Star Trek: Voyager reminds viewers that Vulcans aren't actually emotionless

It's a bit surprising how many times this has to be explained. Vulcans are in fact not emotionless. In fact, it's quite the oppositie. Many fans will tell you the defining characteristic of a Vulcan is their stoic nature and calm demenor. Due to that, they come off as emotionless. That's not the case, however.

In fact, of all the alien species in the Star Trek universe, the Vulcans are the most emotional beings out there. They were so controlled by their emotions that they had to begin meditation and suppress their base desires to the extremes. All so they could have a functioning society. They aren't lacking the ability to feel, they're choosing not to show their feelings.

Star Trek: Voyager, maybe more than any series in Star Trek highlighted this with Tuvok and the other recurring Vuclan on the show, Ensign Vorik. Throughout the series, we see both Vulcans struggling at times to control their emotions for various reasons. Whether it be the Pon Farr that both men end up being conflicted with, or whether it's a more common emotion, like shame.

In one episode, besieged by nightmares, Tuvok dreams that he's naked on the bridge. It was an embarrassing moment, though some believe that the scene doesn't make sense. After all, Vulcans don't have emotions, right? So why would one feel shame. Except, again, that's not true. Vulcans feel all sorts of things. Complicated and deep things. They're not emotionless, they're simply repressing their feelings.

Vulcans not in control of their emotions start cults, assault female officers, and even feel common emotions. Look at how Tuvok was embarrassed to use a Holodeck program of a random woman to satiate his Pon Farr. He was too proud of a husband to step out on his wife, even if only with a collection of particles.

Vorik and Tolaris, consumed by emotion (though to vastly different degrees) both assault people due to their inability to control their emotions. Heck, even Tuvok is overcome with a homicidal bloodlust after mind-melding with Lon Suder and the thoughts he sees unnerves him so much that he's unable to regain his emotional center.

These are just two shows in a series of many that show greatly how emotional Vulcans are. It's not at all out of the realm of possibility for them to feel shame regret or even fear. They suppress it. That's all.