Tuvix Episode Revisited

[Captain Jerk]

A week later, 5 crew members have organs stolen in an attack by the Vidiians. The Doctor determines that only Tom Paris has organ compatibility with all 5 crewmen and women...

JANEWAY: Please come with me, Mr. Paris.

TOM: No.

JANEWAY: It's simple math, Tom. 1 life for 5. I'm ordering you to come with me. Security to the Bridge.

TOM: Commander, are you going to stand by and do nothing while she commits murder? Harry? Doesn't anyone see that this is wrong?

(Harry stares at Tom with dead eyes, the exact same look Tom gave Tuvix when he begged for his life. Security enter. Tom tries to run for a turbolift and they grab him.)


TOM: Each of you is going to have to live with this, and I'm sorry for that, for you are all good, good people. My colleagues, my friends, I forgive you. Oh who am I kidding, FUCK YOU ALL!!!

JANEWAY: Commander Chakotay, advise the Doctor we're on our way to Sickbay.

TOM: Doctor!!! You'll help me, right? I know at least YOU will! You're a physician and must do no harm!

DOCTOR: Actually, I have no problem butchering you for your organs, not in the slightest. You're a piece of shit, Tom.

 

[Oddish]

They should have had Seska's evil doctor do THAT in "Worst Case Scenario". Why use nitric acid when you can use a chainsaw?

 

[at Quark's]

It's possible that EMHs actually are required to recite/agree to the oath at some point before they enter active service. I'm not entirely sure as to how that would be a meaningful gesture...but then, it's arguable whether it's meaningful for a flesh-and-blood individual to recite it as well.

I agree about the doubftulness of its meaning when it's no more than a formality, both for flesh-and-bolod and programmed holograms. However, I'd say it's certainly meaningless if a hologram cannot even refuse, because he's simply programmed to do so.

Another problem is: doesn't the Doctor explicitly state somewhere that he was activated for the very first time on Voyager? If that is true, how could he have taken that oath? (Still trying to find the reference, but perhaps I'm wrong).

Another instance would be critical care where the EMH simply says he's programmed with the Hippocratic Oath.

 

[Guy Gardener]

A week later, 5 crew members have organs stolen in an attack by the Vidiians. The Doctor determines that only Tom Paris has organ compatibility with all 5 crewmen and women...

JANEWAY: Please come with me, Mr. Paris.

TOM: No.

JANEWAY: It's simple math, Tom. 1 life for 5. I'm ordering you to come with me. Security to the Bridge.

TOM: Commander, are you going to stand by and do nothing while she commits murder? Harry? Doesn't anyone see that this is wrong?

(Harry stares at Tom with dead eyes, the exact same look Tom gave Tuvix when he begged for his life. Security enter. Tom tries to run for a turbolift and they grab him.)


TOM: Each of you is going to have to live with this, and I'm sorry for that, for you are all good, good people. My colleagues, my friends, I forgive you. Oh who am I kidding, FUCK YOU ALL!!!

JANEWAY: Commander Chakotay, advise the Doctor we're on our way to Sickbay.

TOM: Doctor!!! You'll help me, right? I know at least YOU will! You're a physician and must do no harm!

DOCTOR: Actually, I have no problem butchering you for your organs, not in the slightest. You're a piece of shit, Tom.

Women are also crewmen.

Crewmen is a unisexual term.

 

[at Quark's]

A week later, 5 crew members have organs stolen in an attack by the Vidiians. The Doctor determines that only Tom Paris has organ compatibility with all 5 crewmen and women...

But what if Captain Janeway was the only possible compatible donor?

 

[Oddish]

But what if Captain Janeway was the only possible compatible donor?

Then poetic justice would be served.

