The majority of the Voyager crew remains on an alien planet, having had their memories erased. Injured and desperate, Chakotay must convince Janeway to trust him and believe in her real identity. Aboard the ship, B'Elanna struggles to regain her own memories. Harry Kim and The Doctor each have their moments to shine in command. And everyone must get to the bottom of the alien conspiracy that put them all at this point.
This half of the two-part episode is directed by Roxann Dawson. She has directed Voyager before, and she does show here that she's got the chops that would lead to a post-Voyager career centered on directing. Still, it's an unusual episode for her to helm because her own character has such a major role in it. She actually gives a great performance as B'Elanna as well, in a series of impactful scenes where she slowly regains her memory of life aboard Voyager. I'd say it's one of the better self-directed performances on Star Trek... but it's actually one of the few. In fact, there would not be another one after this for literally decades, until Jonathan Frakes as Riker in Star Trek: Picard. (None of the Enterprise or Discovery cast members ever directed their own series.)
B'Elanna's subplot may be more emotional than the rest of the episode, but the rest of the episode is still pretty good. For one thing, it's paced just right -- this is a two-parter that honestly feels neither stretched nor rushed for time. Seven of Nine's own journey of self-discovery on the planet doesn't overwhelm the story (as Seven of Nine subplots often do). Chakotay gets several scenes of building trust with Janeway, and there's enough of a story arc there that she disbelieves and betrays him before coming around.
While we know the episode is going to end with everyone safe and sound back on the ship, I actually find the journey getting there to be a bit surprising. If you're expecting Ralph Malph from Happy Days (Don Most) to be at the hub of a vast alien conspiracy, surprise: many of the guest characters are actually on Our Heroes' side and here to help! Janeway's love interest Jaffen supports her even though doing so can only ultimately take her away from him. A dogged investigator played by Robert Joy is actually a noble detective looking for the truth!
Many of the other strengths of part one continue into part two -- like more great visual effects work (Voyager hiding inside a lunar crater, some good space battle action). The few drawbacks continue too -- the petty squabbling over command between Harry and the Doctor, and just brushing up against more serious subject matter without engaging (themes of autocracy). But generally speaking, it's a fun episode that really moves.
Other observations:
- The bat'leth that B'Elanna received in her recent adventure with Klingons is still hanging on the wall of her and Tom's quarters.
- Perhaps the one element of the story that does feel a bit rushed for time is Janeway's boyfriend Jaffen deciding not to stay on Voyager in the end. Of course he isn't going to stay on Voyager, but a slightly longer scene for their goodbye would have been nice.
The final moments of the episode kind of nail what's appealing about this two-parter. Janeway notes: "it may not have been real, but it felt like home." It feels nice to see the characters enjoy a simpler, rooted existence -- even as part of the conceit is that it's a trap from which they must escape. (Maybe especially because it is.) I give "Workforce, Part II" -- like the first part -- a B+.
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