[VOY] Meld

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[VOY] Season 2, Episode 16 (Netflix: S2 E16): Meld

Meld

Rating: 4

This episode was really well done, and features notably strong performances. On a thematic note, it dives into the nature of violent impulses and senseless evil. On a Star Treky note, it showcases the way mind melds should be handled. It’s unfortunate that there has been so many mind melds in Voyager up until now, which may make people take this less seriously. Mind melds should have restrictions, like they do in this episode. “Meld” starts exploring the idea of sharing minds, in a way that hadn’t really been done in Star Trek. A mind meld became a little too casual in other parts of Voyager and Trek in general, but this episode reiterates that it’s a serious act and Tuvok can’t just do a mind melds whenever he wants to figure something out.
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Notes:

They find a body in engineering

They find a body in engineering

Suder is the murderer. His confession was creepy

Suder is the murderer. His confession was legitimately creepy.

Tuvok is bothered that Suder seemingly had no motive

Tuvok is bothered that Suder seemingly had no motive.

It was an interesting choice having Suder be a Betazoid. People say there are people who just don't have any empathy and will kill. I guess it means even more if a Betazoid has no empathy

It was an interesting choice having Suder be a Betazoid. Empathy is such a fundamental part of being Betazoid it makes Suder’s lack of empathy that much more disturbing.

Tuvok decides to mind meld with Suder in order to understand why he did it

Tuvok decides to mind meld with Suder in order to understand why he did it.

Tuvok begins to suggest that Suder be killed. At first he gives logical reasons for it, but as the episode goes on it becomes clear that Tuvok has picked up some tendencies from the meld

Tuvok begins to suggest that Suder be killed. At first he gives logical reasons for it, but as the episode goes on it becomes clear that Tuvok has picked up some tendencies from the meld. Tuvok says he’s okay for now though.

Neelix makes Tuvok smile

Neelix makes Tuvok smile

So Tuvok kills Neelix. Then we see it was just in the holodeck. Dude, you're NOT okay

So Tuvok kills Neelix. Then we see that Tuvok created a holodeck program where he could act out killing Neelix. Dude, you’re NOT okay

Chakotay finds out about Paris running a little gambling operation

Meanwhile, Chakotay finds out about Paris running a little gambling operation. Chakotay says he’s on report.

Tuvok locks himself in his quarters

Tuvok locks himself in his quarters

The Doctor does something to Tuvok so he is not longer suppressing his feelings. Tuvok says he's disgusted with Janeway for not executing Suder, and that all the humans disgust him. Is this the real feelings Tuvok has always suppressed? Or is this part of Suder?

The Doctor does something to Tuvok so he is no longer suppressing his feelings. Tuvok says he’s disgusted with Janeway for not executing Suder, and that all the humans disgust him. Is this the real feelings Tuvok has always suppressed? Or is this part of Suder?

Tuvok escapes and goes to kill Suder. He holds back

Tuvok escapes and goes to kill Suder, but he manages to hold back his violent urges

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