False Profits Stardate 50074.3: Synopsis in main VOY listing

This episode is goofy to the max but what can you expect when you have an episode surrounding grovelling Ferengi. But I think it's got intelligent scripting in parts, they do well to reference the events of TNG episode "The Price" which I suppose necessitated an episode like this happen on Voyager at some stage. I also like Janeway's cunning in rationalising Starfleet's duty to the people of the planet in question in stopping the interference the Ferengi have caused, due to their being there thanks to a Federation research project gone awry.
Then it gets totally fruity with Neelix masquerading as the Grand Proxy in an attempt to convince Arridor and Kol to return to Ferenginar. The major failing in these scenes though is how quickly violence is resorted to. Arridor suggests killing 'The Grand Proxy' when they realise their scheme is foiled, the mob of natives go so far as to grab torches and try to immolate the three 'Sages', is their something in the water in this planet?
Nothing too fantastic about this episode, it's funny and clever in parts in the way the crew use the song of the sage to extract the pair of Ferengi, a nice conclusion to 'The Price', but nothing special. Oh, and I just browsed over Bernd's review and agree on the appalling handling of the Ferengi escaping Voyager, overpowering trained Starfleet Security with their fists, making their way from Deck 2 to the shuttlebay without a whisper and blasting out! Makes the escape from the Death Star look like a picnic!
Remarkable fact: This episode presents the second of three instances where Ethan Phillips has played a Ferengi, once in TNG's "Ménage à Troi", here, and later in ENT's "Acquisition".
Remarkable makeup reuse: Speaking of Ethan Phillips it looks certain that they just reused his Ferengi mask from this episode for the Enterprise episode mentioned above.
Rating: 4 (Cameron)

Sacred Ground Stardate 50063.2: Synopsis in main VOY listing

More mystical mumbo-jumbo takes the spotlight in what's certainly the worst episode of the series so far, Kes is struck down by some energy field, and Janeway goes through grueling albeit pointless tasks in an effort to save her, going through a crisis of faith which I really couldn't care a great deal about in the process. She goes the entire episode trying to find a scientific explanation for Kes' condition to get a treatment, it boils down to her having to walk Kes through the field again, which is successful due to a number of amazing coincidences about Janeway's metabolism, the initial failed treatment of Kes, and the 'will of the spirits'. Janeway finds the rather rational explanation at the end disappointing by the looks of it, well boo-hoo. She had been wanting a concrete solution to the problem and got it only after taking a desperate leap of faith, why so upset?
I just found it garbage really, a dull, boring episode where there's zero tension cause Kes isn't exactly a character people could've found themselves caring about much considering the lack of exposition she's received thus far, and even then, she's had much better episodes devoted to her where she at least got the chance to ACT a bit in them.
The incredibly generous 1 point awarded is ONLY for seeing Janeway semi-semi-naked, that was hot.
Remarkable fact: Robert Duncan McNeill will do much better directing future Voyager episodes "Unity", "Someone to Watch Over Me", "Body and Soul", and Enterprise episodes "Cold Front", "The Breach" and the excellent episodes "Twilight" and "Countdown".
Rating: 1 (Cameron)

Future's End Stardate 50312.5: Synopsis in main VOY listing

"Future's End" is a great story that never left me bored. I have to admit that I was skeptical about this episode before actually watching it. The synopsis made it sound ridiculous like so many Voyager episodes. "Future's End" was a pleasant surprise as it did not reveal too much 29th century technology to the viewer and risk becoming too ridiculous. The episode reminds me a lot of TNG: "Time's Arrow" and seems just as good, especially considering the time loop issue is similar.
I know the idea of the Doctor's mobile emitter was a controversial one. Too many times in Voyager the writers seem to go a little too far with the science fiction they come up with. One would think that the Federation would be radically different after Voyager comes home at the end of the series, but nothing seems much different about it in ST:N.
I appreciate how the side jokes in the episode were treated as well. They never got too out of hand like so many other Voyager episodes, and the writers had a lot of opportunities to make a lot of tiresome jokes considering the 20th century setting.
Remarkable guest appearance: Sarah Silverman
Rating: 8 (Chris)

