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Garak and Bashir have been having lunch once a week for over a year, andyet the doctor really knows nothing about the Cardassian. Garak's life is anintricate puzzle of lies within lies. And then something happens, and Dr. Bashirslowly discovers what seems to be a truth of sorts about the mysterious tailor.The titular wire is a mind-control device buried deep within the CardassianGarak's brain. It was planted there years ago by the Obsidian Order and designedto protect him and shield him with heightened endorphins if he was ever capturedand tortured. The trouble is that Garak was not captured but exiled, and hisvery existence is torture. He spends his life on a station that is toocold and too light; and he is surrounded by people who hate him. So one day heactivated the device to dull the pain.

"The Wire" solidified the Bashir/Garak cult in DS9 fandom and it garneredcritical and internal praise. This episode, along with "Duet," is one of thebest explorations of the aftermath of the Cardassian occupation and features thefirst appearance of the mysterious Obsidian Order. And there's the whole Odo-spying-on-Quark thing going on. Paul Dooley fairly oozes evil banality asEnabran Tain, and Siddig El Fadil is smugly hoity-toity as Bashir. Theincredible Andrew Robinson manages to convey Garak's painful endorphinwithdrawal through heavy Cardassian make-up. "The Wire" is, in a word, great.--Kayla Rigney ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A new insight to Garak and Bashir
Episode title: "The Wire"

Written by: Robert Hewitt Wolfe

Directed by: Kim Friedman

"The Wire" can possibly be called the very best episode of the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It offers new insights to the character of Garak, who was introduced in the early first season episode "Past Prologue", in wich he promised to be either one of the worst or one of the best written characters in Star Trek's history.

It took almost a year for him to re-appear in the suberb and informative early second season episode "Cardassians", after wich he was given some further information about in the episode "Profit and Loss". At this point even the bad writing and plot of the episode couldn't put out the intrique the character had inspired.

Then came "The Wire", in wich Doctor Bashir, who hadn't had much to contribute earlier on to the series, is given the spotlight as he notices that something is wrong with his cardassian lunch-partner.

The episode unravels information about Garak's true past, introducing the Cardassian intelligence organization called The Obsidian Order, opening whole new continuing storylines for the whole series.

We get some strong and well performed scenes between Garak and Bashir, as the latter solves the mystery of a presumably Obsidian Order planted device that's malfunction causes deadly symptoms to Garak. Especially Siddig El Fadil exeeds himself, making the interaction between himself and the highly talented Andrew Robinson (Garak) not nearly as one-sided as it might have been expected to be.

By the end of the episode nothing conclusive is revealed and many things that are highly conclusive are revealed. You really don't know even after all the information given throughout the dark, well constructed and exeplaryly directed episode, wich awakens a great interest towards Cardassian society, deepens the character of Doctor Julian Bashir and constucts the character of Garak to the point where he isn't just "the mysterious Cardassian tailor who has lunch with 'the good doctor' ", but finally becomes a real, multi-dimencional character.

Garak goes cold-turkey when he loses his brain implant
During one of his friendly little lunches with Dr. Bashir, Garak suffers the first of several seizures. Bashir discovers an implanet in the Cardassian tailor's brain, placed there to allow him to withstand torture by releasing endorphins. However, for the two years of his exile aboard DS9, Garak has been using the endorphins to get through each day. Bashir convinces Garak to turn off the device, and what happens is an unforgettable performance by Andrew Robinson as Garak becomes delirious, ranting and raving, weeping and screaming, as all his hidden thoughts and feelings come out. One of the reasons this is a first rate script is that by the end of the episode we still are not sure what new information we have learned about Garak. The character's mysterious background remains entact, along with his wry sense of humor. No wonder Garak is one of the finest recurring "minor" characters in the Star Trek universe.

Garak, take two asprin and call me in the morning...
In this episode, our favorite Cardassian "mender of pants" and "hemmer of skirts" - Garak - literally comes apart at the seams. Or so it seems...

The episode begins as Dr. Julian Bashir notices his occassional lunchmate, playmate and object of his constant curiosity, Garak the tailor, is suffering from a not-so-mild headache. This headache, however, is caused by an implant, placed in Garak's brain, by the deliciously despicable Obsidian Order. The breakdown of this "wire" turns out to be a catalyst through which Bashir tries to learn about Garak's past, and an opportunity for Garak to practice tormenting the good doctor with all kinds of lies and fiction, even as he writhes in agony, or tries to drown his pain in numerous bottles of kanar.

Throughout the episode, as Garak literally falls apart and Bashir tries to help save him, we watch their friendship develop. We are introduced to the Obsidian Order, and it's former master, Enabrin Tain. More importantly, we learn the truth about Garak's past... And that truth is that it is made up of nothing but possible truths and probable lies. The contradiction is poetic... In fact, after viewing the episode, we still have no real knowledge about the mysterious Garak, or the circumstances leading to his exile on DS9. Instead, what we have are a series of half truths, bald-faced lies, and sob stories, brilliantly executed in classic Garak style.

My favorite scene, however, peaks when the Ferengi Quark is affectionately called a "parasite" by an uncommonly jovial and obviously raunchy Cardassian called Boheeka... For that alone it is worth the shipping and handling costs...

It would be a lie to say this was not my favorite DS9 episode. But that's what it's all about, isn't it, Mr. Garak? Lies, deception, and all other types of poetry in motion...

The History Of Garak, Part I.
Surely Andrew Robinson's Garak was the best EVER recurring guest star on television. It seems that the writers couldn't help but produce pure gold whenever he was in an episode and "The Wire" was no exception. Simple as it is, this one grew on me the more I watched DS9, largely because it was a brilliant way to set up future Garak episodes without revealling a thing about his past. If you're looking for action you won't find any but as long as you watch this episode before "Improbable Cause", "The Die Is Cast" or "In Purgatory's Shadow" you'll swear the writer's had his whole history mapped out from the very beginning.

A Riveting Garak Show
"The Wire" is a very intense and riviting show about DS9's only Cardassian resident, Garak. Over the many years of DS9's distinguished run, Garak has often been the most mysterious character of DS9's ensemble. "Wire" reveals (however, incompletely) Garak's past. This show owes a lot to the performances from Siddig El Fadil(Dr. Bashier) and Andrew Robinson(Garak), for without these two marvelous actors, the show would've certainly been a failure. However, these two do not disapoint, and carry every scene with intensity. Kim Friedman's directon is also wonderful. "Wire" also gives some insight into the ominous Obsidian Order, so frightening, it can scare even a seasoned, Cardassian military officer (those of you who know how seasoned those officers can be, know what this means). "Wire" has no action scenes(although, there is a short fight between Garak and Bashier, but it is quite minor) or space battles, it simply puts two characters in a room, and reveals one's inner struggles. A top-notch show, it shouldn't be missed. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

What? Quark is not willing to make a profit at any price?
I swear Season 5 of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" took place in alternating universes. In one the only thing that matters is that the Jem'Haddar fleet has come through the wormhole and forged an alliance with the Cardassians to attack the Klingons who are now re-allied with the Federation, and the only thing that matters is that the entire Alpha Quadrant is at war. However, Episode 116 "Business as Usual" (Written by Bradley Thompson & David Weddle, April 7, 1997), happens in the other universe, where we have time for Odo to have a romance (previous episode) and for Quark (Armin Shimerman) to have another fun Ferengi business deal go horrible wrong (this episode).

