Meld (Star Trek: Voyager)

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Star Trek: Voyager episode
Episode no. Season 2
Episode 16
Directed by Cliff Bole
Teleplay by Michael Piller
Story by Michael Sussman
Featured music David Bell
Production code 133
Original air date February 5, 1996 (1996-02-05)
Guest actors
Episode chronology
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List of Star Trek: Voyager episodes

"Meld" is the 32nd episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 16th episode of the second season.


A crewmember named Darwin is found dead and an investigation soon reveals murder. It is discovered that Lon Suder, a Betazoid, killed him, because he did not like the way Darwin looked at him.

To discover the reasoning behind Suder's admittedly senseless act, Tuvok initiates a mind-meld with Suder. This causes Suder's violent impulses to be transferred to the Vulcan, giving Suder a sense of calm by causing Tuvok to experience uncontrollable violent urges himself: he even attacks a holographic form of Neelix.

This episode also examines how a crewmember should be disciplined for a serious crime when home is so very far away. Confinement in the Brig is seen as barbaric due to the large amount of time he would have to remain there; it is also inconvenient because the brig would then have to be manned continuously. Executing Suder is discussed, but is rejected as both being in violation of Federation law and due to the fact that Suder was not mentally stable at the time he committed the murder. Ultimately, the decision is made to confine Suder to his quarters.

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