Distant Voices

DVD, DS9 S3 (Distant Voices)

Is he mad, back in time or in a coma? Well actually he is, yes. In a coma, that is. Trek occasionally delves into the psychological and these episodes are my favourite kind because they enable a surreal vision of the world, things that couldn't normally be done - balloons adorning Ops for a Birthday celebration or a tennis court on the Promenade. The possibilities are as open and endless as the mind itself. 'Distant Voices' is my favourite example, and one of my highest rated episodes to boot. It combines an initially unexplained event with the natural darkness of the station, so often seen in the light, but gaining a sinister atmosphere once the dark shadows are everywhere. The corridors of DS9 have always been a little foreboding on a good day, but the moment the lights go out and the pitch blackness scuttles after Bashir like a living entity, each set of lights enveloped, is incredibly chilling, not the least because a monster gets his hands in the turbolift door before it shuts, leading the Doctor to kick them away with all his strength. At this stage the darkness of the station, the absence of almost everyone aboard and the fact that a half-seen alien menace is intent on physically tearing the place apart brings a huge level of atmosphere and danger into play. But what raises the bar of the episode is that it not only creates a mysterious and scary situation, but it's a character episode in which we learn concrete things about one of the best; Dr. Bashir.

The reveal of the situation comes surprisingly early - already we're primed to half-expect some kind of unreality. As early as the teaser in which Garak presents the Doctor with a Holosuite program as a birthday present the idea of holo-manipulation is a common jump to reach when things are not as they seem. Likewise the possibilities of a virus or Dominion plot are suggested early on. That it is as simple as being in Bashir's mind is no disappointment because it's more than a lost-in-his-mind tale (like 'Extreme Measures') or escaping a monster. The scene in which he works out what part of him each character represents loses some of the momentum that had been sustained until that point, but at the same time it's true to the situation of Bashir having aged and taking longer to say things and work them out, and it's always a joy to see the main actors acting out of character, and in this instance seem cognizant of who they are, becoming annoyed when Bashir explains they are part of him.

So the episode very successfully creates a worrying and uncomfortable stage, and we dig deep into Bashir's psyche (though not deep enough to reveal his deepest secret...), but the episode also scores on the fantastic (and Emmy award-winning) makeup - Bashir's ageing is realistic and a work of excellence. The look is emphasised by the lighting - the scene in which he finds Kira lying dead in a pool of light and Odo melting shows the gaunt nature of his visage as he flits from dark to light, lit from below or above, moving through the corridor, his haggard appearance exuding the fear and horror he experiences. The Lethean is no less a work of latex art. My favourite race are the Vulcans, but the Letheans are the best of the minor races ever designed and should have been used more than the two outings they got. The red eyes appeared more liquid, the ridged head and spikes bring immediate visions of the Jem'Hadar, further enhancing Altovar's fearsome image, topped off by a visually splendid and deadly telepathic attack that could almost rival the mind meld for drama. His deep, menacing voice mocks the Doctor, though we'll never know if the real Lethean was as eloquent - from his one scene the impression is of a typical surly and silent ruffian in the Nausicaan mode, yet with more guile than those thugs as he doesn't threaten the Doctor, but gets right on with taking what he wants when refused. I want to know why there's no Lethean action figure!

The role is a tour de force for Alexander Siddig - his appearance was created by the makeup department, but you can't put makeup on a voice, that is all credit to Siddig, as is the doddery walk and the mannerisms of an old man. His voice becomes deeper and huskier, he becomes breathless, his voice cracks. His whole being becomes the embodiment of ancient. Nitpickers might suggest that an old man couldn't crawl through Jefferies tubes or haul himself up onto a stool, and might point out that he suffers a broken hip, but a few minutes later is walking about, albeit slowly. They forget that this is all in his mind, and the age is only a visual symptom of the mental destruction raging through his brain. If he forgets about his injuries then they aren't likely to bother him.

The triumph of the story is in the way we are treated to an update on Bashir, how he sees his life now, after almost three years on the station. He admits (to himself I suppose) that he still loves Dax, but he's happy with the friendship they enjoy; he could have tried harder in his schooling (the reason why he didn't try as hard isn't revealed beyond not wanting the pressure of being first - maybe that's what he told himself, though a stronger reason would come to light), but he doesn't look back and would have chosen this assignment regardless. He's happy to be where he is and has matured into a more serious and experienced hand far from the impulsive chatterbox he was when he arrived on the station. His friendship with Garak (who also plays a variation of himself, just as in the mental world created by the Founders of 'The Search'), is shown to be as strong as ever, and it leads to one of the best closing scenes in any episode as Garak enjoys a little fun, suggesting Bashir still doesn't trust him, proving he's learnt something - a touching reminder of the first few meetings when the Doctor was more impressionable and all excited at meeting the 'spy' of the station. Garak's views have impacted Bashir and in some ways he's one of the people that has shaped him. Notice that Quark is especially polite when he interrupts their meal because they're eating in the Replimat and he wants them to come to his bar to eat!

Seeing the station unlit except for a few areas here and there is quite stunning and makes me wish they'd used that style more. Only in 'Empok Nor' did we see the station's layout even darker than that. The last few episodes have had a link to the previous one, and in this one it's seeing O'Brien lying dead, which also happened in 'Visionary'. Even the title is one of the best, evoking mystery and an ethereal quality. That it remains in the top tier of episodes for me, is a tribute to all the departments that were forced into doing something different and further than usual, whether it was lighting or makeup, but most especially to Alexander Siddig for what may be his best performance.

*****