Skin of Evil

DVD, TNG S1 (Skin of Evil)

The vagaries of episodic television killed Tasha Yar, along with the dissatisfaction of the actress who played her; Denise Crosby. However the real life events shaped her exit, the fictional universe's view is of a tragic, senseless death that hammers home the dangers of exploration. Never before had they encountered quite such a sadistic lifeform - not even a lifeform, as Armus was the cast-off feelings of a race. That a race's evil could be shed like a skin, collected together and discarded is an interesting notion, and the creature itself is fascinating to watch. Its very surface is disgusting, oily, black, a suffocation of purity. The effects hold up, especially the horrifying enveloping of Riker within it, drowning in a well of sludge.

Even here, after the pointless killing of their comrade, when it continues to threaten, continues to abuse, even here, where they have no power against it, the Captain and crew find pity in themselves, seeing it for what it is, and not for what it sees itself as. It could not be reasoned with, and could not find redemption, but they don't try to destroy it before they leave. It's own loathing, solitary existence is punishment enough. I don't recall it giving out its name yet Data clearly calls it Armus early on, so maybe a scene was cut, or I wasn't paying close enough attention.

For such a momentous event as a regular character being killed off, the episode is surprisingly subdued. I don't know whether they were running low on money this late in the season, but you'd have thought the chance to send Tasha to her grave would have been greeted with enthusiasm, prompting a heroic end, saving people, or battling away. I suppose it gives a stronger underline to the series if they kill her off in such an ignoble and abrupt fashion, leaving the audience shocked and uncertain whether anyone else will die like that. All things considered I would have preferred a bigger send-off for the character as she was an important ingredient in the cast, and it is sad now that she's no longer part of the family.

In true Trek tradition this isn't the last we see of Tasha, with a glorious end salvaged cleverly for the character at another time, but the first season of this series has had both highs and lows, and I have a soft spot for it in this unfinished, rough state, before it got too slick and comfortable in later seasons. The memorial service is a beautiful scene as each of Tasha's friends are given a parting message. It's sensitively done, and leaves a hole in the heart - we will miss her as part of the group as much as the crew.

It does make you wonder if all Starfleet personnel prepare regular goodbye messages, every few months. It could have been a thing mostly considered by security personnel as they are the first in the line of fire. There are also hints that Worf respected Yar more than most, not only in this episode, but now we'll never know. A sad episode, but more evidence that the series had not quite settled down yet.

***

The Lady Vanishes

DVD, The Lady Vanishes (1938) film

It had been some years since I first saw this on video, and I was impressed at the time. It's just as witty, suspenseful, and well-crafted on DVD as it was then, with the added bonus of being crisper, the black and white print so refreshing after watching many modern films. It looks stark, but can also be soft and inviting. I had forgotten the whole beginning to the film where the various characters spend a night at a hotel. The story is carried along by the sheer wit and charm, the stereotypical behaviour from the English parts, and the bizarre sequence of events.

At first you can almost begin to believe that knock on the head the heroine receives is causing her to hallucinate. Yet, the little old lady was so real, and we know these characters are lying, what we don't know is why. The modelwork, such as the opening shot, is quite obvious, something not helped by the sharpness retained by DVD, but it's actually very clever because although our eyes tell us this is a model, you can actually see people moving, and it's only the focus that gives the game away.

Full of great lines, a satisfying climax, and a final flourish that leaves us smiling, this is a great old film, and deserves to be seen! It may not have the 'in the moment' perspective and constant action of modern thrillers, such as Bourne, but it has a different kind of tension as the audience is left as confused as the character. There are also sinister feelers sent out, which, although never actually shown, impart a sense of foreboding - the accident victim without a face, wrapped in bandages, is a perfect example. It's amazing that something with so many jokes and so much visual humour can also be so gripping.

****

The Circle

DVD, DS9 S2 (The Circle)

It is a noticeable thing that many of the settings we're familiar with are not part of this episode. Just as there's no time for family meals (round the Sisko table or the O'Brien's), the canvas of this story is quite epic compared to the first season, spanning the entire planet Bajor, a new alien vessel, and so on. We don't see the Promenade, apart from Odo's office, we only have Ops and Kira's quarters on the station, and we're mostly in unfamiliar territory, such as the monastery and grounds, the military war room, and onboard the Kressari ship. This helps encourage the impression of a larger story unfolding and prevents it from becoming staid and familiar.

Well directed again, with some lovingly framed shots - Sisko at military HQ, the gardens of the monastery from last season, and my favourite: a view from inside the turbolift as Quark tries to get the last word in as the lift descends leaving him in Ops. Similarly good use is made of the lift in the scene where Kira gets permission to disembark and stares up at Sisko as she descends. The direction, story and scope has retained the freshness and vibrancy of part 1. The only real reason it isn't quite as good is a slight loss of tension as compared to last episode. Kira's kidnap and rescue seemed a little forced, to pad in some action, and the tail-end didn't ring as true as the rest of the story.

Last time we were unsure of where things were going. Now, with evacuation on hand, forcing Starfleet out by their own Prime Directive, we can guess what might happen. But will Kira remain on Bajor (she could still be a recurring character from there, with planet-bound stories)? Kira's first orb experience is unexplained. Is she being told to stay and become a Vedek under Bareil's tutelage? If she were leaving in this episode, she gets a suitably strong send-off. One of the best DS9 cast scenes ever is the one where they each turn up at her quarters and all talk over each other's conversations. Hilarious!

Li Nalas makes a good, if more subdued first officer, in a very different mould to Kira. It's good to see them reconcile over their changes of fortune, which neither really wants, and Li is the first in line to help rescue Kira, but that leads me back to my point: once Jaro is unmasked, and Kira rescued, the Circle is no longer a shadowy, mysterious organisation, and I think that aspect should have been kept longer, like maybe none of the other Circle members ever reveal their faces, and remain hooded and cloaked. Also, there's less of a building danger, as we're just told about the evacuation with ships on the way and transmissions jammed, at the last minute, and have no time for the gradual realisation of the way things are going. Though Jaro comes out of the shadows, General Krim presents a more uncertain picture, just as Jaro seemed neither positive or negative last episode, so Krim retains an inscrutability of motive. Sisko has a bond with him, cleverly giving the intel to Krim before asking him for a favour. Krim notices this grace and it leaves something in Sisko's favour.

Two future flashes in the space of two episodes (not to mention a kidnapping in each!). Last time it was Martok, this time it's Chakotay. Admiral. Chekote, to be exact. Voyager must have been in development at this time, but perhaps the writer of this episode didn't know such a similar name was going to be used. Bareil makes his return, bringing his gravitas, gracefulness and peace about him like tangible clothing. He walks into a room and calm instantly descends, and while Kira finds herself babbling a little when she's around him, he just steers the conversation onto something else. A well-written and performed character, and the bridge scene with Winn is delicious! Winn and Jaro make a good baddie team, and we discover Winn wants more than just power! Her cloying insults could be seen as friendly openness to the less-discerning.

There are plenty of small details to enjoy, as usual. Odo does his rat impression again, as seen in 'Past Prologue' (plus a label). And the Kressari, a new alien race with an elaborate look - he even had spikes on the back of the hands! - is seen, and one they should use again (maybe even develop, as all we know is that they're supposed to be botanical DNA traders). Another Kira-focused episode, but which also featured all the characters, mostly quite well. So far Bashir and Jake aren't used as much, but Dax gets a bit more this time. I can't fault the episode generally for it's twists and turns, its laugh-out-loud humour, growing storylines and web of plots. Kira and Bareil, Sisko and Starfleet, Winn and Jaro, the Circle and Bajor (even Odo and deputy Quark!), are all in conflict or alliance in fascinating ways. I don't think this second part of what would be Trek's first ever three-parter, is quite as successful as the season opener, but it has flashes of brilliance, and leaves you wanting more of the story, like a two-parter couldn't achieve.

***

Symbiosis

DVD, TNG S1 (Symbiosis)

A thoughtful Prime Directive tale that pushes the Captain into a corner and forces him to take the only option he can, while explaining the dictates of the Prime Directive to those involved. It's quite a cerebral episode, with little action, except in the underused exploration of the alien's physical powers, which could have done with more explanation and could have created more energy.

It holds up as an interesting debate, and the slow reveal as we have all these pieces of evidence, that these are drug addicts is well played. It's ironic that Wesley, the young teen can't even comprehend the use of an induced feeling of wellbeing from drugs, seeing as he is just the kind of age group that might experiment with them in our time, and is another example of the programme's hopeful future. And it gives Tasha one of her last important scenes as she explains what it was like on her home planet.

As I mentioned the action side of things is pretty limp, and that goes for the resolution to the teaser too. Pre-credits we're left with a ship about to be dragged into a sun's atmosphere, then when we come back everyone takes as long as they like, and they seem to spend an age musing on how odd the captain is behaving, rather than taking it in their professional stride! This loses most of the tension, and sets the episode off on the back foot when it seemed like being a strong one.

