DVD, DS9 S3 (Explorers)
There are few episodes in the pantheon of Trek adventures in which nothing bad happens, threat being the main motivator in science fiction or space action stories. Threats are not always necessary to craft a genuinely enjoyable tale as proved by this entry, late in Season 3. Detractors might claim it veers too close to soap opera with the introduction, brief as it was, of Dabo girl Leeta (difficult from that scene to imagine the growing prominence such a tiny cameo would lead to), and Bashir's personal life, revolving around his old feelings of inadequacy, and Jake's decisions about his future, but there's far too much warm-hearted pleasantness to care about the style.
Bashir's worries about former classmate Dr. Lense (who would go on to play a starring role in Trek fiction) may stem from his constant fear of being discovered as a fraud, the old excuse about the pre-ganglionic fibre being mistaken for a post-ganglionic nerve sounding thinner each time it's mentioned! At this stage in the series we don't know about his secret, so the competitive nature of the classmates is seen as the cause. Lense may not be quite as intelligent as she's made out to be if she thinks an Andorian would have a name like Julian Bashir, but it made a plausible excuse for the way he's ignored.
It's one of the most English episodes ever, thanks to O'Brien and Bashir's rousing drunk rendition of 'Jerusalem', as well as the fact that the CG creation (the first full-CG ship in Trek?) of the Bajoran solar sailing ship was made in England! The friendship between the two British Isles crewmates came out of nowhere, like in real life - there was no sudden realisation that the two were friends, just a gradual understanding between them as the Doctor wore the Chief down. Since Keiko's absence they've become closer than ever and all this is laid out straight in a way that isn't often attempted thanks to the subtle style of the series: "People either love you or hate you. When I first met you I hated you, but now... I don't." A similar funny moment would occur in one of the last episodes of the final season when the two are in Sloan's mind.
Jake's uncertain career gets a boost with the discovery of his writing talent as revealed by Mardah earlier in the season. She may have left, but Jake's aspirations have continued, culminating in an offer of a writing fellowship from the prestigious Pennington School in New Zealand - so we now know the Kiwi islands have more uses than the penal colony Tom Paris was incarcerated in! Jake's friendship with Leanne has been repaired after the disastrous double-date he and Nog went on, as he's looking forward to her return from Bajor. He's happy to put his career on hold for at least a year, partly because the station is such a good place for experience, partly because he doesn't want to leave the old man alone, and partly because, with Nog likely to be leaving for Starfleet Academy, it would be a bit too much to take Jake out of the series too. They could have had Jake and Nog involved in regular adventures on Earth, but that might have pushed the envelope beyond the series' remit further than they were ready to do at that time.
As well as Leeta's fleeting introduction we're also introduced to Sisko's beard and the possibility of a freighter captain that would turn into the solid form of Kasidy Yates. The beard could be a sign of Sisko's leave - he certainly behaves as if he's on holiday, taking a few weeks off to build the ship and then going off on the trip. Dax behaves quite motherly towards him, bringing him food and talking about his son. Amid the murky and dangerous future she's pleased to see the Commander enjoy himself. His enthusiasm and utter absorption recall 'Dramatis Personae' in Season 1 when he spent most of his time crafting a clock. The happy distraction displayed here is a far cry from the sinister obsession of that Sisko! He would later wish to build a cabin on Bajor, so his reputation as 'the Builder' was more than just a metaphor for the building up of Bajor. They could easily have nixed the beard after this episode when he's returned from his break, but it worked, so they didn't.
There is a multi-cultural side running through the episode with lots of races mentioned. Bashir being mistaken for an Andorian is the best (though I was sure his friend's name was spoken as Erit, yet the Encyclopedia has it down as Erib), but there's also room for Kira to call O'Brien a Cardassian for his doubt at the space-worthiness of the ancient ship. Funny to think how different things would be between them in the space of a year and a bit. He calls her a Romulan for claiming invention of everything first (like the old rivalry between Scotty and Chekov, both always claiming things for their respective nations!). A less noticeable race are the Napeans, as represented by Daniel Kwan in the 'TNG' episode 'Eye of The Beholder'. In one scene in Quark's bar what looks like a Napean crewman is seen among the group with Dr. Lense.
Those medical students must have been very focused on their work. Apart from the party where Bashir was mistaken for an Andorian they must not have socialised at all or she'd have known the Doctor! It's another nice piece of the puzzle that Bashir's assignment, the one he wanted and was given has turned out to be as good as he hoped, while Lense's experience hasn't been as positive. Our Doctor has the best post and is still as happy there as ever. Lense's ship the USS Lexington is not to be confused with the 'TNG' Excelsior-class Lexington of 'Thine Own Self' or 'TOS' Constitution-class Lexington of 'The Ultimate Computer'!
Sisko's connection to the Bajorans must have moved even closer as he proves their claims that ships travelled all the way to Cardassia. The Cardassians are forced, grudgingly to congratulate the successful attempt and in the interests of the alliance (and not to save face at all, oh no) announce the discovery of an ancient crash site. Dukat is the 'fortunate' one, having to eat his words after the feigned 'concern' for Sisko's safety. But it ends in one of the happiest and unexpected ways imaginable - the Cardassians throwing an impromptu space firework display. I expect they were relieved it was a human who proved the legend, rather than an actual Bajoran. The ancient craft gives rise to dialogue about things that are usually taken for granted, such as the gravity net and the bathroom and is a ripplingly beautiful design that would return again. Also notable is the best put-down Sisko ever fired at Dukat, wondering if he was the new Head of the Ministry for the Refutation of Bajoran Fairy-tales. A mouthful, but it has the charm of finesse.
