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The Enterprise answers a distress call to find a wounded young Borg (Jonathan Del Arco) on a desolate planet. After taking the Borg on board at Crusher's insistence, the crew wrestles with their fear and hatred of the most dread enemy the Federation has ever faced, while Picard and Geordi hit upon a devious plan to infect the Borg collective with a computer virus planted on their captive. Dr. Crusher is appalled at the plan, former Borg victim Picard is torn between his military instincts and ambassadorial benevolence, and Guinan has never been more merciless. And then they get to know this lonely little Borg lost, whom they name Hugh, who starts to shake the collective mentality and embrace his individuality. This fascinating chapter in the Borg saga puts a face and a personality to the relentless enemy, and casts the ruthless Federation plans of what is essentially genocide into an uncomfortable light. But their ultimate solution is a benign twist on the Borg campaign of assimilation. Hugh returns in episode 152, "Descent, Part I," and episode 153, "Descent, Part II." --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Viva La Resistance!
The Enterprise investigates an automated distress call on a small moon. Sensors reveal scant, faint signs of life from a crashed ship. When the away team beams down, they find the remains of 4 dead Borg - and one (Jonathan Del Arco) that is barely clinging to life. Dr. Crusher takes her Hippocratic Oath to the extreme when she insists that the Captain allow her to beam aboard not only the Federation's most deadly and feared foe, but the same race of aliens that once abducted and maimed him, forcing him to act as the aggressor against earth.

Picard bends to Crusher's will, then has an epiphany. Once the Borg is healed, they would have to beam him back to the crash site, to await the arrival of his fellow Borg to rescue him. Why not use this opportunity to finally destroy the Borg - all of them, by supplanting this one with a virus that will eventually make their hardware/software components unusable. Crusher objects, but Picard is determined to use this young Borg as the ultimate in assymetrical warfare.

Some of his chips are damaged and must be replaced to save him - and Geordi is given the task of introducing a program into the chips that will cause a systems crash when the Borg is picked up by his compadres. The Borg continues to rant on about "Resistance is Futile," and "You will be assimilated," and Geordi takes it stride with a smirk and a smart retort. In an effort to engage in a more mind-stimulating dialogue with the Borg as he makes repairs to his circuits, he names him Hugh. The name sticks.

Guinan, whose people were scattered throughout the galaxy because of the Borg, hates the species and looks forward to the end of all of them - until she meets Hugh and realizes there is a person under all those implants.

Del Arco has an innocent, sweet face that adds to the allure of this gentle child in Borg clothing. Perhaps assimilated as an infant, he has never known individuality before he was on the Enterprise, and it changes him profoundly. Picard, on the otherhand, has been a strong, hearty individual his entier adult life and yet his individuality did nothing to affect the Borg when he was assimilated. The Borg do not procreate, they assimilate... so everyone in the Borg Collective was once an individual - some were assimilated later in life, and yet none make an impact upon the Collective.

The crew somehow thinks that Hugh will be different, however, making changes in the hive mind. As Spock would say, "highly illogical."

Despite this major hole in the plot, no episode with the Borg will bore the viewer. The mere thought of them sends chills up the spine of any Trekkie or Trekker. They are the epitome of evil - right in the same company as Alien and Predator - except for at least the Predator plays fair.

Eye Borg
Another great entry in ST:TNG's Borg saga, "I, Borg" features our Starfleet stalwarts facing the standard weekly moral dilemma(s) and their own prejudices & preconceptions following the rescue of a single Borg, eventually given the name Hugh, from a crash site. Captain Picard is especially torn between his respect for life in all its forms versus using the Borg captive as a weapon against its own kind (being thrown into the collective and forced against your will to kill and destroy will do that to you). His role playing of his Borg persona Locutus from the "Best of Both Worlds" cliffhanger at the climax makes for one of the episode's more disquieting moments. Through it all, Hugh develops from a part dependent on the whole into a fully realized individual, with repercussions that would be followed up in the subsequent Borg saga two-parter "Descent". If you're a big time Borgophile like myself, this one's unquestionably a must-have!

Sadly, I used to enjoy this eppie a LOT more (as well as all the others) before a Trek-viewer friend pointed out that Captain Picard has a bit of a lazy eye! It's not as obvious as Worf's (Michael Dorn) slight lack of proper ocular alignment, but it is perceptible if you look hard enough. The hell of it is, I never noticed it before! But that's not the worst of it... every time I do see Patrick Stewart on the tube now, be he Picard, Gurney Halleck, Leodegranz, or that guy in "Conspiracy Theory", I see it each and every time, to the point of being somewhat distracting.

Yes, I know, you're probably thinking, "what kinda sick weirdo focuses on- and is distracted by- some TV star's physical shortcomings? Get over it!" Hey, I can't explain it... it's just one of those weird things. Shatner had his hairline (before his priceline, heh), Doohan had his missing finger, Nimoy had his substabdard singing ability... and Stewart has his eyeballs staring in slightly different directions. It's just kinda freaky, you know?

Needless to say, I have one less buddy I watch TV with nowadays...

'Late!

Some of my best friends are Borg...
The Enterprise traces a strange transmission signal back and discovers a wrecked Borg scout ship on a moon. Only one of the Borg has survived the crash and Captain Picard allows Dr. Crusher to beam the Borg aboard the ship. Crusher discovers that the Borg's biochips were damaged in the crash, which means he is cut off from the Collective. Picard sees this as a golden opportunity destroy the Borg by creating new biochips that contain a computer virus that will spread through the Collective. However, while La Forge is working on the biochips he engages the Borg in conversation and the two become friends. La Forge even gives the Borg a name, "Hugh." To the surprise of everyone, Hugh becomes an individual who can say, "I am Hugh" instead of "We are Borg." This turn of events creates a fascinating dilemma for Picard: On the one hand the Captain was transformed by the Borg into Locutus, where his knowledge of Starfleet was used to destroy the armada trying to defend Earth. But on the other hand, this is Jean-Luc Picard, who has defended the rights of sentient beings from his android Second Officer to flashing crystals to nanites to holographic characters. Beyond the personal dilemma, there is his obligation as a Starfleet officer to end the threat of the Borg once and for all.

"I Borg" offers another rare opportunity to see Jean-Luc Picard when he is not at his best, although his emotional involvement in this situation is perfectly understandable. However, at the heart of the episode is Jonathan Del Arco's performance as Hugh, who does a nice job of overcoming the inherent limitations of Borg speak to affect his transformation from member of the Collective into autonomous individual (pay attention to the subtle changes in his inflections over the course of the episode). Obviously this episode pre-shadows the addition of Seven of Nine to the Yoyager crew. There are no easy answers to Picard's dilemma, here as we shall find out at the end of the following season in "Descent" (Episode 152), when we learn the consequences of Picard's decision.

