episode. I have to admit that Neelix was just too darn cheerful for me at this point in the first season; Janeway was way ahead of me in respecting the Talaxian's talents. But once the series started to explore his personal pain he became a much richer character and his diplomatic skills actually began to make sense.

Neelix Episode
This episode is based on Neelix's past. Neelix's home planet was destroyed many years ago, because of a weapon created by Voyager's new alien visitor, Jetrel. Jetrel wants Neelix (most likely last Talaxian alive)to help with his experiment, but Jetrel has ulterior motives and lies to everyone. Neelix finds it nearly impossible to trust Jetrel with anything, even if it means Neelix could die. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Voyager returns to Earth!
Janeway and crew start where they left off in episode one, desperately trying to find a 29th Century timeship that has forced Voyager to be transported to Earth in the late 20th Century. It's great to see the Voyager crew running around on Earth, reminding me a lot of the Star Trek IV movie. The plot has plenty of twists in it and runs a lot faster then the first episode.

There are some great scenes with Tuvok trying to pretend to be human and a good solid ending where everything turns out fine but Voyager is STILL in the Delta Quadrant after all is said and done.

Voyager's turn to do the time warp (again), circa 1996
There is a recap of Part I of "Future's End" at the start of "Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 51, "Future's End Part II" (Written by Brannon Braga & Joe Menosky, Aired: November 13, 1996), but it is really hard to try and summarize everything that happened. Fortunately there is no reason for anybody to watch Part II without watching Part I. Suffice it to say that the "Voyager" crew is back in the 20th-century where computer mogul Henry Starling (Ed Begley, Jr.) has come into possession of a timeship from the future future (in other words from the 29th century, which is the future for the "Voyager" crew as well). This will make billions for Starling and, incidentally, destroy the time line and life as we know it in the Star Trek universe.

Starling has also downloaded the EMH into his computer and has provided the Doctor (Robert Picardo) with a 29th-century portable holo-emitter that allows him to appear in places not equipped with holographic emitters. Starling wants to travel to the future to steal more advanced technology. Of course, Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and the crew are trying to get both the Doctor and the timeship back, at which point returning to their own time would be a really good idea. The convoluted set up for this episode was pretty good, but I think it is pretty much impossible to come up with a payoff that is equal to the task. However, I do find the idea of a Temporal Prime Directive to be a nice ironic touch and the episode will have some long term significant consequences for one of the "Voyager" crew.

Not bad for a Voyager episode...
This show was in trouble from the very first episode and it never quite got over its slump. Hammy or bad acting and goofy plots often make the show a painful viewing experience. Here is one example of a fairly good Voyager episode.

Time travel stories seem to be one of the standard plot lines in Voyager (along with those abysmal holodeck-themed stories) but this is one of the better ones, if not the best one. The big negative is that "Future's End" has a Gilligan's Island style ending; where they wind up stuck back in the Delta quandrant for no GOOD reason.

I should have expected that ending, it is "Lameager" after all. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Jennifer Lien truly holds her own
In a challenging role, Jennifer Lien comes through as the wise-beyond-her-years child-like Kes who ends up being posessed by the conscienceness of a long-dead Warlord, Tieran.

Voyager picks up a distress call and rescues 3 Ilari people before their ship explodes. Tieran, his wife Nori and their physician are initially pretty banged up, but the Doctor and Kes get 2 of them in stable condition. Tieran, however, is beyond help and dies, despite the heroic efforts of Kes.

Kes spends most of her time comforting Nori in the loss of her husband and begins acting rudely with Neelix.

Suddenly, Kes, Nori and the other Ilari steal a Voyager shuttle and go back to Ilari. Janeway is befuddled. Did they kidnap Kes? Why? They get in touch with authorities on Ilari and discover that Tieran, a megalomaniac with an obsession with his own mortality, has found a way to move his conscienceness from one body to another via implants in his brain and hands. He likes utilizing Kes' unique telekenetic powers and uses them to wreak havoc after he murders the leader of Ilari. Nori is a bit shaken that her husband is now a young woman, but Tieran doesn't want to give up the powers she has.

Tieran (Kes) is playing dual roles - the affectionate husband of Nori, and a seductress to Tuvoc and other Ilari cabinet members. He likes having a young, healthy body with such keen mental powers and even when he is wrought with unbearable headaches, he refuses to get a new host for his conscienceness.

The Holo Doc quickly invents an aperatus that will capture the conscienceness of Tieran and Tuvok must infiltrate the Ilari government so that he can reach Kes and rescue her from Tieran.

There aren't special effects galore and this is not a pivotal episode in the series, but it does showcase Jennifer Lien's acting ability and it is an interesting show to watch.

Sweet little Kes becomes the brutal Warlord of Ilari
In "Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 52, "Warlord" (Story by Andrew Shepard Price & Mark Gaberman, Teleplay by Lisa Klink, Aired November 20, 1996) it is Kes's turn to have her body hijacked by an alien intelligence. The fun begins when "Voyager" beams aboard a trio of Ilari from a damaged ship. One of them, named Tieran, died despite the efforts to save him. The next thing we know Kes (Jennifer Lien) is telling Nelix (Ethan Phillips) that she needs some alone time. "Voyager" arrives at Ilari and when the representative of the Ilari shows up Kes kills him with a phaser and escapes in a shuttlecraft with the other two injured Ilari. Now everybody knows that Kes is not herself and the next thing we know she is down on the planet taking command of a whole bunch of troops.

For us it is obvious that Tieran's consciousness has taken over Kes's body, but Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) has to have this explained to her by Demmas (Brad Greenquist), the son of the Autarch, the local ruler. It seems Tieran was the ruler of Ilaria two centuries earlier, who had been deposed by the ancestors of Demmas and has spent all that time going through a whole series of host bodies. Meanwhile, the political situation on Autarch is getting more and more interesting, and it is up to Janeway and her crew to find a way of saving the day and getting Kes back to normal.

As a "Star Trek" body-switching episode "Warlord" has the virtue of not dragging out the mystery and spending most of the episode trying to deal with the situation. For Jennifer Lien it is the opportunity to turn the kindly Kes into a strutting power-mad warlord and this becomes the chief attraction since the way one is going to play out is fairly obvious. Janeway really needs to stop picking up every stray "Voyager" comes across in the Delta Quadrant.

Voyager- Episode 52
As a small sub-plot in the beginning Neelix, Paris & Kim create a hologram program, featuring bathing beauties and carribean music - Suddenly everyone is summoned to the deck for an emergency, an alien spacecraft has been encountered and Voyager transports three survivors (from a planet called Ilari) before their ship explodes, despite the doctor's and Kes' efforts one of them dies.

