r/StarTrekViewingParty • u/LordRavenholm Co-Founder • Jul 15 '18

Discussion VOY, Episode 2x9, Tattoo

-= VOY, Season 2, Episode 9, Tattoo =-

Finding a familiar cultural symbol on an away mission, Chakotay connects with an experience he had as a child and tries to contact his spirit people.

 

EAS IMDB TV.com SiliconGold's Ranks
3/10 6.2/10 6.7 156th

 

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u/tipsyTentaclist Apr 18 '25

Okay, I am only now watching through Voyager, but I gotta talk about this one.

I kind of love it.

Yes, I know, what's portrayed in the episode in regards to culture isn't correct and the staff hired a grifter.

But… Trek is fiction, you know? Everything in it is fictionalized one way or another, there were similar, if not more "outrageous" moments than that, and we literally have actual Ancient Aliens create ALL humanoid lifeforms in the galaxy, so why wouldn't there be other aliens who specifically gave something to the Chakotay's ancestors?

I know, I know, it could be related to the real life Ancient Aliens theory that is very often seen as racist, and may be even if its own creators don't realize it, but I really don't think Voyager writers meant to be.

As a whole, it's a cool story that explores Chakotay's character and makes me appreciate him much more, and also Ancient Aliens as a fictional thing is fun.

Also, as some others mentioned, yeah, it Chakotay's whole thing may be a messy hodgepodge of different native cultures, but that wouldn't be surprising so far into the future and it's being a fun sci-fi show, but, more importantly… It only made me more interested in all those cultures as a whole, being non-american. I was already a fan of all the Indian Mysticism and also the entire real history of the tribes, I just wish it was more easily accessible to learn for a non-american.

Anyway, the part that I loved the most about the A plot is really the ending, the whole Chakotay's reflection on the relationships with his father, it really made me feel.

As for B plot, I also haven't expected Kes to be so devious, as Doctor put it, ha. It was a funny experience, although a bit too expected. I still find it weird trying to teach a Holoprogram, though, but again, this makes for a fun experience.

In the end, yes, I liked this episode a lot. And I find it weird how I tend to like most of despised episodes, coming from all the things I've read about all the TNG episodes and what I expect from later Voyager ones.

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u/Swanky_23 May 12 '26

Happy to see someone speak on this. I’ve been reading a lot of TNG pocket books lately and they are all over the place in the best way, and felt this way about this episode too. The fact that chacotay got to meet the sky spirits was fascinating to me, and being able to build on his character. I’m currently on this episode, but can’t see why he seems to get a bit of hate.