Voyager is trapped above a planet where society evolves extremely fast, but the starship's presence, far from benevolent, causes earthquakes.
(Originally aired January 19, 2000)
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Star of the night
Star of the day
Come to take my tears away
Make my life always bright.
--Child's prayer to Voyager |
Story by Michael Taylor
Teleplay by Scott Miller & Joe Menosky
Directed by Gabrielle Beaumont
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GUEST STARS
Melik Malkasian - Shaman
Walter H. McCready - Tribal alien
Odi Ndefo - Protector
Olaf Pooley - Cleric
Daniel Zacapa - Astronomer
Jon Cellini - Technician
Daniel Dae Kim - Pilot
Kat Sawyer-Young - Astronaut
WHAT HAPPENED
As Voyager (perhaps foolishly) nears a planet with an extremely high rotation rate and other anomalies, the starship gets trapped in the planet's orbit and, thanks to what Harry explains as "some kind of gravimetric gradient," cannot escape.
Worse yet, the warp engines go offline.
On the surface, a man in animal pelts is about to make a fruity offering to a stellar deity when the ground shakes and knocks him down. He sees a new, bright light in the sky . . . (more
spoilers)
ANALYSIS
Like the planetary civilization it depicts, "Blink of an Eye" grows more sophisticated over time. The episode begins poorly -- notably with the stilted dialogue among cave-dwellers and villagers -- but ultimately conveys a poignant message of impermanence.
The arrival of a local astronaut finally makes room for alien characters to develop from scene to scene. And his effort to return to his world -- to return from the dead, as far as compatriots are concerned -- has a satisfyingly unsentimental, no-nonsense quality.
Ironically, all this attention paid to the locals robs the episode of precious time that could be spent developing characters among the Voyager crew.
Chakotay's enthusiasm for anthropology is brought up only to be forgotten, while B'Elanna and many of the others hardly speak at all.
And when the Voyager has moved on and the tachyon planet is a receding memory, what remains for the viewers?
DANGLING PLOT THREADS
Will the aliens use their fast-evolving technology for warfare beyond their world?
Did the Doctor's offspring leave a lasting mark in his community?
How does a hologram reproduce, anyway? Was the boy perhaps adopted? A wry "long story" from the Doctor does not go far enough in explaining such a bizarre occurrence.
Were the speedy aliens related in some way to the fast-paced species seen in the classic Star Trek episode "Wink of an Eye"?
REALITY CHECK
The characteristics of the planet in this episode have no clear basis in science. Physicists have speculated about tachyons, particles that display unusual temporal properties, but such particles are not believed to exist.
Tuvok's description of the planet as displaying characteristics of quasars and collapsed stars - both of which are real astronomical entities - is merely puzzling. Which characteristics? What does he mean?
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK WHEN . . .
The Doctor must choose between the Voyager and a potentially lucrative singing career after aliens take a fancy to his voice in "Virtuoso".
What do you think? Send your comments to the
author or editor.
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