 

[at Quark's]

<Janeway and security guards are seen dragging a resisting Tom Paris into Sickbay>
Janeway: Here is the erm, volunteer. We commend him for his noble sacrifice. Proceed, Doctor!
EMH: I'm sorry Captain. Tom Paris isn't the only compatible donor; April's fools! <blows a party horn>
Janeway: April's fools?
EMH (proudly): I have been expanding my programming!
Janeway: Perhaps those expansions should also include some sense of social propriety! This isn't an occasion for pranks!
EMH: Anyway, to get back to the matter at hand, It's actually you captain, that's the only available donor.
Janeway<loocking shocked at her security detail witnessing this, and casting a brief glance at a murderous-looking Torres that followed them into sickbay>: Welll .... you've said so yourself, Doctor! Voyager can survive without her warp core, but not without her captain! I would like nothing more than to sacrifice myself, but I'll have to make an even higher sacrifice by staying alive to get us all home! We commemorate these five crewmembers that lost their lives in the line of duty ....

 

[Oddish]

Then the phaser blast hits her from behind, and the EMH gets a very "crazed mad scientist" look on his face.

EMH: "Bring her to Bio Bed 3. And better tell Commander Chakotay he's in charge of the ship now."

 

[Summer Solstice]

I don't know. Janeway manually fired a torpedo herself in Future's End rather than ordering someone else to do it. She was prepared to die in Night and Endgame to get the crew home quicker.

 

[at Quark's]

True. I was just having a bit of fun with Janeway, I don't actually think she would have been that hypocritical or liberal with the lives of her crew.

Though she did sometimes expose others to risks that couldn't really be justified, in equinox for example.

 

[Oddish]

Same here. And I don't see the EMH committing murder either. Even for the perceived greater good: he was the only one to offer even token opposition to Janeway's "solution" to the Tuvix situation.

 

[DonIago]

Another problem is: doesn't the Doctor explicitly state somewhere that he was activated for the very first time on Voyager? If that is true, how could he have taken that oath? (Still trying to find the reference, but perhaps I'm wrong).

He could have been activated on Voyager to swear the oath before the first time we see him in use.

Anyway, I agree that the Tuvix situation was a KM scenario with no 'good' option, but I also feel that the argument should have ended when The Doctor refused to perform the procedure, especially since there was no clear reason why it had to be performed in the moment versus allowing for further research that might have yielded better options.

 

[Oddish]

One question I have been playing with is what might have happened if Janeway had spoken to the EMH before she spoke to Kes, and the latter had reminded her that taking Tuvix's life was doing harm to a living being? As part of the oath all Starfleet officers take, Janeway was undoubtedly bound to respect life in all its forms. Maybe she would have decided that that principle applied to Tuvix.

 

[Captain Jerk]

But what if Captain Janeway was the only possible compatible donor?

Your skit answered this nicely:

"Voyager can survive without her warp core, but not without her captain! I would like nothing more than to sacrifice myself, but I'll have to make an even higher sacrifice by staying alive to get us all home! We commemorate these five crewmembers that lost their lives in the line of duty ...." Bingo

Then poetic justice would be served.

Yes. It was also served by this Tom Paris scenario as he too was guilty of Tuvix's murder; they all were. It's amazing how not one person saw it as wrong enough to intervene or speak up on the bridge. They were cowards. Like you said, they are like a brainwashed cult living in fear of the whims of Janeway. It was fitting that her manboy-puppet Harry Kim was in Sickbay assisting her with his murder in the end. Mommy knows best, right Harry you little tool? lol

One question I have been playing with is what might have happened if Janeway had spoken to the EMH before she spoke to Kes, and the latter had reminded her that taking Tuvix's life was doing harm to a living being? As part of the oath all Starfleet officers take, Janeway was undoubtedly bound to respect life in all its forms. Maybe she would have decided that that principle applied to Tuvix.