Individuality matters
This episode struck a blow to the face of prejudice and racism by showing that it's teaching and conditioning that make a person "good" or "bad," not the color of skin (or planet of origin). It showed that, if we are offered a choice, everyone can choose to be good, even a member of a race as evil as the Borg. Everyone needs to be viewed as an individual and not generalized or categorized based on race or gender.

The Enterprise finds a Borg. Some of the crew try to save it
This episode is very emotional. The crew of the Enterprise find a Borg drone. Geordie and Beverly name him Hugh. Geordie, Beverly, and Guinan try to save him from Jean-Luc Picard. This episode is for anyone who enjoys who has children and wants to teach them ethics, not for the action type. ... Read more

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

Reviews (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Believing the Cardassians are preparing for war, the Federation relieves Captain Picard of his command of the Enterprise and sends him, Medical Officer Beverly Crusher, and Worf on a secret mission. Federation Intelligence believes the Cardassians are developing "metagenic" weapons on Celtris III, where Picard and crew must go to investigate and destroy said weapons if they exist. These weapons are genocidal weapons that destroy all life on a planet while leaving structures like buildings and equipment intact. The Cardassians may have found a way of delivering metagenics without endangering themselves, making the prospect of war with them truly horrific.

Captain Jellico (Ronny Cox) takes command of the Enterprise, with qualifications including Cardassian negotiations. Though his harsh demands on the crew irk everybody, it is clear he has no time to be popular, and his tactical skills in negotiating with the enemy are wonderful to watch. Cox turns in a terrific performance, at once severe and sympathetic. Picard's mission on Celtris III turns sour when it becomes clear it's a trap, and a trap specifically for Picard, he learns from his captor, Gul Madred (David Warner). It seems rather convenient that Picard is chosen for this mission, with the flimsy explanation that he studied a particular carrier wave the Cardassians seem to be using in their transmissions. Surely there are better candidates for such a dangerous mission. But with veteran actors like Ronny Cox and David Warner, this two-part episode is a pleasure. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Episode And Sad Showing For The Enterprise Crew
This two-parter was a terrific season-ending ST-TNG episode, featuring a duel with the Cardassians, Captain Picard in jeopardy and a new commander for the Star Ship Enterprise.

And the Enterprise crew really let us down. Rather than exhibiting military professionalism and backing to the hilt their new commander -- Capt. Jellico, magnificently portrayed by Ronny Cox -- they fought him every step of the way. The story had a strong emotional pull on the viewers, thus the obvious course was to sympathize with the crew's irritation at their new boss, whose personality was far different from that of Capt. Picard. However, that crew was placed on that ship to carry out orders issued by their captain, to the letter and spirit of his or her desires. Possibly their long association with Capt. Picard had made them too buddy-buddy with him, somewhat slack in their militarism, and weak in adapting to a personnel/command change.

Here's a new (though experienced) commander placed in charge of a crew whose former commander had been drafted for a special mission. Capt. Jellico too had a special mission, a head-to-head negotiation with hostile Cardassians. Rather than being completely free to concentrate on that mission, Capt. Jellico had to deal with the distractions of crew sensitivity and grudging cooperation, which extended to Executive Officer Riker's outright insubordination (for which he was quite properly relieved!). And Jellico was eminently appropriate in ordering Deanna to dress more professionally, rather than prancing around in her skin-tight slack-suit.

At first glance, combined with the history of being emotionally connected to the Enterprise crew, it could have been perceived that Capt. Jellico was being harsh and/or unfair -- but further thought, coupled with an understanding of how a military chain of command functions, illuminates only the fact that Riker, Deanna and the others truly reflected poorly upon Capt. Picard, who should have nurtured in them the ability to conform professionally to whatever martial situations they encountered. Instead, they acted like a bunch of whiny teenagers.

Capt. Jellico, upon his departure, told the crew it had been a privilege to serve with them. Later, however, I bet he subtly, quietly passed the word in his professional circle that the Enterprise command crew was a gaggle of spoiled brats, and working with any of them on a future assignment should probably be avoided. I believe that is what I would have done.

Picard the Commando & Captain Jelico of the Enterprise
In anticipation of a Cardassian attempt to take over one of the disputed star systems on the border with the Federation, Starfleet not only removed Jean-Luc Picard from command of the Enterprise, they send him on a commando raid with Dr. Crusher and Worf. These two changes form the dominant threads of this two-part episode. Picard's replacement, Captain Edward Jelico of the USS Cairo, has been selected because he experience dealing with the Cardassians, having negotiated the current armistice (which is about to blow up in his face). Jelico seems aware of the awkward situation created by this sudden transfer, but then he proceeds to rub absolutely everybody on the Enterprise the wrong way by changing the ship's routines, from the number of shifts the crew works to what Troi gets to wear on the bridge. Meanwhile, Picard and his team practice for their mission, which is to confirm that the Cardassians are working with metagenic, a sort of biological neutron bomb that is genetically engineered to destroy all forms of DNA on a planet and then die off themselves, leaving the planet's infrastructure intact for the occupational force. However, when the team travels to Seltrice Three where the Cardassians are testing the theta band subspace carriers wave system necessarily to delivery the metagenics to their chosen target, they learn the lab does not exist. The rumors were just a trap to get the Cardassians what they really wanted: Jean-Luc Picard.

"Chain of Command, Part 1" certainly tosses the Enterprise upside down. Ronny Cox as Jelico not only does a marvelous job of aggravating Riker and the others, he also manages to convince you he knows what he is doing every step of the way despite your inclination to lean towards the status quo. This could be a cartoon character, but not in Cox's hands. The weakness of the episode is the contrivance by which only Jean-Luc Picard in the entire Federation knows enough about theta band emissions that he is sent off to do grunt work on some back planet. However, this is certainly one time where the payoff is worth the problems with the set-up. When the episode ends with Gul Madred looking forward to breaking Picard, you know the conclusion of this episode is going to be something special.

One of the best
This is one of the better two parters. Picard, Worf and Dr Crusher go on a secret mission into Cardassian territory, while the Enterprise comes under the command of Admiral Jellico. Although Chain of Command focuses mainly on Captain Picard, important parts are played by Riker, Troi, Worf, and Dr Crusher.

