THE PLOT
While collecting edible roots on an uninhabited planet, Voyager detects a Kazon ship in orbit. They retrieve the landing party and escape. But shortly after, they receive a distress call from the same ship.
The distress call is genuine. An explosion devastated the ship. The Kazon closest to the explosion are found fused with the surrounding metal, while the sole survivor has undergone a cellular mutation. Most disturbing is the source of the explosion - a power source that appears to be Federation technology. This leaves three possibilities: a previous Starfleet vessel was drawn to the Delta Quadrant; the power source just happens to be similar to Federation tech; or - most disturbing of all, and most likely - someone aboard Voyager has been secretly dealing with the Kazon!
CHARACTERS
Capt. Janeway: Largely in a reactive role this week, responding to situations as they emerge. She does get an excellent scene when speaking with an aggressive Kazon captain over the viewscreen. When he tries to intimidate her, she gives a response worthy of Sisko: "I don't like bullies, and I don't like threats, and I don't like you... You can try and stop us from getting at the truth, but I promise you that if you do, I will respond with all the 'unique technologies' at my command." Kate Mulgrew seems to relish this "tough guy" moment, though I hope such scenes are not overused in the future. Part of the reason it works so well here is that it's a slightly different note for the character, which makes it more effective than if this were her default way of dealing with things.
Chakotay: Some time prior to the events of Caretaker, he had a relationship with Seska. It ended when they mutually agreed it could never work out... but now, far from home and with limited options, Seska is openly interested in rekindling their old relationship, and Chakotay is at least considering that offer. He is protective of Seska when she falls under suspicion, and tries to read her every action after that in her favor. There is also some lingering feeling of divide in him between himself and Janeway. Speaking to Tuvok of his time in the Maquis, he wonders: If Tuvok was working for Janeway, and if Seska had her own agenda, then "who was working for (him)?" Given some decent material for a change, Robert Beltran actually does a good job. Now if only that could happen more often...
Tuvok: Bluntly lays out the possibilities to Janeway, emphasizing the likelihood of a traitor on board. He carries out his investigation dispassionately and thoroughly, giving both Seska and Carey (who was passed over for promotion in favor of Torres) an equal level of suspicion. When Chakotay asks him about how he reconciles Vulcan honesty with his necessary deceptions - both against Chakotay when pretending to be a member of the Maquis and against the suspects in his investigations - he gives an answer worthy of an attorney, and admits that however composed he may be when executing these deceptions, he does find them difficult.
Seska: As much as this is Chakotay's episode, this is also her episode. Martha Hackett's Seska has been visible in the background of multiple episodes this season. She was the Maquis officer who made a thinly-veiled offer to side with Chakotay in any shipwide rebellion against Janeway, and she was the driving force behind Torres' decision to defy Janeway's orders in Prime Factors. She has never been satisfied with Janeway as captain, and openly refers to Janeway as a fool at one point in this episode. When Chakotay pulls her from Engineering while she's under suspicion in order to protect her, she lashes out at him for it. She insists she is loyal to Chakotay, but she does believe that Voyager would be best served dealing with some of the more powerful aliens they encounter to make alliances - and, to be honest, it's hard to argue the basic point.
THOUGHTS
What's this? Two good episodes in a row? And an episode in which Chakotay is something other than a Native American cliche or a walking mannequin? Am I watching the right show?
State of Flux is only marginally successful as a mystery. After all, there are really only two suspects, only one of whom has ever really been given any interesting characterization, so it's not too hard to guess who's going to be guilty. But as a character piece, it works very well. It's also a nicely risky piece in a first season that mostly has avoided real risk. Both of the suspects are recurring characters. Whichever of the two ends up being guilty, the only barely-established dynamic of the series will be shifted somewhat. That's inherently interesting, and not the sort of thing I tend to expect from Voyager. It's more the sort of thing you normally see in Deep Space 9.
While collecting edible roots on an uninhabited planet, Voyager detects a Kazon ship in orbit. They retrieve the landing party and escape. But shortly after, they receive a distress call from the same ship.
