star trek voyager homestead

Homestead (episode)

1.2 Act One
1.3 Act Two
1.4 Act Three
1.5 Act Four
1.6 Act Five
2 Memorable quotes
3.1 Production
3.2 Continuity
3.3 Reception
3.4 Video and DVD releases
4.1 Starring
4.2 Also starring
4.3 Guest Stars
4.4 Co-Stars
4.5 Uncredited Co-Stars
4.6 Stunt Double
4.7 Stand-ins
4.8 References
4.9 External links

Summary [ ]

USS Voyager is holding a party to celebrate the 315th anniversary of " First Contact Day ", including an ancient jukebox playing the favorite music of Zefram Cochrane and with his favorite (non-replicated) food being served, about which The Doctor complains to Neelix that it lacks any nutritional value . The party is greatly enjoyed by everyone, with Captain Janeway complimenting Neelix and Naomi telling them that when she was a child all First Contact Day meant was getting to miss school. Tuvok then makes a presentation where he recites the first words that the Vulcans said to the Humans that day, " Live long and prosper. ", though Neelix must prod him into it. When Neelix then tries to get Tuvok to dance , and the stoic Vulcan refuses, Neelix makes a pledge: before Voyager reaches Earth , Neelix will see Tuvok dance at least once.

Commander Chakotay interrupts and says that they have found several hundred Talaxian life signs 4.9 light years away.

Act One [ ]

Talaxian asteroid colony

When Voyager arrives to investigate, Neelix becomes quite anxious on the bridge . The Talaxians appear to be inside an asteroid , and do not respond to hails . Tuvok, Neelix, and Tom Paris take the Delta Flyer into the belt, and are fired at with thermolytic charges . The Flyer takes damage, and is forced to crash land on the asteroid where the life signs were detected. Neelix and the others are knocked unconscious.

Neelix wakes up having his wounds healed by a female Talaxian named Dexa . She asks him a lot of questions, things like what he was doing there, and why he and his alien friends were carrying weapons. He answers all her questions, and manages to ask a few of his own. He finds out they are ignoring hails because they want to avoid contact with outsiders, and the charges were just miners trying to break apart asteroids for their minerals. During their conversation, Dexa's son Brax comes in to have a look, and Dexa shoos him away. When Neelix tries to leave, she seals him in with a force field .

Act Two [ ]

Captain Janeway , having not heard from the away team , sends a shuttle after them. As it is about to be launched, an alien, Nocona , hails them and tells the captain he owns this asteroid field , and that he is performing mining operations. He doesn't want her sending a rescue team , since they cannot stop using the charges, but offers to search for them. The captain says she wants to get them. Nocona tells them to stay there, and he will find their people.

When Neelix next awakens, he finds Brax by himself. When he sees that Brax has a model ship , Neelix correctly identifies its classification . Brax wants to see Neelix's ship, but Neelix says that would be hard to arrange. A loud clank tells Brax his mother is coming. Neelix tells him to hide, promising not to say anything.

Dexa soon walks in with Council Regent Oxilon . He informs Neelix that he is free to go. His friends have also been released, and will be asked to leave as soon as their injuries have been mended. He asks if they would let he and his friends stay. Neelix may stay, Oxilon says, but they do not trust outsiders .

Dexa takes Neelix on a short tour of the colony. Five hundred people live here, and the habitat is self-contained, built from the parts of ships on which they arrived.

Dexa leads Neelix back to his ship, and Paris, Tuvok, and Neelix begin repairs. Neelix tells of his brief encounter, and Tuvok notes his regret that he didn't get as much from the experience as he hoped. Neelix doesn't consider the trip a waste, as he still got to see some of his people again noting he'll almost certainly never encounter another Talaxian after this. Once internal sensors are working, they indicate there is an intruder. Tuvok and Neelix search the ship to find it is Brax. Neelix takes him back to his mother, again promising not to tell her he was here.

On the way back to their home, Nocona is arguing with Oxilon. They are threatening to destroy this asteroid for minerals. Dexa argues strongly, and when Nocona shoves her aside, Brax throws a rock at him. Neelix then stands up for Brax, getting into a fight with Nocona, and pulling his weapon on him and his guard. He then sends them away.

Act Three [ ]

Dexa and Oxilon are grateful, but think it is impossible to evacuate in time. Neelix suggests they have Captain Janeway negotiate with the miners, and Oxilon agrees to meet with her. Brax wants to go too, and Neelix persuades his mother to let him.

As they explore the ship, Neelix takes Dexa and Brax to the bridge, and Brax asks which station Neelix serves at. To spare Neelix any embarrassment, Chakotay and Kim note that Neelix has so many functions on the ship ( Ambassador , chef , morale officer and trade negotiator ) that one station wouldn't be enough as he's the most versatile member of the crew. In Astrometrics , Seven of Nine shows them a picture of Talax from their database. Neelix and Dexa marvel at it together, and she has to explain to Brax why they couldn't just go back there to live. Naomi also says hello, and Brax ends up following her to the holodeck .

Once they are alone, Dexa tells Neelix about her husband. He died trying to feed them when they were confined by the government to a small section of a planet they previously settled on. She is very comfortable around him, and says that Brax hasn't been so happy since her husband died. When it becomes clear to him how she feels about him (and he about her), Neelix regretfully leaves and gets some sleep, saying he needs to be ready at the negotiating table.

The next day, Neelix tries to negotiate with the miners, but fails to make any serious ground. He does get the deadline extended, long enough for them to move all their equipment, but can do no more. He did get Captain Janeway to ferry all of them and their supplies to the nearest M-Class planet . When Dexa and Brax leave, Neelix cannot help but feel that the aid was not enough.

Act Four [ ]

Neelix asks Tuvok to devise defenses for the nearest planet , since there are several warp-capable species within 2 light-years. Tuvok cannot think of anything significant, but does suggest that if they were going to defend themselves, the best place for them to do it would be their present location. He suggests they could build a shield around the asteroid, however they would also need a leader to defend against a preemptive attack. Neelix asks Tuvok if he would be willing to lead them, however Tuvok refuses, citing the Prime Directive but also states that even if it wasn't an issue, he believes Neelix would be a better choice. Neelix tries to shrug off the suggestion, claiming that he's just a cook who dreams of being an Ambassador. Tuvok corrects him, telling Neelix he is much more than that, as he considers him the most resourceful person he has ever met. Neelix can't believe he's hearing such words of praise from Tuvok, who assures him that although he has some annoying habits and qualities he has also developed skills on Voyager that would serve him well if he chose to be a leader. Tuvok then makes it clear that although he is only speaking "hypothetically", and isn't telling Neelix what to do, if he (Neelix) did decide to defend the asteroid, he would be equal to the task.

Neelix decides not to involve the Voyager crew in the endeavor, knowing they may have issues with his plan due to the Prime Directive, and prepares to leave in his own ship . He tells Captain Janeway that since he isn't part of the crew officially, he isn't held to the same constraint. Janeway assures him that she considers him as much a part of the crew as anyone else, but decides to let him leave knowing its something the Talaxian has to do.

Arriving at the asteroid, Neelix creates a plan which would have him and Oxilon flying their ships around the asteroid and launching shield emitters to the surface. Once the emitters are in place, they could be tied into the power core and would never need recharging, however the miners would attack once they realize what the Talaxians are doing. Oxilon isn't initially willing to start a conflict, but Neelix points out they could still be terrorized if relocated, and since Oxilon worked so hard to build the colony surely its worth defending. Oxilon finally agrees.

Act Five [ ]

However, when all but the last two emitters have been laid, the miners attack. When the miners begin dropping charges, Neelix starts shooting them down. When Neelix's weapons are disabled, he prepares to fly his ship into the next charge, but the Delta Flyer appears and destroys it first. Oxilon manages to get the last emitter in position, and when the next charge is dropped, the shields deflect the explosion.

Janeway appoints Neelix ambassador and encourages him to embark on a new journey

When Neelix leaves the colony, Brax asks him to stay. His mother says he cannot as Neelix walks out the door. When he returns to Voyager , he talks to Naomi. He wants to know if there is anything he can do for her, but Naomi has outgrown such things as bedtime stories and Neelix leaves for the Mess Hall, slowly realizing that his time on Voyager is coming to an end.

It is late, and the captain is awake as well; she has noticed that Neelix is conflicted between his duties on Voyager and his desire to rejoin his people, so she puts forth a proposal: since Voyager can now communicate with Earth, Starfleet Command feels that there should be a permanent Ambassador to the Delta Quadrant, though the assignment is strictly voluntary. Neelix brightens a bit as he realizes that such a position would allow him the best of both situations: he would be able to remain with his own people in the asteroid colony, but he would also be required to stay in constant contact with Voyager and her crew as they travel.

Neelix leaves Voyager for the last time

The crew stands at attention upon Neelix's departure

On his way to the Baxial in the shuttle bay, he is astounded to see many of Voyager 's crew (along with Naomi) standing at attention along the hallway between the turbolift and the shuttle bay. No words are spoken, because there are no words to truly express how much the crew will miss him. As Neelix is about to step through the door, Tuvok very slightly wiggles one foot, with the understanding that he has thus danced and fulfilled Neelix's pledge. Tuvok then wishes Neelix goodbye with the old Vulcan adage; "Live long and prosper". Neelix tries to respond, but is unable to bring himself to say anything and instead gives the crew a last smile, then leaves Voyager for the final time.

When he arrives on the asteroid, his first stop is the home of Brax and Dexa who emotionally embrace him in a hug; while Voyager will always remain dear to him, he knows that he is, at long last, home.

Memorable quotes [ ]

" This is an official ship function, Commander. Don't make me order you to dance. "

" Hey, save some for the rest of us. "

" Mr. Tuvok has agreed to recite the first words spoken by a Vulcan to Humans. Commander? " " Is this strictly necessary? " " You promised! " " Very well, "live long and prosper." "

" I'm not a little girl anymore. "

" Mr. Neelix. (Wiggles one foot) Live long and prosper. "

" I'm not a fighter, I'm just a cook. "

" Goodbye… and good luck, Ambassador. "

Background information [ ]

Production [ ].