Future's End, Part I Stardate 50132.5/1996: Synopsis in main VOY listing

I was always a bit sceptical about the premise of this episode, it always seemed to me that time travel adventures involving Earth were a bit of a desperate grab for ratings, kind of like "Time's Arrow". But this actually handles the issue in a smarter manner which doesn't try to go out of its way too much to place the story on the setting. Of course, there's no way around that with the constant social commentary running about the fashion of the time, identical ring tones for mobile phones, SETI, Soap Operas, the Computer revolution of the time and so on.
Having said that, it still translates into a great first part-er, Ed Begly Jr. and Sara Silverman weren't the most conventional choices for a guest spot on Star Trek, but they played their roles really well (Can you imagine Sarah Silverman in THIS day and age acting so pleasant, saying this in 2008 it's almost like watching two different people haha).
And the scenes on Earth were well done, it's not often Trek ventures outside for location shooting beyond the famous mountain ranges often used (the name of which escapes me), so it was smart to fully utilise the locations of Los Angeles. There's some good action scenes and I particularly liked the banter between Tuvok and Paris. Braxton was stereotypically insane and I didn't like that. The scene where Kes and Neelix are watching the soap opera is a screamer, and it's funny watching Janeway hesitantly operate a late 20th century computer, and Chakotay remarking on its interface. So in the end, it's really fun but doesn't let the viewer get bogged down in the weight of the situation (OMG Voyager's back home, yay?), because the crew know they can't get too worked up, and the ramifications of failing are too severe, and the villain in Starling is one they will have to do well to match considering the advanced technology at his disposal.
There's little point commenting on the plotholes and paradoxes regarding the Eugenics War and the Computer revolution only coming about thanks to 29th century involvement. The Eugenics War would've eventually been retconned to a later date as Earth would find itself in a more devastating war only decades later in WW3. And the computer revolution paradox? I have no answer really. And it's bound to leave others with the same headache Janeway said such paradoxes gave her.
Remarkable logo: Chronowerx's logo is clearly the Starfleet combadge for the famous arrow logo from the 29th century. Strangely enough, of all things a local Patio designing company I know of has a similar emblem...
Remarkable quote: "We could've worn our Starfleet uniforms. I doubt if anyone would've noticed." -Tuvok, slyly remarking on the (awful) fashion of the time.
Remarkable quote 2: "What does it mean, groovy?" -Tuvok, to Tom Paris
Remarkable dialogue: "Who are you, and what's that thing in your pants?" - "I beg your pardon?" -Rain Robinson and Tuvok, referring to a tricorder Rain saw Tuvok hide in his pants.
Remarkable ship: The Aeon, though I'm not a fan of it's 'Un-Starfleet' design nor do I believe that one tiny ship like that is meant to patrol and police the timeline.
Rating: 8 (Cameron)