The main interest is in the star power on show in the guest roles. We have two high profile actors from the film series - Judson Scott, who played Khan's right hand man (and possibly his son) in 'Star Trek II', and Merritt Butrick, before his premature death a year after this episode was made, who was Kirk's son David in that film and 'Star Trek III'. There's also a lesser known connection as T'Jonn's compatriot, Romas, was played by Richard Lineback whom I believe later played a Trill on DS9.

**

The Homecoming

DVD, DS9 S2 (The Homecoming)

The whole episode, despite occasional moments of long conversation, is fast paced and very fluid, pleasingly running from mystery; humour; colour, with plenty of exotic aliens, including the first appearance of the Boslic freighter captain; action; politics, relighion and terrorism, while also pulling off reintroductions for all the characters that don't feel forced, but are comfortably tied to the unfolding narrative. The series is strong and vibrant, energised to be back for a second season, and eager to show what it can do, especially as this was also the year the much favoured TNG ended.

One thing that got me thinging was the escape party's decision to leave a Federation phaser behind, as this would clearly send a message to the Cardassians and would just as likely lead to war with the Federation as the Bajorans (leaving aside the fact that the Runabout might have been spotted), yet no one even mentions the lost phaser (just like when McCoy left his communicator behind!). The other thing is; why leave four behind with only one phaser - so they can attack in hand to hand or in case the phaser guy gets killed? Thankfully Borum doesn't die after all and gets a ride home courtesy of the Cardassians themselves!

How did they know it was called the Hutet Labour Camp? Presumably because the place is well known as a prison for Cardassian prisoners. In which case the Cardassians couldn't really deny knowledge of Bajoran captives held there if it's such a well known camp, as they should know what goes on there.

A very bizarre moment occurs when Kira bluffs her way out of interest from a nosy Cardassian tracking post by calling herself the Lissepian Transport ship Martok! This is weird as later seasons have a character of the same name, played by an actor that appeared in the first episode of the previous season. Either it's a coincidence, or the writers thinks further ahead than we ever gave them credit for!

The Cardassian Kira duffs up sounded just like the unique tones of John Fleck (best known for Silik, among other Trek roles), but he was uncredited, so was it him? Michael Bell who played Li Nalas' friend (Borum), also played Groppler Zorn in the first episode of TNG Season One.

Quark's crowdpleaser scene with Odo at the beginning where he helps the Constable, leaving him baffled, then explains to Rom it's good to declare peace sometimes just to confuse your enemies, has a parallel later in the story as the Cardassians, represented by Gul Dukat, make the strangely pacifistic move to free all the Bajoran prisoners and claim no knowledge. Could the earlier conversation be a clue to the race's motives for this act of generosity? If so, the writers are very clever and subtle too!

O'Brien was the best choice for the mission with Kira (Cardassian experience, military experience, ability to fix the Runabout if needed, excellent pilot, sympathises with captives of Cardassians), but more than that, it's a nice pairing because it's unexpected, although it seems a bit reckless of him to risk his life when he's got a wife and child at home. He must have felt confident in the mission's success. It also shows the camaraderie that has sprouted among the crew, as everyone knows of Kira's plan. Dax and Bashir aren't as central to proceedings, but the 'old man' gets to impart some wisdom to Sisko (and help her friend get the mission), while Bashir does some healing, and puts his foot on a raw nerve in Li Nalas.

Li is a good new character, bringing quiet dignity and presence to the station, just as Minister Jaro does. They seem very alike in their unassuming, but tall, authority figures. The difference is that Li does not wish this on himself, while Jaro quite clearly does. It's difficult to know at this stage whether Jaro is a force for good or bad. We've never seen much in the way of Bajor's government, other than the religious side, in Winn and Bareil, or maybe some minister Kira's shouting at on a monitor!

Although Li's legendary reputation is built on a lie, we are told this only once his goodness of character has been shown by his actions. We believe in him, because of his humility (no matter how well founded it turns out to be), his concern for others (he doesn't want to leave anyone behind in the rescue attempt, and reminds the Doctor of the others when he's selected for treatment), so that when we learn of his erroneous status as a 'hero' we still feel, like Sisko, that he is the man to help Bajor stabilise. A classic case of power thrust upon a man. But how much power do the government really give him?

They 'create' a new title; Navarch. Is this because they really believe other titles are unworthy of him, or is it because they fear him as a threat to their power? Is he shuttled off to DS9 to take Kira's place in a public position of authority as an honoured figure, or so that the government can hold him safely at arm's length, while at the same time, keep an eye on him? Is Kira being punished for disobedience by her recall to Bajor, or promoted for rescuing Li? The episode throws many queries into the mix, with the instigation of so much, and with the ending on a cliffhanger. If part two delivers as much as this, then the season is off to a ripping start.

****

Cor-ai

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Cor-ai)

Another of those cliches of science-fiction, or even drama, is the courtroom episode. This episode strongly reminds me of the DS9 story 'Dax', which had a similar perspective of the defendant accepting the accusation, though in this Teal'c wanted to atone for all the evil he had committed under Apophis's rule. There are problems however. O'Neill gives this speech about soliders just carry out orders, and although he softens it a bit by adding that those in charge should carry some of the blame at least, it's a flimsy argument. And if Teal'c was such a conflicted guy how did he get to be First Prime? Was his family held to ransom, did he develop a conscience? And why did it take SG-1's interference to finally turn him against his masters?

There were also things which hadn't ever come through before, such as that Teal'c feels guilty for all the people he killed and would immediately accept death because of it. The other is that Daniel wanted to hate him at first, but I don't recall him ever showing that at all. And we have to endure the same temple/stairs set, and dungeon set we've seen used over and over again. I suppose, somehow, but mostly for the ending, the episode pulls through. Hammond gets to be unapologetically blunt about Teal'c's standing, which seems a bit harsh considering all that he's gone through for them, and the man himself gets to go all Rambo at the end and prove he's not a bad guy at last.

All sci-fi also have titles at some point or other which are gibberish, and I never appreciate that because they should be able to come up with a better title. But as I said, the episode just about pulls through, thanks to the characters, as usual. We also see Apophis in flashback and Shackle returns (from 'The Nox') for an abrupt death.

***

What You Leave Behind

DVD, DS9 S7 (What You Leave Behind)

All things end. That is a fact you just have to get used to, even when it comes to the things you hold dear. I would class this series as one of those things, and it ends well. Each character has their moment, the flashbacks make a big difference, and much more than any of the other four crews that have come to their natural conclusion, DS9 has a feeling of permanence. It has stood for decades, its uses and masters have changed, but the skeletal outline of the station remains through battle, through war. And I think that makes the ending easier to bear. It's really the characters who populate the dark hallways that bring life into the place, and some of them are leaving. The family is split up, each to their appropriate duty, whether that be on Earth, the Great Link, Qo'Nos or the Celestial Temple itself.

As an ending I think it's practically perfect, but my views have changed a little on the episode since I first saw it back in 2003. Back then, as I came to the end of my student life, DS9 was already a series of the past, yet I knew I would watch it again. The future of Trek was brighter in those days, with a series still on the air, the latest film just gone, and while things weren't exactly rosy, Star Trek looked like it would continue to endure, and with that likelihood was the appearance of characters from DS9. Many Trek characters have reappeared outside of their series, but it was not to be. Apart from Worf, whose new position as ambassador to Martok was not even commented on in 'Nemesis' (a crime among many in that film).

Now a whole new generation, indeed a whole new universe rules the roost. There's no point holding your breath waiting for a DS9 film, or a miniseries, or even cameos. I'd love to be proved wrong, but audiences like things simplified now, and that is the antithesis of what DS9 tried to do. It tried to be complex, different, multi-layered, heavily continuity inspired (not driven exactly), and tipped its hat to the other Treks. That knowledge makes me appreciate less the events of this episode.

Although there is such a long arc up to the concluding of the war it somehow seemed too quick at last. And maybe the plot with Sisko and Dukat at the end seemed a little open ended. Suddenly there is the possibility of the Pah-wraiths taking over the universe, all because a few words are read out of a book. And equally the danger is brushed aside. Simply because Sisko pushed Dukat into the fire? Now I never thought badly of the story the first time, but it seems a little less impressive when I think of those things. The battle scenes still hold up as some of the best in the series, and the characters have a suitably long send-off. But Cardassia was never really shown to us. All we saw were the small alleyways and dark buildings they could afford to show - the story demanded a film level of detail and extravagance. The scope of it was larger than a TV series could achieve.

Yet they handled so many things, and didn't disappoint, it's only my changing views as I grow older that make it lessen a little. No longer is it poignant with nostalgia as those Thursday nights of the late nineties are so long ago now. I've got all I can from a series I can still call the best that's ever been on TV. In 2003 I began from the beginning. Starting with the videos and then in Season Five, moving on to DVD. Opinions are revised, episodes seem better or worse, but I still award it the highest place in my viewing history.

