Melora

DVD, DS9 S2 (Melora)

Another Bashir episode. He comes across well in this one, very sensitive and charming to the abrasive Melora, breaking through her cold exterior. The episode is as much about disability than anything else - originally a character of this kind was to have been a regular when they first created the series, but the low-gravity room was too expensive and difficult an effect to achieve week to week. That sequence works well, convincing us that they really are no longer bound by normal gravity. It's something you'd expect to see more of in a space programme, but the old joke on Trek (not the one where they roll around whenever the ship is fired on), is that whatever else fails, be it shields, life support or whatever, the gravity will always be working fine!

The only other time they used this was in a couple of 'Enterprise' episodes, as I remember, which is a shame since it's such a logical and brilliant stunt to see. We're also treated to some reference treats (the funny gag at the Klingon restaurant; the serenading Klingon Chef; the beautiful, but simple Vulcan lute playing), and background details for both Bashir and Quark. We find out about the doctor's inspiration in the little girl he watched die, as well as his career with tennis. For the Ferengi we discover he was in business with a crazy elephant-faced criminal whom he sold out - Quark does some dastardly deeds in his time, but he always stops short of the worst (and possibly least profitable) crimes such as murder. I think this is what he refers to when he tells Odo Fallit Kot was served justice. No doubt the guy had done some nasty things that made Quark so afraid of him.

As soon as he enters a darkened room you know something's up, and it reminded me of the later episode where Quark asks Garak to kill him, and flits from room to room. It's a real shame Melora (played by Daphne Ashbrook - the only connection between the worlds of Trek and 'Dr. Who' since she played the 8th Doctor's assistant in the 1996 TV film), never returned, but she made an impact. They at least should have revisited the Elaysians, although she did appear in some of the novels. The mix of stories so far has been quite varied thanks to the three-parter and now some more character-based stories.

****

Cardassians

DVD, DS9 S2 (Cardassians)

After the opening four episodes, which were full of action, intrigue and political machinations, this one is a lot different, except for that last category - politics are at the heart of the story, though at first it seems more like another 'Cardassians - hate them or not?' episode like 'Duet'. It never reaches the intensity of that classic, but it does provide a thoughtful series of events, and gives Bashir a chance to go all investigative when he becomes a partner to Garak, the Cardassian that always seems to know more than he lets on. There's uncertain interplay between him and Dukat, all we really know is that they don't like each other! Garak's motives seem completely to show up Dukat for the unpleasant man he is.

Garak seems a very genial figure, one that moves things along (inciting Bashir into actions he might not ordinarily take, and provoking some very dry reactions from Commander Sisko!), yet he never seems to bear malice. When he and Bashir visit the children's sanctuary and the Bajoran in charge makes her disdain plain, he retorts back (speaking about how Cardassians taught Bajor how to keep records), but not in an angry attack, more as if he enjoys the opportunity to spar, and says it purely for that purpose. He goes on to fix her computer when she wasn't going to have it fixed for a long time, so it proves he has no ill will. The young female Cardassian may well be the first female of her species we see on the series. The large alien who transported Rugal and his adopted Father to DS9 (and proceeds to spread lies about abuse) reminded me of the Tellarites from the original series.

This episode explains a point that left me wondering in the last two - whether Garak was happy to leave the station. In later seasons it's established he has many enemies who would kill him if they had a chance and he doesn't like to leave the station, but he goes to Bajor in this one, so a short trip on a Runabout in the station's evacuations couldn't have been too bad. Plus he earns more venom from Dukat in this story thus increasing the chance of danger to him. I believe this is only the second time we've seen Dukat in the flesh since the few appearances he has prior to this are on screen, except in 'Emissary'.

The main cast don't get as much to do, with most only chipping in with one line, which seems odd after the ensemble start to the season, but if you remember back to Season One they tended to focus on one or two characters, and it's nice to get back to that style as it gives each one more time to develop. The episode shows both the best and worst sides of Cardassian society, simultaneously showing the highly-prized values of family, against the abandoning of those without one, and the lengths some will go to for political revenge and gain, in the best Trek tradition.

***

There But For The Grace of God

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (There But For The Grace of God)

This suffers by following an episode that has similarities in location and ideas. It starts practically the same as the last one, with the group entering an underground facility through the Stargate and Jack making some little comment. This time it's only Daniel that experiences something, but the old chestnut of an alternate reality is a bit close to doubles which was the core of the previous story.

Add to that the short time it takes for the alternate characters to believe Jackson's wild tale, and the lack of great differences, and the episode feels a bit like a budget-saver. It's only thanks to Michael Shanks' energetic performance as Daniel that the episode remains enjoyable. It was fun to have Catherine back, and it was a good way to set up the last two episodes of the season, but unfortunately they didn't quite live up to the hysteria generated here.

