Apocalypse Rising written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert
Hewitt Wolfe and directed by James L. Conway
What’s it about: Heading into Klingon space, Sisko has to
expose the Gowron changeling…
Single Father: In exactly the same way Janeway and Neelix
failed to do so in The Killing Game, Sisko makes a very impressive Klingon and
seems to relish the chance to let his hair down and grunt some! He enjoys
throwing his weight around in the Hall of Warriors, putting his wrestling
skills to good use and paying some old debts for people he knows that have been
killed by Klingons present.
Tasty Terrorist: I remember there was quite a verbal
onslaught at Kira’s ‘dumbing down’ in season four with her new spray on uniform
and almost subservience to Worf in episodes such as Starship Down. It feels as
thought writers agree since season five opens with Kira making her mark and
telling Worf that whiles Sisko is away she is in charge of the station.
Unknown Sample: Odo is not adjusting well to life as a solid
and can be found lounging around at Quark’s indulging in the seductive
pleasures of food and drink. He thinks he is pretty useless these days now that
he cannot shape shift to infiltrate. Poor Odo makes a very slim and ineffective
Klingon but he still has a go! ‘But they sorely underestimated Odo here!’
‘Thank you’ – there is something so apologetic about his response this moment
always makes me chuckle.
Mr Wolf: Its amazing how comfortable Worf feels already in
season five after an entire season where he uncomfortably adjusted to life on
the station. Perhaps the writers have learnt how to handle him better or
Michael Dorn feels like his character finally belongs but there is definitely a
feeling that Worf is at home on this show now. Heading off into Klingon
territory gives Worf the chance to have his own marching parade of faux Klingon
officers and to abuse them for acting like nancy boy DS9 officers! Worf gets
the chance to try and kill Gowron for all the humiliation he has caused him and
his family to suffer and he leaps into the fight with absolute relish.
Everyday Engineer: O’Brien can’t help giggling like a child
who has just discovered pornography as he and Odo fail to make convincing
Klingons!
Slimy Snake: Dukat’s face when he learns that O’Brien is the
father of Kira’s baby is priceless! Damar’s return appearance leads me to
believe that he is going to have a role to play in this series but I never
could have predicted quite how big a role. You know something classy is going
to happen when Dukat turns up and the way he destroys a Klingon ship because he
has more faith in his weapons than Worf’s ability to lie is priceless. He
scarpers as soon as Sisko has left to begin his mission since if they succeeded
the war will be over and if they fail they’ll all be dead. Either way he is not
needed anymore and he refuses to compromise his position.
Noble Klingon: Its wonderful to see General Martok make a
return appearance and it would be the first of many in this incredible season
of transition. Of course this isn’t quite the Martok we would come to know and
love and JG Hertlzer seems to relish the chance to play the baddie. The Martok
changeling is a clever git, spinning a tale that throws even more suspicion
onto Gowron and forces Sisko and Worf to take the only course left open to the
– to assassinate him. I guess he figures with Gowron killed there will be
anarchy and he can fill that role and control the whole Empire unhampered.
There’s a glorious moment when Martok walks along a corridor and thoughtlessly
stabs two guards at the same time – what a legend! We learn that it was the
Martok changeling that pushed for the attack on the Federation, the Dominion
living up to their promise in The Die is Cast.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Why? Because I’m willing to spill a
little Klingon blood to get the job done?’
The Good: So let me get this straight; Starfleet wants Sisko
and his team to be turned into Klingons, head into the heart of the Empire and
expose the Gowron changeling by blasting him with fatal radiation that could kill
them all? Great! When do we begin? It has exactly the same kind of tension that
Voyager lacked for the most of season four. Bringing Dukat and his Klingon ship
back as a part of this espionage is a great touch; its another example of how
serialised storytelling can produce some interesting results. The Klingon
bachelor party scenes are rowdy and violent just as I expect them to be with
Klingons singing, drinking, head butting each other and boasting about the
people they have killed! Gowron is always welcome and Robert O’Reilly’s crazed
eyes and excitable performance never fails to make me smile. Some bridges are
built here between the Federation and the Klingon Empire again but the ships
being attacked and squabbles over territory continue.
The Bad: Umm…shouldn’t Worf have changed his appearance
slightly before walking into an area where he is bound to be recognised? At
least by Gowron and Martok!
Moment to Watch Out For: There’s a wonderful moment where
you can see just how well this cast has gelled together by this point and have
fun revealing some behind the scenes romance too – Kira complains that the baby
in her stomach is all Bashir’s fault mirroring Nana Visitor and Alexander
Siddig’s relationship.
Fashion Statement: Kira’s new uniform is much better this
season but because of her baby weight it is more like a smock! But as soon as
she has her baby you can see that it is a much better design than last years
tantalising look.
Result: An exciting espionage tale that opens the season on
a strong footing, Apocalypse Rising isn’t quite to the standard of last year’s
epic icebreaker but still provides enough great moments to pass an hour
admirably. Its lovely to get behind the lines and enjoy some bawdy Klingon
atmosphere and there is a real feeling of claustrophobia and excitement as the
crew try and bring down the Gowron changeling. The twist works extremely well
in the shows favour by removing Martok from the action for now and allowing the
writing team to bring him back as a semi regular later in the season. Also by
bringing the changeling threat to the Klingons means that the season four
diversions from the Dominion arc can be worked into it as they try and stir up
tensions that make their conquest of the Alpha Quadrant even easier. James L. Conway
delivers some cinematic direction and there is some fine work from the regulars
– notably Avery Brooks who chews the scenery as a Klingon and Michael Dorn who
suddenly feels as though he has always belonged on DS9. A good solid start to
the year and a great continuation of the story: 8/10
The Ship written by Hans Beimler and directed by Kim
Friedman
Single Father: Sisko is excited about the idea of bringing a
Jem H’adar ship home with him because it could the most impressive intelligence
find in the last ten years. I love it when Sisko loses his rag, somehow he is
more terrifying than Kirk, Picard and Janeway put together when he goes off on
one! In fighting amongst his crew forces him to step in and give them all a
piece of his mind and I especially liked his retort to Dax. You get the sense
that Sisko feels the loss of every officer like a powerful weight on his
shoulders and he confides in Dax that he has to get the ship home to at
least make their deaths mean something. It hits him like a ten ton rock that
had he and the Vorta just trusted each other they could have avoided the
massacre that took place. Sisko torturing himself over the loss of five
officers makes him far more than a Starfleet drone, he’s a real person that has
made a connection with the crew he has assembled on the station.
Mr Wolf: Worf’s attitude towards death brings him into sharp
conflict with O’Brien. Its pretty clear that Muniz wont be able to survive and
Worf thinks he should be allowed to prepare for death but Miles firmly warns
him away from his friend. Proving that he isn’t returning to his aggressive
ways of the previous season Worf makes amends with O’Brien by sitting with him
and helping to keep the predators away from Muniz and to allow his spirit to
walk free.
Everyday Engineer: Another show which shows just how much
the everyday engineer O’Brien really is as he enjoys banter with his workers
and tries to do anything in his power to protect them. I love Muniz’s assertion
that he is only following O’Brien’s example by kissing up to the officers
because that is my one complaint about this character – he can suck ass and
then some! O’Brien wont allow for the suggestion that Muniz is going to die, not
from Worf and not even from Muniz himself. You feel that through his sheer
sense of will that his friend is going to make it. He’s caught between trying
to tend to his friend and get the ship working properly.
Nine Lives: Even the usually cool, smart ass, unflappable
Dax is worn down by the constant bombardments and loses her temper. Even Dax’s
harsh but true statement that the five deaths they have suffered were worth it
because they might save five thousand lives in the future rings true. The
dialogue in this episode really is exceptional.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘A very interesting position but I’m
afraid that the Dominion doesn’t recognise that…tradition. What may be even
more to the point we have you completely surrounded. And outnumbered.’
‘It seems we’re approaching an impasse’ ‘We’ve already
arrived.’
‘I can’t feel my legs…’ ‘Don’t worry they’re there.’
‘It may have been the Vorta’s computer console. I found it
in one of the upper compartments but the power but the power is offline in that
part of the ship’ ‘So you ripped it out the wall? Very nice! So what do we do
now – use it for a doorstop?’
‘I’m not some bloodthirsty Klingon looking for an excuse to
murder me friend!’ ‘No, you are just another weak human afraid to face death!’
‘Tough guys, a little pressure and they buckle…’ ‘Dax maybe
you haven’t noticed but no-one’s laughing!’
‘We will both keep the predators away.’
The Good: Its always lovely when the studio based DS9 gets
out on location and by all reports it was absolutely sizzling temperatures and
that blistering heat really comes across well on screen. The opening scenes
have a freshness and vibrancy to them that makes them very easy on the eye.
Muniz appeared twice last year so his re-appearance and central role in the
episode is far more effective than just bringing in a random engineer that we
have never heard of. The teaser really is excellent with a hook – a chance to
see inside one of the Jem H’adar warships – that really sucks you in. Kim
Friedman’s handling of this reveal is excellent with a genuinely staged crashed
ship on location and a terrific crane shot that sees the Federation officers
approaching their find. Rather than go for the obvious tour around the ship it
crashes upside down so once inside everything is shown from a skewed
perspective and with the lights flashing and smoke filling the screen it is a
claustrophobic, visually arresting expedition. With bodies hanging from the
ceiling and new equipment to explore this is everything they managed to achieve
in Scorpion except it is the second episode of the season and its all original.
There’s no viewscreen and no chairs, this is a purely functional ship of war.
Some of the Ariel shots of people crawling over the underside of the ship are
cinematic in their scope. I love the fact that for once it isn’t a downed
runabout, the Jem H’adar just blast the crap out of it killing Sisko’s support
crew outright and preventing their escape from the planet. With the inadvisable
developments of Hippocratic Oath put aside in To the Death, finally the Jem
H’adar are back to what they should be – terrifying killers who look great on
location gunning people down. Meeting a female Vorta is fascinating since I
thought they were an all male species! I’ve heard bad things about Kaitlin Hopkins’
performance but I think she’s fine, I like the way she issues threats with a
smile on her face and she has just the right amount of sex appeal and charisma
to pull off the scheming villainess. With lives at stake and a general feeling
of being trapped in a confined space, The Ship reminds me of one of those old
Troughton base under siege Doctor Who adventures. How nasty is that scrap on
the ship with the Jem H’adar? Women beaten, knives drawn, guns fired! Its
typical brutal Dominion policy that the Jem H’adar ammunition has a built in
anti coagulant so that if you happen to survive the blast you’ll end up
bleeding to death anyway. I like the black humour – the weapons are working but
the turret is stuck so the Jem H’adar will have stand stock still in its way in
order for them to get a direct hit! As predictable as it might be the
changeling reveal is still a great moment and when its dying scream is played
over the Vorta and Jem H’adar standing in reverence the episode takes on a
whole new meaning. This wasn’t a case of protecting their secrets, it was
personal and the couldn’t risk killing one of their Gods. I love it when a
changeling crumbles to black soot, it’s a marvellous effect. When Sisko talks
about his dead crewmen and the impact that they had on his life (especially
Rooney and his trumpet playing in Quark’s) you get a real sense that we
have moved on from the days of TOS red shirts and that these were real people
that have been lost.
The Bad: I would have thought Sisko would have figured out that
it was a changeling they were after long before the reveal.
Orchestra: Tense, foreboding music as they explore the ship.
Foreboding: What’s especially impressive about this episode
(and I will keep on repeating it until somebody invents a time machine, ties up
Brannon Braga and Jeri Taylor and injects a little of it into Voyager) is that
it has consequences. The sacrifices that Sisko suffers here are worth it
because the ship he manages to take back with him is spruced up and turns up at
the beginning of season six when they head off on a mission to infiltrate
Dominion space and destroy a Ketracel White facility with it.
Result: ‘And you, Mr Muniz, your orders are to stay
alive…’ Tense and exciting, The Ship is a great 100th episode
for DS9 and a fine character tale to boot. F J Rio gives a winning performance
as Muniz and the fireworks that spark between Worf and O’Brien over his
injuries is the sort of conflict that DS9 is well known for. His death when it
comes is very affecting with O’Brien and Dax’s reactions proving particularly
heartbreaking. Production standards are extremely high with some sunny location
work, outstanding design work for the cramped and upturned Jem H’adar ship and
it features some great action sequences to boot. Sisko comes across very
strongly as a tortured leader but there are great moments for all the crew and
the coda gives the deaths suffered some real meaning and poignancy. Atmosphere,
surprises, arc relevance, action and depth…what more could you ask for? If DS9 can keep up the standard of its first
two episodes this is going to be a humdinger of a season: 9/10
Looking for Par’Mach in all the Wrong Places written by Ronald D. Moore and
directed by Andrew Robison
The O’Brien’s & Tasty Terrorist: I remember reading a
lot of complaints at the time about the Miles and Kira subplot as if the idea
of the two of them finding each other attractive was out of the question. Of
course it isn’t! Who hasn’t found themselves in a relationship and then trapped
in the awkward situation of being attracted to somebody else. This is a direct result of the developments
in Body Parts (where Kira finds herself carrying the O’Briens’ baby) and stuck
living together with plenty of time talk during soothing massages, Kira and
Miles find themselves relaxing a little too much into each others company.
Keiko is the innocent party here who trusts her husband so absolutely she
cannot see how close her husband is getting with the woman carrying her baby.
Lately O’Brien has been getting homesick and thinks he’s getting nostalgic and
I love the way he suddenly stops the massage when he agrees that he could think
of worse things than being stuck in Ireland with her. Its like they suddenly
realise they have crossed a line and it goes from relaxing banter to awkward
subterfuge. That’s some very clever character dynamics playing out in that
little scene. Keiko is so trusting of her husband that she insists that he goes
with Kira to one of the most romantic spots on Bajor just in case she goes into
labour! The only point where this doesn’t quite work is on the runabout when it
looks as if Kira and O’Brien look as if they are physically restraining each
other from tearing each others clothes off! Still I really like how they are
both sensible about this arrangement and decide to do what is right put their
feelings aside for the people they really love. Its remarkably adult and the
world might be a happier place if more people had that kind of restraint!
Unknown Sample: As Bashir teases O’Brien about his
relationship with Kira so Odo pokes fun at the good Major.
Mr Wolf: Worf arguing with Dax about Klingon opera singers,
being beguiled by Grilka and pursuing her to the bar…he feels so relaxed now on
DS9 and it’s a great feeling. Dax has a point – for a Starfleet officer who
drinks prune juice Worf isn’t exactly a traditional Klingon! Worf is disgusted
that Grilka is a friend of Quark’s and seeks to try and steal her from him
straight away. You have to give Worf points for effort but considering how well
his seduction techniques go down it is a little cringeworthy for him. You
definitely get the sense that this less about Worf helping Quark and more about
him proving that he has what it takes to court Klingon women. Worf does talk
about Grilka as though she is a precious thing to be put on display and dusted
every week! Nobody can live up to those expectations of perfection.
GE Doctor: More fun interaction between Miles and Julian as
the good Doctor teases his friend about living with two attractive women and
helping the one who isn’t his wife out of the tub! Bashir is highly disturbed
as people start piling into the Infirmary with sex based injuries and he
decides he’s going to stop asking what is wrong with people and simply treat
them for his own sanity!
Nine Lives: Poor Dax can be seen following Worf as he lusts
after another woman doing her absolute best to try and get him to notice what
hot property she is! She likes a man riddled with contradictions so Worf is
perfect for her. I love the way Dax growls with pleasure when she tells Quark
how Kahless and Lukara ended up in bed together after their battle.
Community Leader: Quark’s massive ears prove an excellent
tool when it comes to eavesdropping. Even though war is good for business is
one of the Rules of Acquisition Quark (who is an atypical Ferengi) thinks its
good for nothing. When Grilka invites Quark for dinner he wants to know if
Klingon mating is complex or whether they can just leap on each other like a
pair of crazed voles! Listening to Quark work his charm with Grilka he’s
actually quite adept at offering some charming compliments (‘I am a Ferengi!
And that means I have a talent for appreciating things of great value…’). We
get to see Quark really thinking on his feet when Worf breaks the link with him
and he makes the most dreadful love poem up on the spot to woo Grilka!
What’s Morn up to: In a scene that made me laugh until my
sides hurt when I first saw it (and still makes me chuckle now) Morn is
violently thrown from his bar stool in Worf’s attempt to seduce Grilka. What
makes me die is the very Oliver-like way he pleads with Quark for another drink
holding his cup out before finding himself on the other side of the room!
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Such language! I hope Molly’s not
around!’
‘I am a fool’ ‘You’re in love…which I suppose is the same
thing.’
‘You know its attitudes like that keep you people from being
invited to all the really good parties!’ – Quark to Worf!
‘This is ridiculous! I’m surrounded by corpses! My shoes are
dripping with blood and you want me to feel romantic?’
‘If I were in your shoes I would be looking for someone a
little more entertaining, a little more fun and maybe even a little more
attainable’ – come on Worf, Dax is literally throwing herself at you here and
all you can say is ‘you are not in my shoes…’
The Good: I love how DS9 proves to be the most dramatic of
Trek shows but also the most domestic and funny too – I couldn’t see any other
Trek opening so naturally on Dr Bashir eavesdropping outside the O’Brien’s
quarters and being caught by Quark only to discover it is Miles and Kira
fighting and not Miles and Keiko! The House of Quark was such a fun episode so
to have Grilka back is a welcome sight – Dax explains the plot to Worf in her
usual gossipy fashion and his deadpan questions are hilarious. Its great how
the episode jumps from the Replimat to Quarks to Ops to the Defiant…we get a
great overview of all the great sets on this show exquisitely shot by Andrew
Robinson as a backdrop to the most unlikely of romances. I especially enjoyed
that scene that opened on the viewscreen of the Defiant bridge with opera music
playing and panning across the room to Worf singing his heart out! The idea of
Worf taking on the role of Cyrano and teaching Quark to court a Klingon woman
should be ridiculous but it works a charm because the episode is so fluffy and
domestic everybody feels comfortable in its warm embrace. Worf puppetering
Quarks moves during his fight with Grilka’s bodyguard was a great idea and must
have taken some rehearsal to get so perfectly in sync. Even the moment when Dax
turns off the connection between Worf and Quark and sheer bulk of Grilka’s
armour tips him over so they can make love makes me howl with laughter!
The Bad: Worf says that he has never pursued a Klingon woman
before but what about K’Ehleyr? I know she was only half Klingon but surely the
point still stands. Odo and Kira seem to be discussing the criminal activity
reports but I thought Odo said he didn’t have time for that anymore in
Crossfire? Obviously he couldn’t keep away from the love of his life for too
long.
Only DS9: Only this show would flaunt sexuality in such a
convincing way. There was always something very sleazy about the bonk’ahoy
Captain Kirk getting his rocks off on every planet and space me the first
couple of seasons of TNG where Commander ‘poker face’ Riker had his way at
every port of call! On DS9 it springs very naturally from the characters and
that is why it is so satisfying.
Foreboding: The Dax and Worf relationship would (after a
bumpy start) go on to produce some classic DS9 moments and a memorable wedding
episode.
Result: What a title! Is this the horniest episode of
Star Trek ever? Andrew J. Robinson directs with a lightness of touch and a
distinct visual style that makes hanging out on the station for this love fest
an absolute joy. The dialogue is sharp and witty and the character dynamics are
a joy to watch especially for Worf who gets to share some wonderful scenes with
both Quark and Dax. I love how much natural contact you see between the
characters (Miles massaging Kira, Dax hugging up to Worf, Quark flirting with
Grilka) because it highlights the sense of family through sensuality without
ever having to spell it out like another show I could mention. We’ve spent four
years with these characters now and the writers have built up backstories, quirks,
intriguing personalities and here in season five the stories are practically
self perpetuating because the cast is so strong. Par’Mach spends an awful lot
of time with Quark when the highlight is the sudden development of a
relationship between Dax and Worf and in a moment of unexpected masculinity she
literally jumps his bones after flirting outrageously with him for the entire
episode. Add in a fun coda at the Infirmary that suggests that DS9 is the
Quadrants new knocking shop and a final scene that concludes with Worf laughing
and you have joyous piece of domestic drama that shows (along with The Ship)
just how happy this show is to confidently walk into very different genres: 9/10
Nor the Battle to the Strong written by Rene Echevarria and
directed by Kim Friedman
Single Father: There’s a rich amount of drama in Sisko being
helpless to save his son and having to wait to find out how many casualties
there were and if he was one of them. I’m sure the writers must have noticed
this when it came to the end of the season because they find themselves in
exactly these situations again at the end of Call to Arms. Despite the dangers
as revealed here Sisko tells Odo that he doesn’t know what he’s missing by
avoiding parenthood. Sisko’s gentle revelation that most people could read what
Jake has written about his own cowardice and see themselves in it shows a great
father being very honest.
Unknown Sample: Poor Odo limps his way into Sisko’s office
after attempting to accost two Yuridians cheating at Dabo by turning into a
Tarkalian condor and jumping off the stairs! Trouble is he forgot that he
cannot shapeshift anymore! A shame would could have seen that scene, I bet it
would have been a comic delight.
GE Doctor: Jake has agreed to do a profile on Dr Bashir but
unfortunately his anecdotes about panel discussions (which he thinks are
riotous) actually turn out to be extremely civilised! You’ll never see relief
like Bashir’s when he realises that Jake is alive (he doesn’t have to have that
awkward conversation with Sisko…) but how awful for Jake who ran away and left
Bashir to cope to hear him enthusing so much about his survival.
Nine Lives: Dax talks about the children her many hosts have
had and how they put her through hell. Watch Terry Farrel’s performance here
because she is exceptional at winning you over with the idea that she genuinely
has so many other lifetimes worth of memories. She has relaxed into this role
so much at this point she makes it look seamless.
Young Sisko: Jake finds himself lost in his thoughts as
Bashir goes on and one about some horrendous medicalbabble and finds himself
actually rooting for a plague to make his assignment more dramatic. He should
be careful what he wishes for because sometimes what you want can turn out to
be the worst experience of your life… Jake heads into a war zone as an idyllist
teen thinking he can handle anything and completely unaware of what he is about
to witness. Bashir makes some medical joke whilst cutting up his dinner which
causes Jake to bring his up! He proves that he hasn’t quite got what it takes
to be in Starfleet because he allows the foreboding of the approaching Klingons
to cloud his every thought and plague his sleep. Jake running for his life and
leaving Bashir to face the music is a bold step for the episode to take and one
that I heartily approve of because it is so realistic. As much as other Trek
shows like to show everybody as an unflappable robot that will walk into any
danger life just isn’t like that and to see somebody terrified and running is a
much more natural reaction. Jake railing at the Doctor’s for their dark humour
in discussing how they would rather die is an eye opening scene, Lofton really
goes in for the kill and stresses how nobody will ever remember the sacrifices
that they have made here. Watching him collapse into tears because he is so
eaten up inside by his anxieties is tough television but all due credit to the
show for taking this message so far.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘So much for Quark-dejino!’
