MELD
Episode 32

 

SUMMARY: Tuvok performs a mind-meld but it has unexpected and violent results. Paris sets up the radiogenic sweepstakes in the holoprogram Chez Sandrine and a large number of crewmembers participate, entering one replicator ration to play, with the one accurately predicting the daily radiogenic particle count winning all the entered replicator rations. Paris skims off a 'handling fee' and all the bets if there is no winner on a particular day. Later Chakotay closes down the gambling operation, confiscates the pot, and puts Paris on report although Paris makes clear his scorn for that disciplinary measure. Paris runs the first daily sweepstake Chakotay closes the gambling operation and chastises Paris Meanwhile, Torres summons Tuvok to Engineering when the body of Crewman Darwin is found there. The Doctor's post-mortem determines that Darwin was murdered. Tuvok launches an immediate investigation. the remains of Darwin's body are found Tuvok interviews Suder A check of Engineering logs places a Maquis named Suder at the scene of the crime. At first, Suder denies being involved. But when DNA evidence implicates him, Suder confesses, telling Tuvok he killed Darwin with a heavy blow from a 2 kilogram coil spanner because "I didn't like the way he looked at me." Suder is demoted and confined to the Brig. the Doctor explains the DNA evidence implicating Suder despite being advised he need not incriminate himself, Suder confesses to murdering Darwin Unwilling to accept such a senseless motive for such a serious crime, Tuvok interrogates Suder in greater detail. To Tuvok's dismay, Suder cannot articulate what drives his violent outbursts — even as a Betazoid (a telepathic species) Suder says he cannot feel his own emotions, much less the emotions of others — so Tuvok obtains his permission to perform a Vulcan mind-meld. Tuvok, who as a Vulcan has developed internal mental processes which enable him to control violent instincts and has studied violence for over a hundred years, hopes a mind-meld will help him understand Suder's motivations, and that some of his own Vulcan self-discipline will rub off on the confessed killer, allowing him to better control his violent nature. in the Brig, Tuvok questions Suder the mind-meld Tuvok briefs Janeway about Suder, and they discuss punishment options. Tuvok reports that Suder is willing to die for his crime but she says that confining him for the rest of the journey is the best they can do, and Tuvok counters that Darwin's three sisters might disagree. About the mind-meld, Tuvok admits that although Suder seems calmer since the mind-meld, he himself is more disconcerted than he anticipated. Janeway suggests he takes a day or two off for meditation but he counters that he is already taking steps to purge himself of the residual feelings. Tuvok and Janeway discuss the mind-meld Tuvok's method of trying to rid himself of the disconcerting emotions is through a holodeck program in which he strangles the irritatingly ever-cheerful Neelix. Tuvok strangles a holographic Neelix Tuvok visits Suder again. Suder unsettles Tuvok with his comments about the seductive lure of violence, which Tuvok now fully understands. Afraid of his own impulses and afraid he cannot control them, Tuvok seals himself in his room using a Level 1 security seal, deletes his security clearance and informs Janeway that he is no longer fit for duty. Janeway enters Tuvok's room Janeway enters Tuvok's quarters despite his warning her not to for her own safety. She discovers that he has trashed the room as the result of uncontrollable violent outbursts. He tells her he has been spending time counting the ways to kill someone without using a weapon and had reached 94 before she arrived. She persuades Tuvok to go to Sickbay. the devastation in Tuvok's room and Tuvok himself, overcome by violent emotions and bathed in sweat as he struggles to control them In Sickbay, Tuvok begins treatments devised by the Doctor to control his violent tendencies. The treatments are as follows: Tuvok's ability to control his violence is removed, which is done in short bursts over a period of time in the hope it will provide a shock to his system; if it works, his mind's neural controls will take over again. Also removed are Tuvok's emotional suppression abilities, so that he feels emotion. His telepathic abilities are also suppressed so that he cannot affect Kes. As a result Janeway, Kes and the Doctor witness hostility and rudeness from the violently unstable Tuvok and he berates them for weakness in not executing Suder. Tuvok's violent rage, and his attempt to attack Janeway is contained by a forcefield That evening, Tuvok disables the forcefield confining him to the surgical bay. He breaks out of sickbay determined to execute Suder himself, but ultimately his rational instincts overcome his violent impulse and prevent him from completing the act of murder. After Tuvok collapses, Suder summons help. Tuvok breaks out of the forcefield Tuvok, having laid out the security guard, approaches Suder who understands that Tuvok has come to execute him Tuvok attempts to strangle Suder but his rational instincts prevent him Tuvok is returned to Sickbay, where he successfully completes his rehabilitation. Janeway, visiting him there, orders him not to conduct any further mind-melds without her permission. above 3 pictures: Tuvok, back in Sickbay      SUDER TO TUVOK WHEN TUVOK ARRIVES TO EXECUTE HIM: Justice or vengeance? Understand one thing, Tuvok - I can promise you this will not silent your demons. If you can't control the violence, the violence controls you. Be prepared to yield your entire being to it, to sacrifice your place in civilised life, for you will no longer be a part of it, and there's no return.