When an old friend returns to the ship, all hell breaks loose. Originally broadcast on May 3, 2000 this is Fury.
The Episode:
Captain’s Log Stardate undetermined: Fury
Kes returns to Voyager enraged and embittered only to engage in some significant time travel shenanigans.
The Story:
If I went into detail about this one I am afraid that it would make no sense at all, it’s all wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff. Basically, this is a crazy time travel episode involving a bitter angry Ocampan and her attempts at destroying her former crew and her past self. Kes shows back up as an old angry dangerous woman who is hellbent on saving herself in the past by destroying Voyager of the past at the hands of Vidiians. With Tuvok seeing ‘premonitions of the future’, the future Voyager is able to prevent the attacks by using a recording of past Kes who sets things right causing Old Kes to move on with her life and leave for good.
Is this a ‘Good’ Episode:
I like a good time travel story and this one seems like one I would absolutely love. Bringing back an old character, diving into some past events and even resolving an old story line, this episode has it all…but still feels lacking.
We all know from the events of The Gift that Kes willingly sacrificed herself for the safety of the crew. She didn’t die but essentially ascended to a higher plane that prevented her from remaining with the crew but also gave her the ability to launch them off closer to home. So, for her to return all angry and embittered just doesn’t work. Sure, this is explained away with her being upset and confused or some such but seriously, this episode just felt like an excuse to bring Kes back in order to give her some closure…even though she really didn’t need any at this point as the series had pretty much moved on in every way since her departure. Now, don’t get me wrong, it was great to see Jennifer Lien back in her role as Kes. I loved the character and have noted that she was essentially the victim of a poor story arc that had so many opportunities. Voyager didn’t fail Kes, the series did and her rage should have been directed toward Berman and not Janeway.
The thing that makes me even more frustrated by this episode is that, in the end, Kes just…leaves. After her past self makes her feel better, Kes just says ‘see ya’ to Neelix, Janeway and Tuvok with no care for the rest of the crew who cared deeply for her. Heck, the Doctor must be heartbroken that Kes just basically gave them all the finger and left without a care. Old Kes is a jerk.
Not only does Kes get a rather underserved closure and leaves without a care, there is a significant time travel issue that alters the course of the series in a way that wasn’t even considered and sadly isn’t considered in future episodes. Kes returning to the past and essentially informing Janeway and Tuvok of future events has created a divergent universe that makes this episode end in an alternate timeline than our own. In fact, the Voyager in our timeline is left damaged with a dead chief Engineer and from this point on we follow this new timeline where Janeway was aware of key future events. Those events? The birth and sex of Naomi Wildman…which doesn’t make sense as the Naomi we know is also from an alternate timeline and the existence of Seven and the Borg children. How did this knowledge alter things? Well, outside of preventing Kes from destroying everything and running away with Kes, we really don’t know. One thing is for certain though, the rest of the series does not take place on the Voyager we have gotten to know but one from an alternate timeline where things are very similar but not the same.
Overall, this episode is a great concept with HORRIBLE execution resulting in a really poor ‘finale’ for an already abused character. They really should have just let this go as it really causes more problems than it was worth.
Gleanings and Cool Bits:
- 3 photon torpedoes fired, -19 remaining.
- 0 shuttlecraft lost or destroyed, -5 remaining
- We learn that Janeway and Tuvok have served on three ships together and all this time she never learned his Birthday…until now.
- Torres dies, Kes dies, but they get better.
- This is officially the last time we see Ensign Wildman in the series. We also see Lt Carey in the series and will again…one more time.
- Speaking of lasts…this is also the last time we see the Vidiians so yay, they are GONE GONE. for real now.
Thanks for reading the Retro TV Review, I look forward to discussing the rest of the series with you, one episode at a time every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Next Review: Life Line
For more reviews: check out the weekly series called Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday and for more retro TV goodness check out the rest of the Retro TV Reviews here.
As always, please feel free to comment below and share your experiences with these episodes as well. If you just happened by, tell me what you think! Don’t Forget To Follow me if you like the blog!
Late To The Game 2/22/2021
Special Thanks to Memory Alpha as they are one of the best sources for details on Star Trek information available. Although I have a pretty deep knowledge on the subject, they have proven invaluable as a regular resource.
“Star Trek and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan-made production intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.”
Late to the Game Blog 