Trapped on an alien world, Paris and Tuvok must fight to survive, and Tuvok must contain his emotions when a fellow strandee falls for him.
Vulcan emotions are an almost impossible subject, as there have been so many contradictory statements made over the years about whether Vulcans have feelings, and what those feelings are like that it all gets rather confusing. Which is what this episode is, pretty much from start to finish. Attempts to broaden Tuvok's character in the past have been less than successful, as he is the most dull person on board Voyager. The reason Spock was interesting was his half-human side, the segment Tuvok is missing. Still, Vorik is Vulcan too, and at least he comes across as having a personality.
This episode is an attempt to make Tuvok more Spock-like by saying that early in life, he couldn't control his emotions, and didn't want to. This falls flat on its face, as it seems utterly unlike Tuvok to ever have been like this, and the child actor who plays his younger self isn't totally convincing either.
Everything about this episode is wrong. The pacing is totally wonky, with important explanatory plot points thrown in when the writer seems to feel like it, rather than when they should have appeared. Once a time anomaly is throw in (time passes quicker for Tom and Tuvok than for Voyager), it gets even more confusing, with a two day wait seeming to take mere seconds. And even if the pair have been on the planet for a couple of months, it's still a bit soon for Paris to start giving in and suggesting Tuvok take a lover.
The only thing this episode has going for it is some pretty effects of sinkholes in space, and some cool computer graphics in the mapping room. Otherwise, avoid this like the plague.
* (and that's being kind)
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