Jack's bold plan to hold Teal'c off for a few minutes was bound to fall flat on it's face since he'd just sent a bomb through to Chulak! And Daniel took long enough to work out what was happening! He would surely realise they weren't playing a joke on him. Also, I thought he needed the device to get back though the mirror, or was that what he meant in the cliffhanger ending about the enemy coming - was it from space or the mirror world he was anticipating attack from?

**

Tin Man

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Tin Man)

Like most good sci-fi this one makes you think. What would it be like to live forever in incorruptible form (sounds like Heaven). The downsides of this particular situation for the characters was being forced to live in an underground station that's falling apart, and spending those interminable lifetimes constantly fixing the place and being annoyed by the ever-jolly Harlan. I'm not sure Jack could spend eleven days with that guy, forget eleven thousand years!

The other downside is should they not succeed in the repairs they could die at any moment. Sounds a lot like Hell to me. It makes you think beyond the episode too - these 'robot' copies, all being well, will outlive the people they were created from by many, many times. When O'Neill and the others have long since died, the counterparts will still be soldiering on and that must occur to them. They will also be completely cut off from all outsiders, being underground, and having buried the Stargate, so the five of them will probably be the only other faces they'll see for eternity, which is hard to imagine in itself.

It's difficult to see that their life will be fulfilling, unless you consider that unless they were there their coming into being would never have happened, no matter how much they think they remember of their former 'lives'. Harlan has managed to stay quite chipper despite being alone for thousands of years so perhaps there's hope for them yet, but it would be fascinating to revisit them in the distant future to see what they've changed into in the narrow cage they survive in. I reckon Daniel would cope best, learning all there is to learn, and Carter would be taken up with keeping Jack from going off into the irradiated planet's surface. No doubt Teal'c would take on that challenge too...

Part of the shock of the episode is when Jack carves open his own arm with a scalpel, leaving you wondering what other gruesome body horror could be coming at any moment. The fight and other examples of their new capabilities make for great viewing, as does having doubles talking to each other - always a good thing. At first you can't help noticing the abandoned water plant or whatever it is (like the engine room in the new 'Star Trek' film), but you soon accept it for what they say it is, and unlike Jack I found Harlan a funny little man, rather than an annoyance. The first time I saw it I guessed what had happened (a similar story was made in the original 'Star Trek' back in the 60s), but it proves the good old storylines are the best!

***

We'll Always Have Paris

DVD, TNG S1 (We'll Always Have Paris)

It's a tough life for a counsellor, after all no one likes to be told they're wrong, or in need of advice, or have their flaws brought to light, so it's only Deanna's tact that gets her through. Her position is made more difficult in some ways by being friends with these people, and on the level with them.

Crusher's feelings for example, are strongly hinted at in this story, with her seeming slightly jealous of this past connection arriving on board. Throughout the season it's been intimated that she and Picard were friends through her husband, and it seems like only a matter of time before they realise a mutually beneficial arrangement. Yet this obvious couple never transpired, perhaps due to Beverly leaving the series (albeit for one season), so losing the impetus the writers seemed to be gaining. Plus it's always difficult to tie up the Captain like that. Would have been for the best I think, and should have happened in the tenth film.

The directing is noticeably well done, with the clever effects giving the episode an identity, but it's the sensitive music that helps to keep the audience in the right place, never straying too far into heavy sci-fi, nor soap opera, for a well-judged story and a look into Picard's past. Dr. Manheim was a suitably mad-seeming scientist perhaps inspired by Lazarus, an original series character also caught between dimensions. He seemed to be in that classic vein, but to be different he never was mad, with the focus on his wife and Picard. Data gets to do his acrobatics against automatic AI defences, just as in 'Home Soil'. A good Picard episode with comfortable story and a bit of character.

***

Solitudes

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Solitudes)

Another thing every sci-fi/fantasy/drama series has to have is the one where two characters get trapped somewhere together, and the drama comes from the revealing of the two characters to each other, while the rescuers try to work out the missing piece that will guide them to the inevitable rescue. While the episode has a good ice set, and admirable, if brief snowy mountain location shoot, it lacks the character building that should be the goal of putting two characters together in such a life and death situation.

Carter and Jack should have told stories about themselves which brought them closer together, or had some exciting escape attempts, but they take the route of giving Jack a broken leg so he can't do much. The twist that they aren't quite where they think they are is the only glimmer of good plotting, along with the occasional funny line, but it's by the numbers, and a missed opportunity.