Future's End, Part II Stardate 50312.5/1996: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Unlike many 2-parters I actually think this one is right on par with the opening act of the first part. A lot more tension oriented with Starling's impending launch, is it on or off? He's on the surface, taunting Janeway from his office one moment then he back on Voyager, then somehow he's beamed back to Earth. So without worrying about things like Soap Operas and fashion, the episode just takes aim at stopping Starling.
I didn't like the paranoid rednecks, I think it's pretty obvious the entire sequence is nothing but filler, and the antagonists in the situation were so horribly stereotypical, at least Chakotay was pretty sincere talking about his past life as a freedom fighter didn't lead to anything satisfying in a futile attempt to endear himself to his captors. Of course, there's also the issue of the Doc's mobile emitter. The way he's boasting about it and strongly articulating to the camera about it nearly screamed 'Jump the Shark' to me, but that's certainly NOT the most important thing to have happened in this episode. And it actually does make sense that such a piece of technology would eventually have been developed, so while it did seem so convenient his receiving the emitter during the story, it's actually pretty plausible.
Starling's torture of the Doctor trying to get Janeway's 'psyche' profile was quite disappointing as well, as Bernd says in his review, it looked like they couldn't quite find the balance they wanted with his character, and the Doctor's hypothesis of Starling being bi-polar seems to only have been made mention of to try and justify his sudden ruthlessness in an effort to gain something possibly insignificant at the time. He had all this future technology at his disposal, he had a forcefield surrounding the Aeon which couldn't be penetrated, while I understand the need to understand your enemy, I thought it was just not needed. His plan to to go lol, Back to the Future, actually seemed somewhat credible to me. He after all only had one small Federation ship to him, perhaps a successful trip to the 2800's could've yielded a bigger bounty as he has a plethora of alternative sources of technology to choose from. Useful Medical equipment, replicators, alien technology. He's quite alot like Berlinghoff Rasmussen now that I bring that up, and his actions are equally selfish despite his rhetoric.
Despite all that, there's still moments I liked, the talk between B'Elanna and Chakotay seemed justified, had they gotten stuck what would they have done? The fact that they both think staying on Earth is the solution was a bit short-sighted IMO. Why not travel to Vulcan and tell people who might have actually accepted their situation? There's the contamination issue true, but I'd imagine Vulcans being smart enough NOT to openly risk contaminating the timeline by letting Voyager roam around the Alpha Quadrant sticking its nose where it wouldn't belong. That's totally my opinion though and I could understand why people would find fault with that option.
And Rain and Paris, it was actually pretty sad to have had to see the two become split up, one reminisces that Kes would leave the series not long after, it's a shame they couldn't just beam up Rain like was done in The Voyage Home with Gillian and have Rain join. Hell, there wasn't a lot to keep her on Earth and I suppose having her boss killed and Voyager leave wouldn't have been too good for her career. Maybe I'm sentimental cause I thought Silverman was hot and her and McNeill had great chemistry, oh well. And I guess we see why Janeway loathes the Temporal Prime Directive as evidenced in "Relativity" and "Endgame", as here due to said Directive her crew isn't allowed to be returned to Earth in it's own time period by Braxton. I get that she should've used the slingshot effect, but considering the damage inflicted by Braxton in part 1, were they willing to try and defy what he himself would've prevented when asked?
In spite of its few flaws it does get just the 1 point taken off bringing it to a 7, but that still doesn't matter, this is a great couple of episodes not just of Voyager, but of Star Trek as a whole.
Remarkable facts: Janeway sports yet another new hairdo in this episode which she carries for a while. -- Come the 29th century, the Computer will have a male voice. -- The font for Chronowerx is clearly the same as used in the Voyager and Deep Space Nine credits.
Remarkable quote 1: "That is a non-sequitur. Would you please pass me a burrito?" -Tuvok, to Rain (So much for Vulcan's being vegetarians by the way.)
Remarkable quote 2: "Tuvok, has anyone ever told you you're a real freak-a-saurus?" -Tom Paris
Remarkable quote 3: "Divine intervention is... unlikely" -The Doctor
Remarkable dialogue 1: "Agent Tuvok, what's up?" - "Breakfast is 'up.'" -Rain Robinson and Tuvok
Remarkable dialogue 2: "And you, Mister Leisure-suit." - "There's a name I hadn't considered." -Rain to The Doctor
Rating: 7 (Cameron)

The Q and the Grey Stardate 50384.2: Synopsis in main VOY listing

For all the silliness that always seemed to accompany Q for at least half of his episodes this one does well to balance the comedy and the bigger picture. The Continuum falling into civil war though? Even though our current society still has trouble accepting the right for one to end their own life, factions haven't emerged and those in favour and against haven't come to violent blows as a result, I guess that's just to show for all the power the Q possess, they are extremely arrogant. In retrospect, I think Q's antics on the Enterprise may have had a greater message about individuality and anti-authority, albeit at the cost of inconvenience and irritation of Picard. But in taking up Quinn's role as martyr, Q 'grows up' in a sense. I guess you could have already said that in "Death Wish" where he was on the opposing side and pointing out the ramifications of allowing one Q to commit suicide, which is surprisingly dark for an episode featuring a more mature Q, but here he's got a greater purpose than just representing the establishment. And when we see the Q in favour of crushing 'our' Q's freedom movement, it's pretty clear why he would have switched sides. It does make me wonder why he was so adamant to keep things the way they were in "Death Wish" though if he was always such a rebel. Maybe his threats to destroy humanity in "All Good Things" weren't his alone and he may have served the Continuum in some capacity those times.
Anyway, enough hypothesising, back to the episode. It's also in this we see a little bit more depth to Janeway. By this stage I think people may have forgotten she had a life and a husband back on Earth, so this is honoured by Q pointing out that the chance for children with Mark may have slipped away and she admits the prospect is one she's open to (Of course, not to Q though ;D). However she clearly brushes aside her personal desires and the chance for cosmic adventures as mother of Q Jr. to continue her responsibilities to her ship. Her saying her crew wasn't after a 'quick fix' was quite premature though, had she said all this in front of the crew in denying the chance to get them home it may not have gone down so well I thought...But anyway, she had her responsibilities and teaches Q the value of them as well if he has any hope of becoming a father. And this I'm guessing is probably the theme of the whole affair.
Suzie Plakson is great in her supporting role as the female Q. And it's funny how her lamentations over Vulcans and Klingons reference her brief roles as the Vulcan Dr. Selar and Worf's Klingon mate K'Ehleyr, both from The Next Generation.
Nitpicking: Q states that two Q mating hasn't ever occurred before, he must be stretching things pretty far not to be considering the parents of Amanda Rogers to be Q.
Remarkable quote: "What are you doing with that dog? [pause] ... I'm not talking about the puppy." -Female Q, to Q referring to Captain Janeway and the puppy she's holding.
Remarkable quote 2: "You! Bar rodent!" - Q, to Neelix
Remarkable dialogue: "I know that you're probably asking yourself: why would a brilliant, handsome, dashingly omnipotent being like Q want to mate with a scrawny little bipedal specimen like me?" - "Let me guess, no one else in the universe will have you?" - "Nonsense! I could have chosen a Klingon Targ, a Romulan empress, a Cyrillian microbe..." - "Really?! I beat out a single cell organism?! How flattering." -Q and Janeway
Rating: 7 (Cameron)

