I just noticed that Voyager doesn’t follow 1 season = 1 year like most Star Trek. It’s only been ten months and we’re halfway through season 2.

Tattoo: Chakotay’s plotline is going real south real fast. That said, they’re doing the DS9 thing I always loved where there are two completely unrelated plotlines running together. We have Chacotay’s religion being invented by aliens, and we have the doctor trying to prove that doctors don’t need compassion because patients are wimps. Luckily, I think the doctor is going to learn his lesson in this one. I am a chronic pain patient. In my opinion, this is one he needs to learn.

That’s the blessing/curse of this kind of show. DS9 had the same problem. There are a ton of main characters. It’s good that we are more likely to find relateable/likeable/interesting characters, but then they don’t get the attention they deserve. U/udderlybutterly recommended the Delta Fliers podcast so I’ve started listening to it on my commute (first of all, what an amazing way to start the day- smiling ear to ear listening to it) but Paris and Kim talk about how they think their characters fell victim to that. At some point, some characters are gonna have to get more screen time than others. Of all characters, I think Kes is getting a lot of attention. I don’t think Paris is lacking in the attention department but Kim has certainly dropped off the radar a bit, which is unfortunate. But I am loving that podcast. I’m about 2.5 episodes into it. It’s going to take me way longer to get through or else I’d include responses to it in these blogs.

Neither of those plots had much substance to them. I know when we split an episode into two different halves each gets less emphasis. At least the Doctor’s plotline had a punchline, it just didn’t feel like he actually learned anything. And then Chakotay’s plotline was a big ol mess to me. Now, I don’t like DS9’s conversation on religion, either (loved it at first, but not towards the end there) but this is pretty much a disaster because it’s so offensive. This is not to knock Chakotay’s character, he was one of my favourites. But this was just a mess. I just appreciate his values. I wish they would have left it at that.

Cold Fire: This didn’t go where I thought it was going. It was kind of disjointed to me. The female caretaker had very little to do with the Okampa, aside from hinting that they are working together. Kes destroyed all her work and was happy, and had that sort of demonic moment. And we know full well those caretakers can just straight kill them if they wanted to, I don’t understand why it did this weird roundabout thing. I didn’t even need the Okampa. So I guess this episode was just confusing. It also lost some of its science fiction element.

I was originally interested in the telepathic powers. I’ve never had a problem with the Vulcan or Beta-Zoid versions of “mental abilities.” There’s always been a bit of sense to them. But the whole “fire in your mind” thing didn’t click with me.

Maneuvers: ah that’s where Seska went. I thought she was working for the Oglas, not this other sect. The Kaison are not my favourite villains. They’re kind of at this impasse of primitive technology while being shockingly evenly matched with Voyager. Also their forehead ridge that looks like a sea sponge is kinda freaking me out, and not in a cool way the frankenstien villains whose name I forget.

When Seska was getting too close to Chakotay trying to get his secrets all I could think was “Bite her nose.” Seska was creepier when she was Bajoran. She was just more expressive.

Oh GOD. Oh sweet, sweet God. What the hell? Do you guys know what I’m talking about? JESUS. Do I have to say it? This felt I was running a marathon and the person in front of me suddenly turned around and sprinted full power back at me.

Y’all know I was about to talk about how there were no real consequences for Chakotay (she put him on report but come on he’s Maquis. If they ever make it back he’s getting arrested) but you know what? I think that’s enough consequences for one day. Holy hell. I was also going to talk at some point when I didn’t have a lot to say about something about how Chakotay doesn’t feel like a Maquis in the way that he respects regulation, peace and diplomacy, etc. but you know what? I take it back before I said it. B’Elanna definitely still feels Maquis. Seska feels like a mess but ya know, crazy might be the right word.