Episode Review - Drive
Reviewed by Oliver Lenz

Synopsis
The episode starts with Paris and Kim testing the rebuilt Delta Flyer in an asteroid field. They meet another ship, whose pilot, Irina, challenges them to a race. They agree to that and the Delta Flyer wins. Irina then tells them about a race that will be held as a peace-event between four previously warring factions. She is willing to provide the necessary technology, for Paris and Kim to participate. Paris is very enthusiastic and it takes him surprisingly little effort to persuade Captain Janeway. A conversation with The Doctor reminds him that he forgot all about a romantic weekend on the holodeck he had planned with Torres. He asks her if it is possible to delay the weekend, and she says she that doesn’t mind. At least that’s what she wants him to think, even though she has been through quite some trouble to arrange the holodeck time. As a result of his late cancellation and continual casual-seeming behaviour over the last few months she begins to doubt as to whether they belong together. She eventually concludes to tell Paris about it after the race.

The pre and post ceremonies are held onboard Voyager, because of its neutrality in the conflict that has just ended. During the pre ceremony, Paris meets Joxom, who used to be fighter pilot in the war and seems to be willing to go a long way to win the race.
Before the race starts, Torres joins Paris and tells him that she will be his co-pilot instead of Kim. All goes well until the ships are told to stop because Irina’s co-pilot was electrocuted by a panel overload. At first, dangerous driving seems to be the cause, but then it is discovered that the ship has been rigged with a device that caused the overload.
Harry proposes to be Irina’s new co-pilot and helps her to repair the ship. As time goes by, they seem to be getting along pretty well. The race continues and Paris and Torres are leading, followed by Joxom and Irina. Onboard the latter ship the control panel overloads yet again, and Kim notices just in time. Irina then points a phaser at him explaining that she wants to end the peace. Kim manages to turn the odds by quickly turning the ship to the right. They struggle and Kim takes away the phaser. It becomes clear that Irina rigged her own ship. Kim realises that she must have also rigged the Delta Flyer, causing her to explode once at the finish, which would result in thousands of deaths. Also, Irina has disabled communication onboard her ship. Meanwhile, onboard the Delta Flyer, Torres reveals her concerns about their relationship to Paris. Paris stops the Flyer and they are soon passed by Joxom. Paris tries to make up with her but is suddenly interrupted by Morse code, the only way Kim could contact them, warning them for what is to come. Torres discovers that they have only 2 minutes left and they will have to eject the entire warp-core. This however would kill anything in a 1 million kilometre radius. They head for a nebula that could contain the explosion. While the tension rises, Paris proposes to Torres. Torres is amazed and thinks they have other things to worry about at the moment, notably their imminent destruction. After some trouble they are able to eject the warp-core. Paris then repeats his proposition and Torres, who thought Paris only proposed because of their near death, accepts and everybody is happy. Well, except for Irina.

Review
I thought it was a very good episode. There were many things to like, the writers managed to evade a lot of cliché things. For example the Delta Flyer didn’t win, I really hoped they wouldn’t. It would have been so typical for Voyager to just drop by and win the race. Also, Joxom didn’t turn out to be the bad guy, and he turned out to be right, he won. Luckily no ‘fair play leads to success’ lesson this time. I was surprised the way Janeway accepted Paris’ plan right away, I loved how everybody was surprised. Overall, there were many comical lines, The Doctor, Tuvok, Neelix and Seven of Nine were mainly there for comical relief, and they did well, especially the Doctor. Visually, this episode also excelled with great special effects and nice-looking racing uniforms. Finally, Paris’ and Torres’ relationship was handled really well, it was nice to finally see some progression. Normally, I don’t like relational scenes that much, but this wasn’t the case here.

Rating: 8.5/10