[VOY] Season 2, Episode 16 (Netflix: S2 E16): 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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Read more at Memory Alpha
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Notes:

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 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.

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

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

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?
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