Why is Neelix so obnoxious

[Tracy Trek]

As for Neelix, a lot of the dislike stems from his extremely creepy relationship with Kes, who is only 2 years old at the beginning of the series (Ocampans only live to be 9 years old).

Kes (at two years) was the equivalent of a young twenty-something adult, not a child. Neelix obviously didn't want their relationship to end and his reaction to it's conclusion was not atypical. But he handled it better than some.

If Kes and Tom had ended up together, would it have also been seen as creepy? Despite being younger than Neelix (relatively speaking), Tom would have still been way older than Kes.

Since her species lived 9 years, I think she was the equivalent of 20 something at age 2.

In my opinion, I think that he is probably more depressed than anything else, given that he had led a rather tragic life. I think that his "outgoing" and "cheery" personality and likewise traits are probably a front to help mask and project a false sense of happiness. I don't think that he wants others to know that he is depressed. Of course, this is just my opinion and my interpretation. I have not seen the series in years. I could be totally wrong.

Neelix lost his family and his home world. I really think the Voyager family became people he wanted to give his caring to and maybe gain some self-worth back in the process. Under his colourful exterior was a lot guilt about not serving in the war. Survivor's guilt I suppose.

I think he had guilt about not serving in the war. And also about not being with his family when they died. Guilt coming at him from both sides.

 

[Amaris]

I just watched Investigations (S2E20), where Paris left the ship. There's this sweet scene where Neelix is saying goodbye to Tom, and as Paris opens his arms to explain something, Neelix leans in and hugs him, and I just love that scene so much.

 

[Timewalker]

If Kes and Tom had ended up together, would it have also been seen as creepy? Despite being younger than Neelix (relatively speaking), Tom would have still been way older than Kes.

Since her species lived 9 years, I think she was the equivalent of 20 something at age 2.

Was her relative age ever stated in-show?

In my view, Neelix was much older than Kes, and the age difference wasn't the only issue. As Kes herself pointed out, Neelix was possessive, jealous, clingy, and when she tried making other friends and enjoying activities with them, he insisted on "involving himself" - in short, no matter what she did or where she went, he wanted to be there - particularly if she was with a single, unattached male who wasn't him.

If (and I don't know if this is really the case) you are suggesting that the reason I disapprove of Neelix and Kes is because Neelix is alien and Tom is human, I would appreciate if you would un-suggest it.

 

[Betelnut]

Neelix is one of my favorite characters on Voyager. Yes, he had the flaw of jealousy (which he admits to and hates himself). But he is also loving, enthusiastic, cheerful, interested in others, and has useful information for the crew. He wanted to help, desperately. Maybe people didn't like that aspect of his personality...

I think it is ridiculous that people think he and Kes weren't a good pair because of his looks. Oh brother. He loved Kes unconditionally and she was definitely not one to judge on looks but on character. His jealousy was a terrible character flaw and a good reason to break up. Plus she needed to explore other relationships.

I liked Neelix's role as Delta quadrant expert and moral officer. And I agree with others who note the underlying sadness in him. He had survivor's guilt and felt great pain over the loss of his family. That lent great depth to his character.

 

[φ of π]

Don't forget about the time Hogan died as a direct result of Neelix's incompetence.

 

[Tracy Trek]

In my view, Neelix was much older than Kes, and the age difference wasn't the only issue. As Kes herself pointed out, Neelix was possessive, jealous, clingy, and when she tried making other friends and enjoying activities with them, he insisted on "involving himself" - in short, no matter what she did or where she went, he wanted to be there - particularly if she was with a single, unattached male who wasn't him.

I think he had this neediness to him that made him jealous. And I agree it made for an unhealthy relationship.

If (and I don't know if this is really the case) you are suggesting that the reason I disapprove of Neelix and Kes is because Neelix is alien and Tom is human, I would appreciate if you would un-suggest it.

That's not what I meant and I'm sorry if it sounded that way.

 

[Refuge]

If Kes and Tom had ended up together, would it have also been seen as creepy? Despite being younger than Neelix (relatively speaking), Tom would have still been way older than Kes.

Since her species lived 9 years, I think she was the equivalent of 20 something at age 2.

When Kes did meet up with another of her kind, Tanis in Cold Fire, he was way creepier than either Neelix or Tom!

 

[WarpTenLizard]

Neelix isn't as bad as a lot of characters on Voyager, or Trek in general.That goes for any character you could name on the show.

Personally Neelix is one of my favorite people on Voyager. While there were exception, he normally had a positive attitude, was friendly, he cared for others, he actively wanted to grow as a person and learn new things.

Kes (at two years) was the equivalent of a young twenty-something adult, not a child. Neelix obviously didn't want their relationship to end and his reaction to it's conclusion was not atypical. But he handled it better than some.

My least loved would be Paris, his pathetic want-a-be "bad boy" thing got old and tired after two or three episodes.

