Revisiting Voyager

[tomalak301]

Lately, I've been in the mood to watch the various series that I have, starting with B5, moving onto Farscape, going back to B5, and then after Sleeping in Light, I wanted to go back to Star Trek. I could have gone to TNG, or DS9, but I was in the mood for Star Trek Voyager, so last week I started the series again. I actually haven't watched the series from beginning to end on DVD (I've seen all the episodes on DVD, but with big separation in between and stuff like that) so I figured it was a good time to revisit it. I also liked keeping a thread to make various comments and such. Given I've seen this series quite a few times, I'm not going to review all the episodes, but still would like to make comments as I go through it, even though it might get to the point of commenting on every episode.

So, with that in mind, I got up to Eye of the Needle tonight, and watched The Cloud beforehand. I love both these episodes, even though with The Cloud, the stuff not dealing with the lifeform was the most interesting and the introduction of my favorite holodeck program, Sandrines, was in this episode.

The thing that has really struck me though with these two episodes is how much of an Impact Kes has had on the series. I see all these comments about the writers not knowing how to write for Kes, and she was not a very interesting character, but I have to ask a question? Would the Doctor have gotten the development he had without Kes? This was a character who at first was the only one to treat the Doctor with respect, and even turned him into a full fledged member of the crew. She also hit it off well with him, and Picardo and Lien had quite good chemistry together. Perhaps if Kes had not been there, the Doctor would have still gone through this development, but because of her, I really thought this whole thing was kinda sweet and nice to watch.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

Kes definately was a humanizing factor in the early years and not just for the Doctor, but in many ways for Janeway herself. Kes didn't make her human, Janeway allowed herself to "be" human in her presence.

Loved "The Cloud" for its ability to showcase different aspects of this new crew.

Loved "Eye of the Needle" for its interesting story, and that conversation between the Romulan and the Captain in her quarters. Who would have believed, a Romulan could be so courteous?

TELEK [Com signal]: Soothing words, Captain, but they are only words.
JANEWAY: If we were spies we wouldn’t be asking what I’m going to ask you now. We have no way of communicating with Starfleet, with our friends and families. We’re hoping you might be able to relay a message for us. Our crew is not large. Each of them could write a short personal message. You’d be welcome to read them all before passing them on. I think you’d be convinced that they’re nothing more than the heartfelt words of some very lonely people.
TELEK [Com signal]: Captain, it would ease my apprehension if I could see that you are who you say you are. I have a signal amplifier on board. I’ve been working to reconfigure the protocols to penetrate the radiation stream of the wormhole. I think it might be possible to establish a visual link between us.
JANEWAY: I have no objection. When that’s done, will you help us?
TELEK [Com signal]: I make no promises. Let us proceed one step at a time. Have your officers contact me in order to attempt the visual link. Goodnight.
JANEWAY: Goodnight.

(This scene is a good example of what davidg calls Mulgrew's sublime voice.)

 

[T.D. Possum]

I like Eye of the Needle quite a lot. The whole idea of that show was silly in that it was perfectly clear the crew was not going to be able to use the wormhole to get home before the first season was even over. However, the episode managed to rise above that problem. The interaction between the Romulan and the crew (and especially between him and Janeway) was terrific. I think the quote that JanewayRulz pulled out above sums it up perfectly: It was an episode about "heartfelt words" and "lonely people".

When I think of The Cloud, I have trouble remembering the plot, but the comedy stands out. Funny, funny to me. Especially the Doc's great scene when he describes the damage done to the entity, Janeway puts him on mute, and then we see him flapping his arms on the viewscreen in the background.

That scene also illustrates nicely the point you made about the difference in how Kes treated the doctor like a person from day one, and the rest of the crew had to sort of grow into that habit.

 

[data_lover]

i love kes, i just wish she would hurry up and leave neelix.

 

[tomalak301]

i love kes, i just wish she would hurry up and leave neelix.

Even though I hate how it happened, I'm glad it actually did. Those two just never worked, and having Tom involved made Neelix even more annoying.

