2.4 — “Elogium”
Plot: Perhaps it is Spring in space; minds turn toward copulation as the Voyager encounters a cloud of space-dwelling organisms resembling spermatozoa. These creatures exude an energy field which triggers a kind of premature heat in Kes. Although it is early, Kes worries that she will have to conceive a child immediately, or lose the opportunity for reproduction that occurs once in the life cycle of the Ocampa. Meanwhile, Janeway and Chakotay consider whether to allow fraternization among the crew, and the accommodations that would be needed to incorporate newborns on ship.
Thoughts: Neelix is really unlikeable, isn’t he? Which is unfortunate, since he also looks terrible. If I looked like a spotted warthog, I would hesitate to act like a jealous goblin. In a bid to attract our sympathies, the producers of this episode propel him precipitously towards another negative male stereotype: hand-wringing fear of commitment.
Which hardly makes sense, given the rapid life-cycle of the Ocampans, who live eight years, approximately as long as a guinea pig. Judging from Kes, who is less than two years old, the child would be fully mature and living independently in less than one year. It just doesn’t sound like a big sacrifice. Neelix, what a peach.
Kes shows some range for a change, going on a wild tear eating both beetles and flowers. She has the good sense to pass on her “opportunity” with Neelix. This couple makes less and less sense as time goes on. I don’t know why either individual is keen to share Voyager’s 75-year flight away from the Delta Quadrant and all the peoples, cultures, and beings they’ve ever known. It doesn’t seem to square with Kes’ desire to become pregnant and raise an Ocampan child. I looked back at the transcript of VOY 1.1&2, “The Caretaker,” which doesn’t shed much light on the question.
The Doctor giving Kes a foot massage is a funny scene, and in fact seems transgressive after we’ve been told that this safe-for-network television interaction is, for her species, part of a mating ritual. The writers seem well aware that EMH is a better match for her than Neelix, and already (as of episode 20) in the full bloom of regret. Voyager has 172 episodes.
Others have pointed out that if Ocampan females reproduce only once in their lifetimes, the numbers of their species would halve every generation, to extinction. Not so, I say, if their pregnancy results in a litter. Which Kes does not mention, although she must be close-mouthed about such things, since, against all reason, Neelix seems entirely ignorant about Ocampan sexuality. Worthy of thought.
Neelix aside, I appreciate this episode’s light-hearted look at a serious subject, which is obviously important to the evolution of Voyager’s mission.
3.5 of 5 mating rituals.
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