*****

The Dogs of War

DVD, DS9 S7 (The Dogs of War)

The bittersweet time. The calm before the storm. The ticking of many boxes, the preparing of many surprises, the arrival of such news, the plans for the offensive, the eve of an ending. An ending to a seven year saga, one of great breadth and depth, of hope, of sadness, of adventure, drama and character. One that will be worthy of the pedigree of this great series, the best Star Trek could produce. But how can you craft a satisfying conclusion to something that has so many levels, so many people we care about, so much history? You set it up with an episode like this one.

Too often episodes can be described glibly as 'great'. Or as a feast of delights, to whet the most demanding appetite. Well this one is truly the best apertif to a meal you could get in metaphorical terms. Avery Brooks gets one last chance to direct, and he doesn't waste it. As well as showing us a shaft of light into the Cardassian homeworld, he showcases many of the station's familiar sets. He takes us carefully around Quark's bar, circles the Ops centre, and presents the new bridge of a starship they call Defiant.

If the stage is set, then the pieces are in full evidence. We're treated to many of the recurring characters from the last few years. The extended Ferengi family makes a final reunion to confer an unlooked-for honour upon Rom 'the idiot'. Ishka, Zek and of course Mai'Hardu; the obsequious Brunt, conniving as ever. Leeta and Nog, and the bar staff, too. We see Weyoun - and just an aside: how good an actor is Jeff Combs? He plays both Weyoun and Brunt in the same episode, yet you would never know. They are such different in look, style and voice! Amazing. We also have the Female Changeling, with a new English-sounding leader for Cardassia, in the shape of Broca. Clearly a villain by the fact he speaks clearly and precisely! You can always see the mark of a baddun! Damar and Garak are forced into hiding in Garak's family home, the faithful Mila seen for the first time.

My only regret of these closing episodes in terms of Garak is that he never had a wistful walk round the decks of Deep Space Nine, and one final, thoughtful glance at his tailor's shop. Oh, I know it wouldn't be in character - he always hated his exile away from Cardassia and he was in a frightful hurry to get back there. But what are the denizens of DS9 to do for tailoring now? Martok makes his appearance, now in his Chancellorship, and Admiral Ross transfers command of the newly minted Defiant-A over to Sisko. Even Kasidy gets her moment, as a surprise announcement for Sisko right there at the end. Even Vaughn Armstrong makes a comeback and gets a heroic battle to die in! Almost no one of importance is left out, apart from, sadly, Jake.

Season Seven has been a pretty uneven time compared to previous years, and some characters have been overlooked to a lesser or greater extent. I don't feel that the season retained the upward surge of the previous two seasons, and in retrospect it may have been wise to go out when it was still popular, lest it turn into a decline. Not to say the season hasn't been full of ideas, great stories and character development, it's just that Seasons Five and Six really took off and ran with so many concepts, it would have been nigh on impossible to top them. I never used to think that way - originally I wanted the series to continue as long as possible, and a part of me still concurs, but time changes things. The perspective of Trek being a constant has dimmed and finally diminished, with only an alternate-universe film every couple of years to enjoy.

DS9 however, set out to be different and at the same time use what had come before. Look at the changes in Ferengi society, in Klingon leadership, in Federation-Romulan relations, in the new face of an old Dax (Paramount, CBS, or whatever: do a series set in the future and have a new host of Dax!). This episode has confidently wrapped up some of those important questions, while setting up more of them for the finale. And isn't it a kick to see a former Bajoran terrorist, wearing Starfleet garb, resting in a basement of a former secret agent, with the legitimate leader of Cardassia, a man that killed her friend. How these characters have grown and changed. And so have we as viewers, thanks to this superb slice of TV. And (yes!), there's still a feature-length episode to watch.

*****

Learning Curve

DVD, Voyager S1 (Learning Curve)

A nice way to round off the first season is this tale of Maquis animosity and redemption, while teaching Tuvok, the wise Vulcan, a little something along the way. The Maquis crewmembers were good characters, and it was especially gratifying to introduce a Bolian and a Bajoran into the mix - a couple of second tier races that all Trek series' shouldn't leave home without! They were good enough that they deserved to be reprised in future episodes and it's a shame that never happened. I suppose the logic would be that they had learned their lesson and would now integrate into the smooth running of the ship.

We later learn in the Sixth Season that this wasn't the case for all crewmembers, but we also have to assume those later dysfunctionals were at this time merging into the background, or Chakotay would have sent them on the course too! It is a great shame, and something that Voyager failed to do - in making recurring characters they could keep and play with. It would have only enhanced the series, but I can't be stern with it after confidently ending its opening season on a high. All the regulars are featured, and most get good little scenes. It's also refreshing that the story is solely an internal matter, to do with the inner workings of the ship, be they organic, or mechanical. Or organic again.

It's fun to see the Doctor in perfect working order while his crewmates are flaking around him, he's clearly enjoying not having an organic body at this point! He has also decided to include more patient concern in his program to enhance his bedside manner, which is another point to inject humour in. Torres' comment "get the cheese to sickbay" sounds a lot funnier when spoken out of context, as in the actual episode you buy everything that happens about the cheese causing the malfunctions. We are even rewarded with visits to familiar Holodeck places - Janeway's holonovel introduces the creepy children, Henry and Beatrice, and Tuvok and Dalby have a pool session at Sandrine's, the most common Holoprogram seen in the first season.

It doesn't end as definitively as you'd expect for the end of a season, but that probably has more to with the further four episodes they shot right after, which were, for some reason, included as the opening episodes for Season Two. I still expected Janeway to have some closing monologue, dialogue or Captain's log... I noticed a lot of similarities to the first season original Star Trek episode 'Galileo Seven', what with a parallel story of enmity in the ranks of each Vulcan's mission, getting trapped in a situation and the Vulcan gaining a bit of respect for his actions, and perhaps learning something from those he's teaching. Certainly helps make it a quality episode.

****

Extreme Measures

DVD, DS9 S7 (Extreme Measures)

And that closes the book on another integral part of DS9 - the epic friendship of Julian Bashir and Miles Edward O'Brien. I know they appear in the remaining episodes, but this is the last one that looks at them particularly, reminding us of all the great adventures they've been on together. There are a few niggles that don't quite let the episode reach full potential, but mainly that's because the previous two Section 31 stories were so strong, and it was always going to be a hard act to follow. They had already succeeded in a sequel this season, but I'm so glad they chose to enter the dark and twisted world of agent Luther Sloan once again.

That brings me to what is possibly the main complaint - they go inside his head, but it really isn't surreal enough. I quite understand their reasoning and desire to puzzle us a bit more by pulling the old trick of 'they haven't really woken up...', but the episode wasn't really about that, and to have the directive to set it on the station so they could pull off that twist wasn't a good enough reason not to have more surrealism and iconic imagery. The plot had been done better several times before ('Distant Voices' being the standout, along with Voyager's 'Waking Moments'), and they slipped up by talking too much about what they were going to do, that they might see all kinds of wonders of Sloan's secret mind, but then we don't get that. William Sadler's multifaceted performance as Sloan, and the buddie buddie conversations between our two heroes, were what saved it.

I always felt the episode did a little too much to lessen Sloan's huge shadow. Previously he's always been several steps ahead, so it seemed a little too easy that he could be captured so simply and that he would resort to suicide also. The first time I watched it I was waiting for the revelation that this had all been engineered by Sloan somehow, to get some other kind of information through Bashir's studies, or that we would find out that Bashir's enhancements as a child were actually paid for by Section 31 and that they had always planned to use him in the future - a complete turnaround. They would still have managed to secure the antidote to Odo's disease, but Sloan would have gotten some valuable information out of them which turned the tide of war, but was unethical or something.

Instead there are no clever twists, but it does give us a glimpse of a different part of Sloan, one that regrets his actions. We see his family, hear his apologies - multiple Sloan's would have been another interesting angle for them to follow, as they have to track down the right version of him in his mind. I also always imagined that he had the ability to clone himself and that it was a clone that died at the end of 'Inter Arma', so he could still be alive.

Even though the writers didn't quite pull off a story to top the others, it certainly fuels debate and ideas over the character and the organisation. It may be conspiracy theories, but with Sloan you never know which way is up, or what's fake and what's real! The scene at the start with Odo and Kira was so sad even when you know what happens, and it conveys their dignity and pain so well. Most of the other characters don't feature as largely, with Quark absent again. Perhaps he'll get one last episode next time... (clue: he will).

****

Tacking Into The Wind

DVD, DS9 S7 (Tacking Into The Wind)

I suppose the title refers to the difficulties encountered by certain people in this part of the serial. Worf has to take on the leader of his people in a politically and personally dangerous way (we always wondered what would have happened in 'Apocalypse Rising' if the fight hadn't been stopped, and now we know!), while Kira faces similar 'friendly fire' feelings from Rusot. This episode works so well because it presents these situations and resolves them in the space of its running time, not leaving threads dangling, which is a refreshing take to have in the middle of a serialised saga.

