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Elmer_Cat
Reviews
Star Trek: Voyager: Before and After (1997)
An Episode Obsessed With Hair
This is a strange episode that explores some aspects of the Ocampan physiology and life cycle. The IMDb synopsis explains the basic story premise involving Kes moving backward in time at the end of her life, but it's one of those episodes where the viewer is dumped into the middle of things and explanations have to slowly unfold as to what led up to it. It's pointed out that Kes' future life, her husband, offspring, etc. is just one of many possible paths that may occur.
A most disturbing aspect of this episode is the underlying obsession with not just Kes' hair, but the Doctor's hair as well. With absolutely no explanation, the Doctor has a full head of hair when Kes is "old". A while later when she's "younger" the Doctor's familiar male-pattern baldness has returned. Although Kes comments on this, it's brushed aside with no further discussion.
Even more unfortunate are Kes' own hairstyles. A few episodes prior, she was lamenting, "Why does everyone still treat me like a child? I'm three years old now!". But when depicted at the elderly age of nine, Kes has the hair of a ninety year old woman. I realize Ocampans age rapidly, but does their sense of style necessarily have to become "old fashioned" too?
The worst thing of all, is that at the end of this episode, Kes' attractive short, straight hairstyle has become inexplicably very long and curly; not at all becoming of her! And it STAYS that way in subsequent episodes!!! Very bizarre.
Star Trek: Voyager: The Chute (1996)
An Episode Worth Skipping
Although I am a huge fan of Star Trek Voyager, the episode "The Chute" (3.3) is definitely not one of my favorites. It is a rather predictable story of wrongly convicted crew members sentenced to harsh confinement at a dark and violent alien prison; I did not find it very entertaining.
This is a cheap episode; cheaply written and cheaply produced. The so-called "Chute" that dumps new prisoners inside, is a poorly disguised air conditioning duct that moves as people try to crawl through it.
Most disappointing however, is that this episode adds absolutely nothing to the understanding of any characters in the show, other civilizations, or anything about Voyager's saga through the Delta Quadrant. Consequently, the best thing about "The Chute" is that it is an episode worth skipping; there's nothing you'll miss!
Star Trek: Voyager: Tuvix (1996)
Disappointing, Dark and Disturbing
When this episode began, I was quite intrigued by the notion of the two, very different characters of Tuvok and Neelix being merged into one. I anticipated the humor of Neelix facing off with the logic and discipline of Tuvok. However, instead of playing on these differences, the character of Tuvix, pulled both of them into a dark and disturbing place.
The first hint of this was in Kes' reaction; instead of seeing that Neelix still existed within him, she was revolted by Tuvix. Although the merged character possessed some of the talents of both men, he lacked their honor and genuine "goodness". If Tuvix really had the feelings of Neelix; including his dedication to Kes; his top priority would have been to get Neelix back for her, whatever the cost! Mr. Tuvok's Vulcan instincts would have insisted that the benefits to the majority would outweigh the interests of a single individual. Instead, we find that Tuvix is cowardly and self-centered. How appalling!
Making Katherine Hepburn (er... I mean Janeway) go through this "death penalty" scene is just adding more insult to the injury of these characters. She's not taking a life for heaven's sake, she's saving two of her crew members! Portraying the restoration of Tuvoc and Neelix as if there could be any other choice for the Captain is just bizarre! For the Doctor to oppose the procedure was also completely out of character for him.
As we all know, Star Trek is all about the characters. Following so closely to episodes, "Investigations" (2.20), where Neelix's bravery and loyalty is showcased; and, "Innocence" (2.22), where Tuvoc's paternal love is so beautifully and tenderly apparent (whether he admits it to the children or not); the "Tuvix" episode (2.24), is a tragic disappointment.
While nothing could be as bad as the "last episode" of Enterprise, "Tuvix" marks a low point in the Voyager series.