Tuvok undergoes a personality transformation after shadowy aliens attack.
(originally aired November 3, 1999)
| For Love of Neelix |
Tuvok [finally speaking despite brain damage]: You're Neelix. I'm safe with you. |
Naroq [seeing the first image of the Belef]: Tentacles! I always suspected they were multipeds. |
Naroq [telling Janeway about the shadowy Belef]: Captain, I don't blame you for finding my theories eccentric. I'm used to it. That's why I'm still a deputy investigator. |
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Story by Andre Bormanis
Teleplay by Robert Doherty
Directed by Roxann Dawson
GUEST STARS
Mark Moses - Naroq
WHAT HAPPENED
Neelix and Tuvok are aboard a shuttle where, as usual, the logical Vulcan is not amused by Neelix's friendly banter. Reluctantly, Tuvok agrees to hear a riddle. Neelix asks, "A lone ensign was stuck on a desert planet for 12 months with no supplies but a calendar; why didn't he starve?" Tuvok is stumped, then unimpressed by Neelix's answer -- the castaway "feasted on dates."
Eager to be alone after this, Tuvok retreats to the shuttle's aft room. But then he notices an unauthorized computer download and anomalous tricorder readings. He attempts to tell Neelix (via communicator) that he has detected a cloaking frequency, only to be interrupted by a strange distortion in the room and a burst of phaser fire from an unseen intruder. Neelix rushes in to find Tuvok writhing on the floor.... (more extensive spoilers)
ANALYSIS
This episode introduces some intriguing plot elements -- an obsessed investigator, a shadowy squid-like nemesis -- only to squander these by focusing too narrowly on the Tuvok-Neelix relationship.
Not only do the brain-damaged Tuvok's repeated expressions of affection for the ship's "morale" officer make for some awkward moments, but the conflict between Vulcan logic and happiness is a predictable cliché.
These plot weaknesses, however, seem attributable more to poor scriptwriting than to the admirable Roxann Dawson (who plays B'Elanna), here in her directorial debut.
DANGLING PLOT THREADS
Does Tuvok remember any of his experiences while he was not himself? Will they haunt his dreams?
REALITY CHECK
The mechanisms underlying Tuvok's damage and recovery, and the aliens' cloaking and uncloaking, are all enshrouded in vagueness. Is this an allegorical flourish on the part of the writers, or an accident?
The pistachio cake's frosting -- allegedly revealing the alien cloaking frequency -- does not appear to contain a large amount of data.
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
Reruns continue in original broadcast order. The hapless Voyager crew unleashes an army of aliens that conquered the Delta Quadrant centuries ago in "Dragons Teeth," a two-hour movie extravaganza.
What do you think? Send your comments to the long-suffering critic or the editor.
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