Fair Trade

odd see Vorik for first time Neelix worried his usefulness is over on ship

Despite being on Voyager for a long time, Mr. Neelix is apparently very insecure and worried that now that the ship is about to enter into space about which he's totally unfamiliar, they'll no longer want him*. So he decides that the proper course of action is to make himself invaluable by learning some important skills needed on the ship. This proves to be a waste of time (after all he IS Neelix) and so his plan is to buy a map of the upcoming portion of space where the ship is headed....but it ends up leading to LOTS of complications when Neelix relies on an old friend to help him get the map.

This episode is odd because Mr. Vorik, the Vulcan, is seen for the first time. So you are expected to believe that after three seasons you just haven't seen him before. Yeah, right. Despite this, the episode is interesting and is worth seeing.

*I never liked Neelix very much. Aside from him killing a traitorous crewman, he mostly is just rather annoying. It's just my opinion.

Neelix has a crisis of purpose when Voyager leaves the region of space that he knows.

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 solid display of acting range from Ethan Phillips. He is supported well by James Nardini.

First of all, Neelix has no off switch. He is constantly bringing his tired bromides to the busy crew. He is kind and all that and there is really no place for him to go, but he never knows when to stop. This episode begins with his recognizing that his role on the ship is minimal. In his effort to find value, he commits a near treasonous act, getting unwittingly involved with intergalactic drug smugglers. Like so many first efforts the web gets bigger and tighter, until he is in way over his head. He tries to find a solution and it gets even more difficult.