ROMANCE

One aspect of the Chez Sandrine holoprogram is that it turns out to be the setting for important developments in romantic relationships as indicated below. The first two paragraphs below relate to holocharacters but the remainder concern real people (as always this site classes the Doctor as a real person regardless of his holographic nature):

[#6 The Cloud]

The holo-Gigolo's advances are frequently rejected, by holo-Ricky and......

.....real people such as Janeway.

Holo-Gigolo: "Mon cherie," kissing her hand. "May I request your favourite song so that we may dance," Janeway seems charmed, "before I take you to my private felucca on the wharf and make passionate love to you."
At that Tom Paris rushes over: "Er, I'm sorry! If I had some kind of warning that you were coming-"
Janeway: "You'd've changed it and I would've missed all the fun." She giggles.

[#19 Twisted]

During the surprise birthday party to mark Kes becoming two years old, Neelix struggles to deal with jealousy when Tom Paris gives Kes, in Neelix's opinion, too much attention. Neelix has made Kes a special birthday cake, which he describes: "Seven layers of Jibalian fudge, and the icing is made from puréed l'maki nuts, Kes' favourite." Paris used two weeks' worth of replicator rations in order to give Kes a locket. (Neelix's jealousy is understandable when one notes that on Earth, at least into the 20th century, traditionally the only people it was felt acceptable to give someone jewellery were family, same-sex friends, and lovers or would-be lovers; this is despite the fact that Neelix is Talaxian and not from Earth. Many Earth people of the 21st century would have considered that jewellery tradition to be very old-fashioned. If one wishes to test the tradition, a male human should try giving a piece of jewellery, especially valuable or expensive jewellery, to another man's girlfriend without that man's prior knowledge and see how he reacts. Kes, being young and inexperienced, is unaware of all this, but a 20th or 21st century human female would have realised at once that Tom Paris wanted to be more than just a friend.....even if he did not quite realise it himself yet!)

Neelix, seething with jealousy, leaves Kes and Paris and goes over to the bar. To Chakotay: "Did you see that?!" Chakotay: "See what?" Neelix: "He, he," but he knows he should not say anything about his jealousy, so he changes what he was going to say, "he did a lovely wrapping job, don't you think?"

Holo-Sandrine is disappointed by the Doctor's romantic rejection.

the Doctor receives unwelcome attentions from holo-Sandrine and is embarrassed when Kim comes in

[#35 Lifesigns]

The Doctor and Vidiian haematologist Danara Pel, while her brain functions are contained within a holographic version of her healthy body, visit the holoprogram and share closeness there during an evening in which she laughs for the first time in years, which turns out to be the prelude to an intense romance lasting approximately two weeks before she has to leave to return to her people. After Danara returns to her real, phage-afflicted, body, she returns to the Chez Sandrine holoprogram where she meets the Doctor. There they share an intimate and poignant slow dance together.

[#40 Tuvix]

Kes starts coming to terms with Tuvix, offering him the hope that they might remain close or even grow closer. Tuvix was created (and he chooses his name accordingly) by the merger of Tuvok and Neelix at the molecular level, [#40 Tuvix]. Kes: "I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I'm hoping that we can be friends." Tuvix: "I would like that very much." Kes: "And I'd like our friendship to grow." She places her hands on his. Tuvix, welcoming the significance of the intimate gesture: "You would?" Kes: "Yes. But it's going to take time." Tuvix smiles. "I'm not going anywhere."

[#116 Someone To Watch Over Me]

The holoprogram is the setting for several important failed romantic encounters in [#116 Someone To Watch Over Me]. In that episode, Seven goes for a practical exercise in small talk for dating (with hologram Steven Price) and goes on her first date there (with William Chapman).

Seven with hologram Steven Price

Seven with William Chapman

But both romantic encounters do not go well; and the Doctor spends time there upon realising that Seven does not reciprocate his romantic feelings. For the 'small talk' exercise, see Holocharacters: Steven Price. For the less than successful romantic meal that Seven and Chapman share, see Food And Drink.