Current Events > Star Trek watchthrough 3. Ongoing spoilers from TNG season 5.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Sisko is a Commander, not a Captain as an fyi. Which is a slight I won't get into smh

That's me typing on automatic, there. Hes introduced as commander often enough. Probably will get it wrong a few times, but I'll try to be careful.

I get the feeling you're going to like DS9 the most lol.

the original idea for Deep Space 9 was to center the show on Ensign Ro, the Bajoran from The Next Generation

However, the actress that played Ensign Ro, by the name of Michelle Forbes, did not want to do Star Trek: Deep Space 9 for 7 seasons. So the writers created a similar character named Major Kira Nerys. That actress did want to do Deep Space 9 for 7 seasons

splodeymissile posted...

The intimidating way he whispers every line at him was when I knew Brooks would be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Shatner and Stewart.

I like Picard and Kirk, but I'd argue Brooks is the best actor of the three.

Episode 2: A Man Alone

We start with a murder mystery.

Sisko manages to maturely maintain his friendship with Dax. Prefers a rich palette over longevity. Gets a bit goofy when listing cooking styles, which is a nice cue that their friendship is secure. Fair with regards to laws. Readily agrees with the school idea and isn't a bad disciplinarian. Gets along well with Bashir and somewhat mourns for the times he had with Curzon. Gives a decent speech about justice.

Odo gives some condescending compliments to Quark. Very bitter about relationships and goes on for an intriguingly long time about it, considering hes talking to someone he dislikes. Quite angry about Ibudan's prescence. Loses a battle of wills with Sisko, but hes correct about the arbitraryness of laws. Diligent in his work. Seems almost resigned when he brings up the obvious frame job. Has quite a friendship with Kira. Little patience for technobabble. Very defensive and passive aggressive against Sisko. Devastated when his office is trashed. Shares a joke with Quark. Seething when he confronts "Lamonay".

Bashir won't led a little thing like poor timing or mild disinterest get in the way of his flirting, which is almost admirable. Remarkable confidence and precisely zero attention span. Starts to sulk when he's abandoned, but at least he gives the game a fair go. His attempts do start to verge on the desperate, but he really doesn't miss a beat. Quite pleased with his medical work. No social skills whatsoever, just assumes Sisko's inviting him. Grills him for info on Dax. Handles the potential love triangle quite well.

Dax is into meditation, which is brilliant. Has a strained patience for Bashir's flirting, but you can see her face slightly drop when he doesn't quite get the hint. Has great fun taking over the power in the conversation and leaving him to the game. It's delightful seeing how playfully sarcastic she is with Sisko. The laughter and relief when it's clear that they're still friends is beautiful. Farrell is excellent at playing someone simultaneously old and young. Gets a bit more forceful with telling Bashir "no", but a part of her is really quite amused and its played as maturity happily suffering through precociousness. Good thing, too, because if this sort of thing happened in the previous shows, I'd probably tear it apart. So long as Dax seems to be having more fun with it than not, the dynamic will avoid being on thin ice.

Jake makes a new friend. Backchats his old man and wins my approval.

O'Brien has a domestic. Perfectly decent in trying to find a workable solution. Barely his second day and he's already a bit fed up working there. Doesn't care too much about mischief. Absolute sweetheart of a husband.

Quark has a remarkably civil conversation with Odo. More than a bit amused by his chosen solitude. Apparently wants both Kira and Dax. Honest enough to be a favourable character reference for Odo. Extends an olive branch and tolerates the resulting outburst. So, they basically are friends who happen to be on opposite sides of the law.

Kira has relaxed a bit. Unwavering faith in Odo's honour. In fact, she basically rolls her eyes at the initial accusation. Feels like she's betraying her friend by even humouring the complaints.

Keiko's quite lost on the station. Just as decent as her husband on her end of the domestic. Both are a bit exasperated by him being called away to work. Gets inspired to build a school and can't quite believe how quickly it's approved. Quite wise and sly in how she gets Rom on board.

Nog is resistant, at first, but makes a new friend. Gets up to some mischief, but it's all harmless fun.

That game honestly looks kind of fun for an occasional time waster. I wonder if mildly comedic cold opens will be the norm for this show? Nice to see they included the wormhole for the opening. Compared to the other shows, it actually tell a bit of a story by itself. A comet lighting the way through an especially empty space before showing the station, isolated, as a grand, increasingly optimistic, but also severe and still theme plays. The music alone went some way towards inspiring my refuge of the lost reading from the last episode. It's nice and a bit necessary to get a feel for daily life on the station. It's already a bit brighter than last episode. Ibudan's murder is shot in the expected way. The colour changing couple is an amusing bit. The closeup on that old man made me initially think it was Odo in disguise, gathering information. I'm probably going to be assuming that a lot about unfamiliar characters. We get many scenes of Odo being shunned and hassled. I was concerned I had somehow skipped an episode or that Netflix was missing one, but no, apparently the intended order is different from broadcast order.

As the resident misery guts/outsider (following Spock and Worf), this episode, aside from continuing to show daily life on the station and having a decent message against mob justice and bigotry (no apologies is a pretty grim point in the log), is all about endearing Odo to the audience. The relentless cynicism alone would make him a hard sell, but factoring in how overbearing, officious and stubborn he is could make him a little hard to like. Putting him on the wrong end of a frame job would, in theory, give him a massive sympathy boost. What impresses me then, is that they dont give him an overly trite friendship moment or some other manufactured example of heartwarming. He's allowed to still be surly, insular and miserable up to the end (in fact, his last scene involves him seething with righteous, but quite venomous, anger), but we're still able to develop a better understanding of him and a surprising amount comes from character shilling, but without ever leaving him out of the plot. Even then, he's given some unpleasant, but perfectly understandable, moments of lashing out at people trying to be decent to him. He never hits unlikeable for a moment (in fact, i liked him from episode 1), but there's an organic and audience respecting way he's allowed to continue to be one of the more difficult members of the ensemble. I admire it.

A fascinating and brilliant character focus episode that's already taking risks it could easily survive without and continues to set up the world.

Past Prologue is (apparently meant to be) next.

Episode 3: Past Prologue

I take the Klingon politics plot arc has migrated here.

Sisko's very amused by Bashir's paranoia. Cooly handles Danar effortlessly. No patience for Kira's arguments. Isn't too surprised she went above his head, but it's still an extra stress. Getting a bit too used to Odo's light fascism. Understandably cold towards Kira, but gives a wonderfully bleak threat. I quite admire his pragmatism. Doesn't even blink at sending Bashir to Garak's.

Odo gives the Klingons a sarcastic greeting. Almost nostalgic for Cardassian rule. Scoffs at Ferengi cuisine. Can tell that Kira's bothered and gives genuinely good advice. Summoning Sisko is a great way of speeding things along. Almost parental in the way he acts.

Bashir could not be more uncomfortable with Garak's prescence. Has difficulty with a potted plant, but remains polite. Very excitable and eager to apparently be in a spy thriller. Gets a bit friendlier on their second meeting. Flustered and fumbling through the actual spy work, but he gives the suit a decent try.

Dax is skeptical of Bashir being all that interesting.

O'Brien responds to Bashir's tracker suggestion with a look of weary pain. Understandably has sympathy for anyone under Cardassian "care".

Kira has reunited with an old friend. Very shouty and resolute in her convictions. A little sweet and almost nurturing to Tahna. Doesn't like the Federation, but understands the need to be pragmatic. Friendliness drops once Tahna spills some of the beans. Retreats into herself a bit as he continues to insult her. Has a mini breakdown in front of Odo. Halfway decent fight scene.

Garak is one of those who is far too friendly to be comfortable with, yet far too seemingly nice to feel justified in backing away from. Hard to tell how sincere he is with his claims of wanting friendship. Little sense of personal space and seems downright flirtatious with Bashir at points. Keen, astute observer, since his clothing talk is clearly just an excuse to point out the Klingons. Doesn't take their threats remotely seriously, but goes through the motions with some wonderful body language. Got jazz hands. I can tell Robinson is going to be a laugh a minute. More serious and sedate when the situation calls for it and has the unenviable task of balancing being subtle and blatant enough for Bashir's benefit. Has a few moments of genuine emotion that betray he's mostly a good individual. At least, that's the reading I got.

Tahna gets points for being somewhat candid. His rampant isolationism is just stupidity when you're incapable of feeding your population without help. Some bite to his shouting, but he's still a complete idiot.

Didn't expect to see the Klingon sisters again, but they're harmless enough.

I'm getting a kick out of this look at Cardassian technology. Even simple things like the design of the lift are delightful. Nice overhead view of the bar. Actually it's nice seeing the general hustle and bustle of what's basically a space city. Guessed right on Odo being the rat, but it was basically a gimme. Very Terminator esque, his shape-shifting. Clothing shop is nice. Going after the wormhole instead is a decent twist and of course its still as beautiful as ever.

The Kohn Ma were almost certainly necessary during the actual occupation, but they are obviously no longer fit for purpose and the inevitable endgame for Tahna's plan is starvation and extinction for his people. Considering the appearance of the wormhole is basically the fulfillment of a 10,000 year old prophecy that is near and dear to the Bajoran's heart, an overly zealous nationalist being willing to blow it up has more than a whiff of that stuff I was talking about in the first episode: how faith is often coopted and polluted by stagnant vitriol, if its not disregard entirely and how true beliefs allow for personal evolution. The image I had was of how a fundamentalist right winger would be anong the first to despise Jesus if he ever actually met the man. And this inability to change is the real conflict between Kira and Tahna. Kira has, in fact, adapted to meet the new world she's in. Terrorism had its day, but more peaceful methods are the most prudent course now. And Tahna sees her growth as an invitation for derision. It's like reuniting with an old school friend and discovering that, while you've been trying to grow and live your best life, they've remained an adolescent throughout that time and, worse yet, they mock and resent you for your maturity. Since there's still mutual affection between them, Kira having a crisis of faith in who she's become makes perfect sense. Its like a much darker version of what Picard went through with alienating his friends in Tapestry. Leave to Odo, our man alone, to remind her that conviction in the self is of prime importance.

Another pretty good episode. Odo, Kira, i wonder who our next focus is.

Guess I'll be babbling about Babel.

Just a heads up, those two episodes aired backwards. That'll happen a few more times in later seasons.

It's not a huge deal most times, but you are meant to watch in broadcast order, not production order. One time, a standalone episode moves between a multiparter. Another multiparter actually was produced out of order and spoiler itself.

Does netflix arrange them in a sensible order? Because if there's no real issues, I'll just go according to them.

If they gave you that order, then they use production order. Pluto does, and I hate it.

The two I mentioned are towards the end of season 3, and at the beginning of season 6.

There are a bunch more, but I don't think they're as jarring as those two.

Episode 4: Babel

Talking right past us.

Sisko almost looks offended when O'Brien gets snippy with him. Still, a friendly soul to him. Gets everything explained to him. Takes Jake's condition professionally. Still no patience for overly long explanations. Assumes badly of Kira. Decent father. Sigh of defeat when he gets the virus.

Odo continues to gossip with a man he can't stand. Enjoys his gloating, but won't tolerate anyone else bothering him. Always strict with the law. Immediately suspects Quark's involvement. That bent straw insult is brilliant. Has to puff up his achievements as head of security. Deeply cynical about getting help. Reluctant to admit he never learned Dabo. Honest about his competence. Always supportive of Kira. Actually a bit concerned for Sisko. And that was indeed a note of panic.

