Darkling

At first I thought it was about Kes, and in some respects it is. But the real focus is the Doctor, who is continually morphing from hologram to a real boy (like Pinocchio). In the process of bringing about some of the most creative beings in history and incorporating them into his design, he also takes on their weaknesses and dark sides. Once the good stuff is removed, a mass of blackness turns our balding fellow into a horror show. Oh, and he leads Kes around. And why did she make the decision she did at the conclusion?

Well, I don't get it: Kes broke up with Neelix in the episode where she was controlled by this maniac warlord. So, it was not her that broke up with him but obviously the mind of the warlord that possessed her body. Why are they still broken up then? It doesn't make any sense. It was clearly not Kes who wanted to break up. We have never seen another explanation. Neelix and Kes never resolved this situation. Normally when someone from the crew is possessed and not fully himself, his or her actions are accepted as not the will of the persons themselves. Just like in this episode not the doctor but his evil twin sedated Torres and shoved that dude over the cliff.

This episode is quite amusing. While the doctor tries to enhance his program by incorporating the traits and characteristics of well known personalities from history, he not only updates himself with their positive traits but also with their dark and hidden characters. This leads to this dark side breaking through and taking over the "body" of the doctor in good old Jeckyll & Hyde fashion. Picardo does a good job and playing his evil twin. Even his hair looks tousled and he walks more wooden, too.

I hoped though that Kes leaves with her new lover, but she doesn't. Well, this is still the last season for her. Tragically though: After Lien left this show she later also revealed her inner demons which turned her into some kind of female Hyde... quite sad to know what happened to this fragile young woman from the show.

I think that the Doctor (Robert Picardo) is the best member of Voyager's crew. He's funny, snippy and very interesting as his character evolves throughout the series. However, occasionally the show really struck out when it tried to expand his character and "Darkling" is clearly one of these times.

The Doctor is trying to expand his programming by interacting with various historical characters. Unfortunately, this has unforeseen effects on him and he becomes a 'Jekyl & Hyde' sort of personality. At the same time, Kes is considering leaving the ship and going on an adventure with a new guy she just met. How these two plots interact is something you'll have to see for yourself.

The problem with this one is that changes in the Doctor are just fine--insane and HUGE changes aren't. It all comes off as very contrived and silly. The only real positive I see in this show is that the writers finally decided to have Kes and Neelix break up-- which is so positive as Neelix's jealousy is so boorish and annoying....and a bit creepy.

The Doctor programs himself with the personality traits of famous historical figures.

This is an okay episode with an interesting theme, but I struggle with certain aspects of it.

The Doctor having a Jekyll and Hyde experience is a good concept, but the inclusion of the historical figures for me does not work and there are some other aspects of the plot that are too silly for me.

It includes another Star Trek romance that does not work very well. However, it also feels like certain scenes related to this, such as Kes and Janeway's dialogue exchange are laying the foundations for future episodes. Thankfully though, the love scenes are not a very prominent part of the story.

Robert Picardo is a brilliant actor and his casting was one of the biggest positives in Voyager. His performance in Darkling is as committed and charismatic as ever, but the voice he uses and leering facial expression when in 'Hyde mode' I find irritating and repetitive after a short period of time.

The production values are strong, especially the atmosphere created in certain scenes and one visual effect involving the transporter is very cool.