****
Monday, 13 December 2010
New Ground
DVD, Stargate SG-1 S3 (New Ground)
Not bad, but not as good as the last couple of stories. It wasn't fully resolved, but it was going to be hard to change an entire people's beliefs in the course of one mission. The main selling points are the lush visuals, whether they be the real life quarry-type location or the ever more photorealistic CGI. This season has achieved the most solid effects work seen so far on the series, and the way ships can come into land or energy beams spread out has become almost perfect. The shot of the shuttle scouring above Teal'c's forest hideaway or the shuttle crash into the dig site were as good as any film. The acting was perfunctory, suiting the military bearing of the encountered representatives, but even the SG-1 team didn't have any good lines or inspiring moments.
The temporary side-lining of Teal'c served the story only as a time-waster so that he didn't come to his friend's aid sooner, but Nyan was a pretty reasonable companion whom it appears we'll see more of. He still has to go back to his people to help convince them of the error of their beliefs. As much as it must be exciting to enter a new world of scientific possibility he will surely get homesick for his people at some point. The story was a rather basic comment on holy war which wasn't delved into deep enough, aside from some naming and shaming of another 'false god' who worked for Ra. Seeing only the military view we didn't truly experience the people of the world.
Watching the discovery of the Stargate unfold and making first contact with the SGC from the point of view of the residents was a pleasing attempt at a different angle on familiar proceedings, and it's nice to know that even previously unavailable gate addresses are constantly being retried, though imagining Carter as an intergalactic cold-caller doesn't do her any favours - will she be offering a special deal on double-glazing? I think the idea of having the 'alien's' POV has been done before, and the set-up of a military holding the team captive because of conflicting ideology by an obtuse military man reminded me too much of Season 1's 'The First Commandment' and almost moved as little as that story, but this was better, thanks mainly to it's looks. A little more brainpower would have complemented the beauty nicely.
***
Not bad, but not as good as the last couple of stories. It wasn't fully resolved, but it was going to be hard to change an entire people's beliefs in the course of one mission. The main selling points are the lush visuals, whether they be the real life quarry-type location or the ever more photorealistic CGI. This season has achieved the most solid effects work seen so far on the series, and the way ships can come into land or energy beams spread out has become almost perfect. The shot of the shuttle scouring above Teal'c's forest hideaway or the shuttle crash into the dig site were as good as any film. The acting was perfunctory, suiting the military bearing of the encountered representatives, but even the SG-1 team didn't have any good lines or inspiring moments.
The temporary side-lining of Teal'c served the story only as a time-waster so that he didn't come to his friend's aid sooner, but Nyan was a pretty reasonable companion whom it appears we'll see more of. He still has to go back to his people to help convince them of the error of their beliefs. As much as it must be exciting to enter a new world of scientific possibility he will surely get homesick for his people at some point. The story was a rather basic comment on holy war which wasn't delved into deep enough, aside from some naming and shaming of another 'false god' who worked for Ra. Seeing only the military view we didn't truly experience the people of the world.
Watching the discovery of the Stargate unfold and making first contact with the SGC from the point of view of the residents was a pleasing attempt at a different angle on familiar proceedings, and it's nice to know that even previously unavailable gate addresses are constantly being retried, though imagining Carter as an intergalactic cold-caller doesn't do her any favours - will she be offering a special deal on double-glazing? I think the idea of having the 'alien's' POV has been done before, and the set-up of a military holding the team captive because of conflicting ideology by an obtuse military man reminded me too much of Season 1's 'The First Commandment' and almost moved as little as that story, but this was better, thanks mainly to it's looks. A little more brainpower would have complemented the beauty nicely.
***
Reunion
DVD, TNG S4 (Reunion)
'TNG' is either totally unencumbered by the past or it leaps into heavy continuity with abandon! As a result of such variance this episode is a bit disjointed. It's full of Klingon lore, family matters and the difficult positions certain people are placed in, but at times it feels like a jumble of stuff happening with a lot of questionable moments. Among these were the death scene of K'mpec which is never seen so it's rather sudden that he's taken out of it. The way K'Ehleyr finds all the evidence she needs on the true facts about Khitomer all from her console on the Enterprise is another: The Klingons would surely have buried the details more heavily than that. The way she foolishly steps close up to the enemy, Duras when he confronts her in her quarters. The fact that Worf can get away with only a reprimand on his record for killing someone, no matter who they are. Even K'mpec's seeming implicit trust in the honour of Picard could be questioned.
We're not confirmed in the conclusion that Gowron becomes leader of the High Council, we simply don't see him again, and since the only other candidate lies blood-spattered on the deck of his ship we can only assume what happens next - closure was needed for such things. The storylines ebbed and flowed in a heady swirl, but this could have been an absolute classic if they had been better presented and confidently merged instead of veering all over the place in terms of emotions or keeping up with events. Not to say it isn't a good story, just not told in the best way, in my view.
Big changes are in store, but the series isn't yet quite comfortable enough to allow Alexander to stay intrude on Worf's life on a permanent basis or alter the status quo on the ship. Worf is free to continue as before, and the rest of the crew weren't a big part of the Klingon proceedings. The important things are the taking up of last season's threads regarding Worf's discommendation, the introduction of his son Alexander, the deaths of his mate K'Ehleyr and enemy Duras, and the connection with the Romulans which Duras apparently had, another little thing that isn't explained, but would lead to further developments later in the season.
Gowron and Alexander would go on to feature for several years culminating in the latter seasons on 'DS9', the Duras family would continue to harrass and give the Klingons a bad name even into 'Enterprise', and Worf's situation would also be long in reaching resolution. These points create a better reason to watch the episode than for a slice of slightly confusing Klingon soap opera which, as explained, don't make for the most cohesive or fitting conclusion, but do keep the brain active. And what was Duras' sword about? Why didn't he use a Batleth?!