Bashir is in full problem solver mode today. Gets quite concerned himself when he figures out the airborne variant. Bit too appreciative of the virus. Wearily tries to find a solution before succumbing.

At least, Dax is decent to the chief. She carries herself with a sublime level of confidence. Playfully enjoys all the attention she gets. Zones out a little before the infection takes. Has some slightly restrained worry and panic to being infected.

It seems they're going to avoid shoving Jake down our throat as much as they did Wesley. He's harmless here, but still not doing much for me.

O'Brien's infinite patience is beginning to snap. Tiredness makes him quite beleaguered and misanthropic. His sarcasm is a joy, though. Falling asleep at the wheel. Props to Meaney for making all that complete babble sound like a genuine attempt at communicating. Gets increasingly worried when it's clear that no comprehension is getting through. Then, it gives way to frustration.

Quark grumbles about shit business. Bit sheepish to admit that hes low on the list. Precisely no shame in continuing to flirt. Pumping his fist is almost adorable. Gives a shit justification for keeping his business open. Tries to brush off being caught red handed. I admire how ruthless he is in trying to get his money. Angrily tries to force understanding like he's a tourist. Gambling alone is one of the saddest sights. Has much too much fun making Odo rely on him.

Kira's having prescious little fun with technology, too. Compared to Dax's absolute poise, shes slouching as she walks and clearly doesn't give a fuck. Enjoys tormenting O'Brien, but her concern quickly becomes palpable. Could see Sisko's order to call up her old friends a mile away and doesn't particularly like it. Frustrated with the endless dead ends. Sickeningly sweet with the doctor and I love the ruthlessness of deliberately infecting him to motivate him. Has her own brilliant moment of defeat when the virus hits her.

Just a work day in the life of O'Brien. Seeing the inner workings of a replicator is fun. They make sure we catch that virus machine. Even with it, though, it briefly seems that O'Brien might just be stressed. The word salad has just enough pretense of meaning to be that much more off. Dax catching the disease is a good moment of tension.

Certain parts definitely hit differently after covid. We have some more looks into the complicated morality of the Bajorans, with the virus basically being an unexploded landmine that finally causes havoc long after it may have had a purpose. Its also a decent look at how DS9 will have different kinds of stories compared to the other shows, purely because of its setting. Infection stories have been done before, but there's definitely a different feel when you're doing in what's basically a space city. After some character focused work, its nice to have an ensemble piece where almost everyone has a contribution to make to the plot. I actually thought it would be an O'Brien focus episode at first, but he's put our of commission fairly early on, although he at least gets a good amount of stuff to do before. Dax is a bit worrisome, though. What little she does get I excellent, but seeing how quickly she gets almost totally sidelined has me concerned that she and Kira may become the new Crusher and Troi, where they're nearly ignored for most of the season and given less than ideal focus episodes on a very occasional basis. Up until now, I think they've both been handled brilliantly, and Kira still is, but Dax could probably be allowed to do a bit more without really compromising the plot. Nothing awful, though.

Still good, but probably closer to average than anything previous.

In a Captive Pursuit for the next episode.

splodeymissile posted...

has me concerned that she and Kira may become the new Crusher and Troi, where they're nearly ignored for most of the season and given less than ideal focus episodes on a very occasional basis.

No need to worry about that. One thing this show does is showcase all it's characters, even ones that you think are merely to the side.

splodeymissile posted...

Little sense of personal space and seems downright flirtatious with Bashir at points

Very astute. The actor played Garak, at least in their first meeting, as if he were trying to pick up Bashir.

It seems they're going to avoid shoving Jake down our throat as much as they did Wesley

The writers said that they learned their lesson from what went wrong with Wesley Crusher. Wesley was disliked as a 17-year-old supergenius that often saves the entire ship because he's smarter than everybody else

The writers intentionally made Jake less of a superstar ace, and more of a modest character that doesn't rock the boat

Episode 5: Captive Pursuit

The perfect victim.

Sisko greets Tosk decently. Realises that O'Brien is probably the best fit for contact. Quite fair with the alien, but frustrated. Asserts authority on his station and gives some proper contemptuous looks at the leader. Very intimidating when he chews out O'Brien, but ends with a cheeky smile.

Odo's flippancy and sarcasm is something I'm quickly going to fall in love with. Doesn't care in the slightest for Tosk, but won't see laws broken without a fight. Against weapons, apparently, which is a nice surprise. What a passive aggressive slow walk he takes to the lift. Deliberately putting on a sassy performance there.

Bashir is a truly optimistic man.

Dax wisely suggests a looser approach. Considers paltering to be the same as lying.

O'Brien is a bit matter of fact, but very friendly. Bit of trepidation when he first enters the ship. Bangs his head. Handles first contact near perfectly. Very down to earth, reassuring and sociable. Mortified when Quark makes a scene. Very patient educator, though flashes of despair occasionally make themselves known. Deliberately annoys Quark and gives a warm look of admiration when Tosk claims hes incorruptible. Has a lot of affection for him. Mentioning Keiko is a great way to get him to blow his lid. Helps him make a revelation. Anytime someone defies the prime directive for the greater good is a time to celebrate. Very nonchalant, how he chucks his combadge. Understands how Sisko helped him and is quite grateful.

I doubt whatever Quark's put in that contract is anything I'd appreciate. Causes a scene when he gets cheated (if he got cheated). Wants more respect and leaps at the chance to profit off a new potential customer. Almost has a Guinan like role where he annoys people into opening up and having epiphanies. Wouldn't have expected it from him.

Kira is a bit premature with those defences. Looks out for Odo, which is sweet. Good on her for suggesting asylum.

Tosk is a jumpy, paranoid creature. Comes off as naive and/or simple and incredibly unhelpful, but possesses a keen intelligence. Genuine friendship with O'Brien. Has the kind of pride in his culture that Worf would applaud.

The leader manages to deliver a cruelly biting and venomous speech to Tosk. That dismissive snort elevates him more than the role would ordinarily merit. Fairly reasonable once you get past the bloodsport culture.

I'm guessing the details of that contract are not fit for the age rating, since every elaboration is interrupted. Tosk's design has something of the Gorn to it. It's going to be fun seeing all the objects Odo becomes. Those helmets are a bit Power Rangers. They noticeably darken the lighting for Sisko and the leader's little chat.

There is something almost cozy about O'Brien. I've seen him described as working class and, while the signs were there in his many other appearances, his interactions with Tosk really cement it here. In effect, this is an O'Brien focus story where the takeaway is that he is just a very pleasent, but never remotely close to saccharine, individual. I've known several people like this man and i dont have a bad word to say about any of them.

The wormhole, naturally, allows for all the weirdness that the other shows have to invade DS9 whenever it's relevant, so, our spirit of exploration had been inverted slightly, but the effect is much the same. And its another prime directive story where the obvious moral choice is to violate it. I don't think we've seen a proper prime directive story for a fair while, so, this feels even more fresh than being set in a different show would.

Like the last episode, it's just a thoroughly decent affair. Being 5 episodes in without an explicit dud is better than most seasons of this franchise, though.

Oh, Q-Less sounds fun (like the Duras sisters, they're shipping him out to here quite early, too, aren't they? I wonder if any other familiar characters will put in an appearance this season?)

Episode 6: Q-Less

Let's see how the new show handles Q.

Sisko gets a fair bit annoyed by Vash's seemingly impossible story. Doesn't see her and Picard getting it on, which is fair. At least, he's already aware of Q. Intimidatingly cockblocks Quark and gives Q a similarly threatening look. I love how high pitched his voice gets when he's taken off guard. Gives Q a well deserved smack.

Odo enjoys inspiring paranoia in others. Lovely menacing chuckle. Absolute workaholic. Good condemnation of materialism. Almost intrigued by a shiny bucket.

Bashir moves on quick and is pretty damn smooth. Obviously has a regular tactic. Briefly stutters, but quickly begins to flirt with Vash and is quite pleased with himself after. I admire how he asked her out. Bit too polite to Q after he made those comments. Sleeps through the crisis.

Dax shows concern for others. Recognises the power anomaly. Gives Bashir an interested look at the end.

O'Brien is completely dead inside from listening to Bashir's flirting. Choking on his drink is funny. I'm surprised he doesn't immediately suspect Q's involvement. Euphemistically speaks of Picard's dalliances. No more thrilled than anyone to have Q about. Annoyed by what he suspects is his involvement.

Quark is intrigued by Vash. Doesn't let briefly blipping out of existence slow him down from arranging business. I'm not sure I needed to see him deep in the throws of passion. Since she's female, he has a thing for Vash. They get on quite well, betting on Sisko. Completely ignores Odo's criticism. Is he fondling himself when Q offers a million bars? Vash is definitely his new best friend.

Kira remains a bit impulsive. Q picks up on her character quickly.

Vash doesn't recognise O'Brien, which does her no favours. Merrily flirts with Bashir and her air of confidence is fun. I think i like her more here than on TNG. Has a domestic with Q and plays Quark like a fiddle, even giving a bored, disinterested look mid oo-mox. Still, they get on like a house on fire. I appreciate that she continues to defy Q's efforts. No simpering here.

Q is quite a jealous god. As hilarious as he always is. Making Vash reunpack is deliciously evil. His reaction to Quark makes me wonder if hed get on well with Lwaxana. Childishly imitating Bashir from behind him shouldn't be that funny. Enjoys annoying Sisko, but gets the wind taken out once smacked. Torturing Vash by aging just so he can keep her is where he becomes a little unlikeable and, considering his appearances in TNG this year were more towards the compassionate side, it seems a bit out of character. Crashing the auction is fun and deliberately setting things up to save the space manta ray and advising Vash on what she really wants redeems him a bit.

Considering Bashir's had little luck with Dax, I was have expected that slow rotating of the camera to reveal an utterly bored date. Imagine my surprise. Q provides our first cliffhanger and all but winks at the audience. That extended security sequence dragged a bit. Q continues to use camera trickery as part of his appearances and disappearances. The boxing show is a fun bit. Vash's rapid aging is nasty. Lot of tense, technobabble scenes in ops. Everyone is great at acting appropriately concerned, but when it's mostly gibberish, there isn't much to say about it.

Controlling exboyfriend behaviour aside, I like Q and I actually found myself quite liking Vash here, but there's something unmistakably off about this episode. Both of the guests seem vaguely disconnected from the plot, even though Vash's artefact is the cause of the problems and the clear object of Q's plan. Q himself is used to contrast Sisko from Picard, with the main difference seeming to be he's a less patient, more pragmatic soul, but the actual meeting between the two in Emissary, as well as the rest of that episode, gave a perfectly satisfactory reason for Sisko's existence, so, much as I love the silly god, he's needless here. The orb is too shiny to not be the obvious culprit for the shenanigans and the extended technobabble scene in ops towards the end just about manages to keep interest, without actually accomplishing anything meaningful. I don't know, I enjoyed many of the character interactions, but it feels like a big nothing of a story.

Perhaps our first real dud of the show, but im a little undecided. Q's sexism aside, there's nothing all that bad, but that's because there's almost nothing at all.

I take it Dax is Rom's big breakout episode.

Episode 7: Dax

Let's learn about the old man.

Love Sisko's immediate jump to severity when Dax is kidnapped. Annoyed that he can't get anything out of her and, once again, questions their friendship. Has a moment of nostalgia whilst forcefully defending her character. Has fun being as unhelpful as possible and standing up for Kira and then deferring to her on Bajoran law is a nice gesture. Its remarkable how easily Brooks can go from stern to almost vulnerable. Knows full well that Quark is not that generous. Gives a decent argument, but doesnt get the reaction he hoped for. Gets a bit blinkered in his pursuit of evidence, but is somewhat self aware of it. So overjoyed when it seems like he's won the argument. Does have quite a temper.