The concept of Neelix having a romantic relationship with a Talaxian female, following his long-term romance with Kes , was thought up by Neelix actor Ethan Phillips as early as the beginning of Star Trek: Voyager 's fourth season . At that time, Phillips said, " I think it would be nice if they came up with another relationship for Neelix. It would be a very sweet show. I don't see anything coming down the pipeline yet, but the possibility exists… Maybe there will be some female hedgehogs waiting around for him! We'll see. " ( Star Trek Monthly issue 33 , p. 39)
The working title of this episode was "Destiny". [1] (X) However, this title was already taken by DS9 : " Destiny ".
The final draft script for this episode was submitted on 23 February 2001 . At that time, the installment was still known as "Destiny".
Many people took part, on-camera, in Neelix' farewell scene. " Everybody was put into Star Trek uniforms and they lined the halls, " remembered Ethan Phillips . " So I was saying goodbye to not only the cast, but to the crew, the extras, to everybody as I walked down that long hall. " ( Star Trek Magazine issue 179 , p. 77) Jeri Ryan admitted that the filming of the scene turned out to be her most emotional day on Star Trek: Voyager , even though it wasn't personally her final day of working on the show. " I was just blubbering… That was a tough day, " she reflected. [2] (X)
This is the last episode of the series to be directed by LeVar Burton .
John Kenton Shull 's costume was sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [3] (X)

Continuity [ ]

Talaxians (other than Neelix) appear for the last time in the series in this episode. Talaxians last appeared in the third-season episode " Fair Trade ", though they have also appeared in dreams and visions in episodes since.
This episode marks the first time in Star Trek that " First Contact Day " is seen to be celebrated.
This episode marks the final appearance of Scarlett Pomers as Naomi Wildman .
The opening scene of this episode occurs on April 5, 2378 – the 315th anniversary of Vulcan-Human First Contact .
Naomi tells Brax "and once, there was a transporter accident. Neelix and Commander Tuvok got combined to make a completely different person," in a reference to the events of the second-season episode " Tuvix ". This was three episodes after Naomi was born (in " Deadlock ") and she likely wouldn't have remembered the event herself, instead being told about it later.
Neelix' farewell is similar to Worf 's departure from the USS Enterprise -D in TNG : " Redemption ".
Speaking of Neelix, Kim tells Brax "he's our Ambassador." Neelix's promotion to this position was first hinted at in " Macrocosm " and then confirmed with his first assignment in " Revulsion ".
Dexa says of Talax "it's still controlled by the Haakonians," in a reference to the war and subsequent occupation which is first revealed in the first-season episode " Jetrel ".
Ethan Phillips appears as Neelix once more in " Endgame ", participating in a game of kadis-kot with Seven of Nine on the astrometrics viewscreen.
When Neelix first returns to the Delta Flyer he can be seen wearing two combadges , one on the jacket he removes, and one on his vest.
In " Jetrel ", Neelix had been a conscientious objector when his home planet was at war; now ironically Neelix helps bring about the defense of his peoples' colony.

Reception [ ]

Ethan Phillips cited this episode among five "Best of Neelix" installments, remarking, " It was the best goodbye anybody had […] It was one of my favorite things on the show to have done. The episode also had that very sweet moment with Tuvok dancing just a bit for Neelix. It was very special. " ( Star Trek Magazine issue 179 , p. 77)

Video and DVD releases [ ]

UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment ): Volume 7.12, 14 January 2002
As part of the VOY Season 7 DVD collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway

Also starring [ ]

Robert Beltran as Chakotay
Roxann Dawson as B'Elanna Torres
Robert Duncan McNeill as Tom Paris
Ethan Phillips as Neelix
Robert Picardo as The Doctor
Tim Russ as Tuvok
Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine
Garrett Wang as Harry Kim

Guest Stars [ ]

Rob LaBelle as Oxilon
Julianne Christie as Dexa
Ian Meltzer as Brax
Scarlett Pomers as Naomi Wildman

Co-Stars [ ]

John Kenton Shull as Nocona
Christian R. Conrad as Miner
Majel Barrett as Computer Voice

Stunt Double [ ]

George Colucci as stunt double for Ethan Phillips

Stand-ins [ ]

Linda Harcharic – stand-in for Julianne Christie
Brita Nowak – stand-in for Jeri Ryan
Stuart Wong – stand-in for Garrett Wang

References [ ]

ambassador ; asteroid ; asteroid field ; Axiana Lakes ; Baxial ; bearing ; Brax's father ; cheese pierogi ; Cochrane, Zefram ; council regent (aka regent ); dancing ; Delta Flyer ; Delta Quadrant ; Earth ; energy discharge ; evasive maneuvers ; explosive charge ; Federation ; First Contact Day ; force field emitter ; Fur Fly, The ; geothermal energy ; goddaughter ; Godo Mountain Range ; Haakonian ; ice ; ice field ; intruder alert ; Invaders from the Ninth Dimension ; jukebox ; kadis-kot ; kilometer ; leadership ; M class ; mining ; mining operation ; Mister Vulcan ; Neelix ; Nocona's ship ; Nocona's species ; oxygen ; paleontology ; Phanos ; plasma manifold ; Prime Directive ; proto-humanoid ; refugee ; school ; shield ; taga cake ; Talax ; Talaxian ; Talaxian asteroid colony ; Talaxian colony ship ; Talaxian Furfly ; thermolyte explosive ; torpedo launcher ; torpedo tube ; trade negotiator ; Tuvix ; Two-Tailed Talchok, The ; vitamin ; Voyager shuttle ; Vulcans ; warp-capable species ; water

External links [ ]

" Homestead " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
" Homestead " at Wikipedia
" Homestead " at the Internet Movie Database
1 USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-G)
3 Daniels (Crewman)

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Star Trek: Voyager

“Homestead”

Air date: 5/9/2001 Written by Raf Green Directed by LeVar Burton

Review by Jamahl Epsicokhan

"I've never seen First Contact Day celebrated quite like this. When I was your age, all it meant was a day off from school." — Janeway to Naomi

Review Text

In brief: Not groundbreaking, but nice.

Neelix is a supporting character for whom the writers have never found an adequate purpose. For seven seasons he has floated here and there with a myriad of alleged duties but no real direction or strong motivations. Ethan Phillips has essentially been assigned the role of "miscellaneous character." So it's fitting, I guess, that the episode that bids Neelix adieu is one that makes the effort to show him as a Voyager crew member facing a crisis of purpose. The fact that there's a scene where Naomi Wildman tells Neelix she's too old to be tucked into bed only reinforces the issue.

The prospect of uselessness is a frightening thing, something demonstrated several years ago in a previous Neelix story, " Fair Trade ." It's trite but true that most of us need to feel needed. Many who ponder the value of their lives probably hope that they have made or will make a difference to others — the greater the better.

"Homestead" takes that notion to write the final chapter for Neelix, one that is not hugely original or groundbreaking, but is pleasant and sincere nonetheless. The plot is more or less routine, but the characters are here, and the writers and actors do well for making us care about Neelix's struggles and choices.

As another example in a long history of spatial geography tricks with little regard for logic, the Voyager crew happens upon a colony of Talaxian refugees living inside an asteroid in an asteroid belt. How did they get here from their homeworld, roughly 40,000 light-years across the Delta Quadrant, in apparently only a decade or two? I don't know, and asking such a question is simply a hollow, obligatory gesture at this point. Perhaps they were as lucky as Voyager has been in finding shortcuts. Luckier still that Voyager happened upon them.

Neelix finds that being around his people rekindles feelings of home. One could argue that over the years Neelix would've come to think of Voyager as his home, but perhaps it's not that simple. Maybe he sees himself more as a traveler with a still-unknown destination. With the ostensive destination being Earth — a planet he's never seen — his own people can certainly be a strong reminder of his previous home.

The overriding plot is a relatively hoary exercise in which one group of people are threatened by another, more unreasonable group. In this case the asteroid belt is going to be mined by the aliens who own it. They don't intend to let something silly like a Talaxian homestead stand in the way of profits and efficiency schedules. The Talaxian asteroid is the proverbial house that needs to be razed in order for the proverbial new highway to go through — although not really, since it stands to reason that the miners could simply move on and skip this one measly asteroid. Honestly, the miners might as well be wearing horns and carrying pitchforks; they growl and intimidate, even going so far as to threaten a little boy. Even their makeup design is sinister. Subtlety is not a virtue to be found here.

What works is the gradual way Neelix realizes that he must help the Talaxians protect their home. These Talaxians are primarily pacifists, but Neelix argues that their home is something worth taking a stand for, and tries to convince the passive leader, Oxilon (Rob Labelle), that running to find a new home isn't plausible forever; they've already been pushed off at least one world entirely.

Neelix's choices are in no small part affected by his emerging feelings for a widow named Dexa (Julianne Christie) and her young son, Brax (Ian Meltzer). Their scenes are handled with a quiet sincerity that works. But what I found more interesting were some of Neelix's interactions with the Voyager crew in the midst of the unfolding dilemma. There's a scene where Neelix tells Brax that his duties aren't of huge importance (and I'm inclined to agree based on evidence the series has provided), but Chakotay and Kim come to the rescue and explain Neelix's various titles and cite him as a valuable crew member.

Better still are the Tuvok/Neelix scenes. Tuvok/Neelix sequences have often been utter failures; even this year we had a stupid roommate-quarrel plot in " Prophecy ," while other relatively recent episodes like " Riddles " have shown Tuvok begrudging every possible warm feeling about Neelix that might rear its head in the depths of his Vulcan heart. But here we have what should've happened a long time ago — a vocal acknowledgement from Tuvok about Neelix's strengths and resourcefulness as a potential leader, even though they might exist alongside other annoying qualities. It's perfectly worded from Tuvok, and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see him be believably civil toward Neelix instead of needlessly cold as forced upon him by a script. Similarly, it's also nice to see Neelix acting like a real person instead of a comic annoyance who, for example, trashes Tuvok's quarters while in the throes of Klingon passion.

There's a sequence where Neelix uses his cargo ship to help install shield generators to protect the Talaxian asteroid from the alien miners. This is serviceable action storytelling, though I think the way the episode invokes the Prime Directive is erroneous: If a warp-capable group of people asks for help in defending themselves, I don't see how that's a Prime Directive issue saying Janeway can't be involved. Yes, she may be taking sides in an interstellar conflict, but that happens every day.

Ultimately, Neelix decides to stay behind with the Talaxians and start a new home when Janeway submits that perhaps this opportunity for him will also allow him to remain as an official Delta Quadrant-based ambassador for Starfleet. This is neat and tidy, perhaps, but it's certainly reasonable and allows a good send-off.

