Voyager 4.12 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Mortal Coil.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to Bryan Fuller (“Dead Like Me,” “Wonderfalls,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Hannibal,” CBS’ fast-approaching new Star Trek series). This was only Fuller’s second produced teleplay, following 4.6, “The Raven.”
What says Fake UPN?
“Revived via Seven’s Borg technology after lying dead almost 19 hours, Neelix is disturbed to discover he has no memory of an afterlife.”
How does it start?
With Neelix serving coffee. Chakotay arrives to ask Neelix’s help in collecting some “protomatter,” a substance with which Neelix grew familiar during his career as a trader.
Does Seven balk when asked to devote time to reviving some dirty Talaxian?
She suggests the idea; it turns out she considers Neelix of value. “His function in this crew is … diverse.”
Does Neelix claim “resistance is futile” when he awakens?
“Doctor. What happened? What happened? Why am I here?” is what he says going into the commercial break. But he does joke about having little desire to assimilate the crew.
The big news?
Nineteen hours is nothing to Seven. So advanced is the medical knowledge assimilated by the Borg, they have been able to “reactivate” the dead 73 hours beyond expiration.
What else is Fake UPN not telling us?
Seven is still new enough to the crew that she is not aware of Ensign Wildman’s daughter.
What’s great?
Jeri Ryan as Seven. Robert Picardo as The Doctor. Robert Beltran as Chakotay. Neelix’s ultimate realization that the afterlife isn’t everything. “My palette is sufficiently broad.” “You are a peculiar creature, Neelix.” “They were unworthy of assimilation.” “You were dead at the time.” “Who else on this ship can handle that?”
What’s not so great?
Whole lotta Ethan Phillips in this one.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
“But I chased him away. Pleasant dreams.”
April 28, 1998. UPN.
