In an episode which is probably both Ethan Phillips and Tim Russ' best of the series, we see a side of Tuvok we've never seen, and with it, we watch a wonderful friendship between these two, which we know ultimately can't be for the future of the crew, in toto.
On their way back to Voyager, Neelix and tuvok are abord the Delta Flyer.
As they're still several hours away, Neelix tries to engage 'Mr Vulcan' (as he always calls him) in various attemots, to play game, or just or.. anything.
Yet,each attempt's rebuffed bytuvok, who always has found ('Mr)Neelix's personality Tobe his polar opposite, and though he doesn't dislike him, he tries to keep his distance, so as to avoid his merriment
After Tuvok's incapacated by an alien's weapon, he's saved from death, but, at the cost of essentially losing himself - all his life's memories and experiences, which are what constitutes all of us, and he's left as a new person; a child-like person; Vulcan by appearance, but not by spirit.
To aid in his recovery is Neelix (Ethan Phillips, who feels he owes it to Tuvok (personally, I always found Neelix to be highly...annoying throughout most episodes), and as Tuvok begins to develop anew, so does the nascent freindship.
Rather than wanting to do all the boring Vulcan stuff, Tuvok would rather spend time with his best friend, Neelix, and have...fun.
Without giving the entire plot away, I'll just say that it's a given that in order to deal with the alien's who caused the problem to Tuvok, he's going to ultimately be restored to his former self, and the - actually, very sweet, and touching friendship between the two won't survive.
In a very emotional scene,Neelix tells Tuvok he must do the treatment to restore him, but Tuvok doesn't want to be a 'boring' Vulcan, and he asks Neelix, what'll happen to the friendship between the two. Though Neelix knows he will be losing a real friend, Ethan Phillips handles it honestly, and stoicly.
I really think this is easily the best episode featuringNeelix, and is also a terrific display of both actors' skills.
On their way back to Voyager, Neelix and tuvok are abord the Delta Flyer.
As they're still several hours away, Neelix tries to engage 'Mr Vulcan' (as he always calls him) in various attemots, to play game, or just or.. anything.
Yet,each attempt's rebuffed bytuvok, who always has found ('Mr)Neelix's personality Tobe his polar opposite, and though he doesn't dislike him, he tries to keep his distance, so as to avoid his merriment
After Tuvok's incapacated by an alien's weapon, he's saved from death, but, at the cost of essentially losing himself - all his life's memories and experiences, which are what constitutes all of us, and he's left as a new person; a child-like person; Vulcan by appearance, but not by spirit.
To aid in his recovery is Neelix (Ethan Phillips, who feels he owes it to Tuvok (personally, I always found Neelix to be highly...annoying throughout most episodes), and as Tuvok begins to develop anew, so does the nascent freindship.
Rather than wanting to do all the boring Vulcan stuff, Tuvok would rather spend time with his best friend, Neelix, and have...fun.
Without giving the entire plot away, I'll just say that it's a given that in order to deal with the alien's who caused the problem to Tuvok, he's going to ultimately be restored to his former self, and the - actually, very sweet, and touching friendship between the two won't survive.
In a very emotional scene,Neelix tells Tuvok he must do the treatment to restore him, but Tuvok doesn't want to be a 'boring' Vulcan, and he asks Neelix, what'll happen to the friendship between the two. Though Neelix knows he will be losing a real friend, Ethan Phillips handles it honestly, and stoicly.
I really think this is easily the best episode featuringNeelix, and is also a terrific display of both actors' skills.