In ‘Sacred Ground’, where Janeway is determined to save Kes’ life at the religious shrine, and goes on despite her scepticism, Chakotay’s reaction is incredible.
He’s terrified she’s going to die, despite being the more traditionally faithful one. And he’s watching her walk and he’s totally petrified.
Also, it’s so telling that it’s Neelix (I know it’s a contentious relationship and slightly cretinous) watching them and Chakotay – ostensibly their two partners – watching the women they love putting themselves in extreme danger. That had to be intentional on the part of the writers. Had it been Tuvok instead of Neelix, the whole dynamic would change.
Then Chakotay’s relief when she’s alive is just…❤️
Robert Beltran is so good, it’s a shame the writers got lazy.
It’s one of my favorite episodes, largely because Beltran and Mulgrew are both utterly at the top of their game. Written properly, that relationship could have been epic and a total game changer for the Trek franchise: An adult relationship based on love and respect and friendship that works both inside and outside of the power dynamic. Instead, we got Braga and his Barbie doll, Mulgrew was pushed to the side and her character poorly written, and Beltran just stopped caring. Such a waste of potential.
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