Episode in Brief! 6x11 - "Waltz"

Preview for the next episode:  6x11 - "Waltz"












Here's a little something to tide people over until Miramanee gets around to watching "Waltz":

Rom and Quark as Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner...

6x10 - The Magnificent Ferengi

Notable Dialogue:
ROM: Hi!  I'm Rom.  This is Nog, that's Brunt...
QUARK: Rom, he doesn't care.
KEEVAN: Truer words have never been spoken.


The Magnificent Ferengi is not everyone's cup of tea.  Many people don't enjoy the Ferengi episodes, preferring their Star Trek to be a little more rooted in seriousness.  I, however, love this episode.  It is my favorite of the Ferengi episodes.  The Ferengi have come so far from their introduction in The Next Generation.  I believe that The Magnificent Ferengi marks the pinnacle of the "Ferengi reformation."  Initially introduced to be the Klingons of TNG, the Ferengi failed miserably.  DS9 showed that the Ferengi can live on in their own niche.

I, too, loved the holosuite scene.  Quark and Brunt running around screaming, Leck killing the captive Ishka... that whole scene is brilliant.  Who says slapstick comedy is dead?

I wonder if Nog had any issues with boarding Empok Nor once again?  He didn't exactly have a great time there on his previous visit...

By the way, to answer your question about whether or not the recon mission into Dominion space is foreshadowing or not: it wasn't.  Dramatically, that scene was in the episode to juxtapose traditional heroism with Quark's recent exploits and, by proxy, comparing "Starfleet heroism" to the image of the Ferengi: that is, not terribly heroic.  However, there was a bit of foreshadowing in the episode, intentional and otherwise...

It was very interesting to see Iggy Pop in the role of Yelgrun.  His dry, sardonic wit was terrific.  I love the scene just before the prisoner exchange when Ishka is telling him all about how to improve his financial portfolio.  He turns to her and says, "Fascinating.  I'd love to hear more, but if your son doesn't show up soon, I'm going to have to kill you."  As "in your face" as some of this episodes antics are, some of my favorite moments are the most subtle.  The knowing looks exchanged between characters at various times (especially Quark, Rom, and Nog); the look on Sisko's face after Quark and Rom invade his office; and my absolute favorite: the smirk on Nog's face just after he brings Keevan "back to life."
























(Some favorite subtle moments from The Magnificent Ferengi)
























Finally, my favorite exchange in the entire episode:



 When I watched this scene with a friend of mine for the first time, we had to back up the DVD a bit because we missed almost the entire next scene due to laughter.

Final thoughts: best of the Ferengi episodes, and does comedy well: 7.779/10

Next time: "Waltz"

The sloppiest, most amateurish operation.

The Magnificent Ferengi

So I really enjoyed this episode.  I love how DS9 will throw in some comic relief episodes.  It lightens the mood and gives you a break from the action filled and intense episodes.  Actually, the last two episodes have been somewhat of a comic relief.  Statistical Probabilities just happened to be a bit more thought provoking with less antics.

I love how even though the Ferengi know they aren’t great warriors, they never give up.  Their ingenuity and cunningness takes them quite far.  I especially enjoy how the writers of DS9 have managed to shed the characteristics that the Ferengi were given during TNG.  They are no longer the awkward, jumping around, arm swinging idiots that we once knew.  Of course they are greedy to no end in DS9, but they seem to have heart, character and spirit. 

The holodeck scene, in which Quark, Rom, Leck, Gaila and Brunt are training to take on Jem’Hadar soldiers, was hilarious.  Who wouldn’t enjoy a scene where Rom runs into a wall of rock and Leck shoots Moogi, stating in his defence: “I saw we weren’t going to rescue her, so I put her out of her misery.”  If there is a more hilarious chaotic scene in DS9, let me know. 

I’m glad that after the holodeck fiasco Rom suggested that they stick to what Ferengi know best- negotiating.  For as dumb as they paint Rom sometimes, I love that the writers give him moments of brilliance and insight.  I love Rom’s character, so I like to see him shine.

