MM>> Writer Joe Menosky did a pretty good job with this episode, except for
 MM>> the need to rush the resolution of the story -- a problem that plagues
 MM>> many Voyager episodes.  The blame for that may also rest somewhat with
 MM>> Anson Williams, the director.
 HD>      How many three or four part episodes can they get sponsored shot
 HD>      and sfx'ed?
I wasn't saying that it should have been two-part.  I was saying that it
should have been paced better, to not have such a hurried climax.
 MM>> The A story is by far the better of the two.  Menosky gives us some
 MM>> intelligent, realistic (in the Star Trek context) dialog in which Seven
 MM>> comes to grips with her situation, and challenges Janeway's ethics.
 HD>      The A story would have to be the stronger of the two as it deals
 HD>    with continuation.
A/B stories work best when they reflect each other.  One is the major
story, one is a different perspective on the same issue.  They did this,
with the question of self-determination.
 HD>       The fluid/dangerous nature of the changes taking place with Kes
 HD>     required removal of her and, as they couldn't get a lock on her (it
 HD>     had already occurred to me that they mightn't be able to), the
 HD>     shuttle was the only option left (lose shuttle vs lose Voyager).
I would have rather seen a reasoned "I need to leave" decision, followed
by some goodbys.  I thought that the explosions on the ship as a
justification for hustling her off was pretty artificial.
 MM>> All in all, The Gift is one of the better efforts we have seen from
 MM>> Voyager in some time.  I'll give it Four out of Five Starbases.
 HD>        Considering the specs, a plausable release of Kes and
 HD>        reintroduction of some thought provoking Trek, I'd say it may
 HD>        keep me watching for awhile yet.
I guess that's the idea, huh?  :-)
--- GEcho 1.00
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