In the seventh episode of the second season of Voyager, it’s two men and a baby! Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Star Trek.Â
Well, at least the show has dealt with the most irritating plot thus far. So that’s good, right? I’m hoping that means we never have to see it again because it is so uninteresting. I talk a lot about tropes here – for better or for worse – and this one is full of them. There’s virtually not an original plot idea in here, which isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, Star Trek gives me a fantastic story that’s littered with tropes. Hell, they’re inescapable for the most part, and I find that as a writer, it’s all in how you use them.
But in the early scenes of this episode, I felt exhausted. I’m just so bored by the idea of two men fighting over a woman, especially when that woman’s struggle is a billion times more fascinating than anything the dudes do. Honestly! As soon as The Doctor got Kes to admit that dating in her culture was nonexistent, I was instantly drawn to her story. The Ocampa pick a single mate and are with them for life. Thus, Kes knows nothing of flirting or how to pick up on the signals from others.
Y’all, there’s your episode. RIGHT THERE. Have someone teach Kes about body language! Flirting! Sexual attraction! Social contracts! It could be wacky! Throw the Doctor in, too, and I guarantee you, the shenanigans would not end. Instead, the writers focus this whole disaster on Tom and Neelix. No. No. N O ! That’s not a good idea! The bickering can sustain an episode for like… five minutes. Tops. Otherwise, the story just drags. We don’t even meet the adorable lizard alien until the halfway point, and it’s the only saving grace of their plot. Of course, that’s a huge trope as well. (I HAVE READ SO MUCH FANFICTION WHERE AN OTP MUST SUDDENLY TAKE CARE OF A CHILD. I AM SURE YOU BELIEVE ME.) Through the power of adversity, Tom and Neelix reconcile their differences and become friends, and when they return to Voyager, where Kes has been LITERALLY CRYING OUT OF TERROR AND ANXIETY, they ignore her and continue being best buds and no one comforts her and the story is only about bros being bros and THIS IS SO BORING.
I’m glad it’s over, I’m glad this plot was dealt with, and I am eager to move on.
The video for “Parturition†(WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN) can be downloaded here for $0.99.
Mark Links Stuff
– I am now on Patreon!!! MANY SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT ME.
– IÂ will be at numerous conventions in 2016! Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches will be Death Note and Neon Genesis Evangelion. On Mark Reads, Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series will replace the Emelan books.
- Mark Does Stuff is on Facebook! I’ve got a community page up that I’m running. Guaranteed shenanigans!