Kes comforts the dead man's wife (Nori), and the Ilari tell the crew that mercenaries must have destroyed their ship. Neelix becomes perplexed when Kes tells him they should spend more time apart, and everyone is surprised when Kes suddenly kills a representative from Ilari sent by the leader known as the "Autarch" and takes off with Nori and the other Ilari, Adin.

They go to military camp, where they take over and then kill the Autarch in front of his youngest son. Meanwhile "Demmas' the elder son meets with the crew where they learn that Tieran, a two hundred year old political leader (who has learned to tranfer his mind from body to body) has taken control of Kes.

Kes is pushed to the back of her mind where she battles Tieren to regain control of her body, and the Voyager crew try to figure out how to save her.

Over all an enjoyable episode! Good acting, Interesting plot. It's funny to see Kes turn suddenly into a power-crazed (paranoid!) warlord. :p

Good acting for a terrible part
Lien did a good job of acting like a madman, but I really didn't like her acting like this at all. I mean, a break from the complete niceness was good, but this was too much! I would give this 1 star instead of 2 for the story itself, but Lien's performance led me to go with 2 stars.

A Battle of Wills
This episode is one of the few that centres on Kes, the Ocampa female, who joined Voyager's crew shortly after the ship was stranded in the Delta Quadrant. Kes possesses latent telepathic abilities, a characteristic of her species, that are beginning to surface. In Warlord, the writers have created an interesting premise, one of intrigue, assumed identities and bodily possession. Despite adversity, Kes'forces her identity upon her captor Tieran, whose mind has taken possession of Kes' body. Kes is determined to thwart Tieran's takeover in a battle of wills as the crew find a way to rescue Kes. Jennifer Lien delivers a great performance as Tieran, the alien Warlord, whose personality has possession over her mind and her body. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Neelix gets in way over his head because of an old friend
The whole reason for having Neelix (Ethan Phillips) aboard "Voyager" was that he knew about the Delta Quadrant and thus could function as Basil Exposition every time the ship encountered some news faces on the long trip home. However, that usefulness might be at an end in "Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 56, "Fair Trade" (Story by Ronald Wilkerson & Jean Louise Matthias, Teleplay by Ande Bormanis, Aired January 8, 1997). "Voyager" has entered the Nekrit Expanse, an area about which Nelix knows little, so he is determined to find a really good map at the local space station. While the crew is bargaining for supplies, Neelix hooks up with Wixiban (James Nardini), an old Talaxian friend. It seems that years earlier the two had been partners in crime and Wixiban had gone to prison (warning bells are sounding in our minds but not for Neelix). Wixiban assures Neelix that he cannot only find a map but some pergium, which Engineering needs. But when Neelix shows up with a borrowed shuttle to help make the transaction, Wixiban ends up killing his contact with a Starfleet phaser. Only then does Neelix figure out that Wix was setting up a narcotics deal.

Because he feels he owes his old friend something because of what happened in the past, Neelix agrees to keep quiet about the killing. While the station master investigates the murder Wix demands Neelix steal some of the warp plasma from "Voyager" to pay off his drug connections and you have to wonder how far in over his head Neelix is going to be by the end of this one. "Fair Trade" really lays it on the poor Telaxian; the guilt he feels over Wix's imprisonment is enough but then we throw in his wanting to keep being the ship's Delta Quadrant expert as if being the de facto chef and morale officer does not mean he is already a valuable part of the crew. Ultimately my probem with this episode is that it plays to the idea of Neelix as being something of a kind-hearted simpleton instead of the competent diplomat he should be. I think I have an inherent bias against the resident alien on a "Star Trek" series being the comic relief, which is why "Fair Trade" ends up being a below-average "Voyager" episode for me.

Neelix is involved in drug smuggling!
Neelix starts getting worried that he won't be able to help Voyager anymore now that they are approaching the Nekrit Expanse, an area of space that he hasn't travelled beyond before. In an attempt to prove his worth Neelix tries to find someone who he can buy a map of the Delta Quadrant from - a costly item. So Neelix meets up with an old friend who promises to get the map for him, they take a Shuttle and the two go to collect it. A phaser-fight breaks out and someone is killed.

Suddenly Neelix realises he was in the middle of a Narcotic's smuggling ploy and that his Shuttlecraft has been carrying drugs, that there is no map and that there is a dead body who was shot with a Starfleet phaser. All this evidence could implicate him, and Voyager, in the illegal activity and the murder.

This episode concentrates on Neelix who while trying to do a good deed ends up making things a lot worse. ... Read more

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One of the most provocative episodes in Star Trek history, "Tuvix" takes a left-field approach to the subject of an individual's right to life. No, we're not talking about the unborn here, but rather the odd-looking individual who emerges from a transporter accident fusing the DNA ofCommander Tuvok (Tim Russ) with that of morale officer/head chef Neelix (Ethan Phillips). The hybrid fellow born of this unlikely union between a disciplined but humorless Vulcan and the irrepressible, intuitive ship's cook calls himself Tuvix (Tom Wright), and presents a perfect blend of each man's best qualities. He also proves an able Starfleet officer and a warm, mature presence on the ship, well liked by everyone. But he is neither Tuvok or Neelix in actuality, and a strange sort of repulsion builds among Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her officers as it becomes clear that their beloved friends have been replaced, perhaps permanently, by this third person. Tuvix--his very life on the line should Janeway insist he be sacrificed to separate his DNA "parents" again--pleads for the right to live. A tough story built around a terrible moral dilemma, with no clear right-or-wrong solutions, "Tuvix" allows Voyager's regular characters to be less than noble for a change, and for no greater reason than their own flawed, self-interested humanity. Not surprisingly, everything hinges on the key performance of Wright, who is extraordinarily convincing both as a composite of familiar people and as a sovereign individual. Not to be missed. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Tuvok and Neelix are fused into one being named Tuvix
At first glance "Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 40, "Tuvix" (Story by Andrew Shepard Price & Mark Gaberman, Teleplay by Kenneth Biller, Aired on May 6, 1996) looks like the flip side of a storyline we have seen before in "Star Trek" when a character is split in half. Fans of "Star Trek" will remember this happening to Captain Kirk in the original series and to B'Elanna Torres on "Voyager." In "Tuvix" the transporter takes Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Neelix (Ethan Phillips) and fuses them into a single being, named Tuvix (Tom Wright).

The set-up is that Tuvok and Neelix were on an away mission where they find an orchid that could be useful and when they beam back to "Voyager" what arrives is a creature that not only fuses the two crewmembers together but also includes all their memories and talents. Of course the orchid has properties that affected the transporter and caused Tuvix to be created, and while the crew explores ways of undoing the merger, Tuvix tries to find his place on "Voyager."

