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TNG really hits its stride with this well-written episode. What starts out as Data's letter to the nefarious Bruce Maddox at the Daystrom Institute evolves into a complex and genuinely funny character study of the seemingly "emotionless" android. Oh, and it's the "1,550th day since the Enterprise was commissioned."

Over the course of the series, Data desperately strives to become more "human." This episode illustrates the point that even though he is technically a machine, Data possesses fundamental traits that define humanity. He has a great capacity for forgiveness (Bruce Maddox wanted to deactivate and dissect him in "Measure of a Man"), compassion (we're introduced to Data's cat, Spot), and friendship. And finally, Data is baffled and bemused by interpersonal relationships, which is the very definition of human being. As always, Brent Spiner plays Data baffled with the sophistication of Cary Grant. The B-story about Chief O'Brien's wedding is particularly baffling and amusing. Rosalind Chao makes her first appearance as Keiko, and the ship's arboretum makes its first appearance as itself.

"Data's Day" ranks high on TNG top 10 lists, and is a favorite with trivia buffs for absolute high weirdness. Things to watch for and ponder endlessly: Worf and the crystal swan; the Bolian Barber's unique hair coloring method; Dr. Crusher's secret past as the Dancing Doctor; the Ersatz Vulcan; Spot; the whole Miles and Keiko thing going on; and last but not least, the immortal sneer: "Human bonding rituals often involve a lot of... talking... and dancing... and crying." --Kayla Riggney ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A hilarious episode
This episode is a first for Star Trek, in that it presents the episode in 'a day in the life' format of one of it's characters. The character chosen in the crew's android, Lieutenant Commander Data. Data is an excellent choice, as he provides many witty comments about human behaviour throughout the story.

Anyway, in the episode, Data must sort out a disagreement between an couple who are due to be married, learn how to dance, solve the mysterious death of one of the Federation's top Ambassadors and be father of the bride in a wedding on board the ship. Pretty hard work for a day's work I'd say!!

The episode is a comic gem, with some great interplay between Data and the rest of the crew. I would recommend it to both the casual Star Trek viewer and the die-hard fan, who will find it a trivia fest!

A day in the life of Data the tap dancing super sleuth
The framing device for this episode is that Data is putting together a report on all of his activities for a single day to be forwarded to Bruce Maddox, the clown who wanted to claim Data as Starfleet property back in "The Measure of a Man" (Episode 35). For the sake of argument we will assume that Data does not do a mondo data dump on him. Two main activities occupy Data's time and effort on this particular date. First, he has been asked to stand in as the bride's father at the wedding of Chief O'Brien and Keiko, since he introduced the happy couple. There is a hysterical sequence when Data asks Dr. Crusher to teach him to dance; she teaches him tap dancing before she learns he wants to be able to dance with the bride at the wedding. Second, the Enterprise is taking Vulcan Ambassador T'Pei to the Netural Zone for a meeting with the Romulans who supposedly want to enter into diplomatic conversations with the Federation. However, a transporter malfuction apparently kills the ambassador when they try to beam her over to the Romulans. There is too much mystery here for Captain Picard and Data has to use his positronic brain to find out what really happened.

"Data's Day" would be an interesting episode even without the framing device of Data's report. I almost get the feeling that they had this interesting plot line involving a mysterious Vulcan ambassador and a fun one with Data being father of the bride at Keiko's wedding and figured why not toss the two together? Except for Data there is really nothing that puts these two halves together. The surprising thing is that the whole is more than the sum of the parts. This is not one of the best Data episodes, but it certainly does provide more insights in everyone's favorite android than most.

A Day in the Life
I love this episode! "Data's Day" is TNG writing at its best. Behind the simple premise lies a very complex character study of the seemingly "emotionless" android, Data. Make no mistake, even though "Data's Day" is charming and very, very funny, it's also quite revealing.

Over the course of the series, Data as a character desparately strives to become more "human." This episode illustrates the point that even though he is an android, Data posesses fundemental traits that define "humanity." He has a great capacity for forgiveness ("Data's Day" is a letter to Bruce Maddox, the man who wanted to deactivate and disect him), compassion (we're introduced to Data's cat, Spot) and friendship. We should all be so human.

"Data's Day" shows up on a lot of TNG Top 10 Best Episode lists. Definitely makes my personal Top 10. All-around great episode. Excellent writing. Spiner's acting is solid as always. Tons of fodder for trivia buffs.

Things to watch for: Spot; The Dancing Doctor; Worf & the crystal swan; Keiko and Miles; and last but not least, The Ersatz Vulcan ... Read more

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This is the first of a two-part episode that opened DS9's third season, coming after a second-season-ending cliffhanger involving a villain potentially as devastating as the Borg. The Dominion controls Gamma Quadrant on the other end of the wormhole and is threatening to attack DS9 and the Federation, using the war-happy Jem'Hadar as its conquering force. Sisko, Odo, and the rest head off in a warship of their own to make contact with the Founders, the secretive leaders of the Dominion, to explain the Federation's peaceful intent. But when they are ambushed by the Jem'Hadar, Odo and Kira escape to follow Odo's sudden instinct that draws him to the Omarion Nebula--and his home planet. It's a well-written blend of action and sci-fi fantasy, mixing a complex set of plot lines and finding a way to bring them full circle in the second episode. Particularly solid is the use of the character of Odo, who is played touchingly by Rene Auberjonois. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

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Sisko gets the Defiant to play with and Odo finds his people
As the third season of Deep Space Nine begins Commander Sisko has a new toy to play with: a prototype warship named the Defiant. Instead of waiting for the Dominion to attack DS9, Sisko intends to take the ship into the Gamma Quadrant and try to locate the Founders, the supposed leaders of the Dominion and its Jem'Haddar soldiers. Although equipped with a Romulan cloaking device, the Defiant still ends up being boarded by the Jem'Haddar. Odo and Kira escape in a shuttle where the Constable reacts to a sudden urge and takes the ship to the Omarion Nebula where he discovers a colony of Changelings.

When last we left our merry little band of heroes at the end of Season Two, Sisko was intending to prepare DS9 for a Dominion invasion fleet coming through the worm hole. Yet here we are, taking the battle to the Gamma Quadrant, thereby saving the anticipated invasion for Part Two of this episode. Of course, the surprise appearance of the Changelings at the end turns out not to be totally unrelated to the threat of the Dominion. There is a sense in which "The Search" constitutes a new beginning for the series, since the threat of the Dominion will be an omni-present element from now until the final episode.

If the Dominion comes through the wormhole, we'll be ready..
The shocking season finale left Sisko stating that DS9 was the first line of defence from any attack force from the Gamma Quadrant and he intends to be ready for them!

A huge sub-space disturbance is picked-up well within weapons range, DS9 is placed on red alert with a possible Dominion invasion on hand... the strange disturbane turns out to be a cloaked ship, a cloaked FEDERATION ship, The Defiant - a new battleship that will lead the Starship presence in the Bajoran system.

