Don't get me wrong, I get the idea, why the, then-UPN (United Paramount Network) cross-promote, their 'Star Trek: Voyager' show with that of then-WWF (World Wrestling Federation) 'Smackdown' show. After all, during the early 2000s, 'Smackdown' was the network's highest-rated program, while 'Star Trek: Voyager', by far, the weakest of all of the 'Star Trek: New Generation' spin-off shows, numbering in a few viewers each week. Thus, it seemed only natural to cross-promote it to increase the latter's viewership. The plan work, as 15th episode achieved a Nielsen rating of 4.1 million homes, and a 6% share, making it the highest rated episode of season 6. However, couldn't they make this episode directed by Mike Vejar, a little more sophisticated than what we got!? This Star Trek: Voyager episode written by Gannon Kenney was kinda dumb, only feeding our low brow animistic urges. Originally called 'Arena', before being changed at the last minute, because of the similarities of that title with Star Trek: the Original Series' Season 1, Episode 18 'Arena'. The story tells the story of USS Voyager crew member, Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) getting captured while on an away mission and being forced to fight in a gladiator-like fight competition. Without spoiling this hastily-written predictable episode, too much, I have to say, the story is nothing, but a rehash of the typical "forcing a Star Trek character to fight against their will", we seem before in Star Trek episodes, such as 'Star Trek: the Original Series' Season 2, Episode 1 'Amok Time' & 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' 15th episode, season 5 'By Inferno's Light'. It wasn't anything new, nor does it give us anything special, beyond, seeing Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in one of his first acting roles, even if he's pretty much, playing himself as Pendari Champion, with doing pro-wrestling style stunt moves like the 'Rock Bottom' & doing "The People's Eyebrow," a typical Rock gesture. It was a bit disappointing, seeing how Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was wasted. His character wasn't complex at all. His make-up work was cheaply done and his suit look like putty patrol on steroids. He was a bit shallow. Don't get me wrong, the episode was somewhat entertaining, due to the lowbrow action exploitation violence exploitation, but it doesn't match well, with the Star Trek New Generation smart pacifistic style of solving conflict. Isn't it, a bit weird to see the humanism and optimism aristocratic crew of the USS Voyager turn into blood-driven fanatics, by cheering for people beating up other people? I guess, human society in the 24th century hasn't evolved that much, if extreme animistic personality still existed. It totally sold out Gene Roddenberry's ideal society out. One thing I found a little shortsighted on the part of the Voyager crew was the notion that they weren't really aware of the extent of the Tsunkatse ring violence. How could they not heard about it? They had to see at less, one of these 'red match' in which the fighter, fight a battle to the death. After all, the episode told us, that those matches were very popular. It's doesn't make sense, even if we're to believe that the Federation banned such fighting from airing. Somebody would had told them. Plus, it's a bit preachy, to present the episode, where seeing two people fight to the death is fun to watch, based on the trailer, only to later, recount, how wrong, it was, in story terms. It's not very well conscious. It's a bit of guilt-shaming. Plus, I'm somewhat disappointing with the few guest performances that this episode had. They really didn't help elevate the material, any further than it turn out. First off, I found Jeffery Comb's cameo as martial arts fighting Norcadian promoter, Penk, somewhat offensive and demeaning to Asian Americans. Jeffrey Combs looks like Dana Carvey in really bad Asian Fu Manchu stereotypical make-up. I would rather see, Jeffery Comb play, yet another Weyoun clone than this over-the-top and shallow villain. The other important character here is the Hirogen warrior played by J.G Hertzler. He was a little better than Combs, as he had a commanding presence as he teaches Seven in the ways of the fighting, but somewhere in me, kinda wish, he was playing a Klingon or better yet, a Gorn. Jeri Ryan as Seven was alright for the most part in a physical role. She did some of her own stunt work, and pretty much, match well with both Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and J.G Hertzler. It's somewhat believable that her character could probably take down, both men if she really wanted to. Her dilemma of losing her humanity and going back to the Borg ways, was somewhat interesting, but it wasn't very compelling, because her fight scene took place, in what looks like an old American Gladiator set. It was very cheap-looking and jarring. This whole episode looks, pretty bad with the lazy make up effects, lightning and limited CGI. In the end, this episode felt very unnecessary. Overall: It felt like sweep month, filler. It really doesn't effect, the later episodes much. It's ridiculous, but highly watchable.
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