First of all I want to mention voyager is my favorite trek with ds9 a close second.
Anyway with that out of the way
I understand people nitpick this episode to death..yes the info they got about the tribe was from a conman (possibly a racist culture vulture con man), and yes there was a mishmash of multiple tribes, yes the descendants of the rubber tree people just looked "white" with white actors, yes the sky spirits were played by white actors, and yes the implication that some white looking aliens helped natives develop culture is silly, but that's not the point and beauty of this episode.
This episode, deals with how time passes. How we lose things, time, moments, memories, loved ones, and our faith. It's about, "what if things could have been different". Chakotay wasn't into the culture of his tribe when he was young. He lost his father, on a bad note. But through this journey, rediscover his faith, and heals.
The ending makes it clear when he looks up at the hawk (who makes the call of a Red tailed hawk that only lives in the Americas between now and like 10mya, but anyway), and says "yes father. I hear him. I finally hear him"
This is to show that when he was young, he didnt comprehend and understand what his father wanted to do for him by making him engage and enjoy being in their tribe. His father died while they were fighting. And he had to live with that, not to mention be flung so far away from earth and the marquis colonies. This story is about healing from past trauma, or for understanding things that at an earlier time, you didn't understand yet, but are now wiser for it now that you are older and gained experience and thus wisdom.
At least that's what I clearly see. If we nitpick every episode, we'd find fault with every single episode of trek.
I understand most people here aren't religious. I had Christianity forced on me by my parents and I became atheist, but I do think having inner faith for your self and having your own spirituality, is a good thing sometimes. I'd much rather have a vision quest or a spirit guide animal than believe in some book. Yes I know most likely real tribes don't beliebe this things exactly, but that's not the point. This episode is about healing old wounds. Of gaining wisdom. The side Story about aliens is just a method to get there.
I recommend anyone who has a similar story in their lives, of losing loved ones, or having made mistakes or lost a friendship or relationship on bad terms, to view this episode in that context only, and you might understand why it's so good.
As a matter of fact, this is why I love Season 2s non sequitur as well. It's a similar episode, but it deals with second chances. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, we all wish we could change time and give ourselves a second chance.
These are the kinds of episodes that voyager has that draws me in so much.
I hope people give these two episodes a second watch with fresh eyes in the contexts I mentioned and get back to this."
Anyway with that out of the way
I understand people nitpick this episode to death..yes the info they got about the tribe was from a conman (possibly a racist culture vulture con man), and yes there was a mishmash of multiple tribes, yes the descendants of the rubber tree people just looked "white" with white actors, yes the sky spirits were played by white actors, and yes the implication that some white looking aliens helped natives develop culture is silly, but that's not the point and beauty of this episode.
This episode, deals with how time passes. How we lose things, time, moments, memories, loved ones, and our faith. It's about, "what if things could have been different". Chakotay wasn't into the culture of his tribe when he was young. He lost his father, on a bad note. But through this journey, rediscover his faith, and heals.
The ending makes it clear when he looks up at the hawk (who makes the call of a Red tailed hawk that only lives in the Americas between now and like 10mya, but anyway), and says "yes father. I hear him. I finally hear him"
This is to show that when he was young, he didnt comprehend and understand what his father wanted to do for him by making him engage and enjoy being in their tribe. His father died while they were fighting. And he had to live with that, not to mention be flung so far away from earth and the marquis colonies. This story is about healing from past trauma, or for understanding things that at an earlier time, you didn't understand yet, but are now wiser for it now that you are older and gained experience and thus wisdom.
At least that's what I clearly see. If we nitpick every episode, we'd find fault with every single episode of trek.
I understand most people here aren't religious. I had Christianity forced on me by my parents and I became atheist, but I do think having inner faith for your self and having your own spirituality, is a good thing sometimes. I'd much rather have a vision quest or a spirit guide animal than believe in some book. Yes I know most likely real tribes don't beliebe this things exactly, but that's not the point. This episode is about healing old wounds. Of gaining wisdom. The side Story about aliens is just a method to get there.
I recommend anyone who has a similar story in their lives, of losing loved ones, or having made mistakes or lost a friendship or relationship on bad terms, to view this episode in that context only, and you might understand why it's so good.
As a matter of fact, this is why I love Season 2s non sequitur as well. It's a similar episode, but it deals with second chances. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, we all wish we could change time and give ourselves a second chance.
These are the kinds of episodes that voyager has that draws me in so much.
I hope people give these two episodes a second watch with fresh eyes in the contexts I mentioned and get back to this."