Quark's cousin Gaila (Josh Pais) arrives at the station with a business proposition involving selling weapons. Not only can Quark pay off all of his debts, he will not even be breaking the law since all he is doing is providing "hospitality,' which consists of food, drinks, and holographic tryouts of the weapons. The problem is Hagath (Steven Berkoff), Gaila's partner, who makes a point of warning Quark never to cross him. Then the Regent of Palamar shows up to buy some weapons, which he needs to kill about 28 million people in a hurry. While Hagath figures out what in the inventory will do the trick, Quark comes to the conclusion that he wants no part of mass murder (apparently the other weapons the group was selling were only going to kill thousands, not millions).

The whole point here is how Quark is going to get himself out of this predicament. The question is not whether he can get out with his life, but whether he can still make a profit on a deal that he is trying to stop. The trick here is that Quark has everybody on DS9 mad at him because they all know he is involved in arms dealing but cannot touch him because, technically, he is not doing anything illegal. So it is up to Quark to save the day all by his lonesome. This is a comic relief effort and is decent enough by that standard, but I am still anxious to get back to that other universe where the war is sort of important.

Good guest star, better than average Ferengi episode
Business as Usual starts off like your usual Ferengi episode, lightweight and cartoonish. But once the great British actor Stephen Berkoff shows up as an Orion Syndicate biggie, looking to trade arms with Quark in order to wipe out millions of lives, things get heavier..and more interesting.

For once, Quark is faced with the question: how far would he go to make a profit? Could he really live with the idea that he aided in the destruction of an entire civllization? It makes for some interesting character study, especially in the reactions of the DS9 crew when they learn what Quark may be involved in.

If you're looking for the funniest Ferengi episodes, try The Mangificent Ferengi or Little Green Men. But this episode is a little special in that it tries to give Quark some nice dramatic moments...

Quark is actually in profit?
Quarks cousin, Gaila, is in the arms trade business, his single actions have netted him millions of bars of gold pressed latinum while killing just as many million innocent people. But Gaila has his own shuttle, and doesn't he have a moon or something? Any way, woooed by his cousins apparent wealth Quark wants in on this dirty business, so he is introduced to Hagath. An evil businessman who takes a liking to Quark, but there is a moral dilemma here... make millions and you kill millions!

The plot is slow and that familiar Ferengi humour just isn't in this one! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Odo and a mysterious woman do the Maltese Falcon bit
The war with the Dominion has started, so it is time at DS9 for Constable Odo (Rene Auberjonois) to fall in love with a mysterious woman on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 115, "A Simple Investigation" (Written by Rene Echevarria, March 31, 1997). Odo meets Arissa (Dey Young) in Quarks and is impressed by her powers of observation (it is all mental with the Constable) but surprised when she is arrested for trying to break into the station's computer. She spins a sob story about trying to find the daughter she gave up 15 years earlier and then her contact shows up murdered. By now the pattern should be clear, because this episode is in the great tradition of "The Maltese Falcon," which means Arissa's story changes every five minutes with each new development. This woman might lie with every breath she takes, but Odo is attracted to Arissa and if you have been wondering what a Changeling is like when making love, then this episode is going to give you a chance to find out (sort of).

There is a nice twist with Arissa's character in regards to a data crystal that keeps coming into play in the developing mystery, but the chief attraction here is supposed to be the idea that Odo, who has been pining for Kira lo these many years, suddenly falls hard and fast for a bad woman from the wrong side of the Alpha Quadrant. Clearly, I do not buy this, and if it were not for the aforementioned twist, I would have rated this a star lower, because if we are talking about heartbreaking moments with Odo we have already done this a couple of times with Kira and once with Lwaxana Troi, so this one just suffers in comparison.

A simple love story
We all know one of these episodes about Odo was coming for along time now.I'm a sucker for these kind of episodes where a character that we all love falls in love with someone who actually loves them back and this episode is a good example.In the first scene between Odo and Arissa in Quark's is where we learn alot very qucikly,that Arissa is attracted to Odo,with a hint with comment about his "bedroom eyes" and that she's impressed because unlike everyone else in Quark's,Odo isn't trying to pick her up.Later,Odo is peering at his reflection to see whether or not Arissa's statement is true and I found it a really sweet scene.In the later scene it made perfect sense that Odo would be really shy and hesitant when he and Arissa kiss for the first time(and we all know what happened during the break).We see them later in bed together talking and Odo is trying to figure out what makes Arissa so different enough to take his feelings to the next level.It's here that Arissa learns that Odo just gave her his virginity.I really loved Odo's question whether she could tell if he was a virgin or not.After that,the episode kinda goes downhill when we find out who Arissa really is and poor Odo has to suffer his first(or second)broken heart.The chemistry between Rene Auberjonois and Dey Young was wonderful.My favourite DS9 episode.

Odo loses his virginity!
This is a love episode, booooo, with Odo, booooo, yes those crazy folks at Paramount have decided to give Odo a touch of solid-love, and it doesn't look pretty. On his way out of Quark's Odo meets a woman at the bar, wink wink, she is called Arissa. But like everything related to Odo she is a criminal. Basically our Changeling has to protect Arissa from some other criminals and love blossoms - they even sleep together! Ahhhhhh!

Odo loses his virginity! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! This episode is awful, there is a nice scene where Kira and Sisko discuss Odo's new found love in which Kira comes across as being very jealous but all in all a pretty lame attempt. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Some one is killing off Kira's old resistance cell members
Kira's past comes back with a vengeance in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 109, "The Darkness and the Light" (Story by Bryan Fuller, Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore, Aired January 6, 1997). Kira (Nana Visitor), who is very pregnant with the O'Brien's child at this point, learns that Vedek Latha Mabrin, a member of the Shakaar resistance cell that she belonged to during the occupation, has been murdered. She then receives a message consisting of Latha's picture and the declaration, "That's one." Figuring out that she and the other members of the cell are in danger she tries to protect one of them only to see them killed as well, followed by a second message. Then a third message arrives.

"The Darkness and the Light" is not a real mystery, which means that you do not get to play along and try to figure out the clues. The only real suspense is over whether Kira will be the only one of the group left before she learns the identity of the killer. Of course Kira can play the passive potential victim only so long before she tries to take matters into her own hands. The episode plays nicely on the moral ambiguity of Kira's past, since one side's freedom fighter is the other side's terrorist, but in the end survival becomes the key consideration and Kira's pregnancy works for her in a rather unexpected way. A solid episode that plays off of Kira's past and present in some interesting ways, but not a classic Kira "DS9" episode.

