“Blood Fever” is episode sixteen of season three of Star Trek: Voyager.
Voyager is in an uninhabited star system and a very rare substance, galicite, on the fourth planet. According to B’Elanna, there’s enough to completely refit the warp coils. Tuvok found indications that there used to be a colony on the surface, but it’s long abandoned. Captain Janeway tells B’Elanna to head down and to speak to Neelix, as he used to work at a mining colony.
B’Elanna is talking to Vorik about the tunnels beneath the surface. They are partially collapsed, so she suggests taking Tom as well, as he has experience in climbing. Vorik used to explore caverns, so B’Elanna says he and Tom can be their safety experts. Vorik asks if they are done. They are. In that case, he would like to declare his desire to become B’Elanna’s mate. In human terms, he’s proposing marriage. Does she accept?
B’Elanna thought Vorik had a mate back home. He does, but she has adequate reason to believe him dead and seek another mate. He will do the same. They may be Vulcan and half-Klingon but their differences will complement each other. B’Elanna says that Vorik has put a lot of logical thought into it, and she’s flattered, but no. Vorik suggests she reconsider, as there are only a limited number of potential mates available. Plus, many humanoid species would not be able to withstand Klingon mating practices; as a Vulcan, he can. B’Elanna is still not interested, but Vorik grabs her by the face. And she slugs him.
The Doctor is treating Vorik and Kes has the results of the cortical scan. B’Elanna wants to know what’s wrong with Vorik. Well, he has a dislocated jaw. However, there is also a neurochemical imbalance he needs to discuss with the patient. Privately. After B’Elanna leaves, the Doctor asks Vorik if he’s going through pon farr. Vorik considers that to be an extremely personal question. The Doctor understands, and there is almost nothing in the medical database about it. However, Vorik’s symptoms are consistent with what’s known.
Vorik knew something was wrong, but he was hoping it wasn’t this. This is his first. The Doctor wants him to discuss it; Vorik does not. The Doctor tells him it could be life threatening. He needs to know how they deal with it. They go home to find a mate. Obviously, returning to Vulcan is not an option. The logical choice is to find a mate here. Vorik hopes that B’Elanna isn’t upset. The Doctor considers upset to be a relative term with her. They have to find another way to treat Vorik. Vorik is getting angry and doesn’t want medical treatment. He will resolve it himself, in private, using meditation techniques. The Doctor agrees to confine Vorik to his quarters and will also monitor him.
Tuvok, when the Doctor asks him, cannot suggest any alternative treatments. He is also, for want of a better word, embarrassed. Vulcans really do not discuss this, or involve themselves in others. Tuvok states there are three options: take a mate, ritual combat for a mate or meditation.
B’Elanna arrives at the transporter room to find Tom and Neelix there. She seems a little excitable. On the surface, the ruins are oddly decayed for the amount of time they have been abandoned. B’Elanna is not interested in hanging around. Entering the mines involves going down a deep shaft. Each has a line affixed to an anchor. Neelix’s, however, comes out and he and B’Elanna, who grabs him, fall to the bottom. B’Elanna is getting very angry and starts yelling at Neelix. Tom is being more reasonable. B’Elanna, after biting Tom, heads of on her own. Neelix, who was injured in the fall, tells Tom to head off. However, Tom is going to call the ship.
Tom explains what happened and says that B’Elanna seemed to be enjoying herself, in a very Klingon way. Before the away team leaves, Tuvok says he thinks he knows what might be wrong with B’Elanna. He heads to see Vorik, which entails a really awkward conversation between the two. It seems Vorik started a telepathic mating bond, although he wasn’t aware of this. Essentially, B’Elanna has pon farr too, and in a half-Klingon the effects may be even more extreme. Vorik wants to go with, as B’Elanna’s logical mate. Tuvok comments that she has never been a great follower of logic.
Chakotay and Tuvok head down and Neelix is winched back up the shaft. B’Elanna has found some lights and conduits. The others find her and she tells them there’s an active power system that is the source of the galicite. Tuvok explains what has happened to her. Then it turns out the mine is not uninhabited.
So, you have a B’Elanna who is channelling her Klingon side more than usual, together with some locals who are rather paranoid. That meeting could have gone better. Tom also knows what it means when a Klingon bites someone on the face. The Doctor, meanwhile, is trying to help Vorik. And it’s revealed at the end that the planet’s inhabitants have a very good reason for their paranoia.