Resurrection

DVD, DS9 S6 (Resurrection)

Rather like a subverted trip down memory lane, is the best way to describe this most atypical of Mirror Universe stories. I can't fault them for thinking an MU episode would be a fittingly big story to follow the seven-fist whammy of the six-part Dominion control of DS9, and the light relief of the Worf/Dax wedding, and likewise to the concept of shaking up the format of the ongoing MU saga a bit by having characters cross over to our universe for more than just a kidnapping (that seems to be how the majority of the stories get going, when you think about it!), as that's the kind of thing they liked to do on this series. And I'm certainly not averse to bringing back a much-loved character, I just feel like the story wasn't given enough consideration and turned out to be more of a lost opportunity than a satisfying continuation of that troubled series within a series. It had been a couple of seasons since we last visited the MU, and while I like the idea of their people invading our side, it may not have been the right choice after the opening salvo of stories this season. We'd just had a station-bound, romantic problems, kind of story, so another, inferior one wasn't going to work. On the other hand, it was about time we returned to the MU pool.

Or was it? We didn't get an MU episode in Season 5, but that certainly didn't hurt it - I consider it the best season of the series (6 comes very close), and the first three entries in the arc, from Seasons 2-4 felt very much like a trilogy that had been completed. In the first we found out all about what had happened to that terrible parallel existence after Captain Kirk left, back in 'Mirror, Mirror' on 'TOS,' and that was a fun throwback to the sixties original, updating the world for 'DS9.' Then, in what I consider the best MU tale of the eight, Sisko has to go undercover to deal with his Mirror wife, Jennifer, which had both the twist of an existing character having to act like his evil counterpart, and the difficulties of Sisko dealing with his own wife's death again, or precisely, the life of a similar woman, almost identical. The third entry of 'DS9' was more of a consolidation, an excuse to go and have fun again. It felt like the story was essentially played out unless major developments were to be revealed - unfortunately, 'Resurrection' was not the one to do so.

The trouble with it is that it's an intimate little story excluding pretty much everyone on the station, and this was always going to be the case because that was the kind of stories 'DS9' did. It was how you got to know the characters: by focusing an episode on one or two of them. But we'd done the heavy lifting back in the early seasons, and the majority of character episodes since then deepened, and built upon them for more satisfying stories. Also, if it was a one-hander you'd be relying on the quality of the guest star, or stars, to make it work. While it must be said that Phillip Anglim was one of the better recurring actors on the series, he had more to work with in those early days. The character he plays here is the Mirror Bareil, a much simpler, almost dull character (in the same manner that Garak's duplicate lacked so much of the subtlety and interest of the resident tailor because MU denizens tend to lack self control, their passions unhindered). The story attempts to be about this man's redemption, but he's a lot less interesting than the real Bareil, and we're constantly reminded of the original man (as much to the chagrin of his Mirror self). There were really only a couple of scenes on a par with the concept, and they were when he shows himself to be cleverer than he seems (producing Worf's Mek'leth in a humorous moment at Dax and Worf's dinner party), and the glimpse of real redemption at the end - shooting the Intendant, then admitting to Kira that his orb vision showed him with her and their children leading a happy life on Bajor.

Too much of the episode is slow and unfruitful. It doesn't set up the ending, which is, in greatest of irony for a so-titled episode, dead. It ends abruptly, like the ones most guilty of the crime of reset-buttoning, something we've become unused to on this ever more complex and rich series. It ends without a serious resolution, it ends with no consequences that we know of, without even letting us see the reaction of Kira to a betrayal and different kind of loss. Unlike Sisko's similar experience of meeting someone so like the woman he used to love, finding a new connection, yet also recognising she's not his Jennifer and has a different path to travel, there's no understanding of what it must have been like for the Major to meet a man she was so close to, and who died a tragic, early death, sacrificing himself for what he thought would be the good of Bajor. It's a theme missing from the episode. Not that she doesn't mention Vedek Bareil, she does, and it's wonderful to have these past memories of a time when the series was in its infancy, allowed to resurface. But because the necessary themes and reactions weren't played out, it feels unfinished, not fully moulded. If Bareil had played some future part in MU activity, or if we learnt more about his universe, if the Intendant hadn't just waltzed over with no trouble and hidden on the station… The resolution of some of these 'ifs' would have improved the story no end.