It's payback time!!
This episode, which deals with the actions of the Bajoran resistance during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, is a lesson in the power of hatred and bitterness.

In this episode, Kira's friends from the resistance are being systematically murdered...and of course, Kira must find out why...and by whom. Ultimately, she ends up tracking down the killer...a lone, embittered Cardassian intent on revenge for the injuries he sustained at the hands of the resistance fighters.

Nana Visitor does a fine job in this episode, and the tension in the closing scenes of the show is fantastic.

I give it 4 stars - a good dramatic outing.

A New Look at Kira
I think that probably one of the things that had been overlooked by DS9 until this episode is what the Bajoran resistance did during the Occupation, from not entirely rose-colored glasses. They often looked at Gul Dukat and what he did and it's great to look at Kira in a similar manner. I think that one thing that got put on the backburner in the series is what it means to fight for a cause and what that means doing sometimes and that's not always pretty. Again, it shows that DS9's characters are not infallible and Nana Visitor pulls it off quite well, maintaining the charcter the audience knows, but adding new dimensions.

Kira is kidnapped!
Kira's close friends on Bajor are being killed in vicious sadistic attacks and Kira is next. In an explosive scene Kira is kidnapped by a deformed Cardassian who wants to kill her, but realises she is carrying an 'innocent' child. He claims that his nature is not like her's he won't kill the unborn baby, like Kira did. Kira realises that the Cardassian must have been an innocent casualty during one of her raids during the Occupation.

Trapped on an isolated planet, heavily pregnant, Kira must protect herself and the O'Brien's child that she is carrying! Brilliant!

"The darkness cannot exist without the light!" ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Emissary is given a vision of the future of Bajor
The idea that Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) was the Emissary was an inconsistent element during the run of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," but Episode 108, "Rapture" (Written by L.J. Strom, Teleplay by Hans Beimler, Aired December 30, 1996) is one of the times that the idea was explored in some depth. When the Cardassians return a painting of B'hala, Sisko is inspired to find the legendary lost city of Bajor. Working in the holosuite to decipher the markings on an obelisk that could be the key to B'hala, but the system shorts out and Sisko is knocked unconscious. When he wakes in the infirmary, Dr. Bashir reports that his brain has overloaded and that he now has enhanced senses. While eating dinner Sisko has an epiphany (think the mound of mashed potatoes in "Close Encounters") and then receives word that Bajor has been accepted into the Federation. The ceremony marking the occasion will be held on Deep Space Nine.

There are few coincidences in the "Star Trek" universe, and when Sisko returns to the holosuite he experiences a vision that he is in B'hala, where he sees the Bajor's history, both past and future. When Kasidy Yates returns from prison, he invites her on his quest and despite blinding headaches, Sisko finds the lost city of B'hala. For the Bajorans there can no longer be any question that Sisko is indeed the Emissary, but the captain continues to exhibit psychic powers and insists on studying B'hala rather than attend to duties for the admission ceremony. But it is not until he consults the Orb of Prophecy, that the reason this has been happening becomes clear to Sisko: Bajor must not be allowed to join the Federation.

"Rapture" works on two levels. First, there is the political dimension regarding what the Prophets want to the Emissary, and the reasons why joining the Federation would end with the destruction of Bajor (to be revealed later). As far as mysterious super beings go the Prophets managed to remain mysterious to the end of the series. Second, there are the psychological aspects of what Sisko is going through as he is transformed by his visions. In short, the captain has become a true believer, unable to bear the thought of being denied the visions that are tormenting him, even if it costs him his life. I like the resolution to this episode because it took these profound cosmic happenings and reduced them to a very personal level. I would not qualify this as a classic "DS9" episode, but it is still a very good one, especially in terms of the performance by Brooks.

The Emissary comes into his own
After viewing an ancient picture of the Bajoran city of B'hala, Sisko retires to the holodeck to try to determine the location of the lost city. At first, he is only marginally successful in his quest...but when an accident occurs with the holodeck controls, suddenly, the Captain becomes capable of "seeing" the city's location. When the city is subsequently uncovered, Sisko's role as Emissary to the Bajoran people is solidified. But will it come at the cost of his standing with Starfleet? And more to the point, will his visions come at the expense of his very life?

I thought this was a fabulous episode with some excellent acting on the part of Avery Brooks. Additionally, this episode provides a real turning point in that it is the episode where the character of Sisko finally comes to full acceptance of his role as Emissary. I give it 4 stars and call it a "must see" for Sisko fans!

Sisko!!!
I would just like to ask what the problem is with this being a "purely Sisko driven story"? I have never heard anybody complain about a purely Picard driven story or a purely Kirk driven story. Just what is that? Is that supposed to be an insult? Certainly, some of Deep Space 9's best work was as an ensemble, but one of the reasons that worked so well was that each character had the opportunity to flesh themselves out as individuals and sure there was probably some inequities in time spent, but there was enough so that you believed each charcter as an individual. And this episode is commendable for DS9 in that it seriously addresses what Sisko feels about being Emissary and finally lets a Star Trek regular transcend beyond the boundaries of the Prime Directive to actually explore the meaning of destiny. An excellent episode.

An important episode for DS9
With this episode Sisko's "faith" in the Prophets is now complete. He has come to trust them completely even with his own life. This is a big step for Sisko, the character, and DS9, the series. The captain has now completely accepted his role as the Emissary and that will affect his actions throughout the remaining run of the show. Also Sisko deals with a personal issue as well that had developed towards the end of the fourth season. A terrific episode overall and it keeps getting better after repeated viewings. The episode is strong on character development which is what DS9 is better at doing than any other Trek series. Sisko, Kira and Jake all get a chance to shine as they deal with the dilemma over what to do with the captain's new "gifts" from the Prophets. Even the anatgonistic Kai Winn gets a little more dimension added to her character as she becomes an unlikely ally to Captain Sisko.

There are four scenes in this episode that really stand out and make the episode worth buying:

1)When Sisko has a conversation with Jake about all the things he can now see after the visions he's been having recently. The look in Avery Brook's eyes make you believe everything Sisko says.

2)When Winn informs Kira about her own experience during the occupation and how she relied on her faith to get her through. Not only did it allow Winn to actually come out on top in a scene with Kira for once, but it added more depth to the character and made her more sympathetic to the audience

3)The discussion in Ops by the senior staf of DS9. As they discuss their concern for Sisko's health they also get into an interesting debate about faith. Only on DS9 could you have faith discussed during a Trek show.

4)The best scene of all. The discussion between Sisko and Kira that takes place in the holosuite. Sisko has just had another vision and is sharing it with Kira. The dialogue of the scene, the unobtrusive but terrific score played during the score, the way Brooks' uses his voice and Nana Visitor's dead-on reaction to his words make the scene very effective. It is one of those scenes that transcends television and takes you from your own living room (or wherever you're watching the show)to the actual setting of the scene itself. Good stuff.