In an attempt to find a pieceful solution to the Dominion threat Sisko takes the Defiant into the Gamma Quadrant with the intention of finding out more information on this new threat - a more deadly cunning plot is revealed as Odo is attracted to a mysterious Nebula in the middle of Dominion space...

U.S.S. Defiant kicks!
I thought the Defiants first showing on DS9 was cool! It had wounderful action shots and was an edge of your seat ride from entering the unknown Gamma Quadrant on the other side of the GALAXY to find the Founders of the Dominion to woundering if the crew of DS9 would servive! ... Read more

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This episode concluded what amounted to a three-part story arc that began with episode 46, "The Jem'Hadar," a cliffhanger episode that ended DS9's second season and continued in episode 47, "The Search, Part I," the first installment of year three. Back on DS9 after a harrowing encounter with the Jem'Hadar, vicious warriors of the Dominion, Sisko and Dax find themselves blind-sided by the Federation's willingness to cave in to the Dominion and the Jem'Hadar on a treaty. Meanwhile, Kira tries to contact Sisko from Odo's home planet, while Odo receives his first exposure to his own people and their concept of the "great link" that connects all shapeshifters. This story provides a solid conclusion to the tale and sets up much of what comes in the next season, as the entire region becomes destabilized. It also offers real insight into Odo's life story, which is told for the first time. The DS9 part of the plot is particularly tricky, and the ending plays mind games with the viewer in ways that the average show would never dare. Still, the Dominion turns out to be a lot less forbidding than the Borg, the scariest Star Trek villain of all time. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Something of a false start to the big War with the Dominion
Odo discovers a whole lot about his mysterious past from the colony of Changelings he and Kira have discovered in the Gamma Quadrant. The Constable is also tantalized by references to the "Great Link," a merging ceremony unique to the Changelings. Meanwhile, Sisko and Bashir limp back to DS9 on a shuttle only to discover the Federation is negotiating a treaty with the Dominion. Sisko and company know this would be a fatal mistake and decide to take matters into their own hands. There is a fatal flaw with Part 2 of "The Search," which is simply that the conclusion basically undoes the entire episode. Consequently, this episode loses a star although the surprising revelation that the Changelings are the Founders and Sisko's decision to collapse the entrance to the wormhole are pretty good. Besides, DS9 had been building towards this big confrontation between the Federation and the Dominion that is suddenly pushed back to some time in the future. This is necessary because it would be hard to explore the various characters on the show while a war was being fought on the Promenade, but it does come across as something of a cheat.

A conclusion?
After the shocking end to the first episode Odo comes face to face with his own people. In the meantime the crippled Defiant makes its way back to DS9 once there the remaining crew find a Dominion negotiation party that are planning on brining a close to the Federation-Dominion problem. But Starfleet are terrified of this new threat and begin giving-in to the outrageous Dominion demands, Sisko can't stand by and allow the Dominion to make a foothold in the Alpha Quadrant so he decides to destroy the entrace to the wormhole, keeping the Jem'hadar on the other side of the galaxy. But before he can Starfleet threaten to prevent any attempt by Sisko... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Starfleet's attempt
An exellent episode! Combining action with a good plot. You also get lots of good scenes of Starfleet headquaters and Earth in the 24th century. You even get to see Admiral Leyton in charge of starfleet and the president of the Federation.

Sisko uncovers yet another conspiracy in Starfleet
In "Homefront," the first part of this two-part storyline, Sisko learned the Changelings had infiltrated Earth and went with Odo to Earth to head up security. However, at the end of the episode the Federation President declared a state of emergency. Now Earth is under martial law, with security troops apparently on every street corner. However, Sisko is now suspicious about the series of events that led to the decision and "Paradise Lost" details how our hero ferrets out the truth. The mystery is rather average and I must admit to a prejudice against episodes where Starfleet goes fascist, especially when it is so darn easy to have a successful (in the short run) conspiracy. I guess I just have idealistic hopes for the future. Anyway, idea that oppression reigns on earth is pretty week and this ends up being an average DS9 episode.

A good conclusion to Homefront
This episode is a good and surprising conclusion to the previous, episode, Homefront. Sisko finds out that one of his friends has engineered the incident so the military will take control of Earth. Sisko must betray his friend, or betray what he knows is right. Meanwhile, the starship Defiant is heading towards Earth to reveal the conspiracy, when the Admiral informs another ship that the Defiant has been taken over by changelings. Will the Defiant be lost in the power strugle? This episode was superb and will remain a classic in the series ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Defiant helps the Jem'Haddar turn on some renegades
A Jem'Haddar raiding party steals equipment from DS9 and escapes into the wormhole with Sisko giving chase in the Defiant. When they locate a damaged Jem'Haddar warship, Sisko beams abaord six soldiers and their Vorta leader, Weyoun. From Weyoun they learn that the Dominion has discovered an Iconian gateway device (you might remember this from the "Contagion" episode of STNG), but that the scientists sent to investigate the gateway have rebelled. Weyoun wants Sisko's assistance in destroying the gateway and the renegade Jem'Haddar. Of course, the Federation cannot afford to have any Jem'Haddar in control of a intergalactic gateway, so Sisko agrees. "To the Death" is an average DS9 episode, where the action is halfway decent, but I have to admit that I do not understand what the Dominion is up to. We have been waiting about TWO YEARS for the Dominion to attack the Alpha Quadrant through the wormhole, and now all they send is a raiding party? Also, it seems too early in the game to turn the fierce Jem'Haddar soldiers, the killing machines who never sleep or eat, into drug addicted malcontents. I never understood the need to undo the blind obedience to the Founders idea; after all, it works for the Vortas. In the final analysis, this one gets four stars because of Weyoun, who is certainly the greatest sycophant in Star Trek history.

To the death... well 'til I'm tired!
Deep Space Nine is attacked by a group of Jem'hadar would steal some equipment and supplies. Sisko is outraged and takes the Defiant into the Gamma Quadrant to stop them, determined to send a message to the Founders that Starfleet will not stand-by and let Dominion ships go unpunished. Once in the Gamma Quadrant the Defiant finds a crippled Jem'hadar warship with a Vorta onboard, Weyoun.

Weyoun informs Sisko that the Jem'hadar that attacked DS9 are renegades and that they stole the equipment to make a powerful portal, utilizing ancient technology that allows them to transport to anywhere in the galaxy instantly. Thinking of Earth and how vulnerable it would be, Sisko teams up with the Jem'hadar in an attempt to take out these renegades before they fix the transporter.

Apparently these renegades are ruthless and want to rule the Dominion on there own, that is why Weyoun is after them, when they pick up sensor information that this portal is nearly fixed an attack is launched. Fighting side-by-side Sisko and Weyoun must destroy the portal... a bloody action-packed episode that sheds new light on the Jem'hadar society! ... Read more

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The Price of War
Built for War

Jeff McCarthy portrays a prisoner of a war long gone on planet Angosia. While Prime Minister Nayrok portrayed by James Cromwell; applies for Federation Membership, this guy is wreaking havoc aboard the Enterprise. The best scences were in the transporter room. When the prisoner disarms all the security with deadly precision.