**

Invasive Procedures

DVD, DS9 S2 (Invasive Procedures)

A Dax episode technically, but not so much Jadzia Dax as Verad Dax - John Glover (who went on to play the supremely villainous, almost Gul Dukat-like Lionel Luthor in 'Smallville') steals the show with his two-tone performance, as a weak, needy, but determined, slightly unstable, perhaps unbalanced Trill, who becomes the supremely confident and relaxed host of the symbiont.

It's more of a Sisko episode in terms of the regulars, although all the main characters, bar Odo get a good bite of the action (even Odo, as he and Kira tag-team against Tim Russ' pre-Tuvok Klingon T'Kar), and there are a few action scenes, with most of the main cast getting into fights at one time or another, even Quark who tries to undo some of the damage to his reputation (if that's even possible!), by taking an uncharacteristically heroic course, leading to the resolution of the danger. But it's Sisko who really does the talking.

At first he does his Captain Kirk bit in a violent struggle with T'Kar, but later, as Kirk would invariably do, when violence is no longer an option, he uses his wits and his tongue - first to make Verad see what he's done (one of the best scenes, where they reminisce over shared memories such as the cliffs of Bole, or Andorian food until Sisko abruptly leads him to see what responsibility he has), then to convince Mareel that Verad does need her more than ever, though she sees this new, improved Verad no longer finds her assistance necessary.

The episode's end brings us into sympathy with them, as Mareel has what she wanted; the old Verad who needed her, but he feels such loss. It's strange that for such a Trill-centric episode Jadzia ends up lying unconcious for most of it. We do get a glimpse of what she would be like without the reassurance and knowledge the symbiont carries inside it, though the shock of losing it amplifies her weaknesses. She becomes almost like the version Bashir had dreamed of last season ('If Wishes Were Horses'), but here he just cares about helping and protecting her as a great friend.

This episode emphasised what Klingon characters were on DS9 to this point - they are, in simple terms, wrestlers - big, beefy, loudmouths, a little dumb (Yeto was a neanderthal!), big muscles, sweaty, hairy... that would change (okay not completely), but so far this was the only kind of Klingon we'd seen here. Russ is brilliant as such an antithesis to his best known Vulcan role, and even when you know it's him, he's still radically different in movement and voice. Many interesting facts get dropped, such as how only one in ten Trills are deemed suitable for symbiosis; Jadzia has a sister; O'Brien has two brothers...

As always when Quark's involved there are moments of high hilarity, and it's always a pleasure to see the Ferengi cross verbs with Odo! I always loved the station being empty, although it's odd to have the place evacuated two episodes in a row. It's kind of cosy, but creepy as Odo and O'Brien go round locking the places up, and I only wish they'd turned the lighting down, but the effect of the storm was well designed. A strong start for the season proper, giving a very good ensemble piece, Klingons, further Trill revelations, and Glover's performance that remained with me since I first saw it. One thing the episode left me wondering was what a Tribble would be like if it had a symbiont inserted into it...?

****

Enigma

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S1 (Enigma)

They get points for continuity with this one, but not for originality or sophistication. Every fantasy series set in the real world has to mention the Scrodinger's Cat principle, folding space, and/or people walking through walls! Boxes ticked for this series, although I've seen those things done better on 'BUGS', 'Smallville' and Trek. Early CGI effects were a bit poor, but the falling ash was good for visualising a different environment.

The episode is notable more for it's roster of characters and references than for the sub-Prime Directive/human rights slant to the story, with reapperances from Tupoc (er Tuloc, Tumoc?... the guy from 'The Broca Divide' anyway!), the villainous Colonel Mayborn's debut, and a surprise last minute spotlight on Lya (unfortunate name) of the Nox (a shame Armin Shimerman didn't mount a comeback). Carter falling for some person in unfavourable circumstances was another running plot line.

Not a great story - while it started strange and could have been, yes, an enigma, it soon reverted to type, being little more than a tried and tested bottle show, though I must say I liked the end. Surely there must be some way Mayborn could have disciplined Daniel and Teal'c however?

**

The River Wild

DVD, The River Wild (1994) film

No stopping and no turning back... the vacation is over.

You know when a film's this good, because it doesn't matter how many times you've seen it, it still impresses. You may know most of the lines, and the entire outcome, but if it's this good it can still take you on the journey. And this is a journey in more than one way - aside from the obvious trials of the river, there is the journey a family takes to heal itself and come back together. There are the separate journeys each character takes, such as Tom and Maggie; Wade and Terry; Gail and Rourke.

