Star trek: Voyager 2.06b - Meld
Stardate 49380.5
Threat advisory: Severe - Severe risk of entertaining activities
Episode propaganda
Tuvok (Tim Russ) performs a Vulcan mind meld on an apparently motiveless murderer. Ensign Lon Suder (Brad Dourif) the self-confessed perpetrator enjoys unusual peace of mind as a result but the effect on the normally cool, controlled and unemotional security chief is devastating. Can the holographic Doctor (Robert Picardo) reverse the damage?
Persons of interest
- Kate Mulgrew .... Captain Kathryn Janeway
- Robert Beltran .... Commander Chakotay
- Roxann Dawson .... Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres
- Jennifer Lien .... Kes
- Robert Duncan McNeill .... Lieutenant Tom Paris
- Robert Picardo .... the Emergency Medical Hologram
- Ethan Phillips .... Neelix
- Tim Russ .... Lieutenant Tuvok
- Garrett Wang .... Ensign Harry Kim
- Majel Barrett .... USS Voyager computer voice
- Brad Dourif .... Ensign Lon Suder
- Angela Dohrman .... Ricky
- Simon Billig .... Ensign Hogan
- Michael Sussman .... Storywriter
- Michael Piller .... Screenwriter
- Cliff Bole .... Director
Cinematic intelligence sources
- Studios and distributors:
Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Intelligence report
Yes! Casual murder, Vulcan violence and crime in the crimeless UFP!
Lon Suder, a sociopathic Betazoid Maquis (woo hoo!), is a brilliant character, so out of step with the boringly responsible UFP stereotype that it's as if he's from another dimension. The interaction between him and Tuvok is fascinating to watch, as is the alteration of their characters after the meld. Suder also comes out with one of the funniest lines about Vulcan culture this side of the Necrid Expanse.
Good, hard drama based on good, hard acting and good, hard problems. Watch and enjoy.
Security censorship classification
PG (Adult themes)
Not for public release in Australia before date
Out now
Funniest line
When Tuvok asks him if he knows about the Vulcan mind meld, Suder asks
"Is that the thing where you grab someone's face?" One for the anti-Trekkies. (This Trekkie is not an anti-Trekkie, I just enjoy a good piss-take, especially at my own expense). It's also as interesting line because Brad appears in Alien: Resurrection, based on creatures which reproduce by grabbing your face...
