Move Along Home

DVD, DS9 S1 (Move Along Home)

For me this is one of the best episodes of the season, and an early favourite of mine I always enjoy watching. It's not hard to understand what makes it so great, because it's a mix of all the usual things, done especially well. It was directed by English director David Carson, who also helmed the pilot episode and the film 'Star Trek: Generations', both of which are some of the best-directed Trek ever made. The characters are all in on the action (except O'Brien, who we're told is still on his trip to Earth, although the real reason was that Colm Meaney was working on a film as he occasionally did throughout DS9's run. Ths fact of the Chief's absence isn't ignored, but comes up naturally when Jake says there's no school because Mrs. O'Brien's still away), with Sisko getting to lead his troops, and be the kind of Starfleet Captain... sorry, Commander, that we're used to seeing from the other series'.

And on the other end Quark gives his best performance so far. No I don't mean the actor (who performs brilliantly), but the Ferengi himself, who goes from intrigue in the Wadi game, to realisation of the four officers peril, to breaking down and pitifully whining in despair on the floor, to relieved when the decision to sacrifice one of the 'players' is lifted from him. So many emotional states flash over his face this episode, it gives us a chance to see the quick-change artist, the be all things to all people, the lightning brain of this character which initially seemed like a shady, unpleasant, unknown. Talking of emotional states, you have to wonder what the Vulcans made of their first contact with these aliens. "Yes, yes... now where are the games?" You can imagine a raised eyebrow and a reassurance that Quark's had what they wanted. You've got to hand it to the Ferengi, he's already got Vulcans plugging his establishment!

For such a mysterious and sometimes sinister episode (I'm thinking of my favourite scene here - the rather nightmarish Wadi party in the smoke-filled room where the solution is dangled in front of them, but done so in a sarcastic way so as not to lead them along), there's a good share of humour. Be it Sisko's bemusement with his son 'learning' about girls from Nog, to Bashir's embarrassment at losing his dress uniform (which look really good, and have elements of the original series film uniforms with their folded piece across the chest), or Odo's interactions with Primmin.

It struck me this viewing that the Lieutenant was there as a substitute for O'Brien. There's no similarity, except for the gold shirt, but he's an added element while the Chief's away. Odo always manages to make him look a fool and deflects his good natured, relaxed attitude. He plays him like an instrument, the best line being a subservient, sarcastic response to Primmin's suggestion that he can't just beam onto the alien ship. "Oh, is that Starfleet regulations?" He then puts the full force into reminding the security officer he's not in Starfleet. As Kira does, when she finds it hard to accept their predicament, while the others are typical professional Starfleet officers, prepared for the unknown. This is one of the strengths of her character (and which some other Trek series' lost), that she is an outsider the viewer can identify with and accompany on the journey more accessibly than the more blase Starfleeters.

Seeing them perform the 'Alamaraine' rhyme, while dancing along, is very funny, but even more so to see Kira who is the least accepting of silliness! Bashir is very much the eager puppy, almost enjoying the challenge this situation provides, which is perhaps why he is the first to be 'lost'. Watching the episode and knowing the outcome is obviously not quite as exciting as not knowing what will happen to them or how, but you still get the character's reactions pulling you in.

Falow Master Surchid was such a great character, never confirming or denying anything, but speaking sternly or forcefully when deemed necessary, providing enough threat to be uncertain of the stakes, but with every so often a gleam or a twinkle that betrayed his intelligent love of games and puzzles. The only thing missing is really the opportunity to get to know these people, but that would have lost some of their mystery. They do seem like a more interesting race than some aliens-of-the-week, and deserved at least one return I feel. And Sisko wasn't in the best of moods by the end. Indeed, he was veritably ashaking with rage. You could have boiled a kettle on his head. He does it so well, even more so because most of them time he's very calm and measured, almost Vulcan-like in his posture, and commanding presence. So when he loses it, or even begins to, it's far more dramatic.

The episode is kind of the reverse of a 'Star Trek' I saw recently called 'The Way To Eden'. In that (head-tattooed) aliens peacefully seek an idyllic planet, but everything turns foul by the end, whereas here events seem threatening, but finish up with the twist of it only being a game. The Wadi are, it turns out, merely playful than dangerous. I love the 'naughty, naughty' look Falow gives Odo after the Constable has been on their ship, but suddenly finds himself in Quark's bar. So much is said in the eyes or the tone, and that plays to a more intelligent audience that doesn't need everything explained. The only notable aspect of the Wadi is that Dax is clearly in pain. But it seems it's simulated pain as she's fine when the game ends. So their technology must be more advanced than a holosuite as in that you either feel nothing, with the safeties on, or it's deadly when they're off. This episode has all the points you want from it, showcases some great work from the performers, and I haven't even mentioned the impressive camera shots such as the pull back on the birds eye view. Oh, there you go, I have.

****