"Homestead" is not a great or inspired episode of Voyager , but it is a dignified and heartfelt one. I must admit: By the end, when Tuvok's goodbye consisted of a restrained, Tuvokian concession to dance with the heel of one foot, I was touched. The scene keeps dialog to a minimum and relies on nods and glances, providing a great example of less-is-more mentality. It's one moment that almost makes up for years of redundant banter. If dignity has been a lost virtue for Neelix as the writers have previously written him, they managed to find it here.

In brief: Doc engages in a serious role-playing game.

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Comment Section

106 comments on this post, jakob m. mokoru.

It is really sort of ironic that NEELIX, of all the characters gets by far the best fare-well in not only a moment but an entire show that really touched me far more than "Endgame" ever could!

I agee 100% with Jakob. after the great send-off Neelix received, I was really set up for a great series finale which did NOT occur. Of course TATV was even worse, but enough has been said about that already.

I still think that Votager should have gotten home in an episode immediately following Author, Author, and these last few episodes should have beden about the aftermath of that. It also would have been better for Neelix to have come all the way to Earth (something he clearly wanted to do because, unlike Seven and Naomi, he was as entranced by the telepathic pitcher plant as anyone) and we could have seen what kind of life he makes for himself within or without Starfleet. Instead we get Talaxians that are at the absolute least 60,000 light years from where they ought to be, simply for the excuse fo dropping off Neelix.

The Tuvok heel dance was one of the best scenes in Trek history.

It isn't accurate to say that Neelix has never seen Earth -- he saw it in "Future's End." Nonetheless, there's a certain irony (or something) in the fact that neither of the two aliens who joined the crew in "Caretaker" specifically to be part of their journey made it all the way there ("Future's End" excepted).

A jukebox? *sigh* Cochrane's favorite music is the mid-20th-century rock'n'roll? *sigh* Another thing that, stunningly, only just struck me: How subpar Voyager's (and Star Trek's) technology is. I mean, there's Paris piloting the shuttle to the asteroid, there's a minor explosion nearby and the shuttle loses its shields and is forced to crash-land. Add to that the incessant instances of critical systems malfunctioning and it's as if Windows 98 was the epitome of stability and reliability compared to the 24th-century stuff. How did Voyager and the other starships pass Q.A., I'll never know. Why would you send a starship on intergalactic odysseys when any minor spatial or temporal fluctuation (or, keyword: Anomaly) can wreak havoc with pretty much every one of its mainframe systems!?! It's like Boeing manufacturing an airplane that has to be crash-landed every third flight it makes!! Be that as it may, for someone without "an adequate purpose," Neelix sure emanaged to annoy the living hell out of me. His incessant joviality, which he insists on foisting on everyone else, whether they feel like partaking or not is infuriating enough. But he also has the deep, caring, sensitive emotional side *puke* which means that, whenever there's anyone with even a hint of a personal problem, there he is ready to analyze it and talk about it for at least ten minutes, in the most boring Dr.-Phil-style manner conceivable. Even if it's not a problem, there's inevitable a scene of him in every third episode giving Seven or Naomi or The Doc or Icheb or whoever a pep-talk, encouraging them to be more human, find themselves and all that. ARGH!!! The one time I remember not minding him was when he boned that Klingon woman a few episodes back. I find it impossible to believe he did that but it was so out of his usual boring/annoying character that I quite liked it, especially because he's the antithesis of an alpha-male. (Then again, there is NO alpha-male on Voyager - except Acoushla Moya during his "native" moments -, but plenty of alpha-females: How "enlightened" and "progressive"!) Having said that, I liked him in this episode, particularly in the second half. He transformed into someone of substance, rather than being just an irritating-as-a-fly clown. He even called Tuvok "Mr. Tuvok," as opposed to that derisive "Mr. Vulcan." It was quite touching and I particularly appreciated there not having been long and emotional goodbyes. Despite my distaste for Neelix, the end of the show was quite stirring.

Michael - Cochrane's favorite music wasn't an imagining of Voyager's writers, it was presented in First Contact. About this episode, it was a nice send off. Though I had no attachment to Neelix whatsoever. The only sympathy I felt was for the crew because I knew they would be sad at seeing him go.

A great goodbye for Neelix. Whilst I question the choice to dedicate an episode to that particular character, that's what they wanted to do and so their passion came through. It was kind of sad that Naomi's last words to him were that she doesn't need him - it was the trigger he needed to move on, but how about some kind words after she finds out he's leaving? He's practically her dad. But never mind. Touching final scenes - how fitting that the most poignant part should be Tuvok's perfectly Vulcan goodbye: he's as careful as ever to supposedly not express emotion, yet anyone can tell just how heartfelt it really was. A much more sincere ending to that kind of friendship (the very well hidden one that makes them seem pretty much like enemies to an unknowing observer) than what they did with Odo and Quark in DS9. 3-3.5. Downhill we go to the finish line..

I really liked this one actually. I was very surprised Neelix actually left in the end - I was sure he'd change his mind last minute. It wasn't til the credits came up that I actually accepted he was gone. Loved the final scene between him and Tuvok - I've always liked episodes that focused on their relationship (which I guess puts me in the minority here). Though I agree Naomi should have got a goodbye too.

Didn't Neelix have yellow irises in the early years?

And with Naomi there in Neelix's exodus walk through the corridor, it was really obvious that Samantha Wildman was missing...this episode would hasve been a good reason to bring that actress back.

Insert picture of a ham with a pen stuck in it.

Captain Jim

I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. I just wanted to add that it was good to see Naomi Wildman back in this episode. Not sure how long it had been since we'd seen her, but it seemed like a very long time. And she looked noticeably older here.

So where did that last scene with Naomi and Neelix take place? Does Naomi have her own quarters? I assume it's her mother's quarters, but it makes it all the more glaring that Samantha Wildman wasn't in this episode...

Hate to sound cruel but they should of killed samantha when she decided to not do the show anymore. Could of made for some interesting episodes.

Now in the midst of watching Voyager's pre-Seven years, I can see how Neelix became one of the more disliked characters. Given his personality in the first couple of seasons, one should wonder what was Janeway thinking when she made him a morale officer. Those who gave up the show never saw the gradual transformation of the character into someone more likeable and sympathetic.

Where is Samantha Wildman? You'd think the writers would at least make some attempt to explain her absence. I know Voyager had lazy writers but this was just ridiculous. Why didn't they just kill her off if they were never going to show her again? Samantha's absence has gone from a funny continuity error to a genuinely disturbing show of neglect. All it would have taken is one line to explain why she's never there, and the writers couldn't even do that. Shameful.

ProgHead777

I have watched Voyager in its entirety three times now over the last decade and some change. In the previous viewings, I was as devout a Neelix hater as you are likely to find. I called him the Jar-Jar Binks of the Star Trek universe. I cheered at the scene where a mentally disturbed Tuvok strangled a holographic simulation of him to death. I frequently implored various other crew members on the other side of the TV screen to "accidentally" beam him into cold, dark, airless space. I loathed him to the point that I would seriously consider skipping and episode where he was the central character. In this round, however, things were different for some reason. Perhaps it's simply that I've softened with age. I really don't know. At some point during my current Voyager review, I realized that Neelix's most irritating qualities were to be found mostly in the first three seasons or so. After that, he became very much a background character and his scenes were usually of comedic intent and I must admit they were, more often than not, successful in that intent. Interspersed throughout were some genuinely poignant moments (but never anything too profound or moving). I can't really account for it, but somewhere along the way in this third round I began to like Neelix. IT'S CRAZY, I KNOW! And in fact, I didn't even realize the extent of it myself until this episode. The scene where Neelix walks along the corridor lined with Voyager crew members assembled to bid him final farewell reduced me to a hot, sobbing mess, and I simply cannot explain why. I think it comes down to Ethan Phillips. As poorly written a character as Neelix was, Mr. Phillips brought a sincerity to the part that I, eventually, just couldn't resist. I was sad to see him go.

I thought it was a wonderful episode. I've never hated Neelix. Everybody knows someone like him: almost annoyingly upbeat and optimistic, but who wears his heart on his sleeve and would give you the shirt off his back. His worst years were when he was with Kes, because he was a one-note jealous toad at times and their relationship never felt genuine or right. Now, I loved Kes and was sorry to see her go, but it did wonders for Neelix's character. He actually developed...well, as much as Voyager would allow. I grew to care about him and like him, with the occasional annoyance still seeping in from time to time. Anyway, this episode was heartfelt and touching. I, too, was moved at his farewell on the ship, but I was also very moved when he walked in and embraced Dexa and Brax. The look on his face said everything. It was so sweet. It just goes to show you that Ethan Phillips was quite capable of conveying great depth of feeling. He just didn't often get a chance to because the writers couldn't decide if they wanted him to be a cartoon character, the comic relief, or an actual character with real feelings and depth. Oh, I wanted to mention, I really liked the voice of the actress playing Dexa. It had a really nice dulcet quality, and being under all of that make-up, having a pleasant voice can only help.

I agree with Leah and Proghead777. best thing that happened to neelix was losing Kes. I liked when they turned him into a "counselor" instead of a "clown." he was much better in seasons 4-7. as was the Voyager Show. I enjoyed this episode. and unlike most 1 episode romances, i believed in this one. maybe because they were from the same species. in any case, i loved the final scene and how there was little words. i agree...less was more. tuvoks dance was great. although... a smile would have been good too..as he had been dared by neelix in the past too. great ending. 3.5 stars.

Jo Jo Meastro

If you had asked me after the pilot what my feelings would be if Neelix left for good, I would have told you the sooner the better and I'll shout with joy as he departs. Little did I realise I'd grow to like him inspite or because of what a big goofy teddy bear he is and underneath all his earnest smiles was a wonderfully kind soul. He has his troubles and there's such sadness lingering deep within him, which is what drives him to surround himself and everyone in his life with happiness. He bounces off and needs everyone, just as much as they bounce off and need him. I think that's why he craves attention from Tuvok and to melt that icey Vulcan exterior; it's what keeps him going and we've seen just how hard it hits whenever his bubble gets burst and when no one wants to be a part of his useless, fuzzy, comfort blanketed world. Of course he's annoying and doesn't know when to stop; but that's part of his loving, wounded nature. And I'm very sad he had to see him go but happy he found his true home.

Easily 4 stars. It was the perfect celebration and magnificent swan song for Neelix. The farewell scene was so moving and you could tell everyone was just trying to enjoy this finale moment of togetherness, even while their hearts were mourning. This to me was a special and beautiful moment in Voyagers' legacy.

