Reviews (4)

Odo has to become the parent of an infant Changeling
Kira finally goes into labor, but it is Odo's experiences with suddenly being a "parent" that are paramount in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 110, "The Begotten" (Written by Rene Echevarria, Aired January 27, 1997). Quark sells Odo a "baby" Changeling and the Station's security chief has to teach the infant to be a shapeshifter. However, not only is the Starfleet keenly interested in the infant, Dr. Mora, the Bajoran scientist who raised Odo shows up to provide unwanted help. Odo refuses to let this Changeling be raised in the same environment, but he is not having much success with his attempts at providing positive encouragement. When Sisko informs him that if he does not succeed in communicating with the infant, Starfleet is going to take it away. This forces Odo to work in concert with Mora. Even worse, they start having success in getting the infant to change shapes.

"The Begotten" has several things going for it. First, there is the whole idea of teaching a Changeling to be a shapeshifter. This is not to say that what Odo and Mora come up with is the right way, because on the home world of the Founders I have no doubt they do things differently. But this only underscores Odo's separation from his people. Second, there is the interaction between Odo and Mora, who have to reconsider their relationship as they work together. Odo nows gets to look at things from Mora's perspective. Finally, there is the ending of the episode, which takes at least one unexpected twist (I know, I should have seen it coming, but I did not, so bonus points for that accomplishment). This is definitely a major Odo episode and gives Rene Auberjonois several good moments.

Odo: SUPERDAD?
As others have stated, this is a must-have for fans of the shape-shifter. Regaining his abilities is a small aspect of this beautifully scripted tale focusing on Odo as a member of THE GREAT LINK and his attempts to "teach" the young changeling. Character actor James Sloyan returns as "Dr. Mora" and also adds an element to the well-crafted installment.

Also makes one wonder: How do shape-shifters "reproduce"?

Raising baby
This episode deals with the issue of parenthood...and what that really means. There are two storylines going on here - one involving the birth of the baby Kira has been carrying for the O'Briens, and the other involving Odo and his old nemisis, Dr. Mora.

As Kira gives birth, Chief O'Brien and Shakaar spar over their respective roles in the big event. At the same time, Quark lets Odo in on his most recent acquisition - a baby changling.

As Kira's labor continues, Odo, Dr. Bashir and Dr. Mora (the Bajoran who "discovered" Odo's true nature) work with the sickly changling, trying to bring it back to health and to get it to grow.

In the end, both Kira and Odo experience a sense of loss...but were the experiences they had worth the pain they now feel?

I really enjoyed this episode - espeically the storyline involving Odo, Mora, and the baby changling. I give this episode 4 stars and call it a "must see" for Odo fans!

Kira gives birth!
This episode serves to round-off two of Deep Space Nine's best storylines, Odo regains his shapeshifting abilities and Kira FINALLY gives birth.

Quark sells Odo a gooey orange looking thing, you guessed it, a Changeling. Except this Shapeshifter is only a baby and is sick. So Odo must help it, and while he teaches new things to the wannabe-Founder he realises some new things about himself. Then Dr. Mora arrives on DS9, the man who brought up Odo as an infant, the same man that Odo dislikes so much. Dr. Mora wants to help the baby Changeling with his knowledge of Odo, but the Constable wants him to go back to Bajor. When the baby Changeling begins to die it is up to the TWO of them to save it... great episode! ... Read more

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A substandard Trek adventure that attains a bit of notoriety asthe final episode of Denise Crosby's Tasha Yar--at least until her cleverlyconceived return in the third season's "Yesterday's Enterprise." When a shuttle crash strands Counselor Troi and a (barely glimpsed) crewman on a barren planet, the away team's efforts to rescue her are frustrated by a black, viscous pool that moves to block their path. The oily goop soon identifies itself as Armus, not an alien being per se, but rather the cast-off remnants of an ancient race that had learned how to make manifest the cruel, destructive sides of their own nature and abandoned this physical embodiment of evil as a hindrance to their evolution. Armus immediately proves his own motiveless malignancy by killing Tasha with wonton dispatch. But murder proves insufficient to satisfy his cravings, and he goes on to torment and torture the remainder of the landing team through such schoolyard stratagems as playing keep away with Geordi's visor and forcing Data to hold his phaser on his comrades. A pretty regrettable episode overall, with laughable dialogue and special effects (the evil oil slick may be the lamest-lookingvillain in all of Star Trek), but in hindsight the brutal offhandednessof Tasha's death, done without preamble or any great effort on Armus's part, wasthe first healthy sign that TNG would outgrow the self-congratulatory PC smugness of its first few seasons. --Bruce Reid ... Read more

Reviews (9)

characters go through more development
Some of the plot has more than its fair share of holes in it, but you can see a substantial amount of character development between this and the first episode.