Keevan- oh how I dislike him.  I was actually expecting Dukat to be person they trade back to the Dominion.  Shame on Quark and Nog for laughing at poor Keevan continually walking into the wall...that’s not funny at all!  Oh no wait...yes it is!  I must be evil underneath my sweet exterior. 

Now how about that Ferengi’s ingenuity and cunningness!  First they choose a swap site where they know the layout!  An abandoned space station that has the same layout as DS9- smart.  Then choosing a strategic waiting place that only has two points of entry and that is close to their ship- good one.  Getting the external sensors working so they know when the Dominion will arrive- also smart.   A transport jamming signal so Keevan can’t be beamed out- brilliant idea.  All in all- a great plan!  Too bad Gaila is an idiot and nearly cost them the whole mission.  I’m not the only who thinks so, Leck said it first- “You idiot.”

I have decided that I won’t be drawing anyone’s blood to test whether they are Changelings or not.  No, from now on I will just beat them over the head.  That worked well enough for Moogi, it will work for me.

I can just imagine what Nog was thinking when he peeked out the doors to find Jem’Hadar soldiers lining the promenade- “Fuuuuuuuck....” 

This episode has so many comical moments that it had me laughing all the way through.  Small moments such as the one where Quark and Rom accidently find themselves in Sisko’s quarters:

 "May I help you gentlemen?"
"Must've taken a wrong turn."
"It looks that way."

OR

When Keevan is discovered to have escaped:

“He must have got away while I was sleeping.”- Gaila. – Oh Gaila, you idiot...OF COURSE HE DID!

OR

When the group decided to continue to fight, especially for an equal share of 50 bars of latinum:

“It always comes down to profit with you people, doesn’t it?”- Quark.- HA!  Why yes Quark, I believe it does.

OR

Brunt’s assessment of the team:

"A child... a moron... a failure... and a psychopath. Quite a little team you have put together..!"- Brunt. Yeah, ‘cause you’re so much better yourself Brunt.  Go suck a toad.  (I would just like to point out that I think Jeffrey Combs is a wonderful actor.  If it wasn’t for the credits, you’d never know that Weyoun and Brunt are played by the same actor- amazing!)

OR

Quark trying to find a common ground with Yelgrun:

“Family.  You undersand”- Quark

“Not really.  I was cloned.”- Yelgrun

Haha- I LOVED this episode!

A little side note- I’m not sure if this point will become a storyline in future episodes, but I thought it was pretty important that a reconnaissance mission made it behind enemy lines and back.  I was kind of uncertain why that fact was brought up and then never discussed again.  Maybe it’s being left for another episode...

LLAP

-B  

With great power comes... something...

6x09 - "Statistical Probabilities"

Notable Dialogue:

BASHIR: It's not our place to decide who lives and who dies! We're not gods!
JACK: Maybe not, but we're the next best thing.
BASHIR: Can you hear yourself? That's precisely the kind of thinking that makes people afraid of us!

Trivia Note: This episode was directed by Anson Williams, "Potsie" of Happy Days.

"Statistical Probabilities."  One of my favorite episodes of season six.  Just a word of warning: season six is absolutely bursting with great episodes, and thus you will read the phrase "one of my favorite episodes" often in my writings.  Ironically enough, season six also contains my least favorite episode of the series, but there is plenty of time to get to that.

The episode begins with the "Jack Pack" having already arrived on the station.  This is my favorite kind of story-telling: rather than having Bashir read about their various problems before they arrive, as the script was originally written, we get to learn about Jack, Patrick, Sarina and Lauren through their own actions and dialogue.  Too often, television and films feature mindless exposition.  Don't tell us, show us!  That's what the medium of film does best!

I really enjoy the "Jack Pack" characters.  Tim Ransom as Jack is especially terrific, but Patrick's child-like personality is also extremely entertaining and well-portrayed.  Rounding out the guest cast, of course, is Casey Biggs as Gul Damar, and Jeffrey Combs as Weyoun.  Solid as ever, it's always a pleasure to see these recurring characters.  I wonder how Damar will fare as leader of the Cardassian Union?  And, possibly equally important: is he still drinking?  If so, why?  I wonder...  And just what DID become of Dukat?  Is he still languishing in one of Deep Space Nine's holding cells?  Time, as always, will tell.

