Meld

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.

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.

I'd say that the main Tuvoc storyline is better than a 7/10. But the B story brings the score down to a 7/10 for me. I'm guessing that when I wouldn't be surprised if most of the people who grade Meld don't even think or remember Kim and Paris gambling in the pool room holodeck program. It doesn't seem to connect well with the main storyline for this episode. The main storyline is probably worthy of about an 8.5/10 to me if it was on its own. Unfortunately it's not on its own. However I still think it's not a bad episode overall. To me a 7/10 is an average Voyager episode. And that's about what this episode is overall to me.

Tuvok mind melds with a Betazoid who killed another crew member.

This is a strong psychological episode with great character moments.

The story is a good character study of the Betazoid Suder and Tuvok's experiences trying to understand his motivation for killing people. It contains good themes about the individual desire for violent behaviour and it's connection to capital punishment.

Brad Douriff, Tim Russ and Katie Mulgrew are all excellent, particularly Douriff who is very creepy with Betazoid eyes and in his performance.

There is some good cinematography that makes various scenes dark and shadowy to great effect.

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.