Plot – Voyager is thrust into a dangerous region of space where allies and enemies are afoot and Janeway is forced to make alliances and try hold onto their principles in order to survive. Are they taking the piss? Is this supposed to be a gentle reminder of this shows original mission or a chance, after seven years or to look back and criticise the approach that the creators did not take. Either way it does feel like a finger in the eye to those of us that stuck with the show for seven years hoping for it to live up to its potential and failing to do so. Why would you remind your audience so shamelessly of all the things you failed to do with the show? ‘Morality won’t keep your life support systems running’ should have been the creed of this show.
Having the Voyager crew enjoying a luxurious ala carte meal made by Seven’s fair hands is perhaps the most screaming example of the route that Voyager did take, and why things needed to change, even if it was just for one episode. All the food is thrown dramatically to floor as if to say this isn’t how it should be in a (supposedly) rough region of space. I appreciated the gag of Paris and Torres having a romantic meal of Neelix’s disgusting left overs in the dark but it demonstrates how this episode refuses to go to murky places. This is cute, but the crew should be desperate and starving, on the edge of survival. Voyager can’t quite abandon its love of luxury.
A dark region of space? Again? Voyager has a bizarre ability of being able to find these dark spots on their course. At least they highlight the beauty of the ship.
On its own terms, the Void is an intriguing premise and a chance to show off some new alien races and show how Voyager copes in a new political climate. I would have really appreciated this taking place over an entire season, that would have really given us the chance to get under the skin of these new species.
Seeing the Vaudauur and the Malon again is fun, and this could have been a menagerie of old Delta Quadrant species. The more I think about that, the more I like the idea.
The episode has to skip to a jolly montage in the last five minutes because the closing credits are coming and there a still about ten hurdles to leap before they escape the Void.
‘It was almost like being in a Federation again…’ Lost opportunities are so frustrating!
Character – This is one of those episodes where Neelix should get the focus, because surviving in an area of space where you have to scavenge for supplies and make uneasy allies is exactly the sort of like he used to lead. Sensibly, his experience should be leant upon now.
The episode is determined to prove that Janeway sticking to her principles is the right thing to do and that by clinging on to what makes them human (or otherwise) they will be able to survive in this region of space. It’s a laudable re-instatement of the Rodenberry vision. It’s also deathly dull in dramatic terms because whilst The Void flirts with the idea of forcing Janeway to make some unethical decisions, I never had any doubt that she would always be on the side of right and be rewarded for that. It’s the antithesis of something like In the Pale Moonlight and what made that so fascinating and suspenseful. There, Sisko was backed into a corner and betrayed everything he claimed to stand for to get what he wanted. Here, Janeway stands up for her morals and the episode refuses to punish her for it. Which makes it rather anaemic. ‘I’ve become convinced we’ve got to stick to our principles, not abandon them’ ‘Should the crew be ready to die for those principles?’ ‘If the alternative means becoming thieves and killers ourselves, yes.’ Oh Janeway, you’re commendable. You also gut the story of drama.
I did like how everybody questioned Janeway’s approach, that at least showed some sense. And Janeway herself even doubts herself at times. There’s a terrific moment between her and Seven where they berate each other on their kind acts to the various people they have met. They’re both illogical, and they have found common ground in that regard.
Production – Fantome and his race are an attempt to do something a little different with aliens on Trek (they can only communicate through musical pads) but the look of them is typically bland. Humanoids in body stockings? Is this TOS? It’s the performance that sells Fantome, and the crew’s reaction to him. Robert Picardo is worth his weight in gold in that regard.
Best moment – The thing I used to despise about this episode is the thing I really enjoy now. Fantome and his crazy musical conversation. It’s silly and out there, cheap and cheerful, and just about the only unique thing on display here. They should have kept these quirky aliens as part of the crew and developed a whole language!
Worst moment – The second the episode is about to get dirty and see Voyager in a fight for its life…and a new ally appears, fires on the ship attacking and guts all the tension.
I wish they hadn’t done that – ‘We have a sophisticated Starship…’ Wouldn’t it have been more interesting if this episode had made Voyager the least sophisticated ship in the Void and therefore Janeway would have to rely on her wits alone, rather than her torpedo tubes. There is one moment where Voyager attempts to leave the Void and is pulled back in like a nasty pill being spat out and it would have been fun to have seen more of that kind of assault.
A reason to watch this episode again – How funny to feature an episode that sums up Voyager’s wasted potential so well. This is a well written, well-acted, well produced piece of television which is hampered by a refusal of the show to take any real risks. It’s Voyager’s premise in a microcosm, and it should have taken place over a string of episodes that allow us to see the crew struggling, forced into corners, scavenging for supplies and trading their morals for survival. Instead it promotes the Prime Directive to a fault, skips over developments for the sake of a single episode in this region space and resets everything at the climax. Voyager’s curse in a nutshell. I liked this, but I wanted to love it. I’m torn between appreciating that Janeway survives here simply by being kind and being irritated that the episode never achieved orbit because of it.
*** out of *****
Clue for tomorrow's episode:
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