Meld

This episode takes place completely aboard Voyager--usually a sign that it's a crappy show. However, this one is actually excellent. The show begins with the body of a murdered crew member being discovered. Crewman Suder is soon identified as the killer and this Betazoid soon admits he did it and it seems that he murdered because he enjoyed killing. As Tuvak is in charge of the case, he's completely perplexed as this sort of antisocial thinking is completely un-Vulcan. So, he attempts to use a mind meld to help Suder to become more normal as well as understand him. Unfortunately, this also turns Tuvak into an antisocial personality with a strong desire to kill--Neelix in particular (which is VERY understanding). What's to become of these two crazed crew members?

Brad Dourif stars as Suder and this is VERY interesting, as he played a murderer on "Babylon 5" as well--one who is captured and who is punished in a most unusual and interesting manner. Either way, this is a fascinating episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" and worth seeing.

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.

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.

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.

He did great job acting Suder. Creepy and unsettling, but never over the top. It's nice to meet someone outside the main crew characters and Suder was one of the best!

Also, it's nice to see Tuvok a bit frustrated. And wild. Vulcans are more...interestig when they are not like a piece of wooden statue. A little burst of emotions go a long way.

I'm not a fan of just-on-board episodes, that filler ones, but this one is quite different.

Dark, intense, serious... Oh, don't worry. There is a nice and optimistic Star Trek ending, as it should be.

So, if they need a filler episode, please forget the holodek ones and make something like this.