***
'TNG' is either totally unencumbered by the past or it leaps into heavy continuity with abandon! As a result of such variance this episode is a bit disjointed. It's full of Klingon lore, family matters and the difficult positions certain people are placed in, but at times it feels like a jumble of stuff happening with a lot of questionable moments. Among these were the death scene of K'mpec which is never seen so it's rather sudden that he's taken out of it. The way K'Ehleyr finds all the evidence she needs on the true facts about Khitomer all from her console on the Enterprise is another: The Klingons would surely have buried the details more heavily than that. The way she foolishly steps close up to the enemy, Duras when he confronts her in her quarters. The fact that Worf can get away with only a reprimand on his record for killing someone, no matter who they are. Even K'mpec's seeming implicit trust in the honour of Picard could be questioned.
We're not confirmed in the conclusion that Gowron becomes leader of the High Council, we simply don't see him again, and since the only other candidate lies blood-spattered on the deck of his ship we can only assume what happens next - closure was needed for such things. The storylines ebbed and flowed in a heady swirl, but this could have been an absolute classic if they had been better presented and confidently merged instead of veering all over the place in terms of emotions or keeping up with events. Not to say it isn't a good story, just not told in the best way, in my view.
Big changes are in store, but the series isn't yet quite comfortable enough to allow Alexander to stay intrude on Worf's life on a permanent basis or alter the status quo on the ship. Worf is free to continue as before, and the rest of the crew weren't a big part of the Klingon proceedings. The important things are the taking up of last season's threads regarding Worf's discommendation, the introduction of his son Alexander, the deaths of his mate K'Ehleyr and enemy Duras, and the connection with the Romulans which Duras apparently had, another little thing that isn't explained, but would lead to further developments later in the season.
Gowron and Alexander would go on to feature for several years culminating in the latter seasons on 'DS9', the Duras family would continue to harrass and give the Klingons a bad name even into 'Enterprise', and Worf's situation would also be long in reaching resolution. These points create a better reason to watch the episode than for a slice of slightly confusing Klingon soap opera which, as explained, don't make for the most cohesive or fitting conclusion, but do keep the brain active. And what was Duras' sword about? Why didn't he use a Batleth?!
***
Reunion
DVD, TNG S4 (Reunion)
'TNG' is either totally unencumbered by the past or it leaps into heavy continuity with abandon! As a result of such variance this episode is a bit disjointed. It's full of Klingon lore, family matters and the difficult positions certain people are placed in, but at times it feels like a jumble of stuff happening with a lot of questionable moments. Among these were the death scene of K'mpec which is never seen so it's rather sudden that he's taken out of it. The way K'Ehleyr finds all the evidence she needs on the true facts about Khitomer all from her console on the Enterprise is another: The Klingons would surely have buried the details more heavily than that. The way she foolishly steps close up to the enemy, Duras when he confronts her in her quarters. The fact that Worf can get away with only a reprimand on his record for killing someone, no matter who they are. Even K'mpec's seeming implicit trust in the honour of Picard could be questioned.
We're not confirmed in the conclusion that Gowron becomes leader of the High Council, we simply don't see him again, and since the only other candidate lies blood-spattered on the deck of his ship we can only assume what happens next - closure was needed for such things. The storylines ebbed and flowed in a heady swirl, but this could have been an absolute classic if they had been better presented and confidently merged instead of veering all over the place in terms of emotions or keeping up with events. Not to say it isn't a good story, just not told in the best way, in my view.
Big changes are in store, but the series isn't yet quite comfortable enough to allow Alexander to stay intrude on Worf's life on a permanent basis or alter the status quo on the ship. Worf is free to continue as before, and the rest of the crew weren't a big part of the Klingon proceedings. The important things are the taking up of last season's threads regarding Worf's discommendation, the introduction of his son Alexander, the deaths of his mate K'Ehleyr and enemy Duras, and the connection with the Romulans which Duras apparently had, another little thing that isn't explained, but would lead to further developments later in the season.
Gowron and Alexander would go on to feature for several years culminating in the latter seasons on 'DS9', the Duras family would continue to harrass and give the Klingons a bad name even into 'Enterprise', and Worf's situation would also be long in reaching resolution. These points create a better reason to watch the episode than for a slice of slightly confusing Klingon soap opera which, as explained, don't make for the most cohesive or fitting conclusion, but do keep the brain active. And what was Duras' sword about? Why didn't he use a Batleth?!
***
'TNG' is either totally unencumbered by the past or it leaps into heavy continuity with abandon! As a result of such variance this episode is a bit disjointed. It's full of Klingon lore, family matters and the difficult positions certain people are placed in, but at times it feels like a jumble of stuff happening with a lot of questionable moments. Among these were the death scene of K'mpec which is never seen so it's rather sudden that he's taken out of it. The way K'Ehleyr finds all the evidence she needs on the true facts about Khitomer all from her console on the Enterprise is another: The Klingons would surely have buried the details more heavily than that. The way she foolishly steps close up to the enemy, Duras when he confronts her in her quarters. The fact that Worf can get away with only a reprimand on his record for killing someone, no matter who they are. Even K'mpec's seeming implicit trust in the honour of Picard could be questioned.
We're not confirmed in the conclusion that Gowron becomes leader of the High Council, we simply don't see him again, and since the only other candidate lies blood-spattered on the deck of his ship we can only assume what happens next - closure was needed for such things. The storylines ebbed and flowed in a heady swirl, but this could have been an absolute classic if they had been better presented and confidently merged instead of veering all over the place in terms of emotions or keeping up with events. Not to say it isn't a good story, just not told in the best way, in my view.