Odo effortlessly taking charge is a joy to see. Its sweet how he helps Dax. His insistence on order leads him to consider the warrant a settled matter. Offers threats to Quark in a very conversational tone, before deepening his voice to impress upon him the seriousness. Auberjonois deserves his second billing from that scene alone. Cynical, but professional and I quite like the way he describes affairs.

Bashir's still trying. Sulks when it isn't happening. Going to escort her anyway is a bit of a creepy move. Gets one good hit in and deserves praise for leaping into action, but hesitating against the woman is stupid. Honest about medical facts. Little snotty when it seems like he's being patronised. Probably the only one who recognises how hurtful this nonsense is to Dax and has the decency to feel guilty about it.

Dax is more interested in work than Bashir and apparently likes coffee. Only half processing what he says, but still clearly amused by the effort. I love the dignity she carries herself with. Bursting with confidence when she responds to the thugs. Shame she gets roughed up in her first focus episode. Thousand yard stare when she recognises why this is happening. Not the friendliest look to Sisko after his "defence". Storms off, stoically holding back tears. Farrell carries herself with so much poise and serenity when Dax finally talks to Sisko. Such an understanding, forgiving way to comfort him, it almost touches on the divine. Still loves Enina and feels nothing but warmth after she touches her cheek.

O'Brien and Keiko are elsewhere.

Quark gets persuaded to be generous. Love that deadpan "ha".

Kira's quite pleased with herself when the tractor beam works. Scurries to keep up with Sisko's ploy, but accredits herself well and seems to enjoy herself in the process.

The arbiter's complete lack of fucks to give and witty lines make her quite endearing. Seems to recognise and be sympathetic to the fact that everyone is treating Dax a bit like a prop. The other guest stars are all good, but she's the highlight.

Some standard mysterious shots of those assailants. Walking down the corridor has the air of a dark alley in a rough neighbourhood. Some impressive VFX shots. Sisko keeps going behind the glass in Dax's quarters, indicating the barrier between them. I was concerned that they were falling into a familiar trap of keeping the female main character semi irrelevant to their own story, but when Dax finally gets a scene of her own, she really owns it.

It would be quite pointless and confusing to have both Sisko and Dax's history and the conflict of Dax having a new host, if the symbiote was all that mattered. So, we've got some blatant retconning of The Host for housekeeping purposes and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. More interesting than Dax's species is Dax's character. I doubt they intended this since its the 90s, but it's not exactly difficult to read Dax as either transgender or gender fluid. More important, then, than the fantasy culpability of Curzon and Jadzia, is whether someone who goes through such a transition (and its also sort of bundled with substantially life changing events in general) is meaningfully the same person and the hearing is basically a metaphor for Sisko grappling with that same issue. A decent array of arguments are presented to suggest no and Sisko's outburst of "if you were still a man" would ordinarily leave that as the conclusion. But Dax's own stoic reactions suggest that she is at once appreciative of the effort to save her and yet a little hurt by the arguments they have to resort to. Keeping her in the background of her own hearing for most of it almost seems like a denial of her personhood and validity, which the arguments kind of accidentally manage, too, even if the intent is the precise opposite. When she is allowed to take center stage, though, she sings. Sisko gives a sterling character reference for the man who was basically his father figure and, then, when he breaks down in Dax's quarters, she's immediately comforting him like a mother would. A change in gender/maturity and the resultant personality shift hasn't changed the fact that she still feels a parental instinct for him. Equally, the whole reason she keeps her silence is because Curzon's love for Enina is shared by Jadzia. The transition may have changed how that manifests, there's more maturity and more femininity to it, but the affection could not be more clear. Dax is still Dax, even if the name, body and mind have changed, and maturing and transitioning allows her to change and grow, without undercutting the fact that she is still the person her friends and lovers adored. The details of the relationship may alter, but the point is, they still have a relationship.

I'm a little dubious of having her smacked around at the start and keeping her in the background of most of her episode, but the latter seems like it might slightly be the point of the exercise and, even if I am making up a reading to suit my own values (well, more than I usually do, I mean) the applicability works and when Dax does get to speak, the whole thing becomes beautiful.

I think I've finally caught up such that it's as if I never missed a day. At any rate, The Passenger is next.

Yeah the Trill you see in that TNG episode may as well be a different species. The only thing it has in common is that there's a worm in his belly. Like I think the entire premise of the episode wouldn't work with DS9's trill; you wouldn't be able to temporarily house a symbiote in a human like that.

Episode 8: The Passenger

Voices in my head.

Sisko is fair to Kajada. Sternly leaps to Odo's defence and patronises the idiot in front of him whilst doing so. Knows exactly how to play on Odo's vanity to keep him in his job.

Odo continues to mock and warn Quark in the same conversation. As observant and understanding of people as youd expect someone in his position. Doesn't appreciate people stepping on his toes and barely cares enough to register the apology. Performing a handshake almost killed him inside. Very aggressively protective of his job, but mellows out when it becomes clear who the boss is. Can't get enough of his sarcasm.

Bashir has a healthy amount of self confidence. Appreciate his respect for the sanctity of life. Taken aback by Kajada's violence. Very much in smug mode. Fadil keeps his arrogance, but adopts it in a less eager and more controlled mode as Vantika. Loads of exaggeration. Acts and talks a bit like a panto villain or as a lowkey sort of zombie learning how to control his new body. Apparently, he dubbed over himself, which explains the stilted nature of his lines.

Dax gives a pleasent smile to Quark, but its not quite as sincere as the ones she gives to Bashir. Ignores Sisko's sarcasm. Very happy when she finds the generator.

Quark continues to lust after anyone with a set of tits. Won't let a pesky thing like reality slow him down. Mesmerised as he mentally undresses Dax. Leaps at her smile. He seems to be the token... not evil main character, exactly, but there's a trend of him causing or at least being involved in the threat of the week. Some of this is excusable simply by the nature of his character, but the execution is becoming a bit patternistic.

Kira treats Bashir's boasting with deadpan disdain. I've noticed that she's usually the one to inspire exposition. Amused by Odo and Primmin making the same move.

Kajada's ruthlessness and doggedness is nice. Blows up at Sisko, too.

Primmin might be a snotty prat, but at least he develops some humility after being slapped for his stupidity and naivete.

Vantika must be dying of a throat infection, the way he whispers everything.

That was quite a disturbing blaze in the foreground. Some decent quick cuts in Bashir's lab. Odo and Quark's conversations consistently have some interesting blocking that makes them seem far more intimate than their ostensible relationship would suggest. In other words, closest thing to a friend each other has. There's something a bit farcical in the way Kajada falls. Hitching a ride in Bashir is a decent twist.

There's a vague theme about egos. Bashir brags about himself, gets proven wrong about Vantika and then is arrogant in a different way when he is Vantika. Odo and Primmin both try to control the station their way and both have moments of justifying themselves (with Odo obviously winning the most sympathy by dint of being a main character). And even Kajada suffers a bit of ignominy when her attempt at eavesdropping leads to her getting pushed off a balcony. Vantika's own obsession with living at all costs is basically the ultimate expression of ego. Mostly though, it's just another fine problem of the week episode.

Fadil's dubbing brings it down a little, but I'm already at the point where its fun watching this lot get up to some competency porn.

Let's Move Along Home, tomorrow.

Alamaraine!

Interesting fact about Kira and Bashir: their actors will be dating and married during DS9's entire run. (Though, they didn't stay that way soon afterwards.)

Move Along Home is an episode most people clown on, but I like it.

Episode 9: Move Along Home

Game over.

Sisko is quite pleased with how he looks. As any decent father would, takes an interest in his son's love life. Scolds Bashir and is bemused by the Wadi. Sternly keeps Quark under control, but eventually gets fed up and calls it a night. I like that his first thought is that it might be a holodeck simulation. Not thrilled with Allermaraine.

Odo is actually kind of sweet to Jake. Knows full well what teenagers get up to. Rightly irritated by Primmin's incompetence. Mock stuttering when he brings up Starfleet regulations is beautiful. I think he's going to be one of my favourite characters. I don't think I've ever seen a purer expression of hatred than his ever angrier reactions to the game. Why did he interrupt Sisko? I would've liked nothing more than to see him choke the life out of Falow.

Bashir forgot something. It happens and he's definitely slotted into the token idiot of the cast. Amused by the obsession with games. His screaming fit kind of reinforces the local idiot vibe and crashing into the field doesn't help. At least, he guesses about the antidote.

Dax tries to reassure Bashir. Very annoyed with Quark. Actually, she's annoyed in general this episode. I wonder if that's more Farrell than Dax.

Jake is first noticing women (at 14, apparently, which is a bit late) and is dreading the inevitable talk. Sheepish when Odo correctly figures out what he's up to.

Quark immediately senses a business opportunity. I appreciate his honest and blunt disinterest in the Wadi's tat. Can't believe the string of good luck (I assume Dabo is primarily luck based). Shimerman has adopted a more natural sounding set of inflections for Quark. Presumably, he's gotten more used to his prosthetics. Either way, it makes his inevitable fuck up a bit more tolerable than the latest example of this pattern otherwise would be. I feel for him, confused by the incomprehensible game in front of him. Has a dramatic moment of weighing up whether to further risk his friends, but picks the right answer, as if there'd be any doubt. Its a good display of his morality, but having him grovel quickly becomes painful to witness. The man's all but snotting down himself and we linger for far too long on him shrieking please. I saw that and I begun to wonder if the writer set out to humiliate as many actors as possible.

Kira was definitely not expecting that. Reluctantly guides them to Quark's. Does not react well to her first real brush with surreal Starfleet nonsense. I can't tell if it's more her or Visitor who's embarrassed by Allermaraine. I don't blame her for screaming her head off.

Primmin is snottier and stupider than he was last time and loses the last remaining drops of my goodwill.

Everything about Falow disgusts me. From his appearance, to his attitude, to all the mini Falows inhabiting the game all the way up to his arrogant dismissal of "it's only a game", he's a thoroughly wretched creature that I despise far more than I expect the episode wants me to.

The way the light filters in Sisko's quarters is like blinds. Give the place a more homey look. The board for Chula has an alright design. Sisko rolling over into the game world isn't quite as smooth as it should be. Painstakingly checking every door is needlessly tedious. Allermaraine brings to mind Doctor Who's The Celestial Toymaker and, frankly, some episodes are perhaps better off lost. The Wadi bashing their sticks together is some of the stupidest shit I've seen in this franchise in a long while. During the party scene, I think a substantial chunk of my emotional investment checked out. There's an attempt at drama by having Quark justify his gambling expertise, but it falls flat, especially since he's proven wrong immediately. Of fucking course Dax injures her leg. The whole cave sequence is an appalling drag.