The character that is most affected by the transformation is Kes (Jennifer Lien), who had an intimate relationship with Neelix while Tuvok was her tutor. Having the two most important people on "Voyager" now being together in one body is even more unsettling to Kes than it is to Tuvix. One of the nice things about this episode is that it takes place over the course of several weeks, during which Kes struggles with her conflicting emotions and Tuvix becomes part of the crew. This is important because all of the above is simply prelude to the big issue of the episode.

With the sense of irony inherent in such television episodes, just when everyone on "Voyager" has adjusted to Tuvix, the Doctor (Robert Picardo) discovers a way to bring back Tuvok and Neelix. The only problem is that Tuvix does not want to give up his existence, arguing that to do so is to effectively kill him. The Doctor refuses to act without Tuvix's consent, putting Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) in the position of having to make yet another tough decision.

While there is certainly a "right to life" subtext to the issue, in terms of the history of "Voyager" the decision faced by Janeway this time around is what is really interesting. After all, through the first two seasons of the series Janeway has repeatedly put the needs of others before her own crew; it is how "Voyager" ended up in the Delta Quadrant in the first place and she has repeatedly made similar decisions. In that context, "Tuvix" is its most provocative.

It certainly would have been interesting to see this particular plot line played out over the course of several episodes, since the final resolution is never in doubt. But if it lasted a few episodes it would have had fans rethinking their position and made the conclusion and Janeway's final decision even more dramatic.

Distinguished and unforgettable Voyager episode
To me this was the first really great episode of Voyager. It's not that I hadn't thought there were other equally superior shows prior to this, but 'Tuvix' is a really daring and effective episode. As far as transporter accidents go Trekkies know well to expect this phenomenon to appear at least once in every series of Trek sooner or later. This particular 'accident' is without a doubt one of the most philosophically challenging scenarios that the Trek writers ever created.

While beaming up from the planet surface after an away mission, Neelix and Tuvok are inexplicably melded into one individual. This individual has the life essence of each of them, possessing their memories, personality traits, skills, etc. After being isolated in Sick Bay and examined thoroughly by The Doctor, Tuvix - as he christens himself - assumes the duties that Tuvok had on the bridge, as "that would be the most logical step to take." Tuvix proves to be a valuable addition to the Voyager crew, capable of assuming the duties of both Tuvok and Neelix (though not simultaneously). Two weeks pass before The Doctor realizes a way to return Neelix and Tuvok to their proper and separate composite forms. Tuvix quite naturally doesn't want to surrender to the procedure as it would effectively kill him...and this is the fundamental issue of the story.

Though it can be argued that 'Tuvix' bites off more than it can chew, the story works well and is undeniably a Star Trek milestone. The ethical complications that are created deserve more time to be discussed than a sixty-minute television show can provide. But what's on screen is spellbinding and even a bit unsettling. The final resolution is an issue that invites and inspires some radical debates among fans - read the other reviews here as well. "At what point did he become an individual and not a transporter accident?" Janeway asks Chakotay rhetorically. Indeed, this is a problem that Starfleet Academy could not have provided any starship captain with training or precedent. Along those same lines I would ask, "When does he become a Federation member to be protected by their rules and regulations?"

One of the problems that Tuvix's existence causes is that it creates an unnatural void in Kess' life. She misses Neelix and feels an overwhelming loss at his absence. Tuvix though possesses the same romantic feelings that Neelix had for Kess, and he attempts to both console and propose a romance with her. She tries to see in him that possibility but it proves unacceptable to her, as she can't seem to get beyond her loss. The complexities of the situation compel her to visit Janeway in her quarters. It's quite natural that these two women would gravitate toward each other in this crisis. As Kess explains the void she feels because of Neelix's absence Janeway expresses the same sense of loss over Tuvok, a close friend and trusted confidant. By opening up to Kess we see that Janeway is as vulnerable and prone to emotional susceptibilities as any of the crewmembers. She is not a stone cold stoic but genuine even to a fault. She talks of the crew's isolation from their loved ones, expressing a great desire to see her husband Tom again which she compares to Kess' sense of loss. Though Harry eagerly volunteers to help The Doctor find a resolution, the men of the Voyager don't show any regret of loss over either Neelix or Tuvok. Not until the end of the episode do any of them begin to experience any genuine feelings about this conundrum. And maybe that's true of most men - but not all.

Throughout the final act of the show Tuvix defends his life admirably, valiantly when his existence is challenged; he likens it unto an execution, which doesn't make Janeway's decision any easier. The Doctor takes a curious stand in Sick Bay during the final scene. He refuses to administer the treatment that will restore Neelix and Tuvok because Tuvix doesn't want to die - The Doctor cites the familiar Hippocratic Oath, claiming he can't purposely cause harm to a patient against their will. But isn't he conveniently forgetting about the lives of Neelix and Tuvok?

'Tuvix' is an exceptional and superior episode of Voyager that features some of the most moving scenes of the entire series. Tom Wright is absolutely unbelievable in the role of Tuvix, bringing more nuance and realism to the character than the Trek creators probably thought possible! This is a video that is most definitely worth having for your Star Trek collection. Get it today!

Riiiiiight...
I found this episode one of the worst of Voyager. I like Tuvok, and I like Neelix, but combined as one they're absolutly atrocious!!! Also, Neelix/Kes scenes are bad enough, but Tuvix/Kes is worse.

Two characters in one
This episode of Star Trek Voyager is interesting and in it's own way, thought-provoking....but I do not consider it a "must see" for Voyager fans.

The basic plot involves a transporter accident in which the characters of Tuvok and Neelix are merged into one "person". The resulting character, of course, resembles both of these very different individuals only somewhat.

The story only gets interesting, however, when we discover that "Tuvix" has taken on an identity and personhood of his own and does not want to "die" in order to return both Tuvok and Neelix to their previous forms. There is much angst on the part of Janeway regarding the decision to order Tuvix to submit to the separation procedure....but of course we all know how this one will end, so there is not much mystery!

The episode in enjoyable enough, but like Kes, I found myself being very uncomfortable with this character of Tuvix. I'll give this episode 3 stars.

One of Voyager's most disturbing treks
In "Tuvix," Starship Voyager crewmembers Neelix and Tuvok beam down to a planet in search of useful plant specimens. But a strange transporter anomaly occurs when their shipmates try to beam them back. Instead of getting back two crewmembers, a single being materializes on the transporter pad. He is a genetic and psychological fusion of Neelix and Tuvok, and eventually calls himself Tuvix.