Rapture in time!
Sisko is having strange dreams that lead him to uncover the lost Bajoran city, B'hala, this dreams continue and the Captain is certain that if Bajor joins the Federation then they will be doomed. With Starfleet offering Bajor acceptance into the Federation Sisko must do the exact opposite of what he was sent to Deep Space Nine to do, make sure Bajor DOESN'T join the Federation!

A poor episode that is too slow and purely a Sisko-driven story. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kira's Cardassian "father" has secrets to tell before dying
The problem of the Dominions alliance with the Cardassians becomes a personal matter for Kira (Nana Visitor) in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 117, "Ties of Blood and Water" (Story by Edmund Newton & Robbin L. Slocum, Teleplay by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Aired April 14, 1997). Kira meets with Tekeny Ghemor, a Cardassian dissident who could lead the opposition to his people's alliance. Ghemor reveals that he does not have long to live, but that he could help Kira because of a Cardassian ritual in which before dying he reveals secrets to his family to use against their enemies. Ghemor does not have any living relatives and since Kira was once kidnapped and surgically altered to look like his daughter (Episode 51, "Second Skin"), she could play that role one more time. Kira has some misgivings, but the stakes are too high, and she agrees.

As Ghemor tells his secrets Kira struggles with the memories of her own father, Kira Taban, who was killed by the Cardassians years before. Then, just to make things interesting, Gul Dukat shows up on a Jem'Hadar battleship, demanding the return of Ghemor before he can reveal his secrets and offering the dying Cardassian what he most wants in the world in exchange. "Ties of Blood and Water" uncovers a lot of psychological baggage for Kira, between the memories of her father and the revelations about Ghemor, but I am just not sure about the way they all get jumbled up in this one, or the way that the episode is ultimately resolved. Well, maybe not so much the resolution as the final scene, because I think this one might have gone one scene too far. Still, you cannot condemn it for being trite.

The bitch is back!
Legate Ghemor, the Cardassian who once mistakenly believed Kira to be his daughter (in the episode Second Skin), comes to Deep Space Nine. He is sick and dying. Although he now knows that Kira isn't his daughter, he still holds her close to his heart and wants to make her happy. He knows important information about the Dominion alliance with the Cardassian's and wants to tell all. But before he can Gul Dukat arrives in a powerful Jem'hadar Battle Cruiser, he claims to have Ghemor's best interests at heart and wants to take him home to Cardassia. Dukat has evidence of Ghemor's involvement during the Bajoran occupation that puts him in a bad light, Kira must decide whether to be by the side of a dying man who is desperate for her love or to follow her instincts and hand him over to Dukat. A touching episode in which the Dukat-Kira relationship once again comes into play and dominates the action, disappointing that Ghemor doesn't give us the viewer any important info on the Dominion but always great to see Weyoun and Dukat! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Superb
Although slightly dated nowadays, when this episode was new it was one of the best, and is definitely one of the best pre-war episodes.
It continues the story of Eddington, the unlikely traitor who was actually leader of the Maquis, and betrayed Sisko's trust. This left Sisko very angry, and this episode is devoted to just how far Sisko will go to capture Eddington.
It contains very little in the way of subplots, just a good, old fashioned space chase, and it's interesting to see how a Maquis ship manages to evade the Defiant, and goes to show just how cunning Eddington was.
However, this episode, by the same writer as 'In the Pale Moonlight', raised some interesting questions of principle. In order to catch Eddington, Sisko opens fire on Maquis civilians trying to inhabit a Cardassian planet. Although they are not harmed, he places them in danger in order to catch Eddington, is this really conduct becoming a Starfleet captain?
I doubt Starfleet Command would chastise Sisko for his actions, they were ultimately successful, but it stretched some principles a little bit too far for my liking.(The writer then breaks those principles in "The Pale Moonlight", season 6).
Overall though, a good story, excellent plot, and Sisko was particularly good, Eddington wasn't half bad either.

Sisko loses it when he crosses paths with Eddington again
Michael Eddington (Kenneth Marshall), was the former Starfleet Security Chief, who betrayed Sisko (Avery Brooks) and joined the Maquis in "For the Cause," on the previous season of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." This act of treason has stuck in Sisko's craw for a long time and when they cross paths again in Episode 111, "For the Uniform" (Written by Peter Allan Fields Aired February 3, 1997). Sisko is obsessed with bringing Eddington to justice, especially after pursuing him in the "Defiant" only to learn that Eddington had rigged a computer failure. Now Sisko is not only angry, he has been humiliated, especially when he gets back to DS9 and learns Starfleet has assigned Captain Sanders of the "Malinche" to track down and capture Eddington. However, when Eddington attacks Cardassian colonies in the demilitarized zone using a biogenic weapon, Sisko takes off in the "Defiant," even though O'Brien has not had time to make all the necessary repairs.

My first problem with this episode is that Sisko goes off the deep end, repeatedly, in his obsessive efforts to get Eddington. No wonder the traitor gets the best of him time and time again. But not only is there the problem that his rage is making him ineffective, there is the fact that I just do not buy the hysterical anger from Sisko. The cold anger he showed towards Captain Picard when they encountered each other, or that Sisko has shown to Gul Dukat and the rest of the Cardassians, is more in keeping with his established character. Every time Sisko starts ranting I just do not bye it. Second, I find it hard to believe that Sisko cannot appreciate Eddington's view of the situation. Eddington believes in the Maquis cause; he did not betray Sisko and Starfleet for money or something equally heinous, but on principle. Sisko can disagree with that principle, but he should at least be able to acknowledge it has some legitimacy (especially for someone who has flouted the Federation as often Sisko).

Finally, I have a big problem with what Sisko does to win the day. Even if we limit ourselves to the evil things that have been done in the "Star Trek" universe, Eddington's actions do not come close to warranting the winning gambit that Sisko employs. Nor do the stakes seem to justify this extreme solution either. Consequently, "For the Uniform" ends up being a below average "STDS9" episode for me. They should have been able to come up with better ways of working out this plotline.

Traitors!
Synopsis:

Sisko encounters Michael Eddington, his former Starfleet Security Chief, who betrayed him and joined the Maquis.

Obsessed with capturing the traitor, Sisko pursues him in the U.S.S. Defiant. But when Sisko gives the order to fire, the U.S.S. Defiant experiences a massive computer failure, caused by Eddington. He leaves Sisko angry and humiliated, and facing a long trip home.

The U.S.S. Defiant is towed back to Deep Space Nine, and O'Brien begins the massive job of bringing the ship back on-line. Adding insult to injury, Sisko learns that Captain Sanders of the U.S.S. Malinche has been assigned to apprehend Eddington since Starfleet feels Sisko hasn't himself been able to do the job in the past eight months. But when he learns that Eddington attacked Cardassian colonies in the DMZ with a biogenic weapon, Sisko sees his chance. Despite the fact that the U.S.S. Defiant is not ready, he prepares to take his starship back into space.

