NB: It is my very first time in this type of exercise so please, be indulgent with me... :-)
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The Summary: Kathryn Janeway discovers the truth about one of her famed ancestors, Shannon O'Donnel, realizing that who Shannon was differs vastly from what Janeway had believed all her life.
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Comments:
"11:59" is without a doubt the quietest episode but not less the most pleasant of the season 5 and the most important, it doesn't follow the conventional Voyager pattern with no threats to the crew, no sci-fi anomalies. Just some ideas about the past, as Janeway thinks back to memories of her childhood, where she held an ancestor in high regard as her hero and inspiration.
It might not be the most original story ever told, but it does make for an hour of friendly themes that are relevant to Kathryn Janeway as a character. A pure reflection upon histories and feelings.
I think the impact of this tale on Kathryn Janeway—especially learning that history is not always what it seems—works far better. It's always something of a wake-up call to learn that your childhood hero was just a person with their own agendas and needs, Further to this dicovery, Janeway finds herself somewhat depressed by that all-too-simple realization but fortunately, Neelix appears unexpectedly to bring her an old photo from elsewhere, which immediately brings smile and joy to Janeway.
(The flashback story seems to capture some bits of atmosphere of a small Midwest town, although I'm not a specialist of Midwest state of mind, I admit but I went so often to Missouri (Saint Louis. Sainte Geneviève) that well, that I recognized similarities between what I have lived and what I saw on screen.)
I particularly liked the acting chemistry between Mulgrew/Shannon O'Donnell and Tighe/Henry Janeway (by the way, I read that both actors were quite familiar with each other so that Kate Mulgrew has chosen Kevin Tighe to be the godfather of one of her sons), like scenes where both argue their differences concerning the role of people and technology, when they share a dinner. We can follow, step by step, a lovely romance in progress.
I'd add that this episode also shows that "family" is where its heart is at. Sentiment in the flashback sequences may have fallen somewhat flat, but I can't help but admit an affection for the group photo at the end—an image that speaks louder about the Voyager family unit than dialog probably could've.
To end, 11:59 proposes an hour of peace and a plot without the gimmicks we've come to expect.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Summary: Kathryn Janeway discovers the truth about one of her famed ancestors, Shannon O'Donnel, realizing that who Shannon was differs vastly from what Janeway had believed all her life.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Comments:
"11:59" is without a doubt the quietest episode but not less the most pleasant of the season 5 and the most important, it doesn't follow the conventional Voyager pattern with no threats to the crew, no sci-fi anomalies. Just some ideas about the past, as Janeway thinks back to memories of her childhood, where she held an ancestor in high regard as her hero and inspiration.
It might not be the most original story ever told, but it does make for an hour of friendly themes that are relevant to Kathryn Janeway as a character. A pure reflection upon histories and feelings.
I think the impact of this tale on Kathryn Janeway—especially learning that history is not always what it seems—works far better. It's always something of a wake-up call to learn that your childhood hero was just a person with their own agendas and needs, Further to this dicovery, Janeway finds herself somewhat depressed by that all-too-simple realization but fortunately, Neelix appears unexpectedly to bring her an old photo from elsewhere, which immediately brings smile and joy to Janeway.
(The flashback story seems to capture some bits of atmosphere of a small Midwest town, although I'm not a specialist of Midwest state of mind, I admit but I went so often to Missouri (Saint Louis. Sainte Geneviève) that well, that I recognized similarities between what I have lived and what I saw on screen.)
I particularly liked the acting chemistry between Mulgrew/Shannon O'Donnell and Tighe/Henry Janeway (by the way, I read that both actors were quite familiar with each other so that Kate Mulgrew has chosen Kevin Tighe to be the godfather of one of her sons), like scenes where both argue their differences concerning the role of people and technology, when they share a dinner. We can follow, step by step, a lovely romance in progress.
I'd add that this episode also shows that "family" is where its heart is at. Sentiment in the flashback sequences may have fallen somewhat flat, but I can't help but admit an affection for the group photo at the end—an image that speaks louder about the Voyager family unit than dialog probably could've.
To end, 11:59 proposes an hour of peace and a plot without the gimmicks we've come to expect.