One of my more nerdier hobbies is to play tabletop games with my friends. There's this business not too far from us all that allows you to book tables, order food and generally have a good time with whatever games and pieces you bring along. While me and mine are relatively normal individuals (or as normal as having this as a hobby allows you to be) and weve met some similarly decent people on occasion, I can unfortunately report that the stereotype of a typical tabletop player is mostly true: overweight, unhygienic, greasy, smelly, smarmy, smug, badly groomed wrecks with far too few social skills for the amount of time they spend polluting public spaces. Falow looks and acts enough of the part, to the point that I can almost smell him through the screen. Before Chula actually begins proper, the episode was just about decent and I was confident and hopeful that it may have had something to say about the culture of games and how the players almost isolate themselves by antagonising any outside that may express a legitimate interest. Refusing to tell Quark the rules and bullying him to make moves he doesn't fully understand and, well, his attitude in general, reminded me of that. The episode goes off the rails before too long (Jake's little subplot gets nothing, as well) but, if there's a point at all to this mess, it's against cheating and it comes down far too hard on something so harmless and puts Quark in such a pitiful position, that it becomes mean-spirited and cruel. It ultimately being a shaggy dog story where there were no stakes at all doesn't make this better at all and Falow continues to make himself such an unpleasant individual that Sisko would've been quite justified to have killed him at the end. The actual game itself is a dull and childish affair regardless of whether we're looking at it from the players' or pieces' perspective and there's so many weird choices like that dramatic beat from Quark which gets undercut for a cliffhanger and a sort of non ending where Falow walks off consequence free and Quark mumbles his way past the lesson he's apparently meant to have learned. Odo remains the only consistently decent thing about this.

Dull, slow, juvenile, mean-spirited and seemingly a bit unfinished, it's the first episode in a very long while to not even be competent.

pegusus123456 posted...

Move Along Home is an episode most people clown on, but I like it.

I'd be very interested in knowing why because I'm usually able to see the appeal in episodes I dislike, but this is stumping me.

Onto The Nagus.

splodeymissile posted...

I'd be very interested in knowing why because I'm usually able to see the appeal in episodes I dislike, but this is stumping me.

Afraid I can't help you there, it's been at least a decade since I watched it. I just remember liking it <_<

All I can say is I just kinda... dig how unabashedly stupid it is. It's sorta "so bad it's good", like Spock's Brain or the one with the hippies.

I also love how Nana Visitor isn't even acting in this one, she has this "I'm going to murder my agent" expression the whole time and I'm here for it.

Episode 10: The Nagus

Investors' meeting.

I repeat myself a lot, but Sisko truly is a fantastic dad. Knows full well he hasn't got a prayer of disrupting a friendship. Gives a foreboding warning to O'Brien about children. Even if he doesn't like Nog, he gives a solid talk to his son about different values. Has quite a bit of anti Ferengi bigotry in him. Angrily plays catch with himself. Quite a look of guilt when he sees what his boy is really doing.

Odo watches the Ferengi. Treats their culture with all the respect it deserves. Gets a bit of gloating.

Dax cracks a joke about Quark. I'm convinced her deliberately poor parenting advice was just a pretext to steal the Siskos' dinner.

Jake is a clumsy, forgetful sort. What kind of fucking alien is he that he'd rather skulk in a cargo bay than go on that kind of holiday? I get that he's lying to disguise Nog's revision sessions, but he's far too intelligent and natural sounding for it to be a shit lie, so, I can only assume that it's a plausible interest of his. Plus, Nog can probably survive a few days without him. His lying is much more dreadful with regards to Nog's excuses, though the Ferengi boy didn't exactly help himself. These kids are apparently 14 (or the equivalent in Ferengi years), yet they act half that age. Sweet kid, though, to help his mate out.

O'Brien continues to be a great husband and proves himself more competent than most substitute teachers I've ever had. Might love his wife, but can't be arsed to grill Nog over a clearly see through lie. Gave his own substitute teachers grief, which is only correct when you're that age.

Quark rebukes his brother's honesty. Suffers through the pain of a poor audience for his jokes and shows due respect for the Nagus. Dials up the charm and effortlessly weaves through any potential offence. Straight up nasty to his brother. Survives his meetings with an understated, exasperated sarcasm. Would rather be anywhere else, until he feels an immense rush at being the new Nagus. Then, he's near paralysed with fear at knowing there's a target on his back. Too prideful to accept help. Treats sycophants with all the respect they deserve. Understands that compassion is a sound strategy for popularity. Some real fear when he's in the airlock. Different value systems, I know, but I wouldn't forgive Rom for that.

Kira makes a joke about the silverware.

Rom is an honest man (when beauty is involved), an easily bullied coward and a tremendously shit father. Being willing to kill his brother places him firmly in the irredeemable pile for me.

Nog is a bad liar, which doesn't seem right for a Ferengi. His ethics joke isnt half bad. Takes out his anger on Jake, which is fine for a teenager, but the specific way its expressed is still something id expect from kids half that age.

Zek is a dirty old man with a spectacularly creepy laugh. Must have been one hell of a sesh if he needed some juice after. He's quite a disgusting individual, but surprisingly likable. Risa was clearly the correct choice. Quite a cunning individual.

Nice looking scepter. I'm not sure why the Nagus has to be hooded. His species is hardly a surprise. Ferengi fodder isn't quite as appetising as Klingon cuisine, but I'd probably give it a go. Zek's silent servant has some impressive makeup. Nice shot of Odo looking down on the visitors. I quite like the insight into Ferengi culture and the variety of individuals we see at the table. Like a CEO calling a meeting. Not bad, seeing the drone in the background before it tries to fly into Quark. They go all out in making Quark look like an emperor, shooting him from behind and slightly below. I could probably have done without the brief bit of Jake and Nog breaking and then repairing their friendship.

It's our big reintroduction to Ferengi culture and their basically the same as their first appearance, albeit with a little more nuance and a lot more dignity. Similar to Klingons, they are allowed to have individuals with different perspectives on this culture. Quark is good at business, but a little too moral, Rom is a bitter tryhard and little more than a laughing stock, Nog is exploring other cultures entirely and even Krax is too obvious and violent to actually be fully effective. With the new culture comes a lot of xenophobia and mistrust, as most of the rest of the main characters aren't shy about their distaste for Ferengis and Sisko isn't confident in his own son until towards the end, nor is Jake all that willing to talk to him. Quark, meanwhile, finds himself in some intrigue and gets betrayed by his own brother. Finally, parents play a big role, with Sisko being quite obvious (and spending a fair amount of time talking with O'Brien and Dax), Rom taking out his anger on Nog and Zek all but disowning his son after he fails. It allows for a clear and somewhat, but not wholly, sympathetic look into an alternate culture.

Well made, reasonably deep and long overdue dive into and pseudo redemption of one of the more mocked races in this franchise.

Looking into the Vortex, next.

the Ferengi are my favorite part of Deep Space 9. You haven't seen the best episodes of the Ferengi yet. You'll get there. My two favorite episodes of Deep Space 9 are about the Ferengi

Episode 11: Vortex

Now we sort of know what he is.

Sisko puts an end to some bickering and treats Croden with a strained patience. Bit stressed by interplanetary relations. Quite a bit more stoic after agreeing to give up Croden.

Odo's always scanning the place, in search of troublesome people. Snarks at Quark, which is actually quite a fun phrase. More irritated than anything at the criminals. Fair to Quark, but doesn't want to be and makes sure to leave him with words that'll keep him looking over his shoulder. Auberjonois has some proper isolated, introverted body language when Sisko talks with Croden, until his interest is piqued with the mention of changelings. Angrily rejects it because hope doesn't come easily to Odo. Darkly threatening to both Quark and Croden. Corrects himself on Croden's implication. Scoffs at every bit of news on the Changelings until he sees the necklace. In a rare mixture of awe and vulnerability when Bashir confirms what the stone is. Takes a moment to process giving up Croden. Suffers through a long flight of conversation with great pain. Fundamentally decent man beneath everything. Its amazing how such a seemingly creepy smile can be so sweet and endearing. Picked up a little bit of hope by the end.

Bashir shakes his head and does some research for Odo.

Dax gives Sisko a shocked and disappointed look when he agrees to give up Croden.

O'Brien offers advice.

Quark can't quite muster up a convincing lie and gets a little flustered. Desperately protests far too much when his guests give him the bar and takes out his irritation on everyone in range. Bringing up Odo's species is a low blow. Casually talks his way out of jail time, but gives a just subtle enough reminder to his brother to close his trap. Very spooked each time Croden is brought up. Bit guilty when he gives up Odo.

Kira's the optimist of the bunch. Very pleased when the interference plan works.

Rom fails a spotcheck and is generally an idiot.

Croden is so chill about everything that its disconcerting. Really likes the word "dissemble". Bigoted to Changelings judging by the way he refers to Odo. Must have always had some latent psychopathy if his story is true. Quite a real reaction to briefly attempt to leave Odo.

Interesting way to end the cold open as Rom's body blocks the camera. Odo was a glass, which I probably should've seen, but I wasn't paying attention to the amount of glassware. The lighting gets very dark each time Odo starts to strain against his principles: threatening Quark and springing Crowden. Sisko's reflection has it, too, after he's agreed to give up Croden. Beautiful shots of the ships silhouetted by the vortex, even if it is stock footage. I'm convinced Odo is getting all the best lines.

There's an interesting paradox to Odo. He's obviously a shape-shifter whose true form is a very malleable sort of golden liquid, yet he's a highly stubborn and rigid man. It's fortunate that he's a very just and fair individual because any other person who had such an absolutist view of law and morality would be quite unpleasant. But what we see here is that his stubbornness comes from an immense insecurity and anxiety over who he is. He's a tremendously lonely and somewhat confused individual and he's unable to bear the vulnerability that comes with it. So, he keeps as tight a lid on his shape-shifting as the needs of his job and the realities of his biology allow, making sure to be as humanoid as he can comfortably manage to slightly fit in, but also being almost deliberately incomplete out of a resigned cynicism: a sense that a full effort isn't worth it because he'd always be a bit removed. Equally, he maintains rigid control of his sarcastic, grumpy persona, belieing the fact that he obviously cares, to avoid being moved by the inevitable hurt that accompanies life. An adherence to the law, bearing in mind that he's already admitted that laws are as arbitrary as whoever currently writing them, then, is just a projection of his need to have some control and some sense of an answer in his life.

The tragedy is that it doesn't just come from loneliness, it magnifies it. Much like a great many people who fall into being relative hermits, the problem that required that these defences be set up can't actually be solved by them. Croden's right: it doesn't matter if Odo believes him on anything. If the man were telling the truth about the Changeling colony and Ah-Kel didn't get involved, Odo would've missed a chance to heal the one great big wound that has dominated so much of his life. Croden's own people are blatant isolationist fascists who are presumably ruled by absolute paranoia. The endgame of Odo's mental state before this episode isn't too different. Ah-Kel represents something that Odo couldn't effectively plan for and which takes him on a brief journey where he learns to relax his rigidity a bit, which is what allows him to give a genuinely just resolution to the problem, take possession of the first real clue to his origins and give what is probably his first sincere smile in a very long time. Not a bad trade off for just letting go a bit.

It's early days yet, but Odo is rapidly becoming my favourite character and this second showcase for him is even better than the first.

Battle Lines will be drawn next.

splodeymissile posted...

It's early days yet, but Odo is rapidly becoming my favourite character

Basically every character is great, but I don't see that changing.

Episode 12: Battle Lines

War is hell.

I love how sardonic Sisko is with Kira's minor meltdown. Very respectful of Opaka. Does he not like Bashir that much? Bemused by Kira's creeping. Speaks every word in a threatening growl when he meets Shel-La. Barks at Kira to stop intruding and offers compassion to the miserable wretches he's stuck with. More willing than most to circumvent the prime directive, which I applaud. He really doesn't like Bashir judging by how defensive he gets over a simple joke. Wise enough to appeal to the people in lieu of the absolute clowns they have as leaders. I don't blame him for leaving them to rot.