 

[tomalak301]

Does "Ex Post Facto" have one of the worst conclusions to a murder mystery ever? It was a decent enough concept (Forcing the murderer to relive the crimes through the victims eyes) but then the whole thing with the dog and the conspiracy really did tear the episode apart. It could have been so much greater.

I also have a question regarding the Kazon. If the Kazon really wanted Voyager's technology, or they were technologically deprived, as the series showed, how come they were able to kick Voyager's ass in pretty much all the battles. If you look back at the various battles (Caretaker, Maneuvers, Alliances, Basics), the Kazon always seemed to outclass Voyager. And they wanted Voyager's technology? Is it worth it?

 

[Pemmer Harge]

Does "Ex Post Facto" have one of the worst conclusions to a murder mystery ever?

Yes!

I liked Kes too, but seen over many episodes she began to seem a bit one-note. I've been pretty impressed by Jennifer Lien's acting several times, so I wonder whether the writing was to blame.

 

[Joeman]

I liked Kes too, but mostly early on. Elogium kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I think the timing of her leaving was spot on.

Spoiler: Neelix

Not to mention how much it helped the Neelix character develop more positively on down the road. Her presence brought out the worst in him.

I gave Ex Post Facto 7.5/10. I'm a bit partial to the Tom Paris character (I relate to him in many ways), so I generally enjoy the episodes focusing on him. That aside, I agree with you that it could have been better constructed.

Overall I think S1 is strong for a first season. I only mildy disliked maybe 2 or 3 episodes (The Cloud was one). A few were mediocre, but I thought there were lots of strong ones. The only one I hated was Cathexis.

 

[T.D. Possum]

I also have a question regarding the Kazon. If the Kazon really wanted Voyager's technology, or they were technologically deprived, as the series showed, how come they were able to kick Voyager's ass in pretty much all the battles. If you look back at the various battles (Caretaker, Maneuvers, Alliances, Basics), the Kazon always seemed to outclass Voyager. And they wanted Voyager's technology? Is it worth it?

I was under the impression that the Kazon made the choice to use all their limited resources to develop ships and weapons. I picture a scenario in which they were primarily interested in getting their hands on Federation transporters and replicators. In that situation, Voyager's weaponry and etc would just have been a nice bonus.

In other words, the Kazon built the guns and wanted the yummy yummy Federation butter.

 

[Joeman]

The Kazon should have focused more on doing something about their hair, rather than worrying about Voyager's technology.

There were some good episodes revolving around them, but for awhile there I didn't think Voyager would ever get out of range of those turkeys. I was so ready for someone new to come along.

 

[T.D. Possum]

The Kazon should have focused more on doing something about their hair, rather than worrying about Voyager's technology.

Well, there you go. They wanted the technology required to create their own Janeway style Hair Buns of Steel.

 

[tomalak301]

Prime Factors is really one of the series more underrated episodes. Each time I see it, I get a little more appreciation for it. Still find it cool how it was Tuvok of all people who really went up against Janeway for the technology. Also interesting the parallels with this episode and the whole Kazon wanting Voyager's technology too.

 

[tomalak301]

Watched 3 episodes of Voyager last night. I remember liking the first season quite a bit, and I still hold true to that. Some thoughts:

State of Flux - Still an awesome episode. Seska turns traitor, Calluh first appears and you start to wonder if Seska had a point. I will say though how obvious this episode was. Yeah I've seen the series many times and we all know the Seska story, but since the episode pretty much had her in every scene, it of course had to be her. Would have been interesting if it had been Carey though, even though it wouldn't have made a lick of sense.

Heroes of Demons - NUMBER 1. After watching Babylon 5 straight though twice (spoilers to follow)

Spoiler: Babylon 5 Seasons 4 and 5

Number 1 was in Voyager. I find that great that another actor in a full list of many actors was in a Voyager episode

. I actually like this episode, as it does some good stuff with the Doctor. Still wish they had actually given him a name.

Cathexis - Ok, this one is a guilty pleasure. Not really much else to say other than that.

 

[T.D. Possum]

I can't read your spoiler.