‘Kid you try moving me and my guts are going to spill all
over your shoes!’
‘Its funny. One minute your life’s moving along just like
you always thought it would and the next you do something that changes
everything and it makes you realise you’re not who you thought you were…’ –
that’s really fine writing because who hasn’t suffered a moment like that in
their life?
‘I guess that means I have to decide…’ ‘Decide what?’
‘Whether I want to be hacked to bits or blasted by a disruptor’ ‘Disruptor no
doubt about it. Every molecule in your body vapourised in a flash. No time to
feel pain’ ‘Don’t be so sure about that. Some people think its like being
boiled alive!’ ‘Decapitation has its virtues. A nice clean blow with a sharp
Bat’leth…’ ‘The brain lives on for five, ten seconds at least! In theory your
headless corpse could be the last thing you see…’
‘The line between courage and cowardice is a lot thinner
than most people believe.’
The Good: The dynamics are so strong now the writers can
simply plonk everybody into Ops and have them discuss something as vacuous as a
caffeine free Klingon coffee for Kira and it is delightful to watch. It’s a
very funny scene with everybody chipping in with a great line and opinion
(Quark: ‘back home pregnancy is consider a rental!’). The panic and frenzy of
the medical facility is very fluidly directed by Kim Friedman who keeps the
camera moving all the time to suggest rapid activity. Shirts covered in blood,
corpses everywhere, people screaming and dying…the hospital is like a vision of
hell. Ouch, the officer who shoots himself in the foot to get himself off the
battlefield is very nicely played to maximise the discomfort of the viewer. Do
you consider him a hero for going out in the first place or a coward for
finding an easy way out? As Bashir talks about the Starships that have been
deployed against the Klingons and Kalandra tells him her husband is on one of
those ships you begin to realise how this conflict is affecting peoples lives
in very personal ways. Its an angle the show would return to time and again
when the show explodes into a full scale with the Dominion in seasons six and
seven. The dynamism of the shelling scene as Bashir and Jake are pursued by
destructive explosions as they run for the runabout in a bleak location is
exactly the kind of visual drama that something as stagey as Babylon 5 could
only dream about. The misty battlefield of Klingon and Federation corpses that
Jake stumbles across is genuinely horrific (one soldier has a bloody Bat’leth
sticking out of his gut!) – this is usually the sort of imagery we get in dream
sequences (remember the beginning of Rules of Engagement?) but this is real and
its very nasty. Jake firing wildly with the phaser and bringing down the
ceiling on himself and the Klingons is an entrancing action scene.
The Bad: They are not bad scenes by any means but cutting
back to Sisko takes our attention away from the enthralling central story that
is playing out.
Fashion Statement: Andrew Kavovit is extremely easy on the
eye and turns a very smooth performance as Kirby.
Result: Where was Kim Friedman hiding during seasons
three and four? With The Ship and Nor the Battle, Friedman has kicked most of
the current Trek directors out of the pool with his dynamic visual storytelling
and emotional intensity. Jake really suffers in this episode and it is painful
to watch as he goes from idealistic young man who thinks he can take on
anything to a frightened child who is going to die without the protection of
his father. Cirroc Lofton proves as ever that when the writers give him some
tough material what a superb actor he is and Alexander Siddig and guest cast
all work wonders with their roles too. A lot of the action takes place
underground on a few sets but because the cast are utterly committed to making
this work (its almost Doctor Who in that respect) it becomes something much
more powerful. Considering how bloodless Star Trek normally is I was impressed
with how much gore that was on display – it really helps to sell the horror of
wartime paired with a number of psychologically scarring scenes. There’s a seam
of black humour that runs through this episode that keeps it from being
completely moribund and enough skilfully done action to suggest that the
Klingons really are a terrifying force in the Quadrant again. Its dark and
intense but its also a strong character piece and another winner for season
five: 9/10
The Assignment written by Bradley Thompson & David
Weddle and directed by Allan Kroeker
Unknown Sample: Look at Odo at the party holding a glass of
alcohol, singing and stroking Molly’s cheek. It would appear that being human
has really softened Odo’s character! A failing of his newfound identity is that
he can now be punched in the face which he suffers during the conclusion.
Everyday Engineer: O’Brien is such a old rogue he thinks
that Keiko is playing some kind of kinky sex game when his wife suggests he has
to do everything that she says. Regardless of the fact that she has spelt out
every single conclusion to previous Trek possession stories O’Brien still
discusses options with the computer – clearly old habits die hard! I really
like the way it suddenly twists as soon as Keiko reveals that she isn’t herself
and suddenly every move O’Brien makes is observed by the thing that has control
of his wife and investigated by his friends. When she is returned to normal
Keiko never wants to forget how hard O’Brien fought for her. His dalliance with
Kira in Par’Mach is completely forgiven.
Evil Keiko: This is the most Keiko has been given to do
since season one and Rosalind Chao jumps at the chance to show what she’s made
of. She plays everything just a little off kilter and it comes as no surprise
to discover she has been possessed when she fails to complain about the tree
massacre that has occurred (‘forget Miles, they’re just plants!’) and even
something as simple as the way she eat the chocolates (as though she is
experiencing them for the first time) is unusual. The way Chao leaps up from
being dead takes a lot of skill and if you go back and watch the scene the
sudden transformation is seamless. We never do get to learn why the Pah-wraith
takes control of Keiko rather than O’Brien (aside from the fact that she was in
the fire caves and he wasn’t) but I’m guessing they just like being sadistic.
What’s really interesting about all this is how much favours it does the real
Keiko. I’ve had a lot of complaints that she is a moaning Minnie (go and watch
Accession again to see that simply is not the case) but if she was of a
dominating temperament this is exactly how fractious their relationship could
be (‘Miles…I make the rules’). Look at that shot of Chao in the
Infirmary when she wakes up and accuses Miles (‘you were going to tell them
about me…) – I have never seen pure malevolence captured so cleanly on a face.
Ugh, she even makes him give her a kiss! This is one despicable entity!
GE Doctor: Julian Bashir, tree killer!
Nine Lives: Dax brings O’Brien a bottle of Whiskey…I wonder
if everybody thought the same thing and there is a crate full of bottles
somewhere in his quarters? Like the big science geek that she is she’s always
found anomalies to be very relaxing…it’s a curse.
Secret Genius: ‘Ferengi can be very focussed! Especially
when nobody bothers to talk to them. Not that I mind, I’m used to being
ignored…’ Rom is still working the nightshift and is starting pick up some
of O’Brien’s habits in an attempt to try and fit in. He dismisses his brothers
criticism because he has a good job and he is proud of the work he does. Rom is
so sweet when he is suddenly promoted to the day shift and is trying so hard to
be nice to his co-workers. I didn’t think I could love Rom more than I do but
when O’Brien ropes into helping him with the sabotage and then points the
finger at him when the crew start to close in on him my heart went out to him.
God knows who they thought he was working for…the Maquis? When he is promoted
because of his loyalty and hard work I cheered and I loved the little comment
that Rom knows that Quark isn’t happy that he is doing so well (because he
knows he wants him to come crawling back) but thanks him anyway.
What’s Morn up to: He’s at the bar of course with a nice
purple bib tucked in whilst he gets served his raw slug liver.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘If you don’t do precisely what I ask
I’ll kill your wife…’
‘You know your wife well Miles but she knows you even
better. I know you’re just playing for time until you can get to your friends –
Julian, Dax, Captain Sisko. I know they’ll all want to help you. The Captain
may even allow you to do what I’m asking at least until someone figures out a
way to catch me in some kind of stasis field or whatever clever device you’re
already dreaming up…’ – nice one evil Keiko, that’s the solution to all the
other Trek possession stories out of the way so we can have something a little
more original play out!
‘Miles I would never do anything to hurt your
daughter…unless you forced me to.’
‘Why are we trying to kill the wormhole aliens?’
The Good: Molly enjoying her fathers fears after discovering
that between them he and Julian have killed Keiko’s bonsai trees makes her far
more evil than anything else in this episode (‘you’re in trouble…’). The
atmosphere of this episode is electric throughout with it suddenly springing
from business as normal in the pre titles sequence to a paranoid nightmare.
Great party scenes where all of Miles friends assemble to celebrate his
birthday and all O’Brien can focus on is his wife and what she is asking of
him. There’s a lovely pan back of O’Brien and Keiko in bed together that cuts
to the morning with evil harpy Keiko grinning as she watches her husband sleep…brrr.
Kroeker shoots the episode with some really unusual angles that utilises the
station sets well – slow pans along Jeffries tubes, high and low angles in Ops,
intense close ups and reactions shots. When Dax fears that somebody is
sabotaging the station O’Brien is like a fly in amber, trapped into
investigating himself to keep up appearances! We’re slowly drip fed information
about the Pah-wraiths until we learn about their plan to kill the Prophets and
then their backstory as rival lifeforms is finally revealed. Wow imagine Kira’s
reaction is Keiko had succeeded in bringing down the Prophets with O’Brien’s
help?
The Bad: The end is a little pat and brings the entertaining
episode to a close far too quickly but at least it is logically thought
through.
Orchestra: The Assignment has an unusually direct score for
a Star Trek episode and its fantastically exciting in parts.
Foreboding: Hooray for the introduction of the Pah-wraiths
that would go on to become an important staple of the series in episodes such
as The Reckoning, Covenant and especially in the last ten part arc.
Result: A seemingly predictable Trek cliché (alien
possession) leads to an episode that manages to subvert all of its clichés and
provide a tense, paranoid nightmare for O’Brien who is trying is damdest to
save his wife from an entity that is willing to murder her to manipulate him.
The Assignment might seem like a quiet sort of episode but behind the scenes it
is a very important one with the debut of bravura director Allan Kroeker (who
would go on to helm DS9’s most important moments – Call to Arms, The Sacrifice
of Angels, Shadows and Symbols, What You Leave Behind), new staff writers
Thompson & Weddle (who would introduce us to Section 31) and the
Pah-wraiths that would go on to have a massive significance to the show in its
last two years. Rosalind Chao gives a winningly malevolent performance and its
great that she gets to play something other than the doting wife and mother.
Its also a top notch Rom episode who is developed even further and brought into
the fold of the regulars and would go on to make the greatest contribution to
the season in its last episode. All in all this should have been trite
(especially since it is a reversal of when Miles was possessed in TNG’s Power Play)
but The Assignment kept my attention throughout, was exciting and unpredictable
and had a great musical score. Bravo: 8/10
Trials and Tribble-ations written by Ronald D. Moore and
directed by Jonathan West
Single Father: Sisko’s line about the last thing he wants is
a visit from Temporal Investigations when he gets home always makes me
chuckle…I bet he omitted that part from his story! Sisko accidentally taps his
‘comm badge’ rather than using his communicator! Of course he wants to meet
Captain Kirk and ask him what it was like fighting the Gorn on Cestus III - you get a real sense that every Captain
wants to live up to the legacy left behind by the reckless Captain Kirk!
Unknown Sample: Its been his observation that most humanoids
love soft, furry animals and now that he is a humanoid himself why should he
miss out on all the fun?
Mr Wolf: The look on Worf’s face when O’Brien and Bashir
discuss the way he smells is priceless – a sort of earthy, peaty aroma…with a
touch of lilac! Dax refuses to use this as a torture weapon on him because she
has her own special ways of doing that. Poor Worf is stuck in the
unenviable position of being the only person who is allergic to Tribbles and
then in an awesomely funny (and terrible out cop out) has to try and avoid
explaining away the gulf between the old Klingons and the new ones. Worf
explaining to Odo about the obliteration of the Tribble homeworld makes me die
with laughter…imagine these stupid furry creatures considered a mortal enemy of
the Empire!
GE Doctor & Everyday Engineer: Bashir and O’Brien are
paired up as a comedy double act in this episode and their scenes together have
never been better. He’s a Doctor, not a historian! Bashir gets into the spirit
of this romp by quoting McCoy. They are both so useless at figuring 23rd
Century technology they stand in a lift for ages until a foxy lady walks in and
shows them how it is done! O’Brien is so useless with the cobbled together
technology that he has to pretend that he is suffering a breakdown to excuse
his poor handling of it. Bashir ties himself up in knots with the notion that
he could be destined to sleep with Lieutenant Whatley and become his own great
great grandfather! If he doesn’t he could very well disappear from time
altogether which makes O’Brien smirk with pleasure!
Nine Lives: How good is Dax in this episode? Terry Farrell
is an absolute dream in the role these days and Jadzia is literally getting off
on the nostalgia of being surrounded by so many icons! She loves classic 23rd
Century designs and desperately wants to meet Koloth in his prime. She doesn’t
really give a damn about Darvin and his schemes…she just wants to have a good
time in history! Dax used to live in this time and she finds it hard to control
herself because she wants to be a part of it again. Proving that scientists
never change over time, Dax gives out exactly the same statistics as Spock
regarding the Tribbles breeding habits. I love her cute look to Kirk when he
sits on a Tribble on the bridge. One of Dax’s previous hosts had a hot steamy
affair with McCoy at some point!
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘I guess you boys from Temporal
Investigations are always on time…’
‘And women wore less…’ ‘I think I’m going to like history!’
‘Another glorious chapter of Klingon history! Tell me do
they still sing songs of the Great Tribble Hunt?’
‘Your flaps open…’ ‘Excuse me?’
‘He put a bomb in a Tribble?’
‘I had a feeling he’d become a Doctor. He had the hands of a
surgeon.’
The Good: There are so many great things about this episode
and lets start the discussion with the very idea that there has been so many
temporal incursions that the Federation has its own department just to deal
with phenomena! They particularly hate pre destination paradoxes, it’s a pet
hate you understand. That’s hilarious! Their names being anagrams of Mulder and
Scully is a nice touch. Apparently James T. Kirk is considered a ‘menace’ by
the TI unit with seventeen separate violations! The Orb of Time is probably the
flimsiest of excuses to travel back in time but when I actually thought about
considering they do all have unique properties and this is the resulting
episodes…why not? The fact that Darvin is still spinning the same lies about
his career all these years in the future shows his sheer lack of originality!
These were the days before the remastered original series episodes with new
effects and so the stunning effects of shots of the Enterprise really were a
thing of beauty. To most people to have the ship film in motion control like
the early days of TNG was only a dream but now that has been realised. I
especially like the pan over the top of the Enterprise as the saucer literally
fills the screen, it really is a thing of beauty. The recreation of the sets
from The Trouble With Tribbles is nothing short of masterful with so much
attention to detail it looks absolutely authentic. All credit to those set
designers and effects technicians who made this stunning prospect a reality.
The Tribbles are such a gloriously anarchic and quirky notion its almost a
relief that somebody thought to bring them back for a new episode – comedy
fluffy purring balls that replicate en masse! That’s brilliant! The first
appearance of Kirk is worthy of a cheer and Dax oozing with sexual pleasure
over Spock made me pause to stop laughing! Worf, O’Brien, Bashir and Odo sit
around in the bar like eager Star Trek fans mistakenly identifying a meagre
officer for Captain Kirk! The amount of effort that has gone into integrating
our crew with the original series crew during the bar fight is astonishing. The
scene is seamless but what’s more important it has all the humour and
idiosyncratic action of the original (especially Bashir’s wonderfully wimpy
reaction to throwing a punch!). Don’t Bashir and O’Brien look great integrated
into the line up at the bar? The scene which pans slowly over a family of
Tribbles gorging on the grain and finally settling on the bomb is so brilliant
– its completely ridiculous and therefore utterly wonderful. The Tribble bombs
gliding through space before exploding is similarly sublime. Imagine having to
manually scan all those Tribbles! Just the thought of that makes me laugh!
Touches such as Dax being the one who throws the Tribbles that keep whacking
Kirk on the head are what make this such a joy. The last shot of the Promenade
filled with Tribbles is just the right self congratulatory note to end the
episode on and the fact that it is all Odo’s fault makes me die! Plus that
Tribble looks very comfortable on Quark’s head!
The Bad: Poor pregnant Nana Visitor, what a shame her
condition meant she had to miss out on the bulk of this episode! She would have
looked so hot in an original series uniform too! It is interesting that because
the sets for the space station are so colourful and light it makes any return
to the Defiant look grim and dour. I’d never noticed that before!
Fashion Statement: Oh wow, all the crew look stunning in the
original series uniforms. Sisko looks as cute as a button and far more amiable
than usual, Dax is an absolute fox and Bashir looks like a modern day Chekov
with his hair plastered down! The only person who looks a bit awkward is
O’Brien and that’s only because the uniform doesn’t hang on his stocky frame
quite so well. It might be outrageously sexist of me to say but the way the
ladies had very little clothing on during the original series made them
extraordinarily gorgeous and the waitress that serves our crew is a
particularly fine example. There’s something about her lack of attire, lovely
smile and general demeanour that makes her very appealing.
Result: The best anniversary episode ever! Not only a
glorious nostalgia fest that makes me grin from ear to ear in every scene but
also a supremely funny script with wonderful, charming moments for everybody
and visual delight to boot! The technical achievement in Trials and
Tribble-ations goes beyond anything we will ever see again a Star Trek episode
and the love that has been put into recreating the sets and joining together
two wonderful crews is extraordinary. The plot itself is fun but disposable but
with so many evocative touches and great gags who gives a damn? Dax oozes sex
appeal in her original series uniform, Sisko gets to chat with Captain Kirk,
Bashir flirts with his own great grandmother, Worf has to try and avoid
discussing the difference between the old Klingons and the new ones and O’Brien
gets accused of the justly famous bar fight! Its one treat after another and
for such a special episode I’m glad they went for such a sunny tone because
aside from being better in every respect what makes this so much more enjoyable
than Voyager’s Flashback is the humour which it gives you warm feelings
throughout. What an astonishing start to season five – that’s six great
episodes in a row of all different styles. Trials and Tribble-ations is non
stop riotous fun and a delight to watch over and over: 10/10
Let He Who Is Without Sin… written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe
& Ira Steven Behr and directed by Rene Auberjonois
Unknown Sample: Odo has really chilled out this year – he’s
even cracking some serious gags about Dax’s aggressive shagging and the
O’Brien’s naming their kid ‘swamp.’
Mr Wolf: Worf is so easy to wind up I can see why everybody
takes a perverse pleasure in doing so! Despite Dax saying that he is loosening
up nobody around he station has noticed. The thing that really drags this
episode down is Worf and it feels as though we are stepping back into the
fourth season in that regard – here he is dour, unreasonable and thoroughly
depressing! He needs to learn to loosen up a little…in fact I thought he had.
Whilst the sex must be great I can see why people were confused that good time
girl Dax would find herself attracted to such a dullard! But then they do say
that opposites attract… Whilst everybody else is enjoying themselves Worf stays
in his functional, boring Starfleet uniform. By describing Risa as an
artificially created paradise he proves that he isn’t getting into the spirit
of things. He does try very hard to be romantic by comparing Dax to a proto
cluster but Michael Dorn’s delivery is so flat it suggests he was a bit
embarrassed by the dialogue. Jealousy is never a pretty attribute and Worf
displays it in abundance, first by Dax having dinner with her old flame Captain
Boday (him with the transparent skull!) and then by getting friendly with
Arandis (perhaps Worf remembers her controversial romance with Lenara Kahn). I
hate jealousy stories – the Neelix/Kes/Tom Paris storyline was tedious and I’m
glad they nipped this in the bud in this episode and allowed us to get on with
exploring their relationship in a more interesting way. Worf is also a
shameless busybody poking his nose in other peoples love lives! Of course Worf
the bore finds the Bajoran Rite of Separation far too frivolous a way to end a
relationship! Worf working with Pascal to make it rain is an abominable act…he
wants to make everybody as damn well miserable as he is! Dax is right when she
says Worf is constantly holding himself back from enjoying himself. Spare me
the truly horrendous psychobabble explanation of why that is the case – he hurt
a kid once by being too rough? Come on Behr and Wolfe, this is absolute drivel!
He learnt to live amongst humans he has to practice restraint…so why then is he
beating up Dax every time they get down and dirty?
GE Doctor: I remember reading that Nana Visitor had just had
her baby when this episode was filmed and Alexander Siddig had spent all night
in the hospital when this episode was filmed the next day. Even he admits he
was phoning in his performance but then with a script like this, who wouldn’t?
Trying to figure out Dax was what attracted Bashir to Dax but the fact that she
was such hard work was what turned him off.
Nine Lives: Dax has suffered all manner of injuries in her
violently sexual relationship with Worf and it’s the talk of the town! Inter
species romance isn’t without its sense of danger and that is why she finds it
so much fun. We learn that Curzon died whilst bonking the extremely pretty
Arandis! What a way to go! I shall have to keep that in mind the next time I watch
Emissary and see the symbiont switch…actually I do seem to recall he is
smiling! I can only think that beyond his massive libido that Dax likes a
challenge and wants to break Worf! Too impulsive and lacking self control,
these are things that Worf doesn’t like about Dax which is odd because those
are things I love about her! Just as Dax starts having fun Worf stumbles in
like the black cloud from hell. She loves Worf because he has the heart of a
berserker cat and the heart of a poet (‘and the brain of a pig headed idiot’ –
Quark). She finally tells Worf to get a grip and that of course she doesn’t put
pleasure above commitment.
Community Leader: Risa is a planet of loose morals and
therefore the ideal holiday spot for Quark and he seems to take a delight in
annoying Worf on the way (‘one for you and one for you and one for you…and none
for you!’).
What’s Morn up to: We open the episode with Morn going on a
date with a Starfleet officer (who looks about 50!), offering them a flower and
getting a kiss in return.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Commander!’ ‘Do not hug me!’
‘My brother Rom?’ ‘His brother Rom?’ ‘He’s so
cute…and sexy!’
‘What I want is Worf!’ ‘Why?’ – that’s what we’ve all
been asking!
The Good: To have location work on three episodes so close together
in Trek is very unusual (The Ship, Nor the Battle and this) and as usual with
Trek it is gorgeously filmed and does make Risa look like a top vacation spot.
In theory the Bajoran rite of Separation is a great idea – to split up with
somebody but spend several days remembering the best of their relationship and
to seek out new opportunities but in practice could anybody see themselves
actually being able to go through with it? Although the ritual of breaking the
bowl is extremely unsubtle I am pleased that Bashir and Leeta have split up
because now Rom is in with a shot!
Moment to Watch Out For: The last shot is gorgeous. A shame
all of the episode couldn’t have been that stylish.
Fashion Statement: Vanessa Williams is a real beauty but
she’s also a fine actress – check her out in the last couple of years of
Desperate Housewives where she brings the unconscionably rude and tart Renee to
life!
Result: Let He Who Is Without Sin is the weakest episode of
DS9 in an age and brings us back down to reality with a thump. Its basically
TNG’s Justice all over again (a planet of sex with some issues) without a
decent jeopardy angle (Pascal and his cronies are a joke) and some shockingly
bad characterisation of Worf that threatens to destroy all the good work done
with him this year. The fact that this is written by Ira Behr and Robert Wolfe
really surprises me because this is far below their usual consistent quality.