Odo watches the tour. Frets and flaps over the lateness and generally gets stressed out.

Bashir is a little concerned about Opaka's mood. Apparently doesn't have much to do and is very eager to go through the wormhole. Must've felt left out. Like any good doctor, aggressive and snotty when someone's stopping him from treating the wounded. Quite liked him snatching the case back. Apologetic about having no answers and seems a little bit more interested in the technology than is healthy. Makes light about Sisko's plan and gets unfairly chastised for it. Still saves his life. Advocates euthanasia, which is the only right option in that scenario, but only if you actually care about the miserable gits in that hellhole.

Dax does her job and remains dignified about it. Rolls her eyes at O'Brien. Initially skeptical, but still pleased by O'Brien's device working.

O'Brien dials up his natural politeness even more when Opaka is around. Almost overuses the word "ma'am". Little patience for Odo's panic. A bit frustrated when he doesn't get an immediate answer. Has a flash of inspiration. Wisely paranoid of the satellites.

Kira thinks she's ready for her "mostly harmless" entry, but is both amused and insulted by being nearly ignored. Changes to reverential when the Kai shows up. Very eager to impress the Kai. Pessimistic about the signal. Hard to watch her breakdown over Opaka's death. Got me a fair bit upset. Despondent over Opaka's death. Only gets involved in the fight due to anger and grief. She's completely right to blow up at the lethargic idiots in front of her. Mortified like a scolded child when Opaka brings up her violence. Her denial is frankly more of a confessional. Manages to move me twice in one episode with her breakdowns.

Opaka is in a solemn mood and gives a hinting look at Sisko which takes him a second to grasp. Compassionate to O'Brien. Very excited by the wormhole, which is honestly a little adorable. There's something of Guinan in her in the way she persuades Sisko to investigate. Bit traumatised by her death. Properly maternal and caring to Kira and has the right of it with regards to religion.

Shel-La is initially decent for a miserable nihilist, if a bit monotone. Alongside his counterpart, quickly proves himself a petty idiot who deserves his self imposed hell.

Interesting that we start without an establishing shot of the station. I haven't commented much on the set design, but for a dreary gulag, the station is beautiful and there's a real sense of knowing where everything is in relation to everything else. For some reason, I especially love the spiral staircase. I like the changing lighting in the runabout as it passes through the clouds. Its a pretty bleak landscape they find themselves in. The cave isn't much happier. Opaka's return is a decent cliffhanger. The cell in the cave amuses me for some reason. Something about the fight at the meeting is a little anemic.

It's literally hell. But it's an interesting take on hell because it adopts a Dante esque and even Buddhist conception of hell, where the torment stems from one's own flaws, rather than the dictums of some divine arbiter. There's no reason the hell moon couldn't become a reasonably livable place, except that both factions are so full of bile, rage and ego that they transform it into a horrific eternity. Which makes it a fitting metaphor for Kira, who's at once upset that her terrorist activities received little recognition from the Cardassians because she desperately wants to hurt them still and yet, obviously, upset that she can't quite shake all the anger inside her. If she and the other freedom fighters focused more on increasingly petty vengeance and anger against whoever's about over actually healing Bajor, their planet probably wouldn't be too dissimilar. Her angry desires to join in the fighting came dangerously close to condemning her to eternal misery, but she was able to heal through the help of her faith. And that healing comes through accepting her anger, rather than suppressing and hating herself for it. It's always baffled me how a great many religious folks who take great pains to appear loving and compassionate can tolerate or even champion the concept of hell. The answer that god's morality supersedes everything has always been a cop-out. I'm convinced the endless suppression, by religion, of every natural human impulse, which includes, but obviously isnt limited to, anger, often manifests as a latent rage which allows, if you don't examine it closely at all, infinite suffering to seem like a just and logical punishment. A sort of myopic sense of fairness without empathy. With this in mind, and taking into account that the main characters initially shared similar views, but eventually left them in disgust (and i would've probably abandoned them myself), Opaka wins even more respect from me for not just giving sound advice to Kira, so, she can avoid falling into hell, but electing to stay in hell herself (when she could easily just die and check out early) to help both camps of morons to heal. She's the equivalent of the pope warring against the hell doctrine and stating that no one, regardless of crimes, deserves to be punished forever. This woman would pray for satan and never consider it a real question. Probably the best spiritual leader the Bajorans could've ever dreamed of.

I find some parts of the hell planet, including its people, slightly dull, but it's fantastic for our main characters and a pretty good adventure, overall.

I imagine The Storyteller has quite a tale to tell.

If you'd asked me, I'd have sworn this episode was much later. Surprised we lose Opaka so early

I can tell you Jake though he has some cringe moments is never as bad as Wesley because his shit comes off as more genuine kid/teeb things rather then just being some child genuis. He is a relatively normal kid and its kinda interesting at times getting a reoccurent civilian perspective.

Episode 13: The Storyteller

More negotiations.

Sisko cares neither for O'Brien's complaints nor Kira's advice. Decent mediator. Well, until he seems to goad Varis into making concessions. Without seeing the negotiations themselves, it's difficult to not read that as him taking a side and being quite patronising in the process. He treats her far more decently in the other meeting they have. Pushing Jake away from Varis with his finger is brilliant.

Odo reprimands the kids. Has the air of a strict teacher about him. Enjoys himself with it, too.

Bashir is so innocent that everyone's starting to come across as dicks for the way they treat him. Watching his anxious body language, its clear how desperately he wants to talk to O'Brien. Seems to understand that the chief isn't in the mood, but keeps it to himself. Enjoys all the attention this Sirah business gives them and graciously receives the guests. Recognises that O'Brien is more comfortable with a bit of formality.

Dax briefly does her job.

Jake really wants to play baseball. "She's alright" is a weirdly understated response. Arrogant bastard just invites himself into her room, which is almost admirable. Not even half as smooth as he thinks he is, but it apparently doesn't matter. Makes a valid point about both Nog and far too many blokes in general. Why is it so difficult to string together more than a couple of words when encountering a girl? I appreciate that for all their juvenilism, they genuinly care about Varis and don't just use her as a prop.

O'Brien is another one who seems to despise Bashir on principle. Has a tired patience and politeness for the attempts at conversation. Watching Meaney's face drop at each new line is a treat. Surprised by Bashir's desire to be informal. Very much a normal man thrown into insane situations. Bit flat when repeating the story, but grows in some confidence. Understandably bricking it when he's chosen to be the Sirah and rants about the madness he's been thrown in. I imagine he'd get on well with Arthur Dent. Stunned by three gorgeous women in front of him, but does the right thing. Reduced to snarking at everything at the climax. Comes away a bit more fond of Bashir.

Quark delivers some drinks in a patronising manner. I'd charge her, too. Briefly puts the moves on Kira.

Kira offers advice, but mainly acts like helping negotiations is beneath her (and considering that all parties in all disputes like this so far seem to take it as a challenge how much they can strain everyone's patience, I'm starting to adopt her philosophy). Still, she puts on a mask of cheeriness. Desperately needs a drink and I think I'd be an even more frequent bargoer if I had to tolerate the typical disputes this franchise offers.

Nog has a correct opinion on baseball. As lecherous as the rest of his species. Stalking the lass is obviously creepy. Takes awhile to decide if he wants to sit down. They try far too hard and act like they're about to start pawing at her at points. Wandering about actually looking for her is also a bit creepy. It's good that he shuts down the mentions of Sisko because that sequence was starting to resemble vapid children's TV. The oatmeal is actually kind of funny, though the uproarious laughter starts to strain. I appreciate Ferengi culture lending itself to the resolution. Can't convincingly praise his dad's intelligence.

Varis has some good willpower behind her, but is a little insecure in her age. Outrage is the correct reaction to the weirdos hovering outside her room. Bewildered by the bucket heist and, to be fair, even in context, its a bit odd. Makes a reasonable concession, though im still not thrilled by Sisko basically leading her there. Astute enough to recognise what Jake and Nog are doing, but mature enough to be above it, which makes her quite a triumph of a character. Her opposite number is a little smarmy.

The tetrarch being a young girl is meant to come as a shock, but Sisko and Kira's initial reaction comes off as weirdly prejudiced. Bajor continues to be a beautiful planet. Some decent shots of the negotiation table. The Dal'Rok is a nifty cloud formation. The whole sequence, including the Sirah's lines is done akin to a religious epic. That sequence in the Sirah's house, with the apprentice matching O'Brien's movements outside the window, panning around the room as they talk, leading to a knife attack when we get to the mirror and having Bashir run in to get involved when we return to the window, all in what seems like one take, is utterly glorious. Clever to have Varis finally sit down when she starts to trust Sisko.

I'm a bit done with the endless disputes our main characters have to mediate, so, I was, and this may be unfair to the episode, a little checked out from the start. Varis and her people probably did luck into a bit of extra land from the Cardassians' nonsense, but the fact that i cant guarantee it just goes to show how increasingly disinterested im getting in the politicalbabble of these stories. Even if she was in the wrong, and im saying this as someone who finds the prime directive a complete joke at the best of times, Sisko still overstepped a bit in my opinion. Jake and Nog's story was probably perceived as quite harmless at the time and them being kids goes a long way to excusing some of it, but with a modern lens (and I'd be lying if I said I was seeing it through any other eye. I'm not churlish enough to harp on 90s special effects too much, but I'll attack the actual content from contemporary standards if I feel its justified) it can charitably be called difficult, though actually caring about Varis as a person puts it head and shoulders above most examples of this type of story. This leaves Bashir and O'Brien's story the only one I don't have any real objection to, at all. There is a good theme of disparate people coming together and these two's building friendship is a decent microcosm of both the village they're in and the two groups Sisko is dealing with. I particularly like that the story is framed as a religious epic that united a community. Its a pretty honest way of handling beliefs, even if the actual society is held together by an ethically dubious lie that, unusually for this franchise, gets left alone. Still, though, the act of believing being enough to actually make their myths true is a pretty great take on spirituality. Hovath and Varis provide nice mirrors for each other as people who have fucked up, but eventually grow to be worthy successors.

A few small misgivings and negotiations are a framing device I'm starting to tire of, but I found this to be a mostly grand tale. I already think this is the most consistently good season 1 we've had.

Progressing onto Progress.

Episode 14: Progress

Another idiot.

Sisko cooly shuts down Kira's Cardassian comparison and with good reason. Like his patience with Kira and the not so subtle hint to Bashir. Pretends to be genuinely interested in Mullibok's ramblings and in doing so, finally shuts the daft bastard up. Saying that Kira's on the other side now is absolutely wrong. A rebuilding government is not the same as a repressive one. Equally, leading people is not necessarily the same as bullying them or worse.

Odo almost believes Quark for a split second.

Bashir seems quite annoyed this episode. Maybe he'd already heard about Mullibok's nonsense and was hoping to avoid him.

Dax keeps getting hit on and still doesn't fully mind the attention.

Jake loses his patience and declares victory. Perhaps a bit more business savvy than his partner.

O'Brien doesn't really want to suffer through Nog's line of questioning, he just wants to get on with a job that shouldn't need doing.

Quark once again verbally slaps his brother. Has the resigned patience of an older sibling. Grumbles at his nephew, too, but still seems like a better guardian than his actual father. Doesn't take him long to figure out Nog's business identity.