Fair Trade Stardate not given: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Neelix lets his paranoid delusions force him into criminal undertakings in an effort to save himself from a perceived 'plank walk' if they find out his knowledge of the Delta Quadrant ended at the Nekrit Expanse. What was he expecting though, really? Did he seriously consider that Janeway would've told him to jump ship? He had made a life for himself on the ship, his being 'guide' was hardly that deciding a factor in keeping him on ship, from what we saw there was the odd episode where he pointed out a brief summation of a system or a peoples who Voyager would encounter, ok, that was helpful at times. But in all honesty there was no way Neelix's ideas of being kicked off ship were justified. But we see him with all endeavour try to pick up more tasks to do in an effort to apply himself in other ways to the ship. Seeing Neelix was introduced as some kind of 'jack of all trades', it's surprising his roles hadn't ventured outside of cooking and being a pain. This guy was a scavenger treading a fine line of survival through the 'perilous' Delta Quadrant for a long time before Voyager turned up, Voyager may have been a powerful ship, but I thought some of his tricks for survival may have come into play at some stage before now.
But that aside it's not a terrible episode, it's just not that darned special either. I liked the station, it had that cross-cultural alien feel about it (Bahrat's office at least, the remainder of the station just looked like a minor redress of the prison station from 'The Chute') with all its alien occupants. The visual impact of the Nekrit expanse is impressive too, surely a precedent for the Delphic Expanse later seen in Season 3 of Enterprise. Neelix is also surprisingly "bad-ass" when taunting Tosin to fire with the leaking plasma container in his hand, and Janeway is equally impressive when dressing Neelix down in the final scene. The story is semi-plausible and at least the element of drug-trafficking is brought in with real-world comparisons.
And why Kes wasn't in this one Bernd asks? Well by this stage the pair had broken up. His relationship with Wix was developed long before he met her, and it was a story more about his fears, and his insecurities which he clearly had no interest in discussing with anyone else. I bet Kes would've blabbed to the Captain anyway...
Rating: 4 (Cameron)

Alter Ego Stardate 50460.3: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Another dullish and uninteresting episode saved by Tim Russ' great acting. Alter Ego talks about the loneliness of people, the loneliest of Kim, of Tuvok and Marayna. Kim's situation, I actually don't find it that implausible. What we knew of him so far was he was a bookish sort of nerd who certainly had more trouble fitting in than the jovial Tom Paris, without his girlfriend back in San Francisco to keep him company, I could foresee him garnering that sort of affection for a holo-character. 70 years from home, maybe none of the woman on board are interested or single or whatever, what choice does one have? Deny what little opportunity there is for SOME kind of companionship only the holodeck offered? It's a real world parallel to the way people take solace in computer games and 'online persona's' in an effort to escape their real world situations which they aren't particularly fond of. And I also understand Kim's frustration, finding myself in somewhat of a similar position lately, I wouldn't be too happy if the lady of my interest would without warning started hanging around another guy. Jealousy is a powerful emotion, and while Kim may not have been right to have spoken to Tuvok the way he did, it was certainly the most human thing to have done, if not the most mature thing.
Tim Russ, yep, solid performance like always, can't say much more than that. It's not an episode that asked alot of him like in 'Meld', but the subtlety in which he plays this part, making the character seem so, well, I hesitate to say 'human', but giving his character more depth than any other clichéd Vulcan seen since Spock.
What I may have liked though, have Marayna the last of her people or something, the fact that she had the opportunity to return to her society kind of robbed that sort of tragedy about her situation akin to that of exiled and eternally lonely Zarabeth in "All Our Yesterdays" to which this episode is compared. And I think we could've done without the usual threats to destroy the ship and kill the crew, it's a bit sad they couldn't find a way around that somehow to make it so predictable.
Rating: 5 (Cameron)