The best parts of the episode were the interrogation of Picard by the Cardassian, and the interaction between Admiral Jellico and Riker. I think of all the 'bad guys' on Star Trek, the Cardassian's are pretty good, although no where near the standard of the Dominion or the Borg. This episode does mark a turning point in one respect, as it's the first in which we see Troi in uniform.

Overall, this episode turned out very well and is quite dramatic, as well as giving us a nice insight into Federation and Cardassian relations. People who buy this will have to get part 2 as well, which continues the story, as you'll need to know what happens to Picard.

I recommend it to all Star Trek fans, regardless of whether you're a collector or who your favourite character is, though if you like the Cardassians, this is a must have.

One Of The Best Of The Next Generation
Jean Luc Picard is captured by Cardassians and interrogated by a nasty Gul played beautifully by Star Trek V & VI alum, David Warner. On the Enterprise, Captain Jellico (Ronny Cox) has taken command. The highlights - the interrogation scenes between Warner and Stewart are first rate. Jellico making changes that stayed with the show. Deanna switching to a conventional uniform. One change that didn't was "losing the fish" in the Captain's Ready Room. Fun to watch - Riker's run ins with Jellico. A wonderful dramatic piece with outstanding Warner and Stewart with good support from Cox. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good Episode
The Enterprise NCC-1701-D is waiting for its next mission. While the crew take a few days to rest the Enterprise is hit by a quantum filament. This has some of the best lines in this season (i.e. Worf to Keiko "You may now give birth." and then Keiko shoots back "That's what I've been doing!"). Also in the this show Troi is in command which is somthing Ro doesn't approve of. Riker atuck with just Dats's head (Good lines come from Riker while he is fooling around with Data's head)after Data's body is damaged. Picard stuck in a turbolift with three children and then has to climb up a turboshaft with them. La Forge and Crusher stuck in a cargo by full of explosives that explode when it come in conact with radiation and there is a plasma fire in the bay to with is releasing radiation. Great episode for a star trek fan

Truly one of the best Star Trek episodes ever written
"Disaster" is definitley one of the best episodes in all of Star Trek history. It was a surprising episode, with all the sparks and damage. Usually Voyager takes that beating, but I kind of liked it when they showed the Enterprise taking that damage.

Well, the story starts out with a party in the mess hall, all because of Keiko's baby, and then while Picard is tallking to some children, one of the kids looks up at him without talking, puts his head down and then they're struck by a quantum filament. Then, with most of the ship's power gone, the crew tries to survive. Do they survive? If you want to find the answer, you'll have to watch this exciting episode that is perhaps as good as Voyager. But I warn you, this is a scary episode in a way!

Where was Captain Picard when the lights went out
This is a rather simple episode that turns into a fairly fascinating character study of the Enterprise crew. As the episode beings nothing is going on so most of the crew is relaxing in Ten-Forward, where Riker, Worf and Data are helping O'Brien and Keiko pick a name for the baby that is due sometime soon (this alone should set off warning bells for you). In one of the cargo bays Dr. Crusher is trying to talk La Forge into being part of her next musical. O'Brien arrives on the bridge just as Troi introduces Picard to the three young winners of the school science fair. The Captain will give the children a tour of the ship. But as soon as they take off in the turbolift a pair of quantum filaments hit the Enterprise, knocking out most of the ship's systems including the main computer and starting a series of crises for each of the aforementioned groups. Even though Troi is the least competent officer on the bridge she is the senior office, a fact that has O'Brien and Ro exchanging meaningful looks for the rest of the episode. The containment field in the cargo bay with Crusher and La Forge is about to break down. Riker and Data try to get to Engineering to help restore systems (because if they go to the bridge Troi would have nothing more to do). Of course, this leaves Worf to help Keiko deliver her baby, since he is the last member of the Enterprise crew you would want acting as a mid-wife. Meanwhile, back in the turbolift, Picard has a broken ankle and three frightened children (and we all remember how much Picard enjoys being around children). Just to make things really interesting and put a sense of danger into this recipe for "Disaster," Ro discovers that the warp engine's containment field has some serious problems and the whole thing is going to explode if somebody does not do something. Too bad the power is out and the computer is down.

"Disaster" is the marvelous execution of a simple idea. The power goes out and everybody is pretty much in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even O'Brien, the most useful person actually on the bridge, should be with his wife while she delivers their baby. While Worf provides the episode's comic relief (until Riker starts toting around Data's head), it is Counselor Troi dealing with her inadequate abilities to command a cripple Starship and Captain Picard having to deal with a trio of frightened children that are the most interesting to watch during the episode. What I especially appreciate is that Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis and Patrick Stewart all have their characters act differently as they each deal with their rather unique crises. We do, in fact, get to see new shadings on these old characters. Ironically, in not seeing these characters at their best we actually end up seeing them at their best. As I said above, "Disaster" is simply an excellent character study.

This is a great episode
The Enterprise runs into a quantum filament and is disabled doing so. With the main computer down. the crew must work together to save the ship.

There is a good scene where Captain Picard starts a sing-along with some children in the turboshaft.

Disaster, The Enterprise is a Disaster
This is my all time favorite epsode. In this epsode, the enterprise hits something in space which severly damages the Enterprise. No one alive in enginering and a warp core breach very close is only one of the problems for the enterprise, the others include data losing his body, Troi commanding the bridge, Picard stuck in a turbo shaft with a broken ankle and 3 kids, and Geordi and Beverly stuck in a cargo bay with some highly explosive stuff. I don't want to give it all away but I would defently have this one for your collection ... Read more

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When Picard refuses to allow Dr. Pulaski (Diana Muldaur) to perform an operation on him, even though she's qualified, she tells him to check into a hospital on Starbase 515. Turns out he needs a cardiac replacement because an earlier replacement was faulty, but he didn't want the operation done on the ship because he didn't want to appear weak. While he's gone, the Enterprise answers a distress call from some alien sad sacks whose shipis broken and who are far from home. Since they are reported as being a benign species of scavengers, searching the universe for things to make their ship go, the Enterprise sends over Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge to make thenecessary repairs. Deanna Troi assesses the situation and immediately sensesthat Geordi is in great danger, as he is something that will make their ship go and they will be loath to give him up. It's up to Riker to formulate a plan to get him back. As the crew of the Enterprise learns not to judge a seemingly idiotic race by their appearance, Picard learns there is strength in facing up to one's weaknesses. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

2nd Worst Episode!
I love Star Trek: The Next Generation and have loved most of the episodes of this magnificent TV show's long run but of the few episdoes that I don't like Samaritan Snare is high on my short list of least favorite episodes and is #2 on the list. The Pakleds are really annoying and this episode is like watching a really bad B movie that could easily be made fun of by Mystery Science Theater! Ok, I have seen some silly episodes of STTNG that I actually liked but I can't say that for Samaritan Snare because it was beyond silly it was just plain dumb!

