#in my mind they tease the episode as Janeway & Chakotay being romantic with each other only to reveal that that's just Tuvok

[bumblingbabooshka]

Star Trek Voyager Episode where the crew interacts with a species wherein only married couples can be respected captain-first officer duos and so Janeway has to be pretend to be married to Chakotay in order to cut a deal. Neelix suggests this, saying that's actually how most people do it - even amongst that species themselves. A lot of marriages of convenience even as they all pretend to be deeply in love. However, the day they're supposed to be beamed down Janeway wakes up in Tuvok's body and vice versa. It's decided that Tuvok will go down instead. On the planet, Tuvok quickly shows that he's able to act exactly like Janeway to an almost uncanny degree (funny bc it's just Janeway's actor acting normally). Tuvok explains it's because he's extremely well acquainted with her, it isn't difficult to imagine what she'd think, how she'd act, in most situations. (This is related to Tuvok keeping 'detailed notes' on Janeway but not mentioned in episode). He and Chakotay have a lot of tension between them because Tuvok keeps verbally poking at him whenever he's not acting as Janeway and they have a bad history with undercover work between them. This eventually culminates in a large argument RIGHT before they have to do a dinner wherein everyone in attendance looks into their partner's eyes and talks about why they love them. Uh oh! Chakotay goes first after Tuvok pauses for a suspiciously long time when he's called upon to do it (mix of not knowing how Janeway would do this particular thing & the recent argument). Though he's ostensibly talking about his feelings for Janeway it's obvious to the audience and Tuvok that he's actually talking to Tuvok about how his actions hurt Chakotay but he wants to move forward and try to get along because that's his responsibility. He knows Tuvok is extraordinarily competent at his job but can't help thinking about how much better they'd be able to work as a team if he didn't fight against him so much. Chakotay's in a new and difficult situation too. He wishes Tuvok wouldn't make it harder. In the past [the Maquis] they worked together so well - he's willing to try with him to get back to that. Is Tuvok? When it's finally Tuvok's turn he does the same, apologizing for how he's been acting toward Chakotay and is even able to (through speaking as Janeway) bring up slightly more emotional things he's going through such as jealousy and loneliness. Then he reaffirms (as Janeway) and affirms for the first time (as Tuvok) that there's no one on board better suited to the role of first officer than Chakotay and they're fortunate to have him. He hopes that he might earn Chakotay's forgiveness and believes that with effort they can repair what's happened between them. It is a stark contrast to the extremely flowery, grandiose, and yet somehow generic declarations of love everyone else has given throughout the dinner and for a moment all is quiet. Then the head of the table stands and gestures for the two of them to brought a rose - signaling that they've been recognized as allies. "That," the head says gravely, nodding. "Is love." On the way back to Voyager they receive news that after several twists and turns wherein like everybody got body swapped for a while they've got a surefire way to swap back! Chakotay and Tuvok bicker briefly about something mundane and Chakotay brings up what they said to each other on the planet. Tuvok insists he was speaking as Janeway. Chakotay disengages, sighing. He thought they might actually be able to move past this. After a brief silence Chakotay brings up that it's sort of a shame he never got to swap with anyone. Feels like he missed out. Tuvok is quiet before saying he believes Chakotay is perfectly fine as-is. Chakotay looks at him. Tuvok doesn't meet his gaze. Chakotay smiles softly, turning away. Zoom out as the shuttle enters Voyager, roll credits. [Patreon | Commissions]