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The will-they-or-won’t-they Chakotay and Janeway relationship that has ALWAYS been there from the start (don’t stop me now), comes to a head in “Resolutions”. Despite a monkey co-star nearly stealing the show, we get an episode that seizes on a very Voyager idea (of being stranded) and turns it into a Lifetime movie of the week.
The Wikipedia plot summary for “Resolutions”:
Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran) both contract a deadly virus from a wassoop-insect, and they are forced to remain on the planet where they contracted it, where the environment prevents the disease from killing them. Janeway orders Voyager to continue its journey to the Alpha Quadrant, with Tuvok (Tim Russ) as its new captain. Janeway explicitly forbids Tuvok from contacting the Vidiians, who might have knowledge about a cure for the virus, as previously they have taken every opportunity to harvest organs from Voyager’s crew.
Janeway and Chakotay prepare to spend the rest of their lives alone together on the planet. Janeway researches potential cures for the virus. Chakotay states that since a cure couldn’t be found by Voyager’s doctor (Robert Picardo), they should stop searching and instead enjoy the time they have left, but Janeway refuses. However, a plasma-storm soon destroys much of the research equipment. Romantic tension develops between Chakotay and Janeway.
Many of the crew, especially Ensign Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), come to believe that Voyager should contact the Vidiians. The crew does have B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson), whose DNA possesses an incredibly powerful immune system which the Vidiians believe could offer a cure to the Phage (a disease which has ravaged them for centuries). The ship also has the goodwill of the Vidiian scientist Dr. Denara Pel (Susan Diol), who had previously been saved by the ship’s doctor; they also enjoyed a short romance.[a] Tuvok and Kim argue twice over this course of action, with Tuvok thinking this is illogical. One of the many reasons for this is that Voyager had recently destroyed a Vidiian ship, leading to the loss of three hundred of their people.[b] Kim argues and comes close to being permanently relieved of duty. The next day, Kes (Jennifer Lien) comes to talk to Tuvok in the ready-room. Tuvok soon realizes that, with the presence of many of the crew on the bridge, changing his mind might be the best thing to do. Voyager contacts the Vidiians, who seem willing to work with them.
However, it is a trap with a large force of Vidiians arriving for battle. Pel herself had formulated a cure and she contacts the Doctor on his personal channel. With a few split-second maneuvers, the crew manages to transport the medication. On the planet, well after the debris from the storm had been cleaned up, Janeway and Chakotay are discussing their new vegetable garden. Suddenly their badge-communicators begin to work again. It is Tuvok, who is still many hours away. Eventually, the two pack up from their new home and return to Voyager, resuming their former professional relationship.
In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “Resolutions” and going back after you’ve gone too far. Plus! The guys chat about Tuvok-in-charge, monkey co-stars, and a lack of tomato plants.