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Someone to Watch Over Me: A Moment of Introspection comments? Vivien or our message board I originally posted a version of this text on the Alternative Quadrant's message board, but this has since been revised to take into account one or two further observations. The episode "Someone to Watch Over Me" revolves around Seven's first excursion into romance and it has attracted criticism from lesbians angry, and rightly so, at the omission of same-sex relationships from the Doctor’s discussion of 'dating' and sexuality. If this was not enough, the ‘pip’ scene, in which Janeway suggests Seven should try it, "romance I mean", was cut when originally screened in north America. Those disadvantaged fans sent into paroxysms of pleasure at the prospect of Seven securing a pip to the Captain's dress uniform were forced to download a clip of the out-take that some kind souls had made available on their websites. This problem appears to have been rectified as a recent airing of the episode had the scene included. I recall watching "Someone to Watch Over Me" on the SKY Network some time ago, and while I enjoyed it, largely for Jeri Ryan's ability to convey Seven's sense of unease with the whole exercise, I also took delight in it for other reasons. Reasons, I might add, that had me questioning my feminist credentials. "Someone to Watch Over Me" was directed by Robert Duncan McNeil, and according to various non-lesbian reviews, he is generally thought to have done a good job. One reviewer who purports concern for feminist issues, though is, strangely, less than sympathetic towards gay issues in her commentary, even went so far as to say "as a filmmaker his skills are quite admirable." This surprised me, because I do not think I have ever seen another episode in which Jeri Ryan was so outrageously exploited for the titillation of the male viewer. If I can believe that TPTB are capable of showing some sensitivity towards the lesbian community in respect to J/7, I do not think they have a clue, or at least not much concern for the feminist rank and file, in spite of the fact that Voyager's captain is female. I suppose it could be argued, that McNeil's direction is in itself intended to mock the men who drool over Seven/Ryan, but I remain unconvinced of this since the TPTB are so keen to please their mainstream, predominantly male, audience, but also I have come to realize their lesbian audience. With the exception of Seven herself, women had no place in this episode. Janeway was banished to a planet on a diplomatic mission, while B'Elanna took offence at Seven studying her and Tom as part of her research into human mating behaviour, and becomes agitated and unreasonably states, "Borg provokes Klingon, Klingon breaks Borg nose". So, no help for Seven there then. (Personally, I think they should make Roxanne Dawson stick to just being annoyed because she does not do 'exceedingly angry' very well at all, e.g. Juggernaut). However, as I made clear in 'Fair Haven Revisited', Janeway's disappearance from the episode after the 'pip' scene I see as the TPTB trying not to upset the "faction" too much, rather than an inherent inability on their part to understand female friendships, although I could well be wrong. As a feminist, I had great difficulty reconciling my thoughts and feelings as I watched "Someone to Watch Over Me", for while half of me decried the shameless exploitation of Jeri Ryan in her role as Seven, the other could not help but luxuriate in certain aspects of the spectacle. I will explain what I mean. I will start with the more prurient features that went beyond what we usually see in Voyager episodes: these I could have definitely done without. Having sought guidance from the Doctor, Seven picks someone to date. Her choice is a Lt. Chapman and while calling on him to invite him out, he accidentally knocks some phallus shaped gadget down the hatch where he is working, Seven catches it and eventually returns it to him. The purpose of such imagery is unmistakable. At the end of the conversation in which she requests that Chapman have dinner with her, Seven tells him, "a dropped tool can be a workplace hazard, be more careful next time". It does not require a great intellect to understand the meaning of this reference. However, from a feminist perspective, I like to think that as Seven is holding this 'tool' with her Borg enhanced hand, she would not have much difficulty in crushing it. So although she has not quite got Chapman, and the young male demographic by the balls, this is the next best thing. The image that encapsulates the strategy employed by the director in this episode, for me, is the mass of blonde hair and the more than ample breasts that fill a third of the TV screen as the Doctor leaves Cargo Bay 2, after he somewhat diffidently refuses to help Seven try on her dress. This just about sums up the appeal of Seven for many male viewers. (What about lesbians and bisexuals?) Though not quite, there is part of her missing, and not to leave this out, at Sandrines, Chapman asks Seven if she would like to sit down, as they move to do so, the palm of his hand looks to be headed for somewhere it should not, before it is quickly retracted. And if any onlooker failed to miss this, then they did not have long to wait to see Seven haul herself onto a bar stool, and for McNeil to treat us to a view up her dress. "Someone to Watch Over Me" is not the only episode to exploit Ryan's body with the use of blatant camera angles. I know it does no good to get angry about it, but I was practically incandescent with rage by what I saw in "Tsunkatse". In this episode, Seven is captured and an odious little alien passes an instrument over the length of her body and in the process we could see the outline of her genitals. It was made all the more distasteful because Seven was meant to be unconscious when this was happening, therefore it seemed as though she was within seconds of experiencing an indecent assault - so much for Voyager being a 'family' show! I cannot for the life of me think why people have commented that Brannon Braga is unwilling to "share his toys". If you ask me, he is only too willing to share them. And I must quickly qualify this statement by saying I am not at all in favour of Jeri Ryan being referred to as a "toy". I am undeniably a Seven of Nine fan. Out of any Star Trek Series I have ever watched, she is my all time favorite character. While I like her because she is very intelligent, strong and resourceful, the fact of the matter is that I find her extremely attractive. Seven is INCREDIBLY beautiful and she has a MAGNIFICENT body: I find it impossible not to look at her. My eyes widen noticeably at the sight of her in that biosuit. Apparently, Jeri Ryan wears a corset underneath, and one can only imagine what she looks like in just her underwear. I came over all unnecessary as the Doctor loosened Seven's hair in order to frame those exquisite features, and the vision that entered Sandrines quite took my breath away. I am aware that Jeri Ryan's job is to look beautiful and exude sex appeal, which I must say she does with remarkable aplomb. The portrayal of women as "sexual beings" arose after I posted this text. Unfortunately, Seven is not a woman depicted as a sexual being so much as just "eye candy". What I find deeply disturbing is that lesbian and bisexual women should condone this portrayal of Seven of Nine in accordance with the young male demographic. I suppose if I had no attraction to women, I would probably support Michelle Erica Green's view of Seven as stated in her review of the "Gift", "I absolutely can't stand her costume, and I hate her artificial breasts and her runaway model walk and her platinum hair." Some feminists would, undoubtedly, argue that actresses should not allow themselves to be exploited in this way. However, I can hardly condemn Jeri Ryan for making the most of her 'assets' . How could I, when I derive so much pleasure from the sight of her well-rounded bottom disappearing through one of Voyager's doors? As a woman who finds other women sexually attractive, but is also a feminist, I have to find a way of admiring them without them being exploited in the process. As much as I like seeing Seven in her biosuit, given the choice, I would rather she wore different clothing and was not subjected to invasive camera angles week after week. In other words, I believe she, (and Jeri Ryan) deserve greater respect. [Vivien lives in England and has long been a Star Trek fan. She has a passion for history and is nearer Janeway's age than Seven's - and this is as much as she will admit to. If you wish to discuss this article, or any other subject that has arisen on the Alternative Quadrant's message board, then please contact her at Vivien1911@yahoo.com]
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