Big changes are in store, but the series isn't yet quite comfortable enough to allow Alexander to stay intrude on Worf's life on a permanent basis or alter the status quo on the ship. Worf is free to continue as before, and the rest of the crew weren't a big part of the Klingon proceedings. The important things are the taking up of last season's threads regarding Worf's discommendation, the introduction of his son Alexander, the deaths of his mate K'Ehleyr and enemy Duras, and the connection with the Romulans which Duras apparently had, another little thing that isn't explained, but would lead to further developments later in the season.
Gowron and Alexander would go on to feature for several years culminating in the latter seasons on 'DS9', the Duras family would continue to harrass and give the Klingons a bad name even into 'Enterprise', and Worf's situation would also be long in reaching resolution. These points create a better reason to watch the episode than for a slice of slightly confusing Klingon soap opera which, as explained, don't make for the most cohesive or fitting conclusion, but do keep the brain active. And what was Duras' sword about? Why didn't he use a Batleth?!
***
Shades of Grey
DVD, Stargate SG-1 S3 (Shades of Grey)
My first thought was obviously that some alien coercion was forcing O'Neill to behave in that irrational and obtuse fashion. As his behaviour escalated I began to wonder if it was a test engineered by the Tolan to see how humans would react or to prove they were as honourable as they professed to be. If his superiors sorted out O'Neill and punished him then they'd waltz in and give Earth the technology they wanted. But gradually it dawned that it must be some sort of exposure of whatever Mayborn was up to, but I didn't guess there would be a mole in the SGC. O'Neill's actions and the hurtful way he had to act, in particular to Daniel, must have been a hard line to follow, but he knew that at the end of it he'd be able to explain his actions.
A clever story that has you believing in Jack's dissatisfaction despite the three seasons we've seen him working away as leader of SG-1. He has a really good answer to Carter's confusion over what he's doing - 'ever since I met you I haven't been who I really am, and now I am'. I was half expecting it to turn into a two-parter with such an organisation to bring down, but Mayborn's NID offshoot was on shakier ground than Daniel and Jack's friendship and like Mayborn they were shortsighted and a bit stupid. I wonder if Dawson was played by the same actor who played the guy when he jumped through the other Earth Stargate in the earlier episode or whether they got someone else in to reprise the role? Makepeace has certainly been in it before, and not a nice sort of guy either.
Jack returns to Edora sooner than anticipated, and we get to see Tolana again, so the growing continuity is burgeoning nicely. The Asgaard appear again, and other races are mentioned so the fabric of the series is more and more tightly knit together. I think I knew it was an undercover op when Mayborn got in touch with Jack. It was a bit of a giveaway that he only waits a week before contacting the Colonel, but even that must have been an exercise tougher than taking on the Goa'uld for O'Neill!
***
My first thought was obviously that some alien coercion was forcing O'Neill to behave in that irrational and obtuse fashion. As his behaviour escalated I began to wonder if it was a test engineered by the Tolan to see how humans would react or to prove they were as honourable as they professed to be. If his superiors sorted out O'Neill and punished him then they'd waltz in and give Earth the technology they wanted. But gradually it dawned that it must be some sort of exposure of whatever Mayborn was up to, but I didn't guess there would be a mole in the SGC. O'Neill's actions and the hurtful way he had to act, in particular to Daniel, must have been a hard line to follow, but he knew that at the end of it he'd be able to explain his actions.
A clever story that has you believing in Jack's dissatisfaction despite the three seasons we've seen him working away as leader of SG-1. He has a really good answer to Carter's confusion over what he's doing - 'ever since I met you I haven't been who I really am, and now I am'. I was half expecting it to turn into a two-parter with such an organisation to bring down, but Mayborn's NID offshoot was on shakier ground than Daniel and Jack's friendship and like Mayborn they were shortsighted and a bit stupid. I wonder if Dawson was played by the same actor who played the guy when he jumped through the other Earth Stargate in the earlier episode or whether they got someone else in to reprise the role? Makepeace has certainly been in it before, and not a nice sort of guy either.
Jack returns to Edora sooner than anticipated, and we get to see Tolana again, so the growing continuity is burgeoning nicely. The Asgaard appear again, and other races are mentioned so the fabric of the series is more and more tightly knit together. I think I knew it was an undercover op when Mayborn got in touch with Jack. It was a bit of a giveaway that he only waits a week before contacting the Colonel, but even that must have been an exercise tougher than taking on the Goa'uld for O'Neill!
***
Legacy
DVD, TNG S4 (Legacy)
Tasha Yar's presence on the Enterprise and her premature exit made more of an impact than we perhaps realised at the time and has continued to reverberate down through each successive season when she has been mentioned or seen, her memory not forgotten. This time we get to visit her home planet and meet the sister she left behind. It was depressingly easy for Ishara to gain the trust of the Enterprise crew seeing as her leader was such an obvious rogue, but it's telling that they wanted Tasha back so much that they were willing to believe in her as quickly as possible. The manipulation is not as important as what it says about Tasha's loss. It has affected all the characters, but Data has been both the most and the least of all of them. He has no feelings, but he has experienced something unexpected and troubling.
I feel Ishara will be the most altered by the encounter, but her loyalty to the cause she has known most of her life is what drives the course of her life. She had the opportunity to start a new life if she really had decided to leave Turkana IV, but all she could see was the cause and felt that if she was to abandon her comrades she would be like her sister. Except she was nothing like her - Tasha must have seen beyond her little world and escaped, but her sister won't follow that course because Tasha took it. It's a sad story, but the full impact of the place was extremely toned down compared with the few details we'd heard of Tasha's life there. The sets were okay, but it was too basic, the same old humanoid soldiers standing around waiting to be shot, with little of the true sense of life there. Consequently it's difficult to care or even be interested in the rivalry on the planet, so that lessens the depth of the story.