This is a great science fiction concept. Tom Wright delivers a truly outstanding performance as the being who retains the memories and skills of both Neelix and Tuvok, but who emerges as his own unique and intriguing character. The makeup design of "Tuvix" adds to the effectiveness of the characterization. The sci-fi "technobabble" used to explain the origins of Tuvix is particularly well-written.

This being an episode of a continuing television series, we expect that Neelix and Tuvok will be restored to the crew by episode's end. And herein lies my unease with this episode. Without giving away too much, I found the conclusion of this episode to be disturbing. The script raises complex moral and metaphysical issues which, to me, are not adequately addressed. Furthermore, the final scene strikes me as particularly rushed and unsatisfying. "Tuvix" could have been one of the greatest episodes of "Star Trek: Voyager"--it certainly contains one of the best guest performances in the whole series' run. But the failings of either the script or the editing room detract from the episode as a whole. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Tuvok has his head turned by a holodeck character
"Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 55, "Alter Ego" (Written by Joe Menosky, Aired January 15, 1997) is one of those episodes where the two seemingly unrelated plot lines come together in the end. On the one hand "Voyager" is observing the odd behavior of a nebula, forgetting that every single strange phenomenon they have encountered in the Delta Quadrant has resulted in weird things happening on the ship. Meanwhile, Harry Kim (Garrett Wong) confesses to Tuvok (Tim Russ) that he has fallen in love with Marayna (Sandra Nelson), a holodeck creation. Tuvok points out the obvious problem, the impossibility of having a serious relationship with a computer subroutine. But where Harry sneaks down to the holodeck to see Marayna, he finds her in a deep conversation with Tuvok, who know understands why the young ensign is so smitten. Meanwhile, that wacky nebula has plasma strands igniting but without cause the chain reaction that should result.

At this point "Voyager" tries to go its merry way, but suddenly the propulsion system goes off-line for no reason, and when Kim finds Tuvok visiting Marayna on the holodeck he accuses the Vulcan of betrayal. Tuvok deletes Marayna's program to avoid further problems, but they seem pretty inevitable when he returns to his quarters and finds the holodeck character there. Vulcan logic cannot be easily fooled, so Tuvok knows something is not right here. It is a bit surprising that "Alter Ego" ends up being primarily a Tuvok episode, but it does provide a novel approach for finding a chink in his Vulcan armor. Of course, in the end logic wins out and that is why this is an above average "Voyager" episode but not quite a classic.

This is a good episode
I had reservations about buying this episode because of the bad review on this page, but I'm glad I bought the episode. The story centers on a holodeck character that Harry falls in love with. Knowing how silly that is, but deeply infatuated, he asks Tuvok to help him purge his emotions. Tuvok then meets with the holodeck character and finds she's not like anyone he's ever met before.

A good Tuvok episode. I highly recommend this one.

Alter Ego
This is a wonderful episode that has some really interesting scenes. It also has some parts that will leave you questioning them but throughout the episode will fall into place. It also has a scene that sort of gives you a hint of what will happen in 'Blood Fever'. I would really reccomend it.

A horrible display of ego
This episode is incredebly boring! The plot is stupid, and the special effects are extremly corny. Don't waste your money on this! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Doctor's new sub-routines give him a new personality
One of the better recurring subplots on "Star Trek: Voyager" was the "Velveteen Rabbit" idea of the transformation of the Doctor (Robert Picardo) from an Emergency Medical Hologram into a fullycertified and recognized sentient being. Episode 61, "Darkling" (Story by Brannon Braga & Joe Menosky, Teleplay by Menosky, Aired February 19, 1997) represents one of the early bumps along the way in this process. We are initially distracted by the interest of Kes (Jennifer Lien) in Zahir (David Lee Smith), a pilot of the Mikhal, a gypsy-like band of space explorers that the telling the "Voyager" crew about the territory the starship is now entering on its long road home. But back on "Voyager" the Doctor is busy adding some new personality subroutines to his project, hoping that being more like Gandhi and Lord Byron will help his bedside manner. Torres sounds a warning that all these new subroutines may interact unpredictably, and we know where this episode is going.

Things start happening when Kes is invited by Zahir to leave "Voyager" to explore the Delta Quadrant with him. Before she can make a decision, and after the Doctor chides her for neglecting her duties in Sickbay, Zahir is injured by a mysterious figure in a cloak. Soon it becomes clear that the Doctor's new and improved personality program is coming apart at the seams. My problem with this episode is the idea that computer programming in the 23rd century is apparently still beyond the capabilities and understanding of anyone other than a teenage boy. Unfortunately, "Voyager" does not have a teenage boy, or even a hologram of a teenage boy, so things have to go horribly wrong before the Doctor's program can be reset. Given that the problematic modifications were made on purpose, the resulting complications should have been anticipated. But, hey, where is the fun in that?

"Watch your tongue, or I'll remove it." -- evil Doc
If this were the chapter of a very old book, it would be titled, 'In which Holodoc decides to enhance his programming, with disastrous results.' That pretty much sums up the story line of this obligatory Doctor Learns A Lesson episode. Robert Picardo's utterly evil over-acting, as the Doctor is possessed by an alternate personality, is sometimes fun to watch. However, the romance between Zahir and Kes is undeveloped, which makes it uninteresting. The attack on Zahir is presented as a plot necessity rather than a character twist. (Did anybody *not* know who was responsible?) Kes's argument with the evil Doctor tries its best to fulfill the 60-Second Trek Ethical Argument, but somehow it's flat and contrived. In addition, the overused Transporter Rescue Just Before We Die is just plain old cheating by the writers. Overall, if you like EMH episodes or watching Picardo yell at innocents (a la the more recent 'Warhead'), you'll enjoy this one. Otherwise, there's not much here to relish. It's simply too shallow.

The Doctor wants to improve himself!
In an attempt to improve his bedside manner and understanding of humans the Doctor decides he will begin changing his sub-routines and computer programming, something he forgot to mention to Torres. When he adds various different personalities to is own a new, more cunning, deadly personality surfaces and no one is safe!

