The thing I like about that one, and other references like that in comedy shows (especially animated) is that often you don’t need the pop culture reference, it fits with the zany comical nature of the show. It’s not outside the norm, or at least not far.
And with the comic above, I didn’t NEED to hear/know the song to get the joke. I didn’t think it was “you’ll find your drill on blueberry hill” but I figured it was something about a song and something that rhymed with “hill”.
It was easy to search, too.
My wife has been watching some of the shows I loved growing up, and she’s only 2 years younger than me, but because she watched modern kid shows as a kid and I watched old stuff with my parents, I get a lot of references she doesn’t.
As long as you can show it to someone without the pop culture knowledge and they still find it funny, it’s still a successful joke.
I’ll die on this hill.
Janeway made the practical call, the one that maximized survival for the entire crew.
As one entity on a starship with limited manpower and no resupply guaranteed, they need all the people they can get.
Yes, neelix and kess weren’t going to be on board originally. That is irrelevant at the time of his Tuvixation. He’s there, and they can’t afford to lose him, regardless of how atrocious his leeola root stew is.
Not to mention that tuvok played a very important role for Janeway, one that I don’t believe tuvix could handle. He was the one who reminded her of the “proper” thing to do that follows protocol. He’s the cool head. The logical one who remains calm when everyone else loses their shit. Chakotay isn’t on that level. Tuvix was too emotional.
Janeway made the right call.