Imperfection

This is an excellent idea that could have made for a classic medical thriller, but unfortunately, it suffers from some imperfections.

The direction of the episode is geared towards emotional melodrama. Whilst there is a requirement for this in an episode about someone dying, I would have placed more emphasis on the search for a solution. This would also be more fitting for the Seven of Nine character.

On a positive note, all the emotional scenes require some of the best characters to have decent screen time, and the actors to showcase their talents. There is also a good sequence involving Janeway, Tuvok and Tom on a mission to retrieve a new cortical node.

Enjoyable episode, but personally, I would have done it slightly differently.

Voyager. Season 7, Episode 2. "Imperfection" Seven Of Nine faces death.

Absolutely superb.

There are many, many things to love here.

1. Most of the screen time is devoted to the show's three best characters: Seven, Janeway and The Doctor. But it's not just that they get lots of screen time, it's that they get lots of good screen time. For instance, there's a wonderful, emotional moment between Janeway and Seven that is a huge step forward in their relationship/friendship (and it's perfectly played by Jeri Ryan and the amazing Kate Mulgrew). Impossible to watch this exchange and not feel tears forming. And it's a scene that is typical of many in the story.

2. It's an emotional episode, all round. Seven's scene with Janeway is probably the best, but the final scene with Icheb is also a killer and the scene with B'Elanna is another one likely to generate a tear or two. And there's more. It's a very powerful episode, very sad and affecting. Uplifting and wonderful in the way that this show frequently is. Voyager's skill, indeed the gift that the Star Trek legacy gives it, is the ability to write on-the-nose about big topics and make it palatable. Seven might die. And it gives her pause to think and, eventually, talk about it. And it's epic stuff.

3. There's some cool Janeway action. The episode (wisely) takes a break from all the stuff likely to make you cry and drops Janeway, Tuvok and Paris into the middle of a battle where Janeway jumps an imposing alien and holds him at gunpoint (sorta). It's fun stuff. Typical of Janeway when she chooses to wear her bad ass hat.

4. It's funny. After seven seasons is there any need to say it? But, anyway... Robert Picardo is worth his weight in gold. Many of The Doctor's utterance's are hilarious. Usually, in scenes with Seven e.g. Seven's joke about her 'last meal'.

5. The core values of Star Trek are in display in spades, here. Janeway's attempt to head off on a dangerous mission alone is scuppered by Tuvok and Paris in fine style, and once again we see that these people are a team through and through.

6. Manu Intiraymi is a curious performer. Sometimes I find his delivery stilted and over-earnest. Yet, in all the scenes where it really mattered he totally nailed it. Totally. All his scenes from the last third of the episode are A+ material. It's taken 5 episodes, but I really like the guy now.

ABriefingWithMichael.blogspot.com

This episode makes very good use of the Borg kids--specifically Icheb. When the show begins, one more of the Borg kiddies is reunited with their parents and Seven is seen crying. Unfortunately it's NOT because of a sudden appearance of emotion but because an important part of Seven's Borg implants is malfunctioning. It's a problem because without it, she will die. An attempt to replace it with a Borg node doesn't work so there is only one possible option--but the Doctor and Seven are loathe to try it. Icheb offers to give her his node. This probably won't kill him, as apparently he wasn't fully assimilated since he's a kid and his body SHOULD be able to survive without it.

This is a very emotional and enjoyable show. I liked the moral quandary in this one and the show is quite memorable.

This is a really touching episode. The unflappable Seven is suddenly made aware of her mortality. She begins to have fears of leaving the earth unloved and worthless. Ichab is her salvation, but unfortunately she has quite the ego and falls into depression. For all practical purposes, she gives up. She can't ask for help because her Borg heritage is still holding on to her. The final scenes are very dramatic and uplifting.