Fascination

DVD, DS9 S3 (Fascination)

If anyone dared complain that the series had strayed from its, shall we say, 'stationary' remit, this is the perfect antidote to all those extravagant jaunts to strange new worlds and back to the inner workings of strange new people. And they are strange and they are new, but it's all thanks to a visit by Madame Chaos herself, the redoubtable Mrs. Troi. If anyone should question the number of 'TNG' characters this season they might have a viable accusation that it was overkill, but thankfully that's irrelevant because these are not mere walk-on roles to bolster the viewing figures, but crafted works (this episode is based on a Shakespeare play, what more do you want?) that bring the tapestry of the universe to life in a way that no other series could.

Amidst the mania it's easy to overlook the changes that are taking place - Mardah has moved on, leaving Jake to mope, Keiko and Molly are back, but only for a flying visit before heading back to Bajor and an even longer sojourn away from Miles. Kai Winn has appointed former adversary Bareil as an advisor, and Odo's secret fondness for Major Kira is spoken aloud for the first time. Little wonder if these important snippets of continuity pass off unnoticed thanks to the craziness that takes over. We can only wonder what and who will happen next (and it will be Quark falling madly in love with an aghast Keiko!). The acting is great - Sisko's embarrassed assumption of a practical joke is so real, and Vedek Bareil gets to stray quite far from his usual calm, controlled persona. My favourite moments are Sisko's easy defence from the monk's ineffectual punches, followed by Dax' ferocious thump that lays Bareil out on the Wardroom floor, finished off by Quark's compliment to the Commander on the quality of his parties as he steps over the fallen Vedek. Almost as wonderful are the attentions of Lwaxana on a bemused, but wearily meek Odo who has no choice but to allow her to manhandle him like a doll on a string!

I've noticed that Avery Brooks' acting becomes quieter and much more restrained (not that he's wildly expressive the rest of the time) when he holds the Director's baton for an episode. It doesn't make his presence or his character any less powerful, but it is a trend. Either that or the madcap antics of the others serves to subdue his rational Commander. Bashir and O'Brien's friendship is shown to be really taking off and it is here that the legendary pairing became the solid companions they would be for the rest of the series, so at least Keiko's absence served the series in some positive way. The Doctor's mental acuity for remembering exactly how many games of racquetball they've played since Keiko's been gone isn't anything to note unless you know that he's covering up a keener intellect than anyone could suspect, and though the writers didn't know it at the time they still succeeded in putting a believable base to that twist, even accidentally.

If the return of several recurring characters weren't enough I still find myself questioning the absence of such station stalwarts as Nog and Rom. In later seasons they would be much more evident, so I suppose it shows the series hadn't yet turned into the multi-character extravaganza it was destined to be. The one note of sadness is that this should be Bareil's last proper episode before the end, because any other time his shifty, distracted hovering would have been hilarious (indeed it was), but this is the first we've seen of him since the previous season and we don't get to spend as much time in his company as the normal figure as he or Kira deserved. And so the episode is something of a dessert. You really wouldn't want too much of this zany pie, but one piece goes down a treat. 'Deep Space Nine' was a gloomy, depressing show, was it? They obviously didn't see this one!

****