'Memorial'

Puts Voyager Crew Under Stress 

By Kenneth Silber Staff Writer

After an away team mission, the crew experiences terrible memories of combat.     (Originally aired February 2, 2000)  Teleplay by Robin Burger Story by Brannon Braga Directed by Allan Kroeker 

WHAT HAPPENED  Chakotay, Harry, Neelix and Tom return by shuttle from an away mission. Harry is irritable. All are tired -- they've visited 15 planets in 14 days -- but their mission was a success: The shuttle's cargo hold is filled with dilithium ore.  Aboard Voyager, B'Elanna has a surprise for Tom -- a 1950s-vintage television set, assembled from replicated parts. Moreover, she's gotten appropriate content from the archives. They sit down to watch. He is engrossed by old movies, cartoons and more.  B'Elanna thinks commercials were called "jingles." He hardly listens to her, and she dozes off.... (more spoilers) 

ANALYSIS  Despite an imaginative premise, "Memorial" turns out to be, ironically enough, a forgettable episode. The idea of a highly "interactive" monument is interesting, but the content of the interaction fails to inspire.  We never see enough of the alien soldiers or colonists to be much affected by their situation. The discussions of atrocity and remembrance evoke subjects more weighty than the episode can bear.  Amid the hysteria and despair aboard Voyager, one can be thankful that Seven, Tuvok and the Doctor retain their aplomb. And B'Elanna's imperfect understanding of mid-20th century culture adds some needed levity. 

WHAT WE LEARN  The psychological stability of the crew can be undermined more readily than even a disgruntled viewer might have supposed. 

DANGLING PLOT THREADS  Will the memories continue to affect the behavior of the crew?  Whatever happened to the civilization that built the monument?