Coda Stardate 50518.6: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Janeway dies a couple of times, has to fend off an evil alien posing as her dead-ghost father intent on bringing her into his 'Matrix', who she fends off successfully.
That's it. It's got some good acting and some interesting scenes though, like the multiple 'deaths' of Chakotay and Janeway in the shuttle or at the hands of Vidiians or otherwise. Kes' powers come into play in an effort to find the Captain, Tuvok notes that Janeway must be dead after Kes fails and that he has lost a dear friend, and B'Elanna gives a nice speech at her 'funeral' in the mess hall.
But it's all reset, they could've followed through with it all! It would've at least validated alot of the words spoken of her by the crew about what she meant to them, but instead it's all taken back. No harm would've come from allowing the episode to proceed in 'real time' circumstances. So it's an alright episode acting wise, and we get some background into Janeway's family, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Remarkable dialogue: "Maybe I could stand with an apple on my head and you could phaser it off." - "Sounds great. If I miss, I get to be Captain." -Janeway and Chakotay, discussing the latter's possible contribution to Neelix's Talent Night
Rating: 6 (Cameron)

Blood Fever Stardate 50537.2: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Blood Fever: It's all about sex, people! Yay, for once this issue which was normally brushed over in the much more conservative series TOS and TNG makes a rare reappearance and in good fashion. While we may not have that much interest in Vorik considering how new of a character he is (only being introduced in recent episodes), we still got the feeling something was going on between Tom and B'Elanna. This episode is the catalyst for their relationship, and wow do the actors make it convincing. Meanwhile Vorik is offered up a holographic Vulcan babe as an alternative to satisfy his urges, and at the same time the Doctor provides good yet bordering on creepy comic relief as he relishes the chance to study the mating habits of other cultures. The C-plot regarding the natives isn't too much of a burden, and it's nice for once the hostage taking aliens are actually co-operative and hear out Chakotay's plan.
I'm not too sure what the deal is with 'transferring' of Pon Farr, it seems something unnecessary in Vulcan culture. Saavik didn't need it to mate with a young Spock in "The Search for Spock", and I don't think I'd need much convincing to mate with some hot alien chick and wouldn't need some extra 'zing' to get the job done. But anyway, it was necessary to the plot and isn't so problematic it isn't worth dwelling upon too much.
So actually, a surprisingly entertaining episode.
Remarkable dialogue: "I'll get to work designing the half-Klingon version of the program. There's a copious amount of information in the cultural database about their mating practices. Did you know that fracturing a clavicle on the wedding night is actually considered a blessing on the marriage?" - "As a matter of fact, I didn't." -The Doctor and Captain Janeway, discussing the holographic pon farr treatment
Remarkable dialogue #2: "So, this is the part where you throw heavy objects at me?" - "Maybe later." -Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres
Remarkable quote: "For such an intellectually enlightened race, Vulcans have a remarkably Victorian attitude about sex!" -The Doctor
Rating: 7 (Cameron)

