The Void

DVD, Voyager S7 (The Void)

The crux of the story leaves me wondering: if this mini-Federation worked so well, and it did, then why has Janeway not attempted to create a permanent armada of ships travelling with Voyager? If Neelix (and originally Kes) were happy to join them on their mission to return to the other side of space, why not others? I'm trying to think back to remember other instances when they had the opportunity to gain permanent allies and nothing comes to mind, apart from the unwise attempt at unifying the Kazon sects back in Season Two. Yes, there was the Borg alliance, but it was necessarily brief, as was the Hirogen treaty.

I fear the real reason the series didn't turn into a sprawling allied flotilla was because they thought it might harm the brand - it should be Voyager, alone, one starship against the universe, and I can't deny the legendary quality with which that imbues the ship and her crew, but after several seasons of sticking to the formula, as with several episodes this season I've once again found myself questioning the writers on their decision to play it safe and secure.

In some respects this episode gave them the chance to try something different, which is why it's quite a good episode, if unspectacular. The starless void is a chance for a completely alternate visual style - no stars means no light, except that coming from the ships themselves, and an eerie, high quality depth makes the ships more alive than ever. There are welcome skirmishes, not on the 'DS9' scale, but kinetic all the same, and the story has a feelgood warpcore at its centre - Janeway rededicates herself and the crew to their Starfleet ideals, and the Doctor makes pleasing first contact with a nomadic race of telepathic mutes.

The discovery and rehabilitation of 'Phantome' as he's monickered (leading to a pertinent and amusing query from Seven asking the Doc how he can pick one so easily for someone else, but still hasn't decided on one himself!) is a less developed, though charming subplot giving 'TNG' friendly-Borg actor Jonathan Del Arco a role, but never really explaining how these creatures exist when there aren't any ships to hide around in. They're like human-sized Borrowers. The ship designs are okay, enhanced by the self-illumination, but it's some of the alien faces that stand out. 'Phantome's race is okay, but the two enemies Janeway makes are the most special: one has a ridge beginning at the back of his head, over his skull and down to his chin which is most striking seen in profile, while the other has a more Cardassian, ribbed look.

On top of that we get the potato-heads back, mention of a Vaadwaur ship and the crew interacting both professionally and familiarly (look out for Janeway almost walking into a crewman in the corridor when she's walking away from Seven!). The Captain must get tired of Chakotay or Tuvok, or, in this case, both at once coming to try and show her the error of her ways, but it's telling that this time they don't try too hard to convince her to be ruthless. It's like they know they can never win, but feel it their duty to point out the realities of the situation as they see it. Thankfully, as it has since the first episode of the series, (smoothing over any niggles like how they lost the ship that stole from them, but then picked it up, or how they were able to keep the shields together, or... well, who cares?), Captain Janeway's idealism wins out, and that's what makes you feel good.

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