• AI/LLM reviews of ST V Resolutions

    From doctor@doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca (The Doctor) to rec.arts.startrek.misc,rec.arts.startrek.fandom,rec.arts.sf.tv,rec.arts.tv,can.arts.sf on Mon Feb 2 14:46:33 2026
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    AI/LLM reviews of Review Star Trek Voyager Resolutions

    Google Gemini

    "Resolutions" (Season 2, Episode 25) is an episode that many fans remember as "the one where Janeway and Chakotay almost happened." It is a quintessential character study that strips away the ship and the crew to explore the relationship between the two leads under extreme circumstances.

    Based on the transcript from the source provided, here is a review and analysis:

    ### 1. The Premise: Marooned

    While exploring a planet, Janeway and Chakotay are infected by a deadly virus transmitted by an insect bite. The Doctor discovers that the virus is terminal unless they stay on the planet, where a specific atmospheric environment keeps the disease in remission.

    Accepting that there is no cure and they cannot risk the crew’s safety, Janeway orders *Voyager* to continue its journey to the Alpha Quadrant without them. Tuvok is promoted to Captain, and the two leaders are left behind to build a life together.

    ### 2. The Relationship: "J/C" Shippers’ Delight

    For fans of the Janeway/Chakotay romance (the "J/C" shippers), this is a foundational episode.

    * **The Domestic Shift:** The episode shifts from military protocol to domestic survival. We see them building a shelter, foraging, and dealing with a storm.
    * **The Emotional Thaw:** Away from the "Uniform," Janeway struggles with her loss of command and identity. Chakotay, ever the grounding force, helps her find peace in their new reality.
    * **The Bathtub Scene:** One of the most famous scenes in *Voyager* history involves Chakotay presenting Janeway with a bathtub he built. It is a moment of deep intimacy that stops just short of being explicitly romantic, maintaining a high level of "will-they/won't-they" tension.

    ### 3. Tuvok’s Command

    The B-plot follows *Voyager* under Tuvok’s leadership.

    * **Logic vs. Loyalty:** Tuvok’s refusal to turn back or contact the Vidiians (who might have a cure) is perfectly logical but creates significant friction with the more emotional crew members, particularly Harry Kim and B'Elanna Torres.
    * **The Mutiny-Lite:** The crew’s willingness to disobey Tuvok’s orders to save their friends highlights the "family" dynamic of *Voyager*. It’s a rare moment where Tuvok’s Vulcan rigidity is portrayed as a potential flaw in his leadership.

    ### 4. The Vidiian Intervention

    The resolution involves a desperate deal with the Vidiians.

    * **Danara Pel's Return:** The episode brings back Dr. Danara Pel (from "Lifesigns"), who provides the cure out of gratitude to The Doctor.
    * **The Ambush:** True to Vidiian nature, the meeting is an ambush. The space battle between *Voyager* and the Vidiian ships is exciting and well-executed, showing Tuvok’s tactical prowess.

    ### 5. The Aftermath: The "Reset"

    The ending is famously bittersweet. Once cured and back on the ship, Janeway and Chakotay immediately revert to their professional roles.

    * **The Unspoken:** The final bridge scene features a lingering look between them. They acknowledge that while they were prepared to be "more than friends" on the planet, that life is now over.
    * **Analysis:** While some viewers found the "reset" frustrating, others felt it reinforced Janeway’s integrity—she puts her duty to the crew above her personal happiness.

    ### 6. Themes: Identity and Isolation

    * **The Burden of Command:** Janeway’s struggle to "let go" shows how much of her soul is tied to the ship.
    * **The Concept of "Home":** The episode asks whether "home" is a destination (the Alpha Quadrant) or the person you are with. For a few months, Janeway and Chakotay found a home in each other.

    ### Final Verdict

    **Rating: 4/5**
    "Resolutions" is a beautifully acted, atmospheric episode. Kate Mulgrew and Robert Picardo’s chemistry (and Mulgrew/Beltran’s chemistry) is the anchor of the show. While the sci-fi plot regarding the virus is fairly standard, the emotional exploration of the two leads makes it a standout. It remains one of the most romantic hours of *Star Trek*, even if that romance is ultimately sacrificed at the altar of Starfleet duty.