Rise Stardate not given: Synopsis in main VOY listing

This is actually my favorite of the Neelix/Tuvok episodes ("Tuvix" doesn't quite count in my opinion), it's got mystery, action, a race against time, a couple of good laughs and more character development for the pair in question.
This time though, Neelix holds the cards and uses it to his advantage, to get the point across he's sick of Tuvok's attitude and demands respect for him, while still being humble about his admiration for the Vulcan. In turn, Tuvok risks his life to act on Neelix's 'hunch' and in turn, his life is saved by the Talaxian. And so they become a little chummier in the end, though Tuvok still not yielding to Neelix in the final scene in the mess hall. To support this story, a planet is being bombarded by asteroids, Tuvok, Neelix and a native scientist are sent down to help retrieve another scientist. It's all the usual twists and turns you can expect, and Voyager once more saves the day, through their miraculous gaining of a hostile force's tactical information.
But that's all background noise, and Tim Russ and Ethan Phillips are really good once more. Phillips normally plays Neelix as a buffoon, but here we see he has something to prove and doesn't turn into a clown in doing so, and his efforts are rewarded with Tuvok's praise.
I understand it's not a highly regarded episode nor do I think it's something so incredible and up there with the best of Trek, but I do find it a better than average offering, at least better than the 6/10 rating I've given it would indicate.
Remarkable dialogue #1: "Where are you going? You don't even know what you're looking for." - "I am looking for Mr. Neelix's instinct. Perhaps it is marked." -Lillias and Tuvok (referring to the item Dr. Vatm mentioned on the roof)
Remarkable dialogue #2: "You always have to get in that last word, don't you?" - "I am simply responding to your erroneous statement." - "Something tells me you just hate to lose an argument." - "Losing is irrelevant." - "See what I mean?" - "No. I do not." -Neelix and Tuvok
Remarkable quote: "You built...models?" -Tuvok, on discovering Neelix had no knowledge of real Mag-lev carriages, but only built models in his youth.
Rating: 6 (Cameron)

Favorite Son Stardate 50732.4: Synopsis in main VOY listing

I suppose they needed to give Kim something, ANYTHING (!) to do by this point in time. It's such a bore though, the entire ploy by the Taresians is absolute nonsense in the way they need to propagate their species by 'infecting' males from OTHER species, changing their genetic structure to make them Taresian. It's just stupid, if they've been able to master genetic reconstruction to such a stage, surely it mustn't be too hard for them to just add a Y chromosome to a developing cell/fetus/whatever at a rate that would sustain their population, rather than leave it to chance the way they do.
But it's also painfully non-interesting, sure it's appealing with all the eye candy on show, but it's really predictable and the conflict with the other species is nothing out of the ordinary. Bad, predictable episode.
And consider my 3 rating generous!
Rating: 3 (Cameron)

Before and After Stardate not given: Synopsis in main VOY listing

This episode once more proves that time travel and alternate realities normally yield great episodes when used as subject matter, and the unlikely protagonist is Kes, as she travels from lifetime to lifetime trying to find the answers. It's fun and it takes the time to show a plausible alternate reality to the one that will follow, where Chakotay is Captain, Tuvok is Commander, the Doctor has hair (!). The usual technobabble is employed to explain away the phenomena, but keeps well with potential story lines like the first appearance of the Krenim and their usage of temporal weaponry. And the consistency with the Doctor's ego is quite funny as I believe 3 times he refers to the bio-temporal chamber treatment as either 'brilliant' or 'ingenious'.
I guess this cold I'm suffering from is taking its toll cause I really seem to elaborate more, look, it's a simple episode, it's got a nice performance from Jennifer Lien in the main role, and I think it succeeds well, even from a story point of view, with successful character observations of the people surrounding Kes, from the Doctor to her 'husband' (Tom) to her daughter.
Remarkable alien physiology: Just when we thought Kes' ears were the only discerning feature between her and humans, well are we in for a shock to discover there's some sort of 'pouch' or 'sack' in her back from which she gives birth.
Remarkable facts: In the possible future seen the Doctor takes a name (Van Gogh) and has hair. Chakotay is promoted Captain following the death of Janeway. Tuvok is Commander, Paris is elevated to Lt. Commander as is Harry to Lieutenant. The ship also looks to have had holo-emitters installed throughout as evidenced by the Doctor seen to be outside of sickbay without his mobile-emitter.
Rating: 7 (Cameron)

