Ep 13. Fair Trade
- TV-PG
- January 8, 1997
- 46 min
-
6.7 (1,819)
The Star Trek: Voyager Season 3 Episode 13 is titled "Fair Trade." This episode follows the story of Neelix, who is one of the series' primary characters. Neelix is a Talaxian who works as a morale officer and cook on the USS Voyager. In this episode, Neelix finds himself in a dangerous situation when he bumps into some old acquaintances from his pre-Starfleet days.
These acquaintances, particularly a character named Wixiban, offer Neelix a tempting deal that he finds hard to resist. In exchange for a rare and valuable substance, the Talaxian spice called "Pelltorian," they offer Neelix a slew of luxury items that he can use to improve life on the spaceship. This deal is particularly enticing for Neelix, who often finds himself struggling to keep the crew's morale up in Voyager's tedious and confined environment.
But things quickly go south when Neelix realizes that the spice trade he's engaged in is actually illegal. Moreover, his interactions with Wixiban and his cohorts lead him to uncover some secrets are far more dangerous than he initially realized. Neelix becomes embroiled in a conspiracy that puts not only his own life, but also the lives of everyone aboard the Voyager in jeopardy.
As Neelix struggles to extricate himself from this dangerous situation, the rest of the Voyager crew is left to deal with his absence. Captain Kathryn Janeway and her team must figure out what happened to Neelix, why he's in danger, and how to save him. They need to tread carefully, though, as they navigate and negotiate with the various criminal factions that Neelix has gotten himself involved with.
Meanwhile, Neelix continues to be at the center of a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse as he tries to outsmart those who are after him. Utilizing his natural cunning and skills as a former smuggler, Neelix uncovers more and more information about the plot he's caught up in. As the stakes get higher, Neelix struggles to stay alive long enough to make his revelations known to the Voyager crew.
The episode "Fair Trade" is an intense and suspenseful addition to the Star Trek: Voyager series. It offers viewers a deeper insight into Neelix's character, highlighting his strengths, weaknesses, and past. The episode is well-written, featuring excellent acting, thrilling action, and rich storytelling. It's a must-watch for fans of the series and offers a glimpse into the moral dilemmas that the crew of the USS Voyager face on a regular basis.