Voyager locates the parents
of the ex-Borg teenager Icheb. But returning to his agrarian homeworld
may stunt his career -- or worse.
(Originally aired March
8, 2000)
GUEST STARS
Manu Intiraymi - Icheb
Tracey Ellis - Mother
Mark A. Shephard - Father
WHAT HAPPENED
It's time for a science fair,
and the ex-Borg kids proudly show their projects to Janeway
and others. Icheb, the moody teenager, has developed a high-resolution
gravimetric sensor array to augment Voyager's ability to scan for the neutrino
flux associated with wormholes. Seven,
talking privately to Janeway, notes that Icheb hopes for a permanent position
in the astrometrics department.
Janeway says that won't be
possible. Voyager has made contact with the teen's parents, and has set
a course for his home planet, where presumably he will stay.
"That's good news," says
Seven, looking grim. (more spoilers)
ANALYSIS
"Child's Play" is a well-crafted
episode that thrives on psychological subtlety. The shifting emotions and
behaviors of Icheb and his parents unfold intriguingly. Seven's reactions
to the mercurial teen's situation reveal an unexpected self-awareness regarding
her own troubled past.
The Brunali homeworld, with
its worrisome strategic predicament and uneven technological development,
makes for a deceptively tranquil backdrop. There's an interesting asymmetry
to this world's conflict with the Borg; the Brunali are far less formidable
than their nemesis -- except in one possibly crucial regard.
One suspects that Voyager
is now at the periphery of Borg-dominated space, where another redoubtable
adversary could soon make its appearance.
Or at least one hopes as
much, for despite the Borg's resilient appeal as opponents, the Delta Quadrant's
broad malevolent potentiality has yet to be thoroughly tapped.
WHAT WE LEARN
The pre-assimilation history
of the ex-Borg kids was not necessarily blissful.
DANGLING PLOT THREADS
How's the ex-Borg baby doing?
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
Janeway must rely on untested
crew members for survival. Can the stoic captain become a "Good Shepherd"?
What do you think? Send your
comments to the author or editor.
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