A good episode that features some scary stuff from our Doctor, his eyes turn a strange evil shape when he becomes a Jekyl-and-Hyde character. ... Read more

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Arguably the finest episode of Voyager, "Resolutions" finds Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her first officer, Chakotay (Robert Beltran), having contracted a deadly virus from insect bites while on an away mission.Forced to remain on the alien planet, Janeway resigns her command of Voyager and puts Tuvok (Tim Russ) in charge, mandating that he continue the crew's long trip home while she and Chakotay make a stab at finding a cure. As weeks pass, however, the stranded duo get used to the idea that they may never leave, that they have the rest of their lives ahead of them, and that they are free to explore their feelings for one another. Written by head writer JeriTaylor and directed with great sensitivity by Alexander Singer (Dr. Bashir onDeep Space Nine), "Resolutions" is one of those rare Star Trek episodes (think of The Next Generation's "The Inner Light") to break out of the box and tell us something deeper and richer about these characters than we normally see. Mulgrew and Beltran do a superb job with their unorthodox opportunity, actually making one envy Janeway and Chakotay for their quiet days on an un-Earthly paradise. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Are Janeway and Chakotay the next Adam and Eve?
Besides being stuck in the Delta Quadrant and trying to find their way back home, one of the biggest differences between the crew of "Voyager" and the various versions of the "Enterprise" on "Star Trek" was that Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) was female. Add to that how Janeway merged her crew with the Maquis led by Chakotay (Robert Beltran), whom she made her second in command, and you have a rather unique dyanmic at work between the captain and the first officer. On a symbolic level Janeway function as the father figure while Chakotay gets the mother's role, but the key thing is that they are the parental figures on "Voyager" and you know what parents do when all the kids are asleep and they have some time together. So there has always some sexual tension between the two characters, but there duties have always stopped them from pursuing any fleeting thoughts they may have had. All that changes with this episode.

"Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 41, "Resolutions" (Written by Michelle Piller, Aired May 13, 1996) simply comes up with a situation that forces Janeway and Chakotay to rethink their relationship. The pair contract an incurable virus during an away mission that it going to kill them. However, while on the planet they are shielded from its effects. Janeway gives command of "Voyager" over to Tuvok (Tim Russ) and orders him to continue towards home, leaving her and Chakotay behind. As the days pass, Janeway and Chakotay come to terms with facing the future together, no longer Starfleet officers, but a pair of human beings who are attracted to one another.

Meanwhile, back on "Voyager," Tuvok is following Janeway's orders to avoid contact with the Vidiians. However, the rest of the ship's officers want to pursue that option as a way of finding a cure for the captain and the commander. Of course Tuvok wants to be logical about the situation, but he is clearly facing a mutiny from the crew.

"Resolutions" is a first rate episode, creating a situation in which two characters have the freedom to strip away all barriers and deal with each other honestly. It has been clear from the star that Janeway and Chakotay respect each other, and it is fascinating to watch two adults deal with the realities of a future together. The obvious analogue is to Adam and Eve, which raises a whole bunch of interesting questions: do you have children when you are the only humans on a planet? But the chief attraction here is that these are a pair of adults, whose hormones are actually a smaller part of the equation than we normally see in a "Star Trek" love story.

The only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that "Resolutions" did not have as significant an impact on the series as it might have had. This was the second to last episode in Season 2, so it was not like there was time to build on what was established here, but you certainly did not the ramifications of this episode serving as a sub-text for the relationship between Janeway and Chakotay in the future the same way you did between Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" after their mind-sharing experience. That aside, "Resolutions" is a classic "Voyager" episode.

Resolutions: Janeway and Chakotay outside of command
Resolutions is one of my favorite Voyager episodes. It may not be action packed, but it helps build the foundation of the friendship between Janeway and Chakotay. This is one of the few chances viewers get to see Janeway and Chakotay outside of a starship and the command structure. The episode also gives an opportunity to learn more about what makes Janeway and Chakotay tick. Although this episode is essentially Janeway/Chakotay interaction, there is also a side plot that gives Kim, Torres, Tuvok, and Kes some more screen time. Good acting on Kate Mulgrew and Robert Beltran's part kept the episode interesting for me.

Are you a J/C fan??? You seriously NEED to buy this.
The Angry Warrior scene is timeless... if you're a J/Cer, you need this.

For all you romantics out there!!!
I really enjoyed this episode of Voyager and felt that it was a nice change of pace at the end of Season Two of the series.

Throughout the first two seasons of the show we have witnessed the growing affection between Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay, and in this episode, the cards finally get laid on the table! Yeah! I enjoyed that aspect...especially since romance has never been one of Star Trek's strong suits!

I also liked the way this episode leaves the viewer begging for more...for after all, we don't really know what ultimately happens between Janeway and her "Number One"! However, because of the remaining mystery, I must point out that the episode is inappropriately named - for in fact, it didn't *resolve* anything for the viewer - it only made us more interested in seeing this storyline...er...."develop".

Unfortunatly, in future seasons of Voyager, the writers saw fit to bag off on much of what "could have been" with this storyline. Too bad....especially since there was alot of screen chemistry between Robert Beltran and Kate Mulgrew! But future seasons aside, standing alone, I give this episode 5 stars and extra cudos to Beltran and Mulgrew for some great acting! This is as steamy as Start Trek gets, folks!

Captain Janeway?
Ok..so this was an ok episode. I really liked the story line except Kathryn Janeway has always been this tough, gung-ho captain and now, she and Chakotay are stuck on "new earth" and she compleatly changes. For example, she can't run and carry a case at the same time. Janeway's character is totally different in this episode. Plus, I don't really think someone conducting scientific expirements and gardening would be marching around in an old dress, especially if you watched The Next Generation and saw what they wore off duty. It just isn't a "logical" choice. In Resolutions, Kathryn starts talking to a monkey...not that talking to animals is a bad thing, but when she does it, it's like she's talking to a small child. Wierd. As a die-hard J/Cer, this episode didn't go the way I wanted it to, but I enjoyed it anyway since we know Star Trek writers will never go for this Captain/Commander relationship. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Tuvok and Neelix have to solve a murder mystery
Tuvok and Neelix ended up as the Mutt and Jeff of "Voyager," and Episode 60, "Rise" (Story by Jimmy Diggs, Teleplay by Brannon Braga, Aired February 26, 1997), helps to set that pattern. On their way back to the Alpha Quadrant "Voyager" is taking time out to try and vaporize asteroids that are falling on the homeworld of the Nezu. The shuttle carrying Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Neelix (Ethan Phillips) crashes on the surface and the pair, along with a pair of Nezu, Sklar (Kelly Connell) and a scientist named Vatm (Tom Towles), have no way of contacting "Voyager." Neelix proposes they use a carriage that is tethered to an orbital space station (like in Kim Stanley Robinson's "Red Mars," etc.) to get high enough to be able to contact the ship. But Vatm tries to go up by himself, which means there is more going on here than meets the eye.

