"State of Flux" is of historical importance in terms of the "Star Trek: Voyager" series because of the longrange implications of the information revealed in this episode. It also marks a key turning point in the series because even though the episode raises more questions about who can be trusted amongst the crew, it really marks the resolution of the tensions between the Starfleet and the Maquis. It also shows how important the character of Chakotay was to this series, because it was his integrity and sense of honor that made the uneasy alliance between the two crews forced to work together in the Delta Quadrant, justifying the faith Janeway put in him by making him First Officer. One of the things I especially liked going through the "Voyager" series again was the relationship that existed between the Captain and First Officer, which really was more of a partnership, especially in comparison to Kirk-Spock, Picard-Riker, or Sisko-Kira.
Before this episode, the character of Seska was merely annoying. But this is the episode where we come to really hate her....and begin to plumb the depths of her evil, manipulative personality.
I think that this is also an important episode, in an odd kind of way, for the character of Chakotay. As more and more of his former Maquis crew reval themselves to have been working for others, Chakotay questions himself and begins to deal with the disappointments of the past.
I'd say that this one is one of the "must sees" from the first season of Voyager.
So who's the turncoat? Suspicion falls on a couple of characters, and Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) lead an investigation. In the process, we discover some interesting backstory elements, especially Chakotay's previous romance with Seska (Martha Hackett), the sexy Bajoran engineer and former Maquis. In fact, Chakotay, one of the most interesting characters on Voyager, is key to this episode's success; his personal struggles and increasing frustration over time served as a Maquis leader add some nice shading to his personality. As for the seductive, ever-dissenting Seska, the producers say they liked Hackett's work so much during the first season they brought her into the forefront on occasion (see episode 10, "Prime Factors") to add some bite to the series. An excellent move. --Tom Keogh