Another Voyager 1st-time watch thread

[T.D. Possum]

Best. Review. Ever!!!!!

 

[froot]

Best. Review. Ever!!!!!

This! Holy cow, man, you get props for going back in time like that.

I think they used the catapult. Also, we never did learn why Voyager was outfitted with tri-cobalt devices.

The truth is out there!

 

[Shatnertage]

Thanks, guys. I've been really overworked with RL stuff, so doing this has been a lot of fun. Looking back at the old posts was a lot of fun, too. I've really changed how I think of the show.

 

[Markira]

Thanks, guys. I've been really overworked with RL stuff, so doing this has been a lot of fun. Looking back at the old posts was a lot of fun, too. I've really changed how I think of the show.

I love this thread; reading your reviews is fun and I like thinking about the episodes in more depth since I'm watching them all for the first time too.

Really enjoyed "The Voyager Conspiracy"! (And was so that I was included in your review, Shatnertage!) My favorite part was definitely the exchange between Janeway and Chakotay in the cargo bay. There may have been a couple of beers involved, but I found that part so damn funny.

 

[Shatnertage]

That part was really good, and I think it played to both actors' strengths. It's fun to see what they can do with this stuff.

And now I'm finding my way with...

"Pathfinder"

From the opening shot, I realized that I've seen this one before. It's almost like a TNG episode--we don't really see the Voyager crew until pretty late in the episode. It kind of made me glad that TNG didn't get any more seasons.

This was the name-dropping episode to end all name-dropping episodes. Captain Picard, Deep Space Nine, the Enterprise--I don't think there's anything that wasn't mentioned.

The funny thing is that, when Harkins first walked into the lab, I thought it was Picard for a second. And I recognized Admiral Paris as George's boss from Seinfeld. Would have been great if they could have worked in a "Think Tank" reference somehow.

Barclay's concern for the Voyager crew is touching, and I loved the holographic recreation of Voyager, with everyone in their season 1 look (and hairstyles). Torres and Chakotay in the Maquis duds was priceless. And we didn't see Neelix--is that because Barclay didn't know exactly what he looked like? No Seven, either.

But what we saw was great--the massage, the ball-throwing in Engineering. The only thing missing was Janeway as the Goddess of Discipline or something like that (now that's an idea I know a lot of people here can run with!). I know she's empathetic, but I see her holo-fantasy being a little sterner for some reason.

When my wife saw Admiral Paris, she named him "Daddy Platter" as a way of getting back for me calling Tom "Turkey Platter" all the time.

It was a cute episode, just lightweight fun. I'm surprised no one remembered Barclay from "Projections." Didn't the Doctor have an extended conversation with his holographic image?

Also surprised that they found Voyager at all, with all the shortcuts and trans-warp jumps they've taken. Barclay says they're 60,000 ly from home, but I estimate it's more like 25,000, or even 20,000 at this point.

Which brings up something that's bugged me--there's no real change in the attitude of the crew, even though they're well over half-way home in only 6 years. At that rate, they have another 6 years, and even if they just keep bumping along in regular warp, they'll be home in 20 years or so--not great, but barring accidents everyone will live to see earth again. I've got to think that would change their mindset a little at least, from "lost in the Delta Quadrant" to "How do we get home quicker?"

But, in closing, I really liked Janeway's "Keep a docking bay open for us." Very inspirational.

 

[HoneyBLilly]

One of my absolute favorite episodes from season six. This episode made me a fan of Barclay. And the ending made me cry.


As for the Doctor not remembering Barclay, he couldn't because back in season three he lost his memories of everything.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

Before we go on, I want to share a couple of facts with you.

August 10, 2010. Not quite knowing what he's getting into, Shatnertage starts a thread on his experiences watching Voyager. He's pleasantly surprised by the reactions to his post about "The Thaw," and decides to continue.

September 1, 2010. T.D. Possum confesses that she, too, likes "Sub Rosa," but finds "Remember" unmemorable.

November 6, 2010: JanewayRulz! spills the beans about Harry Kim's poor choices in women...something I will soon learn is all too true.

January 11, 2011: exodus makes an "Equinox" reference that I didn't get at the time.

March 3, 2011: Markira says she's starting to feel at home on the TBBS.

March 10, 2011: froot posts a picture of a unicorn.

It's all connected somehow, just like...

"The Voyager Conspiracy"

I really liked this episode--it was a lot of fun, with some good comedy stuff mixed in with serious themes about trust. It's definitely what they call a "high-concept episode," but thankfully it doesn't involve DNA being rewritten. It's just about what happens when you try to digest more information than you can handle.

There are a few really good threads in here. Seven's growing paranoia is one, but the way she turns Janeway and Chakotay against each other is another. I really liked their scene at the Borg alcove--it almost seemed liked something out of a romantic comedy. Kate Mulgrew really did that sort of thing well.

I loved all of the conspiracy theory talk, and that alien was actually pretty cool. Even his strange hand gestures were neat. I hope he made it hope.

Did they use the catapult in the end? I forget.

Of course, the icing on the cake is NaomiWildman and Seven getting scenes together. Funny, but touching at the same time.

Another great episode. I feel like I've been on a roll.

Did they use the catapult in the end? I forget.


Captain's Log, supplemental. After further testing, we activated the catapult and were hurtled across thirty sectors of space. In less than an hour we cut three years off our journey. I'm happy to say the Doctor has repaired Seven of Nine's cortical processor and she's returned to duty.

I LOVE this ep.

"Did Chakotay put you up to this?"

 

[T.D. Possum]

I love "Pathfinder". I love Barclay. I tear up at Janeway asking them to save her a parking spot. I want to hug this episode.

But, yes, I think you do have a very fair point about it being sort of a TNG ep. And a Troi one at that. I can count the Troi eps I really like on three fingers.