There is a worthy message about the Federation being pampered, spoilt children
but it is lost under a wealth of awkwardly scripted, lazily performed comedy
scenes. Coming after the blissful Trials and Tribble-ations it just goes to
show how Trek comedy can bomb when it fails. Rene Auberjonois made such a
sterling job of directing The Quickening but this has to be his weakest episode
– there is no sense of fun on Risa and the moments of tension aren’t.
Poor Michael Dorn is lumbered with this dreadful episode and his performance is
strained as though he is trying not to care about such trivialities.
Fortunately this is the last time that he is handled so ineptly and from this
point on he is treated to some of his finest material. Thank goodness the
Dax/Worf issues are put to rest in this episode and we can finally have some
fun with them: 3/10
Things Past written by Micheal Taylor and directed by LeVar
Burton
Tasty Terrorist: Kira thought Odo was the one man who stood
for justice no matter what but now those waters have been muddied. Anyone who
lived through the Occupation had to get a little dirty but Kira needs to know
that this was the only time that innocent people died on his watch.
Unknown Sample: Uh-oh…as soon as you hear a glowing
character spec like ‘you may have been working for the Cardassians but your
only master was justice’ you know that there is going to be a tough examination
of that character which reveals that to be a lie. This is DS9 after all! As
soon as they find themselves on the Cardassian occupied station Odo begins
acting twitchy and suspicious as he remembers exactly what was happening during
this time. Kurtwood Smith is always fantastic value and he gives a wonderful performance
as Thrax, just a heartbeat away from being Auberjonois himself. There are
beautifully observed moments of speech and manner and Smith leads us to believe
that Odo was a far more sinister character when he had no friends.
Fascinatingly Odo gets to interrogate himself, to pull apart all of the flaws
in Thrax’s (thus his) prosecution of the case that will see them all
executed. Clearly the younger Odo is happy to work with circumstantial evidence
and make quick decisions about peoples character. His job is to find the truth
and not obtain convictions but he hasn’t learnt that lesson yet. Auberjonois is
superb as he feels the pain of each phaser shot that claims innocent victims
and terrifying as the younger Odo, the dispassionate observer. Odo charged men
with a crime they didn’t commit and they lost their lives as a result, this
scenario only lets them go once he finally admits it.
Nine Lives: Poor Dax is trapped trying to explain the
absurdities of their appearance in the bodies of four Bajorans with as much
technobabble at her disposal. She’s rather good at playing the Bajoran victim
and adopts a shy, frightened persona when dealing with Dukat until she feels
she has his trust.
Community Leader: I love it when we get visit the pre
Federation Quark because he is such a sleazy, arrogant, patronising tool and it
shows how far he has come being exposed to more civilised landlords. Even Sisko
is willing to conduct a little experiment to find out what would happen to the
timeline if the condescending sod were to suffer an accident!
Plain and Simple: Only Garak could find it in his heart to
try and defend the Bajoran occupation at a Bajoran conference! He realises now
that the Bajorans aren’t interested in historical truth as much as they are
invested in promoting the myths and legends of the glorious resistance. Odd how
Garak feels like one of the family these days, he proves to be a resourceful
and intelligent ally just like the last time he was caught up in this kind of
plot (Second Skin).
Slimy Snake: We see that Dukat could happily turn a blind
eye to Bajorans being abused on the station when he was its ruler (at least
that’s how Odo sees it). Its interesting to hear Dukat so wrapped up in his own
God complex that he genuinely believes it is his job to breed manners into the
Bajorans (his ‘children’).
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Giving me a name tag that said ‘Elim
Garak, former Cardassian oppressor’ was hardly being polite!’
‘Bad manners are the fault of the parent, not the child.’
‘My heart is too big…’ THWACK! ‘…and so is your ego!’
‘Seven years ago I allowed three innocent men to die.’
The Good: The imagery of all of the runabout crew comatose
is an intriguing hook into the episode. I’m starting to think that LeVar Burton
is really figuring out how to work the camera as he continues directing
stories. The pull back away from Sisko’s face that keeps going until the
atmospheric Occupation styled Promenade is revealed was superb. The framing of
the scenes in the Infirmary with the four bodies placed at compass points is
very nicely done too. The logic of figuring out that they aren’t who they
appear to be shows the characters to be intelligent and observant. The corpse
like face that haunts Odo on the promenade is absolutely terrifying as is the
death march past Quark’s – Burton sure has a great line in nightmarish imagery
here. The blood oozing from Garak’s nose proves that our friends can be hurt
within the illusion they are trapped in – psychological stimuli is causing a
physical response. There is something about those DS9 corridors that make fire
fights and hand to hand combat far more exciting than the ship bound shows
(Captive Pursuit, , the Search Part II, Way of the Warrior). Love the trippy
camerawork when Thrax asks Odo what he is going to do – that effect of moving
the camera backwards whilst zooming in highly disorienting. Handheld camerawork
than take us on a nightmare tour of the executions.
Foreboding: Its interesting that Dukat chooses to confide in
a Bajoran girl in this episode because we have already learned that he took a
Bajoran lover during the Occupation (Indiscretion) and would eventually go on
to reveal that his romancing of Kira has far more sinister undertones (Wrongs
Darker than Death or Night).
Result: Things Past sees the season get right back on track
and only really works in retrospect once you learn that this entire scenario is
taking place from Odo’s guilt ridden point of view. If you think of it as a
sequel to Necessary Evil then it falls between several stools because it was
never intended as such – this is another example of what DS9 does best, tough
character examination. Odo is tortured by his actions in the past and no matter
how much they try and escape his own guilt constantly catches up with them and
places them back in the hangman’s noose. LeVar Burton’s direction of the
episode is nothing short of masterful (and anybody who reads these reviews
regularly will know that is not a compliment I hand out to him frequently) with
some atmospheric, almost cinematic lighting during the Occupation scenes and
some imaginative framings of scenes that really stand out. The imagery is
brutal and uncompromising just as you would expect from this setting and the
inclusion of Andrew Robinson and Kurtwood Smith are both massive pluses. The
only point I felt let down was the eventual explanation which left me thinking
‘huh?’ rather than ‘wow!’ Things Past has plenty of atmosphere and substance
and provides an exciting ride for the most part: 8/10
The Ascent written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt
Wolfe and directed by Allan Kroeker
Single Father: Sisko has finally lost his son to his best
friend – welcome to the rest of your life Ben! Sisko can remember a time when
he didn’t even want Nog and Jake talking together and now they are moving in
together! Fortunately Sisko is there to stop them from killing each other – as
Nog’s commanding officer and Jake’s father he is in a great position to force
them to try and get along.
Unknown Sample: They writers seem to have shied away from
exploring Odo’s humanity in a satisfying way so it is nice to see some
discussion of it here and to see his frailties. Complaints that Odo has been
this harsh with Quark for an age are fair but its long past time we saw a bit
of genuine rivalry back in their ever softening relationship again so his
delight in finally seeing Quark sweating is a joy. Besides Odo knows that Quark
hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s just enjoying an eight day journey where his
nemesis has to agonise over what he might have done. He doesn’t play cards and
even if he did he wouldn’t want to play them with Quark. Quark always used to
think that Odo’s problems and bad disposition sprung from him being a
changeling cut off from his own people but that isn’t the case anymore…the only
conclusion he can draw is that solid or changeling he is a miserable, self
hating misanthrope! He enjoys reading romance novels and tries to make up some
poor excuse that they give him an insight into the criminal mind! I love his
buzzing and lip smacking – its nice to see that Odo isn’t above acting like a
total kid when he wants to! Odo’s true feelings for Quark are revealed when he
thinks he is dead and panics at the thought. Their rivalry finally bubbles over
and they list all the things they hate about each other before pushing on from
a verbal fight to a physical one. When Odo thinks he is going to die he leaves
a recording saying he would like to be cremated, stuck in his bucket and shot
through the wormhole so he can end up where he began.
Community Leader: I love all the gags surrounding Quark’s
perceptive hearing. It draws attention to the fact in time for him to pick up
the buzzing of the bomb the Orion Syndicate have left behind. They sounds like
an old married couple when they begin bickering over who gets to wear what
parts of the survival suit. Quark couldn’t have afforded to join the Orion
Syndicate even before he had his assets seized by the Ferengi Commerce
Authority and Odo enjoys reminding him just how small fry he really is. Rather
brilliantly Quark manages to throw this back in Odo’s face by telling him that
if that is the case he has spent the last ten years trying to catch out a
nobody and without much success – so who is the bigger loser? Quark shows an
amazing sense of willpower by dragging Odo up the mountain and refusing to give
up – the ex changeling doesn’t think he has it in him and he channels some of
that self doubt into his determination to succeed. He refuses to let his
brother get the bar, his nephew be completely corrupted by the Federation and
to die with his body unsold!
Starfleet Ferengi: How wonderful to have Nog back! I’m a
massive fan (as it appears is Ira Steven Behr) and whilst this initial
characterisation of him having become a Starfleet drone he soon settles down to
become one of the best semi regulars. He’s so small he can barely be seen
peeking over Sisko’s desk! When Nog tells Jake they are going to clean every
day it reminded me of my husband and his freakish enjoyment in tidying up!
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘No-one gets killed in Vulcan Love
Slave…but its still a hell of a read!’
‘With all this lip smacking how could I hear anything?’
‘Now I can finally sit on a chair no with absolute certainty
it isn’t you!’
‘Nog says Jake is slovenly, undisciplined, unfocused writer!’
‘I thought you were dead!’ ‘And you saw that as an
opportunity to take out years of hostility towards me!’
The Good: More location filming? This episode looks
absolutely stunning when Odo and Quark begin their Trek outside and it makes me
wonder if they had an injection of budget this year given how much time we have
spent outside. There are glorious shots of the snow capped mountainside and
montages of Quark and Odo walking past flowing waterfalls (water cascades down
the rocks sublimely) and through sunny
glades.
The Bad: The teaser isn’t the most exciting thing I have
ever seen in the world and gets the episode off on the wrong foot – ending on
Rom swinging down some root beer hardly gets me rooting for the rest of the
episode! Jake and Nog suddenly resolving their differences is pretty
instantaneous! Mind you with Sisko looking over my shoulder I would do as I’m
told too.
Fashion Statement: I’m glad that somebody finally made the
gag about Starfleet uniforms looking like pyjamas! And just before they change
into a more functional, militaristic look too!
Foreboding: It’s a nice introduction to the Orion Syndicate
who would go on to make an appearance in season six’s Honor Amongst Thieves.
Operatives that work for the Orion Syndicate would give their lives before
testifying against their employers. This is a particularly shady criminal
organisation that have their fingers in many pies. One to watch out for.
Result: A filler episode but an amiable one and with some
truly impressive location filming. Any excuse to give Rene Auberjonois and
Armin Shimmerman to enjoy a wealth of scenes together is fine by me and their
life or death struggle is given added impetus by their constant bickering and
brawling. My only complaint about this episode is that we already knew that
these guys were the best of enemies and it doesn’t advance their relationship
one jot despite being ridiculously entertaining. The Jake/Nog subplot does have
some cute moments but also some annoying ones with both characters taken to
extremes at opposite ends of the spectrum. This isn’t an episode you would show
anybody to win them over with how good DS9 is but it passes the time very
nicely, looks pretty and has lovely touches of character throughout that push
it above average: 7/10
Rapture written by Hans Beimler and directed by Jonathan
West
Single Father: Avery Brooks gives a magnificent performance
in this episode, one of the most important episodes for Sisko in the shows
entire run. Again proving how building on previous character revelations can
enhance the characters, Sisko’s quest to find B’Hala is a direct consequence of
what he learnt about himself in Accession when he came to terms with being the
Emissary. There’s a magical gleam in Sisko’s eyes when he starts working on the
mystery of the lost city that is easy to fall in love with. After his accident
Sisko goes from intrigued by the challenge to obsessed by it and even starts
cutting Bajoran symbols into his food. Brooks performance when Kira snaps Sisko
out of his vision of the future is captivating, he spills out information with
a voice as smooth as silky coffee. Imagine being able to grasp the entire
timeline of a planet – Sisko’s relationship with Bajor takes on deeper
undertones. His ‘make something up’ with regards to not being able to see the
Kai immediately is a delight. This is a true spiritual experience for Sisko and
for once his ties to the Federation are less important than his ties to Bajor
and he has to see this thing through no matter what. The way he walks through
the crowd on the Promenade giving advice to his friends like some messianic
fortune teller is absorbing – there is no prophet in his advice (if you’ll
pardon the pun), it is a true altruistic act. Scenes of Sisko, Jake and Kassidy
discussing the visions and the fact that Bashir could cure him are absorbing
because they have really gelled into a family unit. Enough time has passed for
Jennifer to be put to rest and there is a new mother in the Sisko home pleading
for Ben to listening to his son who is scared that his father is going to die.
Before he heads off to complete his vision with Winn he admits that he loves
both of them. Brooks sends shivers down my spine when he wakes up and discovers
his visions have been taken away. Bajor cannot join the Federation at the
moment and he has never been more sure of anything in his life.
Tasty Terrorist: There is an exceptional speech from Kira
who admits that five years ago she wouldn’t have been celebrating because she
didn’t think that Federation membership was right for Bajor. Her time on the
station and her dealings with Starfleet changed her mind over time but mostly
what seduced her was her relationship with Sisko. This is five years worth of
character growth paying off in spades.
Unknown Sample: Odo is such glorious old cynic and calls
Sisko’s discovery of B’Hala ‘a very lucky guess.’
Nine Lives: Whilst Kira and Sisko enthuse about the ruins of
a dusty old Bajoran city Dax fails to generate much enthusiasm for the project.
Community Leader: It never hurts to be prepared for anything
and Quark enjoys the spectacle of Bajor’s entry into the Federation to drum up
more business.
Young Sisko: Jake’s heartfelt plea to his father may just
break your heart and the tough decision he has to make at the end is another
example of Cirroc Lofton at his best.
Freighter Captain: How glorious is it to see Kassidy Yates
back again? When I first watched the show I feared that we had lost the
wonderful Penny Johnson to other work commitments (she always seemed to have
something exciting on the go – her turn as the scheming President’s wife in the
first two seasons of 24 were that shows greatest moments) but the extended
break (For the Cause was around fifteen episodes back, almost a whole season)
gives credence to her imprisonment by the Federation for helping to smuggle
supplies to the Maquis. Now she has been punished she has returned to the man
she loves to pick up the pieces just as she promised. More realistic character
development that enriches the show. Her tentative approach to her former lover
is very natural considering how they parted but Sisko puts her straight at ease
by grabbing and kissing her and asking her to join him on his quest. He left
everything of hers exactly as she left it before she was arrested and says they
can pick up exactly where they left off.
Spiritual Leader: Gosh I hadn’t realised that we hadn’t seen
Win since season three’s Shakaar! That’s far too long without a dose of my
favourite backstabber! Winn manages to make her presence felt immediately by
taking one look at the pregnant Kira and telling her that she looks ‘very
sweet.’ She’s opposed to the treaty that will see her world join the Federation
because she thinks that they will no longer have their freedom. She comes to
terms with the idea just in time for it to be snatched away and at the episodes
conclusion even she no longer knows what her path is going to be now.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘It said that only somebody who has been
touched by the Prophets could find the ruins of B’Hala…’ ‘No pressure.’
‘Those of your who were in the resistance you’re all the
same. You think you’re the only ones who fought the Cardassians. That you saved
Bajor single handedly. Perhaps you forget Major, the Cardassians arrested any
Bajoran found to be teaching the word of the Prophets. I was in a Cardassian
prison camp for five years and I can remember each and every beating I suffered
and while you had your weapons to protect you all I had was my faith and my
courage. Walk with the Prophets, child, I know I will.’
‘I remember the first time I held you in my hands. You were
only a few minutes old and I looked down at your face and it was almost as if I
could see your whole life stretched out in front of you. All the joys it would
bring and the bruises. It was all there hidden in that scrunched up little
face. The baby that I’m holding in my hands now is the universe itself
and I need time to study its face.’
‘Locusts! They’ll destroy Bajor unless it stands alone!’
The Good: As a quest story it shits all over the blandness
of last years Sword of Kahless because discovering a city is far more exciting
than a Bat’leth! The lighting in the holosuite is warm and gives the quest
scenes a real atmosphere. Suddenly Bajor’s petition to join the Federation has
been approved and the very thing Sisko came to the station to achieve, getting
the Bajorans on their feet again and helping them to become a successful ally
of the Federation is coming to fruition. There’s a wonderful feeling of
celebration on the show and for the audience that has enjoyed the show since
day one – it feels like everything has been building to this and we are finally
going to see it through. What we don’t realise of course is DS9 has been
building up to the war to end all wars and this is just a distraction but with
some clever plotting that is foreshadowed here. Kira finding Sisko bewitched by
the obelisk is a stunning moment, mystical and magical in the same breath.
There’s another example of DS9 giving its characters opposing viewpoints to
create some fascinating discussion and the scene in Ops between Kira, Dax,
O’Brien and Worf allows them all to air their thoughts and explore the problem
in some depth. Worf in particular gets a moment to shine here. In a spectacular
moment of drama Sisko bursts into the official signing of Bajor into the
Federation and declares that the planet must stand alone if it is to survive a
terrible catastrophe. The final scene that sees Sisko, Jake and Kassidy coming
together and holding hands as a family is delightful, its wonderful to see this
kind of development in a series but even more important to have such a vital
moment played out amongst three black characters in an American drama proves
just how far television has come in terms of putting its prejudices aside. It’s
a gorgeous moment in the series and one to be cherished.
Fashion Statement: I should consider the grey topped
military uniforms the First Contact ones but because DS9 has two and half
seasons with them and TNG a handful of films I always consider them the
property of this show. Regardless it is a fantastic change of look and suddenly
all the officers on this show feel like professionals rather than relaxed
Starfleet officers. What’s more Kira has had a haircut which is a relief since
Nana Visitor looked as though she had just got out of bed in the last episode!
Foreboding: In his vision Sisko sees ‘the coming war with
the Dominion…’ How exciting! Its worth noting that from this episode onwards
every time we see Bashir he is in fact a changeling infiltrator which is
revealed in In Purgatory’s Shadow where he still have the old style uniform on.
Sisko sees a cloud of locusts covering the sun of Bajor and then heading off to
Cardassia…this is poetic foreshadowing of what would happen in By Inferno’s
Light. Sisko throwing a spanner into the works of Bajor joining the Federation
seems like a massive step backwards but in hindsight it shows an ingenious
amount of fore thinking on the writers part. Clearly this season has been
thought through in some depth – if Bajor allied themselves with the Federation
then the Dominion fleet that would spill through the wormhole (locusts) would
attack. Because they stand alone they can form a non aggression pact with the
Dominion when they invade and remain safe. Clever, clever stuff. There is so
much going on beneath the surface of this episode its quite masterful.
Result: A DS9 masterpiece with an abundance of thematic
depth, character development and arc significance. If Voyager could produce an
episode with half this much substance I would be over the moon but this isn’t
even the best DS9 episode of the year! Sisko’s newfound obsession with Bajoran
mythology and the shows central premise of Bajor joining the Federation merge
to beguiling effect and the resulting drama is infused with exceptional
dialogue brought to life by a cast at the top of their game. The return of
Kassidy Yates is to be celebrated and finally she joins the Sisko clan full
time and they merge into a family unit and the differing reactions of the crew
to Sisko’s vision quest creates some exceptional drama. Avery Brooks isn’t
given half as much credit as he deserves for his performance as Sisko but his
turn in Rapture should be enough to win over even his harshest of critics –
he’s mesmerising. All this plus possibly the best use of Kai Winn until
her arc in season seven and you have an episode that never stops giving. The
last scene reduced me to tears of joy and its not often any episode of
television can do that. The second classic of season five: 10/10
The Darkness and the Light written by Ronald D. Moore and
directed by Michael Vejar
Tasty Terrorist: In the best Kira episode since Return to
Grace we get to explore her violent past in a very intimate way as a hidden
assassin starts taking out all the members of the Shakaar resistance cell.
Kira’s initial reaction to her colleagues death is an understandably low key
one for somebody who has lost as many friends as she has. She can get over his
death because he died serving the Prophets and she knows they will take care of
him. The trouble is Kira knows that her resistance cell did a lot of
questionable things during the Occupation and the multiple deaths of her friend
forces her to confront those dark days. Coping with these deaths and her
pregnancy causing Kira to lose it in security, a very natural moment. Of all
the horrors that she faces here Kira is subjected to a gift of Makara herbs (that
taste like something that has crawled out of Quark’s ear!) from her friends!
Its fascinating to compare Kira to Lupaza because she has been tamed by the
Federation and cannot send her friends out as a personal execution squad where
her friend is in the same mind set as she was in the Occupation – when they
find out who is doing this she is going to kill him no matter what. For a
moment Kira thinks that Miles might be dead as well as her friends and that she
may have lost the baby too…that would have been too much to bear but the loss
of her dear friends really hits home all the same. Nana Visitor is
extraordinary in this scene as she talks about joining the resistance and her
relationship with Lupaza and Furrell – she’s so good at these emotional monologues
all Vejar has to do is track the camera towards her slowly as she tells her
story and it is captivating.
Mr Wolf: More great Worf moments as he admits that he does
not smirk but if he did it would be a good opportunity since Dax mocked a
Captain she was playing Tongo with who happened to be a champion and he cleaned
her out! Having him quote the Rules of Acquisition was a laugh riot! Fifteen
million Bajorans died during the Occupation and Kira just cannot find it in her
heart to feel sorry for one man who got caught in the crossfire of an explosion
she caused.
Everyday Engineer: There is a new chemistry between O’Brien
and Kira since their near dalliance in Looking for Par’Mach, a relaxed
friendship and shared intimacy that has spilled into a very watchable
friendship.
GE Doctor: That horrid changeling Bashir is doing a damn
good impression of the real thing, treating Kira with compassionately. What an
insidious bastard! I wonder if he walks out of shot and rubs his hands together
and goes ‘hehehe!’
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘For fifty years you raped our planet
and you killed our people! You lived on our land and you took the food out of
our mouths and I don’t care whether you held a phaser in your hand or you
ironed shirts for a living! You were all guilty and you were all legitimate
targets!’
The Good: Ladies and gentlemen Mike Vejar has arrived on DS9
and his imaginative visual style is immediately recognisable as the high angel
camera pans over the Bajoran ceremony and sees a monk murdered in prayer. The
hideous charred corpse of Kira’s friend that sizzles away on the transporter
pad is exactly the sort of nasty image you need in a good horror story! The
story of Fala passing information on for years and her treachery finally
catching up with her is a tragic one. She must have spent her whole life
looking over her shoulder. I love the very creepy shot of Kira walking along
the Promenade as the creepy recorded voice informs her of a another victim.
