This was an excellent episode. I cannot imagine why a few reviewers are on the parents' side, though. No way are they justified. Just look, if you will, at the scene where they tranquilize their son in order to send him back as bait. That alone is chilling enough to prove they are the bad guys here.
11 Reviews
Good story with Seven of Nine leading the way
snoozejonc22 July 2020
It's time for Icheb's return home as Voyager locates his family, but Seven of Nine has difficulty accepting his departure.
At first, it feels like a straight forward plot dealing with parental attachment, but things get more interesting as further information is revealed.
I particularly like how Seven's strong maternal instincts have not come out of the blue for the convenience of drama, but explained by feelings towards her own parents. This works particularly well for her character development and retains consistency with the overall series narrative.
Jeri Ryan is excellent as ever and is supported well by Manu Intiraymi. The other chracters play seconds fiddle, with the exception of Icheb's parents and some scenes with Janeway.
I had wondered what the writers were going to do with their newly adopted Borg children, but this one did not disappoint.
At first, it feels like a straight forward plot dealing with parental attachment, but things get more interesting as further information is revealed.
I particularly like how Seven's strong maternal instincts have not come out of the blue for the convenience of drama, but explained by feelings towards her own parents. This works particularly well for her character development and retains consistency with the overall series narrative.
Jeri Ryan is excellent as ever and is supported well by Manu Intiraymi. The other chracters play seconds fiddle, with the exception of Icheb's parents and some scenes with Janeway.
I had wondered what the writers were going to do with their newly adopted Borg children, but this one did not disappoint.
Why would Icheb's parents lie?
Tweekums19 April 2010
Warning: Spoilers
When Icheb, one of the Borg children's, parents are found one would think it was good news but he has forgotten about them and initially wants to remain on Voyager. It is clear that Seven of Nine doesn't want to see him go either as she has grown close to him. As Icheb gets to know his parents he grows closer and realises that he can pursue his interest in science on their planet. After leaving him one of the other children tells Seven about how Icheb had been captured by the Borg, what she says does not match what his parents said and Borg records confirm that his parents had indeed been lying. The questions are why would they lie and what do they plan to do with him?
This was a reasonably good episode guest starring the always watchable Mark Sheppard as Icheb's father. The story was rather slow getting started but ended well with a surprising revelation concerning Icheb and a brief but exciting confrontation with the Borg.
This was a reasonably good episode guest starring the always watchable Mark Sheppard as Icheb's father. The story was rather slow getting started but ended well with a surprising revelation concerning Icheb and a brief but exciting confrontation with the Borg.
How do you solve a problem like Icheb?
planktonrules2 March 2015
When the ex-Borglets were brought aboard Voyager a few episodes back, Frauline Maria, I mean Seven of Nine, was given the job of raising the children. Now after several months, she's become attached to her charges and this is a serious problem when Icheb's parents are located. She is NOT thrilled about giving him back--and a lot of this is because of her own anger towards her parents. However, later in the show, her misgivings turn out to have some foundation, as Icheb's parents are hiding a BIG secret--and his homecoming is all a farce.
It's interesting because my wife and daughter were horrified at Icheb's parents and agreed with the insane thing Captain Janeway did to put her ship at risk. I disagreed and felt that the boy's parents really had no choice and weren't the devils that some others thought them to be. What do you think? Let me know.
This episode is very good and I really liked the moral dilemmas posed by this one. Well worth seeing and rather exciting.
It's interesting because my wife and daughter were horrified at Icheb's parents and agreed with the insane thing Captain Janeway did to put her ship at risk. I disagreed and felt that the boy's parents really had no choice and weren't the devils that some others thought them to be. What do you think? Let me know.
This episode is very good and I really liked the moral dilemmas posed by this one. Well worth seeing and rather exciting.
The Secret Origin of Icheb
XweAponX25 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The Borg Kids have been settling into life on Voyager with their surrogate "Mom" Seven of Sixty-Nine. At first she does not want the job, resists it, but eventually complies. And starts getting attached to them and protective of them.
But Voyager comes into contact with the Brunali, the race of the eldest of these kids, Icheb- Who has been showing an interest in Astrophysics and joining the Crew of Voyager as a kind of Cadet. But it seems like he may not be able to fulfill this dream, as his actual physical parents are located and he would have to leave Voyager.
Tracey Ellis (From X-Files "Oubliette" and "Audrey Pauley") is his mother Yifay and Mark Sheppard (From Supernatural) is his father Leucon. Their race, once a great Space faring society now live in a Low-Tech Agrarian society as to not arouse the interest of the Borg, who have a trans-warp Conduit near their system. But they have become Genetic Engineers, mostly they use this to grow food, but there is something more insidious happening.
