Meld

Wow, I am currently watching Voyager, and this has to be the worst episode so far. The acting of everyone involved is pretty bad. The plot is cringe-worthy. It makes me think of bad B-movies where writers try really hard to get a point across but fail so badly, one feels like bursting out into laughter.

It's supposed to be dramatic and deep, but it's shallow and ridiculous. Dropping a few lines on the topic of violence reminiscent of a discussion one might have at 4am at a bar with people drinking all night. Even though in such a discussion I'd expect a bit more depth.

And then the tech babble and logic part. While it is said that he might not have "any tendencies" in the genes hits on there only being tendencies the fact that the rest of the show depicts both Tuvok and Sudor as obviously fighting with their mental state also completely throws that out the window.

The end on the other hand is at the level of magic recovery due to a prince kissing the princess.

The question of revenge/satification vs lost potential is quickly thrown in and not thematized, neither are mental illness or human nature really gone through. Instead we have ridiculous scenes like the captain giving Tuvok strange over-dramatic looks, Tuvok having destroyed his room, but otherwise being fine other than his face looking a bit different. Despite messing up his room, smashing it into pieces and somehow knocking out a guard off-screen he is to weak to even stand up-right.

There is no area in which this episode is good, even though the premise sounds like it could be interesting.

Suder feels pretty okay. Hard to tell, because there is nothing but forced drama, but I like that he is a not overplayed psychopath/sociopath.

The Marquis topic - Suder being from the Marquis - also feels like a "why not" decision.

There are no twists, whatsoever.

The best scene is towards the end where it appears that Suder is worried that probably the only person understanding him feels bad.

Overall highly disappointing. It feels like no effort was put into this episode by neither the writers nor the actors at large.

When I was 10 to 12 years old, before I had read Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius, Leonard Nimoy and Mark Lenard's characterization of Vulcans immediately struck and internal chord. Like my father, they were men of reason, intelligence and dignity. You could disagree with them, but you always had to admire them.

As I grew older, I found that I was a natural Stoic. Vulcan aspirations coincided with my natural inclinations. This is one of the reasons that I found the the portrayal of Vulcans in Star Trek: Enterprise so distasteful.

The portrayal of Klingons as sort of battle loving vikings, but with a code of honor in TNG was fun, but it was at the expense of what resonating with me in TOS, reason and dignity.

So, now, Star Trek: Voyager is the last Star Trek series that I have watched. As it has the creative team for Deep Space 9, occasionally, it approaches high quality TV. Although the best of DS9 is unsurpassed for quality.

So, that brings me to this episode. It could have been mostly a single setting play. It is a bit predictable, the theme being the thin line between our animal nature and our civilized selves and the nature of capital justice in a civilized society. There is no new ground here.

But, oh, what a job by Tim Russ. He is the first Vulcan since TOS to give me the feeling that the future can contain reason and dignity. He is the first Vulcan to give me that zing of admiration, and watching him kindled the same recognition of self that I saw in the original portrayal of Spock. For that alone, this episode earns infinite stars.

Tim Russ captures what it is to be Vulcan like no actor since TOS.

I didn't particularly like this story, but it was interesting. Lots of psychological stuff, and too much talking as usual. I find it kind of hard to believe that Tuvok's mind could have been contaminated by Suder, but maybe it was because he's Betazoid, and telepathic, it affected Tuvok differently.

What I liked about this episode, was that I discovered that Tim Russ is an excellent actor. I was not familiar with him prior to Voyager, and I always found Tuvok somewhat dull and monotonous, and thought maybe Russ was a bad actor. After seeing him acting as the "mind-altered" Tuvok, I was very impressed. I can now view his regular Tuvok in a different light. Brad Dourif also did an excellent job of portraying the psychotic Suder. Overall, what "Meld" lacked in story, was more than made up for by the excellent acting abilities of Tim Russ and Brad Dourif.

Especially the acting by Tim Russ, this is certainly one of those episodes where you are impressed.

Tuvok's curiousity about the motiveless crime is interesting. More curiousity than confusion. In fact, that he couldnt help but keep going down that slope at the beginning is what has the episode lingering for me.

There are some dark ideas in this one. It may not be one of those action packed, much happens episodes, being simple, but star trek should explore things, be intellectual, and i am not surprised it has scored well here.

Ive watched the series through many times since a young teenager. It means a lot to me, but my takes have shifted somewhat at different points in my life. Episodes i simply came to skip over i have let play out, and on analysing why they dont sit well, i discover others have similar takes. When compared to episodes that are a bit too silly, tell the audience what they should think rather than offering the opportunity to reaffirm or reconsider their stances in life, these explorative episodes, while seeming like not much happens, stays with you far longer. Thats where you can slip in an author message and stance.

In this one, there was a discussion essentially on capital punishment vs prison. His quarters might be bigger than a cell. But it can be argued inmates have tvs, books, three meals a day to an unpicky eater... it does seem milder than it should be for a punishment.

"His three sisters would not agree". Families often don't. I loved that line and the music coming in...

Whats wrong with the brig for long term emprisonment? Besides no privacy? That would be a proper prison cell, for sure.

A murder has happened on the Voyager. Lt Tuvok together with the doctor can quickly solve the case and present the murderer who also confesses his crime. Everything seems to be fine. But Tuvok is unsatisfied with the motivation of this murderer. He is obviously mentally ill and killed for no deeper reason. But in Tuvok's logic there has to be a clear motivation which goes beyond acting on instinct. He mind melds with him to get a glimpse into his thoughts.

After the mind meld Tuvok changes. Suddenly dark and evil feelings emerge which show us a different side of Tuvok. His suppressed side. His primal instincts. The first time he is in rage, condescending, hateful and wants revenge by executing the murderer.

This episode teaches us that Vulcans, too, are empathic and illogical beings but have learned to suppress this dark and bright sides of themselves. But still those feelings and thoughts are buried deep beneath the surface of logic and self-control. And when they emerge a Vulcan in the end is just like a human: Guided by emotions and instinct.