With the security database being hacked to give Kira another shock you realise
that the killer is a technically competent man and will not be easily
discovered. I’ve always said that the DS9 sets are gorgeous but I have never
meant it more than during the atmospheric sequence where Kira is menaced
through the O’Brien’s quarters in the dark. The oval windows glow in the
starlight and provide an evocative backdrop. The return of Lupaza and Furrell
is a treat their chemistry is as charismatic as it was in their debut – this
episode needed to see Kira lose somebody important to make an impact and these
two delightful characters are a real loss but Moore makes his point well that
is going to be an ugly fight. Suddenly the episode has real momentum as Kira
heads off after the killer to exact her own personal kind of justice. The
finale is strong stuff for Star Trek, a woman tied to a chair with a harsh
light showing up her terror as her tormentor threatens to slice open her
stomach and remove her baby! I love it! Silerin is an interesting
character because he talks in the sort of pretentious rhetoric of somebody who
has spent far too much time on his own with revenge plans festering in his mind
and yet he still comes across as a formidable, unpredictable foe as he enjoys
watching Kira squirm. The make up job for his facial scars is particularly
impressive and you can see what sort of pain he must have suffered in the
attack that took the lives of his employers. Despite his homicidal acts you do
feel sorry for this pitiful man who has suffered because of his lowly ambitions
to work as a servant for a more important man. Nice mention of the sedatives
and herbs counteracting each other and providing a logical escape route for
Kira at the climax.
The Bad: This is the second episode in a row that makes no
sense that Shakaar himself isn’t involved and then strangely he would turn up
in the next one exactly where he isn’t needed! The dialogue in the last scene
is…odd. Suddenly Kira is talking like her tormentor and Bashir points out the
obvious!
Orchestra: Throughout the music is a cut above the norm with
some very atmospheric passages, especially during the pre titles sequence and
when Kira is menaced at home. The tension racks as she is trapped and about to
have the O’Brien’s baby cut out of her stomach and the music swells
appropriately.
Foreboding: What is it about Ron Moore killing off semi
regulars? First Bariel, then Lupaza and Furrell…Kor and Gowron better watch
out!
Result: Another success and one of the few times that Trek
goes for out and out horror with grisly bodies, women being menaced in dark
rooms, a high body count and lots of sinister atmospherics. It almost feels
like the sort of episode they would have attempted in season one or two but
with the added bonus of the season five cast and the result is a confident,
beautifully told horror story where the morality of the characters is
constantly in flux. Nana Visitor has had her baby now and can get back in the
spotlight and as a counterpoint to Duet this is a real gem as she completely
contradicts her statement at the end of that classic episode in a very dramatic
way. There’s atmosphere aplenty but what really impresses is how much character
DS9 is injecting into every single episode these days – showing us new facets
of these already well explored people. Kira has had a season of inconsistent
treatment but she is finally back on track and this is the fighter that
we have been missing and her handling from now until the series finale ensures
she is one of my favourite Trek characters. With Mike Vejar and Allan Kroeker
now on board DS9 has two astonishing directors on hand to deal with some of
best Trek episodes you will see. Powerful stuff: 9/10
The Begotten written by Rene Echevarria and directed by
Jesus Salvador Trevino
Unknown Sample & His Pops: ‘If it wasn’t for me you’d
still be on a shelf somewhere in a beaker somewhere labelled unknown sample!’
‘If it wasn’t for me you’d be a nobody! Starfleet wouldn’t hire you to judge a
science fair!’ It seems almost churlish to complain about lack of
development in a character in a season that has seen an abundance of it but in
the case of Odo being turned into a human the producers have decided to wrap
this dead end plot up as soon as possible. Whilst there have been some unusual
moments, Odo has been seen eating, vulnerable and even getting into the family
spirit of things this is the first real episode that gets to grips with Odo’s
feelings on the matter and its at the moment they have decided to bring the
experiment to an end. I was hoping to see him explore a romance but strangely
they wait until he is a changeling again to do that (twice over!). I’ve always
thought Odo has carried himself too rigidly and now he is suffering as a
result! At the thought of seeing Dr Mora Odo physically recoils – he clearly
hasn’t sought his ‘father’ out since he was trapped in a humanoid form. Only
Rene Auberjonois could make talking to a glass of goo one of the sweetest things
ever, I love the way he tentatively touches the glass like he is handling a
baby and his voice is soft and soothing. Mora thought of Odo as a specimen, a
mystery that needed to be unravelled but Odo refuses to treat the child that
way. Odo wants to take the softly softly approach because he hopes that the
changeling will grow up with a better disposition than he who was bullied into
submission. Mora’s assertion that Odo never wants to give anything away even
though it is all there in his face is spot on. He doesn’t want to take any
advice at rearing this child from Mora even if it will make things easier for
the changeling. More had thought that Odo would have gotten over the pain he
suffered at his instruments and is disappointed that he still seems to hold a
grudge. The scenes between them are bang on the money where it comes from
parent/child rivalry – Odo definitely criticises Mora’s parenting skills whilst
his father has the ability to point out all of his character flaws. Mora stands
in the background mocking Odo’s attempts to communicate with the creature on an
emotional level. How cute is Odo teaching the child about the shapes it can
mimic? I felt so sorry for him when his blamange wouldn’t rise! ‘Everything I
did to you was for your own good!’ is an excuse you will hear parents say an
awful lot and it feels very at home in this episode. When Sisko turns up with
news that if they don’t make progress soon Starfleet will want to take over the
project finally Odo sees the sort of pressure Dr Mora was under to get results
when he was a baby. His wasn’t the touchy feely Federation but kick ass
Cardassians that wanted answers. Odo is gleeful when the changeling first
changes its shape and Mora mentions coldly that he had a similar reaction when
he first did the same thing. Odo admits he would still be a lump of organic
residue if it wasn’t for Dr Mora. Something tells Odo that no matter how they
treat the changeling it is going to have a nicer disposition than him because
that is just the way he is. Losing the changeling Odo finally realises what
Mora must have gone through when he left him.
GE Doctor: Interesting to see the Bashir changeling (as yet
unexposed) working so hard to try and make the baby changeling better.
Community Leader: There is a gorgeous scene between Quark
and Odo on the bar after closing where the constable feels like celebrating his
success over the changeling. It’s everything a similar scene between Chakotay
and Neelix in Unforgettable should have been but wasn’t, thoughtful, charming
and marvellously played. Quark is initially suspicious that Odo is happy
(because that means there must be something very wrong happening) but when he
learns why (Odo is coming to terms with being a solid because he can experience
the joys of shapeshifting through the creature again) he joins in the revelry
and asks him to fill his glass.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Constable why are you talking to your
beverage?’ – is it me or is Worf shamelessly scene stealing in every episode
now? The way he abandons his drink when Odo tells him that his is a changeling
is hilarious!
‘I remember the first time Dr Mora here co-erced me into
taking the shape of a cube with one of his electro static gadgets. Once I did
it – and he turned the infernal thing off – I was perfectly content to stay a
cube for hours. It was fascinating, all those right angles!’
‘You’d just love to get your hands on it, wouldn’t you? You
could sell tickets on the Promenade! Dr Mora’s Chamber of Horrors – open
for business, right this way!’
‘The first time you ever did anything like that was when you
formed a tentacle to slap my hand away from the control panel!’ ‘I remember…I
wanted you to stop zapping me!’
Dreadful Dialogue: ‘Oh do me a favour. Next time you want to
have a baby leave my girlfriend out of it!’ – ugh!
The Good: The idea of sending out 100 infants to other
galaxies to find out if the species there pose any kind of threat does make
sense when you understand the Founders but it is still a cruel thing to do.
Surely Bajoran society is overtaking the Klingons as most explored culture in
Trek? We’ve seen so many rituals now – this week it’s the pregnancy one that
requires incense, musical instruments and a lot of peace and quiet. How lovely
to imagine a method of giving birth which isn’t all screaming and
recriminations because we’ve seen that sort of thing over and over on TV. To
have Kira in a state of absolute bliss when the baby comes is a wonderful
subversion. James Sloyan was the best thing about The Alternate and this time
Echevarria ensures that there isn’t a ridiculous jeopardy plot getting in the
way of all the character examination so we can get down to the nitty gritty of
why Odo and his Dad are always at loggerheads. I like the mention that Mora has
been working on Earth helping Starfleet to detect changeling infiltrators and
clearly not doing a very good job since he comes into contact with one in this
very episode! When the changeling takes on Odo’s face (despite the phallic
shape of its body!) it is a wonderful moment because you realise as he does
that he is genuinely made a connection with the creature. Its reaching out to
him, trying to understand who he is. The fact that the changeling dies and
becomes a part of Odo is a very satisfying ending.
The Bad: The only moments that don’t ring true is the
appalling sitcom rivalry between O’Brien and Shakaar that feels very stagey and
unconvincing. This is the episode where Shakaar shows up? Considering his
appalling turn here I’m glad we never see the character again. O’Brien and
Shakaar tugging at Kira when she goes into labour is acutely embarrassing.
Moment to Watch Out For: There are three emotional stings at
the end of The Begotten that prove how good DS9 is at connecting you with its
characters. Firstly the death of the baby and the gift that it gives to Odo is
beautifully done with him turning back into a changeling and soar across the
Promenade as a hawk. Its emotionally and visually stunning. Then comes the
goodbye between Odo and Mora where he really hugs his dad. It’s a real
gesture of love from the shapeshifter. Finally Kira’s admission that all she
wants to do is hold the baby she has been carrying inside of her for so many
months.
Result: Odo and a baby changeling bonding…how on Earth did
that pitch ever get off the drawing board? Thanks to some deft writing, a
strong performance from Rene Auberjonois and the long overdue return of Dr Mora
The Begotten is a sensational character piece that closes one narrative thread
but opens up many more for the future. The scenes between Odo and Mora are
fantastic as the two characters finally get to grips with each other and
understand why things were so strained between them in the formative years of
their relationship. It’s a shame about the sitcom rivalry between O’Brien and
Shakaar because that is the only element that isn’t firing on all cylinders. A
great script with three powerfully emotional scenes at the conclusion: 8/10
For the Uniform written by Peter Allan Fields and directed
by Victor Lobl
Single Father: This is probably the scariest we will ever
see Sisko (In the Pale Moonlight aside I can’t think of another time when he
would so violently lose his objectivity again) and it appears that when it
comes at settling a score this Starfleet officer will go to any lengths to see
those who have wronged him punished. However in the meantime Eddington is still
finding ways to prickle at the skin and remind Sisko how clever he is – the
opening scene sees Sisko walking straight into a trap that could have seem him
killed. Eddington suggests whilst pointing a gun at him (because had he been
unarmed I think Sisko may have disembowelled him with his bare hands in the
very first scene) that it isn’t the fact that he behaved treasonously but they
he did on Sisko’s watch and I think there is a grain of truth in that. Woah,
look at that primal, savage anger that he takes out on the punch bag after he
is taken off his assignment to find Eddington! Do not get this guy in a bad
mood – he’s like a one of those mad, bloodthirsty gorillas that has no self
control! Starfleet figure (not unreasonably for them) that its too personal for
Sisko and his ex security officer knows him too well and can predict his moves.
Because he wasted time going after Eddington’s raider Sisko is blinded to their
real intentions which is to attack the Malinche. Sisko is trapped in the
awkward position of either going after Eddington or rescuing a ship full of
helpless Cardassian refugees and it is a testament to the strength of the
episodes convictions that I wondered which way he would jump for a moment.
Sisko’s plan to become the villain of Eddington’s story so he can sacrifice
himself for the greater good is inspired and he shows real psychological
understanding. The fact that he heads off to poison whole worlds without any
permission from Starfleet shows a real rebellious side to Sisko and its one
that I really admire. In order to bring down a terrorist you have to become one
yourself.
Unknown Sample: Odo gets to enjoy the moment when he reminds
Sisko that Starfleet posted Commander Eddington on the station because they
didn’t trust him. He asks him to pass those comments on to his superiors!
Nine Lives: Even Dax can see this is all about revenge for
Sisko and not a sense of justice. I loved the moment just as they are about to
head off to pursuer Eddington again when Dax stops Sisko and asks him to be
more sympathetic the next she goes off on one on a personal mission (ala Blood
Oath). I’m glad Dax doesn’t like The Hunchback of Notre Dame – it really
is melodramatic!
Maquis Leader: It turns out that Eddington was not only the
man who managed to steal a bunch of replicators from under Sisko’s nose but the
leader of the Maquis all along! For the Cause’s powerful ending required a
massive leap of faith on the audience that this background character could have
been plotting intelligently behind the backs of the regulars for over two
years. For the Uniform now has to convince us that Eddington suits this role as
a terrorist leader and with a sarcastic performance from Kenneth Marshall and a
blazing rivalry between him and Sisko suddenly the character shines like never
before. Sisko doesn’t see a Maquis colony that is suffering but people who have
been sold a dream by Eddington that can never be realised. After Eddington beams over a copy of Les
Miserables the audience can finally get a hang of how he considers himself
– a flawed hero who is trying to do his best by his people despite the hounding
of the evil Federation. Sisko judges Eddington as a traitor but he sees himself
as a martyr for his cause. Whilst Eddington is saying all the right things
about his people you can tell he is absolutely loving the moment where
he gets to forfeit himself for the greater good.
Starfleet Ferengi: Bringing in Nog as the relay between
Sisko and Engineering is a lovely touch – after all he does have the lobes for
the job! O’Briens figures Sisko would want somebody who could hear him even
when the ship is exploding around him and Nog starts to crap himself! Its his
first combat situation and he shows great courage.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘There’s a war going on out there and
you’re on the wrong side.’
‘He worked under me for a year and a half! I saw him almost
every day! Read his reports, had him to dinner…I even took him to a baseball
match in the holosuite once and I never saw it! Its my job to be a good judge
of character what did I do? Not only did I not see it, I even put him up for a
promotion!’ ‘He played his hand well…’ ‘He played me alright and what is my
excuse? Is he a changeling? No! Is he a being with seven lifetimes of
experience? No! Is he a wormhole alien? No! He’s just a man like me and he beat
me!’
‘What do we use? Cups and a long string?’
‘Helm, I hope you see that pylon!’
‘Do you realise what you’ve just done?’ ‘I’ve only just
begun…’
‘You betrayed your uniform!’ ‘And you’re betraying yours –
right now!’
‘Sometimes I like it when the bad guy wins…’
The Good: In amongst the cat and mouse game between Sisko
and Eddington the script never forgets the human element of what the two
characters represent and it is particularly strong in the pre titles sequence
where Eddington forces Sisko to look at a sickly Maquis colony that are human
beings suffering because the Federation turned their backs on them. I really
like the new holo communicator and I cannot see why they didn’t continue with
its use, its far more visually interesting to see people talking face to face
than two dimensionally on a screen. It works especially well in this episode
where Sisko and Eddington get to spit blood at each other on the bridge of the
Defiant. It would appear that as well as passing on tactical information to the
Maquis Eddington was also adding invisible devices to the Defiant and the
station that cripple their systems should he need to get away. In a
particularly smug moment he waves at Sisko as he poodles along out of range as
they lie there dead in space and helpless! He even shoots at them a couple of
times just to make sure the message to Sisko is clear – you can’t beat me.
Eddington ups the ante by poisoning an entire world with a nerve agent that is
deadly to Cardassians – he’s now a problem that has to be stopped. I love with
a passion the idea of the damaged Defiant being used in this manhunt and all of
the crew having to work their damdest to ensure that information is passed to
the right areas and that the ship functions the way it should. They’ve got no
cloak, transporters, replicators or stabilisers! You get a real sense that this
a crew at the peak of their profession working together to overcome the
failings of technology. This is basically how crippled Voyager should be at
this point in its long trek home in the Delta Quadrant and its crew should be
this talented at overcoming their shortcomings so trust DS9 to explore this
sort of thing way better than they ever do. Stunning Badlands effects that just
get better right up until the seventh season. Attacking Federation ships?
Eddington needs teaching a lesson, now! Was it more or are the space battle
sequences more dramatic in this episode?
Fashion Statement: Have I mentioned how much I love those
grey Starfleet uniforms? They give the show a wonderfully dark and dynamic
look!
Result: How far is Sisko willing to go to bring down
Eddington? Sisko displays a violent, blazing anger that goes way beyond
anything we would ever see from Picard, Janeway and Archer and only Kirk during
some ridiculously melodramatic moments could match! He’s terrifying and Avery
Brooks is better than ever as Sisko loses himself in the hunt for the officer
that betrayed him to the Maquis. Peter Allan Fields (writer of Duet &
necessary Evil) steps out of retirement to write this blistering character
tale, one which gathers explosive momentum as it continues. Even the
technobabble is fun in this episode as a crippled Defiant jumps into action and
with all of its mod cons offline! With literary illusions, riveting two handers
between the central characters and an exciting feeling of the Maquis storyline
being shoved along For the Uniform is another top notch season five episode. I
am running out of superlatives for this year and we haven’t even reached my
three favourites yet. A beautifully crafted electrifying drama: 9/10
In Purgatory’s Shadow written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe &
Ira Steven Behr and directed by Gabrielle Beaumont
Tasty Terrorist: Dukat catches up with Kira to remonstrate
with her about his daughters relationship with Garak. When he tells her that
she is going to regret the relationship taking place it sounds like the words
of an impotent bully but given the massive shock announcement that comes at the
beginning of the second part it has far more meaning than we realise at the
time.
Unknown Sample: Odo really enjoyed sleeping in a bed as a
humanoid and now if he tries he tends to regenerate and slide onto the floor!
When Kira finds a padd in his quarters called ‘Finding and winning your perfect
mate’ Odo gets all embarrassed and as a good friend she tries to encourage him
to explore these feelings. Not realising of course that those feelings are
directed at her. This is a throwaway scene to give these two characters a
chance to appear in the episode but it is packed with character moment – you
see how good they’ve gotten at this?
Mr Wolf: Its fascinating to see how their work is affecting
the relationship between Dax and Worf and its nice to see him as the one in the
wrong for a change and her as the aggressor. Worf was afraid that Dax might
make a scene s he omitted the information that he agreed to go into the Gamma
Quadrant with Garak. Instead Dax reacts by telling him to have a glorious death
and snogging him hard! The passion these two display for each other is just
what the Star Trek universe needed, they are playful and flirty and it’s a
great relationship to watch.
GE Doctor: Its all change for Bashir in the next couple of
episodes but never more so than here where we discover that he has been
replaced by a changeling infiltrator for at least as long as Rapture (he is
still in a blue uniform which was introduced then!). Lets not underestimate the
shock and the skill in presenting such a twist because it again exposes how
much a running arc can enrich the show and how focussing on a detail as minor
as a change of uniform can be so significant. It really floored me when I first
saw this and I wanted to go back and watch the last handful of episode to see
if there were any noticeable differences in Alexander Siddig’s performances.
They wasn’t as it transpires because Sid didn’t know until this episode that he
was a changeling infiltrator but that works better in my book because it shows
just how good the changelings are at slipping effortlessly into the lives of
important people in Federation outpost and passing on intelligence. It’s a
fantastic shock moment, Bashir’s reveal and it throws scenes such as him trying
to save the baby changeling in The Begotten and even holding a gun on Garak in
the runabout in a completely different light. Bravo! Not only that but with
some anticipation we now realise there is a saboteur on the station who could
do anything to ensure the oncoming Dominion invasion will succeed! How
exciting!
Plain and Simple: One of the best Garak episodes (along with
The Wire, Improbable Cause & In the Pale Moonlight) and those of you who
know how good those episodes are will not what kind of statement that is.
Andrew Robinson is astonishingly good at wringing every nuance, every joke,
every moment of tension out of this script and I could happy spend every
episode in his company written like this. Garak’s relationship with Tain has
been well documented – his mentor helped Bashir to save his life in The Wire,
they found each other again in Improbable Cause and reminisced about old times
in The Die is Cast and Garak was even willing to avenge his death in Broken
Link. Clearly there was something far more meaningful going on here than a
simple teacher/pupil relationship and now is the time that we finally learn
that Tain was Garak’s father. The scenes between Robinson and Paul Dooley are
something very special indeed and there is a real feeling of father and son
coming together for the last time. Tain thinks Garak living on the station has
dulled his wits considering he has been captured. He finally admits that Garak
is his son on his deathbed and he says that he should have killed his mother
before he was born because he has always been a weakness he cannot afford. But
he remembers a moment when he was very proud of his son just before he slips
away. Garak enjoys spending time with Ziyal because he is exiled and alone and
a long way from home and being with her makes things less bad. All the dialogue
between Worf and Garak in the runabout is extremely witty and clever – Garak
manages to convince Worf to sponsor him for Starfleet Academy just for a laugh!
He thinks he should be able to skip the lower ranks entirely and begin his
career as a Commander (‘Tell them you’d be honoured to serve under me…’). He’s
such a manipulative sod and works Worf the way he works everybody else, by
stroking his character strengths (in this case his sense of honour) to get his
own way.
Cross Breed: Ziyal knows her father would be furious to hear
her say it but there is something about Garak that she finds fascinating.
Clearly a relationship has developed her since For the Cause and I begin to
wonder if she didn’t visit Garak in his cell during his six month incarceration
after trying to nuke the Founders homeworld in Broken Link. She admits that she
finds Garak intelligent, cultured and kind but he laughs this off as the
feelings of the young. Well aware of the Dominion threat approaching Dukat
tries to convince Ziyal to pack her things and come with him to Cardassia but
she isn’t having any of it. She loves her life on the station and made a
promise that she would wait for Garak – a decision that appals her father and
he damns her to her fate.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Public opinion seems to be running
against you!’
‘Because lying is a skill like any other and if you want it
maintained at a level of excellence you have to practice constantly!’
‘The man is a heartless, cold blooded killer!’ ‘Like I said
he’s a Cardassian.’
‘Ahh are we glad to see you! Could one of you point us in
the direction of the wormhole?’ – how can you not be in love with Garak?
‘Things are going to change on Cardassia!’ ‘What things?’
– very prescient!
‘All I ask is that for this moment let me be your son…’
The Good: As soon as we learn that the Cardassian message
was a call for help from Enabrin Tain warning bells started sounding for me
because it sounded exactly like the sort of convoluted ploy the Dominion would
conjure up to trap somebody with as much tactical intelligence as Garak. Look
at the way Quark’s is lit so warmly – they’ve really got the hang of making the
station feel like gorgeous place to live these days. In the early seasons it
felt very claustrophobic but now it feels like a busy way station with lots of
character. Don’t underestimate the image of the Dominion ships looming out of
the gorgeous looking nebula – that is the moment that kick starts two years and
a half of war. We’ve been waiting for the Dominion to make a military foothold
in the Gamma Quadrant and now their plans to manipulate the Klingons and the
Federation into war have been exposed they are about to try a less subtle approach. I love the idea of the Jem H’adar
facility on an asteroid, it’s a quirky visual to see the prison clinging onto
the side of a rock and the sets are very good with some especially strong
lighting with streams of moonlight providing atmosphere. The return of General
Martok is another massive plus for the series and he would go on to become one
of the finest semi regulars – up there with Garak, Dukat and Winn. It all feels
as though this has been planned all along since Way of the Warrior but I know
they made these kinds of things up as they went along…which makes the overall
effect doubly impressive! J.G Hertlzer is a revelation as the softer, more
thoughtful Klingon and would finally turn the tide with regards to the Klingon
episodes on this show. Nice for the
events of First Contact to get a mention. Its great to see the Federation
admitting that they are impotent in the face of a Dominion attack – it confirms
what I have been saying all along that they are far to relaxed in their
military approach and ripe for invasion. This is what happens when you think
you are superior and don’t make any allowances for the fact that you might not
be! Destroying the wormhole is a drastic step (nice mention of Professor Kahn)
to prevent the Dominion attack and Kira’s objections help to make this a very
satisfying decision but Sisko’s assertion that they either cut Bajor off from
the celestial temple or it becomes the first Dominion occupied world soon shuts
her up. Bashir’s suddenly appearance is a heart in the mouth moment and the cut
back to the station to the Bashir changeling grinning in the turbolift always
gives me chills.
