Compelling. Driving. Disappointing.
In the episode where the Doctor aboard Voyager goes across 40,000 light years to help his creator fight a disease, the writers created a story that pulled the viewer through the episode, drove them through interesting twists, yet failed to grasp the potential for this episode.
Obviously, every reviewer thus far has praised and glorified "Life Line," as they did "Pathfinder." Unfortunately, one will not find much hype in this review. As one looks at the risks involved with having monthly communication with the Federation, the show will be revolutionized, as Voyager will become dependent on Federation communication and "upgrades" in their ship. At first glance, this sounds great - potential for original story lines, right? Yes, but what is going to happen with Voyager - the Voyager episodes. Are they going to turn from Voyager-introvert or to Voyager-Federation? Such comments that Janeway made during the episode already show warning signs of something like this happening. For example, the admiral makes a rhetorical question asking how they are doing, having Maquis, Borg, and Federation working together. What kind of comment is that? Obviously, they are doing fine lest they would not have made the progress they had. Moreover, the whole idea of sending the Doctor to help a friend is fine, but how often will this happen in the future? "Pathfinder" would have been a great episode, but really, if the writers start having every other episode talking about Federation communication, something unnatural is going to happen to Voyager - and it will not be pretty.
On the brighter side, taking the episode for what it did and what it is, "Life Line" was an excellent episode that succeeded in pulling the audience through the episode. Counselor Troi and Lieutenant Barclay were a great surprise as well, and as a reviewer, I always love seeing The Next Generation crew. Unfortunately, the audience never was able to see Captain Picard that everyone was "teased" about in the preview of the episode.
As the story progressed, I began to realize that the writers did not exploit - if there is a better word for it - the episode as they could have. Look: Voyager is talking to the Federation, people they have not talked to in six years (exception of "Message in a Bottle" and "Pathfinder" where communication was short and impersonal). Moreover, it would have been better to have the inferior holographic doctor plot dilemma act as a "B-Plot" and have something much more incredible as the "A-Plot." But they did not ask me. So, what can I say?
On the whole, the episode flowed, and it pulled the audience (at least for the most part). While the episode lacks something special and yields one to believe that this idea is too predictable in the future, "Life Line," a most appropriate and somewhat funny title (due to ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"'s life lines...), deserves a 8.9 out of 10.
Intriguing. Suspenseful. Curiously Ambiguous.
In the episode where Janeway accidentally destroys a Class J Nebula, the writers finally pull off an episode where the audience becomes entirely wrapped up in the episode, and by the end of the episode, is disappointed that the episode is over.
As this season comes to a close, one is finally getting quality that a fan would expect from Voyager. This season, overall, has been about average, and at certain points, a little depressing in plot lines. Fortunately, lately, we have seen high quality episodes, despite my somewhat pessimistic view on "Life Line" (it was in all actuality a good episode... just flaws). "The Haunting of Deck Twelve" was a Voyager masterpiece. The suspense was there, and I am a sucker for suspense episodes. The idea behind the whole concept of an alien living on Deck Twelve was so compelling and so intriguing that one had to be asking for more. My favorite scenes were definitely with Janeway with her superb acting in the final twenty minutes - her alone on the ship. Suspense! T he graphics: terrific. The music: superb. Everything was great in this episode.
Two things really make this episode something to remember: the character involvement and the "curiously ambiguity" - as I will call it. Everyone aboard seemed to have a great share in this episode. Not to mention, Neelix finally gets a story line where one is not tempted to press the fast-forward button on the remote control (if you recorded it). The Borg children finally got an episode worth their presence because "Collective" was a bit over-the-edge and "Child's Play," though pleasing after the first bite, becomes a little too much for the character of Seven. Unfortunately, I did get annoyed by the child's comments after a while when the plot really got moving, but I can easily get over that! Second, the "curious ambiguity" is the key to this episode. While one can safely assume that this instance occurred in some form or fashion, as Naomi says, "Neelix can exaggerate." Therefore, this episode does not give everything to you - only the backbone and then lets the viewer imagine the rest. Imagination is something that I value in an episode. Great job writers!
I do not think I can say much more on this episode. Definitely, it deserves a 9.7 out of 10.
Suspenseful. Risky. Champion.
In the sixth season's close where Janeway decides to help a group of Borg rebels, the writers bring out about one fantastic episode that combines suspense, emotion, crew involvement, and a champion episode with a risky plot line.
Before the analysis of the episode begins, let us first confront the issue of redundancy or "boringness" (if that is the right word) of the Borg. Yes, I have heard it: "The Borg have been used too many times." I, for one, will agree to some extent. Having Borg children come aboard as rejects was a bit too much for my grasp. Would the Borg actually leave a Cube filled with children to any species that drifted by? I do not think so. It seems that the Borg have been babyish lately. I've heard the argument that The Next Generation beat the Borg Queen twice and Janeway beat the Borg Queen once... where's their sting? Ouch, that has to hurt Brannon. Finally, he came back with vengeance and proved the world wrong about the Borg weakness. The Borg Queen got a little personal in this episode and revitalized the issue that the Borg are real when they say "Resistance Is Futile!" Repeatedly, I fall for the Borg - I love them (not themselves, but the story lines that come with them because other species are not tough enough...). Thankfully, that love has been revived with a super strong episode like season sixth's season finale.
"Unimatrix Zero Part I" really strikes home to me because there are many elements that the writers learned how to combine, craftily, if I might add. Suspense is nothing to elaborate on. In a two-parter, one has to be able to believe that it can be a two-parter. Unlike "Unimatrix Zero," "Equinox Part I" failed to move the audience and grab them as the crew of Voyager prepared for a part two. Every sequence added a new twist to the plot, and there was little room for "tightness" as some reviewers call it. By the end of the episode, everyone's mind was at the edge of its seat - and then we see "To Be Continued..." Bummer. Have to wait until next September. Oh well. Next, emotion was integrated quite well. Season six has been notorious for its lack of emotion. I found myself asking, "If only I could have shed a tear." This was not really a touchy, feely episode, but it sure brought the emotions as we saw Seven become Annika. Moreover, the Borg "individuals" (for lack of a better phrase - those people in Unimatrix Zero) were very believable and very moving by their stories.
One of the greatest elements of this episode is the acting and the interaction between the characters. Every season finale and/or season premiere of the following season always has Janeway and Chakotay at ends with one another; every viewer is thinking "Worst Case Scenario." Right? For the first time, the audience sees a spark between them when Janeway leaves to combat the Borg. Moreover, Seven of Nine was great. Now, I have heard absolutely enough about the too much Seven craze. This episode has to prove how valuable she is. It is about her, but we see her evolve into something more. Not to mention, its more believable then her character leaps in "Child's Play" and "Virtuoso" (see those reviews for more details - in a short phrase, Seven's character has been portrayed by inconsistent and unbelievable character growth). The relationship between Seven (or excuse me, Annika) and Axum is relatable and compelling as well. On the side of character involvement, I believe for the first time, something important has happened to every character in this episode: Janeway gets to defy the Borg, Seven mediates between the Borg individuals and the crew, Tom Paris gets promoted (yea! I have been waiting for this for a long time!), Harry Kim receives the startling comment from the Borg Queen ("See you soon Harry"), the Doctor comes up with an antidote, B'Elanna and Tuvok go with Janeway, and Neelix - well, maybe they didn't give him anything special yet. Overall, the acting (which was at top notch) and interaction between the cha racters made for a champion episode!
Recapping the scenes, "Unimatrix Zero Part I" was stupendous and incredibly portrayed. While it lacks in some areas (but few), this is the only perfect episode of the season: 10 out of 10!