Lynx, I don't think you and I are ever going to agree about Kes either, but I'm not bugged by that if you aren't.
As for "something going terribly wrong with Kes", now why would Kes be the only one who got whacked? Why not, Neelix, Torres, Kim or anyone else?
Well, it could be senility of the kind we saw in Kes' time travel episode, colored by anger and bitterness. Or a strange alien virus - the delta quadrant seemed to be chock-full of those. How about poisonous radiation? Pretty much anything could have happened to her after she left the ship.
And due to how the scene was set in "Fury" I don't think that the pathetic wreck ever came back to the planet, considering the time it had taken Voyager through this area of space and the dangers they encountered too.
She did look weak, but she said she'd make it home. If she was able to send Voyager so far when she had just come into her powers, then I can believe she would be able to get herself home.
And what should the wreck accomplish there? Shortly before the Caretaker died, he downloaded his knowledge and information to the planet (according to the book "Caretaker" which is based on the script).
I don't think I'd call her a wreck, not even at her craziest. I just can't see it that way. Whatever was in the Caretaker's database, I'd guess it didn't include info on how the Ocampans can develop their powers. That's what Kes could have given them - demonstrations, encouragement, the Vulcan meditation techniques, her take on how best to develop. I'm iffy on whether or not Suspiria and the other Ocampans would help the home planet.
And she wasn't back to her "old self" at the episode. The "old self" was the Kes we saw in seasons 1-3. I didn't see anything of that character anywjere in "Fury".
I'd say she was back on track, but I agree that she wasn't her old self again. That didn't bother me since I thought more of her after that episode.
Just curious, what did you think of the Kes/Neelix relationship and the break up?