I wasn't too keen on this episode on the beginning, having become a little annoyed by Tom and B'Elanna's less-than-happy coupling. I did not feel like going through another round of Telanna fights. However by the end of the episode I was impressed by how they both have seemed to have grown and show that they care for one another more openly. Not only that, but this episode was constructed in such a way in that really pulled you into the characters' plight.
When someone becomes a parent, they are often reminded of what they went through as a child. This happened with B'Elanna, and we were given a little more insight into why she hated being Klingon so much. While she did get teased a little, it was her interpretation of her father's departure being not only her fault directly for telling him to leave, but indirectly her and her mother's fault for being Klingon and too difficult to live with, as she overheard him complain about them.
This whole portrayal was very realistic, minus the Klingons! It is very common for adults to still harbor illogical beliefs that surface when things happen to them as children exactly like this.
In the end, you really felt B'Elanna's pain when she finally confessed all of this to Tom. Tom did a stellar job in comforting her and putting her fears to rest. I was impressed by both of them in this scene so far as being mature characters in a relationship. Due to their acting in this sequence, it was highly believable and moving. Also, knowing these events made B'Elanna's actions in the past when she denied her heritage a little more understandable.
The episode ended on a very feel-good note when B'Elanna finally accepted her child as part Klingon and gave the most realistic heartfelt smile I have seen her give in the series.
The idea of genetic manipulation arose as well. This is a timeless issue, and it was interesting to hear the arguments. There were comparisons made about how is it okay to correct one defect, but not another? As genetic manipulation becomes more realistic in future years, we may be revisiting these issues.
When someone becomes a parent, they are often reminded of what they went through as a child. This happened with B'Elanna, and we were given a little more insight into why she hated being Klingon so much. While she did get teased a little, it was her interpretation of her father's departure being not only her fault directly for telling him to leave, but indirectly her and her mother's fault for being Klingon and too difficult to live with, as she overheard him complain about them.
This whole portrayal was very realistic, minus the Klingons! It is very common for adults to still harbor illogical beliefs that surface when things happen to them as children exactly like this.
In the end, you really felt B'Elanna's pain when she finally confessed all of this to Tom. Tom did a stellar job in comforting her and putting her fears to rest. I was impressed by both of them in this scene so far as being mature characters in a relationship. Due to their acting in this sequence, it was highly believable and moving. Also, knowing these events made B'Elanna's actions in the past when she denied her heritage a little more understandable.
The episode ended on a very feel-good note when B'Elanna finally accepted her child as part Klingon and gave the most realistic heartfelt smile I have seen her give in the series.
The idea of genetic manipulation arose as well. This is a timeless issue, and it was interesting to hear the arguments. There were comparisons made about how is it okay to correct one defect, but not another? As genetic manipulation becomes more realistic in future years, we may be revisiting these issues.