There's one good thing about novelizations of television shows -- they help to add a bit more dimension to things. Such is the case with this novelization of the VOYAGER episode FLASHBACK. The story, which deals with Tuvok's recollection of his career in Starfleet before his friendship with Janeway, helps showcase the enigmatic Vulcan (played to perfection by Tim Russ) and his experiences on another famous Starfleet vessel -- the EXCELSIOR, captained by one Hikaru Sulu. The novel follows the episode very well (Tuvok's memories of the EXCELSIOR, coupled with a intriguing mystery for the Voyager crew that hinges on those same memories) but adds that depth to the characters which only a novelization can do, not to mention allowing other scenes to be shown that might not be readily done by the show. For a writer, it's pretty easy to take a script and flesh it out to what the episode writer's written, but the author here has gone one better and given the scenes a depth that compliments the on-screen action. If you enjoyed the television episode, then why not go one step farther yourself and read the novelization? It's a read well worth your time.