"We Like Things That Make Us Go!"...Pakled Captain
"We like things that make us go" and Picard's mechanical heart

In this episode we get to see two major events: La Forge's Crimson Force Field ALA the "Corbomite Maneuver" and we learn of Picard's mechanical heart. The A story is about aliens that retro fit technology from other planets. The infamous Pakleds are pretty much as laughable as the Ferengi. The B story was an account of how Picard got an artificial cardiac replacement after a bar room brawl in his youth. Both of these elements make this one worth the price of the videocassette.

One Of The Worst TNG Episodes!
Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of my all time favorite TV shows and I loved the majority of the episodes but of the few that I don't like, Samitarian Snare is one of the worst, the whole plot with those annoying dopes called the Pakleds is the main reason I didn't like it, they are the most boring, uninteresting Star Trek alien race ever created and the whole plot was ridiculous! The other plot with Picard needing an artificial cardiac replacement and traveling on a shuttlecraft with Wesley while he was on his way to his operation and Wesley on his way to take some type of Star Fleet test was better but could not make up for the goofy Pakleds who ruined the episode! I'm sure glad that the Pakleds never became recurring characters and were limited to this one episode!

Picard Has to Have a Heart, or, The Pakleds That Roared
How ironic that after providing the equivalent of a new mission statement and a fresh start with the previous episode, "Q Who?" that the series follows up with this rather tepid entry. There are two plot lines. The first has Captain Picard in need of a cardiac replacement. In seems that as a lad Picard had made some unfortunate remarks concerning the parentage of a Norsican that resulted in a fight during which he was stabbed through the heart. The second plot line has La Forge beaming over to help repair a supposedly disabled Pakled ship only to be held hostage unless Riker beams over the Enterprise's computer records. However, the Pakleds are--and there is no nice way of saying this--not the brightest stars in the universe. Of course while Riker is dealing with this clowns there are complications with Picard's operation. A biomolecular physiologist is needed and wouldn't you know it, the only one close enough to save the day is Dr. Pulaski and she is stuck on the Enterprise during the, uh, crisis.

Consequently this is a trivial little episode. The Pakleds are pests more than serious threats, especially since we found out in the previous episode about the Borg. However, Picard's little aside to Wesley about how he came to need a new heart will result in the wonderful "Tapesty" episode (#141) from Season 6, where Q gives Picard a chance to live that particular moment over. This only goes to show what good writers can do with little details. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Character actor illuminates every scene!
The late John Colicos, one of the few actors to span the "Trek" generations, having appeared in the original and this incarnation, is magnificent as the elder "Kang". The actor's stage training is obvious in this most Shakespearean role of obsession mixed with reverential pride for a treasured part of the Klingon mythology.

He plays well off of Michael Dorn's "Worf" and it is obvious that the younger actor learned much about assaying the part of a warrior.

This is a great example of how DS9 had writers that really understood the characters and the loyal fan base of Roddenberry's creation.

Dax and Worf go on their first date to search for a weapon
Kor, one of the Klingons from the original Star Trek who showed up for Curzon in "Blood Oath," returns again to DS9 to get Dax's help. Kor has stumbled across a piece of cloth that he believes held the fabled sword of Kahless (it is really a bat'leth, but I guess the writers thought that word would confuse us). Dax analyzes the cloth and discovers Klingon and Hur'Q DNA along with metal traces of ancient battles, which are both good signs the Hur'Q stole the weapon from Kronos a thousand years earlier. So Kor, Dax and Worf head off to find the ancient weapon. Of course, they are not the only ones looking for it. "The Sword of Kahless" is an average episode of DS9 at best. Finding the lost bat'leth turns out to be just a bit too easy and the final little twist is just a bit too much for me to swallow. Worf's Klingon adventures had been pretty much milked dry on STNG, so it is with some trepidation that I see them being revived on DS9. However, adding Dax into the mix is a redemptive mood; I always like it when the Trill containing Curzon's memories is more Klingon than Worf and the others.

This episode that really made me think!
Although some reviewers of this episode have compared the Klingon "Sword of Kahless" to Excalibur (probably because they are both swords), I had a different reaction. As a Jewish Trekker, the Sword brought to mind the biblical Ark of the Covenant -- also lost for many centuries. What would happen, I found myself asking, if the real Ark were actually found today? Like the Sword of Kahless, the Ark would give tremendous religio-political power to whomever controled it. It would also bring about the total upheaval of Israeli politics. Whether or not this was a subtext that the Trek creators actually intended, it was one which stayed with me for days. (We do, after all, tend to read our own agendas into these stories.) In the end, I found myself agreeing with Worf's decision to "lose" the Sword again in the vastness of space. Perhaps such power objects are better for questing than actually finding --- at least until a time when people would be mature enough to handle the power without becoming corrupted by it. Be it the Sword or the Ark, we are not yet ready (or worthy?) to have it. A truly thought-provoking episode!

Potential Never Fully Realized.
"The Sword of Kahless" had everything going for it: Potential upheavel in Klingon politics, the return of Kor (from the Original Series and an earlier episode of DS9), the return of Toral (a son of one of Worf's biggest enemies, Duras) and, of course, Klingons!

When Worf, Jadzia Dax and Kor find the location of the Sword of Kahless (the Klingons' version of Excalibur), they must race to find the sword before renegade Klingon Toral can. Whomever holds the Sword of Kahless will be able to wield considerable influence in Klingon politics, you see (it's as if Kahless, the "father" of all Klingons, has chosen his heir), and Worf and Kor want to make sure that that isn't Toral. Good premise but the story is poorly executed and, in the end, the status quo remains unchanged. Klinogn political upheavel would have been fun!

This episode could've been a lot better.

A Fun Episode
In this episode, Worf, Dax and a klingon warrior from the orginal series named Kang, try to find the mystical Klingon figure named Kahless's sword. But there is trouble when rival Klingons try to take it. This episode was fun and action packed. I definatly recommend it to Trekkies everywhere! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Sisko takes over as the Changelings infilitrate Earth
The wormhole is opening and closing for no apparent reason when DS9 receives a Priority One message from Starfleet Security with proof the Changelings have infiltrated Earth. Sisko and Odo head for Earth, where the Captain is put in charge of Earth's security and institutes measures designed to catch the Changelings. "Homefront" turns out to be the first of a two-part storyline. What we are dealing with here is the absolute paranoia that grips Starfleet once they learn the Changelings have made it to Earth (Actually, what took them so long? It has been like a season and a half since the Dominion first threatened to take on the Federation). But I must admit I was impressed that Starfleet Security was not so paranoid that they arrested Odo and started doing mondo experiments on the Constable. The point of this episode is simply to get things to the point that a state of emergency is declared by the Federation President. Now it is just a question of what DS9 does with this set-up (To be continued...).

