You hate Neelix. I hate Neelix. We all hate the crap outta Neelix!
Catchy, no? If you don’t have ice cream, ya gotta make do.
Nah, I don’t hate Star Trek: Voyager’s weirdly cuddly alien, really. Although I find myself truly frustrated by his character. Neelix can be funny - sometimes. He can be interesting - sometimes. Let’s be honest, he’s none of those most of the time. Perhaps it wasn’t his fault, simply owing to the fact he was going it alone. Neelix flew on a solo flight and fight, far removed from his race and home world.
Pros to cons? There was his Ocampan lover, the elf like Kes (Jennifer Lien) - for awhile, anyway. Theirs wasn’t a romance for the ages, even a glaring mismatch to some, but he seemed more engaging. They complimented each other. Kes going off to find other companions may have been intriguing, it sort of lessened both of them.
Neelix sorta came across as a Ferengi without a brood. If Quark acted as the only member of his race on Deep Space Nine, he’d probably still be entertaining, but with Rom and Nog and others interacting with him, we certainly got more than a taste of what Ferengi are like as a species and culture.
Of course, if the whole of the race is lackluster or even outright boring, maybe it’s better we were only burdened with one. Less can definitely be more.
Talaxians - even when we saw them - were only notable for the makeup - Sonic The Hedgehog looking folk. What was their culture all about? I never could discern any of it. Flotter that bizarre blue thing in the dream sequences? They were jacks and janes of all trades? I dunno, do you? Does any of us?
Voyager’s Chillaxan Talaxian
Neelix tries his best. Nobody can accuse him of doing anything less than trying. Though I’d respectfully ask: Is trying enough? A famous Jedi master reminds us there is only do or do not, there is no try.
Ultimately, Neelix serves many a purpose on Captain Janeway’s Intrepid Class Starship. Or at least he tries to serve a purpose more than simply looking awesomely asinine in those garish clothes of his. He’s a cook, mascot of sorts, unofficial counselor and recreational coach.
He’s Voyager’s Tony Robbins without the scores of books or insane height.
How many ways can a character be annoying and useless? Hey, now, I want to be clear, that’s not me saying he’s both annoying and useless. Hmm. Or is it?
I’m simply stirring up the pot a bit, you know like Neelix mixing up Leola Root Stew, to offer up what more than a few fans say about him. He tries to be purposeful, he tries to be an assist to the crew, but does he ever succeed? Or does he simply come off as man without a home or reason for being on the Starfleet vessel?
And what of Tuvok and Neelix - the celebrated sci-fi Odd Couple of Voyager? Can a Vulcan authentically hate another? Doubtful. But we know how focused Neelix gets around someone as serious minded and no nonsense such as Mister Vulcan. Tuvok must love the concept of hating Neelix - without all the squishy emotions attached.
Oh, we can’t overlook this particular verbal Neelix irritation. Let’s really get down to it about that Mister shit. If a guy kept putting Mister in front of your name, how long would it take for you to go smack them into the next solar system?
Still, it’s undeniable; Neelix grows on you - like some irresistible space borne fungus. He is - as the ever cosmic minded Thanos would say - inevitable.
Yes, there are those about us who love to trash talk Neelix, but I’ll pass. I’m not counting myself among such a select group. I don’t love the guy. I don’t hate him. And, actually, one of my favorite Voyager episodes is a Neelix tale - Mortal Coil. He explores his mortality in a disturbing and challenging yarn. So, go ahead, be a hater when it comes to our offbeat Talaxian, if it gets you through one night, but on a long journey like the one our Voyager crew struggles on, sometimes a quirky companion is exactly what’s needed.
I think it's easy to see why he could really rub people the wrong way. But for me Neelix is in the upper half of the cast. In fact it's the Doctor, Seven, Tuvok, and Neelix. Everyone else I felt little but derision for their characters . A lot of it is on the writing and some actors I don't find charming enough to overcome the weak material. I think Ethan Phillips knew exactly what type of show he was in and delivered. When given elevated material (Mortal Coil) he crushes and has one of the best episodes in the series.
Mortal Coil is one of my favorites. 👍🖖