I agree with almost everything Leah said. (Except the part about loving Kes - I really didn't care for her). I've always liked Neelix, although he was a bit annoying during his 'jealousy' years - but it was a relief when he got over that. And I thought he became a valuable and beloved member of the crew. I was sad to see him go, although I always thought it would be a bit weird for him to be the only Talaxian on Earth. I never really understood why he would want to go, except that his shame (regarding his actions during the war) propelled him to get as far away from Talax as possible. The one thing I really disliked was that he found his home in the dark, gloomy interior of an asteroid. He mentioned in several episodes how much he enjoyed the outdoors and fresh air - the asteroid was very depressing! I was happy that he found a new 'family' though. Of course there were plot holes, which have already been mentioned (how did the Talaxians get so far from home? They never mention a wormhole, or anything of the sort), but I can forgive that. Typical Star Trek.

Neelix, no longer a simple cook or moral officer, but a leader of men! A builder of civilizations! Defender of the asteroid! The guy who gets the job done! In my imagination, Neelix packed his cargo hull to the brim with replicators, raw materials, and instructions on how to construct holo emitters. That gloomy asteroid will get a hell of a re-fit. :) 4/5

Wow... what lazy writing. Need an ending for a character light years away from home? No problem... just write in a planet with his race, 3 episodes from the end.

Never did I see this coming where my eyes would hold back tears like Janeway did. Was his character development finally there or did I feel bad for the crew? Maybe it was my own selfish sorrow of feeling the inevitable conclusion to Voyager. Not sure yet. Time to watch the series start to finish again, I suppose.

I liked Neelix from the start, I've never understood why he's so hated! Most Trekkers seem too analytical and won't just let the characters emotions wash over them. He doesn't have to be edgy and contentious, he's just an honest and good willed person, let him be! The only times he p****d me off was when he was Mr Jealous Balls, but hey, no ones perfect! I shed a tear at the end of this one. Was so emotional when he finally earnt tuvoks respect! Just tuvok being civil showed how much he cared! I agree with Kate Mulgrew, the element that makes this show is the relationships. It's why I watched all 7 seasons, not always for the storylines but because I loved every character. That doesn't make me a bleeding heart! I'm quite happy that the stories serve the characters and don't have to be based so tediously on logic, some of youz lot need to open up your soul...your arsoul

I like neelix, but I don't love neelix. I couldn't ignore the jealousy scenes, they bothered me. one of my favorite scenes was actually when he mocked Janeway in episode "The Cloud". "Let's see if we can find some space anomaly today that might rip it apart!" The mirror of the fans frustration on air. looove.

Hmm...I must ask, again, my opening question from my comment two episodes ago: WHERE are they getting their food? They are on a bald asteroid! Are they somehow sucking up and metabolizing that gaseous stuff that was coming out of the pipes? Ah well. I would have been more excited and gung-ho about Neelix staying with those people (and fighting with them for their home) if the asteroid hadn't been such a depressing place to live. It's a rock, people :( But anyway, I did like the episode very much overall—a "Neelix farewell" episode just sounds like a bad idea, but it came off well. I especially liked the Tuvok/Neelix scenes and how Neelix genuinely felt useful through their conversations, something his character had struggled with pretty much the whole series; and the way that Tuvok empowered Neelix to be more than he was. Although, I found the Tuvok-dance moment at the end rather cheesy, it was a nice touch and a great sendoff for a character. Wasn't it odd though when they (Neelix and the other two Talaxians) were looking at the picture of Talax in astrometrics and no one mentioned that it had been destroyed?? (Hadn't it?!) That was awkward and a pretty glaring continuity issue since that was one of the only aspects of Neelix's character that wasn't happy-smiley—he had that awful part of his past, that came up many times throughout the series. I also really liked Janeway's scene with Neelix, when she appealed to his sense of duty—presenting the idea of ambassador in the Delta quadrant to him. It gave him a pass to leave while still honoring his sense of pride. I would definitely say, the best Neelix episode of the series!

@Steinway: a moon of Talax, Rinax, where Neelix lived was poisoned, but nothing was destroyed.

@Elliott: Thanks, I'm glad I was wrong on one continuity issue :) It's been years since I saw Seasons 1/2 where they talked about that...

Oh dear. Neelix has always been a mess of a character that invoked more rage at how utterly annoying he was then anything else. But that's not what really annoyed me here. Surprisingly Neelix was handled with far more dignity then he normally would be. No, what got me here was the miners. I know the "hard headed, illogical, stubborn, xenophobic, uncooperative aliens of the week" plot device was by now a Voyager cliche, but this is supposed to be a send off for one of your main characters. Not a routine action plot. I don't buy for a second that miners would be as unreasonable as to destroy 500 people and their home. What kind of state do they live in? Fascist? Well we kill hundreds of people but at least the trains run ono time.

Very good episode in that it brought out the best in Neelix, and demonstrated the depth of the crew. While, Neelix is not universally admired, his character or another like it was necessary as a counterbalance for the show. His cultural differences with the crew, and his humor were essential contrasts. The actor (Ethan Phillips) also did a perfectly fine job given what was asked of him. However, it is (as others pointed out) extremely odd that Talaxians (a group that was not as advanced as others) were found so far from where Neelix originally was. This is a great plot hole. Overall solid episode.

I've never been a Neelix hater, and always considered him an upright scrappy fellow, regardless of his occasional annoyances. His early jealousy thing was quite offputting, but the episode where he fights Seska's buddy and ends up killing him and saving the ship was probably when I started to give him more respect. Anyway, no one has mentioned a brief moment in this episode that really seemed like a subtle nod to his bravery and loyalty. When the miners were dropping charges on the asteroid, and Neelix was chasing them and detonating the charges with his ship's weapons, something or other knocks out his weapons. There's another charge heading for the surface, and he turns his ship toward it. Dexa freaks out and asks what he's doing, but at that moment, Voyager shows up to blast the charge and save the day. What he was doing was aiming his ship on a suicide collision course to detonate the charge before it hit the surface. The scene goes pretty fast, so I wonder how many people caught the intensity of that moment, and understood the decision he had made.

Susanna Chisholm

I am a STV fan and Homestead happens to be one of my favorite episode. I had no idea there were this many people who like this episode.

Well done - 3.5 stars. If someone bet me that Tuvok moving his foot would make me choke up, I would have lost the bet. I gave this episode an extra half star just for that scene. Best Farewell Ever. As stated by others above, it is very unplausable that they would have encountered Talaxians this far out. It wasn't even a rogue group that decided to explore the galaxy and new civilizations. Nope, just a small group on an asteroid that they call home. After travelling over 40,000 light years, I'd think they would have settled on a nice class M world. Instead, we are to believe after 40,000 years, the captain said - "Hey, this rock is perfect, exactly what we've been searching for our whole lives." Derp.

Diamond Dave

OK, so it's a giant contrivance to have a group of Talaxians out there, and the bulk of this episode is fairly standard, derivative fare. But that conclusion is just beautifully played from the scene with Naomi Wildman onwards. It gives Neelix a fitting end to his story, and for him to find a ready made family seems a fairly organic wrap up and certainly more sensible that him being the only Talaxian on Earth. It's been noticeable over the latter series how much Neelix got toned down and tuned out from the early years, to the point where I was finding more in the character than the merely tolerable. 3 stars, and pretty much just the ending rather than anything else.

Lets not forget to give a big applause to levar Burton of TNG who handled the departure scenes with class. ****stars kudo!

Literally watched this ep again just before, and it still brought a tear to my eye. Beautiful send-off for a character who has all too often been easily dismissed as the comic relief.

I just love this episode but I can't give it 4 stars because just how the hell did the Talaxians get this far from home? I mean give us one sentence or something... a bone? I'll tell you what, Lavar can sure as hell direct himself some trek. I don't EVER think I've been disappointed with his work, even when the script was crap. Yanks going soft here.... :-) 2 times I lose it. Janeway is so damn good here... I'm surprised that others didn't take notice. How she gives Neelix exactly what he wants without making him chose against his Voyager family and duties is PERFECT: "NEELIX: I've been thinking about something. It's a little hard to put into words, and I haven't really made a decision yet. And of course I would never ignore my responsibilities on Voyager. JANEWAY: Of course not. NEELIX: I take them very seriously. JANEWAY: I know you do. I've been thinking about something, too. Maybe you could help me. NEELIX: I'd be happy to. JANEWAY: It's an idea I'd need to talk to Starfleet Command about. NEELIX: It must be important. JANEWAY: It is. Now that we've established two way communication with Earth, it seems to me Starfleet could use a permanent ambassador in the Delta Quadrant. This ambassador would have to stay in frequent contact with Voyager. NEELIX: Certainly. JANEWAY: It would be difficult for me to run this ship without you, Neelix. But that might be a sacrifice I'd be willing to make for the greater good of Starfleet. Of course, the assignment would be entirely voluntary. You wouldn't be interested, would you? " The way Janeway delivers this is epic. Well done writers and Kate!! Also, of course, the memorable march through the crew. The lack of any conversation was perfect. This was very much a send-off for Ethan as well. He was as beloved on the set as he was by the crew on Voyager. Again, perfectly executed. 3.5 stars from me.

Where's Samantha Wildman? Did they murder her and stuff her body somewhere? Was Naomi told she was killed on an away mission? It's like this huge conspiracy. "We don't mention Samantha." LOL

@AA I actually read somewhere that the writers thought they had killed her off in one episode and forgot about her that's why she only appeared in time travel episodes towards the end of the show. They did the same thing with Lt carey they thought they killed him in season 1 and when they learned there mistake they brought him back in friendship one.

Not much to add. Just a nice, heartfelt goodbye to Neelix. 3.5 stars

Neelix's "if they aren't welcome, then I'm not staying either" threat was extremely weak, since Neelix staying a while was wholly Neelix's idea, not theirs. They were already pretty much handing him his hat.

Don't agree. Oxilon had offered to let Neelix stay and "talk". Neelix was just standing ture with his shipmates.

Explaining why there were a group of Talaxians 40,000 years from their homeworld would have been as simple as having Dexa or another character say that they used the vaadwaur subspace corridors. It was established in dragon's teeth that they went all the way to talax. I don't get why the writers didn't do that.

A surprisingly good episode, even if you could see the ending coming a mile away.