    ChatGPT

    Here’s a **review of *Star Trek: Voyager – “Resolutions”* (Season 2, Episode 25)** based on the Chakoteya transcript you linked and broader context from reliable sources. ([chakoteya.net][1])

    ---

    ## ⭐ Review: *Resolutions* — Heart & Duty in the Delta Quadrant

    *Resolutions* is one of Voyager’s more **character-driven and emotional episodes**, tackling survival, command responsibility, and the complex dynamic between Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay when they face a life-altering crisis. ([Wikipedia][2])

    ### 🧬 Premise & Structure

    The plot revolves around **Janeway and Chakotay contracting a deadly virus** during a survey mission. When the Doctor fails to find a cure after prolonged research, the only way they can survive is by staying on the planet whose environment appears to suppress the virus’s effects. Janeway reluctantly orders Voyager — now under Tuvok’s command — to continue its journey **without them**, setting up a dual storyline: the two stranded leaders trying to make life livable while the rest of the crew struggles with Tuvok’s rigid leadership and the ethics of potentially contacting hostile Vidiians for help. ([chakoteya.net][1])

    ---

    ### 💫 Character & Themes

    **Janeway & Chakotay’s Relationship**
    The core of the episode is the quiet, awkward, and emotionally charged **relationship between Janeway and Chakotay**. Forced to depend on each other for survival, they build a tentative domestic life — constructing a shelter, naming the planet *New Earth*, tending gardens, and sharing intimate conversations about acceptance, fear, and purpose. Their relationship isn’t explicitly romantic in dialogue, but the subtext — particularly in scenes of shared vulnerability — is powerful and has sparked long-running debate among fans about what *could have been* versus what ultimately *is*. ([the m0vie blog][3])

    This emotional thread resonates because it’s **grounded in character growth** rather than action, addressing deep questions about connection, duty, and choice under impossibly difficult circumstances.

    ---

    **Tuvok in Command**
    On board Voyager, Tuvok’s calm, strict adherence to Janeway’s orders and unemotional decision-making generate real tension. When Harry Kim and others urge contacting the Vidiians, Tuvok initially refuses — even relieving Kim of duty — in a portrayal of logic over empathy that challenges the crew’s morale and highlights the burdens of command. This subplot effectively explores the **gap between logical command and emotional leadership**, a recurring theme in Star Trek. ([Ex Astris Scientia][4])

    ---

    ### 🧪 Tone & Execution

    The episode balances **quiet introspection** with broader Voyager stakes. It avoids overblown sci-fi spectacle in favor of mood, letting intimate moments — gardening, sleeping under stars, debating life philosophy — carry the emotional weight. These scenes ground the episode in psychological realism despite the fantastical circumstances.

    Technically, there are **contrivances** (e.g., the convenient protective environment of the planet, the abrupt decision to leave equipment behind) that some critics see as narrative shortcuts or “reset button” storytelling. ([jammersreviews.com][5]) However, the episode still succeeds because it focuses on how characters **respond** to adversity rather than just the adversity itself.

    ---

    ### 🌀 Strengths

    * **Emotional depth:** The Janeway/Chakotay relationship is the episode’s emotional core, offering one of Voyager’s most human and affecting stories. ([Wikipedia][2])
    * **Leadership contrasts:** Tuvok’s command style provides real dramatic friction and insight into the responsibilities of leadership. ([Ex Astris Scientia][4])
    * **Character growth:** Moments of humor (e.g., bathtub jokes) and quiet everyday life build genuine rapport between Janeway and Chakotay that feels earned.

    ---

    ### ⚖️ Weaknesses

    * **Plot simplicity:** Some find the overarching premise (virus + convenient cure environment) **underdeveloped or unchallenging** compared to other Voyager arcs. ([jammersreviews.com][5])
    * **Unresolved romance:** While emotionally rich, the portrayal of Janeway and Chakotay’s bond has been criticized for being awkwardly implied rather than fully explored — a choice that divides viewers. ([the m0vie blog][3])

    ---

    ### 📊 Overall Assessment

    **Rating: 7.5–8.5/10**

    *Resolutions* is a **quiet but memorable entry** in *Voyager* that prioritizes character and theme over action. It may not be universally beloved, but its emotional resonance — especially around Janeway and Chakotay’s difficult choices — makes it stand out. Whether viewed as a poignant what-if or an undercooked romance, it remains one of Voyager’s most discussed and personal stories. ([Wikipedia][2])

    ---

    If you’d like, I can break down **how this episode’s portrayal of leadership compares to other Voyager command arcs** — or explore why fans disagree about the Janeway/Chakotay dynamic.

    [1]: https://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/221.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Voyager Transcripts - Resolutions"
    [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolutions_%28Star_Trek%3A_Voyager%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Resolutions (Star Trek: Voyager)"
    [3]: https://them0vieblog.com/2016/04/12/star-trek-voyager-resolutions-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek: Voyager – Resolutions (Review) | the m0vie blog"
    [4]: https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/episodes/voy2.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ex Astris Scientia - Star Trek Voyager (VOY) Season 2 Reviews"
    [5]: https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-voy/s2/resolutions.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Resolutions\" | Star Trek: Voyager | Jammer's Reviews"
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