The Alpha Quadrant is changed by this war, but we haven't really encountered the reality of that until now. We always assumed the Federation would survive, but how would the political and social landscape stand after such a conflict, a Quadrant-wide conflict at that. Now we see the true dawning of possibilities - Damar goes as far as killing his friend, to protect Kira from the man's hatred, proving that the old Cardassia is dead. Worf defeats Gowron for the Empire, for Klingons everywhere, but most importantly, for Martok. A good, steadfast soldier who has proved in the past he can admit he was wrong. He has overcome the class struggle and now he finds power thrust into his hands by his adoptive son. It is the stuff of which great stories are made.

My only sadness is that we don't get to see the post-war life of all these major races, as it set up such a superb roiling cauldron of ideas. I like the fact they chose to carry a one-episode story, and while it segues directly into it's neighbours, it's a solid base from which to lauch onwards into the closing episodes. Garak proves himself a good friend, Odo and Kira play out a touching deception on each other, and O'Brien and Bashir make plans to capture a Section 31 operative. For some reason the Breen are represented by Thot Pren, instead of Thot Gor. I wonder why that was? It was also good to see another Vorta, a female, since we haven't seen many of them. Luaran was played by Kitty Swink who was Armin Shimerman's wife, which is a nice touch. The sets and situations continue to expand the series, and it is clearly trying to go out on a high.

****

Singularity

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Singularity)

An overly sentimental tale of Carter getting attached to some little girl, who has 'a terrible secret' as the write-up would probably have it. I wasn't too impressed with the slow beginning, radiation suits, and finding out what happened, but the ending is another story. You buy that Carter and this child have formed an attachment, and you want Carter to go back and be with the little girl as she dies. Of course it turns out that Carter figured out that she'd be alright, but who could fail to find that shot of the Major closing the huge door on the little, defenceless girl, upsetting!

There are a few little ticks between the characters and as usual they make a not very clever story much more watchable. First mention of Nierte (I have a feeling this is one of the system lords), and Dr. Warner (played by the guy from an episode of Season One 'Smallville') is in it. I have the feeling this Cassandra did live with Dr. Frasier and comes into it again later, but I might be mixing this up with 'ER'. Maybe.

**

When It Rains

DVD, DS9 S7 (When It Rains)

A slower episode than the last one, but one that continues to surprise in its threads. We have the massive irony of Kira being the best hope to help the Cardassian Resistance (or the Cardassian Liberation Front as Damar calls it); Bashir discovers Odo is not just infected, but also the carrier of the disease, and has been since Season Four when Starfleet Medical examined him. Section 31 were at work long before we even knew about them! Also, we get friction in the underground base between Kira, Rusot (after debuting last episode), and Seskal (Vaughn Armstrong adds another Cardassian to his long line of aliens, but why didn't they bring back his Season One character of Gul Danar - they probably forgot about him, I'd guess).

It's so fitting to see Kira in Starfleet uniform, with a commission and a mission. It goes some way to make up for the loss of focus in these final seasons, which the series initially had, that Bajor would one day become part of the Federation. And she looks good and right in that role. Even Odo gets to don his old 'occupation' look (even if it does appear greener than it used to). The tease of the direction events are taking, further eke out for us details such as the Klingons being the last stand against Dominion forces while the other fleets are powerless against Breen tech, and that doesn't go to their head's at all, does it! At least it brings Gowron back onto the stage, and once again he's in his negative persona as he messes with Martok's strategy at the crucial moment, personal glory uppermost in his motivation.

Someone else permitted her moment of glory is Kai Winn. After successfully covering up Solbor's murder, she continues to consort with Dukat, who makes the mistake of trying to read the evil book and gets blinded for his insolence. It gives Winn great pleasure to see her former enemy and recent deceiver in a state of helplessness, on top of the knowledge that her postion as Kai and the will of the Pah-wraiths has been proven, since she is unharmed. Cruelly she teaches the Cardassian a lesson, turning him out onto the streets to beg, now that her standing with her new masters is secure. The only character who is about as far from glory as possible is Quark. The extent to his role, once again, is to serve a drink.

Something I've been wondering about in these episodes is whatever happened to the Obsidian Order. Have I forgotten some plot point that made them obsolete? You'd think they'd be the first to wage undercover war on the oppressing forces, yet they haven't been mentioned. I know they were destroyed in Season Three, along with the Tal'Shiar, but the Romulan secret service has since been involved ('Inter Arma').

Summed up, this is another exposition episode, as if the start of a new arc, where 'Changing Face' was the culmination of the first arc of the initial three episodes. It has the strengths and weaknesses inherent in that position - it promises much for the future but doesn't yet deliver the goods.

***

The Changing Face of Evil

DVD, DS9 S7 (The Changing Face of Evil)

No more games. Now things get serious. The destruction of one of the best ever Starships, the USS Defiant; the unmasking of Dukat; the murder of Solbor; the open resistance of Damar; Earth attacked; new Breen weapons that eliminate shields... The first three parts of the story were slow in comparison, and the feeling is that at last we have got to some meat in the story.

There are a lot more well-written scenes and enjoyable moments in this, such as Damar's pulling the wool over Weyoun's eyes as he tries to pull back on his previous contempt of the Cardassian, mistakenly believing Damar's reborn confidence is due to his encouragement in the wake of the Dominion's successes. Even more welcome is the message Damar sends to the Vorta who has been a thorn in his side for so long - by the destruction of the cloning facility, which means Weyoun can't be cloned anymore - he could be the last one!

There's also a nice scene as the Defiant crew prepare for launch while cross-talking about a minor matter involving the Chief's model of the Alamo. Confident writing as it used to be. There are also some little facts to notice, such as the revelation by Weyoun that the homeworld of the Breen isn't a frozen wasteland as previously thought, and so their wearing of refrigeration suits is even more of a mystery! And Sisko has become extremely quiet, mostly talking in a whisper it seems to me, and it's happened since he got married as if he's walking on eggshells and has pulled into himself. He is especially saddened by the destruction of the Defiant that had served for so long, but it is a thrill to see the evacuation and escape pods with the klaxon blaring. Something so rare to see! It survived the Borg, Cardassians, Dominion, but was finally bested by the largely unknown race of the Breen, who show their worth for the Founders.

Kai Winn further sinks into evil with even the shocking revelation that the man she has grown close to is her enemy Gul Dukat, yet he still controls her, speaking to her unerring motivation towards power, and now there is no turning back. She kills her trusted aide, Solbor, who only wanted to protect her, and consults the evil texts of the Pah-wraiths. Nothing will reconcile her with the Prophets now her true nature rules unfettered. And with Dukat's villainous words persuading her on, bad things are sure to ensue. I must point out something I noticed which hardly ever happens on the series - a background painting wasn't good enough. Perhaps it was the higher resolution of DVD, but the cityscape in the background of Winn's study looked definitely painted, where usually they do such a good job of making it seem real.

On the other hand the matte work was excellent when it came to the skies over Cardassia! I kept expecting the episode to end and not fulfil what was promised, but we did get a pretty good battle and more plot points were hammered home, as if underlining that we're headlong into a spiral of death, destruction and danger in the final hours of DS9.

****

Strange Bedfellows

DVD, DS9 S7 (Strange Bedfellows)

Two key figures change sides at this stage of events. One, Damar, proves he is not the weak puppet of the Dominion, having been pushed as far as he can go by Weyoun. The other, Kai Winn, chooses the side of evil, after realising power is more important to her than service. Her ambitious, self-serving nature, always at the root of the decisions she chooses, wins out over her sense of right, her sense of history and what is best for her people. While Damar acts because of his people, and for them, Winn acts solely for herself.

We see a very rare portrayal of the woman who has been a bitter fruit ever since we first met her at the end of Season One, in penitent, honest, humble mood. She resorts to contacting her adversary of so many years, Kira, in the whirl of confusion she finds herself. When it is suggested that she step down, relinquish the only power she has, we see that even at her lowest ebb her desire for control and position override everything good in her. She had one last chance to repent seriously, but it was too much for her to take, and she makes the worst choice possible: to accept Anjohl, to accept the Pah-wraiths, and to reject the Prophets.

Life isn't exactly easy for others, either - Martok prepares Sisko for the 'battle' of marriage, Kasidy refuses to be involved in his duties as Emissary, while O'Brien and Bashir brood over Worf and Ezri's diappearance. Quark is on hand purely to pour a drink again, but at least this time it has significance as a glass for Ezri who he believes will return. Ezri and Worf also have their problems, with execution scheduled, they at least patch things up (in what must be the soapiest ever scene of the series, and one that is quite out of place for Trek).

