It’s the penultimate episode of the series! And … oh look. The Doctor is getting into shenanigans.
Is “Renaissance Man” the most pointless episode of Star Trek: Voyager?
I mean that sincerely. It’s the last episode before the finale, an opportunity to ramp up tension and start to bring this story to a close. And instead, we are retreading old ground and reusing ideas that have already been explored more than once in this very season.
What if we did “Tinkor, Tenor, Doctor, Spy” again, but also “Body and Soul”?
“The Hierarchy have the technology to spy on the Doctor and see what he sees” is a solid concept, which is why “Tinkor, Tenor…” worked so well. And sure, body-swaps and impersonations are always fun. For the actors. Sometimes for the audience.
“What if Tom is kissing B’Elanna but B’Elanna is actually the Doctor and he thinks men kissing is gross?” It’s exactly as entertaining as it was earlier this season.
“The Doctor disobeys Janeway’s orders and goes off half-cocked with a piece of a plan?” Yes, that was … well, several episodes this season, but most notably “Flesh and Blood”, and I guess the one good thing about this version is that he experiences a brief consequence.
I am simply tired of the Doctor
It’s a bit depressing when you consider that Voyager has the most diverse cast of any Star Trek of its era (or possibly since) and the most female characters of its era, and the first female lead, and yet the show ties itself in knots to be about a white man instead. Robert Picardo’s talent and charisma are undeniable, but at this point, we’re not learning anything new about the character, or gaining any fresh insight into his world. It’s just schtick.
His “deathbed” confessions at the end make it even harder to enjoy this character. “Oh, Tuvok, I violated doctor-patient confidentiality for lols. Seven, I’m attracted to you and it impacts the medical care I provide, but also I am the only person on the ship qualified to treat you, so you’re stuck with me.” This doesn’t feel cute. It feels like a hostage situation.
Tom Paris sensuously waggles a fried chicken drumstick
Twice, in fact. That’s the adjective I choose to use, “sensuously”. It’s honestly great. He’s not my type and I’m trying to avoid fried foods, but damn, I could go for some fried chicken right now.
All the performances are good
Mulgrew and Dawson resist the urge to go broad when they play the Doctor, and Picardo does not resist the urge to go broad in his confession scene. I have no notes at all for the actors.
Other observations
- I guess this episode advances the arc of “the Doctor and Janeway are not friends, but he wants them to be”, but again, it’s the penultimate episode, so what is the point?
- I miss Neelix
- Just how big is Hierarchy space? I love those little guys, but I have questions!
In conclusion
This episode is unbelievably skippable unless you want to see a stunt woman wearing a fake pregnant belly do a cheap knock-off of an iconic stunt from The Matrix. Just go straight to the finale. Two mobile emitters out of five.