An excellent Episode
This episode is great. It's one of the best in the show's seven year run. The plot resolves around the possible invasion of Earth by the Dominion. The Dominion is a group of races controlled by shapeshifters who thirst for conquest. Commander Sisko, Odo, and Jake come to Earth to update it's defenses. Sisko faces doubt at every turn of who could possibly be a shapeshifter. This episode is great for fans of the show, and if you're not a fan you will be intriguid ... Read more

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Star Trek: The Next Generation presents its take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by introducing the dispute between Cardassians and the displaced Bajoran people, a dispute that would later become the basis of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Ever since the Cardassians annexed the Bajoran home world four decades prior, there has been trouble with terrorism, but now the terrorism is starting to affect Federation ships. Captain Picard has been ordered to find the Arafat-like rebel leader Orta (Jeffrey Hayenga), the man who's been blamed for the latest terrorist attack. Assigned to assist him on this mission is Ensign Ro (the surly and talented Michelle Forbes), a Bajoran ex-Starfleet officer who is hated by everyone because of an incident that happened when she was serving on the Wellington, where she disregarded orders and got several crew members killed. Of course, she's just as reluctant to serve on the Enterprise, but does so because it's better than prison--barely.

She ends up helping them find Orta, but they discover a larger conspiracy surrounding the terrorist attack. Along the way, the Federation (United States) is taken to task for its conveniently passive policy of noninterference back when the Cardassians (Israelis) were displacing the Bajorans (Palestinians), and are even blamed for a little behind-the-scenes dirty dealing. Admittedly, the politics don't always work here, but Forbes is terrific. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Shaking up the Enterprise Crew by introducing Ro Laren
Obviously this episode helps in no small part to set up Deep Space Nine since it introduces the idea of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor (We first met the Cardassians in "The Wounded," Episode 86). A Federation colony is attacked and the Bajorans claim responsibility. At this point in the history of the Star Trek universe the Bajorans are seen as interplanetary refugees, with the Cardassians having kicked them off their home world. The Enterprise rescues the survivors of the attack and Picard takes a conference call with Admiral Kennelly, who believes the attack was led by a Bajoran named Orta. Kennelly orders Picard to find Orta and persuade him to return with his terrorist band to one of the refugee camps. Just to complicate things, the admiral assigns Ensign Ro Laren to help Picard with this rather delicate mission. Ro (remember, with Bajorans the family name comes first) is a rather infamous figure in Starfleet, having been court-martialed for doing horrible things on the USS Wellington. The admiral has her released from prison for this special mission, but the entire crew of the Enterprise, usually a most understanding and sympathetic bunch as they have proven in episode after episode, are horrified to have her on board. The only person to treat Ro nice is Guinan, who always did function as the ship's unofficial Devil's Advocate. When Ro helps Picard contact Orta, the terrorist leader insists he had nothing to do with the attack on the outpost. A confused Ro, prodded by Guinan, then confesses her real mission to Picard. It seems that there are feints within ploys of multiple plots and Picard needs to figure out what is going on and what to do about it before the episode ends.

"Ensign Ro" essentially combines the late 20th Century's recurring problem of international refugees with the classic western tale of the calvary trying to get the great Indian chief to return with his warriors to the reservation. Throwing the character of Ro Laren into the mix was also a way of shaking up the interpersonal dynamics on the Enterprise. Here was an "outsider" who was going to be around for an extended stay (originally the Ro character was going to be the second in command on the DS9 spin-off, but actress Michelle Forbes wanted to pursue other opportunities, i.e., "Homicide: Life on the Street"). Certainly it was always fun to see someone get under Picard's skin the way Ro does while she was on the show. Consequently, this is an average episode of STNG that is more significant because it introduces a new character and sets up DS9 than for the little mystery it presents to Picard and his happy little crew.

Ro, We Hardly Knew Ya.
It was funny about 'Star Trek -- The Next Generation,' I was against the idea of the show from the beginning. The very idea of a sequel to the original show with a different cast...God, No! For the first several seasons, STNG was...Okay, I guess. It never did anything to change my initial opinion, however. The first season seemed to be a collection of rewrites of older episodes, but, very gradually, STNG seemed to get its space legs. Then, something (or, more accurately someone) very extraordinary happened.

Ro Laren happened.

Bajor happened.

(And from that a whole other series happened, but I shouldn't digress.)

Episode 103, "Ro Laren" was the beginning and an introduction to that Bajoran world, spearheaded by a (then) fairly unknown actress named Michelle Forbes. (Funny, but even now I don't know why she isn't better known.) There is a sincerity, and an honesty to the way she created Ro. The way Forbes and Patrick Stewart play off one another is a true delight. Near the end of the episode they do a scene that, no matter how many times I see it, I simply can not turn away from. For an instant we see through Ro's eyes, we can see some of the gears that make this most complicated Star Trek character tick. I bought that scene utterly. I totally bought Ensign Ro Laren and, I suppose, fell in love with her.

Forbes played Ro as a somewhat conflicted, mysterious character who didn't seem to be comfortable in her own skin. A female with a past, she became a breath of fresh air in what had become a too-perfect Star Trek world. But, more than that, she added a note of believability to this universe and began to make it live beyond the edges of the screen.

During a way too short run of six episodes, Michelle Forbes as Ro created a "believability factor" for the whole series which lasted far beyond her tenure (even though she had evaporated for all but one, very well-acted but thematically ill-conceived "wrap-up" episode in STNG's last season). I would like to save this episode (and Ms. Forbes performance) in a bottle. There's magic in here, along with the seeds of something that the producers of the show never quite realized. I'm going to buy all the "Ro Laren" episodes, then hoard them like gold coins I found by accident. My wife is a little jealous of Ro Laren, even though she won't admit it.