You're right that that concern or consideration was not raised by the writers of the episode. The moral high horse they had Janeway perched upon mainly was the idea that 2 voices could not be heard -- Neelix's and Tuvok's, and she believed they would want to live, and it was her duty to act on their behalf. But she was still sort of on the fence, until sweet innocent Kes boo-hoo-hoo'd on her shoulder about how she missed Neelix. Seeing that Kes of all people could cold-bloodedly disregard the life and wants of Tuvix gave Janeway the courage to be just as ruthless, and sealed his fate. Tuvix's main problem in the end was that he simply wasn't popular enough yet or as loved as his DNA donors were. He got screwed but good.

I also feel that the argument should have ended when The Doctor refused to perform the procedure, especially since there was no clear reason why it had to be performed in the moment versus allowing for further research that might have yielded better options.

I would assume it's connected to Janeway's earlier comments, "when did Tuvix become a person and not a transporter accident?" She realizes the more time that passes the harder the decision becomes, and the more it becomes clear murder. But ultimately, he was a person the moment he materialized and had his first thoughts as a sentient being. It would have been murder even if they reversed the process 1 minute after the incident, if it was done against his will.

 

[Charles Phipps]

It's saving two crew members at the cost of one.

Simple math.

 

[Oddish]

Like you said, they are like a brainwashed cult living in fear of the whims of Janeway. It was fitting that her manboy-puppet Harry Kim was in Sickbay assisting her with his murder in the end. Mommy knows best, right Harry you little tool? lol

Well, she sure rewarded his loyalty, didn't she?

If Tuvix's fate upsets you, maybe this will help you feel a little better... here's at least a couple scenarios where he could have been vindicated: https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/tuvixs-revenge-a-story-in-two-endings.310202/

 

[Tosk]

The needs of the many outweigh the murder of the one.

 

[Captrek]

Of course he was written that way. Suppose we had gotten 'Neevok' instead, a character that combined the worst qualities of them both. A lousy cook, overly logical in situations that don't call for it, yet effusive in an annoying way, relatively incompetent in his work, etc. Then probably no-one would have been sorry to see him go, both in-universe and in the audience. Which, in itself, might have been an interesting introspective mirror in how we really construe our 'ethics', and to what extent personal likes and dislikes play a role in that.

Nobody mourns for Verad Dax.

 

[Captain Jerk]

If Tuvix's fate upsets you, maybe this will help you feel a little better... here's at least a couple scenarios where he could have been vindicated: https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/tuvixs-revenge-a-story-in-two-endings.310202/

Thanks yes I read it and enjoyed it, I responded on that thread too but I guess u forgot

 

[Captain Jerk]

JANEWAY: In the past few weeks, Tuvix has begun to make a life for himself on this ship. He's taken on responsibilities, made friends.

CHAKOTAY: I count myself as one of them.

JANEWAY: So at what point did he become an individual and not a transporter accident?

CHAKOTAY: Gee I don't know, maybe the MOMENT HE MATERIALIZED you FUCKING IDIOT?

JANEWAY: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part.

CHAKOTAY: Nothing, nothing. You're a great Captain! Top notch.

JANEWAY: Listen, Chakotay, between you and me, I'm planning a surprise Murder Party for Tuvix. I'm going to catch him off guard on the bridge with a couple of security officers, then march him down to Sickbay and end his life. Doesn't that sound like fun!

CHAKOTAY: I guess. Don't you think we should stop calling him Tuvix? If he has a "name" people may see what you do to him as especially monstrous on your part.

JANEWAY: Good thinking Commander. From this point on, he shall be known only as "Transporter Accident #347". Issue a ship-wide announcement.


Tuvix is casually walking through the ship.

RANDOM CREW MEMBER: Oh, hello there, Transporter Accident #347! How are you today!

TUVIX: Could you just call me Tuvix please...

RANDOM CREW MEMBER: Why would I do that, when I know you're transporter accident #347?



ASIDE: The first 3 lines at the top are real lines from the episode. Can you believe Chakotay had the audacity to say that he counted Tuvix as one of his friends after what we saw on the bridge near the end of the episode? Unbelievable...Chakotay, you're trash dude. Lol.