The most fascinating plotline is the gradual degradation of Damar and Cardassia's importance within the Dominion. The Breen are the new toy, the brand new alliance, and Damar becomes old hat, right down to a scene out of any playground where Weyoun talks to his new 'best friend' Thot'Gor, and turns his back on Damar! When the Legate questions these new turns of events, he realises the Founders have what they wanted out of Cardassia - it has become subsumed into them, a race conquered without a battle, far from the beneficial allies of Season Five when Dukat first formed the coalition. Damar is not interested in personal power as Winn is. He is a patriot, concerned most with Cardassia and its people, going as far as secretly opposing his masters by rescuing Worf and Ezri! A bold move.

Dukat, meanwhile, helps to encourage Winn into the service of the Pah-wraiths. As much fun as it is to see these two great enemies of the series, from both of the major alien races from the beginning of the series, they are both much less compelling characters than their outward personas. To see inside their heads all the time loses the subtleties and intricacies of old, and I miss Winn's sweet as honey, deadly as poison, putdowns, or Dukat's misguided charms. They are both honest now, their former intrigues lost, as they have both come to understand themselves. It's difficult to guess where else they could have gone with these characters, as already they had become what they cement themselves as now. It makes for less deftness in the telling.

Odo and Jake don't appear (technically), and in fact, most of the main cast are not as in evidence as the recurring characters. A shame when we are so close to the end, however Rene Auberjonois does a reasonable job of directing, and we do get some fine little moments such as Worf breaking Weyoun's neck - but does the new Weyoun retain all the memories of the previous clone, as he seems to know what Damar is on about later when they discuss something. And which version are we on now? Was it Weyoun 7 that was killed, or 6? Damar says he might be seeing 9 if Weyoun tells the Founder of the prisoner escape, so that must mean the current one is 8... isn't it?

***

Hathor

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Hathor)

Oh my, this has some truly excruciatingly bad scenes. The most obvious is the one with the women locked in the cell and moaning about how men treat them, etc, and then using their feminine wiles in the most embarrassing way to escape! Double standards from the writers? It's like they were trying to make excuses for pulling off one of the worst stunts ever. The rest of the story, a bottle show done badly, is sci-fi by numbers. There's the age-old 'crew taken over except for one who fights back' with a side helping of 'female alien takes over the men', I can only imagine what the actors thought when this script was delivered. B-film sci-fi at best.

Even the teaser which should have been mysterious and ancient has the look of a newly painted set - the sarcophagus has no sign of age upon it and there's nothing to evidence the 2000 year gap Hathor's endured, plus it seems ridiculous that it should be sent to Jackson without confirmation or advice. And Hathor took a plane to the base? It also struck me that the skin flaps used by the Goa'uld larvae aren't very hygienic. I'm sure Dr. Frasier puts her uncovered hand right in O'Neill's belly! Nice touch that Hathor bothers to pick up her headdress before departing. Did she really have time? Her voice sounds disturbingly similar to a character in the N64 game 'Turok 2', I wonder if it was the same actress? Let's hope Hathor never comes back - easily the worst episode of the season!

*

'Til Death Do Us Part

DVD, DS9 S7 ('Til Death Do Us Part)

To be honest, aside from the Winn/Dukat plot, nothing has changed since the last episode. Sisko and Kasidy wanted to get married, the Prophets opposed it. Worf and Ezri were held prisoner by the Breen. Dukat has a harebrained scheme. Damar regrets his position. And now? Sisko and Kasidy get married. The Prophets oppose it. Worf and Ezri are still held captive by the Breen. Dukat begins his dastardly plan. Damar still regrets his position. The ins and outs are still entertaining, but already there's a sense that the multiple threads are bogging down the narrative a little. This happened in some of the six-parter, it's an inevitable trade-off for the larger canvas a multi-parter allows.

Even so, there are lots of little things we learn: Danielle is Kasidy's middle name, Adami is Winn's first. Quark mention the Terellians (one of the many TNG 'T' aliens). We already guess the Breen are in alliance with the Dominion, and the Founders are ill, but the shadows of intrigue become more defined. It's not explained why the Breen joining the enemy's side should be such a turning point as Weyoun seems to think, as the Breen have hardly been mentioned - I did like the speculations on Breen physiology by Ezri. Furry, hmm...

I like less the soap aspects - Ezri and Worf, getting a bit uptight with each other over dreams (but I loved the shaky camera work as the Breen enter the cell), the wedding was very nice, and a complete surprise after the intimation there would be an all-singing Bajoran wedding, but as Kira sees, Sisko has chosen to oppose the Prophets will on this one point, and nothing good can come of it. Odo seems incredibly insensitive when he jokingly hopes the Prophets will forgive Sisko  because he didn't go for a Bajoran wedding. Perhaps he's become too casual with the Colonel, and forgets how important her faith is to her. I'm sure in the past he would never have dared say such a thing!

Sisko's decision seems a bit odd. After the events of the last time he went against the Prophets directives, Jadzia died, the Wormhole collapsed, and he went into depression. You'd think he'd have learned to trust the Prophets after all that! But then where would the story be, where would the conflict be? I can tell where Kasidy would be: gone for good. If he wanted her to stay he had to make that choice, I get that. Dukat's blinding of Winn (metaphorically speaking) seems far too easy, and she seems incredibly gullible. Did she not think to check up on this guy's story? Check the farm out, prove his existence. Again, there's a fair explanation - she believes she's been spoken to by the Prophets at last, and it's this that makes her want to believe everything the slimy, self-deprecating Bajoran farmer she sees before her, says.

I like Solbor's automatic scepticism and obvious disdain for Dukat's guise. He reminds me of an old-fashioned butler, stiffly going about his duties, despite personal reservations. A shame he hadn't been introduced as a recurring character in previous seasons. I did wonder what Ross' berth is. Does he operate out of DS9 or have a ship. If he's on DS9 when Sisko organises a spur of the moment ceremony for the Admiral to officiate at, then he must be close by. If he works at the station why doesn't Sisko give up the commanding officer's office? Whether all parts of the tale are pleasing or not, the end rumbles closer and the characters continue on to their fates.

***

Jetrel

DVD, Voyager S1 (Jetrel)

A tour de force for Neelix, his best episode of the season, is also the most issue-driven story. Sharing comparisons with the Atomic Bomb and Hiroshima, we unravel a good deal of Neelix' makeup, at least compared to what he has divulged to this point. James Sloyan, the ever-reliable, is usually called upon to bring life to difficult characters, as in DS9s Mora Pol, his best known role on Trek (though he has played others), but this is is his strongest performance on Voyager, bringing a monster to redemption, but most importantly playing off of the rageful Neelix, allowing him the chance to relieve himself of a long-held guilt by forgiving the man who massacred his family.

The two have many similarities - they both live in shame of their actions, they lost their families, and both blame themselves. It takes Kes' caring to help rebuild Neelix' tough exterior, from the weakened state he enters. Janeway is caught in the middle, forced to mediate, and there's even the chance of undoing the horror of the weapon. I think it was right for it to prove fruitless, as even with Voyager's enhanced technology it would not realistically be able to accomplish something so complex as collecting together all the atoms of individuals to restore them. Maybe if the might of the Federation was behind them, but it's another case of Voyager not being able to do all that it might, because of it's primary mission to return home.

Jetrel's experiment looked like the inside of a Dalek, and throughout the episode we're unsure whether we should villify or sympathise with the Haakonian. At first Neelix' extreme prejudice is enough to convince us this man is bad news, and the view is furthered by his evasions and opposing point of view, but before the episode ends Jetrel reveals he does feel the shame, has felt the effects of the disease, Metremia, and comes into the light as trying to repair the wrongs of the past.

The episode is certainly one of the best of the season, even though it appears to be inspired by DS9s Season One tale 'Duet' - both about war criminals, both with blood diseases, both trying to atone for the atrocities. In this case, 'Jetrel' differs as he really is culpable. To see Neelix being truthful, and he so often hides his real feelings in a haze of optimism and jollity, is great in itself, but using it to comment on his and Kes' life, to visit his homeworld (although we don't get to connect with it, which is the only major letdown), and for him to do what is so hard to do: forgive, gives us much to think about.

****

Penumbra

DVD, DS9 S7 (Penumbra)

The first of the nine-part epic to end the series, in the same way the six-part epic at the start of Season Six pretty much kicked off the war (I know, I know, it started in the middle of Season Five, but most of the important stuff occurred in those episodes), and so much is squeezed in, it's a wonder they could keep track of it all! We have Sisko formally asking Kasidy to marry him, planning a future on Bajor, and being told by his 'Mother', the Prophet Sarah, not to marry her, threatening great sorrow. I suppose that's because he wouldn't be able to live with her, but that comes later. Jake takes all the credit for getting them together, Kasidy's delighted... it's only Sarah's words that are left to haunt the Captain. No doubt they deliberately wanted to shake up our expectations with idealised plans, and vague threats.