Only DS9: Every second, every frame, every gorgeous
character moment and revelation of this episode could only come from this show.
Result: ‘The Dominion…they’re coming!’ An astonishing
first part to the story that finally sees the Dominion make a war footing in
the Alpha Quadrant. What’s so spectacular is how it manages to juggle so many
things and still remain entertaining and exciting – long time character arcs
are brought into sharp focus and cause all manner of friction (Dukat &
Garak, Garak & Tain, Kira & Dukat), new arc narratives are kicked off
(the Dominion ships pouring through the wormhole, the return of Martok, the
Bashir changeling) and at the same time the story itself is fast paced, packed
full of character moments and witty dialogue, shocks, action and climactic
drama. It’s a terrific achievement for Wolfe & Behr and is skilfully
directed by Gabrielle Beaumont who clearly knows how to get the best out of her
performers whilst filling the show with effective imagery. Andrew Robinson is a
revelation as Garak and I think they should add his name to the credits for all
the charm, interest and fascination he brings to the show. The last ten minutes
are one gob smacking revelation after another leading to one of the finest
cliffhangers in Star Trek history. In Purgatory’s Shadow is the third
masterpiece of season five and shows just how rich DS9 can be when everything
comes together so perfectly: 10/10
By Inferno’s Light written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert
Hewitt Wolfe and directed by Les Landau
Single Father: Until this point the relationship between
Sisko and Dukat has been one of uneasy allies but with his frightening decision
to join the Dominion (I literally cannot say that enough times in this review!)
they cross the line and are now confirmed adversaries. By the end of the season
they would be seen as the figureheads of their respective sides in this war and
the blazing enemies and these baby steps towards that conflict are gripping to
watch. Both scenes between them over the communicator are excellent, filled
with resentment (Sisko) and smugness (Dukat) in equal measure. The sheer gall
of Dukat suggesting to Sisko that he convince the Federation to join the
Dominion is worth watching this episode for alone!
Tasty Terrorist: Kira looks awesome at the helm of the
Defiant ready to take on the Dominion fleet (‘There sure are a lot of them’
‘That’ll just make them harder to miss’) and manages to hide her shock at
Dukat’s news that he is joining forces with the Dominion behind an expertly
mastered poker face. She promises to kill Dukat the next time she sees him but
she settles for throwing a glass in his face (Ties of Blood and Water). Ziyal
asks Kira a tough question – does she think her father is evil? She manages to
answer it cautiously by saying that people should be judged by what they do,
not what they think or say.
Mr Wolf: If there was still any doubt about Worf bringing
something to this show (not really – he’s been superb in the last handful of
episodes) he truly proves his worth here by going through absolute torture to
ensure that Garak can contact the runabout and they can escape. At first he is
a fresh faced competitor but it isn’t long before he is exhausted and beaten
but still he heads into the ring to buy them more time. This is where Worf and
Martok start to bond and it is an unexpectedly gorgeous relationship between
the two Klingons that would continue to evolve and deepen as the show moves
into its final two years. Martok can see the sacrifice that Worf is making for
the others and states that the spirit of Kahless itself is in him. He would
rather die than yield because it is the honourable thing to do (it’s a good
thing that Dax is not on this mission otherwise she might have a few things to
say about this!). Worf’s compensation for taking such a beating is Dax
straddling him on a bio bed in the Infirmary when they get back to the station
– what a reward!
GE Doctor: Its time to sit back and reflect on just how
awesome it is to be in the know of who exactly the changeling infiltrator is on
the station and watch as he manipulates and sabotages right under the noses of
our crew. Its such an exciting idea you have to wonder why nobody has ever
thought to do it before. I love the very simple but creepy scene of the faux
Bashir in the runabout surrounded by the bodies he has bumped off, faking a
voice and ready to head off into the sun and destroy the station.
Community Leader: ‘The Jem H’adar don’t eat, don’t drink and
they don’t have sex. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Founders don’t eat,
don’t drink and they don’t have sex either! Which between you and me makes my
financial future less than promising!’ – encapsulated in one scene is why Quark
shits all over Neelix for comic relief.
Plain and Simple: The reminder of the animosity between
Garak and Dukat was vital in In Purgatory’s Shadow so we could see him punished
in this episode for his dalliance with Ziyal. His claustrophobia seems to have
come from nowhere and is the one beat that doesn’t quit ring true for me but it
is something that is expanded upon over time and does provide another obstacle
and considering everything else this episode has to offer I’m willing to let it
slide. Facing up to his fear in order to help his friends to escape works a
treat to show a brave, more honourable side to Garak and he walks free of this
episode with the impossible – Worf’s respect. ‘There is no greater enemy than
ones own fears’ ‘It takes a brave man to face them…’ Considering everything
they have both been through here the embrace between Garak and Ziyal is their
reward for their anxiety.
Slimy Snake: You can tell that Dukat just loves pulling the
rug up from beneath Kira when he drops his bombshell, the smug get. He’s right
back on top and loving every second of it – making speeches and taking control
of the planet with sadistic glee. When he says he has done what he has done to
make Cardassia strong again you can see a semblance of logic behind selling his
people out. If only he knew how badly this was going to turn out for them.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Right now I wouldn’t believe your
father if he said rain was wet.’
‘You expect us to join the Dominion?’
‘Tell our friends out there to stand down. Armageddon will
have to wait for another day.’
‘Four weeks? Are you telling me I’ve been hanging
around with a changeling for over a month?’
‘We will see about tomorrow!’ ‘Yes we will…’
Dreadful Dialogue: ‘Deploy the runabouts!’ – as if they are
going to be any use!
The Good: As if the revelation that stacked up in the last
episode weren’t enough to knock the wind out of you (Bashir is a changeling!
Martok is alive! The Dominion invasion has begun! Garak is Tain’s son!) the
concluding part opens with a humdinger of a twist that wipes all of those aside
with one swoop. Cardassia is joining the Dominion and Gul Dukat is taking
charge again! In one scene the writers have managed to completely change the
political landscape of the entire Quadrant, push the Cardassians back into a
position of power, give the Dominion a foothold into the Quadrant, bring to the
surface old rivalries (Kira and Dukat – ‘You and I on the right side. It never
felt quite right. Did it?’) and provide an exciting kick start into this
episode and the second half of the season. What an incredible surprise. Its
that sort of series defining shift that DS9 revels in and TNG shied away from.
There is a real feeling of intimidation as the Dominion fleet remains stock
still watching the station before heading off to Cardassia. Finally the
prophecy of The Rapture (‘Locusts! That’s where they were heading for!
Cardassia!’) makes sense and you realise how well plotted this season has been.
Watching the news reach the prison camp that the Cardassian prisoners are now
free allows us to see this twist play out again for those of the regulars who
weren’t present at the station. Everything about the prison camp from the design,
lighting and the frightening Jem H’adar sentries is gritty and realistic – its
more akin to something like Battlestar Galactica than Star Trek but it looks
all the more impressive for it. The next big surprise comes with the
reconciliation between the Klingons and the Federation. It’s a massive
moment but underplayed amongst all the drama that is taking place elsewhere.
The Klingons taking a beating from the Cardassians (with Dominion support) is a
fascinating notion because they were manipulated into fighting the Cardassians
by the Dominion in the first place. Its clear that the Dominion will do
anything, trample on anyone to ensure their foothold into the Alpha Quadrant
and this shocking reversal of events is history in the making. How wonderful to
meet a Jem H’adar who shows some depth beyond turning on his master but refuses
to kill Worf because he has behaved so honourably. I was genuinely taken aback
by that scene and found his immediate slaughter at the hands of the Vorta just
about perfect. It almost seems cruel to build up to a massive expectation of a
battle only to pull away at the last minute and I would not be so forgiving if
I didn’t know that this was just a tease for the extraordinary battles to come
in A Call to Arms and The Sacrifice of Angels. The Klingon military presence on
DS9 and treaty is another superb development and it is only for the good of the
show that Martok (and in particular Hertlzer) will be staying behind on the
station.
Only DS9: The whole episode, basically.
Fashion Statement: Strangely enough the dirty, bewhiskered
Bashir is a real bit of alright!
Foreboding: It’s the second appearance of the Breen in DS9
before their big impact in the shows seventh season. Dukat promising to retake
the station because it used to be Cardassian property is a promise that would
come to pass in the gripping finale of season five. The Romulans turning up to
join the fight is a real punch the air moment, pre-empting their involvement in
the war from In the Pale Moonlight onwards. What should be a criticism of the
idiocy of the Jem H’adar leaving the runabout in orbit becomes a chilling plot
point in a later episode (Inquisition) so they manage to bypass that criticism
wonderfully in this re-viewing of the show.
Result: ‘Think of it; five years ago no-one had ever
heard of Bajor or Deep Space Nine and now all our hopes rest here…’ Epic,
exciting and unpredictable, By Inferno’s Light manages to snatch away from the
conflict with the Dominion that the first episode promised by offering something
even more bold and landscape changing in its place. Cardassia has joined the
Dominion and this is the catalyst for some of the most dramatic Trek moments
from now until the end of DS9’s run and there is a giddy sense of freshness in
this episode where everything is in flux before the political landscape of the
Quadrant settles down again. Les Landau directs this episode with a real sense
of dramatic momentum and cuts giddily between what is happening at the station
and the prison camp. Worf gets some of his best moments yet, Garak confronts
his fears, Ziyal faces a future without her father and Sisko contemplates a
Quadrant on the eve of war. Its high octane stuff and its very refreshing to
see DS9 deliver on the prolonged promise of the Dominion threat and if you are
disappointed that there isn’t a battle at the end of this feel happy in the
knowledge that your thirst of combat will be more than sated by the series end.
You would think that the developments would overshadow the characters but there
is a skilful balancing act going on her ensuring that whilst you are wowing at
the sweeping revelations there are plenty of little moments that give the story
substance. Another winner with just a few tiny flaws holding it back from
matching the flawlessness of the opener: 9/10
Dr Bashir, I Presume written by Ronald D. Moore and directed
by David Livingston
Everyday Engineer: Once again O’Brien proves what a great
friend he is to Bashir (after having some fun making his hologram walk into a
wall over and over) and he doesn’t judge his friend when he finds out the truth
but takes the time to listen to his story and try to help. There is a
gentleness to their friendship which is unusual between two men and that only
works so well because we have seen this friendship blossom from animosity to
something quite special.
GE Doctor: ‘The word you’re looking for is unnatural.
Meaning not from nature…’ Alexander Siddig may not have been happy with this
sudden undiscussed development of his character but its clear from this episode
and what came after that it was the best decision all round. Finally the
category heading for Bashir I have been using makes sense after five and a half
seasons of reviewing! Has there ever been a leap like this taken with an
established character in Trek before so long after the inception of the show?
Bashir has been cagey about his parents for a long time (he awkwardly told Odo
not to go visit them in Homefront) and we had first hand experience of his
social awkwardness and arrogance in the first two seasons that prove he was
unused to keeping his newfound intelligence. Also it explains the reason why he
wimped out of being first in his class at medical school, to disguise the
secret of his genetic tampering. Now the writers have taken that evidence and
carved out a fabulous reason for it – Bashir was a simple child who would never
amounted to anything so his parents had him genetically engineered to exceed
the intelligence of his peers. He went from being a simpleton to a genius
overnight and was always going to be destined for great things. It’s a terrific
shock and in the wake of Khan and the Eugenics horror (that is name checked
here) makes Bashir something of a rarity in Trek – a human character that
matches the interest of the aliens and someone to be concerned about. He’s
still the same guy but with this new light shone upon him it suddenly makes
sense of a lot of things that haven’t rung true about the character in one bold
revelation.
Bashir being chosen to be the spanking new template for the
LMH medical programme is a feather in his cap and it’s a shame that the dirty
laundry that is exposed here prevents that from happening. He’s quite cagey
about his past as ever when he has to fill out the extensive questionnaire and
asks specifically if Zimmerman would not contact his parents. Its not just his
secret, you get the impression that Julian is genuinely a little embarrassed by
his folks. There’s a moment of awkwardness when Bashir’s father reveals to
Sisko that ever since he was ‘this high’ they knew he was destined for
greatness (in retrospect – ouch!). When he was six he was awkward, small for
his age and certainly not bright – Alexander Siddig gives a masterful performance
in this scene, really capturing the magic of his world suddenly starting to
make sense after the genetic alteration. The drama hits home when Bashir spells
out that any person who has been genetically altered is barred from serving in
Starfleet. He doesn’t want this dragged through the courts and wants to resign
quietly. Finally Bashir gets the chance to have a go at his father who always
comes up with new plans rather than face their problems realistically. What he
learns here was that his parents were never ashamed of him but they tried to
protect him because they loved him.
Community Leader: Quark rather cruelly tells Leeta that Rom
isn’t interested in her when he knows the truth. That’s another difference
between Quark and Neelix that makes him more complex, his ability to harm
people.
Zimmerman: The Doctor is simply the best thing about Voyager
beyond some sterling moments with the female cast and so take Robert Picardo
away from that show and inject him into the infinitely superior DS9 and this
episodes brilliance is assured. I love the story where Picardo admits that he
was nervous to step onto this show and start being rude to actors like Avery
Brooks because he was scared that the intimidating looking man might rip his
head off and shit down his neck! Zimmerman is so condescending and discourteous
here and it brings a great deal of humour to an episode that could have been
very serious. Zimmerman is immediately bewitched by Leeta’s talents and when
she discovered that she dumped Bashir he likes her even more. Picardo doesn’t
even attempt to play this role likeably but there is something about the
characters social awkwardness that makes him amiable all the same. You just
know he was the kid who was always picked last in games and had no friends in
the classroom. You get the impression it is a real chore being as intelligent
as he is and having to explain everything so monosyllabically to everybody
else! Rather than just put the flowers he has brought Leeta into a vase he
starts moving her whole quarters around! The conceit of the man! Leeta calls
him sweet, wonderful and brilliant as she dumps him at the airlock by snogging
Rom and he sees a future ahead of solitary research and dedication to his
chosen field of study!
What’s Morn up to: Morn makes a grab for Leeta’s breasts at
the Dabo table and settles for a kiss on the cheek instead! He’s unusually
silent during his interview with Zimmerman.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘I have brains!’ ‘Sure you do honey,
that’s why I hired you! Now eat up and take those brains back to the Dabo wheel
where the customers can have a good long look at them.’
‘I’m here to make you immortal.’
‘You’re not talking about replacing real Doctors?’ ‘No of
course not! Why is everyone so worried with holograms taking over the universe?’
‘Wow think of it Julian. If this thing works you’re going to
be able to irritate hundreds of people you’ve never even met!’
‘You’re not any less human than anybody else. In fact you’re
a little more.’
‘There’s no stigma attached to success, Chief.’
‘You said so yourself that I’m your legacy, your proud gift
to the world. Well father your gift is about to be exposed as a fraud. Just
like you. You used to be my father. Now you’re my architect. The man who
designed a better son to replace the defective one he was given. Well your
design has a built in flaw – its illegal.’
‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiittt!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiitttttttt! Wait!’
The Good: The montage of interviews with the crew are
brilliantly well done. Taking one subject and (Bashir) and heading through the
characters we get to learn a little more about them and what they think about
him. Sisko (Young, eager, ambitious…sometimes he let that natural impulse
override his sense of decorum), Jake (he gives you way too much information),
Kira (he just doesn’t know when to shut up), Dax (persistently harassed her
with not unwanted advances), Worf (doesn’t like Doctors) and O’Brien (thinks he
is an extraordinary person with a sense of honour and integrity and a great
sense of humour) all have some interesting to say. The very idea of Rom fine
tuning his ears like tuning into a radio signal makes me howl with laughter!
Fadwa El Guindi and Brian George are expertly cast as Bashir’s parents Richard
and Amsha and you get a sense that this is a real dysfunctional family unit
rather than introducing two characters for the hell of it. Bashir’s father in
particular is very memorable as the Del Boy of the 24th Century with
plenty of tricks and plans up his sleeve and a story for every occasion! He is
an expert at bigging up his career when the truth of the matter is much more
mundane and Bashir slaps his hand to his forehead as he listens to his dads
made up achievements. As soon as they start talking about their ‘little secret’
the mind starts reeling with the possibilities – what could they possibly have
done to risk Bashir’s parents going to prison if it was exposed? When the truth
is revealed it’s a shock twice over because not only does it put some of
Bashir’s character flaws into such fine perspective but its revealed to the one
man who wants to discredit Bashir more than anybody. Vulcan Love Slave Part
II – the Revenge! Hahaha! The law against genetic engineering provides a
firewall against such men as Khan Singh but I liked the acknowledgement that it
can also produce happy results such as Julian Bashir. Richard’s punishment of
two years in prison works a treat because it feels like Bashir hasn’t just been
let off lightly and it’s a chance for his dad to finally do something for him.
The gag about the darts shows that even the smallest element of this show can
produce funny results.
Fashion Statement: Chase Masterson is an extraordinarily
beautiful woman and she brings a great deal of glamour and female tenacity to
this show. Unlike Jeri Ryan in Voyager being poured into a costume that leaves
little to the imagination to perform a dull job the whole point of Leeta’s work
is her sex appeal and she has it in spades.
Foreboding: Never one to waste a good idea, DS9 uses
Bashir’s genetic engineering to power several episodes in the future including
Statistical Probabilities, Inquisition, Chrysalis and Inter Arma Enim Silent
Leges. Rom and Leeta’s romance would come into play again in Ferengi Love Songs
and especially in A Call to Arms.
Result: More brilliance from this exceptional season, Dr
Bashir, I Presume is magnificently sculpted piece of comedy/drama that once
again juggles major revelations and character development in equal measure.
Ronald D. Moore is on fire these days on DS9, knocking out one powerhouse
script after another that dazzles with its memorable dialogue and detailed
understanding of the characters. The writers have taken a massive leap with
Bashir here but it was a gamble that would pay dividends because suddenly he
leaps from being a socially inept medical man to a powerfully intelligent
mutant and the storytelling possibilities are endless. If you aren’t a fan of
Rom and Leeta you’re not going to find anything likable in the subplot but I
love them both so I find it an adorable b plot with many gorgeous moments.
Meeting Bashir’s parents are a joy and there are some more fantastic moments
between O’Brien and Bashir that really cements their friendship as the one to
watch on this show. I am extremely pleased with the abundance of character and
development season five has flaunted and this is a great example of DS9 pushing
the envelope of the Trek universe in unusual directions. Outstanding: 9/10
A Simple Investigation written by Rene Echevarria and
directed by John Kretchmer
Single Father: Sisko’s reaction to finding out Odo has spent
the night with a woman made me smile (‘That’s nice’).
Tasty Terrorist: There is a wonderful scene between Odo and
Kira where he reveals to her his dalliance with Arissa at the bar and there is
a complex flourish of emotions that exchange between them. She, complete
unaware of his feelings for her but also slightly jealous that her best friend
has found somebody interested gives him the push he needs to explore this
relationship. It sets things up well for Children of Time where Kira is finally
let into the secret that Odo has been screaming at her with his body language
for years.
Unknown Sample: Odo is still having trouble letting of in
front of his friends (something that will be explored in depth in His Way) and
refuses to take part in Bashir’s latest Bond parody. I love the fact that Odo is
so without guile that he cannot see that Arissa thinks he is hitting on her
because he expresses concern. Now she comes to mention it Odo does have
‘bedroom eyes’ – when he is sans makeup you don’t really notice Rene
Auberjonois’ eyes (Far Beyond the Stars) but when he is masked up and they are
the most expressive thing about him (besides his voice) you can see how
striking they are. It would appear that Odo is willing to set aside the rules
for a pretty lady so perhaps he isn’t as incorruptible as we all thought. Oh no
– turns out it was all a cheat and he was following her the whole time! As soon
as Odo invites Arissa to his quarters to hide away my warning lights went off!
Obviously she can see the potential of having a changeling lover with the ability
to fill every crack (oh I’m so sorry I can’t believe I just said that!).
There’s a lovely moment when Arissa states that being in a gelatinous state
would be very relaxing and you get the impression that he is impressed that she
isn’t disgusted by his form but desirous. Its not quite the powerhouse
emotional climax of Chimera in season seven but its still a step in the right
direction of Odo accepting that people can be interested in him for who he is.
He admits that he was never proud of working for the Cardassians and uses that
to comfort Arissa when she admits she made a mistake getting involved with the
Syndicate. I bet Odo finds crime novels very unsatisfying – he always figures
out who has done it on the third page! Despite the appalling stretch of Odo
falling in love with a woman who never existed you still feel sorry for him,
thanks mostly to Auberjonois’ touching reaction. Give this guy some happiness
guys – lets show Odo how good being love can be!
Mr Wolf: Worf’s reaction to Kira and Dax’s gossip had me
howling – the look on his face screams ‘I don’t know how to get that woman of
mine to shut up!’
GE Doctor: Odo turning to Bashir for romantic advice should
be agonisingly awful (I am cringing at the thought of this scene playing out on
Voyager) but because Julian is so laid back about it and Odo so bashful its an
unexpectedly charming scene between them. He tells Odo that he puts up a good
front but everybody that knows him can tell that he is lonely.
What’s Morn up to: Quark is locking up the bar and has fling
Morn out on his ear. He was probably trying to sneak away so he could suck the
taps dry as soon as Quark had gone to bed.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Don’t shout across the room. If you
want to gossip with us then come down here!’
The Good: Its nice to know there are nefarious goings on on
the station that we (and the regular cast) know nothing it about. The idea of
enjoying a fun night out in Quark’s whilst someone is being hunted down in the
bowels of the station is awesome. Arissa is a pleasantly handled character and
I’m pleased they created a mature woman for Odo to share his first moments of
passion with rather than some ditzy bimbo like Leeta. It’s the second mention
of the Orion Syndicate as this shady underground organisation. I love finding
out about these seedy establishments that fester beneath the glossy Alpha
Quadrant veneer and it is great when we finally get to immerse ourselves in
their squalid activities in next seasons Honor Amongst Thieves. The idea of
being a prostitute of the mind really hits home how insidious this culture is
and that is an idea I thought could have been explored more. The bedroom scenes
are surprisingly passionate (‘I don’t ever want to leave this room’) despite
the appalling image of Odo’s shaven body!
