10 Episodes That Should Have Changed Star Trek Forever - But Didn't

2. "Mortal Coil" (VOY)

While on a shuttle mission with Paris and Chakotay, Neelix is struck by an energy bolt and dies. Eighteen hours later, the shuttle returns to Voyager,The Doctor examines the body, and he pronounces there was nothing that could have been done. Captain Janeway begins making plans for an elaborate Talaxian funeral. Not so fast, says Seven of Nine - her Borg nanoprobes could be used to revive Neelix. The crew is naturally incredulous: after all Neelix isn't on life support, he's dead Jim, and has been for close to an entire day. Nevertheless, Janeway approves the procedure, and Neelix is swiftly brought back to life. Although there are some initial complications (Neelix must receive injections of nanoprobes once a day to stay alive) The Doctor insists they are only temporary. Considering the injections are never mentioned or seen after this episode, and that Neelix departs from Voyager without worry a few years later, it's safe to assume that they were VERY temporary and at some point he stopped needing them to live. Unfortunately for all the members of the crew who die after this episode, however, the death-defying powers of the nanoprobes are never mentioned again. Presumably none of them are as crucial to the ship as the cook and morale officer.