We also have Ezri doing her best to find Worf, against orders, though it does seem odd that the Defiant wouldn't have gone through the same thought processes as Ezri, they couldn't have done what she does with the (ill-fated) Runabout Gander, letting it ride the eddies of the Badlands (which haven't been seen in a while), to locate Worf's escape pod. Her scenes in his quarters as she hears the voice of Worf and Jadzia, from her memories, and picks up a photo of them, are so sad, and give us the chance to have Jadzia back, if only a disembodied voice and static picture. As much as I think Ezri's brilliant, it does make you miss the old Dax.

They start the process of Ezri's thoughts by mentioning Captain Boday, one of those never seen characters, who occasionally warrants mention (usually because of his transparent skull!), but this time it serves to draw parallels with Jadzia, ultimately between Worf and her, who settle their discomfort by episode's end. It was hauntingly familiar that they were alone on a jungle planet, bringing to mind last season's 'Change of Heart'. This time they don't have to trek through the jungle, but are quickly captured by a surprise Breen patrol. Bringing the Breen back into the fray was a bold move - up until Season Four they were another of those never seen, oft-mentioned races, and DS9 decided to give them form, in a similar look to 'Star Wars' bounty hunter Boush. They never appeared again until now, adding to the mystery over their involvement with any side, and their location on the planet.

Another ally is definitely confirmed - the Son'a of recently released ninth film 'Star Trek: Insurrection' are mentioned as Dominion allies protecting a Ketracel white facility. It's really good they chose to honour the film, including the beautiful white dinner jacket type uniforms, seen in the previous episode. It adds consistency to the greater Trek universe and is a satisfying thing for long-term viewers. I wonder if they deliberately didn't make the Breen ship organic, as that was one of the little known facts about them. It may have been an oversight, but their asymmetrical shape is different to most Trek designs.

I also wonder if Ezri's spacesickness inspired Hoshi's on 'Enterprise'... In other news, the Founders are revealed to be infected with a virus, Damar shows further unhappiness with his position, and Dukat shows up again. He's become something of a free agent, who Weyoun doesn't take seriously, but seems to allow to come and go as he pleases, presumably in the hope his meddling will be bad for the Federation. Damar has lost a lot of respect for his fromer mentor, but is still held by the man's intensity. It's certainly a little more than indulgence now, and for the first time we see the real actor under the mask as Dukat makes himself appear Bajoran. What plot could he be planning? A good start to the serial.

***

Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges

DVD, DS9 S7 (Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges)

Section 31 were one of the best ideas that the series came up with, especially so late in its lifespan. The rogue organisation generally, and Sloan specifically, demanded a sequel. Part of the mystery of the man and his secrets is whether they really exist at all. Is Section 31 a real entity, is it something created by Sloan, based on something that did once exist (as evidenced by 'Enterprise'), or at the least, passed down from centuries past? How can Sloan do all the things he does if he's just a single person with nothing to back him up. I think after this episode it's probably safe to take it for granted that he does have friends all over the place, but whether the other questions can be answered, or ever will be is something to ponder.

Bashir is the perfect template for Sloan's needs. Once again he uses the Doctor's fascination with the undercover, his love of the legacy of spying, and his unfailing duty to Starfleet and his fellow beings to manipulate and control him indirectly, while Bashir thinks he's doing it directly. Aside from the deep and complex world of the undercover operative, the episode has much more to recommend it. Voyager, at last, makes an appearance on DS9! Okay, so it's actually the USS Bellerophon, and it's an excuse for them to save money and use the 'Voyager' sets. The point is, we now know there are other Intrepid Class ships, and short of seeing Bashir and Ross turn up on Voyager this is the next best thing. It's quite a thrill to see them talking in the Ready Room, or sipping Romulan ale, now legalised, in the Mess Hall! Brilliant.

Admiral Ross gets his most substantial storyline, with the surprise double-cross. That such a straitlaced official would join forces with the rogue organisation, is shocking in itself, and lends credence to the view that Section 31 is known about by Starfleet, and unofficially endorsed. Perhaps things would be harder for Sloan if there was no war (you could start going into crazy conspiracy territory and wonder if he had a hand in bringing about war, his schemes are so web-like!), and that without it he might not have the same power. Yet despite his machinations he clearly is interested in the wellbeing of the Federation. All of this makes him such a compelling character.

Cretak (and my, how she's lost weight!), was never quite as compelling, and for her crimes she becomes the sacrificial lamb, in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a shame she wasn't developed further, as such a pro-alliance Romulan who did her best to fit in, is a rare thing. The trip to Romulus is another rarity, and would have been on many a viewer's wishlist. Starfleet Intelligence, the Tal'Shiar, all these undercover, secretive departments are always fascinating, and this story cements their intrigue. I'm guessing the actual Romulan senate (as seen in 'Nemesis') must have been undergoing renovation so they had to use a smaller room, right?

*****

Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang

DVD, DS9 S7 (Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang)

The best is yet to come. Not only an excuse to showcase Avery Brooks' singing voice (can you imagine him breaking out into song in the early seasons - the character's come a long way!), but a statement of intent. At the halfway point of the final season they give us one last hurrah for the crew (a bit of a shame then, that Quark, Worf and Jake don't take part), and a fun Vic story to take us away from the mood of war, and the inevitable multi-part ending that would be necessary to bring so many things to a close. A last chance to let loose and have fun.

They came up with the idea to do a heist story, including a flash forward to what should happen, to get us in the mood before things go awry. I loved the 'Magnificent Seven' style walk through the promenade, and there are lots of good little moments. They also throw in the reason why Sisko hadn't previously attended Vic's, and I felt that was an interesting enough angle to be explored more fully. It seems Sisko snaps out of it too quickly, but the episode is really only a chance to see the crew interacting on a stage without the danger of war missions, and for Sisko to belt out the song.

I'm not sure I can agree that the best was yet to come in the last half season - sometimes, I remember, those serialised episodes can drag a little or characters become lost, but there was no other way to wrap up so many people and so many storylines, and they were heading for a very strong finale, fitting for such a long-running and expertly produced TV series.

***

The Arsenal of Freedom

DVD, TNG S1 (The Arsenal of Freedom)

Professionalism and unprofessionalism - we see both in this episode, but mainly the former. They got the balance right with all the characters (bar Wesley who doesn't appear, and Worf who takes up Tasha's job of standing at the back not doing much). Yar gets a worthwhile part to play, the away team on the planet have survival issues, importantly Picard and Crusher in the fall. It was the wrong person who got injured! Perhaps an improvement could have been made by making their situation more personal, in line with the direction the writers had been taking with the charcters, but in this one they don't capitalise on it, although we do hear of Beverly's grandmother (eventually seen in the last season).

The episode belongs to Geordi, who stands up to opposition from a slightly condescending Chief Engineer Logan (ironic that LaForge would later take over that position!), who clearly didn't think highly of the Lieutenant's command ability, which is the unprofessionalism aspect, as well as the danger Geordi faces and at the same time reassuring the junior officers! I know we see him as Captain in a possible future, but he should join the command track for real!

The planetary setting brought to mind some of the original series' better set designs (such as that from 'The Apple'), and shows things haven't changed all that much in twenty years. The effects were quite ambitious for the late 80s, with flying robot assassins, and it was all well handled. Even little moments of delight unfold, such as Data jumping down 11.7 metres to the Captain's position, or Picard refusing to resume command until Geordi reattached the ship, and indeed, the first saucer separation since the pilot, and one that probably had more logic to it, rather than being a chance to show off the new ship's capabilities! The salesman was a fun character, and aside from, again, a slight niggle of inconsistency here and there, it shows the crew on fine form.

***

Heart of Glory

DVD, TNG S1 (Heart of Glory)

Some links to traditional Trek, some new ideas, and another tantalising mention of the Romulans covers a bit of clunkiness in execution. The chief draw of which is Worf's first confrontation between his duty and his Klingon heritage. You live with them, but you are of us, tries a desperate Captain Korris (played by the prolific Vaughn Armstrong, his first of many Trek roles), to convince Worf to abandon his ship and set off to rediscover the true Klingon way through battle and harsh survival. But Worf has already made his choice, earlier when he sees the first sign his loyalties may be pulled both ways at the confrontation in the corridor. At that point he doesn't have to choose, and in his relief corrects Tasha on her assumption: Klingons would never take hostages.

That close call gives him time to understand the situation he's in, which he's seemingly never faced before, and his answer to the misguided Korris is that the old ways aren't honourable - the honour is in duty and loyalty. Unfortunately, like General Chang in 'Star Trek VI' Korris can't take living in peace with the Federation, or anyone really, so Worf must phaser him. It's unclear whether it was the phaser that killed him or the fall through the floor (they obviously didn't make engineering with heavy Klingons in mind!), but another Klingon does get killed by phaser when trying to escape, and himself kills a Starfleet security officer - granted the disruptor was bound to be set to kill, but do Starfleet crew need to use kill settings?

