This episode shows more of Captain Janeways inability to ignore a single plea for help even when it is Voyager who really needs help, and even when it constantly gets Voyager and all it's crew into serious trouble. Sisko would have told these space beggars where to go, and just maintained his current misison, which Janeway constantly forgets about: GETTING HOME! He also would have smeared them across time and space if they got in his way or threatened his ship.
There are some nice interactions between Paris and Torres, and some decent writing in parts and of course a bigger role for the new member of the crew, 7 of 9. It will be intriguing to see what she does in future episodes as she's instantly more interesting than Kes ever was. Maybe it's her formidable assets clouding my judgement at this time but I think she's an excellent addition to the crew.
Overall I would watch this one for continuity's sake, but I'm getting quite sick of Janeway's oft ill fated generosity when they haven't encountered any return on it in their whole ordeal in the Delta quadrant. They lose shuttle after shuttle, and ensign after ensign but still the good Captain instantly trusts every alien race with a sob story (and they pretty much all have one)