2.19 — “Lifesigns”
Plot: Voyager encounters a derelict ship and rescues a Vidiian who is near death from the Phage. The Doctor and Kes come up with an innovative course of therapy that reconstructs a healthy version of the patient as a sentient hologram. The therapy takes a turn when the patient shows signs of developing feelings for the Doctor.
Thoughts: I would be happy watching Robert Picardo read the phone book, so I’m certainly happy watching him play this script, which would likely have been deadly in the hands of any other cast member. He makes it charming, and more engrossing than it deserves.
The idea of the Vidiian, Danara, being rebuilt in a holographic body and feeling disoriented by the experience is an interesting one, one that could support many different stories, even if I don’t understand why the holographic version of herself would be subject to a degenerative disease. The resolution where she first argues to be allowed to undergo assisted suicide (in a much more compelling situation than that presented in last week’s “Death Wish”), and is then persuaded by the Doctor to recognize her inner beauty and self worth, is satisfying.
The love story with the Doctor–or should I say EMH, or Schmullus–is about as subtle as a cement roller. I’m thinking about the scene in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) where Kevin Kline is smooshed by a slow moving construction machine that he sees coming from a mile away but can’t get away from. Equally unsubtle is the unresolved B plot involving conflict between Paris and Chakotay.
I like “Lifesigns” fairly well, but let me tell you about the fantasy episode I would have liked to have seen, spotlighting the advanced consent culture that I hope we will be living in by the year 2372:
The Doctor and Danara can have a frank conversation about their romantic feelings and relationship, because we have eliminated the foolish taboo around having such discussions which creates a culture that contributes to the risk of sexual assault.
Before they have a chance to explore this, they have a frank discussion about medical consent which explores Danara’s ambivalence about receiving treatment and does not leave the Doctor surprised to find himself at odds with his patient in an emergent situation with a ticking medical clock.
And when romantic feelings arise, there is recognition of how improper it is for a doctor to pursue a romantic relationship with a patient during treatment, how dubious consent is in such a situation, and how such circumstances must perforce keep the star-crossed lovers separated until Danara’s duty as a physician forces her to return to her own people.
3 out of 5 accordions. Would you choose to take your off-duty recreation in a holodeck simulation full of accordion music?
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