Kira sarcastically tries to reassure a bureaucrat. Can't comprehend what Dax sees in Morn. Has an exasperated tolerance for the stubbornness and sexism, until she cottons on and acts slightly playful about it. Annoyed, then amused by Mullibok's tall tales. I like that shes a passionate lass, but briefly taking Mullibok's side on this issue is a bridge too far for me. Has the decency to be reluctant and as kind as possible when relocating the farmers. Developing a guilt complex and adopting the farmer's life is utterly ridiculous. I may not like the guy, but wrecking his life's work is just dark and makes her seem like such a dreadful person. Especially since she beamed him up against his will anyway.

Nog is an obvious eavesdropper. Senses a business opportunity. Seems to have missed the obvious first step of selling anything. Just as obvious with trying to pry information out of O'Brien. Not one for deferred gratification.

Mullibok initially manages to be far more pleasant than the usual suicidal dope in this situation. Tries to makes leaving him easier, but doesn't get very far. Tries a fun variety of techniques to be as annoying as possible. Comparing his situation to resisting the occupation is a false equivalence, as living on Bajor now is unlikely to be even a fraction as shit as Cardassian rule was. I want to believe his sudden snarling anger when his people get manhandled is a PTSD attack, but its a bit too jarring to the point that it feels less like his inner depths and more like an entirely separate character. That could be the point, but i dont like it. At about the halfway mark, my goodwill ran out and he became just another stupid homesteader. Speaking for Kira to Sisko has some rather sickening abusive undertones to it. Something quite entitled about the way he treats his "nurse".

Everything Bajor continues to be beautifully bathed in lush colours. The sequence of Mullibok getting shot is hilariously melodramatic and contrived. Jake and Nog's story has the structure of a chain of deals video game sidequest. Finishing the kiln is meant to be dramatic, but the attendent context just makes it pathetic. Its a missed opportunity to not have the land Jake and Nog acquired be given to Mullibok.

Eminent domain is a very thorny issue, to say the least, and in most circumstances, I'd be the first to side with the people who are getting unfairly displaced. The problem, then, of doing this kind of metaphor for it, is that it never seemed like we were dealing with some sort of semi useless vanity project, but an actually vital piece of infrastructure that can further help Bajor on its way to being an independently livable world. Set this story in modern times and, while he'd still be annoying, Mullibok would probably be in the right, although a proper equivalent might involve, say, arguments over whether building a well in an already claimed location is the right thing to do, if it might save a settlement from dying of dehydration. Here, though, with all the backstory and lore already set up, he genuinely seems like a selfish git who doesn't care that a substantial portion of his home world might be living in relative squalor and perhaps facing outright death (this is still a barely functional planet, thanks to the Cardassians making a mess, right?) due to his stubbornness. An additional significant problem facing those who are displaced is whether they will actually receive a halfway decent new home in exchange. We simply haven't seen enough of the Bajoran government to know if they can appropriately stand in for real world examples that don't remotely care.

The moral dilemma isn't really the key issue here, though. It's about Kira and I frankly believe they take her perfectly understandable sympathies for underdogs to the point of caricature. Battle Lines had a perfectly reasonable conflict for Kira, involving addiction and guilt in regards to violence. This doesn't, since it seems to suggest that attempting to rebuild a dying planet might somehow be a betrayal of being an underdog against the awful conquerors who nearly killed it to begin with, instead of the natural next step of that plan. I understand the point. She needs to accept that she's no longer fighting the government, she is the government and there is a genuinely good story there, which can touch on her anxieties about it, but the story as presented here is a bit too shallow a look at that potential conflict and has Kira come across rather badly in some cases, particularly when she trashes the place. There's something uncomfortably ambiguous about how it all ends, too, since Kira may be being presented as a sort of reluctant, but necessary fascist, which is concerning in the same way Riker maybe being a rapist in that Rashomon themed episode is concerning. No complaints about Jake and Nog, though, this is the best they've been.

For some reason, I'm not fully happy with the above paragraph, but I've spend enough time on this.

The kids do fine, but the A plot is reaching beyond its grasp a fair bit, in both production and themes.

If Wishes Were Horses, I'd dream of the next episode at a steady trot.

i really like the b-stories in both those last two eps.

Episode 15: If Wishes Were Horses

Where no one has dreamed before

Sisko just seems to be sick of everything today. Barely survives this mess through a bit of sarcasm. Has good banter with Bokai and playfully teases the figment. Figures out the plot and has a cordial chat at the end.

Fantasy Sisko is a funny bit.

Odo has a very grounded, but miserable view of fantasies. Plays moral guardian and has a dim view of the sex industry. Grumpy over the weather. Calling for attention is a nice moment, simply because his voice carries well. Thinks people can shut off their imagination. Delights in pointing out to Quark that his customers are doing a bit too well. Recognises his fantasy almost immediately, but enjoys it for a few seconds.

Bashir just can't stop. It's getting very desperate now. I'm almost copying that groan. Has the decency to consider that something is very wrong with Dax, but I can't blame him too much for going along with it. Very bitter when he thinks it's a joke. It's adorable seeing him feebly try to stop fantasy Dax from pawing at him whilst he tries to work. Guilty about her existence and then tries to run damage control. Genuinely cares for her, despite her origins.

Dax has fun reminding Bashir of the other women in his life, but I think even she's losing a bit of the joy. Amused by Bashir's fantasy and treats it for the mark of a healthy imagination it is. Increasingly insulted by the actual character of her doppelganger.

Fantasy Dax is great fun. Bit of an airhead and very clingy to Bashir. Very insecure about her submissiveness and does not like the original. Even when conspiring with her fellow figments, there's something hurt and scorned about her. It's impressive that someone blatantly unreal can have a fairly moving death scene.

Jake plays baseball and debates doing homework.

O'Brien can be a good storyteller when he wants to. I can't tell if it's more him or Meaney dying inside when he meets Rumpelstiltskin, especially considering it was apparently meant to be a leprechaun. Appropriate panic once he registers what hes actually looking at. Absolute fury when his daughter's threatened. Gets saved from a shit situation at the last minute.

Quark tries to remove or at least get money out of a persistent loiterer. Rightly honest and proud of his more liberal attitudes to sex. Enjoys tormenting Odo over his more prudish ways. I've noticed he spends a lot of time explaining his life to this man. In no great rush to resolve this nonsense, until it starts to lose him money. Quite like that he assumes the federation are to blame.

Fantasy Quark is indignant.

Kira gives Dax a pretty obvious prompt to do her job. In a state of utter disbelief at the shenanigans. Cowers at her own fantasy and I don't blame her. Isnt fluent in technobabble and doesn't understand the plot at all.

Keiko reciprocating O'Brien's flirtiness is beautiful. It's lovely to see a couple with a clearly active and healthy sex life.

Rumpelstiltskin is a silly creature.

Bokai acts alright. Relatively down to earth considering his origins. Has the good grace to provide some explanation.

Nice long shot with Odo and Quark. Sex is a big thing here, with the cold open consisting almost purely of discussions about it in some form. The lighting matches, being darker and more intimate in a lot of places. Rumpelstiltskin comes from the same maddened plane as space Lincoln. Definitely was not expecting that. The two Daxes are a pretty seamless effect. Odo escorting an emu is a hilarious image. I kind of enjoyed the figments more before they were revealed to be planning the whole thing. Bit gratuitous to pair each character with their fantasy when they're looking at the rift. Clever twist for the rift to be Dax's fantasy.

They're being a bit cheeky and literally doing Where No One Has Gone Before all over again. In fairness, though, six years is, in fact, a long time, so, its not really a problem. Nevertheless, this has all the trappings of a meta plot, with the resolution literally being "we created the problem and now we're creating the solution". It'll come as no surprise that I will almost always enjoy stories like this, but, even if the topic has long since been purged, I'm not too thrilled with just echoing the same thoughts I gave to the first episode. Fortunately, there are a few extra ideas that have crept into this rendition. Firstly, it is remarkably sex positive, to the point that the entire cold open and Bashir and Quark's roles primarily concern themselves with sex. The bizarre squeamishness that media tends to treat such a natural part of life with has only begun to bother me more and more over the years and speaks to an almost chronic immaturity that pervades the entire culture, so, having a bunch of relatively frank discussions about different facets of a healthy sex life was a treat. Secondly, the theme of sex is heavily paired with that of imagination, with Dax not seeing Bashir's blatant fantasies of them being together as any problem at all and only getting offended by how shallow and removed from her the fantasy of Dax is. Even Odo, who's quite stolid and boring with both sex and fantasies, conjures up an image of his own that he enjoys for a bit. He obviously doesn't want to fuck Quark, but proving to have a far richer inner life than he'll admit to feels like it's also implying that he's got far more interest in love and sex than he's comfortable sharing. The necessity of a healthy imagination is also why Bashir's genuine sadness over fantasy Dax feels earned. There's a difference between not being real and not being important. The final thing to flag up is that the figments are explorers who learn by manifesting themselves as people's stories, including adopting the characters' personalities. Bokai still acts like a baseball player, even when hes explaining the plot to Sisko. Since stories are an intrinsic part of any culture and since the only proper way to learn about a people is to steep yourself in their culture, I can imagine them reenacting religious epics or spiritual rituals and the like. Literally becoming someone else for the purposes of learning. Certainly, their method would accomplish more than hiding in an overly sanitised hotel room.

Was all but guaranteed to get high praise from me, due to being a meta plot. Having some new stuff to say more than justifies being a pseudo remake.

Next, The Forsaken.

lolife67 posted...

No need to worry about that. One thing this show does is showcase all it's characters, even ones that you think are merely to the side.

Yeah. Even the secondary and tertiary characters tend to get explored well. Some characters really unfold to be much deeper and more interesting then at first blush.

Even a decent chunk of guest star, infrequently reoccuring, background and one shots end up being solidly done(though there defintely are some classic wierd filler trek episodes that range from godawful, to so bad its good to actually pretty good along between the character focus episodes and the story arc and overarching plot focused episodes)

Episode 16: The Forsaken

Lwaxana is our next guest star.

Sisko actually gets a bit worried when his teasing seems to have genuinely offended O'Brien, which is proper sweet. Has to brace himself and plaster a smile on his face when dealing with the idiots. Manages to diplomatically get them to fuck off. Delighted at Odo's romance and almost sadistically makes himself of no help at all in getting him out of it. Merrily admits to both offloading his job onto Bashir and the utter glee he feels in doing so right to his face. Actually seems to be a bit fond of him now.

Odo applies his detective skills and effortlessly finds the culprit. Gives Quark some credit. Has no idea how to handle apparent interest in his work, but is cautiously happy for a moment. Has even less idea how to handle interest in himself. Seeing him on the back foot with a look of utter panic is a rare treat. I truly don't get why everyone keeps refusing this woman. Like a scared little boy when he runs to Sisko for help. That little head flourish when he says "delicately". Imitates Picard in trying to sneak out the lift and bolts right for it in a wonderfully ridiculous fashion when spotted. His nonexistent stomach drops when he learns that Quark knows. Spends his time in the lift frantically looking for an escape, letting out as much exasperation and sarcasm as he dares think he can get away with and failing to ignore the chatterbox next to him. Some amazing acting throughout. Seeing him finally become vulnerable and admit to a lifetime of mockery is a little heartbreaking. Ends up enjoying the event more than he'd ever expect.

Bashir is both pained and nervous as fuck dealing with self important idiots. Each lie is a double edged sword. Hard work being a people pleaser. Gives a variety of fed up, exasperated looks and sighs behind the idiots' backs. Defends Dax from being patronised. Whines at Sisko over his job and briefly huffs when he realises why he has it. "Ambassadors of unhappy" didn't just make his boss laugh.