The ship lurches out of the station and soon encounters Eddington again, who taunts Sisko. The captain realizes too late that he was baited to false coordinates. As the crew sets off to find Eddington's real location, a distress call is received from the U.S.S. Malinche, Maquis forces ambushed and disabled the starship.

Sisko determines Eddington's next planetary target, but is too late to stop him from releasing his biogenic weapon into the atmosphere. The U.S.S. Defiant chases after Eddington's fleeing raider, but he cripples a transport vessel evacuating Cardassian civilians, forcing Sisko to break off his pursuit and rescue the helpless Cardassians.

Stumped as to how to get Eddington, Sisko realizes that the renegade sees himself as a noble hero and Sisko as a villain. In order to stop Eddington, Sisko decides he must do something truly villainous. He prepares to poison the atmosphere of the Maquis colony in retaliation and reveals his sinister plan to all. Eddington is prepared to call his bluff. Amazingly, Sisko orders the deadly torpedoes launched, and the Maquis scramble to evacuate. Sisko says that he is prepared to eliminate every Maquis colony in the DMZ, and Eddington, realizing Sisko is serious, does the "heroic" gesture of offering himself in exchange. Eddington is captured, and Sisko's vendetta is finally over for good.

The best of the darker side of Star Trek
This episode proves that Star Trek can be realistic. The lengths to which Capt. Sisko will go to capture Eddington will really surprise most Star Trek fans. This episode brings to mind all the ethical issues that are forgotten during times of war.

Another fascinating episode, by the same writer, is "In the Pale Moonlight," by far my most favorite episode in the entire DS9 library.

Eddington is back!
Eddington betrayed Starfleet eight months ago by defecting to the Maquis and becoming their new leader. Under his leadership the Maquis have begun setting off deadly biological weapons tailor-made to kill Cardassian's, something Sisko cannot allow to continue.

Sisko sees Eddington as a stain on his record, the officer who managed to spy on Starfleet under Sisko's command. He is desperate to capture him. But this desperation becomes his own downfall as he goes to dangerous, even crazy, lengths to stop the man who has brought out the worst in Caoptain Benjamin Sisko. A brilliant episode in which Avery Brooks shines as Sisko! ... Read more

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle caught a fair amount of flak for getting a lot of details wrong in this story about the training and racing of horses.Nevertheless, it is one of his most popular yarns and makes a fine basis for this vigorous 1988 episode from the Granada Television series about Sherlock Holmes. The Great Detective (Jeremy Brett) and his chronicler and ally Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) hurry to Devonshire, following the murder of a trainer and the disappearance of Silver Blaze, a swift horse heavily favored to win the big-money Wessex Cup. Holmes takes some snarly barbs from Blaze's rich owner in stride--though he has his revenge on the arrogant fellow later. The mystery is a keen one and the solution is among Doyle's most inventive. Brett and Hardwicke are at their best as the dynamic duo. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Nice Friendship/Partnership Story
I would give this story 4 1/2 stars if I could because while this is not the best of the Granada series, it certainly isn't the worst. I like "Silver Blaze" because it is a good story (even if Doyle got some of the horse racing details wrong), and it is nice to see Holmes and Watson working together. Watson (played by the supurb Edward Hardwicke) is not the useless cardboard cutout which is only there to fill space, he assists Holmes with studying the evidence, and later hunting for the horse upon the moor. The scene where they are cheering on Silver Blaze in the race is grand, and the expression on Holmes' face is priceless. He wants to cheer for Silver Blaze but can't quite break that reserved barrier. Jeremy Brett plays the eccentric detective beautifully although he does look tired in this story.

The beginning of the end
I am sorry to say that I cannot really recommend this video, and I wish they had filmed it before Jeremy Brett's illness started to affect his performance. For affect it it certainly does.

Still, there is the marvellous line about the dog in the night-time... ... Read more

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Sure, technology can make life easier, but when it advances tooquickly it can be fraught with peril, or raise questions people aren't readyto answer. For years, Dr. Farallon (Ellen Bry) has been working on anorbiting particle fountain capable of large-scale planetary mining. Eventhough it isn't quite finished and tested yet, Geordi and theEnterprise have been sent to determine whether or not it is a moreefficient method of mining than the more traditional means. Along with thislarge-scale invention, Dr. Farallon has also invented helper robots, whichshe calls "exocomps." A fan of Data's positronic brain, she has given herexocomps artificial intelligence. Turns out she may have given these exocompsa little too much intelligence, because they start acting in ways that looksuspiciously like sentient self-preservation. When Geordi and Picard gettrapped on the particle fountain as it's about to blow up, Data refuses tosacrifice a potential life form in favor of two proven life forms, eventhough they are the most important members of the Enterprise. Someexcellent ideas are touched on here, but they're not taken to the extremes(particularly the ability to mass-produce a life form), but the action scenesare well executed. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another "Are little machines sentient beings?" episode
The Enterprise is checking out the space station at Tyrus Seven, where there have come up with a mining experiment that uses a plasma fountain to raise material from the planet's surface. However, La Forge has some problems both the technology and its creator, Dr. Faralon (Ellen Bry). It seems the good doctor uses tiny little robots called "Exocomps," and when one of them avoid destruction because it disobeyed an order, Data declares the Exocomps have displayed self-preservation and are therefore "alive." Having been put on trial for being a walking toaster ("The Measure of a Man," Episode 35), nobody in the Star Trek universe better understands how difficult it is to have human accept machines as sentient beings (Is it not ironic that the scientists are always narrow minded and the military types on the Enterprise are the enlightened ones in the future?).

STNG has dealt repeatedly with the question of what makes a being sentient and therefore capable of enjoying rights. The series has looked at this question using androids, holographic characters, crystals and even little robotic devices called Nanites ("Evolution," Episode 50). However, I must admit there is something of a twist to how the humans deal with the tiny little machines this time around that does take the argument to the next level, as Data himself points out to Picard at the end. On balance this is an average STNG episode.

The Quality of Life
The question of sentience versus property and the right to use it as seen fit by those considered sentient is once again in question as a brilliant scientist comes aboard the Enterprise with two things in her favor: a particle fountain that the Federation might have use for, and her invention of the portable repair crew she uses to do work that would take others hours: the Exo-Comps. Data realizes that the exo-comps are becoming sentient and are therefore alive, but everyone else seems to think he is mistaken, so Data has to make them realize this the only way he can when all other tests and their results fail to convince them; he traps Geordi and Captain Picard on the particle beam station as the beam is about to explode. Only through expressed consent of the exocomps can Picard an Geordi be rescued at the sacrifice of one of the little machines. And as a result, a better understanding of both the machines and Data formulate. It's a great episode in the exploration of both the extent of humanity's understanding of artificial intelligence and how much life should be cherished, whether man-made or nature born. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Words cannot describe how bad this is . . .
. . . But I'll give it a try. "Descent Part II" has all the faults of Part I, and then some. To an utterly stupid storyline, bad directing, and a lack of suspense and the necessary epic feel, Part II adds gratuitous cameos, a nonsensical storyline of Dr Crusher commanding the Enterprise (wasting heaps of time that could have been used to far better purpose), and - YET AGAIN - a "no consequences" conclusion. Many of these problems stem from the fact that Part I and Part II were written by different people, I suspect. The one good point is Brent Spiner - he does a scarily good job as Lore, now driven by a sense of destiny as well as his own superiority. But can anyone explain to me why Data can execute his brother and Dr Crusher can disobey an order, and neither are ever punished?

