VOY: In the Flesh

         The opening of this episode especially managed to get me pretty good. I obviously knew Chakotay hadn't single-handedly made it back to earth only to creep around the Starfleet academy with a camera. When he introduced himself with a fake name I still wasn't sure what was up. Even when one of the people turned blue and shifty and had to be dragged off I wasn't sure. Clearly the lady he met at the bar was up to something, she would even openly discuss it to some degree, but it wasn't until the dead guy turned all 8472 that I really understood. Also it is kinda odd that the Hirogen couldn't kill a single 8472 despite massive firepower, but all it takes it seems is the thought of being with humans to make one kill itself. 

         We open at what appears to be Starfleet academy with this one sketchy dude sneaking around taking pictures of people and things. It turns out that creepy guy is Chakotay and he soon bumps in the gardener who clearly suspects something is going on. Next he heads to a bar where a female officer approaches him and starts laying on the flirt hard. She also starts talking about reverting and infiltrating or something and he realizes it is time to bail, but not before agreeing to return for a date that night. He is followed by a security officer who Tuvok neck pinches before they beam off the space station they were apparently on and into the Delta Flyer. They get back to the ship where the very confused security officer wakes up in sickbay and freaks out when they start asking him what he really is. So much so that he kills himself with some sort of cellular toxin or something. But not dead enough that the Doctor can't get him to turn back into his original 8472 form.

         After some debate and a DNA test Chakotay returns for his date with the creature but he is clearly a lot more nervous this time. After leaving with a kiss she scans her skin where she touched him and contacts the gardener to have Chakotay captured. He is taken in for questioning and is pretty much totally honest with them. After preparing lots of weapons for them Janeway approaches the station but is actually quite willing to talk when they hail her. She convinces them to have a peace conference and at the conference turns off Voyagers weapons and offers to give them the tech to fight back against the nano-probes. Somewhat surprised by the offers of peace the gardener and others of his species agree to return to their space to reconsider their invasion of earth. Oh, but not before Chakotay gets to share another kiss with his lady 8472.

         Review: I admit it has been a while since it seemed like Janeway and company were living up to their starfleet standards, but this time they definitely do. Even Seven of Nine is forced to admit that Janeway's peace tactics are working which definitely shows some growth on her part.

6 out of 10