Retro Review: Alliances
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I like this one.
Firstly because we get some Kazon backstory and discover that they are in fact, an oppressed race with an intriguing history. It's an added bonus that the Trabe just happen to be the very race that inflicted that oppression on them.
The Kazon go from sub-standard, idiotic Delta quadrant villains of boobery to (mildly) interesting and sympathetic characters who might be more than jus highly punch-able, one-dimensional caricatures. We discover that they fought for their independence and freedom and are proud of that fact. Good for them. They finally acquire some depth (albeit very minimal).
Secondly, I like the fact that the episode plays with the audiences expectations based on what we know about the Kazon thus far. The crews obvious prejudices blind them to any possible negative aspects regarding the Trabe. Mabus is certainly charismatic and though it's unsolicited, he even openly offers the truth concerning their repugnant treatment and enslavement of the Kazon (a smart move which disarms Janeway).
Once the truth is revealed, Janeway again takes it personally which is absurd and the audience are left with some new-found respect for the Kazon and their struggle (but not too much).
I agree that it's slightly odd for Janeway to need so much pushing from Chakotay when it comes to making Federation style alliances in the Delta quadrant. I'm not sure why she's so resistant to the idea when it's exactly where her inflexible principles live. The Federation do business with countless oppressive and unequal societies on a daily basis. There is nothing here to suggest the Prime Directive is being broken or that there is anything unethical about sharing technology with warp capable species.
Pull yourself together Kathy.
This period of season two is one of my favourites. The Seska arc (as I like to call it) - The Kazon, the Voyager spy, Tom's plan to flush them out - is great. It's Voyager's only foray into serialised storytelling and it works so well and makes one wonder why they gave up on them as soon as this story finished. Voyager definitely benefitted from an ongoing enemy and should have returned to this dynamic in later seasons.
Alliances is a good episode in the arc.
Firstly because we get some Kazon backstory and discover that they are in fact, an oppressed race with an intriguing history. It's an added bonus that the Trabe just happen to be the very race that inflicted that oppression on them.
The Kazon go from sub-standard, idiotic Delta quadrant villains of boobery to (mildly) interesting and sympathetic characters who might be more than jus highly punch-able, one-dimensional caricatures. We discover that they fought for their independence and freedom and are proud of that fact. Good for them. They finally acquire some depth (albeit very minimal).
Secondly, I like the fact that the episode plays with the audiences expectations based on what we know about the Kazon thus far. The crews obvious prejudices blind them to any possible negative aspects regarding the Trabe. Mabus is certainly charismatic and though it's unsolicited, he even openly offers the truth concerning their repugnant treatment and enslavement of the Kazon (a smart move which disarms Janeway).
Once the truth is revealed, Janeway again takes it personally which is absurd and the audience are left with some new-found respect for the Kazon and their struggle (but not too much).
I agree that it's slightly odd for Janeway to need so much pushing from Chakotay when it comes to making Federation style alliances in the Delta quadrant. I'm not sure why she's so resistant to the idea when it's exactly where her inflexible principles live. The Federation do business with countless oppressive and unequal societies on a daily basis. There is nothing here to suggest the Prime Directive is being broken or that there is anything unethical about sharing technology with warp capable species.
Pull yourself together Kathy.
This period of season two is one of my favourites. The Seska arc (as I like to call it) - The Kazon, the Voyager spy, Tom's plan to flush them out - is great. It's Voyager's only foray into serialised storytelling and it works so well and makes one wonder why they gave up on them as soon as this story finished. Voyager definitely benefitted from an ongoing enemy and should have returned to this dynamic in later seasons.
Alliances is a good episode in the arc.
Interesting comments on the article comparing Janeway of Season 2 with Janeway of Season 4. Don't give replicators to the Kazon but give holo tech to the Hirogen.
This isn't a favorite of mine but it's necessary for the arc. We need to meet Hogan and Jonas. We learn more about the Kazon. There is a reason they are the way they are.
This isn't a favorite of mine but it's necessary for the arc. We need to meet Hogan and Jonas. We learn more about the Kazon. There is a reason they are the way they are.
In hindsight... it was a bit odd that Kathryn was less than open to the idea about an alliance with the Kazon in this episode when as you said 'hux', that is where her principles usually are.
While it is also accurate that the Federation usually also deals with similarly hostile, oppressive and unequal societies, Voyager was only 1 ship in the Delta Quadrant, and as such, I think that Kathryn wanted to be a bit more cautious when dealing with species like the Kazon, what without having the rest of Starfleet to back them up (although, considering the disparity in technologies between the Kazon and Federation which was implied, Voyager really shouldn't have been under real threat from them, unless they were dealing with several large carrier ships - smaller ships in groups wouldn't really pose any threat).
Mind you, the crew should have been excited about the prospect of being thrown into the DQ and getting a chance to explore it - so the 'home sickness' wasn't really something that fit the Starfleet crew... though perhaps it would have worked for the Maqui portion of the ship because of their fight with the Cardassians).
While it is also accurate that the Federation usually also deals with similarly hostile, oppressive and unequal societies, Voyager was only 1 ship in the Delta Quadrant, and as such, I think that Kathryn wanted to be a bit more cautious when dealing with species like the Kazon, what without having the rest of Starfleet to back them up (although, considering the disparity in technologies between the Kazon and Federation which was implied, Voyager really shouldn't have been under real threat from them, unless they were dealing with several large carrier ships - smaller ships in groups wouldn't really pose any threat).
Mind you, the crew should have been excited about the prospect of being thrown into the DQ and getting a chance to explore it - so the 'home sickness' wasn't really something that fit the Starfleet crew... though perhaps it would have worked for the Maqui portion of the ship because of their fight with the Cardassians).
I like this episode. An exciting episode where our friends discover that the enemy's enemy is not always the best friend. Some unexpected twists and turns in the story makes it highly watchable and entertaining.
However, sometimes I wonder if Voyager shouldn't have kept the alliance with the Trabe because then they would have had their protection until getting out of Kazon space.
I'll give it 5 points out of 5
However, sometimes I wonder if Voyager shouldn't have kept the alliance with the Trabe because then they would have had their protection until getting out of Kazon space.
I'll give it 5 points out of 5
I think this episode did well also to portray the Kazon as an "immature" race. Think about how some of the civilizations from the Alpha/Beta quadrant would have reacted to them:
The Klingons probably would have respected Voyager for defeating them several times in battle. They would have proven their strength and have been worthy of alliance. The Romulans would likely have retreated after a few defeats and simply observed them. The Cardassians would have at least feigned peace until an opportunity arose to take advantage of a weakness/backstab them. The Ferengi would have come up with some alternate means of getting what they wanted.
The Kazon however just don't give up. The Voyager has some technology they covet, so they just keep acting hostile and attacking at every opportunity. What do they say about "trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result"?
The Klingons probably would have respected Voyager for defeating them several times in battle. They would have proven their strength and have been worthy of alliance. The Romulans would likely have retreated after a few defeats and simply observed them. The Cardassians would have at least feigned peace until an opportunity arose to take advantage of a weakness/backstab them. The Ferengi would have come up with some alternate means of getting what they wanted.
The Kazon however just don't give up. The Voyager has some technology they covet, so they just keep acting hostile and attacking at every opportunity. What do they say about "trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result"?
I just came across this article today and it mentions Alliances:
Top 6 missed Opportunities in Star Trek
http://moviepilot.com/posts/3651901?lt_source=external,manual
Top 6 missed Opportunities in Star Trek
http://moviepilot.com/posts/3651901?lt_source=external,manual
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