If you're going to do another entry into the MU cannon, it seems a waste to make it such a claustrophobic story. It's not just that it takes place entirely on the station, but so much of it happens in quiet rooms, yet without the affecting quality of a stage play. It feels, and this shouldn't be a negative, like we really have stepped back into Season 2. Revisiting pieces of the history of the series should be a joyful experience - it is fun to notice how it's more than simply Bareil's appearance that makes it feel like a lost episode: Quark, for instance, is back to his old ways of smelling out a scam opportunity, which he suggests to Bareil; Bashir acts something akin to his old breathless excitement when he wants to know the gossip details of Kira's match with the Mirror escapee (or as close as we could get to it, post reveal of him being a genius); there are more Bajorans and their culture in evidence, too. But it comes across as one of the lesser examples of that season, when the connections between characters was still changing and had room to grow - Odo is the biggest absence I felt in the episode. He's not there to challenge Quark after the conversation with Bareil, standing over him with folded arms, reminding the Ferengi he's watching him. We've moved on from those days (as evidenced by Quark reporting his belief that Bareil is going to rob the Temple - back then, he wouldn't have helped out willingly, and the Major probably wouldn't have even listened to him, let alone acted on his advice!). In those days Odo would have kept tabs on such an unknown factor as a refugee of another universe, but maybe he chose not to for Kira's sake, not wanting to interfere in her affairs and get back into her bad books?

Lack of Odo may be a symptom of this being a Kira episode, with things still not completely comfortable between the pair. They talked out his treacherous behaviour recently, but that doesn't mean they've become firm friends again. It's like when each let the other down (Kira in 'Necessary Evil,' Odo in 'Things Past'), and things seemed to go on pretty much as normal in subsequent episodes. Here, things definitely haven't. Which is good, as we want to see consequences to actions, but it's a shame the Constable had to be largely left out of this episode when he's far more concerned with Kira and her life these days. Things are bigger for him than they used to be, knowing his people are making war against those he's chosen to live with, so things like Quark's petty dealings and small-time security matters must seem so insignificant in comparison. Yet he remains the station's security officer, and in an episode that was firing on more cylinders he might have had a scene with Bareil when the man was in the cells, perhaps to gain the measure of him, or to warn him against doing anything that might harm Kira when he's let out. I was also missing Kai Winn, who would have been ideal to bring back for this episode, seeing as she was partly responsible for Bareil's quick decline and death, exhorting him to continue his work in peace negotiations with Cardassia.

What would Vedek Bareil have thought of the current state of affairs, and how his sacrifice was in vain since war with Cardassia remains? Technically, it's not Bajor's war, but still, peace was what he wanted and yet the galaxy's a more dangerous place than ever. Mirror Bareil has none of these concerns - like most of those in the MU, what he wants most is his own gratification (the Intendant's jealous rage after asking him if he's fond of Kira, driving her to try and strike him, is the greatest example of their unalloyed lack of restraint). It's also true that he's unsure of what he really wants, anyway, feeling himself lost, unwilling to try and turn over a new leaf. Being on this side of the curtain, among spiritual people, with Kira to woo, starts to change his mind about his real mission to steal an orb for the Intendant. But what did she want it for, what use would it have been? What would have happened when she inevitably gazed inside? Would it have changed her as the Prophets changed Grand Nagus Zek? It would have been far more interesting if the story became about her redemption, against all the selfish odds, realising she could be better, and wanted to help her people. I suppose even 'DS9' wouldn't have gone so far to change such an enjoyably evil character, but it could have shaken up the MU once again. It's funny that even in other universes the standard double-fisted hammer blow is the fighting woman's choice! And in another 'Dad's Army' crossover (see recent reviews), the way the guard responded to her wish to enter the Cargo Bay was almost like 'there's a war on, you know!'

Except, none of that happened, we don't find out anything new about the life and times of the MU, Bareil doesn't chooses not a new life, but to return with the Intendant to their rightful place, hoping he can talk her out of killing him. It's clear he was lying about wanting to escape the MU, his original story for making the crossover, but it means that nothing has been gained by the telling of the story. Kira's lost Bareil again, but only because he felt he'd mess up any happiness that lasted. He takes the easy way out of going back to what he knows, presumably remaining the Intendant's lapdog until she executes him. We can only assume that she did, since he doesn't show up in the fifth and final MU instalment of this series. Which makes his appearance here even more meaningless. Not to say that it wasn't good to have him back, but it was a messed up version, just as everything MU is messed up, and didn't experience the change that would have made everything worthwhile, beyond refusing the original plan. The real questions are what you pose yourself, after watching: what are the protocols regarding parallel universes, and the MU in particular? Even if Kira had taken him and the Intendant into custody would that be acceptable? Can you prosecute escapees from another universe with crimes they're responsible for in that universe? Can you force them to go back to where they belong? The issue never even gets mentioned, though if Kira had pressed charges Bareil would obviously have been sentenced for kidnapping her here. Is there a Department of Parallel Investigations, like the Temporal one?

