VOY - Muse

This, as I have previously stated, is one of my favorite episodes of Voyager’s 6th season. I I have always thought that it had a very interesting story line, however, the main strength of the episode is in Khelles’ plays. The unique point of view they provide on Voyager, its crew and other aspects of the Delta quadrant is refreshing, and somewhat comical to watch, as the actors and poet try to make sense out of the characters. Watching them makes you realize how unusual some of the characters and aliens are, such as Tuvok, even though we have come to think of them as normal.
B’ellana is actually interesting in Muse, as the writers finally decided to do something with her character, besides having her lose her temper. In this episode, she comes across as a competent engineer, and a person who actually can manage people (with the help of a conveniently timed thunderstorm). It is the unique setting that sets this episode apart from the others, allowing for a new type of storyline never before tried in any previous Star Trek epsode, and making this episode truly enjoyable to watch.

VOY - The Blink of an Eye

If I had to pick my favorite Voyager episode of the 6th season it would be a tie between this one and Muse. Blink of an Eye is a unique episode of Star Trek, allowing us to observe the development of a people from Stone Age savages, through the Middle Ages and on towards technological sophistication rivaling that of the Federation. This aspect of the episode is absolutely astonishing. The development of the story line is also superb. The arrival and meeting between Katana Retz and the Voyager crew is very well done. Another interesting element of the plot line was the sudden attitude of hostility towards Voyager, and Retz’s rectifaction of the situation. The final scene of the episode is also amazing, as an aged Retz watches the star that has been a cornerstone of his planet’s culture for so long finally depart and bring a 1.5 milennia-long era to a close. The only hole in this episode was the Doctor’s spending what amounted to 3 years on the planet. I find it very implausible that the doctor spent 3 years down there, formed very close friendships, and then, once back on Voyager, went on living his life as if nothing ever happened. In fact, after the end of this episode he never once mentioned anything more about his time on the planet. Other than this, the epsode was superb and one of the best of Star Trek Voyager’s sixth season.

DS9 - Our Man Bashir

This episode of DS9 is really fun to watch. It’s one of my personal favorite “malfunctioning holodeck” episodes. Dr. Bashir’s holodeck program is an obvious, campy takeoff on the James Bond movies. The addition of Garak, who takes the whole spy business very seriously, and the insertion of DS9 regulars into the roles of spy movie characters makes for an absolutely hilarious episode. Garak, a long time spy for the obsidian order, spends the whole time balking at Dr. Bashir’s melodramatic take on his profession. But after the situation turns serious, Garak’s ceaseless bitching takes on a more serious tone about how the spy business really works. This is both ironic and funny, and somewhat annoying at the same time. Another interesting element of the episode is the manifestation of the DS9 main characters in the holosuite program. Each of the characters plays a holodeck character whose personality is the exact opposite of that of the actual character. “Kira” for instance plays a rather less defensive, outspoken, KGB agent, and Sisko plays an evil doctor planning to destroy mankind. It is quite interesting to watch the actors play very different characters that look so much alike. The story of the episode outside the holodeck merely serves as a vehicle to tell a very interesting malfunctioning holodeck story, which is great fun to watch. Even Bashir’s final solution to the problem is serious, hilarious and unique at the same time. I always have enjoyed watching this epode of DS9. It is my favorite malfunctioning holodeck episode ever made.