Maybe not better than part 1, but still teriffic!
"Descent, Part 2" is where the action gets going. The trouble with the Borg chasing the Enterprise, the struggle for survival on the planet, and much, much more! Even though you may like to see Part 2 of some episodes first, see them in order and you'll really like this guaranteed, but the first step is to convince yourself to watch it. Well, it's not going to kill you, so watch it!

Bev Crusher Commands the Enterprise!
The conclusion which I am not going to give away here involves the doctor driving the ship into the sun to avoid the Borg! This was one of the best scenes in the episode.

The next would be when Data rebels against his brother Lore. Originally planned to be a long and protracted battle between brothers ...the cost of the show forced the producers to have a brief fight scene. However the story ended in an unpredictable way. All of this to control Data's emotion chip.

I wish this episode had one more installment. It would show how Lore met the Borg. How did he get away from Data in his last appearence in "Brothers"??

Data's emotion chip becomes the subject in the first Next Generation film ...Generations.

Data and Lore against the Federation (and Hugh the Borg!)
At the end of Part I of "Descent," Data had joined his "brother" Lore and a whole lot of Borg in an effort to overthrow the Federation. The pair had capture Picard, La Forge and Troi. This radical change in Data is explained by the fact his ethical program has been disabled by Lore who is also feeding the Enterprise Second Officer a steady diet of addictive emotions. Meanwhile, Riker and Worf find another group of Borg on the planet, this one led by Hugh, the Borg who was given a individuality in the classic "I Borg" episode. Hugh explains that the individuality program had spread through the collective and the confusion in the Borg was being exploited by Lore. Meanwhile, Data has begun a series of inhuman experiments on his best friend, La Forge.

There is a lot happening in this episode, with the interaction between the Data-Lore and Borg storylines. Ever since Hugh was sent back to the collective, we have wondered what was the effect of his new found self-identity. Whatever we might have expected, Lore leading a group of rogue Borg was not it, so the writers get points for coming up with a fun twist. What makes "Descent" an above-average episode is the whole idea of Data gone bad. Even though you know that in the end he will come to his senses, this perversion of Data's programming is rather unsettling, especially as it plays against the android's relationships with his crewmates. I also appreciate the idea that the show made the decision to provide an ultimate resolution to one of the plotlines.

Data a traitor?
Part I left off with Picard, Geordi, and Troi surrounded by the Borg, and they find out that Lore is involved, and so is Data. Data is being controled by Data. Data takes Geordi's visor away from him, and later Commander Data does some experiments on him.

we find out that these particular Borgs' are separted from the collective, and we see Hue is there. (Hue was once rescued by the Enterprise crew, and the crew instead of sending him back to the collective with self-destruct computer codes to destroy the Borg, Picard and the crew are sympathetic and send him back, with computer program on indivduality.) This disorients the Borg, and have turned to Lore who will be their leader, and bring order to them. Picard, Troi, and LaForge, escape and break the control Lore and on Data. Once free from Lore's control, Data fights with Lore, and defeats him. Data is forced to destroy Lore. Hue and the rest of the Borg on that planet try and find order with their lives. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This is a Good One!
This is one of the best STTNG episodes! An accident on a planet involving a leftover devise from an ancient war leads to the death of a member of an away team lead by Worf, the victim is Marla Aster who leaves behind 12 year old son Jeremy. Worf who is feeling responsible because he was in charge of the away team mission that resulted in the death of one of his away team members trys to bond with Jeremy as he too was orphaned at an early age. Worf, Picard and Troi try to help Jeremy deal with his mother's death but are hampered by a imposter from the planet who takes the form of his Mother, it is only trying to help Jeremy because feels sorry for what happened but ends up causing much confusion for the poor kid! The interaction between Worf and Jeremy is truly heartwarming and the episode is recommended to any fan of Worf and Michael Dorn the actor who plays him!

Is one of the best episodes of a remarkable Sci-fi show
The Bonding is one of the best Worf episodes, well actually I personally think it is the best Worf episode! Michael Dorn shines in this episode and shows the more tender side of Worf but does so without making him too soft! Marla Aster dies during an away team search of a planet and when Worf learns that her young son is on board the Enterprise and that he is all alone because his father is also deceased he feels a connection to Jeremy because he knows what it's like to be an orphan and wants to do a Klingon bonding ritual with Jeremy to help him deal with the loss of his mother but that is complicated by the sudden arrival of Jeremy's mother Marla claiming it was all a mistake but Worf finds himself with the help of Captain Picard, Deanna Troi and Wesley Crusher trying to convince Jeremy that his mother is gone and that the lookalike is fake and not really her. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would gladly do that!

A custody battle between the Enterprise and Energy Beings
On a routine archeological expedition led by Worf, an exploding land mine kills Dr. Marla Aster. Captain Picard and Counselor Troi have to tell Aster's son Jeremy, whose father had died a few years earlier, that he is now an orphan. However, Jeremy is not alone. An energy being from the planet comes aboard the Enterprise and assumes the appearance of Jeremy's mother. Once upon a time the planet had two races: the energy beings and corporal creatures that became extinct after generations of warfare. The energy beings will make amends for the accident by creating a home for Jeremy on the surface, where they will recreate everything he could ever want: his mother, friends, and a family. Meanwhile, also feeling responsible for what has happened, Worf attempts to bond with young Jeremy as well, teaching him about the Klingon approach to death. The energy beings are insistent that they can better provide for Jeremy than the crew of the Enterprise. Jeremy, of course, wants to be with his "mother." Picard cannot allow this, but can he prevent the powerful energy beings from doing what they want?

"The Bonding" is one of those Next Generation episodes that remembers to deal with the consequences of having families on the new and improved Enterprise. For Worf there is not only the sense of obligation since he was the leader of the away team on the mission where Marla Aster was killed, but there is also his identification with the Jeremy as an orphan. Ironically, the energy beings from the planet parallel both of these feelings as well. Ultimately, the nice touch about this episode is that the energy beings are as benevolent towards the fragile physical beings as Picard and his crew routinely are towards the various suffering creatures they encounter while cruising around the Star Trek universe. Next to Picard, Worf was always the Next Generation character who was least comfortable with small children. "The Bonding" prepares the way for the introduction of Alexander into Worf's life in a few seasons, and continues the exploration of his Klingon heritage, which becomes more and more pronounced with each season as well.