Michelle Forbes made Ro Laren live. I can't think of a better complement to any actor. Good for you, Michelle. Good for you. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Data's turn to function as a father-figure for a young boy
The Enterprise is investigating the disappearance of the research vessel Vico during its survey of a Black Cluster, which is a nice little area of space packed with collapsed protostars and therefore subject to intense gravitational forces. The Vico is located outside the cluster with everybody on board ripped to shreds except for a young boy named Timothy, who tells how they were attacked by an alien ship. Traumatized by the death of his parents, Timothy forms an attachment to Data and when Counselor Troi suggests the android can help the boy get through this horrible experience, the two spend time together. Meanwhile, Picard takes the Enterprise into the Black Cluster and quickly discovers that Timothy is not telling the truth. Of course, if he does not find out what really happened, the Enterprise crew will suffer the same fate as that of the Vico.

This series has dealt several times with children aboard the Enterprise turning to one of the crew members to help get through the death of a parent. "Hero Worship" is a fairly routine example of such a story line, which was covered better in "The Bonding" (Episode 53) where a young boy turns to Worf after the death of his mother. The two episodes are certainly comparable in that both have the boy trying to be more like the adult, in this case the unemotional Data rather than the stoic Worf. In both episodes Troi supports these efforts, which might be dramatically interesting since Data and Worf are not exactly paragons of emotional support, but which makes no sense from a Counseling standpoint. Troi should know better. Based on his performance as a "father" in "Future Imperfect" (Episode 82), she should have asked Riker. Come to think of it, La Forge might be the only member of the bridge crew who does not get a chance to function as a parental figure for some traumatized kid. But since Data had already tried to have a girlfriend ("In Theory," Episode 99), he might as well try being a father figure. It is a common theme in the Star Trek universe, the best example of which is long-term bonding between Seven of Nine and Naomi Wildmon on Voyager. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Jake Sisko in a DS9 version of "The Red Badge of Courage"
When he grew up Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) was going to be a writer and not follow in his father's footsteps. In "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" Episode 102, "...Nor the Battle to the Strong" (Story by Brice R. Parker, Teleplay by Rene Echevarria, Aired October 21, 1996) young Jake gets his comeuppance for the arrogance of being so judgmental while watching from the sidelines. Jake is writing an article on Dr. Bashir (Alexander Siddig), and is with Julian in a runabout when they receive a distress call from a Federation colony being attacked by the Klingons. Excited by the prospect of a good story, Jake convinces Bashir to answer the call. Once there, Jake is stunned by the death and destruction he sees, and any idea of writing a story is quickly replaced by trying to help the wounded and dying people. The fact that the Klingons renew their assault does not help either, and Jake cracks under the fear.

This episode is clearly a homage to Stephen Crane's classic "The Red Badge of Courage," or at least that story's defining moment and the theme of the personal shame that forces some men to make the leap from cowardice to courage. My only real problem with this episode is the idea that Jake, whose mother was killed in the war against the Borg, has such a naive view of war that he needs to have such a rude awakening. However, once you grant that premise this is a pretty powerful episode in terms of the psychological conflict Jake goes through. The cathartic moment of transformation is a long time in coming, as Jake continues to make things worse for himself before he comes to the ultimate moment of understanding, which results not so much from heroism as from pure, dumb luck. It is that aspect which elevates this episode to above average status.

Good Jake Sisko Episode
Bashir and Jake are returning to the station on a runabout when they get a distress call from a Federation colony under attack. Bashir wants to continue on to DS9 because he doesn't want to endanger Jake. However, Jake can only think of the wonderful adventure he will be witness to if they go to the aid of the colony. Jake talks Bashir into going to the planet thinking he will have a fantastic story of heroism to write about. He is immediately thrown into the ugly world of war and death that the young seldom see. After tending to the wounded in the hospital, Jake and Bashir must return to their damaged runabout to get some much needed equipment. Jake panics when they come under attack and runs away. After coming across a field of dead Klingon and Federation soldiers, and coming to the aid of a dying man, Jake makes his way back to the hospital. When the hospital comes under attack, Jake learns first hand that there is a fine line between heroism and cowardice.

Dr. Bashir is my favorite character on DS9 so I bought this episode thinking it was about him. It is actually about Jake Sisko, but I was not disappointed. Cirroc Lofton turns in a strong performance as the troubled Jake. The young Sisko matures a lot in this episode and discovers a special kind of bravery within himself as he makes a confession to his father at the end.

A Jake and Julian ep? i like it!!
When reading the plotline for this ep i was...well....cynical! I thought..."jools and jake going off to become soldiers? how unlikely is that?" however, i was pleasantly surprised! both Alexander Siddig and Cirroc Lofton did the jobs excellently, and really brought home the grittiness and desperation of war, in whatever century!! well done!

Jake and Bashir become soldiers - ahhhhhhhhh!
Jake is doing an interview with Doctor Bashir on the frontlines of the Klingon-Starfleet warzone. When the Kligon's attack in brutal fashion Jake has to change his opinion of war, it is not just the glamourous ship to ship battles but the gritty trench wars in which innocent people die.

The storyline was good and had potential but wasn't given the fully bloody, gritty treatment it deserved and would've sent a better message about war, the true message it was trying to deliver. One of the few episodes given to Jake which he acts great in, pitty no one else does! ... Read more

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Picking up where "In Purgatory's Shadow" left off, this action-packed episode starts with a bang and never lets up. A Dominion fleet has just invaded the Alpha quadrant, and when scheming Cardassian Gul Dukat announces his alliance with the Dominion, Sisko dares him to seize DS9 by force. Worf, Garak, and Bashir are still imprisoned on a Dominion-controlled asteroid, while a changeling, posing as Bashir, plots to weaken DS9's defenses and turn Bajor's sun into a quadrant-destroying supernova. As this plot unfolds with breathtaking momentum, Garak fights claustrophobia to jerry-rig a life-saving transmitter, and Worf survives seven brutal fights with Jem'Hedar combatants. It all leads to a rousing climax, deepening Andrew J. Robinson's superb portrayal of Garak, and giving Worf one of his most honorable Klingon adventures. Chock-full of noble heroics and riveting suspense, this episode was partly inspired by The Great Escape, matching that classic film with its own prison-break plot line. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Keystone to the Series
This was a superb story in the series, full of drama and intrigue. Cardassia has joined the Dominion (shocking!), and it appears an invasion of Deep Space Nine is imminent. The Federation works for a united front with the Klingons. Even the Romulans show up unexpectedly, ready to get involved in the Alpha Quadrant's battle of Armageddon.

The war with the Dominon starts at Deep Space Nine
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 113, "By Inferno's Light" (Written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Aired February 17, 1997) continues where the previous episode, "In Purgatory's Shadow" left off. DS9 is preparing for the Dominion attack as the Jem'Haddar fleet pours through the wormhole while Worf, Garak, General Martok, and the real Julian Bashir are being held in a Dominion internment camp deep in the Gamma Quadrant. However, the Jem'Haddar do not attack the station, turning instead towards Cardassia. It seems Gul Dukat has been in negotiations with the Dominion and has formed an alliance that will make him the leader of the Cardassian Empire. Meanwhile, in the internment camp, the captives have a plan to escape that required the claustrophobic Garak to crawl into a tiny space behind the way to reconfigure a transmitter.

