This Week's Episode: "Spirit Folk"
Mission Image Archive for 'Spirit Folk'
Summary: After spending six weeks repairing the Fair Haven program, the crew returns to their favourite Irish sea side town. However, computer glitches create havoc in the program, to the point where the Fair Haven citizens come to the realization that the Voyager crew aren't who they appear to be, and become suspicious of their ability to modify Fair Haven so easily.
Rating: 4
Best Scene: Harry kissing the cow was pretty amusing.
Worst Scene: Captain Janeway deciding that she would rather leave the lives of Tom and Harry in jeopardy, just so she won't lose her holographic boyfriend.
Best acting award goes to: Betsy the cow...takes a lot of nerve and stomach to kiss Ensign Eager...
Best Line: "Well, then let's just pull the plug!" -- B'Elanna Torres, who, after almost two decades of Star Trek, finally figures out the plot hole to get out of the "trapped in the holodeck" scenario.
Impressions:
Well, well. My review is late, but I just had a very difficult time forcing myself to sit down and write a review for such a mediocre episode.
"Spirit Folk" had several strikes against it before it even hit the airwaves. Firstly, it was being supported by perhaps the weakest and most overused plotline in the Star Trek universe: the malfunctioning holodeck. You'd think after nearly two decades of Star Trek (TNG and beyond), that the writers and producers would realize that the holodeck is a miserable setting for an entire episode. Sure, it was original when it was first done, but after nearly the tenth time, it gets a little stale. Strike two: "Fair Haven", the prequel to this episode, was one of the most poorly received episodes of Voyager's sixth season. Many viewers were alienated by "Fair Haven" due to Janeway's holo romance with Michael, as well as with the entire Irish town itself. These flaws contribute to the embarassing piece of work which is "Spirit Folk".
Perhaps the most annoying part of "Spirit Folk" is it's utter lack of continuity, as well as it's laughable plot twists. Firstly, as established in 'Fair Haven', it would take several weeks in order to restore the program. However, in this episode, Janeway says they've been running the program for months. This is just a minor gripe. But the biggies are yet to come. The biggest oversight is Janeway's lack of concern for her stranded crew members. She'd rather keep their lives in jeopardy, just so she can keep her holographic boyfriend. Yikes. The concept of a holographic boyfriend never bothered me at first, but when Janeway makes ridiculous decisions like this, I question the writing of her character. This is one of Voyager's biggest flaws, as they are unable to maintain any continuity in it's main characters, with the exception of Seven of Nine (does it help that she is gettin' jiggy with the producer, Brannon Braga??). Another gripe is the Doc being hypnotised. And don't get me started on the obvious disregard for Irish culture. They (the Irish) must be fuming over some of the stereotypes that were presented in this episode. Nothing worse I suppose than the lack of regard given the Irish in TNG's "Up the Long Ladder".
Another big flaw for 'Spirit Folk' is that it tries too hard to be funny, but the comedy comes off being flat and unintelligent. So, there were a few nice suprises (Harry and the cow), but most of the comedy was simply of the "groaner" variety. (Translation: groaner: bad comedy which provokes urges to throw heavy objects at your television set).
The acting was pretty standard, with nobody standing out above anyone else. Betsy the cow, who is the cleanest cow I've ever seen (must be a 'Hollywood cow'), tops the list for her attempted lip lock with the annoying Ensign Eager. It took a lot of professional restraint to keep a straight face during such a difficult task of coming that close to Ensign Eager. Three cheers to Betsy!
I imagine that this is the last time we will ever see Fair Haven (hip hip horay!), as the fun is obviously gone....who wants to hang out in a program of escape if the characters themselves know it isn't real. Bring back the beach resort program. No, don't. cringe.
So "Spirit Folk" was far from being a quality episode, but it certainly wasn't the worst episode of the season (that honour goes to the recent "Virtuoso"). If you can get past the simplistic writing, and the eye rolling at the terrible plot lines, then maybe "Spirit Folk" is for you. For me, I'd rather watch a rerun of "Pathfinder" or "One Small Step", thanks. Congratulations to "Spirit Folk" for receiving the second lowest grade of the season, a four out of ten!! [applause].
Tune in next week when poor little Ensign Eager still can't get a date. First, it was alien women in "Favourite Son", then it was STD alien lady in "The Disease", and don't forget all those crash and burn encounters with Seven of Nine. But this time, Harry is going for a dead one! Go Harry, go Harry, go Harry....