Moment to Watch Out For: The brief scene in the Julian
Bashir: Secret Agent programme is delightful, especially when O’Brien turns up
at the window with his pistol! ‘Car trouble, Mr Bashir? Didn’t anyone ever tell
you you shouldn’t stop for hitchhikers?’
Result: At least we can’t accuse this episode of having a
deceiving title! A Simple Investigation gets all the essential ingredients
right; strong performances from Rene Auberjonois and Dey Young and some
convincing chemistry between their characters, some deft dialogue and a number
of cute cameos by the rest of the cast (I loved Dax’s ‘somebody stop me!’).
When it fails is the two elements that have been so strong of late, its plot
and direction both of which are flat and uninteresting and never generate any
excitement. In a way I wish they had gone for the romance angle without the
lame detective story because you keep waiting for the pace to quicken or for
there to be a clever plot twist and yet we keep heading back into Odo’s bed to
see just how unimaginative he is as a changeling. In five episodes time Rene
Echevarria would try and marry a blistering Odo romance plot to a complex
sci-fi tale and pull it off with dazzling results. Lets just put this down to a
tricky first draft and move on. Charming in spots but utterly throwaway: 5/10
Business as Usual written by Bradley Thompson & David
Weddle and directed by Alexander Siddig
Single Father: ‘You better hope there isn’t a next time,
mister! I have cut you a lot of slack in the past, I even looked away once or
twice when I could have come down hard on you but those days are over. Now we
may not be able to get you for selling weapons but you so much as litter on the
Promenade and I will nail you to the wall!’ Ouch!
Everyday Engineer: Speaking as somebody who’s friend has not
long had a baby I can completely sympathise with O’Brien trying to get
Kirayoshi to sleep (poor Marcella barely gets two and a half hours these days
between feeds). This subplot works because it is again nice to see the domestic
side to these peoples lives but for once this doesn’t really have much to say
about O’Brien’s character other than that he is a harassed father.
Nine Lives: Its clear that Dax always walked a fine line
between loving the time she spends with Quark and finding his business
activities a bit tasteless but now he has crossed the line and shown how many
people he is willing to let suffer in order to line his pockets with latinum.
Dax hits the nail on the head when she asks Quark if he is feeling guilty about
his newfound profession because he immediately starts spilling excuses.
Community Leader: ‘Success or failiure…what’s it going to
be cousin?’ Like Odo being stuck in a humanoid form it feels as if Quark’s
financial problems are being dealt with a little too late (it happened a year
ago and we haven’t seen any fallout as of yet) and I think they could happily
swap this episode’s placing in the season with The Ascent and it would have
made a lot more sense. Saying that it is nice that they are following up on the
promise of the glorious ending of Body Parts and there are worse crimes than
having such a great characters and plots in motions that sometimes the less
important storylines are left a little late to be dealt with. Its heartbreaking
to hear that Quark is finally completely broke and his extraction from Ferengi
society has meant that he hasn’t been able to get involved in any of the
lucrative deals that have been on offer of late. He’s in so much debt he has put
the bar up for collateral to three different brokers and they are expecting a
payout within a week. It makes complete sense that Hagath and Gaila would use
Quark to peddle weapons because he has the holosuites to demonstrate them and
the silver tongue to sell them. The sad truth of the matter is with his
holographic juggernauts to explode and his way with people he is really good
at selling weapons…its precisely the sort of career that he has been waiting
for. I love the fact that throughout the course of this episode (however
nefarious the means) Quark’s debts are written off in a realistic way just in
time for him to wangle a new business licence in Ferengi Love Songs. The scene
in the security office where Odo hauls Quark in to account for himself is filmed
in exactly the same way as in Emissary when we first meet the characters which
goes to show the more things change, the more they stay the same. The look on
his face when he realises that 28 million people could lose their lives over
the deal he is currently making is shocking – Quark suddenly realises the
consequences of these deals and what it could mean to so many people. Watching
his nerves as he sets up both Hagath and the Regent makes the audience nervous
because Quark is usually so cool about everything and the way he accepts the
worst thing that can happen to him is that he will die and that is nothing
against 28 millions lives exposes his emerging conscience. The irony is that
the deal he has to break is the first one that would see him make any profit.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Andarian Glass Beads! These must be
worth…’ ‘an absolute fortune!’ – its all in the delivery!
’28 million dead? Can’t we just wound some of them?’
The Good: It just struck me at the beginning of Business as
Usual about how much leisure time we get to spend with the characters on DS9.
It makes their lives seem somehow more believable than those on TNG who seemed
to spend their time shuttling between Ten Forward and the poker table. Dax
enjoys playing Tongo with Quark, Miles and Julian get their rocks off in the
holosuite playing the battle of Britain or the Alamo, Odo loves his crime
novels, Dabo is seen in practically every episode, Sisko likes nothing more
than a game of baseball, Springball is Kira’s sport of choice and that’s when
they aren’t get down and dirty with their partners (Kassidy, Keiko, Leeta,
Bariel, Shakaar, Worf…). Cousin Gaila has been mentioned ever since seasons
three’s Civil Defense (and possibly even further back than that) so it is very
satisfying to see that he finally makes an appearance. Josh Pais gets how to
play a Ferengi and can learn from the best in Armin Shimmerman and his performance
teeters on the brink of the theatrical but is all the more entertaining for it.
He has that Jeffrey Coombs ability of sounding as though he is relishing every
line. Steven Berkoff is one of those actors that is simply made for the
theatrical and verbose world of Star Trek and I have seen him turn up in so
many shows over the years and always give a good, memorable performance each
time. Hagath is his chance to do a Shatner on us and chew up the scenery and
it’s a delight to watch, he rolls each line around his mouth like a fine wine
before passing judgement on them and seems to be having a whale of a time. Its
quite infectious to watch, he purrs and sighs over the holographic weapons,
enjoys the odd shock such as turning on Quark and shooting him in the chest and
loves showering him with gifts like a smitten lover. There’s a gorgeous upside
down camera angle from Quark’s POV of Odo entering his quarters whilst he is
being wanked off! Only DS9 would dare… Hagath’s little joke with Quark over his
preparations for the Regent’s visit is very funny. Everybody cooing over the
baby in the pit is really cute. Quarks plan to get the Regent and his mortal
enemy to meet and kill each other (and hopefully get Hagath and Gaila caught in
the crossfire) is dark, risky and ingenious.
Moment to Watch Out For: ‘Look out there. Millions of stars.
Millions upon millions of worlds and right now half of them are fanatically
dedicated to destroying the other half. Now do you think if one of those
twinkling little lights suddenly went out that anybody would notice? Suppose I
offered you ten million bars of gold pressed latinum to help turn out one of
those lights? Would you really tell me to keep my money?’ – Wow, that’s an
astonishing speech which really captures the horror and the beauty of Quark’s
dilemma.
Result: Quark is trapped in a horrible dilemma in this
episode and it says something about the confidence of this show that they would
allow their comic relief to face such horrors in the fifth season. Thompson and
Weddle impressed with their subversion of the Trek possession cliché in The
Assignment but Business as Usual is clearly the stronger script by tackling
some meaty issues and pushing its character into dark corners. Alexander Siddig
makes an impressive directorial debut too by tackling this drama with directness
but still allowing for some inventive touches. Often new directors (especially
actor/directors) get bogged down in visual pretension in their debut stories
but this story is brought to the screen with a dazzling self assuredness you
could never tell it was Sid’s first effort. Armin Shimmerman clearly enjoys the
chance to get his teeth into something more dramatic and he is backed up
solidly by Steven Berkoff (his every line makes me howl with laughter) and Josh
Pais. The subplot is either amiable or a waste of time depending on how you
react to such fluff – its certainly not the best b story we’ve seen (and there
are some cute moments) but it isn’t the worst either (he’s in the zone, man).
There’s a great use of Dax in this episode too and its in stories like this
that make his reaction to her death have more meaning. Business as Usual is a
smashing return to form asking tough questions about the morality of men who
sell weapons for a living and as practically the only dark Ferengi episode it
deserves much kudos: 8/10
Ties of Blood & Water written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe and
directed by Avery Brooks
Single Father: Sisko remains polite with Dukat politically
whilst still managing to insult him at every opportunity. He isn’t stupid, he
knows what Ghemor is offering with his secrets is greater intelligence than
they have ever managed to rake up on the Cardassians and could help in the ever
approaching war.
Tasty Terrorist: Any chance for Nana Visitor to emote is a
riveting experience for me and I rate her as one of the finest actors that Star
Trek has to offer. Ties of Blood & Water is a great example of how she can
take a slight plot and make it something special. I’ve heard people complain in
the past that they don’t understand why she gushes so much over Ghemor after
their one experience together but we don’t get to see what goes on in these
peoples lives all the time and it isn’t such a stretch to think that they have
managed to stay in contact and see each other from time to time. There is a
very natural chemistry between Visitor and Pressman (who is also a splendid
actor and you know what magic you can produce when you put two such actors in a
room together in Trek) that completely sells to me the surrogate
father/daughter relationship they have. Even if she doesn’t like to admit it
she is a public figure and her feud with Kai Winn has become something of a
legend. Kira questioning her ability to tend to this sick old man and ask the
right questions is a very natural reaction and is exactly the sort of dramatic
doubt what we didn’t get in The Sons of Mogh when Kurn asked Worf to kill him.
Kira looking after Ghemor whilst he dies has a lovely intimacy to it,
discovering everything there is to know about this man before he slips away. As
well as examining her in such depth we get to meet Kira’s father as well (who
would return in Wrongs Darker than Death and Night – what is up with these
pretentious titles?). Nana Visitor expresses Kira’s tiredness through a throaty
voice which effectively shows how much she is draining. Its fascinating to
watch Kira’s anger when she discovers about Ghemor’s shady past during the
Occupation. She’s not stupid, she knows that pretty much everybody involved in
that whole nasty business had to get their hands dirty somehow and we learn
that she ran away from her own fathers death rather than confront the
uncomfortable emotions that would bring. Here she is using this anger as a way
to avoid those same feelings at Ghemor’s death. It takes somebody very brave to
put your personal feelings aside and to just be with somebody and comfort them
as they slip away and Kira gets to experience everything she missed out with
her real father. It’s a beautifully sold tale that makes Kira an even more
rounded character than she already was. Kira, tired and defeated, expressing
her pain at losing Ghemor at the end broke my heart.
Unknown Sample: Odo is as ever the voice of reason and speaking
as somebody who knows that he (Things Past) and Kira (Necessary Evil) did
terrible things during the Occupation he knows that she isn’t angry about
Ghemor’s service record but something much deeper.
Mr Wolf: Worf is used cleverly to bring the viewers up to
speed with the events of Second Skin for those of you who haven’t seen it. My
advice is that you should at some point as it’s a great conspiracy episode in
season three.
GE Doctor: I love all the tough dialogue that DS9 gives its
characters and even a small moment like Bashir insisting that Kira go back to
Ghemor’s deathbed is loaded with subtext.
Slimy Snake: ‘He doesn’t seem to like you very much…we’re
going to have to do something about your public image!’ Having a Cardassian
and a Jem H’adar guarding Dukat on the monitor is a lovely visual touch of the
latest member of the Dominion. Turning up at the station in a Jem H’adar
warship is the first act of aggression towards the Federation that would
eventually lead to war. Unbelievably Dukat and Weyoun have decided to concoct a
story that Ghemor made a deathbed decision to embrace the Dominion. He really
is a complete toad.
Wily Weyoun: Ladies and Gentlemen allow me to introduce to
you my all time favourite Star Trek character from any and all of the series –
Weyoun! Jeffrey Combs has played a few small roles in DS9 until now (his turn
as Brunt is bristling with comic genius) but Weyoun is the ultimate expression
of his talent, a camp, wily, sinister bureaucrat who sucks up majestically to
his masters and condemns those races that are beneath him. Clearly the writers
could see they were onto a good thing with Weyoun and after the season finale
he is practically a series regular until the end of the show. He’s funny,
surprising and thoughtful and he secures my love affair with this show for
good. The way they skip of Combs’ return with a simple cloning explanation has
to be admired and much is made of this technique as we lose many versions of
this character over the years!
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘I prefer the title Gul. So much more
hands on than Legate, hmm? And less pretentious than the other
alternatives…President, Emperor, First Minister, Emissary…’ ‘How about
‘Dominion puppet?’
‘Sorry to disturb you’ ‘Sorry enough to leave?’
‘Ho ho ho ho! How delightful! Mysterious plots, subtle
innuendos, failed threats…its all so entertaining’ ‘Are
you insane?’ ‘Vorta are immune to most forms of poison. It comes in handy when
you’re a diplomat!’
‘I saw so much death during the Occupation, I felt so much
pain but my father…he was my strength. And I couldn’t bear to see that strength
slipping away’ – Nana Visitor is extraordinary here.
The Good: The idea of bringing back an old character like
Ghemor to help bring down the Dominion is a nice one and it is great to see
this provoke a response from the newfound Cardassian/Dominion alliance. Ghemor
has come to accept that his real daughter is dead but Kira refuses to give up
hope and it’s a lovely moment of acceptance from an old man who cannot dream
any longer. Kira’s plans to set up a government in exile on the station and
counteract the Dominion propaganda is ambitious and it’s a shame that we never
saw that come to pass. A Cardassian tradition where the dying pass on their
secrets to their family to use against their enemies – that’s brilliant
and oh so appropriate for such an sinister species. The flashbacks are
unexpected but very welcome and reveal Avery Brooks skill of scene transition
and judging the tone of the piece. I especially liked the return of Furrell who
died in The Darkness and the Light. There’s something awful about a dying man
who is devastated that his garden, something he has tended and watch grow his
whole life, has been burnt by their oppressors. The lighting for the two scenes
where Kira digs the graves for ‘fathers’ is exquisite, rusty dusk and summery
daylight in turn.
Fashion Statement: Kira looks so different with longer hair,
doesn’t she? Its uncanny what a few smudges of dirt and a red wig can do but
she looks every bit the fiery terrorist of repute.
Result: Paralleling the flashback scenes of Kira’s father
dying with her surrogate father dying on the station gives Ties of Blood and
Water an extra poignancy and polish and tying the story into the Dominion war
arc was a stroke of genius. These elements make what could have been a dreary
character examination something much more interesting and with Nana Visitor and
Lawrence Pressman delivering such strong performances the resulting piece
reduced me to tears before the end. Avery Brooks’ touch is present in every
frame through the sensuality of the direction and he ensures the episode is lit
to perfection. The return of the Dominion can only be celebrated especially
when it brings with it the indomitable Weyoun played to perfection by Jeffrey
Combs and Dukat who has never been more drunk on his own ego. This will never
be a favourite because it is too quiet for that but in its own discreet way
this is another masterful slice of season five: 8/10
Ferengi Love Songs written by Ira Steven Behr & Hans
Beimler and directed by Rene Auberjonois
Community Leader: Armin Shimmerman deserves better material
than this and it pains me to say it but this wont be the last time he is
dragged to such depths (no I’m not talking about Profit and Lace – I really
like that one! I’m talking about The Emperors New Cloak). He greets the news of
Rom and Leeta’s upcoming wedding with all the joy of a suicidal lemming with
nothing to jump off of. Its not unreasonable to want to speak to your mother
when your life has fallen to pieces but the way he throws himself into her arms
lacks any kind of subtle much like the rest of the episode. Quark pining after
his childhood action figures simply isn’t the level of characterisation I have
come to expect from this show. As soon as he realises that the Nagus and his
mother are sleeping together it smells of only one thing…opportunity! We’ve
seen Quark manipulate his way out of some very tricky situations in the past
with his guile and ingenuity (in fact just a few episodes earlier) but watching
him blatantly connive a break up between his mother and the Nagus is badly
written and performed and again lacks any kind of refinement. Its so broad it’s
the Caspian Sea.
Secret Genius: I love Rom but even I find this subplot a bit
too much. If it was tagged onto a more amiable episode it might have worked
better but with two unsubtle Ferengi plots haggling for your attention it all
gets a bit much. He looks daft with a Bajoran earring on for a start. There’s
taking an interest in your partners passions and then there’s looking like a
total prat. It is possible to do one without resorting to the other. He’s
called the least Ferengi Ferengi and that’s probably why I really like him! A
marriage really shouldn’t be on the cards if one conversation with your friends
is enough to make you doubt the veracity of the relationship! Rom asking Leeta
to sign over all of her worldly goods and be a slave to him is such an
outrageously sexist thing to do it is completely out of character and I refuse
to believe that he would do this on the strength of one conversation with Dax.
Leeta has never known the slightest interest in his money so his reaction to
her refusal feels all wrong too. Argh! This is all horrible and after they were
so sweet in Dr Bashir, I Presume! No wait…they manage to salvage it! Rom giving
all of his money to charity thus not having any to protect is desperately
sweet. Now lets forget all about this episode and skip to A Call to Arms and
let the marriage commence!
Wrinkly Tycoon & Flighty Female: Lets face it…Zek and
Moogie make this episode worth watching for a few moments of decent comedy and
that is all. Wallace Shawn is a delight as ever and is playing cute to a factor
of eleven and it mostly works. Cecily Adams takes up the reins from Andrea
Martin and beyond a slight accent change you could never tell the difference. I
really enjoy spending time with these characters which is what makes this
episode such a chore – I don’t want them to turn up in substandard instalments!
Watching these two old wrinklies getting off on the sofa is the last thing I
wanted to see them up to! The idea that Moogie was propping the government up
from behind the throne is a potentially very funny idea but it just doesn’t
work here. The story makes the Nagus look completely daft because he cannot
even hold a single meeting without getting all the details muddled. I fail to
understand how Moogie could brief him in a way that would stimulate his memory
at a later date! Rubbing his lobes? Oh please. The thought of the two of them
shagging at the end of the episode turns my stomach.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Sometimes the only thing more dangerous
than a question is an answer!’ – its Shawn’s delivery that makes this one a
howler!
‘What are you doing in my closet?’ ‘Conducting official FCA
business’ ‘In my closet?’
‘That I was a scheming, profit hungry female who couldn’t
keep her clothes off!’
‘Quark I must say I find your newfound modesty very
annoying’ – again Shawn aces this line.
The Good: The Nagus grabbing Quark’s bag from inside the
closet is bloody funny. Probably the best gag of the episode. The second best
scene comes when Kira and Leeta stroll across the upper level of the Promenade
and discuss her marriage break up. I know, I’m reaching here. The second
episode with Jeffrey Combs in it can only be a good thing…but Brunt is no
Weyoun.
Moment to Watch Out For: Sorry, no.
Result: Unfortunately the most exciting thing that happens
in this episode is the voles being hunted in Quarks and that is just the first
five seconds. I would like to say that removing Robert Hewitt Wolfe from the
mix and adding Hans Beimler is what makes this episode so disappointing but
there is far more to it than that (besides together Wolfe and Behr produced the
other dud of the season, Let He Who is Without Sin). This is third episode in a
row to be directed by a member of the cast and Rene Auberjonois is one of the
most experienced but delivers the least effective episode. He aced Ferengi
episodes Prophet Motive and Family Business in season three and brought season
fours The Quickening to life with absolute beauty. So what went wrong here? The
story is overlit, overwritten, overacted, over padded and lacking in any kind
of nuance that could have made this potentially very funny idea (the Nagus and
Moogie shacking up) work. Armin Shimmerman and Max Grodenchik do their least
effective work with a laboured script that gives them no room to be funny or
dramatic and the plot is so thin you could blow it away with a gentle sigh. The
only thing that kept me watching were the sprightly performances from Wallace
Shawn and Cecily Adams who inject just enough life into the Ferenginar scenes
to make them mildly amusing in spots. Otherwise this is the weakest episode of
he season (along with the excursion to Risa) and the least effective comedy on
DS9 for several years: 3/10
Soldiers of the Empire written by Ronald D. Moore and
directed by Levar Burton
Mr Wolf: There was a moment in the Dominion prison camp when
he had literally had enough of fighting and considered letting them kill him
but Martok gave him his strength to continue. Once Martok knew of his intention
to give up he had to go back into the ring and fight once more. Sisko doesn’t
even pretend to understand, he simply signs the papers that has him released to
Martok’s services because he can see how much this mission means to him. Worf
shows appropriate concern for Dax and anxiety about Martok’s strange behaviour
to make him a fine lover and cherishable first officer. There is a gentleness
to Michael Dorn’s performance that I really admired when he could have camped
it up like some of the guest performers. Now Worf has mutineered against Martok
we don’t have to repeat this exercise again and they can move on to become the
best of friends. Worf has the integrity to take a knife blow for the morale of
the crew and to slip away in quiet disgrace whilst his friend takes all the
glory. Dax (and I) remember why we love this character so much. Worf being
asked to join the house of Martok is deeply touching, especially since we have
seen how much his allegiance to Starfleet has cost him the past. He now has a
knew brother and a new family crest and a sense of purpose.
Nine Lives: You can understand that Farrell might have
become somewhat disillusioned with the role of Dax because although she did
have a hefty involvement episodes such as Looking for Par’Mach and Let He Who
is Without Sin she hasn’t had a showcase episode all year despite her
burgeoning romance with Worf. Turning up for the odd scene in an episode is not
want every actress dreams of and the trouble is the character and the actress
are so confident at this point it is a crying shame that she is the least
exposed at the moment. The irony is that when Ezri Dax turns up she would be
the most explored character of the entire year because there is only that year
to explore her. This Starfleet good time girl who loves her life and had fully
adjusted to the wonder of having so many lives crammed in her head is a delight
and Soldiers of the Empire realises her potential better than any other episode
this year. Dax fits in right alongside a group of disillusioned Klingons and
proves to be more rousing and savage than any of them. We’ve come a long way
from Riker’s cultural exchange in season two of TNG! Dax is so naughty the way
she pretends she is seeing Worf off and then steps on board to take her post
arranged much earlier with General Martok (‘Why did you not tell me?’ ‘Its more
fun this way…’). She picks up a Klingon and throws him on the floor to make her
presence felt and then stuffs her face full of disgusting Klingon food and
drink (bringing three barrels of blood wine with her) – you’ve got to love this
character. It takes Dax (not as his lover but as his colleague) to point out
that this ship is like a powder keg waiting to explode and Worf needs to step
in to make sure that does not happen.
Gentle Giant: Martok refuses to listen to Bashir’s whinings
about what ‘might have happened’ when it comes to suicidal Klingon recreational
activities. He doesn’t want an artificial eye because it reminds him of what he
went through in that Dominion prison camp, it makes him stronger. Taking
command of the Rotaran is the first command he has had since escaping
the Dominion and it thrills me to think this is the first step towards his
eventual path of becoming Chancellor in the final season. I can’t wait to watch
this characters progress, he is a Klingon of rare depth and we are fortunate
that he is played by an actors as skilled as J.G. Hertlzer. Martok isn’t afraid
to step on the bridge of a Klingon ship and admit that he wants to avoid
a fight with the Jem H’adar rather than seek one out. The crew call him ‘the
one eyed giant’ but Dax considers it an honour to serve under him. He’s willing
to let a Jem H’adar ship escape without confrontation to protect their silent
predatory course through their space much to Worf and the crews chargin because
this would have been an easy victory. He feels as though he has a special
insight into the Jen H’adar and considers them to be soulless creatures that
exist only to kill without honour.