Dennis Madalone as one of the security guards killed doesn't do as well in the acting stakes as the stunts, here, which is fair enough as he was a stuntman, but his wild line seemed wierd. Even Picard says a few things that don't quite fit in with the characters. That uncertainty of the production extends to Worf - they don't want to close down potential stroylines so they give as few details as possible, and far from being the famous Klingon of Stafleet none of his countrymen have heard of him. Okay, so he's still relatively young, I suppose, but even he doesn't have a definitive answer that he's the only one in Starfleet, which is odd when in later episodes Klingons tend to villify him for it. Maybe it was for his choices in this episode?

The Klingons were well introduced, with the long build up of the rescue aboard an atmospheric freighter about to explode. But again, LaForge's little toy, as fun as it is for the Captain to share his perspective, seems a little out of placeand frivolous. They're going over to look for survivors, they find the ship will explode, but they fiddle around and even when they find the Klingons they don't hurry much at first! But all the rough edges are forgiven for bringing one of the most important races back, the first for the series.

They wanted to distance themselves from the films and original series which led them to concentrate on new ideas, but after the failure of the Ferengi to make an impact (apart from the wrong impact - even a Klingon in this episode notes they were not worthy adversaries), it was good they could turn to an established race, especially as they use the peace between the Federation and Klingons, which hadn't exactly been set in stone, to create a new angle on it, test Worf, and show that even in the 24th century Klingons deep down want to go round fighting all the time! Importantly it also gives more insight into this race, and into Worf, a character not originally even meant to be a regular.

***

Coming of Age

DVD, TNG S1 (Coming of Age)

A half season appraisal of the ship and her crew, Wesley Crusher's own Kobayashi Maru, and the genesis of a dark moment in the Federation, all rolled into an episode that is one of the best of the season thanks to its many great scenes, be it Picard and Kurland in the corridor, Remmick's fist pump at the success of the rescue attempt, Wesley's various interactions at the Stafleet facility, or the cross-questioning of the crew. Remmick sums up the first half of the season so well when he reports the Enterprise runs as a family, even going so far as to wish to work there in ther future!

Admiral Quinn joins him in his first appearance, foreshadowing events later in the season. And Picard sums up where they're heading in the series, by saying at the end that it's time to get back to their mission. Most characters have satisfying moments, often with Wesley, who is used again in logical and excellent ways. His talk with Picard gives such a feeling of father/son, and coupled with Remmick's intimations and Beverly's refusal to talk about her opinions on the Captain, the trio are preserved in our minds as a possible family. Worf gets to reveal more of himself in a conversation with the acting Ensign also, and it's really only Tasha and Deanna who are underused. It's not a surprise that Crosby wanted to leave after such a run of episodes where she mostly stands in the background!

At first I thought the investigation was all a test for Riker so he'd be offered one of the many commands he turns down, but it did link directly with 'Conspiracy', although I'm not sure if it was truly Quinn, or the controlled version who was worried about a plot. There are some really strong and emotive dramas involved such as Wesley's desperate rescue of a man from a leaking room, with a terrifically exciting sequence. And the generosity of spirit between the candidates and Wesley and his crewmates makes you feel so much better than watching some realistic, nasty programme. Two characters may be leaving, although neither do, but there are some parallels with Wesley's testing and Picard's. It seems like they decided to refer back to several events seen so far, sum up what has become of the ship and crew, then sail on, satisfied with how things have gone so far. And so should we!

****

The Bourne Ultimatum

DVD, The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) film

I know I've reviewed this before, but this time I've given it a better score and seen it as the best of the three, so I felt it was time to write a fresher review.

From the first frames, as the familiar music thumps out, and we're right back in Moscow where Bourne is being chased, is cornered, but chooses not to kill the policeman, we're reminded that this is a moral hero, and in the modern world such heroes are rare. I like the return to a calmer, more thoughtful Bourne, akin to the first film - after the events of 'Supremacy' where he almost fell over the brink of revenge, but refused, he still has questions, but the death of Marie is no longer a driving force, instead her life is a calming reminder to him, not only of the good times, but of the decision they both took. We see the same decision offered up to him in the shape of Nicki Parsons, the girl who has always been there in the background since 'Identity', and in an incredibly subtle conversation we learn the why's of the situation and understand her choice to help him.

When Bourne has to protect someone else's life it makes events far more exciting than if he's alone, and was one of the joys of the first film. They recreate that set-up with Nicki, and craft the most exciting film of the three, which rarely slows down or lets up. One minute he's chasing someone, the next he's being chased, and really it's a series of chases for different reasons, and that keeps the adrenaline going throughout. Early on, for us English viewers it gets especially fascinating with the sequence set in and around London Waterloo station, a place that I've been (as most people in the South probably have at some time or another), and there's a special thrill to seeing the characters in a place you've been yourself, and even more impressive as we see them film in the real location!

Simon Ross was a good character that seems like a real reporter, Paddy Considine doing a brilliant job. It's typical that he doesn't do what Bourne tells him and gets killed for it, as reporters are known for making their own decisions and taking risks. Once again, Bourne being at the event causes some to think he was involved in the death, except for those behind it, of course. David Strathairn as Noah Vosen makes an effective villain, not a crook like Conklin or Abbott, but someone who is trigger happy and willing to use licence to kill at any opportunity. The fact that they've brought back Treadstone, even under the different name of Blackbriar is damage enough, and Pam is soon sticking her oar in, in Vosen's eyes.

She's the other end of the stick from Bourne - the good at the top of the service, as he is the good on the ground. And once again it's a battle for both of them. For Bourne especially, as he comes up against a younger, healthier agent from Blackbriar (which, incidentally was mentioned at the end of the first film in a throwaway line), called Desh. The sequence where he hunts Nicki through the narrow streets of Tangier, as Bourne tries to get to her first, via the rooftops, is the most thrilling part of the film - he leaps through homes, like Neo in 'The Matrix', and at the last second, just as Desh is about to catch up to her, he leaps across a street and right through a window, which was the single shot that first made me interested when I caught the trailer on TV, knowing nothing about the films.

The best fight of all the films ensues, as Desh proves a match for Bourne's hand-to-hand skills, but ultimately makes the wrong move by cornering him... Every aspect of the production is slicker than the previous films, and builds on them, literally rising to a climax as we learn how it all started. A Bourne film wouldn't be right without jumbled memories partially resurfacing, and I would say the story is the best since the initial mystery of 'Identity', except with added tension and stunts. Albert Finney makes a suitably revelatory character, but it's the ending that rounds off the package and makes as good an ending as the first film was a beginning: Just as we were unsure if Nicki would survive (seeing as most of the recurring characters were exterminated in some way), so we fear for Bourne as he plummets from the roof.

We come full circle to the opening seconds of 'Identity' as once again he is floating, unmoving in dark waters. Then Nicki, hears the events that transpired, by news report, and that his body was never found, and she smiles to herself as the strains of optimism burst out and we see Bourne move again. One of the best endings to a film and a trilogy, certainly in the action genre, ever!

There are several throwbacks to previous films - the very fact Nicki and Jason are on the run together; the way she cuts her hair and looks like Marie, only this time Bourne doesn't allow her caring to affect him, which I liked because it shows he's learned, and it's unexpected; the way they stop at a service station, and sit in the same position as when he and Marie did the same; Paz, the other agent he's up against, ends up slumped over the steering wheel, bloodied, just as Karl Urban's character did in 'Supremacy'; the way he's always ahead, and has the conversation with Pam again, and has a similar talk with Vosen, perhaps the best line in the film ("Because if you were in your office we'd be having this conversation face to face"). Old faces are seen in files, and we even get one small flashback to Marie which was a bonus, and it was simply the most satisfying tidy up of the story.

The characters are very well used, even Strathairn who looks very much like his character in 'The River Wild' which could have put me off, was different enough. The upbeat version of the title song 'Extreme Ways' is as fitting as the more distant original, for the other two films. They even went to the trouble of making an even more detailed graphical explosion for these credits! I would say the car chase isn't up to the best one of 'Supremacy', but in almost every respect this film is slightly better than it's previous installments.

I did wonder about the conversation with Pam. Because of the flashback to Moscow I wondered if the moment at the end of the second film is a flash forward to the bit in this film where she gives his name, but then I thought it would be illogical, and the code wouldn't work if they hadn't already carried out that conversation, so it was just me being stupid. But maybe I should check the end of 'Supremacy' again...

****

Fire and Water

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Fire and Water)

There's a good counterbalance between the real and the fantastic. While Jack and co. go through some sad memorial, wake and clearing Damiel's rooms, he's in some kind of Zelda Water Temple with bubbles, and rippling light, not to mention a scary alien who roars at the drop of a hat! The scientist's reaction to the demands placed upon him are in turn comical and tragic, especially as we learn the true nature of the request and how closely it mirrors his own experiences with Sharray. If the episode could be improved it's in this device - they should have made it more about Sharray and less about Omaroka, since this quest is one of the driving storylines of the season.

