A Man Alone

DVD, DS9 S1 (A Man Alone)

Strikes me as being a little raw still. The episode was the first filmed after the pilot, so that accounts for it a little, but some of the characters aren't completely comfortable with their situation and maybe that's the actors, or it's intentional, but I think it works for this situation. They are new. They are uncertain of their jobs here. They are waiting for something, almost.

The impression is that no aliens have yet come through from the Gamma Quadrant, that however, the station has become a hub as aliens of our side clamour for a 'piece' of the Wormhole and the opportunities it may bring. Ships have gone through, though strangely not the Runabouts so far (except the initial discovery), including a Vulcan ship! So the place is somewhat unsettled, and in flux, not aware of what regular life will become.

I would say the teaser doesn't quite live up to the rest of the episode, because I always feel a teaser should set up the story and leave us wanting to know what's going to happen next. Some teasers are better than others, and this was a fine introductory scene between Dax and Bashir as he continues to 'pursue' her in his puppy-like way. It just doesn't lead to the rest of the episode. I thought it began with Ibudan's murder, but that came a fair bit later. That might have made a more punchy open.

Life on DS9 is different to a starship, and this idea is supported by Keiko O'Brien's first appearance, unhappy with the living conditions and lack of a focused community, especially concerning the children. It's brilliant to see her, and she gets more to do than her husband. He always knows what to say... not! Trying to give a career woman help wasn't the best way to go, but you've got to feel sorry for him. The multi-leveled bar is a very realistic space, as Odo and Quark see and overhear people, and later Dax and Sisko do the same. I was expecting the gag about Quark's ears being finely attuned to sound, but that never came. Little Molly too, makes her debut. I reckon she wasn't told what was in the present Miles gives his wife, because she looks so fascinated by it, and excited when it's revealed as a shiny bell!

The series still has a long way to go before it slips into its own skin. Like the people and the place, it is unsure, but full of potential. Watching it from my perspective of knowing the butterfly this larvae is to become, makes every scene an interest. Take the Odo/Quark scenes. It's early days yet (as with the pilot when they had their  banter), but already Quark is teasing and sparring with the constable, and even half admits to others that he is the closest the changeling has to a friend. Not only does he stick up for him, but also offers to assist in the investigation, proving that he really does have an acceptance of Odo that others don't. When Odo suggests he could join the Ferengi's organisation, you wonder if it was a jest or, from the way he frowns at Quark's assumption of humour, and grabs the PADD out of his hand, a half-meant idea. If he was out of the job he would need something to do, but he's not thinking straight.

Zayra, the man who incites others against Odo is an interesting one. Did Ibudan employ him to do this or were they old pals? And what happened to the clone that was grown in Bashir's House of Horrors? I think they mentioned he was settling down to a life on Bajor, but his existence is a Trek episode in itself. How developed was he, and how much did he retain of Ibudan's personality, and did he feel regret for his counterparts actions? All these would have made ripe pickings for a sequel!

There are really four storylines - the Ibudan murder, Odo hounded, Bashir and Dax, and the Keiko/school thing. Maybe too much to squeeze in, but they needed to ground some of the characters that hadn't had a proper chance to shine, such as Dax, although she still seems a little aloof. And we get to see how Jake has been spending his time, and the first stage of an epic friendship between him and Nog! Their mischief is a perfect example of their age, and the flea-like critters colour-changing their victims skin was a funny idea, well presented. Rom, too, is introduced, but as I mentioned the rawness, he is one that feels very different to what he became, at this point still trying hard to be a gruff, unfinished Ferengi.

The other characters get more interaction time, and we get to see a more relaxed side of Sisko, and the social side is still being ironed out. Kira doesn't feature much, but she was the focus of the previous episode, so that's fair. A good example of a DS9 story, with a kind of space opera, station community, with little of the action adventure we're used to. But these are the building blocks upon which greatness is built. The conflict so far has come to them, and the busy-ness of the station has not given time for boredom to set in. If anything they don't have enough time to fit all that they want to in. This will change as the season settles down, and the characters are more established.

While the action is minimal, the story is good - I knew Ibudan was his own murderer, but I didn't twig who the old guy with the beard was. That moment was the best visual, because he looked completely different. I thought they'd explain it away as cosmetic surgery, but when Odo rips the face off it was so clever. I'm still not sure if it was another actor or not! And whenever the camera focuses in on a lone baddie which Odo is looking for, you immediately start looking around to see what he's going to be! A fun pastime.

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