Ep 14. Jetrel

Jetrel is the fourteenth episode of the third season of Star Trek: Voyager. The episode was directed by Kim Friedman and written by James Thomton and Scott Nimerfro. It premiered on February 5, 1997, on the UPN network.

The episode focuses on a character named Neelix, a Talaxian who was rescued by the crew of the USS Voyager while he was stranded in space years ago. Neelix is a member of the ship's crew and serves as the ship's cook and morale officer. However, when a Vidiian scientist named Jetrel arrives on board, Neelix's past comes back to haunt him.

Jetrel was the inventor of the weapon that destroyed Neelix's home planet, killing his family and leaving him alone in the universe. Jetrel comes aboard Voyager seeking to use the ship's advanced technology to develop a cure for the disease that his weapon caused. Neelix is not pleased to see Jetrel and is hesitant to talk to him about his past.

Despite Neelix's reluctance, Jetrel insists on speaking with him, believing that Neelix's knowledge of the Talaxian DNA could help him develop a cure. Jetrel reveals that he is dying from radiation poisoning that he received while inventing the weapon, and he wants to atone for his past sins. Neelix is reluctant to help, but Captain Janeway insists that he do so.

Over the course of the episode, Neelix and Jetrel work together to develop a cure for the disease, which is affecting not only the Vidiians but also many other races in the Delta Quadrant. Jetrel's health continues to deteriorate, and he begins to accept responsibility for his actions in the past. Neelix, meanwhile, struggles to come to terms with the memories of his past and the guilt he feels for not being able to save his family.

As the two men work together, they start to find common ground. Neelix realizes that Jetrel is not the monster he thought he was, but simply a man who made a terrible mistake. Meanwhile, Jetrel begins to see the human cost of his invention and the suffering it caused.

The episode is a poignant and emotional exploration of guilt, responsibility, and redemption. It delves into the complex moral questions of responsibility for one's actions, forgiveness, and the possibility of atonement. The performances of the cast, particularly Ethan Phillips as Neelix and James Sloyan as Jetrel, are excellent, imbuing the episode with a sense of authenticity and emotional depth.

Overall, Jetrel is an excellent episode of Star Trek: Voyager, exploring highly relevant themes that are still resonant today. It is a must-watch for any fan of the series and a perfect example of how science fiction can be used to explore complex moral and ethical questions.