In terms of understatement, the Dominion-Cardassian alliance changes everything. While the Jem'Hadar are taking turns fighting Worf to prepare them for war against the Klingons, Sisko informs Klingon Chancellor Gowron that reinstating the treaty with the Federation would be a good thing to do before the Dominion and Cardassian fleets attack the Klingon home world. Then there ae the questions of what the Changeling who has taken Dr. Bashir's place is up to and whose fleet has just shown up at DS9 to join in the fun. "By Inferno's Light" becomes a pivotal episode in the history of "Deep Space Nine" since it opens up a new chapter in the series, which finally arrives at the intergalactic war towards which it had been heading. Just as the first part of this two-part episode set up a lot of elements, the conclusion provides a lot of surprises as the new situation is established.

I know that the original "Star Trek" series was read allegorically, so that the Klingons were the Soviets and the Romulans were the Chinese, but while you can draw some parallels between what is happening with what is happening on "DS9" and World War II (the Cardassians are Nazi Germany and the Dominion is Stalin's Soviet Union), I think that is reading too much into it this time around. You can just think of this as a "Star Trek" version of a universal war and not try to draw historical parallels, because this war is going to continue until the end of the series, in the final episode of the 7th season. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Miles O'Brien has to find a way to repossess Keiko
Chief O'Brien (Colm Meany) finds a new way of having marital problems in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 104, "The Assignment" (Story by David R. Long & Robert Ledermanm, Teleplay by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, Aired October 28, 1996). Keiko (Rosalind Chao) returns from Bajor and announces to her husband that she is an alien entity that has taken possession and is holding his wife's body hostage. The entity starts giving O'Brien a series of instructions and warns him that Keiko will be killed if he does not obey. What follows is a dangerous game as O'Brien has to obey the entity and try not to do anything that will harm the station. In order to outsmart the entity, O'Brien is going to need some help.

I seem to remember that at one point in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" somebody expressed a concern at all the times alient entities have taken over Captain Picard's mind (I do not remember if it was an actual episode, novel, comic book or even if it was another series). But having your mind taken over by an alien entity is a standard "Star Trek" plot device and it happens to everybody sooner or later. It had already happened to O'Brien. So the chief attraction to "The Assignment" is not the plot, but the fact that Miles gets to actually play the lead role in the episode and that you know in the end he is going to come up with some nice little gizmo or rewire something a certain way to help save the day. Plus, I like who it is Miles gets to help him. Meanwhile, Keiko gets play both emotional extremes, as the frightened Keiko and the rather sadistic entity, which is a nice change of pace for Chao. But if "The Assignment" were about anybody other than Miles O'Brien, I would probably have rated it a star lower.

Shades of "Power Play"
Well, what's good for one member of the O'Brien family is good for another.

In the earlier ST: NG episode, Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) becomes the pawn of a malevolent alien that possesses him. This time around his wife Keiko (Rosalind Chao) is taken over by one of the evil Pah'wraiths (that will fit so prominently in DS9's final season).

While not a notable episode, it still allows a supporting character a chance to steal the spotlight and Chao does a superb job at doing just that.

Help Miles! Im Possessed!
I thought we got past "Possesion" episodes by the time this one came around. This is a majorly overdone area. And, Im sorry to say Keikos acting isn't very convincing. I dont get any real sense of evil from this being. Anyway, Miles has to do her bidding, untill (of course) he figures out her motive, and let's say the ending is terribly predictable. This episode is sub average. If I were a newcomer to DS9 and saw this episode, I wouldn't have any desire to see the next.

Evil!
Personally, I love to see an actor I admire play someone truly, subtly, sadistically be evil! Here Keiko Obrian gets taken over by an incredibally sadistic entity, a pah'wraith (Bajoran version of a demon). This thing threatens to kill Keiko and her daughter, Molly unless this demon gets exactly what it wants from Miles.. and she does it with a smile on her face. Any fans of Angelus from Buffy the Vampire Slayer will ove this character. This was one of my favorite episodes for the sheer acting and story-telling ability and the glee that I got from watching that evil grin!

The Assigment... to save Keiko!
Keiko has been on vacation and went to the Bajoran Fire Caverns. When she returns to DS9 it is apparent that she is not the same Keiko and has infact been taking over by an alien entity that wants O'Brien to make some modifications to the station or she'll kill Keiko. O'Brien must work in secret not able to risk telling the others in the hope that once this alien has finished with Keiko he'll get her back!

A great O'Brien episode that has lots of tension and top notch special effects... ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A visit to Risa the pleasure planet is wasted on Worf
Worf (Michael Dorn) and Dax (Terry Farrell) head for a vacation on the pleasure planet, Risa, so they can figure out their relationship, which means things are pretty much doomed from the start. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 105, "Let He Who Is Without Sin" (Written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Ira Steven Behr, Aired November 11, 1996), has the new couple arriving on Risa with Bashir, Quark, and Leeta, so things are already off on the wrong foot. Then Worf learns that Arandis (Vanessa Williams), the social director at Memtibi Lagoon is the former lover of Curzon Dax. Dating a Trill is clearly going to be lots of fun for the big guy. Then, to make things even more interesting, Worf is approached by Pascal Fullerton (Monte Markham in one of his patented swarmy roles), Chairman of the New Essentialists Movement, who wants to shut down the pleasure planet for good.

Worf becomes interested in the beliefs and goals of the Essentialists, especially when he sees Dax and Arandis together (and the way they are dressed helps the viewers to jump to the fantasy if not the conclusion). However, the point at which Worf tells Dax she is not taking the relationship seriously enough is where this one loses me. I am all for making fun of Worf at each and every opportunity when it comes to his relationships with women, but it really has to be out of his stubborn sense of honor and propriety rather than his being stupid. Then Worf reveals something to Dax that only serves to prove to me that this episode is even worse than I thought. Worf has been in more episodes of "Star Trek" than any other character in history (okay, except for the ship's computer as voiced by Majel Barrett), and he even dated a ship's counselor, and yet he has managed to save this particular little tidbit for this point in time?