As for the crew's attitude changing with all their leaps toward home - I never thought the show portrayed their attitudes realistically to start with. (Yep, I'm in the nu-BSG grittiness camp.)

 

[exodus]

It was a cute episode, just lightweight fun. I'm surprised no one remembered Barclay from "Projections." Didn't the Doctor have an extended conversation with his holographic image?

I can't remember, is "Projections" before or after "The Swarm"?


For me, I hate "Pathfinder" because I hate Lt. Barclay.
HATE HIM!

 

[Markira]

It was a cute episode, just lightweight fun. I'm surprised no one remembered Barclay from "Projections." Didn't the Doctor have an extended conversation with his holographic image?

I can't remember, is "Projections" before or after "The Swarm"?


For me, I hate "Pathfinder" because I hate Lt. Barclay.
HATE HIM!

You know, I cringe every time I see Barclay, because I have a soft spot for him. He's an outcast and socially awkward and I knew people who were really picked apart in high school for being that way. But he's also passionate about his work and quite intelligent. I never want people to be mean to him. I kind of want to give him a hug all the time. I'm a big mushball, though, so don't mind me.

 

[lurok]

I found the TNG guest-star episodes a real distraction that didn't really add anything substantial to VOY emotional narrative and don't think I've rewatched since first innocent viewing. Maybe should re-watch in light of this and see if views changed. But I'm never going to be convinced Sirtis good actor. Schultz, yes.

 

[Shatnertage]

Yes, watching this I wasn't that impressed with Marina Sirtis.

Back to "The Voyager Conspiracy," my absolute favorite moment is:

"Did you put poison in my coffee?"

"No more than usual."

 

[T.D. Possum]

For me, I hate "Pathfinder" because I hate Lt. Barclay.
HATE HIM!

Really? How come?

 

[exodus]

For me, I hate "Pathfinder" because I hate Lt. Barclay.
HATE HIM!

Really? How come?

I don't like the nervous energy, stuttering, stammering and all around socially incompetent aspect of him. I'm frightened at the fact some one like him serves in the military and probably has clearance to carry a weapon. I'm frightened that in a time of crisis when you need clear & precise communication from a crew, he can't give that. I feel part of serving the military is the the ability to cover your crewmates back in times of crisis. I couldn't trust someone like Barclay to do that(one reason why Neelix couldn't be security), so I see him more as a liabilty than an asset.
Simply put, I find him dangerous.

 

[Shatnertage]

FWIW, Mirror Barclay was Picard's chief bodyguard in a TNG novel that I read.

 

[exodus]

FWIW, Mirror Barclay was Picard's chief bodyguard in a TNG novel that I read.

Which means our universe Barclay would run, leaving Picard to die while he hid in a corner.

 

[Markira]

For me, I hate "Pathfinder" because I hate Lt. Barclay.
HATE HIM!

Really? How come?

I don't like the nervous energy, stuttering, stammering and all around socially incompetent aspect of him. I'm frightened at the fact some one like him serves in the military and probably has clearance to carry a weapon. I'm frightened that in a time of crisis when you need clear & precise communication from a crew, he can't give that. I feel part of serving the military is the the ability to cover your crewmates back in times of crisis. I couldn't trust someone like Barclay to do that(one reason why Neelix couldn't be security), so I see him more as a liabilty than an asset.
Simply put, I find him dangerous.

I see your point. Barclay is better suited to back-office analysis and theory. It's what he seems to excel at anyway. He's not good with crunch-time, life-and-death stuff. I still think he's a good engineer, in the right setting.

 

[T.D. Possum]

For me, I hate "Pathfinder" because I hate Lt. Barclay.
HATE HIM!

Really? How come?

I don't like the nervous energy, stuttering, stammering and all around socially incompetent aspect of him. I'm frightened at the fact some one like him serves in the military and probably has clearance to carry a weapon. I'm frightened that in a time of crisis when you need clear & precise communication from a crew, he can't give that. I feel part of serving the military is the the ability to cover your crewmates back in times of crisis. I couldn't trust someone like Barclay to do that(one reason why Neelix couldn't be security), so I see him more as a liabilty than an asset.
Simply put, I find him dangerous.

These are all good points. And I agree with them. But I still like Barclay. It's like the jelly fridge. Reason does not always enter into my Trek judgment. Now that I think about it, though, one of the main reasons I like him is that he was the primary character chosen to explore the idea of holo-addiction, which I think is a really interesting theme. If he had never gotten the holodeck eps, I'd probably lump him in with Neelix as . . . you know. Like Neelix.

Would you like him if he was a civilian?

 

[exodus]

Really? How come?

I don't like the nervous energy, stuttering, stammering and all around socially incompetent aspect of him. I'm frightened at the fact some one like him serves in the military and probably has clearance to carry a weapon. I'm frightened that in a time of crisis when you need clear & precise communication from a crew, he can't give that. I feel part of serving the military is the the ability to cover your crewmates back in times of crisis. I couldn't trust someone like Barclay to do that(one reason why Neelix couldn't be security), so I see him more as a liabilty than an asset.
Simply put, I find him dangerous.

These are all good points. And I agree with them. But I still like Barclay. It's like the jelly fridge. Reason does not always enter into my Trek judgment. Now that I think about it, though, one of the main reasons I like him is that he was the primary character chosen to explore the idea of holo-addiction, which I think is a really interesting theme. If he had never gotten the holodeck eps, I'd probably lump him in with Neelix as . . . you know. Like Neelix.

Would you like him if he was a civilian?

Personality wise, No(Hey, I'm being honest) but I'd find him acceptible as an outside contracted Engineer. So in that aspect, yes.

 

[T.D. Possum]

^ Gotcha.