Troi is returning via shuttle from a conference, ready to rendevous with the Enterprise. The Enterprise, the flagship of the Federation fleet, only has one batch of Dilithium crystals, so when they're being aligned, it's tough cookies if you need to go to warp. No back up crystals - very interesting.

Troi's shuttle experiences a systems failure and plummets to the surface on an unihabited planet, Vagra 2. Who names these planets? Vagra is such a good name that you need a Vagra 1 AND a Vagra 2?

Once the crystals are realigned, the Enterprise goes on a rescue mission. They beam to the crash site, only to have a thick oil slick in their path. As they try to walk around it, the oil slick follows them. No readings show up on their instruments, but it's obvious that there is an intelligence there.

An ancient race of titans found a way to extract evil from their society (kinda like popping a pimple) and when all the members of the race had collected all their evil goo together, it made Armus - the oil slick... aka - the "skin of evil."

They abandoned him on the planet - a being that is immortal and cannot die, a being utterly lonely, very powerful (he is able kill with a thought, transport an object from one place to another and he is empathic like Troi), and eager to leave the loneliness of his planet.

Armus claims that his behavior is not merely evil - but that rather he IS evil - the embodiment of evil.

In an act of boredom, he kills Lt. Tasha Yar, regretting later that she did not suffer because her death did not amuse him like he thought it would. Her memorial service is sweet and touching, and elements of this scene show up in future episodes... and Tasha does make a reappearance in a future time-travelling episode.

The goal is to get Troi and her shuttle pilot off the surface, but Armus continues to envelop the shuttle and they are unable to get a lock on the occupants. What's ironic is that Armus can beam (or at least teleport) Picard in and out of the shuttle, but he apparently can't beam Troi or Ben (the injured pilot) out, nor enter it himself. Yes, there are holes-a-plenty in this episode.

Continued dialogue with Armus reveals the nature of his lonliness and desire to leave. His voice is ominous and his flippant attitude toward life is creepy.

Not a great episode by a long shot, but a pivotal one for those who watch a lot of the episodes - this one has important elements for a number of future episodes that refer back to it. Most worthy are character development leaps for Riker and Crusher.

Tasha is killed by an annoying villain...
The villain in this episode, Armus, isn't really that much of a threat. And he's really annoying too. Tasha Yar dies so quickly, we almost don't believe it happened. Counselor Troi and Expendable Crewman #28b are trapped in a shuttlecraft surrounded by a large walking chocolate syrup monster. This guy can force people to do things for his own amusement, but fails to be amused by the Enterprise crew. Picard never even breaks a sweat in defeating Armus. This is a significant episode only because of Yar's death. The rest is just the usual muck from the first season.

Death on the planet of papier mache rocks . . .
It's farewell to Tasha Yar in this episode as the Enterprise crew find two of their number held hostage by a malevolent being.
Troi and "Ben" (who is barely given any consideration) crashland on Vagra II and are captured by Armus - an evil creature looking for the amusement tormenting others brings it. It inflicts mental torture on all those it meets: Troi, Riker, Crusher, Geordi, and even Data. And it kills Yar, just because it can.
This wasn't a bad concept for an episode, but it fell rather flat. The special effects are sub par, the dialogue often clunky, and the pacing is jerky due to action on the planet being broken up by certain other events that the director felt needed lingering over.
The ending fell flat for me, too. Picard's admission that he did not know whether he, too, had found pleasure in being cruel was a bit of a cop-out. And Tasha's farewell . . . yes, it was moving. But she had appeared so little in the series, to such limited effect, that all those farewell messages held no resonance with anything that had been seen in previous episodes.
It's a fine idea to have someone die in the middle of a mission, with everyone else left behind needing to carry on. Unfortunately, "Skin of Evil" just didn't have the emotional depth and strong plot required.

Average episode at best
"Skin of Evil" is basically about a rescue attempt of two Enterprise crewmen on Vagra II (counselor troi and a mostly ignored, unimportant crewman whose name is never really mentioned) which results in a really senseless tragedy. An evil alien force named Armus kills Yar and torments the crew while they attempt to rescue Troi and the other crewman. I found the plot really average, and the special effects left a lot to be desired.

The only reason I bought this episode because my favorite character was Tasha Yar, and I collect ST:TNG episodes myself. If you are looking for a memorable, exciting episode, and you don't particularly care about Tasha Yar, then don't buy it. I don't think you'd like it.

However, the ending on this episode is its saving grace; it is really touching and great, and even I had to shed a few tears. At least they gave Tasha the proper send off! It's too bad that Yar dies senselessly in this episode and is soon forgotten by the crew.