Starfleet Ferengi: Nog is just too cute in the pre credits
sequence when he mimes strangling Worf (who hasn’t wanted to do that?)
and gets caught between two towering Klingons trying to slip past unnoticed!
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘On this trip my bed is as empty as
yours, Leskit, except mine is empty by choice.’
‘You are a coward and I challenge you for command of this
ship!’
The Good: Its nice to actually see a revised duty roster
when somebody leaves the station for a while…I’ve always wondered what happens
when a regular goes off half cocked on some mad mission and who gets to fill in their role or whether
they really are that disposable. With regards to Worf’s duties O’Brien is
recalibrating all the small arms on the station (how boring!) and Bashir is the
new intelligence officer (the Federation is in more trouble than we thought!).
I’ve heard people say this could be a pilot for a Klingon based Trek series and
it certainly has possibilities although I probably would have worked harder on
the guest characters to make them more likable had that been the case. It
certainly gives the piece an extra frisson if you choose to think of it this
way and a series with the central relationship between Worf and Martok
certainly would be worth exploring. In fact the way we watch the crew assemble
and then the ship leaves DS9 for its own adventures is very reminiscent of
Voyagers pilot episode. And Worf even gets his own Klingon version of
‘Captain’s Log.’ Worf attempting to carouse this crew with a Klingon song is
effective because it shows just how disheartened they really are and has the
reverse effect at the climax where they have score their first victory and
turns it into a moment of triumph. It also shows how much this character has
lightened up this year. I remember in one episode somebody called serving on a
Klingon ship is like the ancient pirate ships of yesteryear with mutinies and
fights amongst the ranks and its great to finally catch a glimpse of a ship
where that tension and aggression runs riot. There are real verbal fireworks
between Worf and Martok when it appears that the commanding officer is going to
leave Klingon warriors to die and then literal ones as knives are drawn and
they fight each other to the death for command of the ship.
The Bad: David Graf could have taken it down a peg or two as
Leskit who embarrasses during a drunken rant. The director should have stepped
in here and asked for a more subdued retake.
Orchestra: I complained about David Bell’s feeling highly
inappropriate in the fluffy Voyager episode Bride of Chaotica and thinking
about it he is pretty unsuited to Voyager in general. However on DS9 he is very
much at home because his moody, exciting, pulse pounding scores (which are
always excellent by the way, I’m not questioning their strength as music just
what material they are used to compliment) match the tone of many of the
episodes. Here in the trenches of a Klingon ship with tension in the air and
tangible feeling of claustrophobia and restrained anger his music compliments
the episode perfectly.
Foreboding: Its another great journey we go on in DS9 with a
guest character as Martok takes command of this ship and gives the crew a sense
of purpose again. The approaching Dominion war gives the Rotaran a
chance to fight and become the most celebrated ship in the Klingon fleet. These
are the first faltering steps of their relationship together which makes this a
Klingon story worth telling because it has consequences in the future.
Result: I haven’t really enjoyed any of the Klingon episodes
since season three so I didn’t go into Soldiers of the Empire with much hope
but it turned out to be a lot better than I expected. This feels exactly like
the rousing adventure that The Sword of Kahless should have been and it
mixes an exciting mission behind Dominion lines with some real character growth
for Martok who continues to distinguish himself as the best Klingon we have met
in Trek since Worf developed into something special in TNG season three. It’s a
great Dax episode too where she gets to be bossier and more rowdy than your
average Klingon and truly show Worf how well she understands his culture and
their relationship deepens as a result. It’s a occasionally a bit theatrical in
the hands of director Levar Burton and probably would have been a tighter piece
had Kroeker or Vejar taken this assignment but regardless there are some
moments of real tension and terrific action. Worf feels as if he has always
been a part of DS9 these days and Micheal Dorn is giving some his best ever
performances. It thrills me to think that this would be the case until the
series closes. Soldiers of the Empire is worthy of much praise for adopting a
fresh, exciting tone and for pulling off a Klingon episode with this much
style: 8/10
Children of Time written by Rene Echevarria and directed by
Allan Kroeker
Single Father: Sisko doesn’t go through the same emotional
torture of the others in this episode but there are still an abundance of
terrific moments for his character. Look at how he handles the baby like an
expert father, cooing and smiling. Her vicious reaction to being tricked by
Yedrin is a sight to behold and this is rewarded when they hug for the last
time as Sisko heads off to sacrifice himself for them. That moment always
brings tears to my eyes.
Tasty Terrorist: Wow Kira really has a lot of faith in the
Prophets, doesn’t she? After a visit to an orb which gives her the answers that
she has been seeking – that she and Shakaar shouldn’t be together they break up
on the strength of one orb experience. It kind of says to me that this
relationship wasn’t as solid as we have been led to believe (and we’ve seen so
little of it that I am inclined to believe that) and they were both looking for
a reason to go their separate ways. Besides they are both such busy, public
figures these days I surprised they managed to find the time for each other! Oh
and it always frees Kira up to move on to Odo which is a development I have
been longing for since season two’s The Collaborator! Kira’s reaction to Odo’s confession
is very natural – she laughs! But then a dawning seriousness comes over her as
she suddenly makes sense of her wounded looking friend over the years whilst
she has indulged in one romance after another. Kira always believed that they
were all given one destiny, one path and to use science to avoid her death
feels like cheating. The shot of Kira and Odo holding hands and walking through
the sunny glade is one of the defining images I have of their relationship
(along with the kiss on the Promenade, the magical end of Chimera and their
parting in What You Leave Behind). This is truly a fairytale couple defined by
some very magical images.
Unknown Sample: As ever the lack of pretence makes Odo’s
reaction to the news of Kira and Shakaar’s split absolutely clear…to everybody
except Kira. He had gotten used to the fact that she was off the shelf so to
speak and could happily get on with his life (including his own romance with
Arissa in A Simple Investigation). Now she is single again and there is a spark
of possibility that is all he needs to light that burning desire and he has to
try and keep those feelings under control again. When the human Odo shows up he
immediately has an aura of calm about him and wastes no time in telling Kira
that he has always loved her – he has had 200 years to ponder the mistake of
keeping silent and he isn’t going to waste this opportunity. There is something
very reckless about this Odo because he drops the bombshell on Kira and then
leaves his younger completely unprepared for picking up the pieces. One word
condemns everybody in the settlement (‘maybe’) because this is Kira’s reaction
to the older Odo’s question of whether or not they could have had a future
together had he said something earlier, On the strength of that glimmer of hope
he makes a choice that affects 800 lives. Frankly Kira and Odo have to
get together now because the cost of giving them the opportunity was so
high.
Mr Wolf: How lovely that myths have built up around Worf
about his hunting prowess and his ability to kill just by looking at somebody.
Anyone who has been trapped in the path of those eyes will tell you its true!
The Sons of Mogh are Worf’s descendants (some by blood, some by choice) and
they lead a feral, wild existence (a bit like Leela when the Doctor first meets
her in Doctor Who) in the countryside. Its another inspired touch.
Everyday Engineer: ‘And you are afraid to face your
destiny…’ I love the very simple horror O’Brien expresses when he realises
that he eventually had to accept the situation that he would never see Keiko,
Molly or Kirayoshi again and fell in love with Ensign Tannenbaum from
Engineering. At this stage you can see he would never countenance such a
relationship and his mind is working over time to think a way out of this
situation and get back to his family. But a growing horror dawns on him as the
episode progresses that the future he has been told about might be forced upon
him whether he wants it or not. Its astonishing that such a simple idea can
have such far reaching emotional consequences for so many of the crew and it is
riveting to watch them all go through this stage of denial and acceptance in
very different ways.
Community Leader: Quark is the maths teacher – that’s cute!
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘I’ll never forget Worf’s voice when he
said his vows. It was shaking…’
‘Praying over your own grave. That’s got to be a new one.’
‘Who are you to say who lives or dies? Who are you to make
that call?’
‘Time is their enemy. We should help them defeat it.’
The Good: The simple ‘no thanks, I’m trying to come down’
comes back into play just a few minutes later and provokes a big questions mark
over who these people could be. As a paradox this is the most fascinating
example Trek has ever portrayed with the Defiant crew meeting their own
descendant from a crash on this planet that will take place two centuries ago.
It throws up so many interesting questions and then sets about answering them
with absolute glee. What happened to cause the crash? How did people settle
down and who ended up with who? Why did they never try to escape? It’s a
science fiction concept that allows the writer to explore these characters in a
fascinating ‘what if’ scenario that really excites me because on the evidence
presented our heroes are going to have to become these people or wipe this
awesome colony from the face of existence. It becomes an exploration of pre-destination
and accepting your fate once it has been handed to you. As Yedrin Dax Gary
Frank is utterly convincing from the off, a warm and wonderful man who embraces
his old friend and his crew whilst quietly plotting their downfall to ensure
his timeline survives. It’s a complex character with a complex performance and
with Frank in command Yedrin feels very real whatever the script asks him to
do. If it was me in this situation I would be desperate to know who my
descendants were are catch up with them…although this information comes with a
price and the risk that by knowing what will happen it may cause you to change
things in the future (or rather the past if you see what I mean). Until they
pointed out I hadn’t realised that of course 200 years ago the wormhole hadn’t
even been discovered yet – they were literally stranded with no hope coming
from home. If things weren’t complicated or emotional enough with the crew
trying to come to terms with this future that is unfolding before them Kira’s
death throws a massive spanner in the works forcing them to work harder at
trying to escape but resulting in wiping out these people. It’s a moral dilemma
on an epic scale and you can’t help but agonise over how this story can
possibly end without the crew returning to the station. Such a beautiful, beautiful
set up. The idea of two Defiant’s cheating fate by going both ways is fun and I
thought this might be heading the same way as the dreadful Voyager episode
Demon and then pleasingly (and you can take this as a commentary on Demon too
if you like) it is revealed that it was just the lies of desperate man and
logically its full of holes. Yedrin is the one person who could pull the wool
over Dax’s eyes because he has had all her experience plus 200 plus more years
to formulate this plan. I keep getting reminders about how this episode could
have been spoilt – actually showing the two Defiant’s and also having both
Odo’s in play would have gutted the romance story of its heart and made the
ending redundant. This time they just get everything so right. How do
they find such glorious spots for their location work in Trek? The gorgeous
sunny hillside that Kroeker shoots the scenes by Kira’s grave is a feast for
the eyes, skeletal trees and reedy grass swaying in the sunlit breeze. There’s
another one of those ‘everybody tosses in an opinion’ scenes that DS9 does so
well (The Rapture is another great example this year and Rocks and Shoals would
see this feature reach its apotheosis next year) – it shows how well defined
these characters are that they can so confidently express their feelings but no
one person leads the conversation (in particular I love O’Brien’s scathing ‘no
offence Major but I don’t believe in your Prophets!’). The way the plot
cruelly makes us think that the colony will be wiped out and then offers a
grasp of hope before snatching it away so violently is expertly done. Talk
about a roller coaster of emotions! Does the show trip over the edge of the
great precipice of tweeness in the planting scenes? Perhaps, but the excellent
build up has earned a final push of sentiment for these people and showing them
working together and enjoying their lives before wiping them out makes the
twist all the more wrenching. Plus its all filmed on location and looks
beautiful. Plus the shot of the Klingons coming over the hill to help out is
punch the air good (and the triumphant tone reminds me strongly of their sudden
appearance in Sacrifice of Angels next season). I was jumping up and down on my
desk chair as the Defiant approached the barrier and this episode could swung
either way – the build up is so buttock clenchingly good! It makes me laugh
until my balls jiggle to think that Voyager has been through so many thoroughly
tedious anomalies in its time and the one time DS9 plays about with one it gets
it absolutely perfect. Somebody show Brannon Braga this episode.
Foreboding: Dax discovers that Worf and her get married and
they make a go of it in the settlement and Yedrin confirms what she has always
suspected, that he is a good man. This must have helped with her decision to
ask him to marry her in A Call to Arms.
Result: Imaginative, thoughtful and tragic, Children of Time
is another Trek classic from season five and all the more impressive for being
both a creative science fiction tale (which DS9 usually touches) and a
blistering character one (which is their raison d’etre). To make the idea of
the Defiant crew meeting their own descendants work and their deaths pack such
a punch this had to be flawlessly realised. The script does a lot of the work
and the spellbinding direction too but a massive round of applause has to go to
Gary Frank, Jennifer S. Parson and Rene Auberjonois who all act their socks off
and convince as Yedrin Dax, Miranda O’Brien and the older Odo. It’s the
ultimate high concept episode that feeds the characters astonishing material
and keeps you guessing right until the last scene where it hits you with a
powerhouse twist. For Kira and Odo it is a massive leap forward as she
discovers his feelings for her and tries to handle that whilst also having to
weight up the consequences of 8000 lives if she is saved. Their final scene
together left me speechless because it was so restrained and sincere and it
gave me goosebumps as the truth was revealed. Pleasingly the writers haven’t
tried to remove this small yet staggering development and there are hard
conversations to come in the future. Allan Kroeker really is quite a find and I
wouldn’t be at all surprised if it wasn’t due to his deft handling of this tour
de force that he was rewarded with most of the event episodes until the end
of the series. It is much deserved and the look of this piece, especially the
location work is stunning. A complex, emotive puzzle story with many great
twists and turns and packed with sizzling character moments, Children of Time
remains one of DS9’s greatest achievements and can be held high amongst the
finest Trek episodes ever produced: 10/10
Blaze of Glory written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Ira
Steven Behr and directed by Kim Friedman
Single Father: Its lovely to see Sisko smiling so
effervescently before falling into an episode that deals with the inevitable
Dominion war so face on and it is gorgeous that he would make squid with puree
of tube grubs just for Nog who has come for dinner. Is Sisko naïve for wanting
to prevent a war that everybody pretty much knows id coming regardless?
Perhaps, but I think a lot less of him if he didn’t at least try as he does
here. As soon as Eddington mentions Cal Hudson it is like a slap around the
face and Sisko is visibly pained to hear about the death of his friend.
Eddington seems to think that Sisko’s condemnation of the Maquis has something
to do with his ego taking a battering which proves that he has missed the point
somehow. In the case of Eddington himself he might have a point but certainly
not when discussing Cal and the other Maquis members. Sisko’s sereneness when
he tests Eddington’s death wish is brilliantly done (‘You said you wanted to be
blown to pieces by the Jem H’adar. Well it looks like you are going to get your
wish’). I love the way he tosses aside the soul searching in a very un-Star
Trek sort of way saying it can wait until later because they have a war to
prevent. Its moments like that which make Sisko my favourite. That and him
blasting a load of invisible Jem H’adar soldiers to crap! His reaction when he
realises that he has been taken for a ride by Eddington had me applauding – he
grins at the fact that there wont be a Dominion counter strike and then he
punches Eddington’s lights out! It says something about the growth of this
character and the storyline that at the end of this tale Sisko finds himself
hoping that there are still cells of the Maquis that are active and on the run.
A Starfleet officer admitting that he admires a terrorist cell? Bloody
brilliant.
Maquis Leader: I’ve been waiting to catch up with Eddington
ever since Sisko finally managed to manipulate him into giving himself up and
I’m so pleased they didn’t wait an age to deal with this storyline again but
struck whilst the iron was hot. Ken Marshall is so much more interesting now
his character has turned traitor and he really seems to relish his dialogue
condemning the Federation and everything it stands for (and lets face it who
doesn’t love those scenes after years of Picard and Janeway telling us how
glorious it is?). Eddington sat in his cell and heard of the wholesale
slaughter of the Maquis when Cardassia became allies with the Dominion and he
cried all the tears he had for his friends. Sisko offers him his freedom if he
helps him stop the missiles but tellingly Eddington doesn’t want to be free
because he has nowhere to go now most of his friends have been killed. When
Eddington talks about his tomato plants you get a sense of the sort of life he
had before he infiltrated Starfleet and realise that he and Sisko do have
something in common after all. Its past time that DS9 started killing off some
of its guest characters otherwise come the final ten part arc it would be
unwieldy with all these extra characters popping in and Eddington literally gets
to go out in a blaze of glory by saving the woman he loves and the man he hates
which has truly exposes him as a hero at the end. Eddington was a romantic and
what could be more romantic than a glorious death for a lost cause?
Starfleet Ferengi: Unlike Ferengi Love Songs this episode
has a subplot that really compliments its main theme and providing a sense of
levity away from the dark arc plotline. Its also a healthy reminder of where
Nog has come from because when the show began all he was good for was this kind
of agreeable subplot. Jake naughtily outs Nog’s frustration at working security
with the Klingons on board the station because they belittle him at every
opportunity. Nog is another character that has been developed way beyond what
anybody may have expected of him (and with stories like Rocks & Shoals,
Valiant, The Siege of AR-558 & Its Only Paper Moon coming up there’s still
a long way for him to go) so everything I say in the summary can be applied to
him too. The scene where he falls off the chair in Quark’s is so face-in-hands
cringeworthy you cannot help but feel sorry for the guy. Nog’s moment of
bravery when he finally confronts Martok (with a slight hysterical twang to his
voice which is so sweet) is a small moment of triumph for the character. ‘You
are either very brave or very stupid Ferengi!’ ‘Probably a little of both!’
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘You want to blame me for what happened
to the Maquis – go ahead! Blame me. Blame Starfleet! Blame the Federation!
Blame everyone except Michael Eddington!’ ‘The Maquis won their greatest
victories under my leadership!’ ‘Your leadership? Your shining moment of
glory. Michael Eddington gets to take off his gold uniform and play
hero! That’s what you always wanted…to lead troops in a glorious cause! Well
you head your chance! And look where you lead them…right into their graves!’
‘They died because I wasn’t there when they needed me most! Because you put me
in jail!’ ‘They died because you filled their heads with false hopes. Sold them
dreams of a military victory when what they needed was a negotiated peace!’ ‘We
had the Cardassians on the run!’ ‘And they ran right until the arms of the
Dominion. End of story!’ – Wowza, not your standard Trek dialogue and
really hitting home all of the themes in play here.
‘Seems like a perfect time for a song. Anybody know a good
song?’
The Good: Huge mistake on the part of the Klingon Empire who
have provided the Maquis with 30 cloaking devices which they now fear have been
placed on missiles that will be sent to Cardassia in one final, dramatic
attempt to wipe them out once and for all! Which in turn could lead to a
Dominion counter strike against the entire Alpha Quadrant! Now that’s the kind
of pre credits news that I like to hear! How menacing is that shot of the
Starbase security facility with the sun block by its tubular bulk and
silhouetting it? There’s a lovely comment on the artificiality of the
Federation when Eddington talks about eating with fresh ingredients when he was
with the Maquis and forced to chow down on plastic food after he joined
Starfleet. The badlands really do look gorgeous these days and the great thing
is the effects will be even better come season seven’s Penumbra. The Jem H’adar
ships look resplendent arcing through those fiery columns. Sisko and Eddington
heading into misty cloud, crawl through a water irrigation system and explore
corridors – you genuinely get the sense that this a real Maquis base and not
just another studio set. We haven’t seen action sequences as atmospheric as
this since Blood Oath and the hand to hand combat scenes in the mist the
silhouettes Sisko and the Jem H’adar soldier as Eddington tries to take aim is
gripping stuff.
The Bad: One of the things DS9 is guilty of is having to
keep its viewers up to speed with the shows developments. It doesn’t always
trust that the audience will understand what is going on so occasionally there
are choppy moments where a character will recount the plot of an old episode.
Here its: ‘You won. I betrayed Starfleet by joining the Maquis, you swore you’d
track me down and you did.’ If Star Trek was as self aware as, say Buffy, Sisko
would have said ‘I do know that Eddington, I was there!’ as a wink to
the audience.
Orchestra: Fantastic music as Sisko heads into the Jeffries
Tubes to aid Eddington in their escape from the Jem H’adar. Is it me or has the
music on this show improved tenfold this year?
Result: I’ve been trying to put my finger on what season
five has that previous seasons of DS9 lacked and I think I’ve finally figured
it out – momentum. There is a genuine feeling of this series confidently
coming of age and pushing the Star Trek universe into complex and exciting
directions with a real force of dramatic momentum. Its something that TNG
avoided at all costs and its something that Voyager had the potential to be
superb at but chickened out at every single opportunity. Enterprise had a go
but it was more like poking it with a stick gently rather than embracing it.
It’s a risky business which is what makes it so exciting but it feels like the
show has spent its four years incubating something with depth and interest
before finally letting it explode with development and significance. Blaze of Glory is another brilliant example
of this (like Apocalypse Rising, The Rapture, For the Uniform, In Purgatory’s
Shadow & By Inferno’s Light and especially A Call to Arms coming up) in
that it brings the four year Maquis story to a conclusion (and one which has
spilled into two other Trek shows) with a sense of epic tragedy and costing
millions of lives. It does this by tying it into the awesome Dominion thread
having the Cardassians newfound allies all but massacring the lot of them and
the blistering character arc of Sisko and Eddington that so impressed earlier
in the season. It’s a dark, complex, exciting tale with plenty of tough
dialogue and talk of a terrible war approaching and it ends with the death of a
character we’ve come to find great depth in. Avery Brooks and Kenneth Marshall
once again spark off each other brilliantly and there’s more delicious visuals
from the ever reliable Kim Friedman. With tales like this under its belt its
come as no surprise to me that DS9 is the one Trek show that has left behind a
legacy of fascinating storytelling and risk taking and it brings to an end a
storyline that has provided much drama over the years in time for an even more
exciting arc plot to take its place. I love it: 9/10
Empok Nor written by Hans Beimler and directed by Mike Vejar
Everyday Engineer: The episode seems to want to push the
idea of O’Brien being a killer during the Setlik massacre which is rarely
mentioned these days so it seems to have come out of nowhere. By having four
three young people die under his command it pushes the ‘torture O’Brien’ effect
too far. The episode wants to suggest that this is a battle of wills between
O’Brien and Garak but they have never shown any animosity towards each other
before (Kira and Garak would have been a different matter) and because neither
them do anything ingenious (its just a fist fight) and so the episode fails to
say anything about either character beyond the fact that they are both men.
