2-07. Parturition.

Neelix and Tom must work out
their problems.

THE PLOT

As the friendship between Kes and Tom continues, Neelix grows ever more jealous. And his jealousy isn't baseless. Tom admits to Harry that he has feelings for Kes. He resolves to do nothing to act on them - but Neelix forces the issue, provoking Tom into a food fight.

Meanwhile, Voyager encounters an "M" class planet that reads as protein rich, despite the lack of apparent vegetation. There is interference which disrupts the transporters (*drink*), so a shuttle must be sent to search for and harvest food stores. Of course, the only two people to send on such a mission are... (drumroll) Ts and Neelix!


CHARACTERS

Capt. Janeway: Takes in the aftermath of Neelix's and Paris' food fight impassively, and accepts Paris' non-explanation. She briefs them on their mission. When Neelix interjects that there is a personal issue between him and Paris, she channels Sisko in her two-word reply: "Solve it."

Tom Paris: Finally admits that he has feelings for Kes, something that's become increasingly obvious in any case. He reacts by trying to avoid her.  This only makes Neelix more jealous, prompting a food fight. Yes, a food fight. At least the visual of Neelix and Tom, with pasta sticking to them while standing in front of Janeway, is amusing. Despite Tom's good conduct aboard Voyager, members of the crew do speak about his past.  It seems likely that both the Starfleet and Maquis crew members think of him as someone not to be trusted. Tom admits to Neelix that these whispers are true, but adds that he sees this trip to the Delta Quadrant as a "second chance" for him and is determined not to repeat his old mistakes.

Neelix: More Neelix jealousy. Oh, joy. At least this episode looks likely to be the end of it, though I'm ly stymied as to why Kes would have tolerated it this long, Ocampan value of mating for life or no. It does seem clear that at least part of Neelix's jealousy is simple insecurity. One of the first things he snaps at Tom when they're alone in the cave is that Tom thinks he's "not worthy of a woman like Kes" - which seems to be him baldly projecting his own insecurity. Neelix is more tolerable when he bonds with the alien muppet baby, as a genuine paternal instinct comes out at this point. Still, his good spirits in the final scene seems extremely forced.

Kes: Another good performance from Jennifer Lien, who strikes the right note of innocence when the doctor bluntly points out that Neelix's jealousy of Tom isn't as baseless as she'd like to believe. Lien does a fine job of showing Kes' mix of guilt and anger, as she worries about both Neelix and Tom on the planet. Her scene with Harry is excellent, as she jumps seamlessly from one emotion to the next. I'll try very hard to save further grumbling on this point until Season Four, but... in a show with Neelix, Chakotay, and Harry Kim, how was Kes - a character who has worked almost since Day One - the character chosen to get the axe?

Harry Kim: "There's an old Chinese saying: 'Stay out of harm's way.' ...If it works, use it." *Groan.* So now we know. The one thing worse than a bland Harry Kim is a Harry attempting to be jovial. Garrett Wang's wooden delivery doesn't help, but the line is awful enough that I don't think even a good delivery would have sold it. Wang is even worse in the scene with Kes, his wooden line readings contrasting starkly with Lien's authentic emotion.


THOUGHTS

The running Neelix/Tom/Kes triangle comes to a head... Oh, joy.

Parturition isn't actually as bad as an episode centering on Neelix's interminable jealousy ought to be. Credit is due to director Jonathan Frakes, who helms with his usual confidence and allows enough breathing space for some decent character work. Credit also to Robert Duncan McNeill and Ethan Phillips. One of the most irritating things about Neelix is that the actor playing him could do so much more, if only the writers would lay back a bit instead of always forcing the character to go over the top.

But while the episode has some amusing moments, and is certainly better than Twisted, it still feels lacking. The story progression is painfully predictable, and there are no unexpected turns in either character or plot to liven things up. It's amiable enough - a word which describes a lot of mediocre Voyager - but it ultimately feels very hollow. We've seen all of these plot elements before. The directing and the acting may be good (well, except for Garrett Wang), but just because it's moderately well-executed hokum, it doesn't provide any compelling reason to watch it.

Honestly, after so many middling episodes, it's only a couple of appealing characters and general stubbornness that's keeping me watching Voyager. This is a series that could easily be so much more than it is, but consistently contents itself with mediocrity.


Overall Rating: 5/10.

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