Profit and Loss

DVD, DS9 S2 (Profit and Loss)

Uneventful compared to most of this season's episodes, which is the main reason I don't like this one so much, but there are things about it... Most notable must be the third appearance of Garak, the oily, x-man who can be both gracious and unpredictably brutal as discovered when he kills Gul Toran. We learn the most we've ever learned about him up to this point, with the facts that he was exiled, was once thought clever, loves Cardassia, but doesn't love all of the military. We also know he's heard of Spock's Father, Sarek of Vulcan! His mystery actually deepens through finding out more about him, as we're left with even more questions. Like motives - he was willing to kill the dissidents in exchange for the end of his exile, yet he's equally quick to turn the tables when it becomes clear the government had no intention of ending his exile for this 'small' favour. It's also the first time we've seen his wonderful tailor's shop since the first time we met him in one of the earliest episodes of Season One.

The subtext he talks the whole time makes for some intriguing discussions, and his pairing with Quark, a refreshing change for his usual sole conversations with Bashir. He even makes it to Ops to 'convey' a 'message' from his people, who are clearly able to contact him if the need arises (something they would use to great advantage at the beginning of Season Four!) - notice he comes up the back stairs rather than the lift... We also see a little more of the Promenade; we don't often visit that end of the station.

The point of the episode is to reveal a different side to Quark, who shows genuine love and affection, for a change, even over profit. Natima Lang, who is the first fully grown female of her species we've encountered on the series, brings not just old memories, but new perspectives on the Cardassians. That there could be a dissident movement working towards loosening the tight control the military holds on day to day life is quite a turnaround for a race who've generally been portrayed as brutal, although we've begun to see other sides to them. Rekelen and Hogue didn't seem all that bright, to me, to be leaders of a movement, but maybe they know what they're talking about when it's their subject?

Being a Quark episode there's humour aplenty, played seriously, and two of my favourite scenes are when he double-talks with Garak in his shop, and when he pleads with Odo to let Natima and her students go. He tries being friendly, being truthful, even resorting to begging, and when Odo eventually agrees you can tell that it's more than just the justice angle he says it is. Though this will be the one and only time Quark hugs Odo ("Let. Go!" - hilarious!). The Cardassians are proved liars once again, as at the beginning of the season they say they didn't realise there were still Bajoran prisoners and pledged to set them all free, yet here they conjure some up to act as an exchange!

I don't think Quark and Odo would have got into trouble for their disobedience. Either there were no Bajoran prisoners in reality, or they could have been dropped off before the Cardassians realised their 'terrorists' had escaped, and they could hardly demand the Bajorans back! The Bajorans might lodge a complaint, but as it was Odo they would be more favourable, and Starfleet isn't going to pry into what was a Bajoran matter. Sisko might give Odo a bit of a tongue-wag, but not a harsh one as he didn't want Natima and her students to be sent back to their deaths anyway.

The direction had some nice shots such as the view from the pit in Ops, framing the conversation in the V-shaped railing. And Quark's collapse to the floor allows the cloaking device to roll out of his hand, perfectly into the frame. Actually there's a bit of a question mark over that device. We see later examples (such as in 'The Emperor's New Cloak') which are much bigger. Maybe it was actually a lot longer and the rest of it was cloaked! This season has certainly seen a slightly higher number of Cardassian episodes than some, and the dissident movement brings new levels to the race, but not a lot really happens amid all the talking scenes so even though there are plenty of good lines, Garak's back, and a different Quark is revealed it still feels a little insubstantial.

**