Explorers

DVD, DS9 S3 (Explorers)

There are few episodes in the pantheon of Trek adventures in which nothing bad happens, threat being the main motivator in science fiction or space action stories. Threats are not always necessary to craft a genuinely enjoyable tale as proved by this entry, late in Season 3. Detractors might claim it veers too close to soap opera with the introduction, brief as it was, of Dabo girl Leeta (difficult from that scene to imagine the growing prominence such a tiny cameo would lead to), and Bashir's personal life, revolving around his old feelings of inadequacy, and Jake's decisions about his future, but there's far too much warm-hearted pleasantness to care about the style.

Bashir's worries about former classmate Dr. Lense (who would go on to play a starring role in Trek fiction) may stem from his constant fear of being discovered as a fraud, the old excuse about the pre-ganglionic fibre being mistaken for a post-ganglionic nerve sounding thinner each time it's mentioned! At this stage in the series we don't know about his secret, so the competitive nature of the classmates is seen as the cause. Lense may not be quite as intelligent as she's made out to be if she thinks an Andorian would have a name like Julian Bashir, but it made a plausible excuse for the way he's ignored.

It's one of the most English episodes ever, thanks to O'Brien and Bashir's rousing drunk rendition of 'Jerusalem', as well as the fact that the CG creation (the first full-CG ship in Trek?) of the Bajoran solar sailing ship was made in England! The friendship between the two British Isles crewmates came out of nowhere, like in real life - there was no sudden realisation that the two were friends, just a gradual understanding between them as the Doctor wore the Chief down. Since Keiko's absence they've become closer than ever and all this is laid out straight in a way that isn't often attempted thanks to the subtle style of the series: "People either love you or hate you. When I first met you I hated you, but now... I don't." A similar funny moment would occur in one of the last episodes of the final season when the two are in Sloan's mind.

Jake's uncertain career gets a boost with the discovery of his writing talent as revealed by Mardah earlier in the season. She may have left, but Jake's aspirations have continued, culminating in an offer of a writing fellowship from the prestigious Pennington School in New Zealand - so we now know the Kiwi islands have more uses than the penal colony Tom Paris was incarcerated in! Jake's friendship with Leanne has been repaired after the disastrous double-date he and Nog went on, as he's looking forward to her return from Bajor. He's happy to put his career on hold for at least a year, partly because the station is such a good place for experience, partly because he doesn't want to leave the old man alone, and partly because, with Nog likely to be leaving for Starfleet Academy, it would be a bit too much to take Jake out of the series too. They could have had Jake and Nog involved in regular adventures on Earth, but that might have pushed the envelope beyond the series' remit further than they were ready to do at that time.

As well as Leeta's fleeting introduction we're also introduced to Sisko's beard and the possibility of a freighter captain that would turn into the solid form of Kasidy Yates. The beard could be a sign of Sisko's leave - he certainly behaves as if he's on holiday, taking a few weeks off to build the ship and then going off on the trip. Dax behaves quite motherly towards him, bringing him food and talking about his son. Amid the murky and dangerous future she's pleased to see the Commander enjoy himself. His enthusiasm and utter absorption recall 'Dramatis Personae' in Season 1 when he spent most of his time crafting a clock. The happy distraction displayed here is a far cry from the sinister obsession of that Sisko! He would later wish to build a cabin on Bajor, so his reputation as 'the Builder' was more than just a metaphor for the building up of Bajor. They could easily have nixed the beard after this episode when he's returned from his break, but it worked, so they didn't.

There is a multi-cultural side running through the episode with lots of races mentioned. Bashir being mistaken for an Andorian is the best (though I was sure his friend's name was spoken as Erit, yet the Encyclopedia has it down as Erib), but there's also room for Kira to call O'Brien a Cardassian for his doubt at the space-worthiness of the ancient ship. Funny to think how different things would be between them in the space of a year and a bit. He calls her a Romulan for claiming invention of everything first (like the old rivalry between Scotty and Chekov, both always claiming things for their respective nations!). A less noticeable race are the Napeans, as represented by Daniel Kwan in the 'TNG' episode 'Eye of The Beholder'. In one scene in Quark's bar what looks like a Napean crewman is seen among the group with Dr. Lense.

Those medical students must have been very focused on their work. Apart from the party where Bashir was mistaken for an Andorian they must not have socialised at all or she'd have known the Doctor! It's another nice piece of the puzzle that Bashir's assignment, the one he wanted and was given has turned out to be as good as he hoped, while Lense's experience hasn't been as positive. Our Doctor has the best post and is still as happy there as ever. Lense's ship the USS Lexington is not to be confused with the 'TNG' Excelsior-class Lexington of 'Thine Own Self' or 'TOS' Constitution-class Lexington of 'The Ultimate Computer'!

Sisko's connection to the Bajorans must have moved even closer as he proves their claims that ships travelled all the way to Cardassia. The Cardassians are forced, grudgingly to congratulate the successful attempt and in the interests of the alliance (and not to save face at all, oh no) announce the discovery of an ancient crash site. Dukat is the 'fortunate' one, having to eat his words after the feigned 'concern' for Sisko's safety. But it ends in one of the happiest and unexpected ways imaginable - the Cardassians throwing an impromptu space firework display. I expect they were relieved it was a human who proved the legend, rather than an actual Bajoran. The ancient craft gives rise to dialogue about things that are usually taken for granted, such as the gravity net and the bathroom and is a ripplingly beautiful design that would return again. Also notable is the best put-down Sisko ever fired at Dukat, wondering if he was the new Head of the Ministry for the Refutation of Bajoran Fairy-tales. A mouthful, but it has the charm of finesse.

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