The film is as much about triumph over adversity, as adversary. The latter a battle of the mind as well as the body for some characters. Early on, a strong scene between Gail and her mother starts the ball rolling with her view that marriage is for life and there should be no 'out' as she puts it. And she's right, the younger generations don't know what 'difficult' is (rationing, war, etc!), and I can imagine this being a scene that might very well end up on the 'deleted extras' segment of modern DVDs because it's with a minor character commenting on something in a way that is not immediate and plot-moving. But it's a nice scene, and does help to show the damage of Gail and Tom's marriage.

At first this is the main conflict, the age-old one between husband and wife, as well as between Rourke and his father, who feels inadequate and unnecessary. But the young boy couldn't understand that and only sees a Dad who is slipping away from him and doesn't have time for him, doesn't let him do the things he wants to. As events progress Rourke comes to see that his father is a hero, and while he tastes the guilty pleasures of holding a gun, being given a load of money, and hanging out with the big boys, he comes to realise that his Dad cares for him, while Wade does not.

The adversarial streak runs through Wade's interactions with Frank, who ends up dead (the second man Wade kills), and continues to a much lesser degree with Terry, though he never has the guts to pull away from Wade's grip. He is unhappy with harming people, but knows Wade is cleverer than him, and he has a kind of childlike view of things, as evidenced by the way he tries to explain his actions to Rourke, assuming the boy will understand. It's not that he's stupid, but he isn't brainy, and goes along all too easily with the slightly mean Wade.

The biggest conflict is the battle of wills between Gail and Wade. He needs her, and in some ways she gains the upper hand - once Tom is out of the picture she dares him to do what he wants with her, as he's been boasting, but her will is stronger. It just happens he has the gun. Ultimately the river is the biggest adversary, bringing the enemies together, at least for the time they are traversing the rapids, banding them into a unit for survival. The exhilaration they experience together could almost seem like the joy of friends, though it is short-lived.

The film is extremely well directed with incredible, real shots of the white water rafting. The sight of huge rocks speeding towards camera is amazing (Terry almost scuppers their progress by trying to hide from these dangers when he's needed to paddle and so avoid collision!), and many shots are used to convey the terror, anger, and deadly beauty of the rushing waters. I particularly love the helicopter shots that sweep along the river's course, over their heads and reveal what's round the next bend - even worse danger to come.

The music by the great Jerry Goldsmith (well-known for his 'Star Trek' music - I noticed another musical 'Star Trek' connection - Alexander Courage who created the iconic original theme music for that series orchestrated this film's score!) swings the mood from gentle awe in the vein of the landscapes from 'The Lord of The Rings', to the mounting tension of their attempt to ditch Wade and Terry, to the battle-like drum beats as the most dangerous parts of The Gauntlet are approached, lifting the visuals as great music does.

So, great filming, great music, great scripting, and most of all great actors doing very real and believable roles. Every actor rises to the challenge (even physically as much of the stunt work was achieved by the actors themselves!), with nuance and subtlety, making the slide into disaster real. Even Joseph Mazello as the young Rourke evokes the true mannerisms and inflection of a boy caught up in that situation. And Maggie the dog gives a performance that's far from paw! It's a great moment when she obeys her master and leaps into the river, after ignoring him for much of the film, signifying his descent into a stranger after the marriage begins to fail. He's patched it up with the dog, and the whole family isn't far behind.

The reconciliation that occurs through these events, the desperate last moments, and the happy, but logical ending mark this as more than a standard thriller - it's an absolute classic, an excellent film. I'd recommend seeing it on the biggest screen possible as it really makes a difference. I was able to see more details such as the fiddler on the rock at Bridal Creek, or the background people. The intensity of the film is aided by the reliance on a small band of characters, but even the smaller roles such as Ranger Johnny and Gail's parents are notably well-crafted performances. One to show any unbelievers who think anything made before the dawn of CGI isn't worth bothering with!

*****

The Siege

DVD, DS9 S2 (The Siege)

Dax seems uncharacteristically jittery and worried about little things (such as the palukoo - the only thing about the episode I really don't like. Would have been better to hear the scuttling and see only shadows), which is at odds with her later 'action barbie' status, but she has always been a scientific person, and perhaps these experiences and others were the training for her later love of excitement. It was also to contrast Kira's rough and ready, do or die, resistance ways, suggesting Starfleet types were softies (which they clearly aren't!), adding a bit of banter to proceedings, and edge to the dangers.

They've also pretty much dispensed with the ultra-calm, wise old Dax of early Season One, although she did have the scene with Sisko in 'The Homecoming'. Characters always change over time, like real people and this Trill is no different - except she gets to go without spots (and a Bajoran nose) this time! Vedek Winn too, changes her spots quick enough, sensing the tide's turn and turning on Jaro! Apart from the palukoo, the only minor complaint I would suggest is the lack of a very conclusive end - Winn's position as a Vedek, Jaro's fate uncertain, and Bajor's too, not to mention Starfleet's reaction to Sisko's bending of the rules. This can work in their favour however, encouraging people to find out what the situation may be from now on.