"Let He Who Is Without Sin..." wastes a guest appearance by Vanessa Williams. For that matter it wastes the entire visit to the pleasure planet of Risa. They have been talking about this place for years on "Star Trek," and the whole visit is wasted on Worf in one of his moods. Suddenly the idea of a blatantly exploitative episode offering a look at "The Women of Deep Space 9" would actually be an improvement, as deeply wrong as that would be in the real world. Final note: This episode was directed by Rene Auberjonois, which is actually a shame because I think Odo would have been less uptight visiting Risa than our favorite Klingon. Meanwhile, is there anybody on this show that remembers there is a massive threat aimed at the Alpha Quadrant through the wormhole?

Volume OFF is best
Avoid this supposed sinful voyage at all costs as this easily one of DS9's top 5 worst episodes. Bad acting even from some of the better cast members, a forced not to mention bad story about shutting down pleasure planet Risa fills throughout most of the show. Forgive me if I sound a bit perverted but seeing Dax, Leeta and Vennessa Williams in skimpy clothes is the only reason to tune in. Like I said in the title leave the volume off or something else below mute should you decide to watch.

Return to the Garden of Hedon
Where do the advanced humanoids of the 24th century go for their R&R? Well, Voyager's crew enjoys interplanetary "Smackdown" matches; Deep Space Nine features a holographic Rat-Packer's sleazy night-club, and Next Gen's officers visit Raiza the Red Light Planet. So much for our enlightened Trektopian future... This DS9 episode, unanimously rated among the fans' least favorite, was apparently conceived for the sole purpose of displaying the crew in bathing suits. Bashir and his Dabbo-bimbo girlfriend go to Raiza to "ceremoniously" end their relationship. This entails partaking in meaningless encounters with a succession of for-hire hookers and gigolos. (Obviously STDs have been erradicated in the future.) Fun-loving Jadzia Dax hauls her dour Klingon mate along "to loosen him up" a little. But Worf is scandalized by the excesses of libertine behavior, particularly when he misinterprets Jadzia's same-sex flirtation with a gorgeous former lover. In a pique of jealousy, he joins a band of fundamentalist guerillas heaven-bent on sabotaging the planet's eco-system and ruining its hedonistic tourist appeal. Actually, this side of Worf's personality is consistant with the established moral character of Klingon males who are described in definitive novel "The Final Reflection" as being much more prudish than the females. One might logically expect Worf to feel threatened and repulsed by Raiza. But most viewers cringe during the scene wherein Worf mawkishly confesses the reason for his aversion to fun and games. It seems little klincub Worf had accidentally killed a Human boy during an exhuberant childhood soccer match, and has never forgiven himself. But, not to worry, once he unloads this traumatic incident onto Jadzia's shapely shoulders, he is miraculously freed of its lifelong burden, and can finally join in some public skinny-dipping.

Taking shots at family values? Why?
The story takes place on Risa, the famous (or infamous) "pleasure planet" mentioned in other Trek episodes. Worf and Dax arrive on Risa to take their relationship to the "next step". Dax meets an old lover (from one of her previous hosts) who wants to shut down Risa because it is not a moral place.

Okay, that's fine. But why portray people with strong morals and beliefs as nuts and radicals? I know Trek has always leaned a bit to the left, but this episode is ridiculous. This episode takes cheap shots at every man or woman who does believe that casual sex is wrong. I guess the creators and writers of DS9 think that half of DS9's fans are just plain nuts. This episode is insulting and an attack on those of us who have differing points of view. Plus, it is was too preachy.

Bad episode, worse than "Rejoined", which took plenty of cheap shots, too.

Unfortunate
I don't think that this was the worst episode of Star Trek ever, as some people maintain, however, it certainly is a DS9 lowpoint. There's nothing wrong with a lightweight episode, it's just that LHWIWS tries to be dramatic and foolish at the same time - Worf's story of a childhood incident seems so forced that it robs the character of credibility. The only plus side is that you get nice location scenery and the cast in swinsuites - only enough to impress Baywatch fans. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Quark has to learn to be a Klingon (in the name of love)
My main complaint with "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" during the second half of its run was that having set up this gigantic story arc of intergalactic war between the Alpha Quadrant and the Gamma Quadrant, courtesy of DS9's local wormhole, it never really seemed to become the focus of every one's attention until close to the end. I thought the idea of the Star Trek universe at war was a pretty good one, but the writers still find time for others things to distract the DS9 gang, a fact amply proven by the comic relief of Episode 101, "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Place" (Written by Ronald D. Moore, Aired October 14, 1996).

Worf (Michael Dorn) is having a nice quiet drink with Dax (Terry Farrell), when in walks Grilka , a Klingon woman. Worf is in the middle of the whole "thunderbolt" bit from "The Godfather," when Michael sees Apollonian in Sicily, when Grilka goes over and kisses Quark (Armin Shimerman). It turns out Grilka is Quark's ex-wife, a result of a complicated marriage of convenience that you just have to accept at face value. However, Worf is smitten so he intends to pursue Grilka, but then he learns that because he does not have sufficient honor among the Klingons to mate with the fair Grilka. Besides, having been raised by humans, Worf knows nothing about the proper way to court a Klingon woman. To make things even worse, Quark comes to Worf and Dax for advise on how to get back on Grilka's good side. At this point Worf is motivated more by the insult to his upbringing than his feelings for Grilka, so he agrees to help. Things go so well for Quark with Grilka that he is challenged to a duel to the death by one of her bodyguards. This sets up the episode's big climax, which consists of figuring out a way to have the Ferengi still be alive at the end of the day.

What makes this one work as a comic DS9 episode is that Worf is pretty much the butt of all the jokes from start to finish, while Quark sails through the episode pretty much unscathed. Of course the biggest joke is set up by Dax, who endures all of Worf's posturing and complaining while waiting for him to come to his senses as to who he should be pursuing (or, perhaps more accurately, who has been pursuing him). Yes, it has nothing to do with the war and this episode may well be too cute for die hard Worf fans, but it does have its moments. Final Notes: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Place" was directed by Andrew J. Robinson (Garak) and there is great fun to be had in coming up with appropriate lyrics for the rest of the "title" song for this episode.

Companion piece to "Little Green Men"
DS9 was never known for its levity; however, this episode and the one in the above title are, perhaps, the "lightest" that the series ever got. As other reviewers have stated, this installment shows the preparations for and the eventual nuptials of Jadzia Dax and Lt. Worf. It's really an amusing departure for the show and a welcome one showcasing two of "Trek's" most popular characters.

And who's to argue with a show that has tongue placed firmly in cheek as its title plays with the Waylon Jennings classic.

Love at second glance
In this episode, Worf finds love. First he falls in love with Quark's ex-wi