Tuvix

Tom Wright is this episode. I have watched this one countless times and his acting is sublime. One of my all time favorites if the whole Trek world.

This is quite an interesting episode with lots of ethical dilemma involved. When Tuvok and Neelix are merged into one individuum after a transporter accident, the first reaction of course is, to revert them back to normal. Unfortunately Kim, Torres and the doctor are unable to fix this mess although they have found out why this accident happened. Tuvix makes himself comfortable with this new situation and begins to accept his new reality. He starts to work like a normal officer on board the Voyager, makes friends and seems to be popular among the crew. It looks like he merged the best parts of both characters into one: He cooks better than Neelix now and his logical deductions are sprinkled with humor.

The dilemma though: When finally a possibility is found to revert the accident and restore Neelix' and Tuvok's life, Tuvix does not want to "die". He claims that he has a right to live this life. So, the question is: Is Tuvix' life worth more than the lives of Tuvok and Neelix? Does he even have the right to live in the first place or is he just the result of an accident? Is he really an indipendent individuum? After all he has the memories and skills of both Neelix and Tuvok - one could argue that he stole their lives and personalities and is only some sort of parasite, or an impostor as he points out in the beginning himself.

We then see a strong character moment from Janeway. She does not only have to make a decision but carry it out on her own, too. Mulgrew does a good job here again. She really embodies this tough captain figure.

Viewers seem to be devided if Tuvix deserves to live or not. I think, there is no simple truth here. Both sides have valid arguments to back their claims. I am on Tuvok's and Neelix' side though. Their existences were removed by an accident and if there is a chance to give them back their lives, this should count more than Tuvix' new existence. After all Tuvix was never born in classical sense. He also did not evolve his own character, he possesses the character traits and memories of Tuvok and Tuvix. In a way you could say, he is still Tuvok and Neelix, an amalgam of the two. By separating them again, you do not lose anything - you just give those two minds, trapped in one body, their original bodies back. If Tuvix had a completely different character, no memories of the two at all and would be something new and unique, the situation might be different.

This was a great episode and somewhat controversial with the outcome. I enjoyed it and it really made one think. It was much like when Kirk was split into two beings in The Enemy Within, in the original Star Trek series. I wondered why they didn't call the spliced being Tudix though. You started off with two male beings plus the DNA from the orchids on the planet so I think that sounds better and would be more appropriate. I think Kess would have warmed up to Lieutenant Tudix more if this had happened. I liked the ending though, it turned out nice in the end (in my opinion) One of the better season two episodes.

An excellent episode as good as a book. The situation is as contrived as usual but I will set that aside. The character is amazing. What follows in terms of dialogue, acting, and depth makes this a perfect example of the best of Star Trek.

The science was ludicrous, even by Star Trek standards. The dilemma was contrived. And yet this episode seems have evoked some fairly extreme (and occasionally enraged) reactions from the reviewers. And that is why I rate this episode an 8. The central philosophical disagreement here hits a nerve. Several nerves, in fact, from issues of individuality vs collectivism, to the death penalty, to the question of sacrifice, to the debate over the will of the governed lending power to that of those who govern.

Pretty much the only thing I have to critique is the reviewing process itself. The fact that you hate/love the ultimate choice should be reason enough to rate this episode highly. You don't have to love the decisions of the characters to recognize that the writing and acting did exactly what they set out to do, and did it well...raise these questions and provoke thought.

The science was still ridiculous, even by Star Trek standards, so I feel comfortable knocking off a couple stars. Tom Wright's acting was superb, though. He sold the character and the issues it raised very well. A lesser performance might not have evoked such strong reactions.