The Oil Slick from Vagra II
The Early Demise of Tasha Yar

In a very poignant episode; Tasha meets her tragic end. Armus, the oil slick alien arbitrarily kills Tasha. He seems to made of the remaining biological skin from a people who no longer need bodies to sustain life. Following this so far??.....

Remember the living beams of light in the original series? The Organians? Well, folks it looks like when these folks evolved into life forms composed of light....Armus was the skin that was left over.........Yuck!

If you can suspend your belief in reality in this crazy sci-fi concept this episode is better than most. Tasha leaves a holographic last message for the crew that will bring tears to the eyes. If you can sit through the giant oil slick from space; you'll enjoy this one. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Best Beverly Crusher Episode!
Star Trek - The next Generation is one of my favorite television shows, I loved it back when new episodes were still being filmed and I love it now. Dr. Beverly Crusher and her son Wesley are two of my favorite characters and unfortunately in the shows seven year run not enough episodes focused on Dr. Crusher but this one does and it is the best Beverly Crusher episode of the series and I highly recommend it! BTW: This show is now on DVD in complete season sets, I don't own any of the seasons on DVD but I hope to someday.

Dr. Crusher portrayed as someone who can figure things out
The most endearing quality of this episode is that it showcases Dr. Crusher as an intelligent woman who can figure things out on her own. This is in direct contrast to so many other episodes where her lines often reduce to a variant of "I don't know . . . "
The episode starts when her aged friend Dr. Quaice beams aboard the Enterprise and begins talking about having lost his wife and so many of his friends. After hearing this, Dr. Crusher visits her son Wesley in engineering, where he is conducting an experiment. During the climax of the experiment, there is a flash of light, but it is confined to engineering.
Beverly then goes to visit Dr. Quaice in his quarters, but cannot locate him. After an investigation, she learns that there is no record of his having boarded the Enterprise. This is only the beginning, as slowly the Enterprise crew disappears. However, those who are left do not find this unusual, and they begin questioning her sanity. Eventually, all are gone except Dr. Crusher and Captain Picard and Picard does not find it unusual at all. The fact that there are only two people on that enormous ship does not have an affect on him. He also vanishes, leaving Beverly alone on the ship.
Through all of this there are two occasions when a vortex of some kind threatens to engulf her and pull her off the ship. Finally, when the Enterprise computer informs her that the bounds of the universe are slightly bigger than the Enterprise, she realizes that she has been transferred to an alternate reality that is collapsing on itself. With the aid of the Enterprise crew in the true reality, she eventually returns to where she belongs. The Enterprise crew does not accomplish this alone, her return is accomplished with the aid of the Traveler, introduced in episode 6, "Where No One Has Gone Before."
I consider this a good, but not great episode. The showcasing of Beverly Crusher as a thinking person was refreshing, although the inclusion of the traveler seemed unnecessary.

Now, this is the way to feature Beverly Crusher
Poor Gates McFadden. Her "Beverly Crusher" was rarely given the opportunity to be the focus of a ST: NG episode. But, this third season chapter allowed the character to be showcased. McFadden plays the bewildered doctor with a conviction that she seldom got to reveal.

And it's a doozy: a tale of altered time, traveling aliens, and motherly love.

Where else but in "Trek" could those things coincide.

Mind boggling!
Dr. Crusher is my favorite actor/actress on this show. I'm an avid fan of all the Star Trek series, but TNG is my favorite of them all. :)

On this one, my son (12 yrs) and I were watching this episode on television. From the instant Beverly Crusher vanished, we knew something had happened with Wesley's experiment. We both voiced theories. About half way into the show, the truth hit me! I explained it to my son. (I won't reveal it here and spoil it.) As my theory was slowly proven to be correct, we found ourselves engrossed! There are only 3 episodes that have done this to us. (The other two are "True Q" and "The Game".)

Fans of the author Robert A. Heinlein will LOVE this one!

Captain, I trapped my mom in a static warp bubble
Dr. Crusher is visited aboard the Enterprise by Dr. Dalen Quaice, an old friend, who talks about old friends who have died and how he regrets not having told them how much he cared about them. . After getting her friend settled, Beverly visits Wesley in Engineering, where he is working on an experimental warp field configuration he calls a static warp bubble. The warp chamber emits a sudden flash of light and Dr. Crusher disappears. The next thing we know it is morning and Beverly shows up at Dr. Quaice's room for breakfast only to discover he is gone. Captain Picard initiates a shipwide search but as the search continues other crewmembers suddenly disappear. Not only that, those who remain have completely forgotten those who have disappeared. Within minutes, Beverly is left alone upon the Enterprise.