Wow. I NEVER liked Neelix. I often wished he'd meet his end in a shuttle crash or with severe phaser burns or perhaps somebody would space him into a Tyken's Rift or something. However, even I felt the emotional power at the end of this episode. Tuvok specifically elevated this send off to 3 star level for me. I love when a person can say volumes without speaking a word. Tuvok 1st gave Neelix incredible words of encouragement and then in the final farewell says everything that needed to be said with that wag of his foot and the standard Vulcan homage. It reminds me of a time when I was visiting a friend and an ice cream truck came down his street. I was long passed my ice cream craze days, but I smiled as I saw the kids congregating on the curb, absolutely losing their minds with anticipation. There were like 15 kids of various ages screaming at the truck to stop, as if the driver had planned to keep going. Not a chance. He was already slowing down. But there was this one kid who hadn't said a word. Couldn't have been more than 5 years old. At the front of the pack, he just bent down and slowly patted the ground at his feet with one hand, smiling a devilish smile. I laughed out loud. Without even a word he'd said all that needed to be said.

dave johnson

Haven't we all given up on worry about Voyager and distance traveled by people they met in the past, who just happen to show up within their range again? It happened so much it is comical. A Talaxian colony that far away is plausible if they only added a couple of lines about it being generational and 40 years with a couple of failed planetary settlements in between. Neelix's love interest could have just said she was born during the journey and only saw Talax from the database. Average episode... however, Neelix's sendoff was well done.. very well done.. Tuvok's foot dance was very cool in light of their 7 year history antagonizing one another and Neelix always trying to convince Tuvok to lighten up.

"though I think the way the episode invokes the Prime Directive is erroneous: If a warp-capable group of people asks for help in defending themselves, I don't see how that's a Prime Directive issue saying Janeway can't be involved." This is not the only time this happens in the show. Basically every time the writers want an excuse for Janeway to want to stay uninvolved, they trot out the Prime Directive, and everyone nods their head, even though a significant majority of the species they encounter are warp capable. What's worse, there's an episode where they were discussing this and Tuvok makes the point about the Directive not applying because the aliens of the week... are warp capable. It's just another example of sloppy storytelling that persistently made this show infuriating to watch.

I sort of liked Neelix when Kes was around. At least he had some actual personality instead of just the, I'm supposed to be so adorable, and nice, and funny, caricature he bacame afterwards. I never had one ounce of feeling for him after that, and not much before, so his leaving, for me, means absolutely nothing. The totally contrived reason didn't help. Talaxians that should never have been there in the first place. And as someone mentioned earlier, and the only person to even notice it it seems, besides me, is why in the hell would they fight to live on an asteroid? They will all be dead as soon as their supplies run out. There isn't any food or water on an asteroid. Voyager basically gave all of the Talaxians, including Neelix, a death sentence. Nice. Goodbye Neelix, our shipmate for 7 years. Have a fun time starving to death. The ending wasn't bad, but sort of generic. 1 star. Mostly for the ending.

I will never understand all the Neelix hate. I always liked the character. I liked his relationship w/Kes, and I liked him when in the later seasons. He was a good character IMO. I enjoyed his send off. It was sweet though we could have gotten another scene w/him and Naomi.

I'm glad some people recognized how great the scene was with Janeway and Neelix near the end. She didn't want to see him go but she caught on very quickly where the conversation was going and you can see it in her eyes and in her facial expression right before and during the dialogue where she devises that Delta Quadrant ambassador role. Well written too and well acted too by both Mulgrew and Phillips. Voyager was a very special show and gets overlooked becaue of TNG and DS9.

Talaxians this far away from Talax could have maybe forgiven if it had been some kind of generational thing, but then we learn that Dexa has actually been on Talax within her lifetime, before they "left".

JanewayKILLEDTuvix

Episode would have been better if Naomi Wildman finished her Tuvix story in the mess hall with.... Naomi Wildman-"and once there was a transporter accident. Neelix and Commander Tuvok got combined to make a completely different person...and then Captain Janeway killed him." Brax-"...REALLY?" Naomi Wildman-"You don't think I could make up a story like that do ya?" *smirk

The Neelix farewell episode has some touching moments but overall it's a bland episode with a story that's been told a million times on Trek (seemingly). Nothing to get excited about but one has to feel something at the end for Neelix's farewell -- after all he's been in the background for 7 seasons. The plot is pretty much boilerplate (stock villains, relocating a colony...) and so too is the farewell part but since those happen so rarely, it was one of the more watchable parts of the episode. I found it a major stretch that Talaxians could have made it out this far from where Voyager first found Neelix. So they are warp capable and I don't see a PD issue here. It's like the writers were contriving a suitable departure episode for Neelix where he would not need to go to Earth so they came up with this scenario. Also good to see the crew sticking up for Neelix -- especially Tuvok who had some good advice after 7 years of being standoffish. Neelix is a good character - sympathetic, caring etc. I liked the episode "Mortal Coil" but otherwise, he's mostly been a cheerleader. Naomi Wildman no longer needing him was also well written / acted as was Neelix sort of resisting getting intimate with the Talaxian widow on Voyager. He meets Janeway late at night for coffee -- wonder what he was going to ask Janeway before the captain proposes he stay behind as an ambassador? Barely 2.5 stars for "Homestead" -- the end is near for Voyager so this episode works in the grand scheme of things although it was nothing new and somewhat predictable. Not a bad hour of Trek, but once through it is definitely enough.

Rahul, you doing the sandwich method? Starting at seasons 1 and 7 and going to work your way to the middle? :)

Hi Peter G. - I guess I have been posting a lot on VOY the past couple of days -- must look weird the order that I'm reviewing the series -- it all depends on what order the Space Channel shows them!

The Dreamer

Touching episode Correct a throwaway line about a wormhole or a sub space corridor would have been nice but alas . . .perhaps it was left on the cutting room floor. Given what I know now about the behind the scenes challenges and ALL that executive meddling, it’s amazing that the show maintained any continuity at all. The modern advent of streaming which has enabled binge watching has allowed for catching the subtleties often missed on a single viewing. I have a greater appreciation for the series. And I already like all the trek series’ any how. But even 17 years after the final episode, I still find scenes that I have missed or forgotten and e be certain episodes. Nuff said

Bill Bunkum

I really enjoyed this episode. As 'boiler-plate' as it may have been, I agree with most that it's heartfelt - that's pretty good storytelling, if you ask me, to affect the viewer. I'm glad Neelix gets a dignified send off. He's so often the goof or the comic relief, a sort of static character, I sometimes wondered how he survived on his own. This episode (and, others of course) show him as having unequivocally grown, as dynamic, at the end of a long journey and as fully realized that he must move forward with his life. His time on Voyager has run its course, and yet, he will be sorely missed during the rest of their journey. Whatever this episode does, it resonates with me and I find myself melancholy afterward. Pretty awesome.

Prince of Space

Well said, Mr. Bunkum! It was kind of touching watching Neelix leave, and it gave me a melancholic vibe as well. All these chowderheads blathering on and on about “Neelix was annoying, or Neelix was jealous, or Neelix wasn’t on par with the great literary characters of fiction” have a point. But they’re still chowderheads because they go ON AND ON ABOUT IT, even at his touching and well-done departure episode. I mean seriously, we get it... would someone please give them a tasty Hot Pocket with a $10 gift card for Candy Crush Saga already to shut them up?!? And for all the “Why are there Talaxians way out here” crowd... give me a break!!! Every time Voyager turns, they show it leaning over to do so (Watch the opening credits). That’s an aerodynamic maneuver for a craft with wings, certainly not useful in space where there’s no air! Seriously, this show could be ripped apart by a 5 year old if they wanted to. Fortunately, they don’t want to. They want to be entertained. You could learn a lot from a 5 year old. haha

SouthofNorth

Neelix is gone? Four star episode! What? He didn't die in a pool of his own vomit and blood? Subtract 2 stars ...

This episode gives Neelix a decent send-off and the scenes between him and Janeway, Tuvok, and Naomi pack a decent punch. I would have preferred for him and Naomi to get a real goodbye -- will Naomi spend the rest of her days wondering if she should have paid more attention to Neelix that one time he asked to read her a story, or does she really think that she doesn't need him enough to detain him on Voyager? -- but basically these three relationships were given a weight that was pretty earned, and the send-off from the whole crew, while already used in Redemption for Worf, is ultimately pretty affecting. The show doesn't go all out into three-hankie territory but Tuvok's kind words to Neelix in astrometrics (along with his mentioning Neelix's annoying qualities) and his little dance acknowledge their complicated relationship and the way in which Neelix has earned, after seven years, Tuvok's respect. ENDGAME SPOILERS: Dropping Neelix off also avoids having to deal with the obvious questions of what kind of life he would make for himself in the Alpha Quadrant. We already know that Icheb wants to go to the Academy, so his story is more or less sorted, but for Neelix we know what his life is like *on Voyager* but not what would really happen to him when he got back to Earth. If Voyager spent another thirty years travelling, it might not be so important, but we know with the benefit of hindsight (and could maybe figure out) that Voyager is about to get home, so.... And I do think that having Neelix join other Talaxians attempting to make a life for themselves makes some sense; these are other people who were hurt by the Haakonians (sp? -- can't be bothered to look it up), and while other people on Voyager have suffered a great deal of loss, I think that he can relate to the other Talaxians on this level better than to the Voyager crew. In retrospect the lost opportunities are clear -- imagine Neelix talking with Chakotay and B'Elanna about the death of the Maquis, for example! -- but still, it makes some general sense. The species-essentialist view that he should be with His Own People goes a little under-commented on, but I think the basic idea that they are people who have more need of him and that's where he goes, as well as being able to relate to them because of shared history and genetics, makes this a relatively fine place for the character to end up. We get a reminder of both his feelings of usefulness and his jack-of-all-trades resourcefulness, as well as his longing for culture -- his throwing himself into his adoptive culture with First Contact Day celebrations is taken, to some degree, as someone who really longs to return a shared culture he recognizes as truly his own, rather than a benevolent adopted one. (What isn't stated, but I think is also a factor, is that in addition to Naomi growing up -- though for heaven's sake, she's *five*, no matter how fast half-Katarians apparently age, and her mother is still apparently nowhere to be found -- and Kes being gone, Neelix's self-appointed role as morale officer is less important now that the crew has permanent contact with Earth, and so the crew is less alone and in better spirits generally.) Where the episode fails is in the actual details of the Talaxian colony and whatnot -- it's not just that it's very generic goodies vs. baddies stuff, but also that the ending, as some have pointed out, seems really unbelievable. So, uh, this one asteroid has a shield around it, so now the people who were willing to beat up children and shoot them all are going to leave them alone? What happens when they run out of food? What happens if the baddies just come back with bigger weapons? It's not that these things all have to be resolved, but that they aren't even mentioned is strange and off-putting. Here I just have to look past what the episode actually presents to the idea behind it, which is all right. I'll say 2.5 stars, overall.