Dax is perplexed by the probe.

O'Brien begins to lose his mind in a fight with the computer. One remark from Sisko too many puts him at the "fuck it all" point. Can't believe his luck when it starts to behave. Rightly suspicious of how nice it is to him.

Quark has no sympathy for lost property. Receives Odo's back handed compliment with clenched teeth.

Kira is quite amused by Sisko's plight.

Lwaxana is her wonderful self. No love for Ferengi. Instantly smitten with Odo. Fantastically forceful flirt. Witty as hell, too. "I can swim" is a fantastically funny line. Quite hurt by Odo's desire for silence, but it doesn't take long before she picks herself up and babbles the hours away. One thing I've always adored about her is her sincere compassion for everyone and the relationship between her and Odo quickly becomes quite beautiful once he stops fighting. Removing her hair to showcase her own vulnerability is amazing.

Can recognise Lwaxana from her voice alone. Odo receives some dark lighting when he's briefly stalking the thief. Bashir recomposing himself behind the ambassadors' backs is quite funny. Odo sits down when he's at his most vulnerable. Main characters have a tendency to actually do something in the background. Even though it's just moving in to talk or making their way across ops, there's something quite natural about how they're used. Having Odo scanning for an exit in the foreground whilst Lwaxana blathers on is brilliant. Odo gets a lot of sweat on him when he's reaching hour 16. Very 2001, that computer shutdown bit. That hair part really was quite shocking.

It's all about empathy and the letting down of barriers. It's not completely elegant, but all three plots involve some level of understanding being reached. Bashir's happens mostly offscreen, but by the end of the episode, his party is comfortable enough to be on a first name basis with him. O'Brien eventually recognises Pup's antics as a call for attention after being isolated for so long and adopts the little rascal. And, then, Odo and Lwaxana is resoundingly obvious. The self sufficient sweetheart showing his inner depths to the one person empathetic enough to coax him out of his shell. But attention plays a bit more of a role than just Pup's nonsense. Odo's backstory has him "growing up" as an object of study, then finding himself the life of the party and throwing himself into that life, until it gradually dawns on him that he's being treated as a particularly pathetic clown. There's a sense that if he got a bit more positivity in his early years, he may have been considerably more sociable man now. As it stands, he's in the same weird halfway house I mentioned in a previous episode: doing the bare minimum to vaguely fit in, whilst keeping himself at a clear remove, yet also being unwilling to let people see who he really is. He's picked the exact point on the scale that seems most likely to have him be left alone. And Lwaxana takes every difference of his in her stride and finds the few glimmers of his real personality to be utterly wonderful. But the final beauty of all this, is how her own vulnerability is that she is too normal for her own liking. She wants to simultaneously stand out and sincerely connect with people, in fact, standing out and making a bit of a show of herself is how she connects; they're one and the same to her, and by demonstrating who she really is, she convinces Odo, if only a little, that he might be able to be simultaneously a completely unique individual and a beloved member of the community.

Incredibly funny and touching. When she's allowed to be serious, as well as funny, Lwaxana sings. Pair her up with another great Odo story and you've got a piece of brilliance.

Dramatis Personae is next.

From memory, this was the best Lwaxana story. Like you said, it's just so much fun when she gets to be a little serious and show why she's the woman that raised someone as compassionate as Deanna.

Episode 17: Dramatis Personae

The Naked then?

Sisko's getting to know Kira quite well and can predict an incoming rant. Decent enough to reprimand her in private and act like they're on the same page to an audience. Very annoyed by her insistence and becomes quite menacing when the effect takes over. Bored as fuck and talking like he's about to fall asleep. Far too giddy over his clock. Brooks must have had loads of fun going from hammy, angry barking to haunting whispers. Loads of lovely facial twitches when he's got the assassin. When cornered he falls into absolutely glorious insanity.

Odo gets Quark talking and gives a little smirk to himself when it seems to be working. Effortlessly threatening with every word and makes sure to patronise his informant. The prosthetics help, but that scream and gaping mouth are surprisingly horrifying. Perturbed when he wakes up and has to inspect his body. Weirded out by Bashir. Sees right through Kira and makes sure to emphasise certain words to indicate it. Takes Quark's complaint seriously and tries to be reasonable with the rest of the staff. Clever of him to play to Bashir's vanity. Doesn't miss a beat. Hardly enjoys it, but manages to play both sides expertly.

Bashir has little ability to actually heal Odo. Becomes quite the smug shit stirrer and thinks he's more manipulative than he actually is. Has a dark, flippant sense of humour and is very enthralled with the idea of being a kingmaker.

Seeing Dax zone out and then enter a distracted giggle fit is quite unnerving. Tries to take O'Brien's weirdness in her stride, but is clearly bummed out by her story getting interrupted. Very nostalgic and apparently slightly demented. Doesn't seem like she's fully processing anything. Probably fell onto Kira's side by default. Lovely moment of building clarity when the energy is driven out of her.

O'Brien's counting his blessings at missing the field trip. Dubious over the apparent glory of so mundane a task. No patience with Dax's loitering. Becomes very zealous and paranoid in his loyalty, and a little bit racist, too. Even his log is paranoid. Gives a smile to Odo that is the precise opposite of reassuring. Retains some lucidity and pragmatism and is prepared for almost everything.

Quark goes on a rant, but cottons on quick and gives one hell of a dramatic turn when he does. Seething as he delivers every word of information. Cares enough to call out for Bashir. Tries to flirt, again, and is a little offended when told to bugger off. Very insistent on pressing charges.

Kira has an understandable reaction to the Valerians. Pissed off to the point of abusing technology by their prescence. Still bristles under Sisko's orders. A little bit flirty with how she tries to get Odo on her side. A range of cloyingly sweet smiles when it fails. Flirty to Dax, too, even as the old man tries her patience. I'm not too thrilled with her suddenly showing a trace of bisexuality as soon as shes a little bit evil. I absolutely love the look she gives Quark when she grabs him. Unquestioning faith in Odo. Lightly amused by Sisko's insane boasting. Decent enough to apologise.

The explosion was quite sudden. Quick pan to O'Brien for extra urgency. The failing transporter looks really pixilated, like an actual glitch. Odo's agony, particularly how his shape-shifting effects sort of snaps, really is quite horrifying to watch. The music has a tendency to pick up whenever it gets particularly obvious that someone's acting off. Quark in a neck brace is hilarious. O'Brien in Sisko's chair is obviously very wrong. Kira in Odo's with her feet up is even worse. What an abstract monstrosity that clock is.

Must be a rule of first seasons that at some point we're going to get an actor showcase. It's not quite the alcohol virus, but it accomplishes a similar effect of allowing the actors to show their skills, whilst also defining their characters by their effective absence. Unlike the drunkenness of previous shows, the characters here are sort of possessed by the essence of long dead individuals who simply wear a few traits of their personalities and affectations. Since the two most obvious criticisms of the naked duology is that, firstly, alcohol doesn't work that way and, secondly, its hard to imagine our characters actually acting even close to that when drunk, making it explicitly part of the story that this lot aren't actually the people we're used to at all is a refreshingly honest look at how inventing and then showcasing hidden traits all too often leads to someone being outright out of character, rather than just revealing a already existent facet of them. That this lot are all fighting against each other for very tenuous reasons that presumably vaguely follow the actual disaster the aliens went through feels like a similarly honest admission that whatever plot you create in an episode like this is going to be just as contrived as the characters themselves. It's self aware fakery all the way down.

Odo and Quark are a little bit interesting because they are the only ones who are mostly unaffected. I feel that this reflects both that they are outsiders and the strength of their character. They may both work alongside the factions, but they are neither Starfleet nor Bajoran and, so, wouldn't have a horse in this race (beyond keeping the station from blowing up and being decent to their friends). More importantly, they are both rigid characters. Odo may have changed a lot already in his own episodes, but whenever not the focus, he's likely to default to grumpy, but fair and the other characters all speak to his incorruptability and both sides want him. His will is so ironclad that the episode itself recognises that revealing his depths through a compromised mind is an out of character step too far. Equally, Quark wears who he is on his sleeve and barely notices when called out. He's unlikely to be suppressing much from the start and intoxication would do very little to a man without inhibitions, so, whereas Odo is a wild card who plays both sides through a bit of acting of his own, he's mostly kept out of the conflict as an irrelevance.

More intelligent than its older siblings, but it's still mostly just a fun romp.

I'll sing my song about Duet, next.

splodeymissile posted...

I'll sing my song about Duet, next.

DS9's first masterpiece.

Episode 18: Duet

The first country the nazis invaded...

Sisko is perfectly decent to Kira at the start. Always by the book on these matters. Stunned and sympathetic to her outburst. Gives a nasty look to the drunkard. Sighs as the stress gets to him. Does the right thing by Kira. Teases Dax a bit.

Odo has no sympathy for anyone he rounds up, but sheepishly admits there's little grounds for holding him. Observes patiently. Compassionate to Kira and rightly disdainful of the lunatic, but panics a little when he realises he knows more than he should. Gets up to some fine detective work and effortlessly smarms his way past Dukat, even as the weird lies bewilder him.

Bashir delivers an honest report and does some work for Odo.

Dax was apparently a menace as a child(ren). Compassionate to Kira.

O'Brien does his job.

Quark shows up to offer a small amount of pity, but he doesn't commit for long.

Kira was a willfully annoying kid. Gotten good at greeting all guests warmly. Doesn't care for a Cardassian patient. Starting to anticipate Sisko's objections judging from her "it may not be legal, but it is right" line. The way her voice breaks during that traumatised rant is powerful. Is rather easily triggered by Marritza's s words and, yeah, does mainly desire vengeance. Contemplates how angry she is. Full of building disgust and hatred as Darheel goes on his self congratulatory rant. Drained and nearly tearful over the sheer venom he inspires in her. Once he breaks down, she immediately turns to comfort and warmth.

Marritza presents himself as a calm and collected fellow, even as he lies through his teeth. Got a lot of wit and a sardonic sense of humour. Deeply enjoys getting under Kira's skin and insulting her once he's there. A rather disgusting liar, the flippant way he discusses their holocaust. His hammy, operatic boastfulness is a joy to see, even as he makes light and offers repugnant justifications of his atrocities. Of course, the dislike is part of his game and he peppers enough praise of the lowly file clerk in a few of his rants to hint at what's really going on. For a moment, I though he was some sort of hero worshipper who wanted to be Darheel, so, he could rise above his comparatively more humble life. A sort of knowingly inadequate zealot for Cardassian brutality. Breaking into weeping once his jig is up and the flashbacks to his trauma are just as powerful as Kira's reactions.

Dukat has a one sided nostalgic moment with Odo. Just as concerned as everyone else over this strange scenario.

It being a Cardassian is a solid hook. Kind of cool seeing Sisko leave the room and appear on the camera. All scenes of Kira and Marritza in the cell are truly excellent. Most of the episode boils down to just a pair of characters talking, but it's effortlessly compelling. The way he dies and Kira's initial reaction veer into the melodramatic a bit.

