Voyager 7x3 "Drive"

rating: ***

the story: Tom & B'Elanna join forces for a race.

what it's all about: "Drive" kind of makes clear that it isn't random when Voyager skips a major development; it seems to be by design.  The first time it happened was when Neelix and Kes split up in the third season.   Then it happens again later when Chakotay and Seven are suddenly in a relationship in the final episode ("Endgame").  So to see Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres married...offscreen...it really should be no surprise.

It makes sense, since Voyager committed itself to the traditional episodic format of the franchise, meaning that its episodes were meant to be generally standalone, understandable by themselves, even if there were continuing plotlines, and there were continuing plotlines in this series, several hugely significant ones.  The relationship between Tom and B'Elanna was one of the few to lead to a Star Trek marriage.  The only other time it happened between series regulars was Worf and Jadzia Dax in Deep Space Nine. 

The episode spends its time in a fairly innovative story, a celebratory race between former rival civilizations (which of course ends with an episodic-style crisis), which allows Tom and B'Elanna to wear fancy custom uniforms, which also helps "Drive" stand out.  The couple spends most of it hashing out their relationship, as it's one of the many things B'Elanna holds grave doubts about, but happily one where she finds resolution.

criteria analysis:

• franchise - Casual fans will not appreciate how this episode ends.
• series - And yet, it explains why Voyager used this technique repeatedly.
• character - Tom and B'Elanna marry!
• essential - We spend seven seasons as these characters' lives evolve, but their most personal moments remain their own, something to be imagined, perhaps.

notable guest-stars:
Brian George