What is surprising about "Rise" is that it is essentially a parlor room murder mystery, which is a pretty good twist when you are talking about a "room" (carriage) that is rising on a tether to an orbiting space station. Against that scenario we have the interplay between Tuvok and Neelix, which is still fun even if it is a more understated version of the classic tension between Spock and McCoy with Tuvok perpetually perturbed by Neelix's incessant ideas. Minor point: I know that Neelix calling Tuvok "Mr. Vulcan" is sort of endearing, but given how sensitive the ship's diplomatic is towards the feelings of others, it really does not make sense for him to label someone by their race. I suppose there is not much you can come up to make a ride in a carriage up a tether exciting, but the results are rather mixed in "Rise," especially when you are suddenly reminded of similar scenes in "Where Eagles Dare."

Neelix and Tuvok together!
Neelix and Tuvok are together in a shuttlecraft, not the ideal place to get to know each other, when their ship crashes onto a planet. Meanwhile Voyager is helping a local race to destroy asteroids that are heading toward their homeworld and coming dangerously close to destroying their civilisation. A much bigger and devasting plot is revealed throughout the episode as these random asteroids look to be targetting certain areas of the alien homeworld, somebody is behind it all.

Less action then you'd expect from this type of story, focusing more on the crime-thriller side of things. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Janeway does the time loop again (and again, and again)
If I had to pick one particular type of "Star Trek" story that rarely disappoints, it would be stories involving time loops (not to be confused with time travel stories). In support of this particular claim would be "Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 58, "Coda" (Written by Jeri Taylor, Aired January 29,1997). The shuttlecraft carrying Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran) is shot down by the Vidiians and crashlands on a planet. The Vidiians show up on the planet and kill the two officers--at which point Janeway and Chakotay find themselves back on the shuttlecraft, under attack by the Vidiians. This time the shuttle explodes--at which point Janeway and Chakotay find themselves back on the shuttlecraft.

Since they remember what has happened, the two officers contact "Voyager" and manage to make it back to their ship. However, at that point Chakotay does not know what Janeway is talking about when she explains about the time loop. Now it is Janeway alone who is caught in the time loops that take her back and forth to the ship and the planet. However, things get really interesting when Janeway is confronted by Admiral Janeway (Len Cariou), who died several years earlier and tries to convince his daughter that she is now dead as well.

As a time loop episode "Coda" achieves both of the important goals. Most importantly, each loop serves to make the story more interesting, especially if you are trying to figure out some common denominator to what is happening. However, that proves impossible to do. Secondly, the explanation as to what is really going on is more than satisfactory. The result is not a classic "Voyager" episode per se, but certainly an extremely engaging one. The encounters between Janeway and her father also provide a level of depth to both the episode and Janeway's character.

Good episode...not perfect, but good
Though this episode of Voyager isn't one of my favorites, it was interesting to watch. Mulgrew and Picardo excel, with the rest of the cast lending a hand at Janeway's "memorial service." It is quite similar to Waking Moments in the way the sequences air-you think they are the real parts of the episode, but it turns out that they are only fiction. The idea of the Devil coming in the form of Janeway's father is intriguing, and it reveals about Janeway after her father died. If you are a fan of Captain Kathryn Janeway, then I would recommend buying this episode.

Janeway has never been better!
Captain Kathryn Janeway is caught in the face of death. She is in a sort of trap. On an away mission Captain Janeway dies because she was choked. But then they show it all over again. Except this time, she was killed by a shuttle crash. She is caught between afterlife and present life. Her dad comes to her trying to convince her to come to the expanse of afterlife. Janeway finds out that her dad is truly an alien. She has to agree to come to the afterlife, because she can't be forced to go there. In the meantime she is a spirit and is seeing her entire crew go around about their lives. She does not like seeing all of this. She disagees to go with the alien and he left. She woke up on the planet that the shuttle crashed on. Me being a Janeway Fan, it was hard to see this episode without shedding a tear.

Amazing episode
This is one of the best Voyager episodes of all time. and maybe even THE best Janeway ep. it was really well-written. it makes me get all teary every time i watch it....

i totally agree with everything the people before me said. this episode explores the meaning of death very well, and makes us ponder the type of legacy we will leave behind.

and of course, it's an amazing J/C ep, and as a diehard J/Cer, I loved it. you can see how much they mean to each other. i just love it!

and Kate Mulgrew is an amazing actress! she's so talented. she really shines in this episode.

i dont even know how to express how much i loved this episode. it was just truly wonderful. i recommend it to everyone. not only will it provide a solid 45 minutes of good entertainment, but it will also make you think.

Best Janeway episode by far!
Though you could say that this plot explores the meaning of death, the medical ethics surrounding euthanisia, the importance of leadership and the existence of life after death, I would recommend this episode solely and highly because it explores Janeways reactions while she dies time after time, after time, in harsh conditions, and has to witness as a ghost the reactions of her crew on her demise. The episode exposes Janeways vulnerable sides beautifully, as she experiences deep drama and heart wrenching sorrow, being unable to stop these ever recurring deaths. If you want Star Trek to be more than "bracing for impact", "arming the foton torpedo's" and "dumping the warp core" this highly emotional episode will get to you. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

For the first time "Voyager" encounters freed Borg humanoids
In "Blood Fever," Episode 57 of "Star Trek: Voyager," Chakotay discovered signs of the Borg in the Delta Quadrant for the first time. The next step that eventually leads to Seven of Nine comes in Episode 59, "Unity" (Written by Kenneth Biller, February 12, 1997). Chakotay (Robert Beltran) is returning on a shuttle from a scouting mission when he picks up a Federation distress call from a nearby planet. When the shuttle lands to investigate the ensign with Chaoktay is killed and he is injured when they are attacked by a group of humanoids. A second group of humanoids, led by Riley Frazier (Lori Hallier), rescues him and explains that this planet is the home for members of various species who were kidnapped by aliens and left here. While many are cooperating to survive, some are decidedly unfriendly.

Meanwhile, "Voyager" discovers a Borg vessel drifting in space with over a thousand dead Borg on it. If there is one constant in the "Star Trek" universe it is that two unconnected plot lines come together sooner or later and that is indeed the case here, when we learn that Riley and the others were not just kidnapped by the Borg, but assimilated. When their vessel was incapacitated five years earlier, some of Borg were able to come to their sense and tried to survive on the nearest planet, where their "cooperative" has replaced the Borg collective.

At this point, late in season 3, "Unity" ends up being an above average "Voyager" episode where Janeway's tendency to help others at the expense of her crew collides with the threat of the Borg. However, from a history standpoint "Unity" is of some importance because even if Janeway knows little or nothing about how Locutus was turned back into Jean Luc-Picard, the example of Riley and the other former Borg is definitely going to be on her mind when "Voyager" encounters Seven of Nine and frees her from the collective. Not a classic episode, but good enough for me to round up on the rating.