The references to Tasha and Data's lesson make it a watchable episode, and the effects were certainly a positive, with some things not usually shown caught on camera. Phasers blasting into the planet's surface from the orbiting ship was one, as was the phaser in Ishara's hand making a small arc when she is shot and falls backwards onto the ground. For an instant it looked like she was waving a lightsaber, and seeing a moving phaser beam is a very rare occurrence in Trek. The proximity implants also looked pretty good, and there were some pretty phaser strikes, but on the whole the creeping or running about was overly melodramatic. Like the weak effects of The Original Series, people will remember moments like this when they move around a set trying to look hasty, but actually just meandering as slowly as possible so as not to run out of set!
A visit to Tasha's past, on paper, makes for an exciting proposition, as does meeting her sister, but in execution this is the first of the season to fall down and become a bit bland. The place has moved on since those days, but treachery is still at the forefront. There's nothing there for the Enterprise crew to sympathise with, only pity the small world it is, and the violence it perpetuates. Not a legacy to be proud of.
**
Tasha Yar's presence on the Enterprise and her premature exit made more of an impact than we perhaps realised at the time and has continued to reverberate down through each successive season when she has been mentioned or seen, her memory not forgotten. This time we get to visit her home planet and meet the sister she left behind. It was depressingly easy for Ishara to gain the trust of the Enterprise crew seeing as her leader was such an obvious rogue, but it's telling that they wanted Tasha back so much that they were willing to believe in her as quickly as possible. The manipulation is not as important as what it says about Tasha's loss. It has affected all the characters, but Data has been both the most and the least of all of them. He has no feelings, but he has experienced something unexpected and troubling.
I feel Ishara will be the most altered by the encounter, but her loyalty to the cause she has known most of her life is what drives the course of her life. She had the opportunity to start a new life if she really had decided to leave Turkana IV, but all she could see was the cause and felt that if she was to abandon her comrades she would be like her sister. Except she was nothing like her - Tasha must have seen beyond her little world and escaped, but her sister won't follow that course because Tasha took it. It's a sad story, but the full impact of the place was extremely toned down compared with the few details we'd heard of Tasha's life there. The sets were okay, but it was too basic, the same old humanoid soldiers standing around waiting to be shot, with little of the true sense of life there. Consequently it's difficult to care or even be interested in the rivalry on the planet, so that lessens the depth of the story.
The references to Tasha and Data's lesson make it a watchable episode, and the effects were certainly a positive, with some things not usually shown caught on camera. Phasers blasting into the planet's surface from the orbiting ship was one, as was the phaser in Ishara's hand making a small arc when she is shot and falls backwards onto the ground. For an instant it looked like she was waving a lightsaber, and seeing a moving phaser beam is a very rare occurrence in Trek. The proximity implants also looked pretty good, and there were some pretty phaser strikes, but on the whole the creeping or running about was overly melodramatic. Like the weak effects of The Original Series, people will remember moments like this when they move around a set trying to look hasty, but actually just meandering as slowly as possible so as not to run out of set!
A visit to Tasha's past, on paper, makes for an exciting proposition, as does meeting her sister, but in execution this is the first of the season to fall down and become a bit bland. The place has moved on since those days, but treachery is still at the forefront. There's nothing there for the Enterprise crew to sympathise with, only pity the small world it is, and the violence it perpetuates. Not a legacy to be proud of.
**
The Die is Cast
DVD, DS9 S3 (The Die is Cast)
The general rule is that the second part of a story is weaker than the first. 'The Die Is Cast' came about through unexpected circumstances, there's a reason it's not named 'Improbable Cause, part II': they weren't originally going to make it a two-parter, but got themselves into such a fix that it could only be satisfyingly resolved by extension late in the day. Whether or not this crisis was an inspiration or not, the episode is more exciting, dramatic and well-observed than part I, and bore a legacy that would go on to encourage experimentation in a way the series hadn't previously considered. If it had been a failure maybe less risky roads would have been taken afterwards, but the desire to further what was possible in a 'Star Trek' TV series urged the writers onward past existing boundaries. I did wonder if the episode could stand up to the scrutiny of modern viewing - so much of the 'TNG' ship battles look basic and unexciting now, but this yielded as tense an experience as all the other times I've seen it.
The last fifteen minutes are one phenomenal development after another, with the most pulse-pounding battle to that point, perfectly judged twists and interaction between characters that shows what the series is capable of. Director David Livingston's visual style is potent, whether it's his shooting of Garak and Tain from below to emphasise their power, the extreme close-ups of Tain's descent into madness, his corpulent head filling the frame while Garak desperately urges sanity, or the perfect ending between Odo and Garak, the stationary camera accusingly staring at the tailor, while the small, blurry figure of the constable, seen in the charred mirror shows the distance that exists between them, or should do, yet Odo, without intruding into Garak's broken world, acknowledges the common bond that now exists between them, ironic after Garak's actions. Garak must resign himself to his former life after all the excitement, having lost one of the few close Cardassians he knew. It's a good job he didn't use Odo's methods to save his mentor - I can't imagine him hefting the portly Tain over his shoulder. Rolling him might have worked... And not to say Odo hit harder than he needed to, but I'm sure he got a measure of satisfaction out of beating Garak, and probably used the exact justifiable force, in his eyes. It didn't mean some stress wasn't relieved at the same!