Otherwise, the underwater set looked alien in a good way, the breathing gills in practical costume were example of attention to detail, and the episode succeeds in the visual effects also, with moving characters through water and displaying the alien beach landscape. It even made me jump a couple of times, which is very rare in this sort of programme, although I admit I got confused and thought this was the one where they turn out to be robot doubles of themselves. But then why would he have implanted those memories? I wasn't being logical! Good implementation on all fronts (except the hokey hypnosis!), sad, sad scenes that are fascinating despite knowing they will be proved unnecessary. It shows the kind of thing they would go through if one of them were to die.

***

Home Soil

DVD, TNG S1 (Home Soil)

The title doesn't exactly inspire visions of exciting galactic exploration, does it, and sometimes it seems a little too silly, such as when Picard is telling the little blobs of light that they can go back to their wet sand, but I have a soft spot for the episode. I don't know whether it's just something to do with how safe and comfortable episodes like this make me feel, for some reason, but it's nice to emerse into the world without complicated backstory or ongoing continuity to worry about. I'm in two minds over the terraformers. Were they bad actors or were they very good actors making a realistic portrayal of a group who haven't seen anyone else for ages, which is why they talk and move so disjointedly? I'm serious, it could be either way!

There are moments when you long for modern technology - the part when Data is trapped in a room with the laser gun (reminded me of the 'BUGS' episode where Ed gets trapped in the vault!), would have been improved if we got to see him have to move physically superfast to outwit the gun, but obviously at the time they couldn't achieve that very easily (though they had a good go in the 'Datalore' episode this season). In the end the episode turns out to be pretty functional, when you think it might be a mystery, where people get picked off. Nothing so glamourous, but it does pique the interest enough to be watchable. I'm not sure they succeeded as much as the Genesis Project did in 'Star Trek II' however, which I suspect was part of the inspiration.

**

Home Soil

DVD, TNG S1 (Home Soil)

The title doesn't exactly inspire visions of exciting galactic exploration, does it, and sometimes it seems a little too silly, such as when Picard is telling the little blobs of light that they can go back to their wet sand, but I have a soft spot for the episode. I don't know whether it's just something to do with how safe and comfortable episodes like this make me feel, for some reason, but it's nice to emerse into the world without complicated backstory or ongoing continuity to worry about. I'm in two minds over the terraformers. Were they bad actors or were they very good actors making a realistic portrayal of a group who haven't seen anyone else for ages, which is why they talk and move so disjointedly? I'm serious, it could be either way!

There are moments when you long for modern technology - the part when Data is trapped in a room with the laser gun (reminded me of the 'BUGS' episode where Ed gets trapped in the vault!), would have been improved if we got to see him have to move physically superfast to outwit the gun, but obviously at the time they couldn't achieve that very easily (though they had a good go in the 'Datalore' episode this season). In the end the episode turns out to be pretty functional, when you think it might be a mystery, where people get picked off. Nothing so glamourous, but it does pique the interest enough to be watchable. I'm not sure they succeeded as much as the Genesis Project did in 'Star Trek II' however, which I suspect was part of the inspiration.

**

Chimera

DVD, DS9 S7 (Chimera)

Divided loyalties have often plagued Odo, ever since the discovery of who and what his people are, but over the seasons it often got pushed to the back of our minds, but not, it seems, to the back of Odo's. The reintroduction of the concept of the one hundred little changelings sent out to explore the universe, and the fact Laas is over 200 years old brings Odo back into the light as a mythical creature we haven't learned the depths of. He will outlive all these people, and has abilities he doesn't even understand, but his job and the day to day life of the solids, or monoforms, as Laas coins them, has let him forget, and us along with him, that he isn't one of them, and that his life can be so much more.

It sends a huge signpost to the eventual fate of the character, that his inner desire is still to be with his own kind, and that it is only Kira who has kept him on the station. This realisation is both sad and happy - and I must say the scoring of this episode was especially sensitive and fine - that one day he must surely leave his friends and Kira, to begin a new life, a life more fitting to his needs.

There was one thing I noticed. Since Odo links with Laas, and don't read any further if you don't want a massive plot point ruined - doesn't Odo provide the means to pass on the virus? So doesn't that mean Laas will die in the near future? A sobering thought. It's strange that it's taken the writers so many years to focus on the limits of the changelings - so often we get the political, ideological, cultural information, and it becomes overload when compared with as simple an outsider perspective as Laas brings. Not a founder, but one of Odo's people, and this, aligned with his centuries of simply living as different forms brings us back to the origins and the first revelations of the shapeshifters. It's another example of the series drawing to a natural close, and tying up, or at least bringing back notions that have been forgotten.

Quark is the character that brings the intriguing viewpoint that basically says racism is genetic - we fear what we don't know, or that which is different. It's right the Ferengi should be the one to say something which has truth to it, but is also distasteful as it brings up the idea that everyone has to conform or they will be reviled. But Odo doesn't quite accept it, and neither does Kira, by showing how deep her real love is for him. That she would let him go for his own happiness at the expense of hers. It adds layers to what might have been a simplistic story, and for the first time I totally believed in them as a couple, where before I never felt completely comfortable. The end scene as Odo shows he can, to some extent, live in both worlds is a beautiful conclusion and the episode has treated the issues very well.

I should make special mention of J.G. Hertzler's deceptively quiet performance as Laas. Once or twice a Martok growl escaped, but in 'general' he did a fantastic job of being a different character! It makes Martok being behind Laas' troubles all the more twisted when you realise they are played by the same actor, although Martok doesn't actually appear, unfortunately. Odo returns to the classic Trekkian mould in the episode. An outsider that experiences division of loyalty and questions about his rights goes all the way back to Spock, but could also be seen in Data, Seven of Nine and the EMH. 'Enterprise' never really had a proper character like that and suffered for it. You could also put these characters on a list of everyone's favourites, which is telling. Odo is up there with the best!

***

Field of Fire

DVD, DS9 S7 (Field of Fire)

This one has a portentous ending as if they thought they might follow up on it one day, should the series have continued. The long overdue comeback of Joran raises the episode, but they didn't play with the comedy potential of Ezri talking to herself. Then again this was no comedy, with Starfleet officers murdering other Starfleet officers. It's the cool tech that gives the episode it's killer app - the superb TR-116 rifle with a modified miniature transporter to literally beam the bullet within centimetres of a victim from across the station. The stylish eyepiece sells it too, as does the visionary first-person view that allows us to pass through walls! The episode was ahead of its time visually with that effect. Nowadays it would be much easier to do elaborate wall-travelling in CGI, but then they did it for real, with clever camera work.

Maybe the season has focused a little too much on the new Dax at the expense of the others, but she's certainly brought the series extra stories. Joran hasn't been 'seen' since Season Three's 'Facets', and once before that in the same season's 'Equilibrium', but he's always a powerful, but definitely evil character. His compelling, wily nature almost makes Ezri forget herself and kill someone, but thankfully she wasn't under his skewed tutelage long enough to turn to the dark side.

There are plenty of nods to past Trek, with Saurian brandy mentioned again, a Bolian who gets killed, and didn't Lieutenant Ilario look like Harry Kim! If we didn't know already we learn Bolians live in marriages of more than two, which I have a feeling Andorians also do (must be the blue skin). There are some great sequences, and not just the zooming in on the killer bit at the end - the dream sequence with its speeded up picture and shocking moment of Joran 'killing' himself and Ezri was a spine-tingling scene, especially the refrain of the music Jadzia had going around her head in the earlier episode - Joran's composition.

I thought the characterisation was strong, but I wished they could have got the original actor back even if he wasn't particularly an actor. As usual DS9 continues its subversion of everbody's favourite good guy race; the Vulcans. We've seen Vulcan terrorists (Sakonna in Season Two), and Vulcans who seem to bear a grudge (Solok, this season), and now we get a sniper Vulcan that picks off people "because logic demanded it." Vulcans do make very effective villains, but it would have been nice to see the counselling sessions Ezri would probably have led for Chu'lak (and was that a veiled tribute to 'Stargate SG-1'?). So quite the spooky episode, especially the bit where she creeps around on the side of the promenade we almost never see.

****

When The Bough Breaks

DVD, TNG S1 (When The Bough Breaks)

Kind of the opposite of the original series episode 'And The Children Shall Lead'. They found a suitable tale to use the family side of the Enterprise, which is something that has been touched on since the beginning with Wesley, but here we see a wider effect of having children aboard. As ever, having the good Captain interact with children makes for high comedic potential, but at the same time the little girl is sweet! There are some quite touching little moments as the children get over the initial interest of new things and realise they aren't happy.

Jerry Hardin makes his first Trek appearance as the leader of the planet, and does an effective job of being impossibly horrible in a sympathetic, weary way. I never liked Riker's boyish enthusiam for this mythical planet of Aldea, and it seems a bit easy that they bump into it, but the idea is a good one, and the power source seen at the end is quite striking. I'm not sure what the message is for this story, however. Beyond the anti-child theft I suppose it would be something along the lines of technology not being the be-all and end-all and it shouldn't rule over people, but should be used in a beneficial way. Something like that?

***