Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy

Here it is, 2023, and I'm watching this series for the first time. A friend made me start watching all of the Star Trek shows so that I could be prepared to start watching Picard. So far I've enjoyed them, and the doctor in this series is actually one of my favorite characters just because of his snarky behavior. This episode is just so filled with hilarious little moments that are so directly opposite of the much more normal serious tone of the show, especially considering the dark nature of the episode immediately before this one.

I actually made a comment to that friend that today, in an earlier episode, I had my second laugh out loud moment of the series. Considering this is season six, and it was only yesterday and today that I had laugh out loud moments, it's obvious that they don't go for laughs and this one nearly as much. And then this episode came along, and I've lost count.

The show does such a good job of building the characters, their personalities, their histories, that you immediately know what their reactions are going to be in different situations. And this episode simply tosses all of that out the window.

I know some trekkie purists out there really didn't like this one, but I think this just might be my favorite episode of all so far. All the other episodes are so similar, this one really shows a creative left turn for the writing staff.

It is no coincidence that the highest rating episodes all star the 'Doctor'.

Such a versatile actor who outshines the rest.

This is a great episode.

This is a very funny and unusual episode for the Doctor. He apparently has been altering himself by creating a subroutine that allows him to daydream. His daydreams are hilarious and involve him being more like a super-hero than just a holo doctor. He repeatedly saves the day and in one case he destroys a Borg cube single- handedly and becomes a major chick-magnet!! In another, he sings a lovely aria with hilarious lyrics as he takes out a crazed Tuvok who is experiencing Pom Far. He also is a great painter in another and is trying his hand at painting a naked Seven of Nine! What's even funnier is that an alien race is secretly watching Voyager and they can see the Doctor's fantasies and believe they are real!! So, when they attack the Federation, they know they'll have their hands full with this holo doctor!! What's next in this silly little episode?!

The bottom line is that this is one of the funniest episodes of the series and repeatedly made me smile. Plus, I always have loved the Doctor on the show--so it's nice to see him the star in this one. For me, it's everything I wanted. And, it's the one chance you can get to see Captain Doctor!

By the way, Seven's final conversation with the Doctor....priceless!

This is another light hearted interruption to the more serious stuff. The Doctor has begun making demands due to his skill set. He sends a letter to Janeway, asking for promotions. Being a hologram, he has no status when it comes to Starfleet rank. He begins to daydream about doing all kinds of heroic things. A group of salvage ships that attack starships and steal their valuable cargo and technology has spotted them. But they are in for a surprise. A delightful episode.

I enjoyed this episode for Robert Picardo's impeccable comic timing and the relatively lighter tone of the episode in general.

It is funny without being too silly, and only someone who takes the franchise a bit too seriously would pick holes in the inconsistencies it has within the franchise.

Seven of Nine's final line of the episode, delivered in her usual deadpan way, works so well with the doctor's performance in this episode.

If you take Star Trek very seriously, this might not be for you, but if you can appreciate a story and entertaining performances, I recommend it.