At first, Icheb does not want to go - He had made a home on Voyager and he has started to learn that he likes working with Seven in Astrometrics. But he sets that aside and agrees to go live down on the surface of the planet, at least for a few days.
As he stays, he finds that he could accommodate living there, even liking it eventually. Finally he decides to do it, stay with his real parents.
But not all is as it seems. Apparently Icheb was some sort of secret Brunali weapon against the Borg. And it was mostly his mother Yifay who keeps this agenda. Seven discovers that the story given by Leucon of Icheb's abduction by the Borg does not jibe with established facts dredged from the Log of the Cube where Icheb was found. And Yifay cannot set that agenda aside and be happy that Icheb is back, she pushes it.
So this episode's performance award goes to Tracey Ellis- In one of her last Television appearances.
This episode is a testament to the use of Kids for any agenda, be that religious or political. Seven finds that the use of Icheb in this way is revolting and she wants to put a stop to it, as does Voyager.
So Voyager has to take Icheb back - Before a Borg Sphere which is attracted back to the area by Yifay can absorb him again.
Icheb decides to stay with Voyager and he remained with them all the way back to Sector 0-0-1. Where he assimilated all their technology - But as a student, not as a Borg Drone.
But Voyager comes into contact with the Brunali, the race of the eldest of these kids, Icheb- Who has been showing an interest in Astrophysics and joining the Crew of Voyager as a kind of Cadet. But it seems like he may not be able to fulfill this dream, as his actual physical parents are located and he would have to leave Voyager.
Tracey Ellis (From X-Files "Oubliette" and "Audrey Pauley") is his mother Yifay and Mark Sheppard (From Supernatural) is his father Leucon. Their race, once a great Space faring society now live in a Low-Tech Agrarian society as to not arouse the interest of the Borg, who have a trans-warp Conduit near their system. But they have become Genetic Engineers, mostly they use this to grow food, but there is something more insidious happening.
At first, Icheb does not want to go - He had made a home on Voyager and he has started to learn that he likes working with Seven in Astrometrics. But he sets that aside and agrees to go live down on the surface of the planet, at least for a few days.
As he stays, he finds that he could accommodate living there, even liking it eventually. Finally he decides to do it, stay with his real parents.
But not all is as it seems. Apparently Icheb was some sort of secret Brunali weapon against the Borg. And it was mostly his mother Yifay who keeps this agenda. Seven discovers that the story given by Leucon of Icheb's abduction by the Borg does not jibe with established facts dredged from the Log of the Cube where Icheb was found. And Yifay cannot set that agenda aside and be happy that Icheb is back, she pushes it.
So this episode's performance award goes to Tracey Ellis- In one of her last Television appearances.
This episode is a testament to the use of Kids for any agenda, be that religious or political. Seven finds that the use of Icheb in this way is revolting and she wants to put a stop to it, as does Voyager.
So Voyager has to take Icheb back - Before a Borg Sphere which is attracted back to the area by Yifay can absorb him again.
Icheb decides to stay with Voyager and he remained with them all the way back to Sector 0-0-1. Where he assimilated all their technology - But as a student, not as a Borg Drone.
Wonder Boy
Hitchcoc14 September 2018
One of the young people saved from the Borg turns out to be a Wunderkind. He is doing engineering feats that are incredible. But Voyager has sought out his parents and they are brought together. Seven has been instrumental in his development and resents these people for taking such a prize and putting him in an agrarian setting. But there's more to the story. It is mildly interesting how things play out.
7 is the mum.
bluewood3121 January 2022
Our own personal walking/talking WMD.
thevacinstaller13 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Well, my money was on SO9's parents being the worst in star trek history but Icheb's parents manage to completely destroy the competition with a horrific showing.
There is a bit of debate going on whether genetically altering a fetus and then using him as a carrier is an understandable method to use when in the face of assimilation. I am on the side of no. There is a tie-back to this dilemma at the end of the episode when SO9 tells Icheb to go to bed but after a bit of resistance she states that it is 'his choice'. That's what it is all about. Icheb doesn't have a choice or voice in his life or death. What good is survival if you have no essence left in you?
It's a solid episode. SO9 is able to save icheb from assimilation and that would seem to be a good tonic for the anger she feels towards her irresponsible parents for completely dropping the child rearing ball.
