How do we really feel about "Muse"?

[Eddie Roth]

So, I just rewatched "Muse" last night. It's been years that I've last seen the later seasons of Voyager so sometimes I find myself surprised by how little I remember of certain episodes, or how they seem different from my original impression. On occasion though, I'm simply reminded of how brilliant an episode was, and such was the case with "Muse".

But then I realized that this is one that's hardly ever talked about. And it has a measly 6.7 rating on IMDb. How come, I wonder? For me, this is such an inventive meta-narrative about, essentially, a romanticized version of Gene Roddenberry (or other Trek writers), who use their adventure tales to make relevant social commentary and create an impact. An ode to the power of storytelling, and Star Trek in particular, which I find very moving.

So what is it then? Do people feel it treads familiar ground after "Blink of an Eye" where Voyager also became a legend to the people of a Delta Quadrant planet? Are the middling ratings deserved for some other reason that I don't see? Or do you agree with me that this is a VGR Top 10 episode?

 

[at Quark's]

For a second (before I saw this was the Voyager forum) I thought you were talking about The Muse (DS9) and I was surprised you were heaping such high praise on it.

But I agree, I've always felt a weak spot for this episode. To me it feels like a homage to the tradition of story telling, showing how, even after almost 30 centuries, Voyager has many motifs already found in stories like the Odyssey, partially reflecting back on itself as well. Story telling techniques have advanced, but the core remains the same.

One thing Voyager rarely gets credit for is that they sometimes tried these kinds of alternative formats and meta-ideas. This is one of those episodes.

I would say the main problem this episode suffers from is that on a purely surface level, its story is not too exciting ("Torres crashes down and is forced to co-operate with primitives while she's waiting to be rescued by Voyager! Big deal"). Despite that, I think I would give this outing a solid 8 or 8.5 out of 10.

 

[Dee1891]

It's not a favorite of mine. I find it slightly boring. In fact, I would go as far to say that it's like a boring version of "Blink of an Eye".

 

[Thomas Eugene]

The idea is great - the story is kind of boring. But I like theatre and I especially enjoy anything ancient Greek and this ep was reminiscent of ancient Greek theatre.

For me there was not enough conflict in the episode to be outsandingly interesting. It was not bad per se and it showed something we hadn't seen before and it was nice to see B'Elanna in an episode where she was not struggling with her Klingon past (there are quite a few of those I know but still). All in all I enjoy this episode on every rewatch but it's not something I can't wait to see.

 

[Summer Solstice]

One thing Voyager rarely gets credit for is that they sometimes tried these kinds of alternative formats and meta-ideas. This is one of those episodes.

It works brilliantly (IMO) in this episode - cutting between the play and the characters on Voyager eg when B'Elanna and Kelis talk about Tuvok, then we see how Tuvok is coping with B'Elanna's disappearance.

 

[Farscape One]

I thought this was a great episode. Words, plays, scripts... they can make a difference. This episode easily gets a 9 from me.

It was Joe Menosky's final solo script in the franchise, and given how so many of his episodes were peppered with mythology in some form, it was a perfect swan song for him.

(He's one of my favorite franchise writers because of his use of mythology so often.)

 

[Eddie Roth]

It works brilliantly (IMO) in this episode - cutting between the play and the characters on Voyager eg when B'Elanna and Kelis talk about Tuvok, then we see how Tuvok is coping with B'Elanna's disappearance.

Yes, I also only noticed this now. And they do it with the other characters too, e.g. Janeway and Chakotay.

Which brings up another aspect why I love this one so. Kelis is both Roddenberry - and a fanboy. I take it as a nod to fan fiction writers that he initially (before B'Elanna intervenes) has all the characters seducing each other and making out. It demonstrates how ST has always been this playground for the imagination and that many people have been inspired by it to create, whether that's in fanfic or in more (dare I say) highminded creative work. It sure inspired me in that sense.

 

[Summer Solstice]

I thought this was a great episode. Words, plays, scripts... they can make a difference. This episode easily gets a 9 from me.

It was Joe Menosky's final solo script in the franchise, and given how so many of his episodes were peppered with mythology in some form, it was a perfect swan song for him.

(He's one of my favorite franchise writers because of his use of mythology so often.)

Joe Menosky is one of my favourites too. And the use of mythology is what got me interested in Stargate SG1.

 

[WarpTenLizard]

The only B'Elanna episode I don't like. It might've worked better with some lower-decks bit character instead. Tossing any one of the main characters down there just felt so contrived.

 

[Oddish]

I feel like I need to rewatch it...