Series: Star Trek: Voyager
Season 2, Episode 12
Original Air Date: November 27, 1995
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| via Memory Alpha |
An away team is sent to find and buy much needed tellerium. All goes horribly wrong. Torres and Tuvok are arrested by the oppressive Mokra Order. Janeway manages to get away with the help of a mysterious friend, Caylem. Actually, Caylem mistakenly believes Janeway is his own long-lost daughter. Together, Janeway and Caylem hatch a plan to break our heroes out of prison.
I think "Resistance" is the strongest second season episode so far and it's all thanks to Caylem, played by the inimitable Joel Grey (more on him in a bit). His story is heartbreaking, and probably all too real for people living under oppressive regimes. Janeway clearly feels deep sympathy for him and also genuine regret she can't do more to help.
It's a good episode for the Torres/Tuvok relationship, too. The two see the world in different lights but they also respect each other, and care for each other. The current dilemma is a meaningful test of limits for both. How far can you push a Vulcan before he breaks?
Acting Notes
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| via Muppet Wiki |
Joel Grey was born Joel David Katz in Cleveland, April 11, 1932. Unlike many I've featured in this space, Grey never went to college. He started his career at age 10 at the Cleveland Play House and never looked back.
No Broadway star shines brighter than Joel Grey. In 1966, he won the role of a lifetime: Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret. The part won him a Tony on stage and an Oscar on screen.
He was nominated for further acting Tonys for George M!, Goodtime Charley and The Grand Tour plus one as director for The Normal Heart. He was the original Wizard of Oz in Wicked. He's done pretty well on screens both large and small. Most importantly to me, he hosted The Muppet Show, first season, fifth episode.
I welcome any excuse to post the following scene: "Sunday" from Tick Tick Boom, featuring Grey in its Broadway legend cast.
Grey received a Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Award at the Tonys in 2023. On top of everything else, he's a famous father. His daughter Jennifer starred in Dirty Dancing.
Joel Grey's career is incredible. Cabaret is a masterpiece. And he was in Wicked? That's amazing. I'm going to have to find that Muppet Show episode.
ReplyDeleteThe original Muppet Show series is on a very short list of the best primetime television shows ever.
DeleteI’ve never really been able to be as interested in this episode as its reputation suggests I should. If anything it relies too much on Grey and how his story ends. Everything around it, including Janeway, is exactly the generic Star Trek fans always claim Voyager to be.
ReplyDeleteSomething for you and I to explore Tony... what makes a Trek story work for each of us. Clearly, you and I look for different things. Fortunately, the franchise offers plenty for both of us.
DeleteAbove all else, I crave emotional connection. Lal's "I will feel it for both of us" line is about as good as screenwriting gets, period. Hugh's final glance at Geordi as he is transporting away. Spock coming to terms with his predicament in "All Our Yesterdays." Picard's emotional breakdown with his brother in "Family." Those are the moments that stay with me - haunt me, even.
DS9 lives on an emotional edge that Voyager, for the most part, avoids. The latter depends more on the pulp fiction thrill ride. That, in and of itself, is not a terrible thing. It can be loads of fun. It's just not what makes a story memorable for me.
A few episodes on, I can say that "Resistance" is the beginning of a strong run in Season 2. The Caylem story is what makes it memorable for me.
Hi Squid! Long time no comment. (I may scroll back a bit to see what good Treks I missed over the past few months...) Sorry to have to disagree with Tony, but to me this has got to be in Voyager's all-time top five or six episodes. Had both my wife and I in tears when we saw it the first time.
ReplyDelete(And, I had no idea Jennifer Grey was his daughter!)
Always delighted to hear from you, Cyg!
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