"I heard their thoughts, saw through their eyes." --Chakotay
Why is it that every time Chakotay gets screen time, he's falling in love with a blonde alien? Still, this is a fun episode to watch, and it presents some really interesting food for thought. Who is right, Janeway or Riley? Both their perspectives are presented so that the answer isn't completely black and white. The Cooperative are portrayed sensibly as neither villains nor heroes, striving for harmony, never harming Chakotay, but resorting to mind control to get what they want. And as always when given a chance, Robert Beltran is reasonably convincing as his character finds himself unsure of what the "right thing" is. Chakotay inter- and re-acts--both with his captain and on the planet with the ex-drones--almost like a person instead of Starfleet cardboard. Overall, this is an excellent hour of Star Trek that includes all the classic elements: characters, tension, ethical dilemmas, and of course, the Borg.

Unity
It was a very good episode. I liked how they introduced the Borg, dead in space. Of course Chicotay had to go turn the cube on. It was a fun episode to see. I'll buy it on video when it comes out unfortunately that's in about a year. This was a fun episode. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Doctor creates the "perfect" holographic family
In "Darkling," Episode 61 of "Star Trek: Voyager," the Doctor (Robert Picardo) experimented with adding some sub-routines to his personality program based on famous people from the past. That particular episode in the Doctor's quest to become more human failed miserably. But in Episode 64, "Real Life" (Story by Harry Doc. Kloor, Telplay by Jeri Taylor, Aired April 23, 1997), the Emergency Medical Hologram gets right back on that horse in one of the better episodes in this particular on-going subplot.

"Voyager" comes upon a debris field that is apparently all that is left of the space station they were planning on visiting. Meanwhile down in Sick Bay the Doctor has created the "perfect" holodeck family consisting of his wife Charlene (Wendy Schaal), his son Jeffrey (Glenn Walker Harris, Jr.), and his daughter Belle (Lindsay Haun). Torres points out that the family is a little too perfect (think "Pleasantville," but with whiter teeth), and offers to make the program a bit more realistic. However, the Doctor is shocked by the results. Now his wife has her own job, his son is hanging out with the wrong type of kids (Klingons), and his precious daughter will not stop whining. To the Doctor's credit, instead of simply resetting the program he tries to deal with these all so human problems. But then things get too real.

The other plot line for "Real Life," having to do with a space tornado, becomes rather insignificant given what is happening with the Doctor and his holographic family. This is an important episode in his evolution because while it does have its comic moments, it also has a long-lasting effect on the Doctor. He still gets to be annoying from time to time, but beyond picking up the portable holographic emitter, the life lesson he learned from this episode might be the second most important moment in his entire Velveteen Rabbit story arc.

A touching, memorable episode
In this episode, the Doctor creates a perfect holographic family -- dutiful, adoring wife, obedient son and daughter -- they're "too perfect" and, with some tweaking from B'Elanna, the doctor's family becomes more realistic. His son starts hanging out with Klingons and wants to become one of them by participating in their warrior rituals; his daughter throws tantrums; and his wife's work schedule requires the Doctor to shoulder some of the household responsibilities. As his perfect holographic family life spins out of control, the doctor tries to restore order, and winds up, as his daughter says, "making a mess of things." When his son rebels and runs away, and his daughter is seriously injured at school, the Doctor attempts to terminate the Program to avoid the emotional pain. He's convinced to return and learns how important the emotional support of a family can be.

Heartbreaking...
This stunning mastery of tragedy is, in my opinion, one of the writers' best work yet... Brings tears to my eyes. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A dying Kes is living her future life...backwards
It seems that early on in each of the later "Star Trek" series there was also some interesting little thing that was thrown in that the creators seemed to regret later on. For "Star Trek: The Next Generation" it was the whole Imzadi bit between Riker and Troi (although it produced an absolutely superb novel by that name written by Peter David). For "Star Trek: Voyager" it was the idea that Kes (Jennifer Lien) was an Ocampan, which meant that she would have a lifespan of only nine years. Of course the series would have to last several seasons before that would come into play and ironically Lien would leave "Voyager" long before any of that mattered, so very little of what was originally planned for Kes every came into play. One of the rare exceptions to that rule is this third season episode.

Episode 63, "Before & After" (Written by Kenneth Biller, Aired April 9, 1997) begins with Kes in the Sickbay on the verge of death. To save her life the Doctor (Robert Picardo) puts her in a bio-temporal chamber, at which point Kes starts jumping around in what is apparently her future life. One moment her grandson Andrew (Christopher Aguilar) is giving her a birthday gift, the next the Doctor is explaining she is in the Morilogiu, the final phase of hte Ocampan lifecycle. Then she is in her quarters, where Andrew is working on the present he has already given her and she discovers she is married to Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) and her daughter, Linnis (Jessica Collins), is married to Harry Kim (Garret Wong). Before she can absorb the implications of all this future matrimonial bliss, she is back talking to the Doctor.

The jumping backwards through her life is pretty constant in "Before & After" (they should have been able to come up with a title more indicative of the premise) and since she already knows her "future" the rest of the jumps have to do with picking up clues as to why this is happening and what can (or should be or should have been) done to keep it from happening. Ironically, the episode does not play as well today, when the series has concluded and we know what happens to both Kes and Tom Paris, than it did when it first aired. That is because what ends up happening purges "Before & After" of all of its pathos. Even as the road not taken, there is not anything especially poignant for this particular glimpse of the future. However, the episode does give Kes more to do in this episode than she had seen the rest of that third season.

Good episode
This is a good episode that expands on Kes' character. She was never really the main character in any episode (with perhaps a few exceptions). An outstanding performance by Lien!

"You must be B'Elanna." --time-traveling Kes
Entering the world of Voyager at precisely the time that Kes was leaving, I never really got to know her. It wasn't until I saw this episode that I understood just why everyone was sorry to see her go. Jennifer Lien gives a great performance as a woman who is initially confused but is discerning enough to put the pieces together, and determined enough to free herself from the puzzle. The story's methodology is refreshingly clever: starting in the future, working backward all the way to the past, and ending in the present. Despite a few plot holes, this intelligent episode is far superior to the "other" time-traveling-Kes story ("Fury") and explains why the spirited Ocampan had so many fans.

