Memorial

DVD, Voyager S6 (Memorial)

All that's missing is a scene where Naomi shows she understands Neelix' behaviour. Apart from that, this is a very impressive tale, told with vigour, sensitivity and superb scenes for some of the series' most under-used characters. This could almost have been a deliberate plan to use Kim, Chakotay and Neelix better, since they were a little forgotten this season. But here it almost makes up for this, with scenes more like to DS9 and it's heavily character-driven mould. The battle scenes too are reminiscent of that series.

It's the scenes where Paris and the other three are remembering those experiences together, and believing them, that are the most special, even more so than the reliving of the massacre. Kim in particular shows how affected he is by it all. And how often do we get moments of traditional away teams on Voyager where a full team beams down fully armed to explore? The location was brilliant too, the contrast between past and present effectively portrayed through the dark, tangled undergrowth and bright, park-like scenery. The CGI of the actual memorial was expertly done, you get to see the ship orbit a stunning planetscape, and there are some excellent moments where characters interact, such as Tom and B'Elanna.

The tight direction as ever from Alan Kroeker, and subtly militaristic music of Jerry Goldsmith act to lift it above the usual, and make you wish for more of this calibre.

*****