It's a matter that Picard can't handle. He eventually escapes and causes a revolution on his home world.

How many wrongs does it take to make a right?
Exactly when does the Prime Directive kick in? The Enterprise is visiting Angosia, a planet that wants to join the Federation. While Picard meets with the Prime Minister, played by James Cromwell, there is a report a violent prisoner has escaped from the planet's penal colony. Although Angosia is only in the application process, Picard uses the Enterprise to capture the escapee and beam him aboard the ship. Counselor Troi is attracted to the prisoner, Roga Danar, who tells her how her was programmed by his government to be a super soldier, his body modified by drugs and his mind altered by psychological training. When the war was over Danar and his brethren could not be allowed back into polite society, they were carted off to a penal colony. When Picard demands an explanation from the Prime Minister, he is told quite pointedly that this is an internal matter and demands the return of the prisoner. Maybe Angosia is not ready to join the Federation.

Of course, if the Federation did a better job of investigating planets applying for membership they would probably discover all these deep dark secrets, but then we would not have all these fun Prime Directive episodes such as "The Hunted" where Picard flips a coin to see if he follows it or not. But once you get past the slightly flawed premise, this is an above average Next Generation episode. As I write this review we are recounting the recounted votes in Florida and I have to admit the idea of ethics in politics being a question of efficacy that we see there is very much present in this episode. The highpoint of "The Hunted" is when Danar attempts to escape from the Enterprise, proving exactly how good of a job the Angosians did in creating their race of super soldiers. Will the Captain of the Enterprise continue to play fast and loose with the Prime Directive or will the Prime Minister of Angosia be hoisted on our own Picard? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Defiant in a showdown with two Jem-Haddar ships
The Karemma Commerce Ministry of the Gamma Quadrant is secretly negotiating with the Federation to conclude a trade agreement, but unfortunately Quark has been helping by making sure he makes a profit off of both sides. Then two Jem'Haddar warships show up to punish the Karemmans and end up crippling the Defiant which finds Kira on the bridge dealing with Sisko, who has a concussion, Dax and Bashir caught in a turbolift, and Worf in the engine room. So, basically what you have is the Defiant taking on the Jem'Haddar with one hand tied behind its back, metaphorically speaking. All this takes place in the atmosphere of a gas giant, so this episode is one of those Star Trek versions of an old World War II submarine movie, like "Balance of Power" from the original Trek with a bit of Next Generation's "Disaster" thrown in to make it even more interesting. But while "Starship Down" is not completely original, it is still an above average DS9 episode, since it does get into some of the tactical aspects of starship battle.

One of the better DS9 shows
this episode has some of the best acting in the series as Captain Ben Sisko (Avery Brooks) must save his starship after it is damaged in batttle with the Jem Hadar warbirds. Featureing some good acting also by series regulars; Nana Vistor, Terry Farrell, Alexander Sidag, and Michael Dorn.

Treks just don't get any better than this ...
STARSHIP DOWN is an outstanding tale, reminescent of all those great Cold War films from Earth's 1960s ... the enemy is out there, but we just don't know where it is. Heavy on subplots involving red shirts that, sadly, we never see again, Worf, Quark, Dax, Bashir, and Kira all have lessons to learn in the midst of a conflict to save their lives while the Defiant is falling apart around them as they're trapped in the atmosphere of a huge gaseous planet ... all this with 2 Jem'Hadar ships in close pursuit! Some terrific character moments from what was arguably their best season of DS9.

Ratings down!
Starfleet is trying to get some information out of the Karemma, the same race that helped direct the Defiant to the Dominion communications relay in The Search (Part 1). The Jem'hadar get wind of this and are not impressed, attempting to destroy both the Karemma vessel and the Defiant. With the ship crippled, Sisko calls for them to head into the unstable atmosphere of a gas giant. Once in there they need to come up with a way to get home, all the while three meanacing Jem'hadar fighters are searching the gaseous atmosphere. The major characters get divided in the most hilarious circumstances that should've been serious but looked slapstick and totally scientifically inaccurate. Thinking that they're all going to die 'secrets' are revealed in the heat of the moment, nothing shocking, nothing exciting, add to that one of those "the Captain's going to die unless we get back in 40 minutes" stories and you have a melodramatic predictable episode.

Deep Space Nine
On a mission in the Gamma Quadrant, the Defiant is attacked by the Jem Hadar who are out to punish the Karemma. When the Defiant pursues the Karemma and Jen Hadar vessels into the gaseous atmosphere of a giant planet, the ship is attacked and severely damaged. Struggling to repair the crippled ship, Dax and Bashir become trapped in a turolift, Sisko and Kira wounded on the bridge, Quark trapped in the Mess Hall, and Worf and O'Brien in the Engine Room tring to save the ship. A great episode. The effects were good. Just a great episode. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

star trek fan
this is my favorite episode, It keeps me on the edge of my seat, I had to order it to complete my season. Highly recommended!

Captain Picard and Mark Twain change places in Time
In "Time's Arrow, Part I," the fifth season's finale, Picard led an Away Team that followed a pair of alien predators into the past: 19th-Century San Francisco to be precise. There they join Data and Guinan (the Guinan of the past not the present Guinan who is still in the future). Together they discover the cave that would contain all of the artifacts, including Data's head, which were found in the 24th-Century at the start of this story. Unfortunately, at the key moment Samuel Clemens (Jerry Hardin) intervenes and the time portal opens. The resulting blast sends Data's body, but not his head, back to the future. Picard stays behind to take care of a wounded Guinan, while the rest of the team follows Data's body, quickly followed by Clemens.

"Time's Arrow" was the least exciting cliffhanger in STNG's long run, so it is not surprising that the conclusion is above average but nothing special. We do see the "first" meeting between Guinan and Picard, but, of course, that is only from HER perspective, so it is not like we have uncovered a key moment in their history. Jerry Hardin does a marvelous job as Mark Twain, certainly capable of giving Hal Holbrook a run for his money and the significance of Data's head being buried for 500 years does have an interesting explanation. This is an enjoyable two-parter, but hardly a STNG classic.

Back on Earth
This two-parter was a great set! The plot line was ok, but the episode was totally made by the appearance of Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain, and the explination of Picard's and Guinan's relationship. I love any story when they are back on Earth.

Breathtaking
If you haven't seen Star Trek The Next Generation you're missing all the excitement.