Not one of the best episodes of a remarkable Sci-Fi show.
When the ship's archaeoligist dies on a mission, Worf has the sad duty of informing the woman's son. However, when the 12 year old is mourning the loss of his mother, his mother suddenly reappears and wants to take him down to the planet. But is she what she appears to be? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Gul Dukat in the spotlight - at last
Episode title: Indiscretion

Teleplay by: Nicholas Corea

Story by: Toni Marberry & Jack Trevino

Dorected by: LeVar Burton

"Indiscretion" tells a story about a Cardassian transport vessel full of Bajoran prisoners that dissapeared mysteruously.

Several years after the incident, Kira receives information about the ship's whereabouts, and decides to go investicate the lead further. When the Cardassian government learns of this, they insist on sending our old familiar Gul Dukat to go with Kira.

So begins a journey between the two arch enemies to uncover the mystery of the hidden transport. During the trip hidden sides of Gul Dukat are revealed and the previously two-dimencional character deepens and becomes more easy to relate to by both Kira and the audience, as his history and secrets are put on the open, escalating into a characterwise dramatical dilemma.

The episode starts promisingly enough, but stumbles eventually on too much effort and trying. The character growth of both Dukat and Kira is forced and the interaction between the two of them is left with a feeling of vagueness, especially after a few bad attempts of humor attempting to bring the characters closer to one another, to make the interaction between them more solid. Nana Visitor's less than adequate acting performance might be an affecting factor in this, though.

The episode manages to establish Gul Dukat as a supporting character to the series in a way never seen before. He becomes an actual character, not just 'the bad guy'.

The subplot isn't that great either, as it deals with Captain Sisko and Kassidy Jates' argument over her staying permanently on the station.

After all of this, "Indiscretion" is a mediocore piece of drama, that is essential to the show as a whole, but leaves something to be left desired for as an individual story.

Kira discovers that Gul Dukat has something to hide
A scrap merchant finds a piece of metal he claims comes from the Ravinok, a Cardassian transport that disappeared with a cargo of Bajoran labor camp workers, including Lorit Akrem, who recruited Major Kira for the resistance. Kira goes off to investigate but she has to take along a representative of the Cardassian government, who turns out to be Gul Dukat. Small universe, huh? Well, a lot smaller than you think, because Dukat has his own agenda. It seems that on the Ravinok was Tora Naprem, a Bajoran woman who was Dukat's mistress, and Ziyal, their daughter.

"Indiscretion" could have been a write off episode; good for the shock value of finding out Gul Dukat had fathered a child by his Bajoran mistress (or would love slave be more appropriate?). But Ziyal and her relationship to her father have some significant consequences down the road. One of the best things about DS9 is that most of the episodes tie-in to at least one of the major on-going plot lines. I might find Dukat's "Indiscretion" to be less than believable, but the series certainly makes it work. Besides, watching Dukat tangle with Kira is almost as much fun as watching him and Sisko go at it.

The Odd Couple: Kira and Dukat
As I'm sure you're well aware, the Cardassians and Bajorans don't like each other too well. Cardassian occupation and abuse of the Bajoran homeworld will do that to a species. But Bajoran Major Kira and Cardassian Gul Dukat must put aside their differences and solve a mystery together.

Kira is forced to bring her nemesis, Dukat, on a mission. It seems a piece of a Bajoran ship is found and Kira wants to find out what happened to the rest of the ship as well as find any survivors (the ship has been missing for over ten years). A friend of Kira's was among those who disappeared. Dukat has his own reasons for finding this missing ship.

As the story unfolds, we find that Dukat knew one of the Bajoran women that was onboard the ship when it was lost. And they find her grave, as well as more wreckage, on a barren desert planet. It turns out that this woman was Dukat's mistress. And they had a child together, Tora Ziyal. Dukat wants to kill the child if he finds her because her presence as a hybrid (half-Cardassian, half-Bajoran) would cause him much grief on Cardassia and he would be disgraced and possibly lose his position as one of Cardassia's leaders. Kira and Dukat find Ziyal (but not Kira's friend who died a few years earlier) enslaved by the alien species Breen. They rescue Ziyal and the other remaining Bajoran slaves and Dukat, predictably, finds that he cannot kill his daughter. This is a good thing because Kira would have killed Dukat if he had murdered Ziyal. Ain't it fun?

Solid episode and the interplay between Dukat and Kira is good. The ending was okay and I found the existence of a Cardassian/Bajoran hybrid to be extremely fascinating. There is, as we would find out, much potential in this development. ... Read more

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Original airdate: 6-21-93. Stardate: Unknown. Federation-Bajorantensions run high in DS9's emotionally charged first-season finale, whichintroduces the antagonistic Bajoran spiritual leader Vedek Winn (played byOscar®-winning actress Louise Fletcher), whose self-serving politicalintrigues would carry into subsequent episodes "The Circle" and "The Siege."When Keiko O'Brien refuses to include Bajoran spiritual beliefs in her classroomcurriculum, Vedek Winn threatens to take action, and an act of terrorismescalates into a plot to assassinate the leading candidate to become Bajor's newspiritual leader (Philip Anglim). This exceptional episode plays up thepolitical conflicts that constantly simmer on DS9 and also serves as ashowcase for Fletcher's self-righteous villainy, a test of Major Kira's loyaltyto Sisko, and a closer look at Bajoran vulnerability to splinter groups andfanaticism. The separation of church and state is an obvious theme, but it'shandled with intelligence and suspense, setting the stage for the secret agendasthat would emerge at the beginning of DS9's second season. --JeffShannon ... Read more

Reviews (4)

At The Ends Of The Seasons
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS is a solid story featuring power grabs, political intrigue and backstabbing. It's an episode where some people are not quite what they seem, which is often a tired technique, but one that is executed rather well here.

The episode opens with what seems like a standard Star Trek parallel with real-life events. Keiko O'Brien is teaching her students a little bit about local geography; in particular, she's describing the solar system's resident wormhole using scientific terms. This is a problem for the local Bajoran religious leader, who promptly pulls all the Bajoran children out of the classroom and refuses to let them return until O'Brien begins painting the physical phenomena using religious terminology. This, however, is only the beginning of the story. Sisko must try to negotiate the situation as it slowly snowballs into something much larger, potentially affecting all of Bajor.

There's a beautiful sequence near the end that is only partially ruined by the inclusion of a clichéd shot of a slow motion, leaping Sisko yelling "Noooooooo!" Overall, I quite liked this episode, although it does go a tiny bit overboard on the pretentiousness. The plot is carefully crafted, and trying to figure out the loyalties of the secondary characters is indeed a fun game. A good, strong episode to round out Deep Space Nine's first season.