Some characters, as much as I like them, and applaud their presence, seem surplus to requirements, as if appearance in the previous episode, cemented their inclusion here. Winn and Bareil are the ones I'm thinking of, in particular. I don't share the producers view that Li never went anywhere and may as well have not existed. He instigated things, his persona changed minds, and he came to peace, sacrificing himself for Sisko in the kind of act he claimed wasn't his strength (and mirroring Sisko's own action to save Bareil at last season's end). He was a hero, not a legend, but the Bajorans will always think of him as a legend, and that's how Sisko decides to remember him too. He had his faults, but he proved his worth, and though his death seems right, it would have been even better to see his character recur in the series.

General Krim finds the baseball - the first example of 'Sisko's sign' - a representation of his presence. It's always interesting to see the various reactions this humble baseball receives from those that encounter it. It's clear Krim respects Sisko (more than he respects gung-ho Colonel Day), and I think this played a part in swaying his decision, as well as Li. He's satisfied at Sisko's choice not to abandon the station, seeing his enemy as an equal, where Day sees only targets.

Though the action is stealthier in this instalment, we are treated to an exciting, Star Wars-style in-atmosphere dogfight (and you thought 'Insurrection' was first with that). It gives a greater sense of speed as we see clouds and land hurtle past, as opposed to the distant star streaks we're used to from space-flight. Odo gets to play his part in the action category by 'being' part of the wall, as well as a tripwire! The stranding of Quark (although he seems as stupid as ever, Rom double-crosses his brother, just as he tried to kill him last season - he's certainly learned!), gives us a few fun scenes, and we see him get quite fierce spouting another Rule of Acquisition about never insulting a Ferengi's mother. Not having seen a female Ferengi at this stage of the series, it brings up all kinds of images to mind. Oh, and it was never resolved at what point Quark became officially de-deputised...

Each episode has had its defining characteristics, and scenes. Part I was the action, and the moral struggle of Li to accept his legendary status; part II introduced other elements for Kira, and more humour. This concluding part of 'The Circle' trilogy reiterates some things from last season, such as the families and friendships (ironically it's Bashir who says O'Brien won't find a friend here, at the engineer's instigation, and enjoyment of, military rations, foreshadowing what would begin to unfold over the season). Part III also gives us the first takeover of the station.

There remains one vital question however: What happened to Garak? Presumably the writers had all but forgotten their tailor-cum-spy, and in subsequent appearances it's clear he doesn't like to leave the station, so either he stayed in secret, hidden in his shop, or he meekly accepted a seat on a Runabout (all three; Rio Grande, Ganges and Orinoco are named in this episode), expecting to come right back. I don't think we ever find out; a rare example of them dropping one of the balls they'd been juggling, even accounting for the fact they'd only given it one throw.

As a brave and a bold three-parter this really delivered, and while being far from perfect it has been pretty much as effective a reintroduction of the characters and situation of DS9, as the pilot episode was. A strong statement of intent for the new season: to seek out new and intricate stories and protaganists, to boldly take the established formula and enhance it. And most certainly to go where no Trek had gone before.

****

Arsenic and Old Lace

DVD, Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) film

If ever a film was completely off its rocker, then this is the one! I thought I'd seen it before, I thought it would be another of those 'screwball' comedies (whatever a screwball is), I thought I knew what it was about. I was wrong. It's madder than brother Jonathan, but also quite delightful in its insanity. Perhaps it outstays its welcome by going on a bit longer than required, but it has such a collection of crazy characters and odd happenings that you end up feeling a little dotty, like Mortimer.

At first it seems like just another old comedy, but once Cary Grant gets into the family home and his eyebrows start doing the acting everything turns upside down. So it was no secret that it was about little old ladies offing people, but I imagined it in the vein of the Ealing comedy, 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' (where Alec Guiness plays all the characters). It was based on a play and you can see that very clearly as it's very much a one-set narrative with it all happening in one location in the main.

They even get to poke fun at plays and films and it goes beyond farce, yet somehow there's enough sanity in there for it to become quite disturbing - I'm not surprised it's a 'PG' as it does contain some unpleasant moments where your brain fills in what might happen next. It may be from 1944, over sixty years ago, but it still packs a wallop, and also has some hilarity to it too - I laughed out loud several times. So I'm pretty sure I never had seen this before. I would have remembered!

***