I agree that Tom as a "bad boy" did not work AT ALL (maybe it could have, but not on '90s "Star Trek" where all main characters must ultimately do the right thing every time). But, Tom dropped that by Season 3 or 4, and became more like Voyager's version of Fry from "Futurama."

 

[WarpTenLizard]

He was badly conceived and horribly written, at least initially. It was a great testament to Ethan Phillips that he managed to turn the character into something better than was written.

I don't know whether it was different elsewhere, but I had the pleasure of being 'minder' for Ethan on a signing appearance and he said to me (with a smile) 'Brits don't like Neelix !'.

Sad but true. I like what Neelix eventually became on the show, but what they tried to do originally with him did not work at all. Did you know they were actually trying to make him Voyager's version of Quark? And thought NEELIX was going to be the "breakout character?" That's what I've read anyway...

 

[Brennyren]

Did you know they were actually trying to make him Voyager's version of Quark? And thought NEELIX was going to be the "breakout character?" That's what I've read anyway...

I remember reading that when the show debuted!

As for me, I think a big part of the problem was that the writers were mostly crap at humor. I kept feeling like I was supposed to laugh at Neelix, like the writers really really wanted me to laugh at Neelix -- but he wasn't actually funny! They tried too hard, and it showed.

In later seasons, when they toned down the whole "comic-relief" aspect of him, he got a lot more bearable.

 

[Prax]

Maybe Neelix wasn't very funny, but I would never say the writers did a bad job at humor. Voyager has some of the most hilarious comedy episodes in Star Trek.

 

[Brennyren]

Voyager has some of the most hilarious comedy episodes in Star Trek.

"Bride of Chaotica!" was admittedly pretty awesome, but what are the others?

 

[Prax]

Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy, Author, Author, Message in a Bottle, Relativity, Body & Soul endless dry humor from Tuvok, sarcasm from Seven, Barcley or Q, maybe.

I dunno

 

[Brennyren]

There's more than I remembered! And pleasant memories, too, so thanks. Let me restate, then: The writers of the early season episodes, when Neelix was most annoying, were not very good at writing humor, especially the kind of broad humor they were trying for with Neelix.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll see if I can hunt up "Message in a Bottle" for a rewatch. Don't know how I could have forgotten that one!

 

[STEPhon IT]

I agree that Tom as a "bad boy" did not work AT ALL (maybe it could have, but not on '90s "Star Trek" where all main characters must ultimately do the right thing every time). But, Tom dropped that by Season 3 or 4, and became more like Voyager's version of Fry from "Futurama."

Actually more like Commander Riker which the reason I've anointed Paris the name "Paris Riker". The writers really really REALLY wanted to be TNG and the stories sadly showed this.

 

[Prax]

It's kind of ironic. Most of those comedy episodes mentioned revolve around the Doctor, and it was Ethan Phillips who auditioned for that role, while Robert Picardo had auditioned for the role of Neelix. Picardo has said that he was at first, disappointed in getting stuck being the holographic doctor.

 

[plynch]

Maybe Neelix wasn't very funny, but I would never say the writers did a bad job at humor. Voyager has some of the most hilarious comedy episodes in Star Trek.

Not the highest bar to get over, imho.

 

[Six of Twelve]

Neelix became far less annoying as time went by, especially after Kes left. He was cheerful, helpful, caring, loyal, and always seeking to learn. He could be annoying at times, but always meant well. And he always stuck by Tuvok, even when Tuvok was unkind to him.

Personally, I found Harry Kim far more annoying, as he could be sarcastic, condescending, and patronizing with people

 

[φ of π]

Who's "Tuvok"?

Do you mean "Mr. Vulcan"?

Neelix deliberately refused to get Tuvok's name right and you think Tuvok was the one being unkind?

 

[Sakonna]

My biggest problem with Neelix other than his generally annoying personality was Janeway's elevating him to essential status on Voyager, even going so far as making him a member of the senior staff.

My favorite is when they're first dumped on the planet in "Basics", and the entire crew is split into 4 teams, and those teams are led by Janeway, Tuvok, Kim, and Neelix! For what possible reason would NEELIX be the one leading a quarter of the crew in this situation???

In my opinion, I think that he is probably more depressed than anything else, given that he had led a rather tragic life. I think that his "outgoing" and "cheery" personality and likewise traits are probably a front to help mask and project a false sense of happiness. I don't think that he wants others to know that he is depressed. Of course, this is just my opinion and my interpretation. I have not seen the series in years. I could be totally wrong.

This is the best interpretation of Neelix, and I always wished the show had done more (or, really, anything) with it. The writers never quite seemed to connect the relentless cheeriness with the tragic backstory, it felt more like they were just occasionally toggling between the two... time for a dramatic Neelix ep, so let's reference that genocide again and have him be sad and serious for a minute, then we can go back to happy Neelix next week.

DS9's writers made a similar mistake with their character of Leeta -- just using her for broad wackiness, and missing that there was such a wonderful way to bring depth to her character by connecting her sunny worldview to her presumably rough past during the Occupation.