Mortal Coil (Star Trek: Voyager)

Last updated
"Mortal Coil"
Star Trek: Voyager episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 12
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Written by Bryan Fuller
Featured music Paul Baillargeon
Cinematography by Marvin V. Rush
Production code180 [1]
Original air dateDecember 17, 1997 (1997-12-17)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Concerning Flight"
Next 
"Waking Moments"
Star Trek: Voyager season 4
List of episodes

"Mortal Coil" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager , the 80th episode overall. The episode originally aired on December 17, 1997, on the UPN network. Directed by Allan Kroeker, it was written by Bryan Fuller, and produced by Kenneth Biller and Joe Menosky.

Contents

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet and Maquis crew of the starship USS Voyager after they were stranded in the Delta Quadrant far from the rest of the Federation. In this episode, it deals with a starring character's death, resurrection, and crisis of faith.

Mortal coil is a poetic term for living, from the play Hamlet by Shakespeare.

Plot

Neelix is killed while participating in a survey mission of a protomatter nebula. Using a technique devised by Seven of Nine, however, the Doctor is able to revive Neelix after being dead for nearly 19 hours. Distressed that he had not perceived the afterlife while he was dead, Neelix begins to question his religious beliefs. With the aid of Chakotay, Neelix embarks on a spiritual vision quest, during which he confronts his dead sister, Alixia, who mocks him and then dies and crumbles into dust. He then finds himself on a slab, surrounded by visions of his shipmates, who tell him that life is irrelevant and that he knows what he has to do.

Convinced that his existence is meaningless and that his life has no purpose, Neelix decides to commit suicide by transporting himself into the nebula. Despite the attempts of his shipmates, Neelix prepares to beam off until Ensign Samantha Wildman arrives to ask Neelix if he could console Naomi, who believes she saw a monster in the replicator and who will only allow Neelix to tuck her in. Realizing that he does, indeed, have purpose in his life, Neelix relents and heads for the Wildmans' quarters. Once there, Naomi, who had heard that Neelix was sick, wonders if a monster had got him. "Yes", Neelix replies, "But I chased him away." [2]

Theme

In this episode, Neelix's religious faith is seriously challenged; he eventually chooses to live without it. Chakotay serves as a counterpoint to his perspective, encouraging Neelix not to abandon all faith. In Star Trek: The Human Frontier, Michèle and Duncan Barrett discuss this episode as an example of Star Trek's shifting attitudes towards religion, specifically Voyager's treatment of religious faith and how it can change. The Barretts contrast this episode with "Sacred Ground," in which the rationalist Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) is forced to accept the possibility of forces outside rational explanation. [3] Both episodes are considered as illustrations of how "Star Trek articulates the conflicts between religion and science that continue to recur in modern western thought." [4]

Actor Ethan Phillips, who plays Neelix, said he felt the episode was the most rewarding of the show for him, and that it was one of his favorites. "I thought that was a beautiful show," he said, "It was very existential [...] and very well directed by Allan Kroeker." [5]

Reception


Ian Grey at RogertEbert.com noted this episode in 2013 in their feature on Star Trek: Voyager, pointed out "Mortal Coil" as an exploration of a "spiritual crisis" and afterlife beliefs. [6]

The Hollywood Reporter ranked "Mortal Coil" as 81st best Star Trek of the franchises' episodes in 2016, [7] and the 13th best Star Trek: Voyager episode. [8] TrekNews.net ranked this the 7th best episode of Star Trek:Voyager in 2016. [9]

In 2020, SyFy Wire ranked this episode the 12th best episode of Star Trek: Voyager, elaborating it has a "dark, brooding storyline" focused on the troubles of Neelix. [10] In 2016, SyFy Wire had ranked it the 15th best Bryan Fuller episode (that he had a writing credit for), but lamenting that "Neelix episode starts at an automatic handicap because Neelix is awful" and said it failed its portrayal of faith. However, they were impressed that it took on suicide. [11] Den of Geek, said it was actually the 6th best Bryan Fuller writing credit, and recognized it as one of the best "Neelix episodes" and praised it for tackling tough subject material. [12]

In 2020, Tor.com gave this 5 out 10, remarking "This should’ve been a great episode, and in many ways it is..." but struggled with many details of the plot. They were happy with Philips, saying "Phillips knocks it out of the park here". [13]

Releases

In 2017, the complete Star Trek: Voyager television series was released in a DVD box set with special features. [14] [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Paris</span> Fictional character from Star Trek

Lieutenant Thomas Eugene "Tom" Paris is a fictional character in the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager and is portrayed by Robert Duncan McNeill. Paris is the chief helmsman, as well as a temporary auxiliary medic, of the USS Voyager, a Starfleet ship that was stranded in the Delta Quadrant by an alien entity known as the Caretaker.

Star Trek: Voyager is an American science fiction series created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller and Jeri Taylor. It aired from January 16, 1995, to May 23, 2001, on UPN, with 172 episodes over seven seasons. The fifth series in the Star Trek franchise, it served as the fourth after Star Trek: The Original Series. Set in the 24th century, when Earth is part of a United Federation of Planets, it follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager as it attempts to return home to the Alpha Quadrant after being stranded in the Delta Quadrant on the far side of the galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neelix</span> Fictional character in Star Trek: Voyager

Neelix is a character in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, played by actor Ethan Phillips since the series' inception. Neelix is an alien native to the far side of the galaxy, who joins the crew of the United Federation of Planets starship USS Voyager after it is captured and flung to the Delta Quadrant by a mysterious shockwave. He serves as a cook, morale officer, and eventual ambassador for the crew.