Fabtastic
This is one of the highlights of the 3rd season. Kes was greatly under-used and it is great to see her at as the focus of this episode. It is wonderfully put together and really clever. I started collecting all the vidos since they started in 1995 and I almost have a full collection. This episode is definately one of my favourites over all six seasons. Jennifer Lien is an excellent actress and it was really interesting to wonder if any of these things would ever happen. FAB

Not Bad
This is a rather strange episode. At the beginning, you probably won't understand what's going on, but as the show progresses, you will soon get it. The plot is mainly focused around Kes, who is continueing to go backwards in time. The Doctor keeps trying to come up with a way to get her back into temperal sync with everyone else, but just as they're coming up with a solution, Kes jumps back again. There is one thing that really peeves me about this show. It's the forshadowing at the end. I mean, we all know that Kes is going to be leaving pretty soon, so ya don't have to rub it in. But, on the whole, I'd say this is a pretty good show. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Harry Kim brings his genes to the ladies of Taresia
"Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 62, "Favorite Son" (Written by Lisa Klink, Aired March 19, 1997) offers up another bizarre experience for young Harry Kim (Garrett Wong), the ship's homesick and unlucky young ensign. "Voyager" encounters a Nasari vessel and all of the sudden Kim announces the alien ship is going to fire and fires the phasers. Afterwards a perplexed Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), unhappy with Kim's explanation that he just had a hunch the Nasari were a threat, suspends him and sends him to his cabin without supper. There our young ensign is surprised to discover he suddenly had alien markings on his face.

The Doctor has no explanation for either the markings or the fact that Kim's blood chemistry is now different. Tuvok proves the Nasari were indeed about to fire on Voyager but Kim's only explanation is that this area of space seems familiar. At this point Kim directs "Voyager" to the planet Taresia, where the population, which is mainly female, welcomes Kim home and tell a really whacked story about what is going on here. Of course we go through a period where it seems like this incredible story might be true, because you know how hard it is for 23rd century technology to verify anything scientific. Consequently, this episode exceeds the amount of time the crew is allowed to be stupid before the episode becomes unsalvageable.

Actually, "Favorite Son" reminds me of an episode from the first season of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" entitled "Teacher's Pet." If you have seen both then you will recognize the obvious connection between Harry Kim and Xander Harris, and the more you think about it the clearer it will be that Ensign Kim is also usually the butt of some cosmic joke when an episode of "Voyager" focuses primarily on him.

Good plot, Great girls (well... kinda, if they didn't kill)
Nice twist on an intro to an all-girl planet (almost every guy's fantasy) and their culture. But the wierd thing is what happens to the guy after the mating-- death. Harry Kim is positively interesting concerning his behaviors towards this new role of him as a mate.

Pretty decent episode
Pretty decent episode-definitely not a classic though. The plot is quite creepy-an obvious remake of the greek mythology idea of Sirens (creatures who lured men to them with their singing only to devore them), but not in a way that makes the plot seem stupid and contrived. While it's not anything to brag about, it's an alright episode, and introduces another alien culture. The "marriage ceremony" is also quite interesting. It's definitely not an ensemble piece though-the plot basically centers around Ensign Harry Kim, with the rest of the crew just adding a bit of substance.

A Harry Kim episode... uh-oh!
Whilst having a little chat with a local race, the Nasari, Harry Kim warns Janeway that the Nasari are about to attack. Bearing in mind that the Nasari are a peaceful race Janeway is a bit shocked when Kim is blasting their ship with phasers and photon torpeodes, a battle begins, with both ships ending up limping away from each other badly damaged. Harry gets sent to quarters for disobeying direct orders and causing an act of agression toward a friendly race.

It is only later that Tuvok reveals scans indicate the Nasari were about to fire - how did Kim know! Suddenly Kim starts getting strange feelings and markings on his body. He asks that they go to a neighbouring planet, once there Kim is welcomed "home"!

This is an okay episode that started well but dipped after the first ten minutes. Kim thinks he is a member of an alien race that he is slowly turning into, interesting but nothing new, with a terrible ending and plot that doesn't seem to be going anywhere! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Every nine minutes a "Voyager" crew member is replaced...
In "Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 66, "Displaced" (Teleplay by Lisa Klink, Aired May 14, 1997) we start off with a halfway interesting mystery that gives way to a rather standard resolution to this week's problem. A Nyrian named Dammar (Kenneth Tigar) suddenly appears on "Voyager," and the crew discovers Kes (Jennifer Lien) has disappeared. Soon Kim and Tuvok disappear in the same manner, and Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) realizes her crew is being traded off one by one every nine minutes. Eventually we get to the point where half the crew has been exchanged and we learn that the Nyrians are behind it all. This is how they steal spaceships. Apparently the idea of pirates boarding a vessel one at a time, every nine minutes, has been extremely successful for a long time. Meanwhile, the displaced crews are housed in environments similar to their home worlds (think really, really large cages at the zoo). Fortunately it turns out the Doctor can be reprogrammed by Torres so that he can see the portals that connect together the various biospheres. This allows the "Voyager" crew to have fun not only retaking their ship but also having to rescue all the other inhabitants of the various biospheres who have been the guests of the Nyrians as well. If you do not take "Displaced" all that seriously it is enjoyable enough, but it is hard not to think that there was a whole bunch of missed opportunities to come up with something better off of this premise.

So that's what this episode is about!
I always forgot what this episode was called, but I loved it from the first time I saw it! Voyager getting slowly replaced by an alien race -- I love it!

A great episode!!
One of those Voyager episodes that can be watched over and over... (especially that last Paris/Torres scene). The plot's really good too.

THIS EPISODE IS AWESOME
In this episode, the crew of Voyager is displaced to an artificial environment created by aliens want to take over Voyager. If you are a Paris/Torres fan, you should definately buy this episode, as it has some really good P/T scenes. But even if you do not like P/T, this is still a WONDERFUL episode. I would DEFINATELY recommend buying it.

Voyager is boarded!
In this episode a species called the Nyrian begin appearing on Voyager, beamed aboard and unaware of how they got there and why. The Voyager crew investigate and soon discover that Kes is missing, in fact as every new Nyrian beams aboard (about once every nine minutes) one of the Starfleet crew goes missing. Still baffled the crew investigate further until they reach the shocking conclusion... they are being invaded!

A great episode for fans of Chakotay who really gets some good scenes in this interesting episode!

named Dammar suddenly appears on Voyager, asking why he's been abducted. The crew isn't responsible for beaming him aboard, and they soon discover that Kes mysteriously vanished from the ship at the same instant Dammar arrived. Not long after, Kim disappears as another Nyrian turns up. Soon, Tuvok also vanishes. After 22 Nyrians take the place of crewmembers, Janeway realizes that they are replacing her entire staff at nine-minute intervals. ...