Vulcans use “logic” to disguise their emotional attachments frequently in the show. They claim something is logical when it’s a purely emotional situation and logic doesn’t really apply. Not that Tuvok personally has those tendencies.
Tuvok’s character arc heavily involves him realizing that he’s got to have a little bit more of an understanding of emotions in other species, since he is third in command and Voyager will be without support for years if not decades. He’s showing empathy but only stating facts, his child is in a similar situation and Ensign Wildman has done a good job in raising Naomi. He knows hope is important to her ability to function in the situation and he alleviates her concerns as quickly as he can merely by pointing out the truth and explaining to her why she shouldn’t fear the outcome.
He’s developing his leadership skills as it pertains to other species, not just the leadership that works with Vulcans.
He’s also coming to the realization that if their trip home takes as long as predicted it’s likely that he will be Captain by journey’s end. First and second are adults humans in their 40’s and he’s got plenty of years left on him as a Vulcan. It’s unlikely that Janeway or Chakotay won’t be too old to really do the job in 50/60 years time.
He can’t afford to just be a security officer, he needs to start thinking about command and the additional skills he must develop to become Captain in every sense. That means adjusting to the differences in the way the two jobs are concerned with personnel and mental well-being. Captain is more than just the ability to take charge in a combat situation and be successful, but the long term devotion to crew and ship on a personal/loyalty level which Tuvok doesn’t display in the early seasons. He’s far too pragmatic for it, additionally he distances from personal relationships which a Captain must have with their department heads.
Vulcans use “logic” to disguise their emotional attachments frequently in the show. They claim something is logical when it’s a purely emotional situation and logic doesn’t really apply. Not that Tuvok personally has those tendencies.
Tuvok’s character arc heavily involves him realizing that he’s got to have a little bit more of an understanding of emotions in other species, since he is third in command and Voyager will be without support for years if not decades. He’s showing empathy but only stating facts, his child is in a similar situation and Ensign Wildman has done a good job in raising Naomi. He knows hope is important to her ability to function in the situation and he alleviates her concerns as quickly as he can merely by pointing out the truth and explaining to her why she shouldn’t fear the outcome.
He’s developing his leadership skills as it pertains to other species, not just the leadership that works with Vulcans.
Top notch analysis, well done.
Tuvok is a leader and a security officer, hope is a force multiplier. He’s good at his job, both with people and systems.
He’s also coming to the realization that if their trip home takes as long as predicted it’s likely that he will be Captain by journey’s end. First and second are adults humans in their 40’s and he’s got plenty of years left on him as a Vulcan. It’s unlikely that Janeway or Chakotay won’t be too old to really do the job in 50/60 years time.
He can’t afford to just be a security officer, he needs to start thinking about command and the additional skills he must develop to become Captain in every sense. That means adjusting to the differences in the way the two jobs are concerned with personnel and mental well-being. Captain is more than just the ability to take charge in a combat situation and be successful, but the long term devotion to crew and ship on a personal/loyalty level which Tuvok doesn’t display in the early seasons. He’s far too pragmatic for it, additionally he distances from personal relationships which a Captain must have with their department heads.