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Do Voyager episodes typically have no wrap-up scenes?

posted 6 years ago by ps48 (65)
7 replies | jump to latest

I'm originally a fan of ST:TNG. A huge aspect of TNG episodes that I absolutely love are the wrap-up scenes, which typically have one or more characters reflecting on, oftentimes struggling with or coming to terms with the issue and/or resolution of the episode.

To be clear, I do enjoy Voyager. I like the premise of the ship just trying to get home, I think the acting is fine, I usually like the dialogue, and I like the characters. The one thing I've noticed, however, is Voyager episodes seem to be missing those iconic wrap-up/reflection scenes at the end. More often than not, I'm shocked to see the credits pop up when they do, because I was expecting an additional scene. SOMETIMES Voyager episodes have these scenes, but usually it seems they do not.

A great example in my opinion is the episode Tuvix. Especially considering how controversial the episode was, I was certain there was going to be a wrap-up scene, but there wasn't. The climax was essentially ~10 seconds before the credits rolled! Ideally, I believe there should've been a final scene where Neelix is consoling Kes, followed with a scene where Tuvok "consoles" Janeway (more like trying to logically justify/excuse her decision), probably resulting in Janeway struggling to agree with that justification, but nonetheless thanking him and politely dismissing him, so she can reflect, alone, and THEN, zoom out of the window or whatever, credits roll. Granted, we did get a ~5 second scene of Janeway walking out into the hallway and breaking just a tiny bit, which was nice, but I still feel that even with that scene, the episode ends prematurely without a proper wrap-up.

(Disclaimer about Tuvix episode: Tuvix was an oddball episode in that there was no "right answer" to the problem of the episode, which definitely makes the episode interesting. I am by no means saying that a "wrap-up" scene needs to explicitly spell out for the audience what is right and what is wrong. I'm only advocating for a brief "cool down," where we can look a bit into the minds of the characters.)

First, I'll say that I'm only on S3. I've just watched Basics II. So my questions are this:

1) Is this pattern with having no, or very short wrap-up scenes, consistent throughout Voyager?

2) Am I the only one who feels that the episodes end too abruptly when they lack those wrap-up scenes?

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

I loved Voyager. Glad that you are enjoying it.

1) I can't recall if it was a regular practice. I do recall some episodes with wrap-up scenes.

2) I agree with you completely and I think their absence is especially difficult when there is very little continuing narrative between episodes except for the biggest things (Voyager's mission, cast changes, etc.)

I thought Tuvix was murdered, and I say this as someone who was often annoyed by Neelix and was a big fan of Tuvok. What did you think of Janeway's decision?

[–] ps48 (65) 6 years ago

My take on "Tuvix" is it was an interpretation of the "train tracks dilemma" thought experiment. I'm not sure if it has a name but basically there's a train on a track and it's headed for three people tied to the track. You're by a lever which can switch the rails so the train goes down another path at a Y-fork, but there's also one other person tied to the alternate path.

If you do pull the lever, then you are deliberately taking an action which sentences the lone person on the 2nd track to death, but saving three.
If you don't pull the lever, then three people die even though you had a chance to save them, but one could argue that there's something to be said for "staying out of" the problem and "letting fate take its course" (or something like that)

It's not that simple in Tuvix, there are other factors such as that Tuvix was created accidentally, but in general my view is it was a creative take on the train tracks thing, where there's really no right answer. Was Tuvix murdered? Yes he was. However it's also interesting to think about when exactly Tuvok and Neelix were killed. One can argue they were both immediately killed the moment the transporter accident occurs, but another could argue that they are only truly killed (and in this case, they could be considered murdered) when the crew (or Janeway?) consciously abandons all hope of retrieving them.

I believe Janeway made the "best" decision only in the sense that the majority of the crew seemed to wish to have Neelix and Tuvok back, and since the goal is to get home, there's something to be said for opting for the choice that results in higher overall morale. She still murdered him, but I believe she knows that, and if I remember correctly it seemed like she was trying to make it "her decision"/"captain's decision" so as to absolve the rest of the crew from the guilt of the murder. I do think she's a great character and a great actress. :)

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

Great response, thank you. I agree with you about Janeway and Kate Mulgrew. Janeway faced a challenge unlike any of the other captains and Mulgrew brought her to life.

[–] ExTechOp (2770) 5 years ago

I especially liked how Mulgrew played Janeway - she was being tough outside, but you could tell the decision was eating at her. As well it should.

She looked the same way when the Doctor caught her messing with his memories.

[–] ps48 (65) 6 years ago

Also! I just watched "The Chute" today, which actually did, to my liking, have a perfect wrap-up scene. Neelix got to brag about his piloting skills, and Harry and Tom talked about the struggle they just endured while heading off to gorge on a week's rations of replicator food. Nice episode, great wrap-up. We'll see how following episodes go. :)

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

Yes, that was a good one.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I've just watched that episode yestarday. :)