Fair Trade
- Episode aired Jan 8, 1997
- TV-PG
- 46m
Voyager heads into a section of space that Neelix has no knowledge of, so he tries to obtain a map of it from a less-than-reputable friend.Voyager heads into a section of space that Neelix has no knowledge of, so he tries to obtain a map of it from a less-than-reputable friend.Voyager heads into a section of space that Neelix has no knowledge of, so he tries to obtain a map of it from a less-than-reputable friend.
- Lt. B'Elanna Torres
- (as Roxann Biggs-Dawson)
- Ensign Harry Kim
- (credit only)
- Map Vendor
- (as Eric Sharp)
- Alien Customer
- (uncredited)
- Tak Tak Shopper
- (uncredited)
- Alien Customer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAt the end of this episode, Janeway tells Neelix, "The first duty of every Starfleet officer is the truth." This is what Captain Picard tells Wesley Crusher in The First Duty (1992).
- GoofsJust past the midpoint of the episode, Tuvok asks Neelix to accompany him when he goes to question Wixiban, so that Neelix can judge "the verisimilitude of his answers." "Verisimilitude" is the appearance of truth. Tuvok would have said the "veracity" of his answers, the actual truth.
- Quotes
Captain Kathryn Janeway: [at Neelix's suggestion to leave Voyager] You can't just walk away from your responsibilities because you made a mistake. You're part of a family now, and you have obligations.
Neelix: But... I can't guide you. I can't advise you. I don't know what's coming.
Captain Kathryn Janeway: Well, that's not the point... is it? None of us knows what's coming. That's what Starfleet is all about. We are all in this together, Neelix, and we have to be able to count on each other, no matter how hard it gets.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Inglorious Treksperts: He Blinded Us With Science (2020)
This is a reasonably good character episode for Neelix with a strong performance from Ethan Phillips.
Neelix is a notoriously badly received character within the Star Trek franchise and your attitude towards him is likely to shape your enjoyment of the episode. Yes, there are moments when he annoys, particularly in the early scenes where he acts quite needy around various members of the Voyager crew who are trying to get things done. Personally, I think the premise is a good one and fits with Voyager's entry into the Nekrit Expanse.
When the plot's theme becomes a take on TNG's 'The First Duty', with Neelix telling the lie that spins out of control and Janeway's disappointment having nowhere near the impact of Picard's with Wesley Crusher, I think we are in less plausible territory. What works well with a wet-behind-the-ears Starfleet cadet, feels somewhat forced when it's a middle aged man looking for a map.
That being said, the story unfolds in a decent number of character interactions in suitably atmospheric settings, with good production design, makeup, and a great display of acting range from Ethan Phillips. He is supported well by James Nardini.
For me it's a 6.5/10, but I round upwards.
- snoozejonc
- Jan 10, 2023
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3