EPISODES 47-45
# 47. TUVIX
 Voyager, Season 2 |
| Episode Number 40 |
| - |
| Info and General Credits |
| Directed by Cliff Bole |
| Written by Kenneth Biller, Andrew Shepard Price, Mark Gaberman |
| Aired Nov 1996 |
| Stardate 49655.2 |
| Guest Cast |
| Tuvix Tom Wright |
| Hogan Simon Billig |
| Swinn Bahni Turpin |
Premise
An anomalous transporter accident involving a
type of Orchid with symbiogenetic properties accidentally combines the matter stream of
Voyager's most disparate characters Tuvok and Neelix, resulting in the creation of a
unique singular entity. It becomes a complex matter, as the new being, Tuvix, does not
wish to undergo the procedure which will separate him.
Comments
This episode was an intriguing study of a
number of complex moral issues. Opening such a can of worms as it does, the story will
ultimately never wrap up to everyone's satisfaction, and viewers will always be divided
about the final solution. You immediately know though that Tuvok and Neelix will be back
to normal in the next episode, so you anticipate that the final outcome holds no
surprises. The debate along the way though holds plenty. What is also surprising, and
indeed admirable is how well the actor Tom Wright coped with what was surely his most
challenging role. Training must have been extensive, as he successfully incorporated the
character traits and mannerisms of both Tuvok and Neelix, and carried off an entirely
convincing portrayal of the two combined.
Although we may wholly sympathise with Janeway's dilemma you can't help but wonder did she make to right decision? After all, Tuvix has to be seen as a totally unique conscious entity, and to rob him of his life, regardless as to what end, still constitutes murder. Any logical thought process is utterly undermined by the enormity and complexity of the ethical question at hand - not to mention the emotion and sentiment that plays a significant role - in regards to the fate of Tuvok and Neelix. Star Trek never ceases to amaze me, for it has bountiful ability to please, excite, engage and move. And this episode's emotive undertones leave questions running through your mind long after the final credits role.
In my opinion Janeway's act has to be condemned. No matter how well intended the outcome, to put someone to death to get there can't be seen as justified. If I were the Captain I'd regret the loss of Tuvok and Neelix and accept it, as difficult as that may be.
All in all I found the episode quite uncomfortable and difficult to come to terms with, and I can't help but emphasise the fact that I feel Janeway was wrong to forcibly take the life of Tuvix, essentially a remarkable individual lifeform. The Doctor understandably has his programmed Hippocratic Oath come into play - to do no harm. But this shouldn't necessarily be seen as simply a medical doctrine, but an ethical convention expanded to something more broad ranging. And taking that into account, to do Tuvix harm, and take his life against his will is wrong. I believe the only acceptable solution would be for Tuvix to make the decision himself - to give up his life freely to return Tuvok and Neelix. For in the end, his sacrifice was not of his own accord, and was, as he himself said, an execution.
There. My two cents worth!
TrekMania Image Archive:
Soundbites:
| Tuvok and Neelix quibble over semantics: |
Neelix: "You know something? You're acting more 'Tuvokian' than usual this morning." |
Tuvok: "I am who I am Mr. Neelix. It is impossible for me to be more, or less like myself." |
| - |
| Janeway will end up ignoring Tuvix's emotional plea to have her spare his life |
| Tuvix: "Look at me Captain. When I am happy I laugh, when I'm sad I cry, when I stub my toe I yell out in pain. I'm flesh and blood, and I have the right to live..." |
# 46. GAMBIT (Parts 1 & 2)
| The Next Generation, Season 7 |
| Episode Numbers 156 & 157 |
| - |
| Info and General Credits |
| Part 1 Directed by Peter Lauritson |
| Part 2 Directed by Alexandr Singer |
| Part 1 Teleplay by Naren Shankar |
| Part 2 Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore |
| Written by Christopher Hatton and Naren Shankar |
| Aired 1993 |
| Stardate 47135.2 and 47160.1 |
| Guest Cast |
| Baran Richard Lynch |
| Tallera Robin Curtis |
| Vekor Caitlin Brown |
| Narik Cameron Thor |
| Yranac Alan Altshuld |
| Admiral Chekote Bruce Gray |
| Ensign Giusti Sabrina LeBeauf |
| Satok Martin Goslins |
| Koral James Worthy |
Premise
With the evidence that Captain Picard had been
seemingly killed in a seedy bar, the hunt is on to find the perpetrators. The
investigation leads Riker to a ship of mercenaries, where Riker is shocked to discover
Picard is operating undercover. Going by the name of archeologist Galen, Picard seeks to
expose a plot which will see the integration of an ancient and deadly Vulcan artifact.
Comments
A less thoughtful episode this time, but one
which took advantage of what the Next Generation did well -a good old swashbuckling
adventure. It certainly livened up what was essentially a fairly dull finale season, and it
was nice to see Robin Curtis (aka. Saavik) back into the Star Trek fold once again. It's a
difficult episode to talk about really, as there was so much going on all the way through
its two parts. I personally didn't find any of the mercenaries particularly convincing or
engaging. Curtis's character Tellera had little to do in the first part, but when the
final denouement came, you kept thinking to yourself, 'she's a Vulcan, and what she's
doing is wholly illogical'. So the entire premise to the episode doesn't carry a whole lot
of water for me. The Vulcan's are one of the most integral members of the Federation, and
the whole idea of Vulcan extremists is unlikely. So her character didn't really
carry a great sense of integrity from the start and I never even bought her initial subterfuge of being an agent
of Vulcan Security. It would have made more sense if she were a Tal Shiar operative in the
guise of a Vulcan, on a mission perhaps to obtain this psionic resonator, whilst doing
everything possible to subvert Vulcan/Federation relations.
There were some fun moments though, there always is when Riker's under pressure, like when he gets to bully the poor impish Yridian, and then later standing off against Data and firing on his own ship. There was also the chance to see some serious, tense interplay between Worf and Data as they differ over certain command issues. Finally, the very sight of Worf standing next to the massive Koral (7ft NBA star James Worthy), was a gem, as was the 'invasion' of the observation lounge. All in a all, a good slice of the Next Generation....
TrekMania Image Archive:
Soundbites:
| When not on the Enterprise, Picard must've been a real cad: |
Riker: "My friend tells me you know something about the man we're looking for." |
| Yranac: "The only reason I'm talking to you, is that I have a sister too." |
| Worf: "I explained to him that we are looking for a man who impreganated your sister." |
| Riker: "..........So you can imagine how much this means to me...." |
| - |
| The renegade and the smuggler make light of their situation: |
| Picard: "So, what will Baran do once he's obtained the second artefact?" |
| Riker: "You're supposed to verify its authenticity, then I'm supposed to kill you, then I take your place." |
| Picard: "Will, you always seem to be after my job!" |
# 45. WINK OF AN EYE
| The Original Series, Season 3 |
| Episode Number 68 |
| - |
| Info and General Credits |
| Directed by Jud Taylor |
| Written by Arthur Heinemann, Lee Cronin (Gene L Coon) |
| Aired 1968 |
| Stardate 5710.5 |
| Guest Cast |
| Christine Chapel Majel Barrett |
| Deela Katie Browne |
| Rael Jason Evers |
| Ekor Erik Holland |
(Sorry TOS fans, but I'm waiting to re-review this as I don't currently have this episode on tape. It's a long story, suffice it say it was due to a lack of tapes at a certain point -I have over a thousand- but I hope to retape it soon........ I of course still know the episode well, as it's one of my favourite TOS episodes. Look for an update to this page.)
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