"Caretaker" is the series premiere of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. It was first broadcast as a double-length episode on January 16, 1995, as the first telecast of the fledgling United Paramount Network (UPN). It was later split into two parts for syndication, but released in its original one-episode format on DVD and streaming services. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet and Maquis crew of the starship USS Voyager after they are stranded in the Delta Quadrant far from the rest of the Federation.

"The Voyager Conspiracy" is the 129th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the ninth episode of the sixth season. It is the only episode whose title features the word "Voyager". In this science fiction story, a cybernetic crew member has behavioral problems after experimenting with her database. Seven of Nine, played by actress Jeri Ryan, takes the spotlight in this episode, in a story that explores the relationship between data and conclusions.

"The Raven" is the 74th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the sixth episode of the fourth season. The episode was directed by LeVar Burton, and was broadcast on UPN in October 1997.

Juggernaut (<i>Star Trek: Voyager</i>) 21st episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: Voyager

"Juggernaut" is the 115th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the 21st episode of the fifth season. This episode features several guest stars as the Malons, a species introduced in this season's first episode ("Night"), and focuses on B'Elanna.

Basics (<i>Star Trek: Voyager</i>) 26th episode of the second season and 1st episode of the third season of Star Trek: Voyager

"Basics" comprises the 42nd and 43rd episodes of the science fiction television Star Trek: Voyager, the cliffhanger between the second season and the third season.

"Future's End" is a two-part episode from the third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the eighth and ninth of the season and the 50th and 51st overall. "Future's End" made its debut on American television in November 1996 on the UPN network in two separate broadcasts, on November 6 and 13, 1996.

"Shattered" is the 157th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, aired on the UPN network. It is the 10th episode of the seventh season.

"Workforce" is a two-part episode from the seventh and final season of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager. Part one was directed by Allan Kroeker, and part two by Roxann Dawson. The crew of the USS Voyager finds themselves working on a planet, but troubling memories are resurfacing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Year of Hell</span> 8th and 9th episodes of the 4th season of Star Trek: Voyager

"Year of Hell" is a two-part episode from the fourth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager which aired on UPN in November 1997. It aired in two parts, on November 5 and November 11, 1997. Part I was directed by Allan Kroeker and Part II by Mike Vejar; it was written by Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky. This includes a number of guest stars, including Kurtwood Smith.

"Friendship One" is the 167th episode of the science fiction television series, Star Trek: Voyager, the 21st episode of the seventh season. A 24th century spacecraft and its crew encounter a planet enduring a nuclear winter. The episode was written by Michael Taylor and Bryan Fuller and directed by Mike Vejar.

"The Killing Game" is a two-part episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the 18th and 19th episodes of the fourth season. It is set in the 24th century aboard a starship returning to Earth after having been stranded on the other side of the Galaxy.

"Once Upon a Time" is the 99th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the fifth episode of the fifth season.

"One Small Step" is the 128th episode of the television series Star Trek: Voyager, the eighth episode of the sixth season. A 24th century spacecraft, the USS Voyager, encounters a 21st century Mars spacecraft in an anomaly.

"Memorial" is the 134th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 14th episode of the sixth season. After returning from an away mission many crew begin having disturbing dreams.

"Collective" is the 136th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 16th episode of the sixth season.

"The Haunting of Deck Twelve" is the 145th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the penultimate episode of the sixth season. Neelix tells a story, while trapped with the ex-Borg children during a power outage aboard the USS Voyager, a Starfleet vessel stranded on the opposite side of the galaxy.

"Flesh and Blood" is a two-part episode from the seventh season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. The crew of USS Voyager must contend with violent Delta Quadrant aliens the Hirogen, who use the holodeck technology with a horrific amoral twist.

References

  1. Star Trek Voyager - The Complete Fourth Season (1995) (DVD). Los Angeles, California, USA: CBS Paramount Television. 2004-09-28.
  2. Ruditis, Paul (2003). Star Trek Voyager Companion. New York: Pocket Books. pp. 217–219. ISBN   0-7434-1751-8.
  3. Barrett, Michèle; Duncan Barrett (2000). Star Trek: The Human Frontier. New York: Routledge. pp. 148–149. ISBN   0-415-92982-2.
  4. Barrett, Michèle; Duncan Barrett (2000). Star Trek: The Human Frontier. New York: Routledge. p. 145. ISBN   0-415-92982-2.
  5. "Community :: Chat :: Transcript Archive :: Ethan Phillips ("Neelix" - VOY)". STARTREK.COM. CBS Paramount Television. 2001-02-01. Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
  6. Grey, Ian. "Now, "Voyager": in praise of the Trekkiest "Trek" of all | Features | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  7. ""Damage" - 'Star Trek': 100 Greatest Episodes". The Hollywood Reporter. 8 September 2016.
  8. "'Star Trek: Voyager' — The 15 Greatest Episodes". The Hollywood Reporter. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  9. Michelle (2016-02-23). "10 Best 'Star Trek: Voyager' Episodes". TREKNEWS.NET. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  10. Pirrello, Phil (2020-01-16). "The 15 greatest Star Trek: Voyager episodes, ranked". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  11. Roth, Dany (2016-02-29). "Every Bryan Fuller Star Trek episode, ranked". SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  12. "Every Bryan Fuller Star Trek Episode Ever, Ranked". Den of Geek. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  13. DeCandido, Keith R. A. (2020-11-09). "Star Trek: Voyager Rewatch: "Mortal Coil"". Tor.com. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  14. Wright, Matt. "REVIEW: "Star Trek: Voyager" – The Complete Series on DVD". TrekMovie.com. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  15. "Star Trek: Voyager - The Complete Series (DVD Review)". Why So Blu?. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2021-06-01.