Worst Case Scenario Stardate not given: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Another fun 'trapped in the holodeck' episode here, the opening 20 minutes taking place almost entirely inside the Maquis mutiny program, giving us the opportunity to see what some might argue: 'should have been'.
The idea of a Maquis uprising being realistic to Tuvok was also a good chance to take this show in a plausible direction. A greenhorn Federation crew being placed together with belligerent terrorists (by Starfleet standards), who were only there thanks to the actions of Janeway... matter of fact, holo-Chakotay's entire speech in the cargo bay was something one would've expected to have heard if they decided to play out this scenario for real early in the season. However the idea was dismissed with the Maquis themselves receiving very little exposure in the show, and I'm guessing this episode was made solely to appease those who would've liked to have written or seen such a scenario take place.
But enough ranting, it's a great episode, the opening is cunningly realistic however if you have a keen eye and good memory you'll notice that not is all as it seems early on, of course B'Elanna's wearing a Starfleet Ensign's pip and doesn't work at her normal station, Janeway's hair is from the earlier seasons, and we can here Chakotay hail Jonas who was killed in the previous seasons episode "Investigations". And of course it takes the usual turn with Tuvok and Paris trapped, thanks to tampering by Seska who threatens to kill them, but the day's saved thanks to some narrative changes by Janeway.
Wonderfully fun episode.
Remarkable quote: "Under my command, we won't let almighty Federation principles get in the way of opportunities the way Janeway did when she destroyed the array that could have gotten us home. And we won't be wasting precious time stopping to investigate every insignificant anomaly that we come across. What we will do is use any means necessary to acquire technology that can shorten our journey. To hell with Starfleet regulations. You have fifteen minutes to make up your minds." -Chakotay hologram
Remarkable quote #2: "I guess we should have known Seska wouldn't let a little thing like death stop her from getting even." -Paris
Rating: 8 (Cameron)

Distant Origin Stardate not given: Synopsis in main VOY listing

I think Bernd's summed this one up well enough in his review, a fantastic episode in which almost the guest starts seem to out act the main cast! Not that the main cast is given much to do as the story is centered around Gegen and his fight against the establishment.
Not much more I could add, yes it's particularly bleak, but it ends on a great note, wonderful score, impressive FX, and once again the message of acceptance and tolerance is played out again despite it being played to an amazingly advanced civilisation, however one that like many others in Trek, are incredibly belligerent in spite of all their accomplishments.
Robert Beltran is particularly good here with the lines he has about change and so forth.
Remarkable quote: "Someday every Voth will see this as home." -Forra Gegen, to Chakotay while holding a globe of Earth
Rating: 10 (Cameron)

Scorpion, Part I Stardate 50984.3: Synopsis in main VOY listing

Wow, almost movie worthy! The full fledged return of the dreaded Borg, amazing special effects considering the budget, a brand new lethal foe for our intrepid crew (pun intended) to deal with, character conflict, the list goes on.
A great way to end the season with a bang introduces the new threat, Species 8472, who are, unfortunately amazingly bland in their limited depiction, cold, ruthless, spouting 'the weak will perish'? Understandably they needed a destructive force capable of inflicting damage to the Collective, but being just another alien of the week with very little way for them to convey a sense of reason to their actions was a mistake. This WILL be rectified in part II however, but not enough. Maybe a humanoid race from another realm taking on the Borg would've been more satisfying, but then again, their alien appearance only adds to their menace and shrouds their intentions in a way that couldn't be achieved with another humanoid race.
And finally some legit conflict with Chakotay and Janeway, and both have very real points to make regarding their plans, however Janeway in her optimism was taking the advice of Leo da Vinci to heart greatly in taking such a leap of faith to expect the Borg to co-operate, but she had the contingency of deleting the Doc's program (and once again displaying her death wish as this would only make her crew and ship the target of assimilation only to bolster the numbers and abilities of an ailing Collective, way to go Janeway.)
But it's Chakotay making the most amounts of hits with his argument that her decision was one of pure faith with little to no evidence that it would work. She quoted Picard earlier as saying how without mercy the Borg are, and are unwilling to compromise, now as they're being beaten she expects them to change tune. Along with putting her crew in jeopardy again for the sake of this proposed short cut, Chakotay also points out the very real fact of her giving aide to the Borg who had already destroyed countless civilisations while 8472's potential addition to the list is greeted with mirth by Janeway who doesn't even have the full facts on how this conflict occur ed and why.
And there's the irrelevant threat to Kim's life, as credible as it looks there's still little tension behind his fate as it was probably known that it would be Jennifer Lien who would leave the series, instead of Garret Wang.
Good set up for the second part, the premier of Season 4, Scorpion Part II, however I'll be unable to review it.
Rating: 8 (Cameron)

 

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