The Prophets begin speaking to Vedek Winn
This final episode from the premier season of Deep Space Nine provides Sisko and crew with their first encounter with Vedek Winn (Louise Fletcher). It seems Keiko O'Brien has been teaching the Bajoran children the scientific explanation for the wormhole. Vedek Winn, the leader of a small orthodox religious sect, believes the wormhole to be the Celestial Temple and therefore Keiko's teachings are blasphemous. Sisko meets with Vedek Bareil, the leading candidate to succeed Kai Opaka, but finds no help there. The Vedek Assembly is debating the role the Federation should have in the future of Bajor and Bareil does not want to tip his hand prior to election. However, when a bomb destroys Keiko's school, Bareil travels to DS9 to plead for peace, not knowing that Winn has convinced one of the Bajorans to assassinate Bareil.

One of the strengths of Deep Space Nine is that it took the religious implications of the "Prophets" and Sisko being the "Emissary" quite seriously. Unlike the other Star Trek series where a starship has a different port of call each and every week, DS9 is stuck between Bajor and the wormhole. True believers such as Vedek Winn have to be dealt with in the long term as well as the short. Winn certainly becomes one of the more unique "villains" in Star Trek history, hanging in there until the bitter end. "In the Hands of the Prophets" does not constitute a cliffhanger as much as it opens up new avenues for the series to explore in its second season, including some sparkage between Kira and Bareil to go with the political intrigue. This is not a great episode, but it is certainly well above average.

Ending on a high note?
This is the season-finale, the Borg are busy, the Romulan's are proably playing with their cloaking device and the Dominion haven't even been invented, so instead we get a political story that explores the issues of religion vs. science and Bajor finding a new leader. In hindsight this was an intricate story for DS9 but should've been placed earlier in the first series with the Jem'hadar being introduced as quickly as possibly. Three episodes were to follow that opened season two with an explosion! A good build-up episode but nothing else...

Quite a show
"In the Hands of the Prophets" is DS9's 1st Season Finale. For those who enjoy DS9's complex plotting and attention to political issues regarding Bajor, this is for you. The show centers around the mysterious death of an ensign and the issue of religious teachings in school enviroments. The show tackles the issue with skill, and manages to link it to the murder investagation in a nice way. This show also marks Kai Winn's first appearance on the series (at this time, Winn is a Vedek), and (I believe) this is also Vedek Bariel's first show. Everyone delievers stand-out performances in a script that really has some relevance to modern times and to the characters. In a nutshell: this is a keeper. ... Read more

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Obviously, the ideas of repressed memories and regression therapy werein the air when the writers came up with this episode. The Enterprise is transporting to Kaldra IV a delegation of Ullians, an alien race of telepathic historians. The Ullians are "archaeologists of the mind" who have been collecting memories of individuals on many worlds to be included in an ambitious library. There are rules that the Ullians must follow in collecting memories, such as never to enter the mind of a person without permission. It's a rule that one of them breaks when he becomes creepily attracted to Counselor Troi. From a distance, at night, he invades a memory she has of one of her romantic entanglements with Commander Riker. He then takes on the role of Riker in her mind and forces himself on her, essentially raping her. Troi falls into a coma. Riker is immediately suspicious of the guy, and soon enough he's in an action flashback and then a coma. Then Dr. Crusher ends up in a coma, too. Meanwhile, there's no proof that the comas are being caused by the Ullians, who have been a peaceful race for generations. When Troi wakes up, the evil Ullian suggests a mind probe, which he does himself, where he plants a false memory. Everything turns out fine, of course, thanks to some investigative research by Geordi and Data. Though the topic may be dated by current standards, the execution is quite good. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Troi's mind is assault by another telepath
The Ulians are a race of telepathic historians and when the Enterprise transports three of them to their next planet of study you know what that this episode is going to focus on Deanna Troi. At dinner Tarman, the leader of the Ulians, goes out of his way to belittle his son Jev, a member of the team. When Jev flees the uncomfortable dinner Troi follows and tries to make him feel better. Later, as she prepares for bed, Troi is assaulted by a memory that becomes so intense it sends her into a coma. Dr. Crusher's examination reveals nothing wrong and when Riker questions Jev, the last person to see Troi before her collapse, the Commander slips into a coma as well. Then Crusher thinks about subjecting the Ulians to a memory probe at which point she becomes the third member of coma city. Data and La Forge begin tracing back the planets the Ulians have visited looking for clues. When Troi regains consciousness she cannot remember what happens. But then, as Jev probes her memory in what he says is an attempt to prove the Ulian's innocence, Troi declares that Tarman mentally raped her.

The idea of telepathic mind rape was a pivotal moment in the film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," when Spock got the information he needed from Lieutenant Valeris. Suffice it to say this treatment of the subject is not as dramatic in "Violations." It is certainly fortunate in the 23rd century that apparently all of these telepathic races are so benign because if the Ulians, the Betazoids, or any of the others wanted to wreck havoc you would have to think they could certainly get away with it. This is a below average episode featuring Troi, where once again she is more of a victim than an active agent in saving the day. They certainly have a hard time doing right by her character on this show. ... Read more

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Worf on "How to Raise a Klingon Child in Space"
"New Ground" is one of those episodes where the title refers to two plot lines that end up colliding in the climax. On the personal side, Helena Rozhenko, Worf's human foster mother, shows up with his son Alexander in tow. Declaring the boy would be better off with his father she quickly departs. When Alexander is caught stealing and lying, Worf understands it is time for him to be a parent. He lectures his son about Klingon honor and figures that will do the trick. When Alexander continues to misbehave in class, Word decides to send the boy to a Klingon school. Meanwhile, on the science side of the episode, the Enterprise is working on a grand experiment to generate a Soliton Wave, which is basically a means of achieving warp speed without a warp engine. The experiment is going well at first; the Soliton Wave is pushing the test ship merrily along with the Enterprise following along. But then the wave destabilizes, destroying the test ship and threatening to destroy the planet at the terminus of the planned journey. The only way for the Enterprise to stop the wave is to fly through it and fire photo torpedoes to dissipate it. However, this will cause damage to parts of the ship and you will never guess where a pouting Klingon boy is when that happens.

I think the idea of having Alexander come live aboard the Enterprise with his father was inspired in part by the episode "Disaster" where Worf serves as the mid-wife when Keiko O'Brian has her baby. Certainly Worf is the last person aboard you want delivering babies or raising a child. The problem is that Worf, the only Klingon in Starfleet, raised by human parents on Earth after the death of his parents in the infamous Khitomer massacre, forced to live with the unjustness of his discommendation, apparently has no understanding of what his son is going through. Worf and Alexander discovered K'Ehleyr's lifeless body and even though there is nobody in the galaxy who better understand what the boy is going through than his father, Worf is conveniently oblivious to all of those factors. Still, it is worthwhile to see one of the show's characters have to deal with being a parent now that Wesley is off to the Academy and Ian (remember him?) is tooling around the universe somewhere as a tiny dot of light. This is certainly a rough start, but there will be some excellent episodes dealing with Worf and Alexander down the line. Final note: Alexander is not exactly a traditional Klingon name, which makes me wonder if K'Ehlyer had a sick sense of humor or was trying to do a Klingon version of "A Boy Named Sue." ...