The Void

This is where Voyager is trapped in a region of space that has nothing but other trapped ships and the only resources come from new arrivals. One moment the crew is enjoying all the bounty and pleasures that 24th century technology can bring to a dismal fate of competing with other desperate ships in a region of space known as the void.

I have always found Kate Mulgrew's portrayal of a 'tough' Starship capt. rather forced and unconvincing, as if she thinks she has to compensate for the fact that she is a woman. However, in this episode she delivers a brilliant performance. She demonstrates toughness in a very natural manner by showing confidence and leadership and having the big picture and imposing this view on a crew who are clearly overwhelmed by their seemingly hopeless circumstance. This was by far her best performance, she faces down Tuvok, Chakotay, and 7/9 who wanted to adopt a more barbaric strategy of survival by telling them at key moments, 'does it really matter if we last 7 days instead of 2?'

Janeway didn't just spout federation rules, instead she dug deeper into the concepts to see why they work and how they can be applied even here. She came up with a simple principle, 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts' to form alliances with as many of the other ships as possible. This episode had an eerie and depressing feel to it and the resolution was very satisfying.

Another prime example among many other particular episodes where Janeway (writers) once again denote StarFleet "Principals" in usual confusion and immense frustration to the viewer!

So tired of the Star Fleet interpreting Janeway making decisions off her rationalizations. It's like find the most illogical idea and do that one. Sometimes it's to not interfere with a cultural, unless it suits her..., unless the whole crew could benefit. Then better to let the crew starve. (What?) Or take ore from a plant because a species won't trade. Or, "don't mess with Voyager" and she will blow them up to protect her crew (with advanced weapons designed not to ever be used... because is Star Fleet policy to die first before harming(?)

As in here, don't want to offend so give away the crews food. Let them starve. Unless she rationalizes a technical reason the benefits her to save them (and then act as if she would have always done so). Confront a manual, which has no credence to a new system or guidelines, just shows how unable to perceive a new situation and act accordingly. Half the series has this conflict. Don't use a tricorder on a burial site per Chakotay. Hey, what if your breathing in an organic lifeform... better put everyone in suites I guess. If going to play out the hypocrisy, then do it in all situations. And which is worse, Janeway explaining yet another inconsistently irrational situation, or that I have to listen to her do such in that fingernails on chalkboard voice.

Must be a benefit in being obtuse. You can't argue with an abstraction, and Janeway uses that conveniently. Adding to this, is the factor of the absurdity being delivered by someone trying to act tough. As if that must be a good manager and/or compensating for a female role. Or is it to gaslight everyone to be shamed if she's not in charge, And... why does she have to be if there are more competent Picard types that could do the best job (ah, but their males, so forget that whatever you do).

So, we get this frustration instead. We suppose that if someone was to stab Janeway she would probably be the one to apologize. That would make good Star Fleet sense afterall.

Voyager gets trapped in a void of space that is occupied with other ships, all of which are competing for resources.

The ships trapped in the void exist in a state of chaos where everyone is competing for resources. There are two ways of trying to survive: Look after for yourself with a complete disregard for others or try and cooperate to share resources with the aim of a solution for all. This episode is as relevant in today's divided societies as it ever was and makes you feel a bit depressed when you think what option our own leaders would actually take.

There are clashes of viewpoint all over the place and it presents the Captain Janeway character with a moment to shine. Talk about resolute, bloody-minded devotion to principles. It's a high risk attitude and not all agree (some IMDB reviewers to name a few), but you have to admit that even though she might not be the de facto star of the show, particularly when The Doctor and Seven are on form, she is well and truly the star of this episode.

It is a technically well made episode with special effects that keep things pretty exciting and when all is said and done you've got to love a montage.

I've always found this episode to be one of the best to use as an example of what makes Starfleet's philosophy work, as opposed to the behavior of the Klingons, Romulans, and other more aggressive races.

Voyager is trapped in a dimensional void, where there are no resources of any kind, other than from other star ships who are trapped. Previous to Voyager's appearance, the law of the land was raid any new ship that appears, and fight it out yourself.

Janeway, using Starfleet principles, instead decides to create a mini star fleet, by convincing other ships to band together, share resources, in order to escape their situation.

It shows how the more aggressive species hurt this concept with their behavior, and why the joining of forces works well.

On top of that, it is a pretty exciting episode, with many good scenes, and satisfying from start to finish. One of the very best ST Voyager episodes.

Voyager finds itself stuck within a void from which it cannot escape. What's worse is that soon after arriving, they are set upon by other ships that are also within the void. In other words, to survive the various ships attack and scavenge off each other. Well, Janeway being a galactic goody-goody, she decides the best tactic is to make friends with everyone and she proposes making an alliance so that everyone can help each other. However, this isn't embraced by everyone. Some species are just jerks! And some of the jerks either want to betray their new 'friends', hold back on supplies they are about to share or take pleasure in killing off some native humanoids (frankly, I could understand as these dirty looking musical creatures did seem pretty annoying).

Aside from the Doctor continually mispronouncing 'Fantome' (it was supposed to be French but his pronunciation was WAY off) and the annoying native creatures, this was a decent episode. Modestly entertaining and worth seeing.