The first half isn't as dynamic by a long stretch of the imagination, and if it had conveyed the depth of character as well as succeeding moments did, we'd be looking at one of the best episodes of the entire series. As it is, it 'merely' rates as one of the best of Season 3, no small accolade when this season has been the breakout year. There is the first tingle of excitement at seeing a huge mobile fleet in motion, a feeling that would become almost familiar post-'Die'. The Romulans still aren't considered an enemy, even after the plot to blow up the Wormhole, as Sisko shows himself happy to try and talk, only ordering battle stations when it becomes clear an entire fleet is decloaking, not just one Warbird. You'd think Chief would have spotted the telltale signs of a singularity after his 'Visionary' experience, but he's as stumped as anyone! When the fleet brushes past DS9 it's like two powerful dreadnoughts passing each other at night, grimacing threateningly perhaps, but with no direct aggressive intentions, all enacted through the 'character' inherent in their design.
It took almost the entire season, but Eddington, who at first looked to be a recurring character, is back. He was only in one scene in 'The Search, part I', and it wasn't really him in part II, so this is his first proper episode. His role may suffer a little because he hasn't been established, but then it may also have helped to make his apparently shifting loyalties easier to accept - he follows his superior, Admiral Toddman's orders, to the letter, but as soon as they're carried out he's able and willing to work as hard for Sisko, making him almost as hard to pin down as Garak. Either he's an extremely complex individual or the most earnest Starfleet officer there could be. He's capable of obeying a superior above his colleagues, yet he is open and happy to admit it and take the consequences. Helping this mood is the way the discovery of the cloak's malfunction is played out - the camera features Eddington in foreground beginning to squirm, while the others discuss the problem in the background, giving us an insider view into what's going on in Eddington's head.
Sisko's impending promotion becomes more and more likely - he may not be a Captain yet, but he's been acting like one for a long time, this time taking the initiative and disobeying direct orders because it's the right thing to do. It's from the Kirk rulebook that if successful you won't be in trouble, and if unsuccessful you'll probably be dead. More could have been made of the crew's decision to volunteer for the mission to rescue Odo - in the 'Voyager' episode 'The 37s' such a great moment is worked in when Captain and First Officer give the crew the choice to leave the ship, but find the Cargo Bay empty as everyone has decided to stay aboard. It's the reverse in this, and they're all too professional not to refuse. While that attitude is highly commended and we see them going about their business as normal, it would have been a good moment to emphasise the danger they were willingly accepting. Sisko's warned by Toddman that next time he does something like that he'll either be court-martialled or promoted, either way he'll be in big trouble. Truer words were never spoken!
They risk everything; their lives, their careers, all for the sake of their friend, and Odo doesn't let them down for his part - he is again given the choice to rejoin his people, and though, as we learn from the torture scene, he badly wants, he again refuses. If the Jem'Hadar had known Odo was aboard the Runabout they wouldn't have attacked it, so an uncharacteristic mistake from the Dominion? I imagine the changelings wouldn't have been happy with their soldiers had such a thing happened. Odo has now become defined in the same way that Spock or Data or Worf had been - he was always the outsider, but now, like Worf in particular, he is torn between his natural inclination to be with his people and his 'solid' life on the station with Kira and his other friends. Garak's torture uncovers a common desire, and despite the way it was shared they're closer than before.
Garak's past ways are no longer easy for him to slip into when it comes to his colleague. He may have sarcastically spoken of Odo feeling betrayed because of their 'close friendship' and the 'loyalty he swore to the Federation', but it's clear he feels wretched at what he must do, and Tain sees that in all the protestations Garak uses to try and protect Odo. Perhaps it's easier to see Garak doing such a nasty thing because we've already seen the Mirror Garak as a cruel thug. It shows that they share the ability to cause extreme pain, but not the same pleasure. The fine line Garak walks between earning the trust of his mentor, and protecting Odo works in his favour as Colonel Lovok sees his intentions. When you know he's a changeling that scene gains an extra level of meaning because while Garak assumes his interest is suspicion, it's actually confusion over why Garak would look out for a changeling and leads to his freedom with Odo. Again, the good morals show through and reap rewards. In this case, not dying!
The whole storyline is about morals if you look broadly enough. The reason the Obsidian Order and the Tal Shiar go to destroy the Founders is for the power and prestige it will bring them as much as the security. Their reputation would become even more feared, but the Dominion's power is magnified beyond expectation when they are shown with the ability to manipulate even the most devious manipulators the Alpha Quadrant had to offer (Section 31 aside, but that was so secretive as to be unknown). No doubt the thought of control over the Gamma Quadrant's races would be a tasty prize beyond the Founder's destruction, and they show great pride in their strength and cunning, overconfidence repaid among all the vices they display by annihilation. The Federation, while possibly in favour of the Founders destruction, don't make such morally bad decisions, and so do not lose their fleet as the Cardassians and Romulans do. Another example that doing right will gain reward.
The most chilling part of the episode is not the 'Return of The Jedi' Death Star attack-type moment when the fleet realises it's a trap, nor Odo's brutal torture, but Lovok's words to Odo. After giving him and Garak the means to escape (repeating the Female's words that no changeling has ever harmed another), he declares the Romulans and Cardassians are no longer a problem - only the Klingons and the Federation remain a threat, and they won't be for much longer! The result is worse than the unknown Dominion activity, because now, potentially people will begin to wonder who could be a changeling next... It's good that the Female doesn't appear, because we know she's out there somewhere, and it makes the Dominion bigger than if we only met one changeling. She's too busy to worry about this little threat.
The story is full of well-observed moments between characters, from Bashir trying to have a Garak-style highbrow discussion over lunch with the Chief, who only cares about the grub, to the brilliant scene at the end focused on Garak's face in his blackened shop. I have no sympathy for Tain. The way he chillingly talks of killing housekeeper Mila in that offhand way, his lidded eyes concealing unknown depths of bloodlust and venom. He's only been in three episodes, but he could well be the most evil person we've met, even more so than Dukat, who at least deludes himself he's a good guy. Tain certainly qualifies for the title of the most evil character in the series, even though we don't see him do anything. We know the depths of his mind and the grip he's held on the Cardassian people. I wonder if the dissidents were celebrating his apparent death?
