Tuvix remains one of the most controversial episodes of Star Trek: Voyager, possibly in all of Star Trek, even almost twenty-eight years later. You can find fans that agree with Captain Janeway's (Kate Mulgrew) decision and those that believe she committed murder. Surprisingly, though, the actor who portrayed the combined characters of Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Neelix (Ethan Phillips) doesn't feel that Janeway did anything wrong.
Appearing at a panel for Trek Talks 3, (via Trekmovie), Wright said that he saw that Tuvix had to go because "there wasn't enough justification for losing two entities for the sake of one." He loved playing the character and would have enjoyed continuing the role, but the practical side of him knew something else was dictated.
His agreement iwth Janeway's decision was met with various opinions from Robert Duncan McNeill, Garrett Wang, Tim Russ, and Lisa Klink, the writer of the episode. While most everyone agreed with Wright or took a moderate approach somewhere in the middle, McNeill was clearly opposed to the decision the captain made.
“I watched it again today and watching Janeway have to make this decision and the way she has to do it in such a kind of cold manner, I felt like it kind of hurt her character—I’ll be honest—a little bit. I think she had to earn her way back from this episode.”Robert Duncan McNeill
McNeill's assessment of Janeway as cold falls short for me as it's clear that the last thing Janeway wants to do is sentence Tuvix to death. But, like Spock would say, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Janeway relied upon Tuvok as a friend, a confidante, and the chief of security of Voyager. He was an accomplished Starfleet officer whose opinion she valued. And though Neelix wasn't as necessary to the ship, he was a beloved member of that crew by the time the second season rolled around. Though Tuvix maintained the knowledge and personalities of both Tuvok and Neelix, by remaining alive due to a transporter malfunction, he was essentially depriving two individuals of their lives.
This episode will always divide Voyager fans, and that's why it's a great episode. It made people think and ask questions. Many of us fans have rewatched it more than once, and our opinions may have even wavered from their original posture. Tuvix made us question our own beliefs, and that was simply good writing and execution on the part of the actors.
This article was originally published on redshirtsalwaysdie.com as Tuvix actor, Tom Wright, understood why the character had to die.