I loved it!
I guess I loved it mainly because it features my three favorite characters: Brent Spiner(Data), Whoopie Goldberg(Ginen), and Patrick Stewart(Jean-Luc Picard). It is a suspensful story that keeps you on your seat. I have it on video already! ... Read more

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The holodeck needs a bit of maintenance, so the Enterprise checksin to Starbase 74 to allow some Bynars (beings who can speak in binary code and who sound like fax machines) to update the programming. While Riker doesn't trust the Bynars, he forgets all of his complaints when he tries out the holodeck. Setting himself up as a trombone player in a 1958 Bourbon Street bar, he meets up with a sultry brunette. "What's a knockout like you doing in a computer-generated gin joint like this?" is his none-too-subtle pickup line. Her reactions turn out to be more complex and more "human" than the program ever exhibited before, and when Picard walks in on the couple he is equally charmed. While they're lost in the holodeck program, theEnterprise starts to self-destruct. This forces an evacuation ofeverybody (except Riker and Picard) and an eventual hijacking of the ship. Thereasons behind the events are very smart, making this a nicely thought-outepisode, despite little things like Data learning to paint and Riker'smasturbatory fantasy. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

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"Believe it or not, Worf is developing a sense of humor."
A year before the Borg made their grand debut, the theme of interdependency between organic beings and technology was explored in "11001001." Even though the pale-skinned assimilators made more of a long-lasting impression, you gotta wonder why they never adopted the Bynars' strategy of duping Starfleet officers with attractive holograms - if this episode was any indication, it seemed like a pretty effective strategy to distract Starfleet officers.

The Enterprise-D arrives at Starbase 74 to have their computer system upgraded by the Bynars. The crew evacuates the ship when it appears that its magnetic containment field is on the verge of collapse. However, the emergency is actually a ruse staged by the Bynars so that they can steal the Enterprise. Yet, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) are still aboard. The two officers eventually regain control of the ship after pulling themselves away from an alluring hologram named Minuet (Carolyn McCormick).

There are some genuinely cool aspects to "11001001." It's great to see the exterior and interiors of Starbase 74 which rekindles memories of Spacedock from "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984) and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991) and it's great to see a replay of the auto-destruct moment from "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" (1969). Yet, the whole subplot revolving around Minuet is not totally convincing. You would think the captain and first officer of the Federation's flagship would notice that their ship is traveling at warp speed when it should not be doing so. Guess that Minuet must really have been far more radiant and captivating than it seemed on the small screen. Yet, in the final count, "11001001" is goofy fun and one of the more amusing outings among the first season efforts.

One of the gems of the inaugural season
Among the best shows of the first season was this very succinct and compact story of Riker meeting and falling for the woman of his dreams...with a twist. Although the storyline of Trek characters falling in love only to lose their loved one is an oft used plot device, the unusual background and setting for this episode rises above the mundane and entertains us supremely.

Arriving at a starbase, the crew is introduced to the Binars a computer-independent and androgynous alien race who will initiate some necessary repairs to the Enterprise. Most of the crew is granted shore leave during the interval with Riker somewhat inadvertently ending up on the holodeck immediately following some updates and enhancements implemented by the Binars. He designs a program to reflect a mid-20th century New Orleans jazz club where he meets an incredibly beautiful and sultry "woman" named Minuet. She instantly causes the first officer to fall head over heels in love with her and he all but completely forgets that she is a creation of the holodeck. During this time the crewmembers still present experience a ship wide emergency causing them to evacuate and the starship is then placed on autopilot to clear it's space dock. Only after the starship is gone a great distance does the crew at the starbase realize that someone is attempting to hijack the Enterprise - and that the captain, the first officer and the Binars are most likely still aboard.

'11001001' is a well-conceived episode that balances both ongoing plots expertly. The Binars were one of the most interesting alien races the Enterprise and crew encountered and it's a real shame they weren't brought back for additional appearances. Carolyn McCormick as Minuet is a knockout and it's easy to see why Riker would fall so hard for her; the writers constructed the ending of the show excellently, helping make the point that you fall in love with the illusion and the image not the person. Riker's conversation with Picard in the finale bears this out. Riker also has the best line in the show. When he checks in with Data he finds the second officer getting painting lessons from Geordi. Quickly thinking on his feet he tells them to keep notes on the session. Befuddled, Geordi asks him why. "A blind man teaching an android to paint? That's gotta' be worth a couple of lines in some historian's book," is Riker's smart reply!

I found an oddity in the story when I watched it recently. When Picard and Riker sense a problem they question Minuet about it and she explains she isn't programmed to give that information. Several minutes later they approach her again with the same question - and without hesitation she spills her guts this time! An oversight by the writers? Perhaps.

Some final notes: Gene Dynarski, who played one of the miners in the Star Trek original series episode 'Mudd's Women', becomes the first guest star to make separate appearances in the two different Trek series. The auto destruct sequence changes drastically between this show and the second season show titled 'Where Silence Has Lease'. Here it's observed that it is automatically set for five minutes and cannot be altered; in the latter episode Picard and Riker are allowed to choose a time limit.

Program Enhancement
Minuet and the Gin Joint Program Enhancements

The surprising aspect of this episode is that it wasn't only humans that programed the Enterprise. The Bynars make their first and last appearance in this segment. The Enterprise returns to star base for the Bynars to work on updating the programming. Supposedly each one of them works as part of the greater whole. Shades of the Borg mentality here. Wonder why they didn't help out the Federation? Well, they hijacked the big E to their planet were a supernova was set to destroy their master computer.

The crew is evacuated by a false warning. Riker and Picard are still on board. This is were it gets interesting.......Riker steps into a holodeck Jazz bar in New Orleans in the 20th century. Since the program is influenced by the Bynar everything has more "enhancement."...not the run of the mill shallow programs. When Riker asks for the perfect date it creates Minuet. Will Riker jumps into a relationship that can't last.

The Jazz Bar scenes and the abduction of the Enterprise by Bynar hive mind make this an unusual mix of drama and romance. Scenes of the Enterprise entering the star base were lifted from the effects shots from the movie the "Search for Spock."

Meanwhile, back on the holodeck . . . Gee, its Minuet!
If you think about how far computer technology has come in the last decade let alone the last half-century, can we even begin to imagine what the ship's computer on the Enterprise must be like. Most Star Trek episodes take the computer for granted, which makes "11001001" an exception to the rule. The Enterprise is at Starbase 74 for routine maintenance checks and computer upgrades, the latter being performed by the Bynars, a race that has attained an amazing high level of interconnectedness with the main computer on their home world. After enhancing the holodeck, the Bynars suggest Riker give it a try. Conjuring up a New Orleans jazz bar, Riker is confronted with a beautiful woman named Minute. Picard joins his First Officer and the two of them are both amazed and enchanted by the sophistication of her enhanced programming. It turns out this is all a diversionary tactic by the Bynars who have the ship's computer warn of an imminent warp engine explosion. After Data evacuates the ship, the problem suddenly disappears and the Enterprise warps away towards the Bynar's home world. Meanwhile, back in the holodeck, Picard and Riker suddenly realize they have been tricked.

