Story By: Bill Prady
Directed By: Cliff Bole
Rating: **1/2 (out of 5)
Why does �Bliss� fail as an episode? There are a few good reasons. First is the setup. We never are meant to believe that Voyager has found a wormhole but it still seems silly. The alien Qu�tai proves to us that the beasts telepathic powers only show you what you want to believe and that doesn�t mean you have to believe it. And yet the crew all believes without a doubt that it is true! And why doesn�t Seven and Naomi get affected? Well we are meant to believe that Seven and Naomi aren�t interested to Earth and therefore don�t get tricked. So the creature couldn�t have created a different image for those two? And Seven can so easily get to the Captains logs and other confidential information? Yeah, and I�ll just go to the Pentagon and ask for the info on Area 31�
Believe it or not, the episode fails as a result of this stupid setup not the actual plot of the episode. Well, the plot could�ve been much better because the way it is here it says nothing about anyone. There is no test, no development and not even any worthwhile action for the characters. However I am fascinated by one aspect of the episode that might�ve been a useful tool; the fantasies or wishes of the crew, what they want and how it conflicts with everyone else. While I like this part of the episode it is flushed down the toilet when Janeway asks at the end �what has happened�. So much for a useful plot point.
The skin and bones of �Bliss� might�ve been a good story. Maybe even starting the episode from when Voyager is already in the stomach of the Beast so we skip the lousy setup and it becomes more of a mystery could�ve been better.
Other than the plot I enjoyed the character of Qu�tai. He seemed rather three-dimensional and he was friendly. But I felt that his decision to help Voyager escape wasn�t realistic with the fact that he wants to kill it and wanted to do that from the inside. (And thinking about it now, the time frames between the Teaser to Seven finding the ship in Astrometrics is throw offable) I also enjoyed W Morgan Sheppard�s performance, you might remember him from Trek VI as the Klingon on Rupente.
�Bliss� is just as Seven describes Earth, �unremarkable.� Yes, of course it could�ve been better, but why do I bother saying that anymore?