"Remember Me" is one of the better Next Generation techno-mysteries, as interesting as it is from the inside where Beverly is trying to figure out what is going on as it is on the outside where Wesley and La Forge are trying to rescue the good doctor. Of course the idle chit-chat with Dr. Quaice is a big clue as to what is happening to Dr. Crusher. Just as important, for a large part of the show Beverly is completely on her own, which means Gates McFadden gets a rare opportunity to carry several scenes entirely by herself. This could have been just one of those episodes where the mad scientist experiment of a child genius goes astray and almost takes out a parental unit, but there is definitely a nice edge to the situation. Is Beverly going insane or has the universe suddenly stopped making sense? I do not usually like to get bogged down in the physics of the Star Trek universe, but the human element in "Remember Me" certainly sustains the episode. ... Read more

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Following faint energy signals like a trail of bread crumbs, the Enterprise ends up in the Epsilon Minos system. Riker is excited because this is the area where the mythical world of Aldea is located, an advanced civilization rumored to be centuries old, peaceful, self-contained, and technically sophisticated, where the inhabitants devote themselves to art. What luck, then, that they end up parked just outside of the orbit of this legendary planet and lines of communication open up. Good luck turns to bad when the Aldeans kidnap a bunch of children from the Enterprise and try to pay off the parents by giving them advanced technology. Turns out the Aldeans are impotent and dying off, and need a new generation of children to help repopulate the planet. They try to be good surrogate parents, opening up the kids to their artistic potential, but that doesn't placate the birth parents. "When the Bough Breaks" capitalizes on a natural mistrust of artist colonies, combined with a fear of forced adoption. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"Our children are not for sale, at any price."
"When The Bough Breaks" is such an inconsequential Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that it immediately fades from memory once the closing credits pop up on the screen. If there's any equivalent to newspaper or magazine filler in the television medium then this is it. Well, they can't all be winners.

The Enterprise-D discovers the planet Aldea. However, it turns out the "accidental" meeting between the ship and the planet was planned in advance. The Aldeans have lost the ability to reproduce and have lured the Enterprise-D to their homeworld in order to kidnap some of the ship's children to help them repopulate their race. The situation is eventually resolved when Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) offers the help of his ship to repair the planet's atmosphere which has been weakened by a protective shield encircling the planet.

Yes, Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) was one of the children kidnapped and the mind boggles as how this television series would have turned out differently had he remained behind in captivity on Aldea. However, this was not to be as the young man was among the rescued and well, the rest is history. Star Trek: The Next Generation also once again borrows another story device from the original series by attributing the problems of a planetary society to a guardian computer. You have to wonder just how many of these computers are out there in the galaxy? Is there a 24th century IBM producing and selling these things in bulk to planets tired of looking after themselves? Can you purchase these computers with that cool dragon-head as seen in the original series episode "The Apple" (1967) or is that a custom job? So many questions . . .

The Cradle Will Fall
The Aldean Abductors

Unable to repopulate their species; the inhabitants of the planet Aldea steal some children from the Enterprise. Because of a defect in their planets' atmosphere reproduction is impossible. The short version of this one? Wesley and the kids have a hunger strike to protest their abduction. Picard refuses to exchange information for the children. The Aldean leader wanted to exchange technological information for them. It's cold and just stupid. Who in their right mind agree to those terms? It's just the bad writing in this episode.

The B story in this story is .....you guessed it ..... an antiquated computer that still runs the planet is broken down! Picard tells them the Federation will come in and fix their faulty one and thus solve their atmosphere and population problem. It all gets wrapped up in one episode. The only highlight in this is when the big bad "Custodian" computer is taken off line.

Aldea, the Utopian Planet where there are no children . . .
The enterprise stumbles upon the legendary planet of Aldea, an ancient and highly advanced utopian civilization that has shielded the entire planet from the rest of the galaxy. Meeting with Picard, the Aldeans explain that their race can no longer have children and ask for the Enterprise to give them some. When Picard refuses, the Aldeans use their powers to take seven children (including Wesley Crusher) and blast the starship so far away it will take the Enterprise three days at warp 9 to get back. Meanwhile, the Aldeans are showing the children how to tap their talents in marvelous ways. As the Enterprise hurries back to the rescue, Dr. Crusher discovers the Aldeans are sterile because their shield has destroyed their ozone layer. More importantly, Data has discovered a hole in that shield.

"When the Bough Breaks" combines two of Next Generation's favorite types of stories. First, it speaks to a contemporary concern (destruction of the ozone layer and relying on computers to do our thinking). Second, no matter how advanced a race might be they are not as smart as (a) they think they are or (b) the dumb humans they have arrogantly dismissed. On the lighter side, it was clear from the start of the series that Jean-Luc Picard did not like the presence of children on his starship. This episode takes the opportunity to poke some holes in his gruff façade (as if it were the Aldean ozone layer), and the final scene when the children thank the Captain is a hoot. ... Read more

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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 (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 (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

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 (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 (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 (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 (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

Amazon.com

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 (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 an