"11001001" is the second Next Generation episode after "The Big Good-Bye" (Episode 13) to explore the nature of reality on the holodeck. The initial idea that it is a giant entertainment center that, in Picard's words, "has given us woodland and ski slopes, figures that fight, and fictional characters with whom we can interact," is gradually giving way to more philosophical concerns. In future episodes the notion of what constitutes a sentient being will be dealt with in terms of holodeck creations (e.g., Professor Moriarity), as well as with Data and various alternative life forms. This is the episode that really starts the series off in that particular direction as the show starts to create its own identity instead of trying to offer constant reminders of the original show.

I liked this Episode beacause it was very exciteing.
I liked the part where data gets a call on his comm//saying the magnettic grid was detiriorateing.Then they had to Evac.Ship with the captain and will in the holodeck. ... Read more

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In his effort to experience what it's like to be human, Data hasinstalled a program to simulate dreams, but the program seems to have gone onthe fritz. He keeps having nightmares and oversleeping. In his dreams,there's a hole in one of the ship's walls that early 20th-century miners aremaliciously opening with their pickaxes, followed by a high-pitched whine.They notice Data and begin to disassemble him. In later dreams he sees Worfeating a piece of cellular peptide cake (with mint frosting), Dr. Crusherdrinking from a straw coming out of Commander Riker's head, and himself beingforced to cut a piece of cake made out of Counselor Troi, who screams whenthe knife enters her frosted shoulder. To solve this dilemma, he goes to theholodeck to talk to Sigmund Freud. Over in "reality," Geordi is havingtrouble bringing the new warp core online, while Captain Picard is secretlythankful that their troubles might make him miss a boring admiral's banquet.In this episode directed by Patrick Stewart, the holodeck Freud is more of acaricature than anything else, and begs the question of whether or not dreamtheory has advanced at all since the 20th century. The story pays off,however, when Data decodes the dream and discovers a deadly menace onboardthat he was only subliminally aware of. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

UGH! Did he say cellular peptide cake - with mint frosting?
Besides featuring some of the most effective and creepy images from the TNG series, 'Phantasms' is also one of the very best episodes to focus on Data. The sixth season of ST: TNG had a number of episodes with dark themes and disturbing images and this show seems to have been created in its aftermath. In the sixth season's two-parter 'Birthright' Data experienced a surreal vision that turned out to be part of a dream program he had been unaware was installed. That storyline resurfaces here and is dealt with in much more depth and provides us with a good mystery also.

Since Data's dream program initiated several months ago he has had 111 dreams before experiencing his first nightmare, and a rather unsettling one at that. Both Geordi and then later Troi tell him it is only natural to occasionally experience fantastic and upsetting images during dreams; that evening however he has a similar disturbing dream and then suddenly finds himself being awakened by Troi, Geordi and Worf because he has overslept - a programming impossibility that further perplexes him. Data then begins having waking dreams and in a catatonic state attacks Troi, stabbing her right shoulder several times before Riker and Worf fortunately intervene. Remembering nothing about the incident Data is confined to quarters while a solution is developed; during Troi's recovery in Sick Bay Beverly detects the presence of interphasic creatures feeding on the cellular peptide of humans. Picard and Geordi deduce that there is a connection between the dreams Data is having and the presence of the alien species. Using the holodeck to implement Data's dream as a projected image Picard, Geordi and Data find the solution to the problem - with somewhat of an assist from a holographic Sigmund Freud!

The opening sequence to 'Phantasms' is an immediate attention grabber. The use of the wide-angle lens is a telling tool that informs you instantly of the surreal nature of the episode; the dream sequence that unfolds is quite shocking with Data being literally ripped apart before he bolts wide awake in his quarters. Each of the following dream sequences gets more horrifying and outrageous causing a sense of trauma within Data. Though he is unable to experience fear he is acutely aware of his instability and that is conveyed superbly in the scenes where he attempts to either understand or explain his nightmares. Troi as a cake, Beverly sucking fluid out of Riker's head through a straw, Worf eating cellular peptide cake (with mint frosting), Data having a mid 20th century telephone inside his chest and Sigmund Freud insisting to Picard he should "Kill zem! Kill zem all!" are all truly memorable providing shocks and laughs. The use of Freud in this episode is inspired even though it does seem he would be out-of-sync with 24th century scientific thought. The sideline stories dealing with Picard desiring to avoid attending the dreadfully boring Admiral's Ball and Geordi having to gratuitously accept the admiration of a young female ensign come off very well also. 'Phantasms' was one of four shows to deal primarily with Data during the seventh and final season, the others being 'Inheritance', 'Thine Own Self' and 'Masks'. In an unusually weak season of TNG these episodes provided a much-needed shot of adrenaline for the series' many discriminating and demanding fans.

"A good cat. And a pretty cat."
Data finds himself very worried as he starts experiencing nightmares, but no-one takes his concerns seriously. When a strange discovery threatens the lives of the Enterprise's crew, it seems that Data's dreams may hold the key to saving everyone. But can they figure out what is going on in time?
The director did a good job in bringing a dream-like quality to many of the scenes in this episode, and all the dream imagery played out nicely in the real world. But the scene in the turbolift that was meant to be shocking wasn't half so scary as it should have been, and there were too many unanswered questions. There were some good comic touches in this episode, though, particularly those involving Worf, Data, and Spot.
One final note: Counsellor Troi got it wrong yet again! And I think they all owed Data an apology for not taking him seriously.

Can Sigmund Freud helps Data save the Enterprise crew?
The Enterprise has a new warp core installed and Data has activated a new program that allows him to dream. The only problem is his dreams are basically nightmares: Counselor Troi is some sort of sheet cake and Worf is eating a piece from her left shoulder. When he is awake, Data sees a mouth on Troi's shoulder and stabs her in an attempt to remove it. Dr. Crusher tends to the wound and notices an odd rash surrounding the area. Further tests reveal strange creatures are feeding on Troi's cellular peptides. Crusher discovers the Enterprise is infested with the creatures, which are feeding on the crew. However, because they exist interphasically, they canot be seen except with an interphasic scanner. Meanwhile, Data has been on the holodeck explaining his dreams to Sigmund Freud...

"Phantasms" is one of the most bizarre STNG episodes, mainly because of Data's strange dreams and the weird little creatures munching on the crew. Aside from that, this is an average strange mystery for the crew to solve by putting together all the clues type episode. What stands out is Data's session with Dr. Freud (and their discussion of the symbolic meaning of cigars) and Data's instructions to Worf on how to feed Spot the cat. Oh, and of course, Troi as a cake (an homage to Tom Petty's classic music video?).

Psycho without the shower scene . . .
Man! Data can be downright frightening when he wants to be! In his dreams, everyone's favorite android cuts a slice out of a cake that looks like Deanna Troi. Mere hours later, he begins cutting into the REAL Deanna Troi with a knife--a detached, blank look in his eyes the ENTIRE time! We are now entering . . . the Twilight Zone.