Neelix eps (or Neelix-related eps) ranked (IMO): Mortal Coil Tuvix ("related") Fair Trade Jetrel Repentance subplot Phage Homestead Once Upon a Time Riddles The Haunting of Deck Twelve Live Fast and Prosper Rise False Profits Parturition Elogium Investigations IMO, part of the reason Neelix's reputation is so bad is that the worst Neelix eps were so early in the series -- season two and three -- and by that point it was hard for the writers to fully rehabilitate the character. That said, they managed to tone him down and give him a few decent stories. I actually like Neelix, honestly, outside season two, though I'd say his potential was generally somewhat squandered.

Fully agree with the positive comments. Neelix was annoying, irl some peopels are. Perhaps not in so distinct in TOS but in the other series it is shown that it is the diversity that matters. Tuvok might be the most boring Vulcan ever but definitely someone that you would like to have next to you in a very trick situation. You need top steal a horse, just ask Tom. Seven is similar to Tuvoc but shes has much more sens of try humour ... among others. Harry, take a good hiking tour. Belana much hands on but also a rich soul. Don't marry her. Chakoaty, definitely philosophy and a buddy to talk with about men's matters . Janeway, even though I do not always like here. A fair manager. The doctor, honestly , I would only go to him with for a consultancy regarding an obscure illness or serious accident. As a team they do good. Chatting with Neelix when you do not find anyone else, getting some interesting to eat. He would never be y close friend but a respectable friend. Quark in DS9n was annoying to 80 - 90 %. Neelix only disturbing to 70 %.

Quite liked the episode and was actually getting teary eyed at the end. I was always ambivalent toward Neelix, but this made me realize he's more good than bad. My biggest complaint is the crappy asteroid they chose to settle on. Surely a better plan everyone would've preferred would be to take them to an M class planet and establish their defenses there. It annoyed me how obstinate they were about staying on a piece of rock when it wasn't their original home (or even their second one) and when it differed so dramatically from their homeworld. Seems like way too drab and depressing a place for the colorful Talaxians and, honestly, I'm sad Neelix ended up living in such a place for good.

For me, this was a touching, solid send-off for Neelix. I never disliked him (except when he had all of those jealous fits over Tom and Kes), but he never grew on me as a character. Regarding the mom MIA, Samantha Wildman, someone wrote something funny (but definitely non-canon) about how Vorik, Samantha, Lt. Carey, and a bunch of other recurring characters got reassigned to Deck 15 to do some important work, and the Borg Baby eventually joined them. Ha ha!

Tuvok cleverly gets rid of Neelix by planting the idea that he's needed elsewhere. Slick move, Tuvok! Overall, an interesting and satisfying way to resolve things for Neelix. He isn't going to have to make a life for himself far, far from home inn the Alpha quadrant, with little likelihood of ever seeing a Talaxian again. Instead, looks like he'll find love, family, friendship, and fulfilling work in his new environment. This is nice for Neelix, who's been nomadic and without family for so, so long. I liked it. Arrivederci, Neelix!

It was good leadership by Janeway. She knew that Neelix was selfless and didntbwant to give up his responsibilties on ship just for himself. So she took the decision out of his hands while stoking his ego (‘Ambassador’, ‘difficult to run the ship without you’). I too was moved by the final scene. Neelix has always been the plot exposition device guy, but he was a good man. Enjoyable episode.

I'll go against most opinions here. I didn't like Neelix to leave. He had looked forward to reaching Earth for so long, even if it wasn't his planet, he would be the only Talaxian there etc. He learned the history and the geography. It would have been satisfying to see him reach it at the end, with all his Voyager friends. Besides, shields or no that asteroid doesn't seem like it has a future. I would have been more happy if the lady and the kid had decided to come with him on Voyager instead of him staying.

@odysey could have should have

Yet Another Chris

I'll agree with Charles. It was depressing seeing Neelix take up residence on a dead rock for ever and all time. All the same, his send off was nicely done. Along with others, I'd hated Neelix at the start. He looked like a Farscape character and definitely seemed to be the Jar Jar Binks of Trek. He came a long way, though; however, it should be said that part of the reason he stood out is because most of the other characters stepped backward (i.e. fell totally flat). But he wound up being a really likable character, and he deserved to see Earth more than most.

I totally agree with Charles here. I found this episode totally unnecessary. Why did they want to get rid of Neelix, with an inplausible plot? A handful of Talaxians so far away from their native planet? I wanted Neelix to reach earth, like everybody else

For being a character with "no adequate purpose", Neelix sure seems to have taken up a lot of screen time in a lot of episodes. No wonder Beltran was pissed at the lack of development of Chakotay.

Just about wrapping up what I believe is my fourth trip thru the Voyager series, and this episode remains one of the show's most impressive achievements. And then I come back here to experience once again how difficult it is to get any unequivocal praise from Jammer about a Voyager episode. "Not groundbreaking, but..." How much series television in or out of Trek really qualifies as groundbreaking? "Not a great or inspired episode of Voyager, but..." Oh, for heaven's sake. Yes, this was a great and inspired episode of Voyager, not to mention the show's last outstanding moment before they failed to stick the landing.

I watched every episode of Voyager, from The Caretaker to Endgame, from Threshold to Living Witness, and I never had a problem with Neelix. I also liked Harry, the Forever Ensin, Can't Get A Lock Harry, Read Me Like A Book Harry, and I'm glad that they gave Neelix a respectable sendoff. He desperately needed one to dignify his character, and he deserved a happy ending, so I'm glad he got one.

Sleeper Agent

Voyager isn't as even as the previous Trek series, but what it lacks in uniformity, it makes up for in episodes that reach deep inside, and touch your heart in a most profound way. This is one of those episodes. Live long and prosper, Mr Neelix.

Not a great episode by any stretch, but a serviceable one nonetheless. I did get a little choked up when Neelix did his last walk down the corridor and Tuvok's dance was an especially nice touch. A very generous 3 stars seems about right.

Sarjenka's Brother

I can overlook the improbable situation of Talaxians that far from home. After all, Voyager found short cuts. Why not them? (And yes, an explanatory sentence would have been a nice nod). Otherwise, what a wonderful send-off. Visually, this episode is stunning, as all of Season 7 has been. For visuals, this is peak Trek right here (I don't like the stuff they're doing in the 21st century. It's too much. Voyager is just spot-on for me). And I'm not sure living in the asteroid is any worse than living on DS9, for instance. It's just a different kind of space station. It's not quite a 4-star true Trek classic, but nonetheless a touching and enjoyable send-off episode.

One thing I really didn't like though is that this episode seemed a bit cowardly, trying to pair Neelix off with one of his "own kind", basically saying that he could never make it with an alien, and that it's best that he finds love with his own species. I know some will say "but B'Elanna is Klingon, and she married Tom" - but in that case she was half human already, hated her Klingon side, and Klingons are practically human; they've been around so long. Lets review some others... Neelix/Kes - didn't work out Janeway/Jaffen - didn't work out Seven/Doctor - didn't work out Doctor/Danara - didn't work out Chakotay/Kellin - didn't work out Harry/Derran - didn't work out (which I didn't get, she literally was able to leave and would have a much better time exploring on voyager, and was bonded with Harry, so at the end she goes wondering in a space pod?! What the heck was that about?!) Chakotay/Seska - didn't work out Seven/Axum - didn't work out Tom/Kes - didn't work out (it did in the alternate timeline, but that was a 'what if' timeline that didn't actually happen) Harry/Linnis - didn't work out (same alternate timeline) Tuvok/Noss - didn't work out (okay, he was married, but even better for the producers as it was doomed from the beginning) Tuvok/Marayna - didn't work out (same reason as above) What did work out? B'Elanna/Tom - human/half-human discussed above Seven/Chakotay - human/human Tuvok/T'Pel - vulcan/vulcan Neelix/Dexa - Talaxian/Talaxian Janeway/Chakotay - human/human (they didn't end up together, but they almost did in Resolutions) Samantha/Greskrendtregk - human/K'tarian - the only real interracial, but he was never seen, so essentially out of sight, out of mind. Sure, I know, random characters couldn't become permanent, but Neelix was right there - why couldn't he in all that time fall for someone already on Voyager (statically he should have considering his personality)? Neelix/Seven would have been shocking, but they were both there, and would probably have been pretty interesting - people mad because she chose him, his style versus hers, etc)! Yeah, Naomi was the product of Human/Ktarian, but he wasn't around, and other than the facial things, Naomi was basically human. Maybe I'm reading more in to it, but Hollywood has on countless occasions avoided interracial pairings so that they could sell their shows to conservative red states without controversy. At the very least they could have made the colony some other race, maybe even Haakonian which would have been an interesting path! But no, lets keep the offensive interracial stuff to a minimum...

@Emmy I respect your point of view, and you do an interesting analysis, but to answer your own question, I think yes, you may be reading a bit more into it. But who can really say for sure?

I have dreaded Neelix episodes up until S4. By then I tolerated the way the character was written. Now Lo and Behold, a Neelix episode comes along, his swan-song no less, and I believe I have watched one of the best Voyager episodes, and a top rated overall Trek episode. The characterizations made allllllll the difference - the camaraderie of the Crew to justify Neelix's role, the rising to the occassion of Neelix to defend a child and lead a race, the acknowledgement of Neelix's worth (and annoyance) by Tuvok, the Neelix/Janeway conversation in the dark mess-hall, and most of all, the entire last scen with the lining of the corridor by the crew with shake-a-leg dance from Tuvok and the wordless exit of Neelix. I finally found some sympathy for this maligned character

Actually, Neelix has seen Earth twice per se. The "real" Earth's Los Angeles, albeit 375 years earlier, in "Future's End", and a Species 8472 created facsimile of "contemporary" Earth's San Francisco in "In The Flesh".

A fitting tribute to a terrible character. I'll put aside the glaring gaps in logic about how the Talaxians got there or why they would stay on an asteroid instead of moving to an M class planet. Ethan Phillips was at his best here. Neelix was an absolute waste of a character. The comic relief was unwanted and annoying, and Trek cannot devote an entire character to that purpose. Trek humor is best when stiff characters like Picard lighten up such as his scene on Risa where he buys the sex statue, or when he tells Data jokingly to put Riker in the brig and he takes it seriously. Beyond the court jester role and cook, the writers tried to shoehorn Neelix into random roles like holding a tricorder on an away mission or giving unwanted advice. Trying to turn him into Guinan was a failure, as he lacked the wisdom and credibility to do so. Neelix would have been much better as a Garak-like character. He could have been crafty, clever, and shady with a questionable past and tons of connections. He could have outsmarted Voyager's foes with his guile. It would have made better entertainment than 7 years of Bozo the Clown.