One of Tain's worst crimes is in tempting Garak back to the violent and warped life he exiled him from in the first place. The way they discuss having Dukat killed has a certain malevolent pleasure to it, but is nonetheless a horrifying thought that such murders are so casually discussed. This two-part story was Garak's biggest role so far and a logical step up from 'The Wire', but who could have foreseen the incredible latitude he's afforded in the course of the two episodes. He looks like throwing everything 'good' away to walk back into the arms of a murderer who happens to be his former mentor, and travels round the dark side of the moon. Fortunately the orbit and his own guilty conscience brings him back to the light by the end, so that all can carry on as before. That didn't seem possible at the end of last episode and necessitated some very sophisticated writing to achieve.
After having a rest for a few episodes the Defiant literally comes out all guns blazing, and nothing can be taken away from the daring fray it takes part in, but the limelight is snatched from the Runabouts again. This time another is lost, but we don't know which it is, or see it blow up, as if it were any old ship that we couldn't care less about. It's a real shame, because the little workhorses were always so useful! According to the Encyclopedia it was the Mekong that was destroyed, which had only joined last season. I knew it wasn't the Rio Grande - that always gets you home! We get more than a fair share of starships, mainly in the battle, but a thought struck me - starships must get most annoyed when they get instructions to break off whatever they were doing and speed to the rescue. It's happened many times, and this time nine starships are told to protect DS9. More often than not, by the time they arrive the catastrophe has been averted so after dashing in at high warp, maybe taking a day or two to get there they find their services aren't needed after all. Must be very annoying indeed.
****
The general rule is that the second part of a story is weaker than the first. 'The Die Is Cast' came about through unexpected circumstances, there's a reason it's not named 'Improbable Cause, part II': they weren't originally going to make it a two-parter, but got themselves into such a fix that it could only be satisfyingly resolved by extension late in the day. Whether or not this crisis was an inspiration or not, the episode is more exciting, dramatic and well-observed than part I, and bore a legacy that would go on to encourage experimentation in a way the series hadn't previously considered. If it had been a failure maybe less risky roads would have been taken afterwards, but the desire to further what was possible in a 'Star Trek' TV series urged the writers onward past existing boundaries. I did wonder if the episode could stand up to the scrutiny of modern viewing - so much of the 'TNG' ship battles look basic and unexciting now, but this yielded as tense an experience as all the other times I've seen it.
The last fifteen minutes are one phenomenal development after another, with the most pulse-pounding battle to that point, perfectly judged twists and interaction between characters that shows what the series is capable of. Director David Livingston's visual style is potent, whether it's his shooting of Garak and Tain from below to emphasise their power, the extreme close-ups of Tain's descent into madness, his corpulent head filling the frame while Garak desperately urges sanity, or the perfect ending between Odo and Garak, the stationary camera accusingly staring at the tailor, while the small, blurry figure of the constable, seen in the charred mirror shows the distance that exists between them, or should do, yet Odo, without intruding into Garak's broken world, acknowledges the common bond that now exists between them, ironic after Garak's actions. Garak must resign himself to his former life after all the excitement, having lost one of the few close Cardassians he knew. It's a good job he didn't use Odo's methods to save his mentor - I can't imagine him hefting the portly Tain over his shoulder. Rolling him might have worked... And not to say Odo hit harder than he needed to, but I'm sure he got a measure of satisfaction out of beating Garak, and probably used the exact justifiable force, in his eyes. It didn't mean some stress wasn't relieved at the same!
The first half isn't as dynamic by a long stretch of the imagination, and if it had conveyed the depth of character as well as succeeding moments did, we'd be looking at one of the best episodes of the entire series. As it is, it 'merely' rates as one of the best of Season 3, no small accolade when this season has been the breakout year. There is the first tingle of excitement at seeing a huge mobile fleet in motion, a feeling that would become almost familiar post-'Die'. The Romulans still aren't considered an enemy, even after the plot to blow up the Wormhole, as Sisko shows himself happy to try and talk, only ordering battle stations when it becomes clear an entire fleet is decloaking, not just one Warbird. You'd think Chief would have spotted the telltale signs of a singularity after his 'Visionary' experience, but he's as stumped as anyone! When the fleet brushes past DS9 it's like two powerful dreadnoughts passing each other at night, grimacing threateningly perhaps, but with no direct aggressive intentions, all enacted through the 'character' inherent in their design.
It took almost the entire season, but Eddington, who at first looked to be a recurring character, is back. He was only in one scene in 'The Search, part I', and it wasn't really him in part II, so this is his first proper episode. His role may suffer a little because he hasn't been established, but then it may also have helped to make his apparently shifting loyalties easier to accept - he follows his superior, Admiral Toddman's orders, to the letter, but as soon as they're carried out he's able and willing to work as hard for Sisko, making him almost as hard to pin down as Garak. Either he's an extremely complex individual or the most earnest Starfleet officer there could be. He's capable of obeying a superior above his colleagues, yet he is open and happy to admit it and take the consequences. Helping this mood is the way the discovery of the cloak's malfunction is played out - the camera features Eddington in foreground beginning to squirm, while the others discuss the problem in the background, giving us an insider view into what's going on in Eddington's head.