As an aside, this episode gives some indication that Deanna's not a big fan of Sigmund Freud. ... Read more

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Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) gets what seems to him an unpleasant surprise when the Klingon emissary beamed aboard the Enterprise on an urgent mission turns out to be his old girlfriend, K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson), who is half-Klingon, half-human. She's there to help the Enterprise intercept a Klingon warship, which has been in a cryogenic sleep for almost a century. They've been gone long enough that crew members don't know that Klingons are at peace with the Federation--sort of the equivalent of Japanese soldiers on remote Pacific Islands who never heard that World War II was over. K'Ehleyr's job is to convince these warriors that they are no longer at war. While she's waiting for them to show up, she has enough time to ruffle Worf's feathers by trying to rekindle their old feelings.

Plakson has a delightfully tart way with her lines, which work well at needling the usually implacable Worf. Interestingly, K'Ehleyr is the one pushing for the couple to get down--but then bridles at the notion that, by mating for the sheer fun of it, they are bound for life. Traditionalist Worf, by contrast, can't imagine having sex without commitment--which just goes to show the difference between humans and Klingons. Plakson--as K'Ehleyr--would show up in a later episode, with the child produced by this encounter. Unfortunately, the interpersonal moments consume so much time that, when the Klingon ship finally appears, the tension in that encounter winds up feeling perfunctory. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Worf gets his first command, the chair is comfortable
The Enterprise is diverted to intercept a small vehicle that contains a Klingon emissary (K'Ehleyr). She is half-human and half-Klingon and is a former lover of Worf's. The Enterprise is being sent to intercept a Klingon warship that was in cryogenic sleep for over a century. When the crew was placed in stasis, the Federation and the Klingon Empire were at war, so their standing orders are to fire on any Federation outpost. The emissary and Worf both tell Captain Picard that he must destroy the Klingon ship, as they will never surrender. Picard does not accept this, asking his command crew to find an alternative other than destroying the ship.
Meanwhile, Worf and K'Ehleyr renew their relationship, albeit after some initial hostility based on problems with their parting. However, Worf wants to make their union permanent, something that K'Ehleyr rejects. Worf is of course upset at this, but it has a positive result, in that it causes him to come up with an alternative that will spare both ships. By donning the full regalia of a Klingon commander Worf assumes command of the Enterprise and orders the Klingon captain to surrender or be destroyed. After some hesitation, the Klingon captain surrenders and further violence is avoided.
This is one of the better episodes in the series, although quite frankly, the reappearance of old lovers is a plot line that is growing stale. The Federation and the Klingon empire cover thousands of cubic light years, millions of creatures are no doubt in their respective fleets and yet everyone is always encountering old lovers. I am restricted to only one tiny segment of one planet, some old flames live within twenty miles of where I do and yet I encounter them by accident once every ten years. For those with similar interests, it rises to about once every five years. With so much diversity in the universe and the enormous amount of territory to explore, the stories would be better if the old flame-returning theme was dropped in favor of something a bit more original.

klignons do have a sense of humor!
I really do love the character of worf's girlfriend, she added an interesting twist to the episode. I believe that the show would've been a bit slow in the plot without her. Love her outfits and the way she bounces back at worf. its worth seeing!

Some calisthenics programs are better than others....
That was Kehlyr's response to Worf's coldness after their holodeck rondevous. That one-liner is typical of the chemistry & dynamics of the episode. While the sci-fi side of the plot may have been a little thin, the personal side & character developement was hot. As a long time trekkie, this is one of my all time favorite episodes from all the series. And guys, the romantic twist makes it a great one to watch with your sweetie. :^)

Worf has a romantic past--and quite a romantic future
"The Emissary" in question is K'Ehleyr, a half-Klingon and half-Human warrior who once upon a time was involved with Worf. Apparently at some point in the past when Worf was being raised by his human foster parents he managed to get to Klingon where he hooked up with K'Ehleyr because they were probably both scorned by the "real" Klingons (In other words, this episode is filling in more chunks of Worf's back story). K'Ehleyr briefs the Enterprise crew on their new mission: A Klingon ship is returning from a secret mission with a crew that has been in suspended animation, meaning they still think their Empire is at war with the Federation. Once they wake up, they will start attacking Federation outposts. While K'Ehleyr could make it there on a probe with all the details of the mission, the nearest Klingon ship is somehow days away. K'Ehleyr's recommendation after traveling so fast and so far (in a probe, no less) is to destroy the Klingon ship. Of course, Captain Picard has other ideas.

It is ironic that of all the characters in the Star Trek universe, Worf ends up being the romantic one. I mean, think about it: he ends up having a long-term relationship with Deanna Troi and ends up marrying Jadzia Dax. Romance on Star Trek usually consists of one-episode stands (Kirk and Edith Keeler, Picard and Kamala, Data and Tasha) or unrequited love (Spock and Nurse Chapel, Kira and Odo, Seven of Nine and the Doctor). There have been a few long term pairings (Tom Paris and B'Elanna), but Worf had two and ended up getting married (which puts him up on Sisko who did get married but only because his wife died in the DS9 pilot). So here is our first look at Worf as a lover as well as a fighter, although apparently Klingons manage to combine the two. This is not an important episode for Worf's character, but it certainly sets up one (Episode 81, "Reunion"). Certainly Michael Dorn gets a chance to show Worf's softer side (remember, he's a Klingon, so this is a relative issue) and Suzie Plakson as K'Ehleyr seems eminently capable of going toe-to-toe with the big fellow. They certainly have Klingon chemistry.

Give Worf a Girlfriend
In this episode a Federation ambassador is being sent to the Enterprise inside of a probe case for speed. A Klingon sleeper-ship from the 23rd century is about to awaken it's crew who will still believe the Federation and the Klingons are at war.

While the premise for this episode is weak, Suzie Plakson plays K'Ehleyr very well. She is the perfect foil to Worf and it is easy to see why they fell for each other. However the idea that the Klingons would have a ship full of sleeping Klingons ready to fight the Federation at some future point seemed a stretch to me. ... Read more

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With resonant ties to previous DS9 episodes, "In Purgatory's Shadow" kicks off the fifth season's only two-parter with a nail-biting cliffhanger. It's also a series highlight for Andrew J. Robinson as DS9's resident Cardassian, Garak, who travels with Worf into the Gamma quadrant, where they're captured by the Jem'Hadar and held in a Dominion-controlled internment camp. Reunited with his now-dying mentor (Paul Dooley, returning from the third season's "The Die Is Cast"), Garak reveals a moving secret of his lineage, while Sisko and Kira, on DS9, cope with the Dominion's imminent invasion of the Alpha quadrant. Building up a steady head of steam, this tautly paced episode allows Robinson (best known as the villain of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry) to deepen his character's impact on the series, and Worf finds honor and friendship with Klingon general Martok (J.G. Hertzler), who would make welcomed appearances in subsequent episodes. Despite its pretentious title, this episode represents DS9 at its best. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

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My second most favorite Star Trek episode
Excellent episode. The beginning of what would be the two-year long war between the Federation and the Cardassians/Dominion. Filled with suspense, surprises, twists and turns, shocking developments, and strong tests of courage. Well-written episode and worth every penny to buy. In case you want to know, my most favorite Star Trek episode of all time is the "Sacrifice of Angels".

