Meld--what do you think?

[Shatnertage]

I just watched "Meld" last night and was wondering what other people thought about it. Here are a few conversation-starters.

• Three whole stories in the teaser, none of which is interesting at all until the body turns up.
• Tim Russ got some good acting moments in. The scene where he's getting violent behind the forcefield in sickbay is a great one.
• The guy who played Suder, not so much. His dialog seemed really stilted and first-drafty, like someone hadn't done the "let me say this out loud and see if it sounds like something someone would really say" test.
• How many people winced at, "Computer, end simulation" after Neelix gets it? If ever there was a case for no reset button, that was it.
• Did the resolution make much sense? And do we get to see Suder again?
• Was there a bit of a goof at the end, when Chakotay calls Suder "Crewman Suder"and five seconds later Janeway makes a log entry about "Ensign Suder?" I don't usually catch stuff like that, and if it's not just something I imagined, it really marks a new step forward in my Trek geekiness.

All in all, I liked the episode and particularly Russ's performance, but the Paris gambling subplot didn't seem to go anywhere. I'm interested to hear what other people think.

 

[kimc]

^ There will be a payoff (pun intended) for the gambling subplot in a few episodes.

I agree Tim Russ did a wonderful job in this episode.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

Yes, we see Suder again, and that's all I'm going to say because I don't want to spoil anything for you.

In another thread we are talking about "one moment in time" when our characters are everything we want them to be. "Meld" has 2 such moments for me.

One, when Janeway leaves her security outside Tuvok's quarters, and enters the lion's den to rescue her oldest friend from himself.


JANEWAY: Computer, lift the security seal from Lieutenant Tuvok's quarters. (To security) Stay here.
TUVOK: I would advise you not to enter, Captain.
(Janeway enters anyway)JANEWAY: Tuvok.
TUVOK: Please, do not come any closer.
(Janeway comes closer anyway)
JANEWAY: Talk to me.
TUVOK: I said, don't come any closer.
(She listens, this time)
JANEWAY: We need to get you to sickbay.


The otheris when he's more himself and he apologizes to his best friend for everything he put her through, everything he said to her...

TUVOK: I was most insulting to you.
JANEWAY: Don't worry about it. I've been insulted before.

This one, and "Scientific Method" in season 4 really show how close these two were to each other.

As for the B plot in this show... just remember the "betting" down the road, when you think Voyager doesn't "do" story arcs.