Fury

DVD, Voyager S6 (Fury)

This was something of a disappointment. I was surprised that on this second viewing, after the shock impact of having Kes return, it didn't fulfil all the nuances that were needed to make it perfect. The first time round I loved it, but, probably because I'm also in the middle of Season One, with those performances fresh in mind, the old time seemed less real. There were other things too, that totted up, little things like the rather anticlimactic stumble back from Kes' powers instead of some visible shaking blast or a more impressive scene. The Vidiians were back, yet this incursion was nowhere near as impressive as 'Deadlock' for example, and for once Vaughn Armstrong's well known voice was used once too often. The characters did attempt to return to their earlier portrayals, and some were more successful than others, but I felt a deal of it was merely the old hairstyle or whatever, and not enough elements were there to really show their traits, and highlight how they'd changed in the six years.

It seemed like another opportunity episode that 'Voyager' had blown, to an extent. I mean it had to happen, Kes was so much a part of the crew they had to have a return episode (personally I think she should have stayed as the reintegration would have been absolutely fascinating), and the idea that Kes is now their enemy and wants them destroyed is a brilliant take on it. We find out that her 'evolution' into a higher state of being or whatever happened, was a negative step, that she went from being the kind and joy-filled girl into a bitter and confused old woman, alone and shunned. It was also great to have the little touches, such as Mrs. Wildman, who is still on the ship, but we never see her, and Carey, likewise. It would have been a perfect moment to bring back someone that had died in a meaningful way, but I suppose they didn't want to over egg the pudding.

The ending was another aspect that was heartrending, but logical, although it did seem too easy that she sees a hologram of herself and realises the error of her ways. And Neelix still doesn't have the proper closure he deserved, though it was the right thing to have him in the goodbye scene. Once again 'Voyager' chooses the frustrating route, the road less dangerous, afraid of denting the established set up too much, and because of their timidity Trek began to lose focus and the series never fully reached what it could have in story and character. But at least in part this is a good event to happen, and time travel is always welcome to me, and Kes was such a great character she needed at least this nod. So I can't rate it badly. It is a nostalgic return to a simpler time, and a better time, despite the quality episodes that have undeniably been created for this season. Kes is missed.

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