Marritza's identities aren't the only red herring here. It's obvious that the Cardassians are standing in for nazi Germany today and, so, Marritza falls into the camp of the average German who had to try to tolerate genocidal policies just to keep themselves alive and sane. The banality of evil, where powerlessness and ignorance require that otherwise decent people float through or even play seemingly insubstantial roles in atrocities, without allowing themselves to fully register how abhorrent the whole system is. There are rules in place that allowed the lowest ranking members of the nazi regime to get off relatively free compared to the oversees who were quite rightly severely punished for their crimes. (I'm normally against the death penalty, but nazis are the limit case where I'm closer to sheer apathy over whether they're imprisoned for life or straight up executed). The reasoning being that it's unjust (and perhaps impractical and politically inexpedient) to punish nearly an entire country for circumstances they had little ability to resist. At the same time, though, the holocaust was only as horrible as it was, due to breaking new ground in sheer efficiency. Because of this, its hard to actually have much sympathy for low ranking paper pushers when a lot was build on their efforts. When Dax came to comfort Kira, I was convinced and a bit outraged for a moment that the message was going to be that Kira should show mercy or maybe even forgive someone who played such an unrepentant role, if it were deemed small enough. People just trying to survive shouldn't be punished, but genuine supporters can't be tolerated.

Jokes on me, though, because they instead discuss how Marritza can't help but feel culpable, even though his situation was impossible. Not turning on the ovens doesn't change that he's unable to disregard his knowledge of the atrocities and feels all the guilt that many believe his entire species should. He was as traumatised as anyone. Being in an apparently insignificant role doesn't mean he gets to turn his morality off. But there's a further tragedy, where Cardassia is similar to Japan in its reluctance to admit to its horrors. So, a fundamentally good and patriotic man had to watch his state fall into barbarism, be mildly complicit for years in affairs that shook his moral core and traumatised him to hell and, then, he doesn't even get the luxury of confessing to it and maybe make some small amends for it. Worse, he feels like a failure for being too moral to live up to his planet's ideals.

Which nicely pairs up with Kira, who, even if they were far more morally justifiable, had to do some pretty nasty shit just to survive and she's obviously scarred and will be struggling with it for life. Both she and the drunkard regard Cardassians as scum which is a neat reminder of the cycle of violence and only demonstrate that dehumanising one group, dehumanises everybody.

A triumphant dive into many aspects of war time trauma, which some great performances, made all the more remarkable by literally just being people talking. Definitely in the top.

We finish In the Hands of the Prophets.

splodeymissile posted...

A triumphant dive into many aspects of war time trauma, which some great performances, made all the more remarkable by literally just being people talking. Definitely in the top.

Hey, you just summed up DS9 lol.

Episode 19: In the Hands of the Prophets

Bajoran creationism.

Sisko plays diplomat. Cooly and cordially greets Winn. Feel like his speech to Jake is slightly confused. Faith is perfectly fine, but barbaric persecution is wrong regardless of era. Both Galileo's attackers (although it's slightly mythologised these days) and Winn's sheep are thuggish morons. The main points are sound, though. Finally admits to hating the pagh ritual. Just clambers over the barricade, which is a nice contrast to Bareil peacefully taking the proper route. No patience for staff pulling a sicky. Begins to over dramatise his speech when he points out Winn's mistake.

Odo can't comprehend religious bigotry. Doesn't care much about faith, at all. Gets up to some detective work. It's quite fun watching him piece together the plot.

Bashir interrupts Kira to ease some tensions over the murder.

Dax apparently has to be told to put in a missing persons report. Nice to see her working alongside O'Brien.

Jake is apparently the only kid with a brain. He's right, albeit tactless, about the stupidity around him.

O'Brien tries to get his wife dessert. Takes a minute for the cheating accusation to dawn on him and he immediately and sweetly falls for the teasing. Impressed by Neela and flummoxed by his missing tools. Righteous fury at being denied service for a trivial reason. Immediately thinks about the impact on his wife and moves to defend her when the head inmate addresses them. Starts to develop a thing for Neela, but stops himself. Panics when the school blows up. Annoyed and furious at himself for not seeing through Neela.

Quark sees the religiously repressed as just another challenge and, frankly, he probably won't have to try too hard.

I dont mind Kira having a faith, in fact its expected, but to hold to it so fervently that she suggests segregation and acts a little anti science isnt a direction for her im comfortable with. At least, she still bothers to show up to work. Extends a sturdier olive branch to Sisko.

Something's wrong with Keiko if she's refusing a lolly. Has some fun teasing her husband. Shuts down the intruding lunatic as diplomatically as possible. Rightly defensive of her classroom and the right to a varied curriculum. Defiantly stands her ground and holds to the principles of education.

Winn is a freaky fundamentalist who, like most religious leaders, is far too hands on with kids. How Keiko tolerated that is beyond me. If I were still teaching and someone did that in my class, i wouldn't just chat with them. Acts humble in Sisko's prescence, which just serves to make her weirder. Has a bit of vulnerability that only shows yet madder depths of her zealotry. Presents an air of calm to fool idiots into thinking shes the more reasonable one. To those with at least one braincell, her barely disguised malice is obvious. Let's slip that she's all about control when she mentions no longer allowing kids in school. Like she swallowed a wasp when Sisko gets the upper hand. Not any happier listening to Bareil.

Neela is very helpful. Her sudden importance makes her the obvious suspect. Seems to have some guilt over Aquino. Apparently, likes O'Brien.

Bareil is a decent sort and very astute with politics.

Beginning on a zoom in of ice lollies is much appreciated. O'Brien makes sure to mention Neela a lot. Apparently, his other assistant (who didn't leave enough impression to be worth mentioning) wasn't working out, behind the scenes and in universe. Winn is shot from a low angle, to emphasise how menacing she is. Winn's place is pretty beautiful and is shot from a nice overhead angle. She's kept quite distant from the camera during much of the meeting. A lot of the directing is beautiful: the reflection of Sisko and Bareil, the long take of the walk through the arboretum ect. Quite liked O'Brien hollering Odo from above the promenade. The explosion happening midway through a long take is actually a decent shock. The flames appear sufficiently dangerous. The slow motion at the end is a bit too much.

Given how the pilot was very clear that Bajoran faith would play a major role in this show, the season finale concerning itself with religious fundamentalism and terrorism makes perfect sense. Winn is a delightfully despicable picture of that particular brand of insanity and, since we're in a stationary setting that's clearly all about long form storytelling, it's great that she's given room to breath and actually be a (truly terrible) person. Confessing a few of her insecurities to Sisko and becoming no more sympathetic despite us learning more about her is brilliant, as is how rapidly obvious it becomes that she's using (perhaps sincerely believed) faith just to consolidate power. Her grumblings about a non believer being the Emissary betray a massive entitlement and messiah complex. She obviously wanted it to be her. There's already a lot to unpack about this character.

But what most interested me is something disturbingly prescient in how Winn delivers her message. She's extraordinarily calm and puts on an air of reasonableness, even as she's stoking anger and fear. Keiko is basically insulted for being passionate about this issue and her easily justifiable decisions to reject every suggestion are used as ammo against her, because its taken for granted that making compromises is how decent people solve problems. Which is usually true, but bad faith actors are very good at seeming to obey letter and sometimes spirit of the system, while subverting everything it stands for. They don't make the religious links quite as obvious these days, but if such individuals could ever love any woman, I can see the Jordan Peterson types loving this woman. No doubt giss gallop is a preferred tactic of hers, too.

Its why Sisko's later speech is so brilliant. He doesn't rise to her nonsense or play the same game and then lose, he plays a game of his own devising. Once she makes her mistake, he dials up the performativity of his speech, deliberately baiting and expressing the emotions that are usually considered bad form to invoke in situations like these. He uses it to focus on hope and camaraderie and nearly leaves the dreadful woman speechless.

On the subject of Neela, its possible for her feelings for O'Brien to just be a ruse, but I prefer it if she's being sincere, since, alongside her guilt and fear, it allows her to stand in for every victim of extremist ideology. Liking O'Brien because of how down to earth he is suggests to me that she's not very popular among Bajorans either and, so, any attempt at genuine interest means everything to her. Probably a sweet individual deep down who's been pushed further into hatred and anti socialness and, in the end, is just another young person who's life has been thrown away by someone who's unlikely to remember them by the next day.

Aside from that, it's a pretty great whistle-stop tour of the various aspects of religious tensions and how they can build fairly rapidly.

First season ended as it started: excellently.

Shattered, so, rankings will be after some sleep.

So you finally met the Witch- er I mean, Winn.

the actress that plays Winn is named Louise Fletcher. Louise Fletcher was famous for playing Nurse Ratched in the award-winning movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, alongside Jack Nicholson and Christopher Lloyd

splodeymissile posted...

Cooly and cordially greets Winn

Oh, this fucking bitch.

End of season 1

Top 5: (much of the season was great, so, this was surprisingly difficult and may be a slightly arbitrary selection)

Emissary (probably the best pilot this franchise has had)

Vortex (basically all of Odo's episodes are great, but this is the best of the bunch. A truly fascinating character)

If Wishes Were Horses (Still proper love a good meta plot and this one finds room for a surprising amount of novelty)

Duet (brilliant look into the aftermath of war, anchored by excellent performances)

In the Hands of the Prophets (pretty much the perfect season finale for the themes set up in the first episode)

Bottom 5 (a more expected bunch, probably, though it was difficult to find candidates)

Babel (perhaps the most average of the average bunch. Good, but almost everything else is better)

Q-Less (Q himself is always entertaining, but he's blatantly only here for advertising purposes and the episode has all the substance that implies)

The Passenger (falls a little below the "just average" crowd due to the weird dubbing)

Move Along Home (dull, brainless and seems like an exercise to torment the cast)

Progress (the production is fine, but the guest star quickly becomes unlikeable and its a bit clueless about its actual message)

Miscellaneous thoughts

Dax (could've made the top 5 if it weren't for Dax being used as a prop for far too much of it)

The Nagus (almost made the top 5 for doing to the Ferengi what TNG did for the Klingons)

Battle Lines (almost made the top 5)

The Forsaken (came very close to unseating Vortex)

Overall, a season so excellent it almost defies attempting to rank individual episodes.

Should probably continue this Descent. The end of TNG begins soon.

splodeymissile posted...

End of season 1

Top 5: (much of the season was great, so, this was surprisingly difficult and may be a slightly arbitrary selection)

Emissary (probably the best pilot this franchise has had)

Vortex (basically all of Odo's episodes are great, but this is the best of the bunch. A truly fascinating character)

If Wishes Were Horses (Still proper love a good meta plot and this one finds room for a surprising amount of novelty)

Duet (brilliant look into the aftermath of war, anchored by excellent performances)

In the Hands of the Prophets (pretty much the perfect season finale for the themes set up in the first episode)

Bottom 5 (a more expected bunch, probably, though it was difficult to find candidates)

Babel (perhaps the most average of the average bunch. Good, but almost everything else is better)

Q-Less (Q himself is always entertaining, but he's blatantly only here for advertising purposes and the episode has all the substance that implies)

The Passenger (falls a little below the "just average" crowd due to the weird dubbing)

Move Along Home (dull, brainless and seems like an exercise to torment the cast)

Progress (the production is fine, but the guest star quickly becomes unlikeable and its a bit clueless about its actual message)

Miscellaneous thoughts

Dax (could've made the top 5 if it weren't for Dax being used as a prop for far too much of it)

The Nagus (almost made the top 5 for doing to the Ferengi what TNG did for the Klingons)

Battle Lines (almost made the top 5)

The Forsaken (came very close to unseating Vortex)

Overall, a season so excellent it almost defies attempting to rank individual episodes.

Should probably continue this Descent. The end of TNG begins soon.

You know what they say: All good things...