VOY 4x03: Day of Honor
Wow. This is a really good episode. Aside from feeling somewhat dissatisfied with how easily the alien beggars get off, though. It wouldn't have bothered me so much if it weren't for the dialogue the lead alien (come to think of it, we only ever see him...) makes about how many of is people would enjoy the chance to pay Seven back for what the Borg did. On its own, it's a fair if terrifying and corrupt line, but there's something about the way he says it that makes me want to punch him in the face, not aid his people.
Ahem, but anyway. The B'Elanna story is really well-crafted and the crew is in top form this episode. Aside from poor Harry, everyone gets a little bit of screen time love and yet the episode still manages to deliver its primary focuses of B'Elanna, B'Elanna and Tom, and Seven, all while juggling the alien plot.
Really impressive. And I was reminded why I loved B'Elanna/Tom as a ten-to-thirteen year old when S4-7 originally aired. They really do have great chemistry, as characters as well as actors. I positively winced in 1997 when it looked like the two of them were going to die out there, unable to at least kiss each other properly after she admits her love for him. I was pretty darn sure they weren't going to die like that, but damn, I was ten.
Well, I winced again tonight, all the same. Excellent resolution with the characters still breathless, and an incredibly satisfying end shot of Voyager coming into view over the glass of B'Elanna's helmet.
Also, props for the B'Elanna/Neelix scene. Heartfelt stuff. This is the kind of episode that feels like the best sort of fan fiction in some ways -- it really took the time to explore a few characters in meaningful ways, and the time dedicated to it felt natural as opposed to somewhat rushed in the typical Trek (TV at large, really) necessity to "get back" to the main event. Most scenes really did feel like they played out in thoughtful ways, yet nothing felt like it dragged.
Again, not totally thrilled with how the alien plot ended, although I'm not saying I'd have genuinely preferred Voyager just blew up a few of the ships, either. Not sure how I'd handle it offhand, but bleh, whatever. Regardless, the episode's a 9/10 for sure.
EDIT: Huh, I had more to say than I'd realized. I think I'll make a topic on the Voyager board, haha.
