Did Neelix really 'get better'?

[stardream]

The first season or two he annoyed the heck out of me...especially when he was so cloying and clingy with Kess. I liked him better after they broke up.

As time went on he seemed to settle down and fit in and I didn't mind him so much.

The reason I'm asking is because we just finished our TNG re-watch and we are about to start on Voyager. Husband isn't like us. He likes Trek in a casual way. He won't watch his favorite episodes over and over again like I do.

He has not seen Voyager since its original run and even then he watched it sporadically (I believe he had work obligations at the time...can't remember). He does however seem to remember it being...funny.

Should I tell him that Neelix gets better or am I just in denial?

 

[Kilana2]

If Neelix is less annoying in later episodes is a matter of perception.

He had some hilarious scenes with Tuvok. I never found Neelix too annoying. And in the later episodes the focus is more on Seven and The Doctor.

 

[hux]

Better? Dunno.

I did find myself tolerating him more as the show went on (especially after he was no longer joined at the hip with Kes). I'm not sure if that was because he genuinely became less irritating or if it was simply the case that i had become used to him.

He'll never be a favourite but i don't mind him.

Voyager is definitely the funniest of the franchise.

 

[erastus25]

He does get better for the last couple episodes of S7.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

I think he did. In the pilot he came off as rather jerky and for the first two seasons he was "Kes-obsessed" borderline-annoying. But around season three he finds his place among the crew and becomes a trusted ally and friend.

 

[Kilana2]

Thanks to advanced meditation techniques Tuvok suffered successfully through Neelix annoying exuberance, including unwanted hux ehm hugs.

 

[Beta-Z]

He does get better for the last couple episodes of S7.

After his departure?

 

[erastus25]

He does get better for the last couple episodes of S7.

After his departure?

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Neelix's worst episodes were the ones where he got jealous about Kes, so he got a little better when that went away. But he stayed pretty annoying.

 

[Terok Nor]

I could never stand him. He became irrelevant once they moved beyond Kazon space. What he never became was less irritating. I don't know how Tuvok didn't strangle him to death. His relationship with Kes also made me queasy.

 

[wulfio]

I think he got better. He was like an irritating backwards yocal in the beginning who seemingly served only 1 purpose; to highlight the contrast between ignorant people and Federation values. At least when they stuck him in the kitchen he didn't complain as much. I think the highlight of his character arc was when he got it on with the Klingon lady, and when his mind was wiped, and he thought he was a klingon.

 

[Mage]

If one character in Star Trek was ever badly written, it was Neelix.

In one week's episode, people are making jokes behind his back about his cooking, or getting annoyed when he's trying to help a fellow shipmate in need.

The next week's episode is a Neelix episode, and suddenly, that same ctew is so glad they have him around and how he's always such a helper in need and being ready for other people. How the ship would not be the same without him. How his cooking is so yummy.

Then, next week.... You see where I'm going. And it annoyed the hell out of me. I liked Neelix. Not loved his character as my best fave Star Trek character. Just like-able. All around decent guy.

 

[hux]

^True

I'm still not sure if his cooking was good or bad. Sometimes it felt like their jokes about it being bad were sincere but other times, it seemed like it was just friendly ribbing and they actually really liked it.

I do wish Tuvok had punched him at least once though.

 

[Terok Nor]

I'm still not sure if his cooking was good or bad. Sometimes it felt like their jokes about it being bad were sincere but other times, it seemed like it was just friendly ribbing and they actually really liked it.

I do wish Tuvok had killed him in the pilot though.

Agreed

 

[Jedman67]

I could never stand him. He became irrelevant once they moved beyond Kazon space. What he never became was less irritating. I don't know how Tuvok didn't strangle him to death.

He did, in the holodeck once. Can't remember the episode.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

There were a couple episodes at random points in the series where Neelix was used effectively. Like, in Author Author when he's the only one who supports the Doctor and just suggests he changes the faces of the crew. And when the Klingon is lusting Kim and then Neelix beats up Kim to redirect her to him.

Just the Voyager writers were a little too enamored with the "Put two characters with conflicting personalities together and make them work together and end up gaining a newfound respect for each other" formula, and whenever they used that with Neelix it made him unbearable.

 

[stardream]

Well we started watching. So far we have gotten the first two episodes down. Husband likes it so far. I gave a kind of weak 'Neelix doesn't stay that way' commentary but I'm not sure if he bought it.

 

[M.A.C.O.]

I'd say Neelix got better when Season 4 started. When most of the cast, minus Janeway, Seven and The Doctor, were pushed into the background.

 

[Catarina]

I liked him in two episodes. Mortal Coil and Haunting of Deck Twelve. Oh and the one he gets off the ship. I cried not for him but knowing my show was ending. ouch. I don't think that answers your question ;-)

 

[Kilana2]

Neelix as Grand Nagus of the Ferengi was a very odd occurence.

He didn't convince me and he wouldn't have convinced Quark. Neelix was even weirder as Nagus than Rom........