Couldn't help but like Neelix...and I must admit that I have enjoyed the mess hall aspect of Voyager from the start. Just the thought of Neelix using his various woks to create strange foods for everyone brought a smile. I'm just glad that the soundstage never caught on fire! 'Homestead was retread' in many ways, but it worked for me. Tuvok's move with the foot was fantastic. The deep emotion on set was palpable. It was great to see this as a first-time viewer.

Kim and Chakotay make Neelix look good in front of Dexa's kid. Tuvok pays Neelix a nice compliment. Janeway wishes Neelix a safe journey. Don’t Talaxians know how to say, "Thank you"?

Definition of "cringeworthy": Ethan Phillips as Neelix "dancing" to "Zefram Cochrane's favorite music."

"JANEWAY: Now that we've established two-way communication with Earth, it seems to me Starfleet could use a permanent ambassador in the Delta Quadrant." Not to nitpick — OK, to nitpick — but wouldn’t it be the Federation, not Starfleet, that could use an ambassador? Isn’t that like saying the U.S. Army could use an ambassador?

The Tuvok/Neelix dynamic has always been one of the underappreciated aspects of the show. Neelix wanted Tuvok's approval and Tuvok grew to appreciate him in his own Vulcan way.

I'm so glad Tuvok's master plan to get Neelix off the ship has finally come to fruition.

TheRealTrent

I thought this was one of the best episodes of the season, and one of Trek's best "farewell episodes". I wasn't surprised to learn that LeVar Burton directed it; his episodes always seem to be just a little bit visually superior to everything else. Everyone's praised the last act of the episode, which is sweet, sad and touching - particularly Tuvok's gesture and Janeway's conversations with Neelix - but I thought the production design in the first half was excellent as well. The way LeVar photographs the hollow asteroid is quite clever, and he achieves a real sense of space and place on a limited budget. Many comments above are dissing Neelix as a character, but IMO he still had more more great episodes dedicated to him than either Paris or Kim. Neelix had this, Mortal Coil and Tuvix. Kim had what? Emanations and Timeless? And does Paris have anything other than The Chute?

Neelix also had Fair Trade, Trent. As bad of a character as Neelix is, imo, he's still played by a much better actor than McNeil and Wong. Better actors don't always get better scripts, but they can make scripts look better than they really are.

Some of the many "Paris episodes" (if you will) -- I think he got more to work with than "Neelix" did, though many times he's "paired" with Harry Kim or Torres etc.: - "Ex Post Facto" - "Non Sequitur" - "Parturition" - "Threshold" - a true "Paris episode" - "The Chute" - "Vis a Vis" - another true "Paris episode" - "Thirty Days" - a true "Paris episode" - "Alice" - a true "Paris episode" - "Drive"

Marlboro said: "Neelix also had Fair Trade" I rank "Fair Trade" alongside stuff like "Jetrel". It's good and has some meaty ideas, but I've never thought of it as a "great episode". Rahul said: "Some of the many "Paris episodes" ..." There are lots more, but they're mostly all bad. I think "The Chute" is his strongest one (in hindsight, it's a good Kim episode too). Then "Lineage", which I'd class as an all-time great episode, but he heavily shares it with Torres, so it's probably not a "true Paris episode". I saw "Live Fast and Prosper" and "Prophecy" recently, which I thought were decent Paris-heavy episodes. Not great, but not as bad as his episodes usually are.

Finally, they got rid of this useless character. If only they did it sooner.

What a beautiful send off for Neelix. The look on the captain’s face when Neelix accepts her offer conveyed such emotion and sadness and turned me into a mess. Incredible acting. The scene with Tuvok at the end was the icing on the cake. 4/4

Hmmm I thought this episode was okay, but it would have been more believable if the Talaxians lived on a planet. I just can’t believe Neelix would settle down in a cave so quickly. I think it would have been better if he’d have helped the Talaxians and then stayed onboard with „his people“ and return to earth with them. I struggled watching his appearances over the course of Seven seasons. Either get rid of the annoying character quickly but don’t „torture“ me and then get rid of him just before the finale 😂

It never ceases to amaze me that the most poignant moments in Star Trek have a tendency to revolve around non-emotive characters giving dignified and appropriately understated farewells(think Spock in the reactor core[sniff]). I’ve long been a neelix detractor, especially in relation to tuvok, but when tuvok “danced” and gave his Vulcan goodbye it was genuinely touching. Tim Russ nailed the tenor of that scene. It’s just too bad the previous seven seasons hadn’t done a better job earning that moment. Ah well. It might also be worth while for the current crop of Star Trek shows(looking at you Discovery) to take note of the role that dignity and composure play in establishing characters. Rather than watching people burst into tears or bicker constantly, I’d argue audiences tend to respond more positively to excellence, perseverance, confidence, and remaining true to oneself despite one’s outsider status. Take a sampling of the most popular characters across the trek franchise: Spock, Data, Seven. There’s a pattern that emerges, and blubbery emotional displays ain’t part of it. Just sayin’…

Where was Samantha Wildman? I'm assuming the actress wasn't hired for more episodes? It was really awkward given Neelix played such a huge role in her single-mother life. How can there be an ambassador for an entire quadrant? What is he the ambassador to? He got a better send off than Kes at least. The distance the Talaxians traveled and whether it made sense... yada yada... obviously the show runners stopped caring about stuff like that. I mean, besides the distance, the Talaxians also got through Borg space and probably innumerable other dangers. They also settled more than once previous to the asteroid field. That's a LOT of ground to cover yet Dexa is still so young. Do Talaxians secretly have transwarp? I didn't hate Neelix or Ethan Phillips. I was annoyed that the writers didn't put his dialogue moments to better use. We only got to see mature dialog between him and the crew on the very episode his character was being retired. That was irritating.

Scouring the transcripts, it's not mentioned, but I have a feeling that the colonists turned up after the miners had started their operations in the field. Since at no point do the colonists say "we got here first", it would make sense. In which case Voyager helped the colonists steal territory. These colonists have done it before - they settled on someone else's planet, then were mad that they didn't have freedom over the entire planet. Helping people is one thing, but allowing an entirely different species to settle on your planet and give them unrestricted access, and who no doubt will start to want political power eventually too, seems a bit unreasonable.

Touching, respectful send-off for a character who was often poorly written. The conflict between the mine owners and Talaxians was irritating. It appears the Talaxians set up a squat inside an asteroid that belonged to others, then became outraged when the rightful owners turned up and wanted to use their own property. No Talaxians (or STV writers) express the slightest understanding that the squatters are in the wrong and should in fact GTFO - or else compensate the mining corp. We are supposed to cheer for the climax, in which the Talaxian squatters violently drive away the people whose land they’ve stolen. Why?

Jeffrey Jakucyk

"No Talaxians (or STV writers) express the slightest understanding that the squatters are in the wrong and should in fact GTFO - or else compensate the mining corp." Look up adverse possession sometime. It's not as black-and-white as you make it out to be. The Talaxians have been on this asteroid at least five years, which isn't that long, and we don't know when the miners first notified them that they were trespassing, so it's difficult to make a judgment. Nevertheless, there is precedent for this sort of situation.

Agreed: We dont know the details or the local laws. There could be all kinds of shades of grey. What I object to is that the default position of the writers and characters - and apparently 99.5 percent of viewers - is Of Course The Mining Corporation Is Evil. This position rests on various lazy and unexamined bigotries: - ”Corporations are Faceless and Bad”. (This is a dumb dehumanizing stance. Corporations are made of people from top to bottom, and serve people, which is why they exist.) -“Mining Corporations are Extra Bad”. (Has any mining corp and its directors ever been favorably portrayed in the last 50 years?) - “People we don’t see/listen to/get to know are Bad and we should have no interest in their side of the story.” - “The group with the sob story is the deserving side, due to having suffered - or claiming to have suffered - and therefore fairness and law and the rights of others can be thrown out the window.” - “In a David-v-Goliath matchup, the little guy is always morally right. Because he’s smaller!” For a franchise that is lauded for making us think about real-world issues, mindlessly displaying these unexamined bigotries (and encouraging the audience to nod along) isn’t brave or thought-provoking. It’s the oppositte.

Sean Hagins

I knew this was one of the last episodes, but I really didn't remember that Neelix stayed with his people! I'm not sure what to think about that. I mean, I understand that he found love, and feels he has a lot to offer, but I also think the Naomi part was too forced to make him feel like he could leave. (Naomi saying that she was too old to be tucked in makes sense, but I feel that the last time we saw her (with the Borg children I think), she still seemed very close to Neelix, and now she seemed to almost be embarrassed that he visited her (maybe I am reading this incorrectly) I also like that instead of fighting the miners, the Talaxians just erected a shield so they wouldn't be bothered by them. Of course, the subtext about them being pushed around by various species is a reflection of the real racism that goes on in the world (As Ecc 8:9 says "Man dominates man to his harm"). I do think it is a shame Neelix doesn't get a chance to see Earth-I kind of think he was looking forward to that. If I wrote the show, I wouldn't have had it end like this-but again, I wouldn't have had the Borg children leave either.

Just one final thought: a sentiment that a lot of people expressed is dismay over the absence of Samatha Wildman. I totally agree with this-I think that is why I thought she died in her episode a few seasons ago when I was rewatching this. I know Voyager doesn't like to end things on a downer, but if they had her die in that episode, it would actually make more sense of the rest of the series. I'm not really sure why they didn't do that.

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Voyager discovers a Talaxian mining colony, threatened by a vicious company who want them removed from the region.

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Star Trek: Voyager: Homestead

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"Homestead" is the twenty-third episode of the seventh and final season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager .

