For this story about Tuvok’s seeming demotion to make sense, we have to first recap this specific episode. “Prime Elements” takes place in Season 1, when Voyager’s plight–being caught over 70,000 lightyears from house–was recent on the crew’s minds. That’s why everybody will get excited to satisfy the Sikarians, aliens with unique expertise that lets them instantaneously transport themselves 40,000 lightyears away.
For sure, Janeway and the remainder of the command crew are very fascinated by acquiring this expertise and utilizing it to get them nearer to house. They shortly run into an issue, although: the planet’s legal guidelines forbid them from sharing their expertise with outsiders. Janeway tries to barter a commerce with the federal government, however somebody on the planet gives a far much less official change.
