Series: Star Trek: Voyager
Season 2, Episode 26
Original Air Date: May 20, 1996
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| via Wikipedia |
Voyager receives a hail from Seska - a former crewmate, who turned out to be a spy, and also Chakotay's former lover. She is with the Kazon now, having shacked up with Maje Culluh. Seska has given birth to Chakotay's child (long story) and claims both she and the child are now in danger. Our friends set off to help, knowing full well they may be walking into a trap. Sure enough, Culluh's band ultimately take control of the ship, marooning the entire crew (with a few important exceptions) on Hanov IV, a primitive planet.
A couple of meaningful ongoing narratives intersect in "Basics," a season-bridging two-parter. In addition to the Seska fiasco (an in-story mess - I have no problem with it from a production perspective), Lon Suder is back. Last time we saw Suder, he had permanently been confined to quarters after murdering Crewman Frank Darwin. The beneficiary of Tuvok's guidance, Suder is a new man. Now well along the path to reform, Suder wants to find a way to contribute to the ship and its mission, within the terms of his confinement. He has an idea for developing the airponics vegetable garden.
Unfortunately, Suder's presentation of his plan to Captain Janeway doesn't go well. However, he may yet have a chance to help out. During the Kazon attack, a hole is blown in Suder's quarters and he is technically freed. He evades discovery during the Kazon search of the vessel.
At episode's end, three characters are unaccounted for by the Kazon: Paris, who had left the ship on a shuttle mission, Suder and The Doctor, who had deactivated himself for exactly twelve hours to avoid capture.
Overall, it's a solid cliffhanger heading into the summer break.
Recurring characters don't hold the same prominence in Voyager that they do in DS9 so it's interesting that such an important episode depends so heavily on two of them. It is also, as we shall soon see, nearly the end of the line for both.
Thoughts on Season Two
General Impressions
It is a tale of two seasons. The first half-plus is truly terrible. When fans speak of the clunky awkwardness of Voyager, they offer episodes like "Twisted" and "Threshold" as evidence. Plus, there is the nearly unwatchable Neelix-as-jealous-boyfriend thread. After a strong first season, the early stumbles of the second are deeply discouraging, especially with Deep Space Nine knocking it out of the park practically every week.
But an interesting thing happened after "Threshold," the 15th episode. Season 2's final eleven are strong, beginning with "Meld," Suder's debut. "Dreadnaught," "Lifesigns," "Innocence" and "Tuvix" are all gems. Just as importantly, there are no true clunkers in the home stretch. Principal characters find depth. Compelling ethical dilemmas abound. Maybe Voyager has finally found sure footing.
Maybe.
Favorite Episode: "Lifesigns"
At this point, I would say Tuvok and the Doctor are battling for the lead as best-developed character of the series. "Lifesigns" gives the EMH a slight edge. The Doctor's entire arc is a quest for broader agency, yet falling in love catches him off-guard. He didn't even realize it was possible.
I'm gonna let you all behind the curtain for a minute. That's what falling in love is really like. If you're lucky, you grow up with a fairy-tale inkling of what "true love" is. You may have meaningful real-world models and you certainly have plenty of pop culture material to feed into your ideal. You may have early experiences that are gratifying and likely others that are disappointing. You may indeed have cared a great deal for one or two of your early partners and they for you.
It's all prequel.
When the real thing hits you for the first time, it's a freight train. Whatever concepts you had before suddenly seem quaint and silly. The whole world is new. Your life before and your life after are two completely different tales. It is not a universal experience. Not everyone knows that kind of love in their lifetime. How do I know? Because the world would be a very different place if they did.
That is the love I see portrayed in "Lifesigns" and that is why I believe it.
Least Favorite Episode: "Twisted"
With two series running simultaneously, the Star Trek machine was under a lot of pressure. Producing 26 episodes a year would have been demanding enough. Generating 50+ definitely over-extended the operation. As such, it shouldn't be shocking that a few undeniable heaps of garbage were peppered among the genuinely brilliant installments.
"Twisted" was one of four episodes left over from the first season's production run. The writing is awful. The story was too short so they padded already weak material with further crap. The space-time anomaly well was already running dry. And my god, can we please find a merciful exit for Neelix, already?
They should have left this one in the can.
Favorite Recurring Character: Danara
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| via Memory Alpha |
While "Lifesigns" is a showcase for the Doctor, it works because of Danara, his phage-suffering Vidiian love interest. Neither character understands what is happening to them and, to my point above, that's exactly what makes it believable. The Doctor's holographic emotional range is limited so Danara is the more interesting of the partners to watch. We can still see the love in her eyes when she returns in "Resolutions."
All credit to actress Susan Diol.
Favorite Blast from the Past: Will Riker
In "Death Wish," Q summons our old pal Will Riker to Voyager for Quinn's asylum hearing. Unfortunately for the long term, he's sent back to the Alpha Quadrant quickly afterwards with no memory of the incident. The glimpse of Voyager's circumstances `could have been meaningful in our friends' prospects for getting home.
But the brief cameo is good fun.
Favorite Guest Actor, One-Shot: Tom Wright as Tuvix
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| via Memory Alpha |
Boy, is it a tough call on this one. This is no small honor for Wright as he's beaten out Broadway megastar Joel Grey. Grey was wonderful but Wright had the tougher job. Two characters merged into one: that's not a typical ask of an actor. Then Tuvix had to plead for his right to exist - sadly not unusual at all in reality or fiction. Wright's performance is a triumph.
Onward
Season 3 is an important one for Voyager as it is the last with the original principal cast. We'll be saying goodbye to someone soon. There was much hand-wringing among the producers over the fact the series wasn't thriving as many had hoped. The season ends with a big Hail Mary throw, one that ultimately rescues not only Voyager but arguably the entire franchise.
But we're not quite there yet. Stay tuned.
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