The Jem'Hadar are ready to invade the Alpha Quadrant
The day the Alpha Quadrant knew was coming finally arrives in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 112, "In Purgatory's Shadow" (Written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Ira Steven Behr, Aired February 10, 1997). DS9 picks up a coded message from the Gamma Quadrant that appears to be in Cardassian, so Garak (Andrew J. Robinson) is asked to analyze it. He says the message is not important, but then is caught trying to sneak off in a runabout. When Garak admits that the message is a distress call from his mentor Enabran Tain (Paul Dooley), the former head of the Obsidian Order, Sisko allows the Garak to go to the Gamma Quadrant, but with Worf (Michael Dorn) along to keep an eye on him. The pair are pretty much at each other's throats the entire trip, until they stumble upon the entire Jem'Hadar fleet. This can only mean one thing: the invasion of the Alpha Quadrant is about to begin.

Worf sends a warning to DS9, but before he can confirm it went through he and Garak are captured by the Jem'Hadar and sent to a Dominion detention center. There they meet Martok, the Klingon general who was replaced by a Changeling ("Apocalypse Rising"), Tain, who is irate that Garak was foolish enough to be captured, and a member of the DS9 crew, which means there is a Changeling aboard the station. Meanwhile, Sisko gets enough of the message to realize what is happening and starts to prepare for the invasion, but the only real option he has is to seal the wormhole, even if Worf and Garak are still on the other side. To be continued... in "By Inferno's Light."

"In Purgatory's Shadow" gets a lot set up for the first part of this two-part story. There are several elements that could sustain an entire episode present in this one, especially the encounter between Garak and Tain, so that ups the ante considerably, making for a strong episode that has a nice balance between small moments and large implications. Of course, given that there is only one way for the Dominion to invade the Alpha Quadrant, I would have to say that the wormhole and Deep Space Nine should already have a couple of Starships patrolling the area, but that would have been the smart thing to do and would have taken away from the big cliff-hanger. Just be sure that you have both parts before you start watching this one.

The Dominion threats begin.
When the station picks up a mysterious coded message from inside the Gamma Quadrant that appears to be Cardassian, Garak is asked to analyze it. He reports that the message is insignificant, but is later caught trying to sneak off the station in a Runabout. He then admits that the message is some sort of distress call from his mentor Enabran Tain, the former head of the Obsidian Order. Garak convinces Sisko to allow him to travel to the Gamma Quadrant to search for Tain, but Sisko sends Worf along as a "chaperone."

Garak and Worf bicker consistently and find nothing. Finally, Worf announces that they can go no further and takes the ship out of warp, explaining that the source of Tain's signal is deep in Dominion space. Garak pushes Worf to travel through the nearby nebula but they end up right in the middle of the large Jem'Hadar fleet.

Worf realizes that the entire fleet can only be assembled for one reason â€" to invade the Alpha Quadrant. He immediately sends a warning message to the station, but is not confident it will get through. Moments later, four Jem'Hadar soldiers materialize on the ship and take Worf and Garak prisoner. Back on Deep Space Nine, the crew is able to decipher enough of Worf's signal to realize the Dominion is coming. Sisko sends Kira to find Worf and Garak, but they are already imprisoned in a Dominion detention center, where they are told they will remain until they die.

Inside the camp, Worf meets Martok, the Klingon general who was replaced by a Founder. Martok leads Worf and Garak to Tain, himself a prisoner, who is dying. Instead of being thankful to Garak for coming, Tain chastises him for allowing himself to be taken prisoner. Meanwhile, Kira returns with grim news that at least fifty Dominion ships are heading their way. With reinforcements at least two days away and only Gul Dukat on hand to help out, Sisko sees only one choice, is to seal the wormhole. If Worf and Garak don't escape in 36 hours, they will be trapped. Meanwhile, Worf and Garak are introduced to another prisoner: Bashir, meaning the Bashir at the station is a Changeling.

On the station, the Bashir Changeling begins making himself useful to Dax and O'Brien while they work out the technology that will seal the wormhole. In the internment camp, Garak meets with Tain again, desperate for a kind word from his mentor before the old man passes on. When Tain makes Garak promise to escape as a final request, Garak makes a request in return â€" that Tain acknowledge him as his son. He does, and father and illegitimate child share a memory before Tain dies peacefully. His mission complete, Garak is ready to find a way out. But he may be too late. On Deep Space Nine, the crew shoots a particle beam from the phaser banks, at the wormhole, intending to close it. However, something goes wrong. The wormhole remains open, and the large Jem'Hadar fleet begins pouring through.

In puragorys shadow and by infernos light
Worf and Garak go into the gamma quadrant to investigate a cardassian code whice garak claims was sent by tain the former leader of the obsidian order. They progress further into the gamma quadrant where they are captured by gem hadar. Worf is forced to fight the gemhadar while garak engineers their escape from the dominion prison camp . It is a great episode which is one of my favorites it shows worfs true test of klingon honor and spirit.

meanwhile on ds9 doctor bashier was replaced by a changeling where he is damageing station systems and would be sucessful if doctor bashier wouldnt have hailed the station from the gamma quadrant.

A taskforce of klingon ships arrive from cardassian space and gowron agrees to ally the klingon empire with the federation once again and it is the beginning of the dominion war saga a must see !! ... Read more

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While investigating a glitch in Data's "Sherlock Holmes" holodeck program, engineer Reg Barclay (the awkward recurring engineer played by Dwight Schultz) inadvertently releases Professor Moriarty (Daniel Davis) from the ship's memory. Moriarty, the sentient holodeck character created in episode 29, "Elementary, Dear Data," is alive, bored, and singularly frustrated by Picard's lack of action: he wants off the holodeck so bad he steps over the threshold and into the real world by sheer will. His problem is bringing out his digital lover (Stephanie Beacham) with him, and he hijacks the Enterprise (perched on the event horizon of a forming star that threatens to engulf the vessel) to pressure the crew into finding a solution. The ingenious Chinese box of a story is like a series of interlocking mind games and makes for a delicious battle of wits: things are not always as they seem. Davis's Moriarty is not exactly the criminal mastermind of Doyle's books ("He was only written that way," pooh-poohs his elegant love interest), but he is a genius and a charismatic opponent, and writer Rene Echevarria pens a plot and a character worthy of such a creation. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

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Professor Moriarty turns the tables on Captain Picard
It has been four years since Captain Picard promised Professor Moriarty that one day he would be able to leave the holodeck ("Elementary, My Dear Data," Episode 29). When Reg Barclay is fooling around with an error in a Sherlock Holmes holodeck adventure Data and Geordi have been enjoying, the good doctor reappears and demands to know why the Captain has not kept his promise. When Picard, Data and Barclay meet with Moriarty and try to explain that Federation scientists have indeed been working on the problem they have yet to reach a workable solution. Unimpressed, Moriarty stuns them by walking out of the holodeck, which, of course is impossible. Moriarty has reprogrammed the computer, trapping the trio of Enterprise officers in HIS program and demanding Riker find a way to bring him and his beloved female friend out of there or he will blow up the ship. Having tricked Picard into giving him the ship's command codes, Moriarty can do just that.

