Imperfection: One of VOY's finest hours

[david g]

I rewatched this episode twice and wept just as profusely each time. Ive been wondering why this episode is so intensely moving. And why I had to watch it again the next day...

I think it's because this episode touches on something fundamentally important about VOY in a very Trekkian way. VOY is most powerful when it shows you the depth of friendship, of ties between people built not on biology but on friendship. More intensely perhaps than any other VOY episode, it demonstrates the power of ties based on friendship and loyalty that overcome difference. Even B'Elanna and Seven can establish a strong commonality in this episode.

How do others feel abt "Imperfection"?

 

[Akiraprise]

I thought this was a great episode. Probably among my top ten. I always liked the relationship between Seven and Icheb, this shows how close they were to each other. In a sister/brother kind of way.

Seven refuses to accept help, Icheb refuses to allow her to not accept help, and then forces her to take his help. Both stubborn individuals, must be an ex-Borg thing.

 

[Mrs Paris]

something interesting about this episode. It was filmed after Drive, but aired before it. While the Doctor and Tom are operating on Seven, you can see that Tom is wearing a wedding ring

you can kind of see it here

 

[Stag]

Yes this was a moving episode. Although the bit with the scavengers attacking the away team at the Borg wreck site wasn't really necessary and I believe was just added to give the VFX guys something to do.

 

[AuntKate]

While I like this episode (especially the doctor's line "Persistance is futile"), I think it is out of place in the so-called development of Seven's character. To me, it signified a real step back for her emotional maturity if, in Season 7, she still refuses to acknowledge an emotional reaction to the departure of three of the children she'd cared for and nurtured and also rejects the help when a member of the crew offers it. This is especially a step back since it occurs after her experience with "One," who seemed to be an emotional breakthrough for her, and after "One Small Step," also a supposed step forward toward humanity for her. This disconnect stands as an indication of the way her character was all over the place, depending on what the writers needed as a plot device. If they needed her to be mature, she was, but if they wanted immaturity, she was that, too. If she needed to have encyclopedic knowledge of every fact the Borg had assimilated, she had it. If she needed to be surprised by something Borg (like the location of the Hub in "Endgame"), her Borg encyclopedia was missing a few volumes. All of this is a disservice to Seven's character. With Imperfection, in episode 2 of Season 7, she is still emotionally undeveloped, and we are to believe that by the end of that season she is fully ready for a serious relationship with the first officer? It's too much of a stretch. Imperfection, for that reason, seems a bit flawed to me. But, that's just MHO.

 

[Mrs Paris]

Yes this was a moving episode. Although the bit with the scavengers attacking the away team at the Borg wreck site wasn't really necessary and I believe was just added to give the VFX guys something to do.

I think those scavengers were there to show how desperate Janeway was to get that thing to save Seven

 

[Mrs Paris]

While I like this episode (especially the doctor's line "Persistance is futile"), I think it is out of place in the so-called development of Seven's character. To me, it signified a real step back for her emotional maturity if, in Season 7, she still refuses to acknowledge an emotional reaction to the departure of three of the children she'd cared for and nurtured and also rejects the help when a member of the crew offers it. This is especially a step back since it occurs after her experience with "One," who seemed to be an emotional breakthrough for her, and after "One Small Step," also a supposed step forward toward humanity for her. This disconnect stands as an indication of the way her character was all over the place, depending on what the writers needed as a plot device. If they needed her to be mature, she was, but if they wanted immaturity, she was that, too. If she needed to have encyclopedic knowledge of every fact the Borg had assimilated, she had it. If she needed to be surprised by something Borg (like the location of the Hub in "Endgame"), her Borg encyclopedia was missing a few volumes. All of this is a disservice to Seven's character. With Imperfection, in episode 2 of Season 7, she is still emotionally undeveloped, and we are to believe that by the end of that season she is fully ready for a serious relationship with the first officer? It's too much of a stretch. Imperfection, for that reason, seems a bit flawed to me. But, that's just MHO.

I totaly and comletely agree with you. That's one of the biggest reasons I didn't like the C/7 relationship. It was too unbelievable that she could be in a serious relationship so soon

 

[kimc]

While I like this episode (especially the doctor's line "Persistance is futile"), I think it is out of place in the so-called development of Seven's character. To me, it signified a real step back for her emotional maturity if, in Season 7, she still refuses to acknowledge an emotional reaction to the departure of three of the children she'd cared for and nurtured and also rejects the help when a member of the crew offers it. This is especially a step back since it occurs after her experience with "One," who seemed to be an emotional breakthrough for her, and after "One Small Step," also a supposed step forward toward humanity for her. This disconnect stands as an indication of the way her character was all over the place, depending on what the writers needed as a plot device. If they needed her to be mature, she was, but if they wanted immaturity, she was that, too. If she needed to have encyclopedic knowledge of every fact the Borg had assimilated, she had it. If she needed to be surprised by something Borg (like the location of the Hub in "Endgame"), her Borg encyclopedia was missing a few volumes. All of this is a disservice to Seven's character. With Imperfection, in episode 2 of Season 7, she is still emotionally undeveloped, and we are to believe that by the end of that season she is fully ready for a serious relationship with the first officer? It's too much of a stretch. Imperfection, for that reason, seems a bit flawed to me. But, that's just MHO.

I totaly and comletely agree with you. That's one of the biggest reasons I didn't like the C/7 relationship. It was too unbelievable that she could be in a serious relationship so soon

I always agree with Aunt Kate...

... except when I don't.

 

[Triskelion]

By coincidence I read this thread and Imperfection was on the random DVD I put in, so I watched it. It really is a good one, it really draws you in if you're willing to pay attention. I agree with the ideas in this thread about how the crew's relationships are strengthened here; it's one of the few episodes where Seven and B'Elanna actually connect on some level.

Janeway was willing to go after a live Borg to sacrifice him for his cranial implant. Fortunately it didn't come to that.

I really like her.

 

[CorporalClegg]

As far as quality, "Imperfection" was quite good, but I also agree that it would have been better served in an earlier season-at least before U-0 and not right after.

 

[teya]

While I like this episode (especially the doctor's line "Persistance is futile"), I think it is out of place in the so-called development of Seven's character.

Overall, this episode reminds me too much of the old disease-of-the-week TV movies to be among my favorites.

To me, it signified a real step back for her emotional maturity if, in Season 7, she still refuses to acknowledge an emotional reaction to the departure of three of the children she'd cared for and nurtured

She denies it in public. Some people are not publicly demonstrative.

After my sweetie died, I didn't cry in front of anyone.

and also rejects the help when a member of the crew offers it.

And some people are notoriously slow to accept help.

I'll also point out that Seven's relationship with Icheb is that of a parent or guardian. Put in that context, it's not at all unusual for a parent or guardian to rule out medical assistance from a minor child--particularly if the procedure could put the child's life in jeopardy.