Sisko's impending promotion becomes more and more likely - he may not be a Captain yet, but he's been acting like one for a long time, this time taking the initiative and disobeying direct orders because it's the right thing to do. It's from the Kirk rulebook that if successful you won't be in trouble, and if unsuccessful you'll probably be dead. More could have been made of the crew's decision to volunteer for the mission to rescue Odo - in the 'Voyager' episode 'The 37s' such a great moment is worked in when Captain and First Officer give the crew the choice to leave the ship, but find the Cargo Bay empty as everyone has decided to stay aboard. It's the reverse in this, and they're all too professional not to refuse. While that attitude is highly commended and we see them going about their business as normal, it would have been a good moment to emphasise the danger they were willingly accepting. Sisko's warned by Toddman that next time he does something like that he'll either be court-martialled or promoted, either way he'll be in big trouble. Truer words were never spoken!
They risk everything; their lives, their careers, all for the sake of their friend, and Odo doesn't let them down for his part - he is again given the choice to rejoin his people, and though, as we learn from the torture scene, he badly wants, he again refuses. If the Jem'Hadar had known Odo was aboard the Runabout they wouldn't have attacked it, so an uncharacteristic mistake from the Dominion? I imagine the changelings wouldn't have been happy with their soldiers had such a thing happened. Odo has now become defined in the same way that Spock or Data or Worf had been - he was always the outsider, but now, like Worf in particular, he is torn between his natural inclination to be with his people and his 'solid' life on the station with Kira and his other friends. Garak's torture uncovers a common desire, and despite the way it was shared they're closer than before.
Garak's past ways are no longer easy for him to slip into when it comes to his colleague. He may have sarcastically spoken of Odo feeling betrayed because of their 'close friendship' and the 'loyalty he swore to the Federation', but it's clear he feels wretched at what he must do, and Tain sees that in all the protestations Garak uses to try and protect Odo. Perhaps it's easier to see Garak doing such a nasty thing because we've already seen the Mirror Garak as a cruel thug. It shows that they share the ability to cause extreme pain, but not the same pleasure. The fine line Garak walks between earning the trust of his mentor, and protecting Odo works in his favour as Colonel Lovok sees his intentions. When you know he's a changeling that scene gains an extra level of meaning because while Garak assumes his interest is suspicion, it's actually confusion over why Garak would look out for a changeling and leads to his freedom with Odo. Again, the good morals show through and reap rewards. In this case, not dying!
The whole storyline is about morals if you look broadly enough. The reason the Obsidian Order and the Tal Shiar go to destroy the Founders is for the power and prestige it will bring them as much as the security. Their reputation would become even more feared, but the Dominion's power is magnified beyond expectation when they are shown with the ability to manipulate even the most devious manipulators the Alpha Quadrant had to offer (Section 31 aside, but that was so secretive as to be unknown). No doubt the thought of control over the Gamma Quadrant's races would be a tasty prize beyond the Founder's destruction, and they show great pride in their strength and cunning, overconfidence repaid among all the vices they display by annihilation. The Federation, while possibly in favour of the Founders destruction, don't make such morally bad decisions, and so do not lose their fleet as the Cardassians and Romulans do. Another example that doing right will gain reward.
The most chilling part of the episode is not the 'Return of The Jedi' Death Star attack-type moment when the fleet realises it's a trap, nor Odo's brutal torture, but Lovok's words to Odo. After giving him and Garak the means to escape (repeating the Female's words that no changeling has ever harmed another), he declares the Romulans and Cardassians are no longer a problem - only the Klingons and the Federation remain a threat, and they won't be for much longer! The result is worse than the unknown Dominion activity, because now, potentially people will begin to wonder who could be a changeling next... It's good that the Female doesn't appear, because we know she's out there somewhere, and it makes the Dominion bigger than if we only met one changeling. She's too busy to worry about this little threat.
The story is full of well-observed moments between characters, from Bashir trying to have a Garak-style highbrow discussion over lunch with the Chief, who only cares about the grub, to the brilliant scene at the end focused on Garak's face in his blackened shop. I have no sympathy for Tain. The way he chillingly talks of killing housekeeper Mila in that offhand way, his lidded eyes concealing unknown depths of bloodlust and venom. He's only been in three episodes, but he could well be the most evil person we've met, even more so than Dukat, who at least deludes himself he's a good guy. Tain certainly qualifies for the title of the most evil character in the series, even though we don't see him do anything. We know the depths of his mind and the grip he's held on the Cardassian people. I wonder if the dissidents were celebrating his apparent death?
One of Tain's worst crimes is in tempting Garak back to the violent and warped life he exiled him from in the first place. The way they discuss having Dukat killed has a certain malevolent pleasure to it, but is nonetheless a horrifying thought that such murders are so casually discussed. This two-part story was Garak's biggest role so far and a logical step up from 'The Wire', but who could have foreseen the incredible latitude he's afforded in the course of the two episodes. He looks like throwing everything 'good' away to walk back into the arms of a murderer who happens to be his former mentor, and travels round the dark side of the moon. Fortunately the orbit and his own guilty conscience brings him back to the light by the end, so that all can carry on as before. That didn't seem possible at the end of last episode and necessitated some very sophisticated writing to achieve.
After having a rest for a few episodes the Defiant literally comes out all guns blazing, and nothing can be taken away from the daring fray it takes part in, but the limelight is snatched from the Runabouts again. This time another is lost, but we don't know which it is, or see it blow up, as if it were any old ship that we couldn't care less about. It's a real shame, because the little workhorses were always so useful! According to the Encyclopedia it was the Mekong that was destroyed, which had only joined last season. I knew it wasn't the Rio Grande - that always gets you home! We get more than a fair share of starships, mainly in the battle, but a thought struck me - starships must get most annoyed when they get instructions to break off whatever they were doing and speed to the rescue. It's happened many times, and this time nine starships are told to protect DS9. More often than not, by the time they arrive the catastrophe has been averted so after dashing in at high warp, maybe taking a day or two to get there they find their services aren't needed after all. Must be very annoying indeed.
****
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