Tuvix

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.

As others have said, the "science" in this episode isn't even plausible, but the story is solid, and Tom Wright manages to capture the essence of both Tuvoc and Neelix, little manerisms, tone of voice, speech patterns, etc. So, if you can set aside the terrible science, and just enjoy the story and performances, it's really quite a good episode.

I watched this episode when it originally aired, which coincided with the beginnings of the popularity of the internet (those online - with their blazingly fast modems [14.4? 23.3? Hey; 56k] primarily had 'AO hell' accounts, and that was as far as they 'dipped their toes' into the 'abyss'). There was no instant look-up for anything. Though there were mobile phones, their internet speeds were TERRIBLE. They had huge problems with graphic-intensive pages (if you thought waiting just for a single picture to download line-by-line was bad...). It wasn't until about 94/95 that mobile companies began to switch to a digital system instead of analogue, and the possibilities which digital hinted at were still quite a way off.

Saying this, there was no way to look up anything, and in this case, no way to see anything about this episode, Tuvix.

When I first saw it, my immediate thought was, 'Aw, damn! This is a frakkin' Neelix-centric story!'

Neelix was/somewhat still is a character I'm only take in tiny 'bite-sized' portions. I find him too manic (though he does have a few funny 'zingers' primarily aimed at the other main lead of this episode, Tuvok).

I think the first time I watched-and paid attention to-this episode, it stunned me because it was a very engaging story, well acted wonderfully (as I said, in those early internet days, when it was difficult, if possible, to find out most anything, it wasn't until years later, when I read the credits, that I found Tim Russ hadn't portrayed Tuvix in makeup but an unrelated actor).

That says a lot about how much effort went into capturing Tuvok and Neelix's characters and making them believable.

Stop! When I found out that Tom Wright had portrayed Tuvix, I was amazed at his chameleon-like performance-and what a terrific performance he gives.

All I can add are more hosannas and superlatives. Still, it all boils down to this being one of my favourite (and unfortunately, lesser-praised in sci-fi media) best Star Trek any-show episodes, hell-best ANY type series episodes, with a special notice to actor Tom Wright.

We've all seen shows (even this series; I can think of a few episodes) wherein a character is introduced but 'retconned' into the show's backstory, and whatever happens to this character (in this single appearance) is almost always never good (otherwise, the show's producers would use a prominent cast member). This happens only when the main character is written out/off the series (DS9 and what happened to Jadzia Dax come to mind).

I've never seen an episode where the character's death is weighty-both for the cast and the viewers.

So, when I think that Mr. Wright took this single-episode appearance and made this character well-received, that what ultimately happens to him is like a wallop (and I'm almost sure the producers, director, and writers wanted that exact viewer response), his performance is all the more amazing.

Hell, even Captain Janeway's outer countenance of being (emotionally) in control shows definite signs of breaking into outright bawling when the resolution of Tuvix has taken place, and she leaves the room.

Even though I've tried my darnedest not to give away this episode's plot, I'm guessing many people reading this are like me, having already seen and liked it.

I apologise if some wording while I tried dancing around the proverbial 'elephant in the room' is in.

Whether or not you've already seen this episode, I HIGHLY recommend (re)watching it.

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.

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.