Dramatis Personae

DVD, DS9 S1 (Dramatis Personae)

Whatever series it is, as long as it's fantasy or sci-fi in some way, you can be sure of at least one thing: there will be an episode where the main characters all act weird! This is 'DS9's entry, though not the last of the series. From the start, with a Klingon vessel exploding after coming through the Wormhole, you know it will be something special. The changes are subtle at first. Early on Odo has a dramatic reaction though we don't realise it at the time. The effect of the 'head wipe,' like a computer restarting itself, is enough, but his rigid slump to the ground is just as scary for such a mercurial form. Quark shows more concern than would be due a man of the law, from a criminal, and there are several scenes that continue the brilliant double act of the pair.

The best is probably Quark's arrival in a neck brace, to press charges against Kira who threw him against the bar! All the way through he's finding it hard to talk and move, yet when Odo leaves in a hurry Quark reveals he's well enough to shout and leap up after the constable! Kira's response (before the attack), to his inquiries as host, are to "Get lost!", which is something you can imagine her saying normally. That's the key. The 'DS9' characters might be re-enacting an alien play, but their behaviour is all exaggerated from their real personas. Bashir's innuendo over choosing sides, dropping hints as he goes about his work recalls his possession by a criminal in 'The Passenger', the same smooth, but knowing wording and attitude.

Kira becomes more conscious of her physicality, and tries to get under the cracks of each new possible recruit to her cause, something which brings humour to the scene where she attempts to gauge Dax' loyalties, only for the Trill to keep going off on a tangent, reminiscing nostalgically, her mind distant. Kira's behaviour is a dry run for the Intendant of the Mirror Universe, coming in a season's time. Interestingly Odo shows no indication of his love for the Major, perhaps being too preoccupied with events. Sisko, for me, is the scariest, because the full force of his large frame and volcano-like emotions is allowed to explode. He beats the Bajoran assassin around Ops showing no restraint, yet he's equally calm and dispassionate at the flick of a switch.

O'Brien becomes the boss man, the bodyguard you have to get through, and it's quite a shock when he slaps Dax across the face for alerting Kira! Jake wasn't in it, but that's explained as Keiko taking the school on a trip to Bajor. It probably wouldn't have worked as a B-story in this one, where the tensions seethe - it wasn't a place for children! Would have been interesting to see a school trip on another occasion, though.

I did notice some small mistakes in Ops near the beginning. Above Sisko's head in some tight shots you can see blue high above. This is clearly a bit of bluescreen for a window which should have been filled in with the starfield! And I wonder if the inspiration for the story came partly from some Original Series episodes, in particular 'Return To Tomorrow' in which the Enterprise came across some spheres which took them over. I could tell this was a classic by the way I was buzzing with thoughts and impressions after viewing. That doesn't always happen. Usually only with the best!

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