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This episode provides examples of

Artistic License – Physics : The Talaxians have managed to extract 'geothermal energy' from an asteroid. Asteroids don't have nearly the gravity needed to squeeze the core and create the temperatures that would allow geothermal energy to exist at all.
Asteroid Miners : Per sci-fi tradition, the adversaries in this episode are a group of miners who are seeking the deposit that the Talaxian colony are living on.
Big Damn Heroes : Janeway, Paris and Tuvok in the Delta Flyer just narrowly avert Neelix's Heroic Sacrifice , destroying a Voron charge he was on a collision course with.
But Now I Must Go : Even though Neelix has come to be invaluable to Voyager and to Janeway and the rest, he takes on the huge responsibility of being Starfleet's permanent Delta Quadrant Ambassador, and what better place to do it than among his people?
Naomi tells Brax the story of how Tuvok and Neelix were combined into a single person.
As Neelix leaves Voyager , he finds the Voyager crew lining the corridor to the transporter pad, echoing the ending of TNG's "Redemption: Part I", as Worf saw a similar farewell from his shipmates as he left the Enterprise to take part in the Klingon Civil War.
Continuity Nod : The first words spoken by a Vulcan to a human were indeed , " live long and prosper ".
Exact Words : Neelix says he's not leaving Voyager until he's seen Tuvok do a couple of dance steps. As he leaves Voyager , Tuvok calls out to him, then moves his foot in exactly two steps.
Fictional Holiday : In the opening scene, the crew is celebrating First Contact Day, the anniversary of humanity's first contact with the Vulcans on April 5, 2063 . Captain Janeway recalls that it was typically only celebrated with a day off from school when she was a child.
Friendship Moment : Neelix gets a well-deserved Worf-style sendoff , with the crew lining the corridor to the transporter pad.
Love at First Sight : Neelix had to have fallen head over heels for the extremely attractive Dexa; besides helping his people and serving as Delta Quadrant Ambassador, she's a big part of why he decided to leave Voyager .
Pet the Dog : Tuvok giving Neelix something of a pep talk before he goes to defend the Talaxians, and in doing so, admitting (in his own Vulcan way) that he really does have a measure of respect for Neelix after all these years. He even does a very restrained jig with his leg when the crew see Neelix off, after having insisted that Vulcans don't dance .
Sci-Fi Writers Have No Sense of Scale : It's barely touched on how a Talaxian colony travelled 40,000 light years to the opposite side of Borg space from their homeworld, not to mention having evading countless other hostile species and Negative Space Wedgies .
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right! : Janeway bends the Prime Directive again by commanding the Delta Flyer into a Big Damn Heroes moment to save Neelix from his impending Heroic Sacrifice to ensure the completion of the Talaxian shield array.
Status Quo Is God : The only starring character not from the Alpha Quadrant who was left from the start of Voyager 's journey home leaves the series before Voyager gets there. (Icheb, the ex-B does indeed migrate to the Alpha Quadrant and appears briefly in the Series Finale , but the writers apparently thought Neelix having to spend the rest of his life among non-Talaxians was too depressing).

Took a Level in Badass : Neelix! He fights for his fellow Talaxians fiercely, even going Papa Wolf on a Voron jerk who assaults his little friend Brax.
Would Hurt a Child : That Voron didn't count on Neelix's fiercely loyal streak.
You Are Better than You Think You Are : Doubtful that he has any leadership qualities to help his new Talaxian friends, Neelix then gets this speech from Tuvok. Turns out, after all these years, Tuvok has grown to appreciate certain things about Neelix, and stops just short of going full Dare to Be Badass on him.
Star Trek Voyager S 7 E 20 Natural Law
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Star Trek Voyager S 7 E 22 Renaissance Man

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Star Trek: Voyager/Homestead

Homestead is the twenty-third episode of the seventh season of Star Trek: Voyager , and the one hundred sixty-ninth episode overall.

Starring : Kate Mulgrew ( Captain Kathryn Janeway )

Also Starring : Robert Beltran ( Chakotay ), Roxann Dawson ( B'Elanna Torres ), Robert Duncan McNeill ( Tom Paris ), Ethan Phillips ( Neelix ), Robert Picardo ( The Doctor ), Tim Russ ( Tuvok ), Jeri Ryan ( Seven of Nine ), Garrett Wang ( Harry Kim )

Guest Stars : Rob Labelle (Oxilon), Julianne Christie (Dexa), Ian Meltzer (Brax), Scarlett Pomers ( Naomi Wildman )

Co-Stars : John Kenton Shull (Nocona), Christian R. Conrad (Miner), Majel Barrett (Computer Voice)

Plot Overview

Neelix is reunited with his own species when he finds a settlement of Talaxians being oppressed by mercenaries on a mineral-rich asteroid.

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Star Trek: Voyager – Season 7, Episode 22

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Watch Star Trek: Voyager — Season 7, Episode 22 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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Cast & crew.

Kate Mulgrew

Capt. Kathryn Janeway

Robert Beltran

Roxann Dawson

B'Elanna Torres

Robert Duncan McNeill

Ethan Phillips

Robert Picardo

Episode Info

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Watch Star Trek: Voyager Season 7 Episode 23: Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager Rewatch: “Homestead”
"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001)
Star Trek: Voyager Rewatch: “Homestead”
Star Trek: Voyager "Homestead"
Homestead (2001)

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Homestead Life in Alaska ~ Winter Arrives ~ Nordland 49
Renovating Neglected Country House in Scotland
Voyager Clip
Happy First Contact Day! 🌎 🗺 🌏 🌙 🌚 🌔 #firstcontact #startrek
Star Trek Voyager Homestead
Neelix leaves Voyager

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"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001)
Homestead: Directed by LeVar Burton. With Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill. Voyager finds a colony of Talaxians far from their home planet. When Neelix begins to bond with them, he makes a major decision.
Homestead (Star Trek: Voyager)
Homestead (Star Trek: Voyager) Homestead (. Star Trek: Voyager. ) " Homestead " is the 169th episode of Star Trek: Voyager and the 23rd episode of the seventh season. One of the final episodes of the series, it marks the departure of Neelix from the crew of the Starship Voyager. The episode was directed by LeVar Burton and aired 9 May 2001 on UPN.
Homestead (episode)
The concept of Neelix having a romantic relationship with a Talaxian female, following his long-term romance with Kes, was thought up by Neelix actor Ethan Phillips as early as the beginning of Star Trek: Voyager 's fourth season.
"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001)
Find out who directed, wrote, produced, and starred in the Star Trek: Voyager episode Homestead, which aired in 2001. See the full list of cast and crew members, including Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, and more.
" Homestead" Another wonderful episode, I'm sad to see Neelix ...
" Homestead" Another wonderful episode, I'm sad to see Neelix go but I have 2 questions, How did the Talaxian's travel 35,000 light years from their home to where they are at now? and Naomi Wildman I believe was born in season 2 but in this episode it looks like she's 12 to 14 years old. : r/voyager r/voyager r/voyager
"Homestead"
In-depth critical reviews of Star Trek and some other sci-fi series. Includes all episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds. Also, Star Wars, the new Battlestar Galactica, and The Orville.
S7E23: Homestead : r/voyager
S7E23: Homestead. I have not cried like this in a very long time. This is my first watch through of Voyager and I am broken after watching this episode. I can't tell if I'm happy, sad, proud, or what, but it HURTS. 50 Share.
"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001)
He leaves Voyager without saying a word to his comrades, without saying goodbye, without a farewell party? He, who used to throw a party for every alien holiday, now disappears without words of thanks and congratulations?
Homestead : r/voyager
Welcome to the subreddit all about Star Trek: Voyager! The aim of this subreddit is to provide a friendly and welcoming environment to discuss all things Voyager related. Homestead. Neelix basically says "Ight Imma Dip!" Voyager at that point had travelled tens of thousands of light years at that point.
Star Trek: Voyager
Homestead Stardate: 54868.6 - When Voyager discovers a settlement of Talaxians on an asteroid caught in an industrial conflict, the crew manage find a new home for the population. When an armed conflict between the mining operations and the re-settled Talaxians erupts, Neelix is offered a chance of a new life away from Voyager within the colony.
Star Trek: Voyager season 7 Homestead
Star Trek: Voyager follows the adventures of the Federation starship Voyager, which is under the command of Captain Kathryn Janeway.Voyager is in pursuit of a rebel Maquis ship in a dangerous part of the Alpha Quadrant when it is suddenly thrown 70,000 light years away to the Delta Quadrant. With much of her crew dead, Captain Janeway is forced to join forces with the Maquis to find a way back ...
Homestead
Stardate: 54868.6. Voyager discovers a Talaxian mining colony, threatened by a vicious company who want them removed from the region.
Star Trek: Voyager: Homestead
"Homestead" is the twenty-third episode of the seventh and final season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager.
Star Trek Voyager S 7 E 21 Homestead
A page for describing Recap: Star Trek Voyager S 7 E 21 Homestead. Voyager discovers a contingent of Talaxians living inside an asteroid, in the middle of a …
Star Trek: Voyager/Homestead
Homestead is the twenty-third episode of the seventh season of Star Trek: Voyager, and the one hundred sixty-ninth episode overall.
VOY S7E22: Homestead : r/startrek
r/startrek. A casual, constructive, and most importantly, welcoming place on the internet to talk about Star Trek. MembersOnline. •. choicemeats. ADMIN MOD. VOY S7E22: Homestead. This is my 4th run-through of Voyager, and therefore my 4th run-through of Homestead.
"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001)
"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001) Julianne Christie as Dexa
Homestead
Episode Guide for Star Trek: Voyager 7x23: Homestead. Episode summary, trailer and screencaps; guest stars and main cast list; and more.
Star Trek: Voyager: Season 7
Stardate: 54868.6 - Neelix finds he must make hard choices when he becomes involved in the struggle of Talaxian refugees whose home in an asteroid belt is threatened by alien miners.
In Star Trek: Voyager's episode "Homestead", how did the Talaxians
19 In Voyager episode "Jetrel", I believe it is explained that the Talaxian-Haakonian war had started no more than 31 years earlier. Yet despite Voyager's various jumps and boosts along the way back to the Alpha Quadrant (shortening their journey significantly), in the episode "Homestead" they manage to run into a colony of Talaxians on an asteroid quite far from Talax.
Homestead
Neelix is faced with the decision of a lifetime when Voyager locates a tribe of exiled Talaxians on a distant asteroid.
"Star Trek: Voyager" Homestead (TV Episode 2001)
Homestead. Star Trek: Voyager. At the beginning of the episode, the Voyager crew throw a party in the Mess Hall celebrating the 315th anniversary of Zefram Cochrane breaking the Warp Speed barrier, and Earth's first contact with Vulcans. Star Trek: First Contact (1996) established that the Warp Flight and First Contact both took place in 2063 ...
Star Trek: Voyager
Watch Star Trek: Voyager — Season 7, Episode 22 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Homestead (episode)

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Star Trek: Voyager: Homestead

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Julianne Christie

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Kate Mulgrew

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Robert Duncan McNeill

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Star Trek: Voyager – Season 7, Episode 22

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