Something that colours all the episodes since it started, is the war between the Alpha Quadrant powers and the Dominion, and the lack of war material is something else that adds an old season feel to proceedings. The war is mentioned, but it's only in passing, such as when Worf reports there's no Dominion activity along the border. A scene which would have better tied the current situation with Kira's past and made the episode at least have a reason for happening, is how it would have started, with Kira and Dax in Kira's quarters, surrounded by Ziyal's paintings and talking of death. That's exactly the kind of scene-setting that was needed and I can only assume it was cut for time (maybe one day, when the re-releases happen?), but it's a strong example of the missing pieces of this episode that make it feel aimless. If no one really learns anything then all it is is a vehicle to bring a fondly remembered character back in alternate guise, and that's not enough to use up a precious slot in a season. But that's life, and a series isn't going to be great all the time (it shows the makers were human!). The teaser is actually one of the best parts of the episode, with some fun little banter between Kira and Dax, transparent-skulled Captain Boday getting another, tantalising mention, as does a new entry to the series' list of bizarre, never-seen aliens, in the three-eyed Dr. Trag'tok! Even this conversation feels like a throwback to old episodes, but is much more fun.

The way Bareil is introduced, hunched up, face hidden, makes for a dramatic opening (nothing good ever seems to beam into Ops - I was reminded of the insane Klingon from 'Dramatis Personae,' or Dukat in 'Civil Defence'), as does his kidnap of Kira after the credits. It points to the style of the whole episode in that scene, because it's a long slow amble to the Runabout (at last! a Runabout is almost part of the story, if only seen briefly docked - actually that's another throwback to the early seasons as villains would often steal a Runabout, something that was effectively ended when the Defiant was introduced since Runabouts were going to be no match for the force and speed of the starship!), and it turned out it wasn't necessary after all, since Kira knew the phaser was empty and could have taken Bareil out at any time. I'm not saying the episode is a slog to watch (funny that the MU Bareil is puffing away - apparently sloth is another failing where he comes from, while Kira isn't out of breath in the slightest), because it has it's draws, mainly from the fact that Bajoran culture is back in a big way. It's always good to see more of the station, and, as well as seeing those unique Cardassian access ladders (which I can't remember seeing before), just as 'TOS' and 'TNG' had their unique versions, we get to see much more of the Bajoran Temple on the Promenade, and even part of a religious service there, all fascinating stuff.

The story doesn't live up to its potential of Bareil's return and the reverse crossover, however, and it's catalogue of faults overburdens the story, though not eclipsing the good points. Like 'A Simple Investigation' last season, in which it was Odo's turn to romance and rehabilitate a mystery woman who has a secret agenda, also concentrating on one character on the station, this was a rare low point in a terrific season, standing out more because of the general high quality. You get Bareil, but you don't; Kira doesn't reveal anything new about the Vedek or herself, with no payoff to the original's death, or ramifications (though interestingly she calls him Antos, the 'first' name we'd never heard before, whereas you might think she'd speak of this new Bareil in that way and the old as Vedek Bareil); and, perhaps with hindsight, I never felt myself believing or trusting this 'new' man, whatever he said or did it appeared devious and manipulative, one of the few truthful moments coming when he leaves the bar, telling Quark he doesn't much like either of them (Quark and he), at the moment. It shows he had been affected in some way by the orb vision (which, unusually, goes unseen). There was some good dialogue, but the story lacked impetus, with a waste of MU characters (and only two of them), yet not an in-depth look at them despite the more focused nature of the story. Levar Burton was getting a raw deal so far this season, what with the weakest of the opening six-parter, and now this, but it wasn't his fault, it was what he had to work with, though that sign flashing irritatingly on the Promenade when Kira and Bareil meet didn't need to be in shot! I will say this, though: the station glows like never before, so he certainly gets credit for the lighting!

I suppose the crumbs of comfort were in seeing the familiar elements at all, since it's not been long that DS9 was reclaimed by Starfleet and our heroes. And it was uplifting when the realisation how much Quark had changed, came to mind. He shouts at his Ferengi employers after giving Kira the free advice about Bareil, in order to cover up his helpfulness, but we know he means well. It should be no surprise that they have a different respect for each other now, one they may not have been so quick to demonstrate before this season thanks to their recent shared experiences, having to band together in the new resistance. But it makes you wonder at what point Quark changed to become a relatively trusted force on the station? Was it back in Season 4 when he admits to Garak that if you drink enough root beer you start to like it? It's these questions that give the stories depth, something missing from the majority of the story. You're left wondering where they could go with the MU now as this made the case for it being a spent story fountain that had dribbled away. Fortunately they found a new, Ferengi-er angle for the next, and last, visit, and fed the wish of seeing lots of Mirror characters again. But, although this one remains a watchable episode, fairly enjoyable, reasonably good, it just scrapes over the line and doesn't do itself any favours, relying on the goodwill of the novelty of Bareil rather than what 'DS9' is known for: strong story and characterisation. Revisiting Season 2 is fun, but the series has undeniably improved and moved on since then.

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