Plain and Simple: Like Things Past this is a very odd use of
Garak. Most episode where he features heavily glimpse into his fascinating past
and are built up around him so that no other character could have replaced him
in that role. Both of these episodes are standard Trek adventures that could
have featured anybody other than Garak – Kira used to be a killer, Worf is
pretty psychotic at the best of times and Sisko is bloody terrifying when he
gets in a strop! Any one of them might have been as effective. Compare this
with In the Pale Moonlight next year and you see what I mean – nobody but
Garak could have manipulated Sisko in such a way. Still for the first. It’s
also a bit obvious that Garak is one who is signalled out to go gaga when
perhaps one of the red shirts might have been a more intriguing alternative and
we had seen our normal Garak’s natural survival instincts come into play. His
schizophrenic behaviour signposts his transformation into the villain and it
would take someone pretty incompetant to not make the (very small) leap that
since he is a Cardassian he might be affected in the same way. It’s a script
that wants to push Andrew Robinson into the role of a Jack Torrance type role
(‘Heeeeere’s Garak!’) but the appeal of Garak has always been his
sinister campness and ingenuity of turning him into a ranting villain is so
over the top he becomes a comic nasty and a bit silly. He’s basically the ultra
arch mirror universe Garak set in a world of savage deaths and violence and the
two don’t juxtapose well. It comes as no surprise that in both cases (the
mirror universe and this episode) are amongst Andrew Robinson’s least
favourites.
Starfleet Ferengi: We’ve had episodes now where Kira, Martok
and O’Brien all give shining reports about Nog’s hard work…he really isn’t the
same Ferengi we used to know, is he? I just love it when he turns up in an
episode because Aron Eisenberg is so good at brining this character to life so
amiably. I don’t think there is a single appear where Nog appears where I don’t
grin along with him at some point and the way he leaps about with his massive
rifle like a mini-Rambo here made me howl with laughter.
What’s Morn up to: Propping up the bar as usual.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Its just that lately everyone seems to
trust me. Its quite unnerving. Next thing you know people are going to start
inviting me to their homes for dinner!’
Dreadful Dialogue: ‘It looks like I’ve capture your piece,
Chief! If you want it back you’ll have to take it from me!’ and ‘You have no
idea how much I’d love to pull this trigger but I need you alive!’ and ‘Put it
down! Or say goodbye to the Ferengi!’ and ‘I’m tempted to end this right now
but that would be depriving me of too much enjoyment!’ and other such similarly
florid Garak the killer dialogue.
The Good: The gas leak that chokes Nog after he butt licks
O’Brien and says he has done an amazing job on repairing it is very funny. And
it does give us a good enough reason to visit Empok Nor. The sheet bald faced
cheek of setting this story on an exact replica of DS9 has to be singled out
for praise and logically it does make sense that they built more than one ore
processing facility (did Starfleet only build one Starbase?). Take out the hum,
turn down the lights and put Mike Vejar in charge of the episode and suddenly
you never even think that Empok Nor is reusing the same old sets we see every
week. I love the idea of DS9 dabbling in the TOS/TNG love of having redcoats
accompany O’Brien on this mission for the prime reason of being killed horribly
– it’s a wonderful horror film convention to whack off the people who are the
stars of the feature. What Empok Nor does really well where episodes such as
Learning Curve and Good Sheppard failed is to give these four characters
distinct personalities in such an economic space of time. In all the good
horrors you have to care about the victims to make you really scared and these
four (the nervous Bolian, the geeky war insignia collector, the butch female
and the arrogant man) all come to life with ease. It feels as though we are
losing people and not faceless targets. Watch how the camera edgily turns a
corner as Garak makes his way through the airlock to deactivate the booby
trapped systems – Vejar knows how to make this entrance to Empok Nor as edgy as
possibly. Then as the lights come on the camera glides menacingly along the
stasis tube containing one of the vicious Cardassian assassins. I love the
feeling of claustrophobia once the runabout is destroyed and they are trapped
on the station at the mercy of the assassins. The very sweet Boq’ta having his
neck snapped so audibly is exactly the sort of unpleasantness that a good
horror should promote. Hurrah for Vejar who doesn’t let us down even when the
episode has gone to the dogs and his gripping handheld camerawork as O’Brien
approaches Garak on the Promenade is gorgeous.
The Bad: Garak accidentally touched the biogenic compound
that turns him psychotic? That’s a pretty lame reason for his transformation
and it seems to suggest that he isn’t a natural predator. Oddly for an episode
that seems to want to torture O’Brien (because they are always so good) it
pushes the point so far and so loses a lot of its intent. Amaro’s death is the
only one that doesn’t work because it is packaged as a surprise but it is
signposted from the beginning of the scene where Garak observes their attack.
The corpses hanging from the ceiling isn’t frightening, its absolutely
hilarious! 'See you around' is how they end the episode with no discussion of
their out of character behaviour because they seem to want to forget as much as
we do!
Orchestra: Nope, its not my imagination! The music is
definitely miles better this year as exemplified by this electrifying score. It
knows when to shut up and allow the atmosphere to take over (Pachetti’s death)
and there are moments (O’Brien heading down the Promenade to face Garak where
it is extremely effective.
Foreboding: There’s a wonderful mention of this episode in
Rocks & Shoals next year.
Result: As a man who happily embraces the horror genre at
every opportunity Empok Nor is a visual feast and contains exactly the sort of
atmosphere, shocks and sense of anticipation that I expect from all good
slasher flicks. Mike Vejar manages with a minimal redress of the main sets to
convince you that we have visited a completely different location and there
were a few moments where I literally jumped out of my seat. All good.
Unfortunately the last two acts devolve into something of a camp farce as Garak
comes under the spell of the drug, kidnaps Nog and hunts down O’Brien. Its all
a bit much and (unthinkably) Andrew Robinson seems at a bit of a loss as to how
to play Garak without any of the usual subtleties and wit. Strangely for DS9
there is no b story for an episode with a plot this flimsy so there is no
respite either. Hans Beimler has written the antithesis of The Rapture earlier
in the season, trading subtlety and sensitivity for spectacle and shocks. It’s
a grim piece that I will happily rewatch simply because the atmosphere of the
first half an hour is so menacing its tangible but its also a rare example of a
Trek episode that shows massive potential for much of its running time but
completely dive-bombs before the credits. Empok Nor is an oddity for sure…I
prefer the comic excesses of The Magnificent Ferengi and the gloriously mad
religious antics of Covenant (also set here) but this definitely has its share
of hair raising moments: 6/10
In the Cards written by Ronald D. Moore and directed by
Michael Dorn
Single Father: What is the worse news you can possibly
receive if the Quadrant is on the brink of war? Kai Winn is visiting the
station! Bad news for Sisko, great news for us! Sisko tries to condemn
the Dominion for driving a wedge between the Federation and Bajor but Winn
reminds him that it was he that achieved that during the events of Rapture. She
asks hard questions of the man that she knows that he cannot answer satisfactorily
– would the Starfleet devote its entire fleet to protecting Bajor even at the
cost of Federation worlds? Clearly the Dominion is offering a better kind of
protection that Starfleet ever could and Sisko is to blame for that.
Mr Wolf: Worf staring at the wall in complete borderm rather
than socialise with his truly depressing friends is hilarious.
Everyday Engineer: O’Brien gets to shoot those rapids thanks
Jake and Nog’s whirlwind tour of the station!
GE Doctor: Bashir can’t be dragged away from his research
but the big softie wants his teddy bear back from Leeta. Cue the wonderfully
seductive scene of Nog blowing in the sexy Dabo girls ear in order to
extraction the bear from her arms whilst she sleeps.
Young Sisko & Starfleet Ferengi: I never thought we
would see the day that Jake and Nog who were the masters of the adorable
subplots in the shows first couple of years who be promoted to taking charge of
a whole episode of their own in a similar, gigglesome style. Cirroc Lofton has
been underused this year (aside from his standout turn in Nor the Battle) and
this is a fabulous showcase for his and Aron Eisenberg’s addictive chemistry.
If I were going to hang around on the station its these two that I would want
to spend my time with. Watch as Jake leads Nog around on leash throughout this
episode, emotionally blackmailing him into getting their hands on a gift for
the man who made it possible for him to enter Starfleet Academy. When they lose
out in the auction Nog actually suggests they try and cheer Sisko up with a new
pair of shoes! What a douche! When did Jake become the crazy one coming up with
the hair brained schemes and Nog the straight man? They are much funnier this
way around. Nog is smart enough to realise that if they give people what they
want they will be more inclined to help them get the supplies they need and so
this becomes a lovely fairytale of the boys making everybody’s wishes come true
to obtain the baseball card. The jokes that Jake injects into Kira’s speech are
agonising but not as bad as that deafening Klingon opera! I hope Sisko
appreciates everything they are going through for him! Thanks to Jake’s insane
theorising they wind up accusing the Kai of kidnapping and murder! You’ll never
hear a more ludicrous plot explanation outside of a Brannon Braga script than
Jake’s flight of fantasy (tossing in all of Braga’s favourites…time travel,
paradoxes, etc). Even Nog is astonished when Weyoun says ‘I believe you.’
Wily Weyoun: I also love Weyoun! He like Winn has a
way of taking control of a situation and he manipulates everything that Sisko
says into a compliment on his behalf! He can’t help but get involved with the
comic madness going on in this episode and its amazing how this rakishly
idiosyncratic character can step convincingly into drama and comedy.
Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Here, find something you like and make
a bid with all that latinum you have stashed under your bed’ ‘Shh!’ ‘Oh Nog,
you don’t really keep it under your bed?’
Sisko: ‘I’m concerned. The Dominion is notorious for its
political intruige’ Winn: ‘I have some experience in that area as well.’
‘Its Kismet’ ‘Kiss you?’
‘Lions, Geiger’s, Bears…’ ‘Oh my!’
‘Even in the darkest moments you can always find something
that’ll make you smile.’
Genres: Every now and then I wind up in an argument with a
Babylon 5 fan (who are a small but extremely vocal group) and find myself
having defend DS9 which they naturally consider an inferior show (which is a perfectly fine opinion –
different strokes and all that but I disagree strongly). One of the reasons I
pull out of my hat frequently is the way this show hops from one genre to
another with absolute confidence whilst still remaining exactly the same show
whereas Babylon 5 has a singular tone that if you can’t buy into it you are
completely at sea. I might also mention the better performances, production
values, quirkier characters and superior dialogue but that would be churlish to
mention when that is not the point I am trying to make. Season five has been a
masterful example of what I am talking about – there has been comedy that is
both domestic (Looking For Par’Mach), nostalgic (Trials & Tribble-ations),
cuddlesome (In the Cards) and even tragic (Ferengi Love Songs). There has been
arc dramas that have driven the story on in exciting ways (Rapture, In
Purgatory’s Shadow, Call to Arms). Out and out horrors (The Darkness and the
Light, Empok Nor). Character drama that has been quirky (The Ascent), adorable
(The Begotten), vicious (For the Uniform), revolutionary (Dr Bashir, I Presume)
and heartbreaking (Ties of Blood and Water). Action tales (Apocalypse Rising,
The Ship, By Inferno’s Light). There’s even been room for some old Trek clichés
– possession (The Assignment), Klingon drama (Soldiers of the Empire) and a
temporal twister (Children of Time) all pulled with fresh style. All of these
episodes are so different and yet (for the most part) have a uniform confidence
and style that makes them very much part of the same show. Its when I started
watching In the Cards which is so different in tone to Empok Nor and yet just
as focussed in its genre that this really drove the point home for me. The best
Babylon 5 can manage in its uniformly dramatically focussed season three is
dreadful tales such as Exogenesis and Grey 17 is Missing proving that when they
try and break away from the formula it just doesn’t work. DS9 has
verisimilitude and a malleable format that allows it to play about with many
different genres – it might not be juggling Empires every single week (although
it does a fair bit of that as well) but it does have the bravery and the
confidence to be a television drama with a truly multifaceted personality.
Moment to Watch Out For: Sticking Winn and Weyoun in a scene
together is my idea of pure bliss. The two of them standing there grinning at
each whilst quietly loathing each other is so funny and their parting exchange
made me crack up. ‘I feel that we are very much alike…’ ‘No. We are nothing
alike. Nothing at all.’
Result: In the Cards is a marvellously curious beast that
seems to have the split reputation of being either a quirky classic or an
amiable oddity and I would say it embraces the latter whilst many scenes touch
upon the former. It’s a wonderfully entertaining pause before the show steps up
another gear and showcases the Jake/Nog relationship (and certainly Lofton and
Eisenberg’s chemistry) at its finest. Michael Dorn is another actor to take a
chance in the directors chair and he touches upon a sunny atmosphere whilst
exploring the episodes daft characters and scenarios. I love the way it
subverts our expectations by making the Jake & Nog quest story the main
plot and tucking away the possibility of Bajor joining the Dominion as a
subplot. A few years ago it would have been the other way around without doubt
but it says something about the confidence of this show that they want to make
you smile in the face of Dominion adversity before a war erupts. Oh and its
very funny too and rooted in the characters it has an charming honesty about
it. The best joke being that whilst we are watching Sisko dealing with all the
usual dramatic stuff this is exactly the sort nonsense that goes on in the
bowels of the station! Hugely enjoyable and utterly irreverent, this wrong
foots the viewer perfectly by making them smile in time for the fireworks of
the finale: 8/10
Call to Arms written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt
Wolfe and directed by Allan Kroeker
Single Father: The really have built Sisko up as something
special in the last two seasons and Jake spells that out in no uncertain terms
when he cries ‘You’re news!’ Sisko takes the bold step of endorsing the non
aggression pact between Bajor and the Dominion because he cannot tell which way
this fight is going to go and wants to protect the planet he has become so
attached to no matter what. As an effective military leader you have to know
when you are beaten and as soon as the minefield is activated Sisko orders a
tactical withdrawal. Its an astonishing moment because despite all the talk of
Romulus and Bajor signing non aggression pacts with the Dominion this is
Sisko’s home that is being torn away from him. Now its personal. His
speech in front of the Bajoran shrine to the station populace admitting that
when he first arrived he wanted to be anywhere else but here but over time it
has become his home and they have become his family is deeply moving. That’s
the sort of occasion you stress the bond of a family, when the chips are down.
Not in every other episode like Voyager (where it is repeated so much it loses
any meaning).
Tasty Terrorist: Fallout from Children of Time as Kira and
Odo find it hard to even acknowledge other since she discovered that they have
feelings for each other. Of all the people to reveal this to though Dax would
not be my first choice as it will likely be spilled all over the station before
too long! Proving that they are adults and their friendship means something
they decide to put their feelings aside until the current conflict is over. It
looks like this is a particular relief for Kira and it would lead to a stunning
examination of their relationship during the six part arc that kicks off season
six. I can’t wait. Brilliantly Kira says her official Bajoran twaddle about
Sisko’s refusal to hand over the station before standing by his side ready to
fight with him. What a woman.
Everyday Engineer: Wisely O’Brien has packed Keiko, Molly
and the baby off to Earth for a while especially considering where this episode
ends up.
Nine Lives: I can’t believe they managed to slip in Dax
asking Worf to marry her in all this chaos. Its all the more effective for it
because it means Worf truly has something to live for as the fighting continues
and we have wedding to prepare for when and if the station is retaken.
Community Leader: Quark is deeply critical of his brother as
ever and thinks that any marriage where the female is allowed an opinion (and
clothes!) is doomed to failiure!
Young Sisko: Jake has taken a job with the Starfleet news
service so he can see his work in print but has the unfortunate effect of
having to leak information his father has told him.
Secret Genius & Dabo Girl: Rom and Leeta are getting
married in a few days time and they still haven’t decided on a wedding dress!
Its nice to know that in the preparation for an intergalactic war there is
still time for such domestic minutiae. Rom asking Sisko to marry him makes me
chuckle every time. The wedding ceremony is understated and rather beautiful (I
found Nog’s declaration ‘Moogie…’ to be very touching) and it definitely helps
that Quark is there to take the piss out of it all. He makes everything that
bit more real (‘I give it two months!’). Rom mis-quoting Casablanca should be
horrendous but somehow it really breaks my heart…it must be the anticipation
elsewhere that makes me cling onto the warmer moments. The scene where Rom
admits that he is remaining on the station because he wants to look out for his
brother because he loves him and Quark kisses him on the head (‘you’re still an
idiot’) is one of their best ever scenes together and truly the sort of
tearjerking moment that comes from years of developing these characters to this
point. Absolutely beautiful.
Wily Weyoun: How good is Jeffrey Combs in the scene where he
tries to convince Sisko to take down the minefield? First Weyoun tries to
threaten him, then he tries diplomacy and finally he attempts a tragic tale of
Cardassian suffering in the wake of the Klingon invasion. It takes an actor as
strong as Combs to slide from one manipulation technique to another so
effortlessly. His striking blue eyes shine out from the screen as he dishes out
one lie after another.
Slimy Snake: Whilst there was much excitement to be had
watching Sisko and Gowron growl at each other over the view screens in Way of
the Warrior it is so much more rewarding with Sisko and Dukat because theirs is
a long standing, much explored relationship that has recently made them
adversaries. Dukat is drunk of the power and confidence the Dominion fleet
gives him and cannot wait to reach Deep Space Nine and reclaim the prize that
was stolen from him at the end of the Occupation. It all feels very personal
and vicious and that makes it even more exhilarating. ‘I’ve been waiting for
this moment for five years!’ ‘First we retake Deep Space Nine and then…onto
Bajor!’ I think I might piss my pants with excitement!
Plain and Simple: Garak’s tale to Ziyal about a brilliant
man who set up shop in a stronghold of his peoples most hated enemies reminds
me of what a brilliant character spec he has. Andrew Robinson can sell these
speeches so effectively. Garak remembers the chance he had to shoot Dukat in
the back (‘it’s the safest way’) in Way of the Warrior and now everybody on the
station is going to live to regret his decision. His admission that he has
nowhere else to go with Dukat taking up residence on the station is very
humbling but Sisko can knows a useful ally when he sees one.
Gentle Giant: Who didn’t cheer when Martok turned up to
protect the Defiant and blew the crap out the Jem H’adar ship that was dogging
their every step?
What’s Morn up to: Morn is there as Sisko gives his speech
but soon scarpers as the Dominion approaches to take over!
‘One thing is certain we’re losing the peace which means a
wear could be our only hope.’
‘You have two choices. Either you remove the mines or we
will take this station from you and remove them ourselves.’
‘I promise I will not rest until I stand with you again here
in this place where I belong.’
‘A message from Sisko. He’s letting me know - he’ll be
back…’
The Good: Isn’t it rather wonderful that one of the most
powerful Trek episodes of all time opens with a scene discussing a wedding
dress that is little more than two handkerchief and a loin cloth. A small
moment but it expresses just how atmospheric Allan Kroeker’s direction is –
Quark on the stairs with the light shining from them. It could be such a boring
shot but he makes it look great. What a daunting image all those Jem H’adar
warships spilling out of the wormhole are. The tides are turning in the Alpha
Quadrant and there is no more time to fight against them. Even the Romulans
have gotten into bed with the Dominion because they can see exactly where this
is heading – all out bloody, costly war! Mining the entrance to the wormhole is
an inspired idea to prevent the Dominion sending any more reinforcements to
Cardassia – it might be the spark that ignites the conflict but at least it
gives them a better chance of winning. And I love that it is a comic character
like Rom who thinks up the idea of self replicating mines. It just goes to show
that all that development for the character this year has lead to something
truly vital. The news that Starfleet wont be sending any reinforcements to
protect the station adds to the palpable sense of tension with only the Defiant
and the runabouts (pah!) to protect them it looks like it is going to be a
short fight. After Weyoun’s visit Sisko realises that the Dominion are going to
attack straight away and it becomes a race against time to get the minefield
completed before they arrive or they may lose the station for nothing.
With such a dramatic sweep of events has Star Trek ever been this exciting?
Bajor in a non aggression pact with the Dominion – what is going on? How can
anything ever be the same again? There’s a gorgeous crane shot that reaches
from the escaping citizens on the lower level to an impotent Odo sitting on the
upper level. Come the scene where Worf activates the weapons array I was
literally salivating for the fight to begin! Explosions blossom and bloom
against the stations shields as the Dominion fires their first shots prompting
Sisko to let rip a volley of torpedoes and phaser bolts that tear through their
ships. Its an effects extravaganza and with the bombastic music, sudden cuts to
Ops and Dukat’s ship and dynamic pace - one of the most effective action set
pieces Trek will ever offer. Before the gob smacking defeat of losing the
station we get to punch the air with glee as the minefield is activated and
they wink out of existence one by one. Sisko’s parting gift to the Dukat and
Weyoun is to completely disable the station in his wake (‘if Dukat wants the
station back…he can have it!’) – how have we come to this? Where we are
cheering at the destruction of the station! Everything has turned on its
head! That magnificent shot of the Jem
H’adar pouring onto the station from the airlock down the Promenade
encapsulates everything this is great about this episode. They even set up the
potential conclusion in the next episode by having Weyoun admit that their
position on the station is vulnerable and cutting to a vast Federation fleet. I
would have been so easy to have wrapped all this up in a big battle in the
opener to season six. But we’ll leave the easy resolutions to Voyager because
I’m beyond excited at the six episode arc that awaits at the beginning of next
year.
The Bad: Behave yourself!
Moment to Watch Out For: The station ripped from his hands,
Sisko limps away in the Defiant to join an impressive looking Federation war
fleet to turn around a kick their butts. Dukat discovers Sisko’s baseball and
recognises it as a sign that he will be back. This is the epitome of a grand
cliffhanger and I remember when I first watched this I was literally screaming
at the television when the dramatic shot of the Federation fleet hurtling
towards the screen faded into the credits! Erm, do I have to watch the end of
Voyager season five?
Orchestra: What was I saying about the music this year?
Wowza! The score for Call to Arms is extraordinary with early grumblings of war
accompanied by a slow build before exploding with excitement as the fighting
breaks out. I can literally whistle the music to some of these scenes during
the battle it is that memorable (or maybe I have just watched this episode too
many times…).
Foreboding: There are so many threads to be picked up after
this episode I don’t know where to begin. Its ending one chapter but beginning
so many others. Kira and Dukat living on the station together. Jake choosing to
stay behind. Rom infiltrating as a Starfleet spy. Sisko vowing his revenge.
Where’s the season six box set?
Result: Call to Arms brings a grand season of Star Trek to a
close on a riveting, climactic note and remains in itself one of my favourite
episodes of the franchise. There is a dramatic impetus to this piece that has
the same disquieting effect as By Inferno’s Light that everything is shifting
for the worse and there is no way to fight it. The writers do a great job
showing the preparations for a battle but at the same time don’t forget their
best weapon, the characters, and everybody gets a moment to shine from the
regulars to the recurring guest cast. When the fight comes it doesn’t
disappoint and technically it is a masterpiece of direction and effects as we
fly between one side and the other and watch each of their reactions to the
fireworks. DS9 has been promising a war for years now and this is the exquisite
first step to rewarding the viewers patience. Avery Brooks holds this episode
together with a masterful performance and I have never felt that his protection
of his crew and Bajor has been stronger. The dialogue is gorgeous, the pace
relentless and the atmosphere disquieting and it all ends on a powerhouse
cliffhanger that threatens to topple The Best of Both Worlds for sheer effect.
I must have seen this episode ten times already but I still had that giddy
feeling in my stomach watching it again. And do you know what makes this even
more special? They don’t throw the reset button at the beginning of the next
episode! This threat is real and its here to stay! Absolute perfection: 10/10
2 comments:
I'm glad that we both view "Children of Time" as a classic. It feels like no one else agrees.
Post a Comment