Voyager. Season 7, Episode 2. "Imperfection" Seven Of Nine faces death.
Absolutely superb.
There are many, many things to love here.
1. Most of the screentime is devoted to the show's three best characters: Seven, Janeway and The Doctor. But it's not just that they get lots of screentime, it's that they get lots of good screentime. For instance, there's a wonderful, emotional moment between Janeway and Seven that is a huge step forward in their relationship/friendship (and it's perfectly played by Jeri Ryan and the amazing Kate Mulgrew). Impossible to watch this exchange and not feel tears forming. And it's a scene that is typical of many in the story.
2. It's an emotional episode, all round. Seven's scene with Janeway is probably the best, but the final scene with Icheb is also a killer and the scene with B'Elanna is another one likely to generate a tear or two. And there's more. It's a very powerful episode, very sad and affecting. Uplifting and wonderful in the way that this show frequently is. Voyager's skill, indeed the gift that the Star Trek legacy gives it, is the abilty to write on-the-nose about big topics and make it palatable. Seven might die. And it gives her pause to think and, eventually, talk about it. And it's epic stuff.
3. There's some cool Janeway action. The episode (wisely) takes a break from all the stuff likely to make you cry and drops Janeway, Tuvok and Paris into the middle of a battle where Janeway jumps an imposing alien and holds him at gunpoint (sorta). It's fun stuff. Typically of Janeway when she chooses to wear her bad ass hat.
4. It's funny. After seven seasons is there any need to say it? But, anyway... Robert Picardo is worth his weight in gold. Many of The Doctor's utterance's are hilarious. Usually, in scenes with Seven e.g. Seven's joke about her 'last meal'.
5. The core values of Star Trek are in display in spades, here. Janeway's attempt to head off on a dangerous mission alone are scuppered by Tuvok and Paris in fine style, and once again we see that these people are a team through and through.
6. Manu Intiraymi is a curious performer. Sometimes I find his delivery stilted and over-earnest. Yet, in all the scenes where it really mattered he totally nailed it. Totally. All his scenes from the last third of the episode are A+ material. It's taken 5 episodes, but I really like the guy now.
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Voyager. Season 7, Episode 2. "Imperfection"
