Tsunkatse

"The borg wouldn't know fun if they assimilated an amusement park." -- B'ELanna Torres.

For those of you who've seen this episode, I think it's quite obvious what the writers/producers were trying to do: appeal to the masses. At this point in Trek history, Voyager's ratings were falling, viewers were moving on to shows like MTV's "Cribs" and other assorted less-than-meaningful programming. All I could think when I first saw it: I can't believe they got The Rock to dress up in those tight spandex pants and as an alien no less. Suffice it to say, this episode was Trek at its not so best. Which leads me to believe that Star Trek is best when left un-manipulated and far and away from the masses and their "pop" culture.

I've wracked my brain to come up with something meaningful and intelligent to say about this episode. And perhaps, if I stretch my imagination, I arrive at something almost useful to me. I used to fight competitively as a kid. I studied Tae Kwan Doo and enjoyed competing in tournaments. I enjoyed it--not for the violence, but for the art. With the advent of UFC and the popularization of MMA, critics are quick to drop the moral/ethical gavel on this "blood sport." Me? Not so much. Fighting can be a powerful tool. Especially in real life. Each day, we wake up. Our brain reloads the information from the past. We remember who we are and what we are supposed to do. We go to work. We come home. Details, details in between. It can get tedious. Obstacles pop up. Conflicts and problems assault us daily. What's the big? I suppose I've kept some of my fighting instincts from childhood because problems to me just need to be knocked down, tackled, and conquered. Of course, I don't have a catchy line like: "Do you smell what the Rock is cooking?" But maybe I could do the eyebrow lift when I encounter my problems to intimidate them. Or, maybe not.

The point being that each day I encounter people (students, friends, family) and each day brings a new set of problems for each to deal with. Some complain, avoid, and hope that if they put it off, the problem will go away in the morning. Others fret, worry, procrastinate, but eventually deal. If we can learn anything meaningful from Seven of Nine's ordeal in the ring with the Rock, it's that we choose. We choose to fight or we choose not to. We choose to be a hunter or we choose to be the prey. My dad once told me that life is war. It's a series of skirmishes, large battles, forays and it's how people react to this war that matters. (My dad wasn't much for barbies and sensitivity, by the way.) Character, as good ol' pop says, is forged in battle. You don't really know someone until you've seen them face hardship, trials and tribulations. My best friends are those who I have suffered, bled, and fought with on the soccer field, the basketball court, and in life.

I can't say I understood my dad's metaphor at the time, but I get it now. Just as Seven had to, we each face the decision daily. Fight or flight? Basic instincts here. Personally, and this is just my opinion here, I'd like to see more fighting.

End Transmission.

Episode #6: Voyager's "Timeless"