"Ship in a Bottle" is built on the fundamental fairness of Jean-Luc Picard, who treats a holographic creation with the same respect for sentience he has displayed towards crystals, nanites, and other unlikely thinking entities. This episode is enhanced by the superb performance of Daniel Davis as the Napoleon of Crime who is now motivated by self-preservation and love for the divine Stephanie Beacham. The situation is quite complex, but the resolution is in total keeping with the philosophical foundation of the episode. This is not a great episode in terms of offering a pivotal moment in the history of the series, but it is a completely solid episode from start to finish.

Very intriguing storyline
This is one of my favorite episodes, and I think this sequel to "Elementary, Dear Data" was even better than the original. The solution at the end was thought-provoking and creative. After seeing this episode, one must wonder what how we really know that anything is real. Perhaps we are just a hologram????

The most intriguing use of the Holodeck
with Daniel Davis playing Dr. Moriarty, Lt. Data's "Shirlock Holmes'" arch enemy. One of the best story lines written by the staff of TNG. Episode 138 is a sequel to Episode 29, "Elementary, Dear Data" from the 1st season. The ending to this episode will have you wishing there were another season of TNG to make yet another sequel.

Professor Moriarty reappears on the Holodeck
While Data and Geordi are role-playing in the Holodeck as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the Holodeck malfunctions. Geordi and Data quit the program and ask Barclay to inspect the program when Holmes' arch-enemy appears right in front of Barclay, requesting to speak to Captain Picard about leaving the Holodeck. Moriarty successfully leaves the Holodeck later on, but is this for real? This story is a sort of sequel to the 2nd season episode "Elementary, Dear Data," but I like the 2nd season episode better because it has humor and just a little more suspense, I think, than "Ship in a Bottle." ... Read more

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It seems no one told Jadziah Dax about Joran Belar
When Dax starts having erratic mood swings and strange hallucinations, Sisko and Bashir take her back to the Trill home world. There they learn from the Symbiosis Commission that for some reason Jadziah is rejecting her symbiont. If this happens, the Dax symbiont will be removed from the host and Jadziah will die. Then it turns out the problem has to do with a previously unknown host named Joran Belar, and the mystery reveals some disturbing facts about what the commission has been doing. Some interesting revisions of what we know about the wonderful but wacky world of the Trills, "Equilibrium" is one of a handful of DS9 episodes that deal with Dax's previous hosts. Overall this is an average episode that just offers a momentary diversion while we wait for the Dominion to come pouring through the wormhole. Besides, we all know that while Jadziah is certainly beautiful, Curzon is definitely the best host Dax ever had.

The Best
This probably one of my top three favorite DS9 episodes. This is by far my favorite Dax episode. The musical score was very good, also. ... Read more

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Top notch action!
Whilst on a mission in the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko and crew travelling in a defenceless Runabout (come on guys, in the middle of hostile territory!) they find a Jem'hadar fighter that has crashed into a planet and is half-buried beneath the surface. Sensors indicate everyone on board is dead so Sisko decides to dig out the starship and send it back to Starfleet, something that will greatly advance Starfleet's knowledge of the Dominion.

Sisko, Worf, O'Brien, Bashir and few irrelevant officers become trapped in this Jem'hadar fighter when another warship arrives full of Jem'hadar. For some reason the Jem'hadar will not risk entering the downed fighter and killing the Starfleet officer, Sisko realises that there is something inside this ship that is very important to them, if they find it they find they're ticket out of danger!

This is a great episode that shows the tension between Worf and O'Brien, unfortunately one of the irrelevant Ensign-like officers is on his deathbed, unfortunate not because he dies but because we have to put up with everyone mourning his death for 20 minutes. Apart from this small problem the episode is flawless, we see a new side to the Vorta and a weakness in the Jem'hadar! Written by a Star Trek fan who had never had anything commissioned before, this is a pivotal story that would be looked back on in future episodes.

The Ship is an excellent, very enjoyable episode.
I found the Ship to be an excellent, very enjoyable episode, though certain bits I'd have written slightly differently. Definitely feel it to be one worth having on tape in my collection.
However, I feel it has no relevance to the situation in Iraq. No relevance whatsoever. For starters, there is no similarity between Hussein and the Vorta character - the Vorta character has a valid interest and moral stature of some degree in the situation. Hussein has none, therefore the comparison is an empty one.

Sisko has a Jem'Hadar warship and a Vorta wants it back
"The Ship" (Story by Pam Wigginton & Rick Cason, Teleplay by Hans Beimler, Aired October 7, 1996) is actually a much more intimate sort of episode than you would expect for the 100th episode of "Deep Space Nine." While exploring a world in the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko, Dax, Worf, O'Brien and Muniz, one of O'Brien's engineres see a Jem'Hadar ship crash onto the planet's surface. The crew are killed, but the ship is intact enough for Sisko to want to use the Defiant to get it back to DS9 to study and learn some of the military secrets of the Jem'Hadar. However, before that can happen, another Jem'Hadar warship appears and destroys the Federation runabout, killing all aboard. Sisko and the others take refuge in the crashed ship and wait for the Jem'Hadar to attack. But instead a Vorta named Kilana makes contact and demands Sisko give up the ship. Sisko figures out that there must be something aboard the vesel that the Vorta wants, and the negotiations taken on a whole new tack. Meanwhile, Muniz has been seriously wounded and needs medical attention.

"The Ship" is actually an interesting meditation on the problems of negotiating with the enemy, especially if you think in terms of zero-sum games. I am not sure if I agree with the idea that either Sisko or Kilana would have ever accepted a win-win situation, but I can certainly appreciate the notion that each would prefer to have a lose-lose outcome rather than risk having the other side "win." Of course, there is an irony to the final outcome of the situation, and I think there would have been more of an impact to the episode if both sides had lost everything. Still, this is a rather thoughtful episode from the show's fifth season.

The sacrifices men make in battle
The death of the ensign is worth twenty minutes of grief. Like year one's "Duet", "The Ship" shows the price the men pay when involved in combat and the importance of trust in diplomatic discussion.

The conflict between Sisko and the female Vorta is a perfect commentary on war.

'Seems to me that a certain resident of the White House and a Iraqi leader would benefit from watching this one. ... Read more