Meld
- FIRST SHOWN (US)
- 5 February 1996
- ON
- UPN
- STARDATE
- None given
- DIRECTED BY
- Cliff Bole
- PRODUCTION NO.
- 133
WRITTEN BYTeleplay by Michael Piller; story by Michael Sussman
When a crewman is murdered aboard Voyager, Tuvok finds the killer quickly, but trying to understand why the crime was committed proves far more dangerous.
Red alert: the full plot, ending included. Haven't watched yet?REVEAL SYNOPSIS
Crewman Darwin is found murdered, and Tuvok soon establishes that the killer is Lon Suder, a quiet Betazoid crewman. Suder readily admits it, but offers no motive beyond disliking the way Darwin looked at him. Unable to accept violence without reason, Tuvok performs a mind meld with Suder to understand him. The meld calms Suder, but leaves Tuvok struggling to contain the violent impulses he has taken on. Increasingly volatile, he even attacks a holographic version of Neelix. Tuvok confines himself to his quarters while the Doctor tries to help him confront and control his emotions, but the treatment fails. Tuvok breaks out and goes after Suder, intending to kill him, but Suder talks him out of it and initiates another meld, leaving Tuvok unconscious. In the aftermath, the Doctor sees hopeful signs that Tuvok is regaining control. In a lighter subplot, Chakotay shuts down a betting pool that Tom Paris has been running with replicator rations as stakes.
- 01Michael Sussman's first Star Trek writing credit, earned while an intern. He later became a story editor on Voyager before moving to Enterprise.
- 02Brad Dourif's Lon Suder returns in the “Basics” two-parter that bridges seasons two and three.
- 03Angela Dohrmann's second and final appearance as Ricky, a character from the Chez Sandrine holoprogram.