Human Error

DVD, Voyager S7 (Human Error)

With this I complete the set of 'Voyager' episodes, as this was the last one I never saw on transmission or video. Usually episodes like this (new old ones) don't quite live up to their reputation, and this is not one of the best of the season. Neither is it a bad episode, featuring Jeri Ryan looking her best in a contemplative tale that is almost a subconscious preparation for returning home to Earth in its portrayal of Seven trying to get closer to being human, both mentally and physically. I confess I have no idea why she chose Chakotay as her experimental boyfriend, but knowing her it was probably for purely logical reasons, taking into account the Commander's many good points, service record, etc!

I was pleased 'DS9' wasn't copied by having the real Chakotay come into the holoprogram without Seven's knowledge and surprise her as it had been done so well already, but there was a reference to that series, most likely unintentionally. Neelix talks of Talaxian tulaberries, so the Dosi of the Gamma Quadrant must have very far-reaching trade if those berries are well known in the Delta Quadrant! I admit to being unobservant during the teaser and wondering why it was so short after a simple scene of Seven playing the piano. I should have noticed her implants were missing as that was the point.

The attacking warheads B-story could have been so exciting as they're chased by an unerring bomb, but it doesn't come to much and the effects of the shockwaves just don't look very real which I can't understand considering the excellent effect of Borg attacks and other such visually compelling moments served up in the past. I also felt there should have been more humour in Seven's discomfort around the real Chakotay and more scenes like the small talk with Torres or more encouragement to elicit sympathy from the viewer for Seven's condition, and as it is there is little emotional involvement. The issue of recreating fellow crewmembers for recreation is surely against regulations, but isn't touched upon - Barclay on the Enterprise went through a similar situation, but Seven gets away with it, only the Doctor learning of her 'experiments'.

Seven certainly hasn't been overused this season so an episode solidly based around her development, even if it was a bit back to square one by the end, was appreciated. The episode does suffer from reset button syndrome in that Seven has all these experiences then finds she must give it up and prefers to return to normal it seems. I know certain things were to progress in the last few episodes of this season, but there's a strong sense of the heavy hand of producers not wishing to shake things up too much.

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