True but that, again, had nothing to do with the PM ...
Or is everyone here saying that Janeway is more forgiving with Chakotay than with everyone else?
Let's be honest,
Thomas Eugene, Janeway was clearly more indulgent - and even, complacent -, with him than with everyone else, leaving him a great flexibility to maneuver*, maybe too much, IMHO, knowing who he was (not only a rebel but the leader of a Maquis cellule, who is wanted by the Federation & Starlfeet, that she represents) and his power to harm - failing to take the reins of Voyager -, he was able to create some mess if he really wanted, especially with his training & B'Elena Torres's genius. Don't forget that Manuevers took place in second season, when both crew still learnt to work together.
(* the other member of the crew to have benefited from this privilege was the Doctor, who was able to defy all rules of protocol and take positions endangering
more or less consciously, the crew and the vessel. And since he was never been sanctioned, he continued more and more!)
I completely agree with you,
GeekUSACarl, about the fact that Janeway should get tough towards Chakotay in Manuevers, even if demoting him would have been useless as seeing as his rank and function are anything but official -> you cannot demote someone from a rank and a position that he does not really have, right?! -> I remind that he resigned from his Starfleet commission of Lt Comm. so, in Voyager timeframe, he lost the right to wear Starfleet pips and be called by his former rank and he wasn't the leader of his own crew anymore, right the moment he accepted to collaborate with Janeway. As for the said position of XO, it was a tactical move (and the fact that Chakotay was familiar with Starfleet protocol and a experienced officer were a big advantage) from Janeway (taken at the expense of Tuvok, his faithful companion -> I guess she knew that Tuvok would understand the why and how of her decision and he did not take umbrage and then, I like to think that Tuvok was her real XO with all qualities requested: loyal, attentive, knowing how to listen and advise without cause or contradict everytime and 100% Starfleet), to alienate the other members of the Val Jean.
Unfortunately, regardless Chakotay's attitude in varied episodes (Manuevers, Scorpion, Equinox), Janeway had no choice but to keep Chakotay in that position because, she needed to keep relying of the collaboration of the Maquis rebels, I guess... even if from s3, Voyager had one and only Starfleet crew!
Back to Manuevers : Chakotay's actions were not only reckless (stealing and damaging a shuttle -> I guess that when we are lost in middle of nowhere, all material resources, like shuttles, are valuable, right?!) and dangerous, as seeing as he forced Janeway to come to his rescue (of course, he could say that he expressly asked her not to come after him but damn it, if he knew so well as he claimed since early, he should have known that she would never have let him behind, he or any member of his crew. So, in forcing her to go and retrieve him, she endangered her crew and the vessel putting the future and the rest of the journey incidentally..
But the real problem behing Chakotay's action, was the reason for which he lost his mind and did anything: it wasn't to play "the knight in shining armor" but because of a wounded ego/pride (even B'Elena immediately understood it).
Finally, it is quite ironic is that Chakotay accused Janeway to lead a vendetta towards Ramsom and acting in a reckless/dangerous way in Equinox but at least, for me, her reasons were a little more honorable than Chakotay's. She wanted to punish Ransom for his betrayal of Starfleet principles/ethics and recover Seven/ the Doctor, while Chakotay, chased Seska with a wounded pride, to do battle with her and to show her of what he's made of.
And if we talk about ways used by both: Chakotay stole a shuttle, played with security system to cover his trail, endangered Voyager's crew and was ready to use physical threat and even violence with his fists (besides, I note that he does not seem to bother to use these techniques to obtain informations or to remind who is the boss : cf Dalby, Tom) while Janeway launched her ship at full speed, using all torpedos available as she was entitled as Captain of her vessel and used psychological pressure on one of rebel officer to get information, which is not prohibited by the code of conduct. but , the use of violence, yes and Chakotay does not seem to bother to use physical threat and even his fists : cf to Dalby). And to say about his attitude in "A small step", where he showed abuse of power, despite Janeway's order, just to reach his goal, endangering the away team composed of Seven and Tom.
That's why, I find particularly inappropriate Chakotay's comment/speech to Janeway in Equinox, while we look at his behaviour in some situations. He too had his moments of madness, too often moulted by a selfish will and pride, besides.
I know that my comment risks to heat certain of you so, let's go for a good beating in good standing!