There is a bit of debate going on whether genetically altering a fetus and then using him as a carrier is an understandable method to use when in the face of assimilation. I am on the side of no. There is a tie-back to this dilemma at the end of the episode when SO9 tells Icheb to go to bed but after a bit of resistance she states that it is 'his choice'. That's what it is all about. Icheb doesn't have a choice or voice in his life or death. What good is survival if you have no essence left in you?
It's a solid episode. SO9 is able to save icheb from assimilation and that would seem to be a good tonic for the anger she feels towards her irresponsible parents for completely dropping the child rearing ball.
Farewell son, have fun at Borg U
tomsly-4001524 January 2024
After a joyful family reunion, euphoria quickly turns to anger after the lost offspring is used by its parents as a biological weapon against the Borg and Voyager must rush to the rescue to save the boy from impending re-assimilation.
The episode raises an interesting moral question: Is it legitimate to use one's own child as a weapon against an overwhelming enemy if this is the only chance to defeat their superiority? As with every Borg episode, this episode is all about who determines the individuality of a living being and what defines individuality in the end. This question is taken to the extreme when Icheb's parents not only want to sacrifice him for a supposedly higher goal, but they have also genetically bred him for that very purpose.
I disagree with some reviewers who see using a child as a living weapon as a valid option. Basically, this is the same as what happens in many parts of the world today - when parents instill hateful ideologies in their children at an early age and thus raise them to be terrorists and martyrs. These people, who are constantly being attacked by the Borg, would of course have had other ways to defend themselves. Among other things, resettlement. Or one of the adults could have genetically modified themselves with the pathogen and then embarked on a self-determined suicide mission. Knowingly sacrificing someone else without their consent in order to defend yourself is morally wrong and unjustifiable.
At least now we know that Seven might not be the worst mother after all. Punishment protocol 9-Alpha is still pretty humane compared to what Icheb's birth mother pulls out of the hat.
The episode raises an interesting moral question: Is it legitimate to use one's own child as a weapon against an overwhelming enemy if this is the only chance to defeat their superiority? As with every Borg episode, this episode is all about who determines the individuality of a living being and what defines individuality in the end. This question is taken to the extreme when Icheb's parents not only want to sacrifice him for a supposedly higher goal, but they have also genetically bred him for that very purpose.
I disagree with some reviewers who see using a child as a living weapon as a valid option. Basically, this is the same as what happens in many parts of the world today - when parents instill hateful ideologies in their children at an early age and thus raise them to be terrorists and martyrs. These people, who are constantly being attacked by the Borg, would of course have had other ways to defend themselves. Among other things, resettlement. Or one of the adults could have genetically modified themselves with the pathogen and then embarked on a self-determined suicide mission. Knowingly sacrificing someone else without their consent in order to defend yourself is morally wrong and unjustifiable.
At least now we know that Seven might not be the worst mother after all. Punishment protocol 9-Alpha is still pretty humane compared to what Icheb's birth mother pulls out of the hat.
The Parents Were Right
bon-677-31856425 July 2017
The title of this review says it all. Janeway and Seven are arrogant. But the parents are right. They use the resources available to them.
And I notice that Janeway is especially egregious when it comes to the Prime Directive. It's okay for her to put her ship and crew in harm's way based solely on HER morals, but will demote/punish anyone else if she doesn't agree with their ignoring the directive. (see episode, Thirty Days)
And I notice that Janeway is especially egregious when it comes to the Prime Directive. It's okay for her to put her ship and crew in harm's way based solely on HER morals, but will demote/punish anyone else if she doesn't agree with their ignoring the directive. (see episode, Thirty Days)
A packed and interesting episode
eyesofwrath18 March 2024
A better-than-average episode of season 6, Child's Play is so full of story that I thought I had watched a double episode. While it seems like a fairly straightforward plot, it's revealed that there is far more going on than you think and the episode takes an interesting turn late into the run time.
And yet, it still has more than enough time to deal with and resolve every encounter satisfactorily. Which leads me to wonder how it can be that so many episodes spare 30 seconds for a the resolution of far-less-interesting stories.
It's fine enough on its own merits, but all the more interesting as an example of the kind of script a good Star Trek episode needs - it communicates a lot in a short time, aided by nuanced and keenly aware performances from Jeri Ryan and Manu Intiraymi.
And yet, it still has more than enough time to deal with and resolve every encounter satisfactorily. Which leads me to wonder how it can be that so many episodes spare 30 seconds for a the resolution of far-less-interesting stories.
It's fine enough on its own merits, but all the more interesting as an example of the kind of script a good Star Trek episode needs - it communicates a lot in a short time, aided by nuanced and keenly aware performances from Jeri Ryan and Manu Intiraymi.
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