The distress call is genuine. An explosion devastated the ship. The Kazon closest to the explosion are found fused with the surrounding metal, while the sole survivor has undergone a cellular mutation. Most disturbing is the source of the explosion - a power source that appears to be Federation technology. This leaves three possibilities: a previous Starfleet vessel was drawn to the Delta Quadrant; the power source just happens to be similar to Federation tech; or - most disturbing of all, and most likely - someone aboard Voyager has been secretly dealing with the Kazon!
CHARACTERS
Capt. Janeway: Largely in a reactive role this week, responding to situations as they emerge. She does get an excellent scene when speaking with an aggressive Kazon captain over the viewscreen. When he tries to intimidate her, she gives a response worthy of Sisko: "I don't like bullies, and I don't like threats, and I don't like you... You can try and stop us from getting at the truth, but I promise you that if you do, I will respond with all the 'unique technologies' at my command." Kate Mulgrew seems to relish this "tough guy" moment, though I hope such scenes are not overused in the future. Part of the reason it works so well here is that it's a slightly different note for the character, which makes it more effective than if this were her default way of dealing with things.
Chakotay: Some time prior to the events of Caretaker, he had a relationship with Seska. It ended when they mutually agreed it could never work out... but now, far from home and with limited options, Seska is openly interested in rekindling their old relationship, and Chakotay is at least considering that offer. He is protective of Seska when she falls under suspicion, and tries to read her every action after that in her favor. There is also some lingering feeling of divide in him between himself and Janeway. Speaking to Tuvok of his time in the Maquis, he wonders: If Tuvok was working for Janeway, and if Seska had her own agenda, then "who was working for (him)?" Given some decent material for a change, Robert Beltran actually does a good job. Now if only that could happen more often...
Tuvok: Bluntly lays out the possibilities to Janeway, emphasizing the likelihood of a traitor on board. He carries out his investigation dispassionately and thoroughly, giving both Seska and Carey (who was passed over for promotion in favor of Torres) an equal level of suspicion. When Chakotay asks him about how he reconciles Vulcan honesty with his necessary deceptions - both against Chakotay when pretending to be a member of the Maquis and against the suspects in his investigations - he gives an answer worthy of an attorney, and admits that however composed he may be when executing these deceptions, he does find them difficult.
Seska: As much as this is Chakotay's episode, this is also her episode. Martha Hackett's Seska has been visible in the background of multiple episodes this season. She was the Maquis officer who made a thinly-veiled offer to side with Chakotay in any shipwide rebellion against Janeway, and she was the driving force behind Torres' decision to defy Janeway's orders in Prime Factors. She has never been satisfied with Janeway as captain, and openly refers to Janeway as a fool at one point in this episode. When Chakotay pulls her from Engineering while she's under suspicion in order to protect her, she lashes out at him for it. She insists she is loyal to Chakotay, but she does believe that Voyager would be best served dealing with some of the more powerful aliens they encounter to make alliances - and, to be honest, it's hard to argue the basic point.
THOUGHTS
What's this? Two good episodes in a row? And an episode in which Chakotay is something other than a Native American cliche or a walking mannequin? Am I watching the right show?
State of Flux is only marginally successful as a mystery. After all, there are really only two suspects, only one of whom has ever really been given any interesting characterization, so it's not too hard to guess who's going to be guilty. But as a character piece, it works very well. It's also a nicely risky piece in a first season that mostly has avoided real risk. Both of the suspects are recurring characters. Whichever of the two ends up being guilty, the only barely-established dynamic of the series will be shifted somewhat. That's inherently interesting, and not the sort of thing I tend to expect from Voyager. It's more the sort of thing you normally see in Deep Space 9.
Character work remains strong, with the characterizations of the normally-bland Chakotay and the always-interesting Seska particularly sharp. The return of the Kazon, and the defection of one of the Voyager crew, are strong signs of continuity in a show that frankly needs a lot more of that sort of thing. There's also a real sense that the events of this episode will receive some follow-up (they demand follow-up), which is encouraging for the series' future.
Overall Rating: 8/10.
Previous Episode: Prime Factors
Next Episode: Heroes and Demons
Search Amazon.com for Star Trek: VoyagerOverall Rating: 8/10.
Previous Episode: Prime Factors
Next Episode: Heroes and Demons
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