Coincidently, I am currently reading Foundation by Isaac Asimov, a great science fiction novel written in the 50s.  The plot is based around a branch of mathematics called "psychohistory," whereby practicioners in the field are able to predict the future and determine that galactic civilization will fall within three-hundred years, leading to a dark age for humanity that will last thirty-thousand years.  I'm only a few chapters in, but I wonder if the plot will reveal that one person is able to thwart those calculations, in much the same way Sarina Douglas was able to thwart Jack's plans in "Statistical Probabilities"?

This episode also happens to be one of Alexander Siddig's favorites.  One interesting comment he had about the patients in the episode: "They might not have been misfits if they had not been put away for such a long time."  Food for thought.

Also, I wish to point out that during this episode, the four of them were kept in Deep Space Nine's cargo bay.  What does that say about how the mentally ill are treated in this supposedly utopian society?  I'm not making any sort of point; I'm just asking a question.

In any case, a solid episode, and a terrific Bashir episode.  One of my favorites!

9.5/10

Next time: "The Magnificent Ferengi"

It Only Takes One

Statistical Probabilities

“One person changed your plans.  One person changed the course of history.”- Bashir

I just want to start off saying that I really loved this episode.  It wasn’t because it was filled with action or because it had a strong emotional storyline that challenged me and made me cry.  No, I loved this episode because a lot of it reflects what see and talk about in my social work classes on a daily basis. 

The struggle to figure out what to do with people who are outside the norm is one that social workers deal with on a daily basis.  Of course, we deal more with people who are outside the norm in a negative way than with people like Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking, who would be considered positively outside the norm.

There is a very age old argument about what to do with people who are considered mentally disabled or mentally ill.  We have the power to decide who is mentally ill and incapable of living on their own.  We have a tendency to limit what they are allowed to do.  We still do this day in and day out in our society.  We set boundaries and limits to what people with mental disabilities or mental illness can do.  While sometimes it may be done in their best interest, sometimes allowing them a chance is well worth the risk you take.  And sometimes it’s not.  It’s really about self determination and worth of person.  I have personal experience with mentally disabled and mentally ill family members.  It’s really hard to decide just what kind of freedom you can give them while still trying to keep them safe.  It’s not an easy task and I don’t wish it on anyone.

For this reason, I absolutely loved the scene with the main cast sitting around discussing the situation.  What exactly is the right way to deal with these people who have been genetically engineered?  Do they get locked up and kept from everyone else because they are different?  Do we keep them from experiencing the same opportunities afforded to everyone else just because they are different?  Do we live in fear of them and thus keep them locked away?  There are just so many questions that a person has to consider when dealing with situations like this.  I loved that Bashir made the point that these people shouldn’t be held back because their parents broke the law.  And what if they could make an enormous contribution to society?  What then?  Do we still keep them locked away because we fear them?  All great thought provoking questions.  Did I mention that I loved this episode?

In this case, I think that what Bashir was able to do for them was fantastic.  He got them focused and feeling like they were contributing, that they weren’t just mutants.  I’m aware that it backfired a little bit but it seemed to work out in the end.  I think that’s a risk that more people need to take.  Knowing that it might backfire should not always stand in the way of giving someone that feeling of worth.  Sometimes the benefits really do outweigh the risks.  I think this something we tend to forget when we are trying to protect our loved ones and other people out there. 

I also very much enjoyed the personal struggle that Bashir went through.  Not because I’m a sadist, but because what he went through felt like something that would actually happen in that kind of situation.  When bombarded with information and statistics from people you perceive as experts, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless- especially when that information isn’t good news.  But what science sometimes fails to account for, is the human spirit and just what we can do when the odds are stacked against us.  I’m glad that Sisko could still find hope and courage to stand up to the Dominion- even if he was feeling slightly alarmed at the DNA group’s statistics.  Bashir on the other hand, seemed very hopeless.  It was sad to see his face express such sadness and that loss of hope.  I was very happy that he realized by the end of the episode, that statistics can only account for so much and they do not always account for everything.  Science is wonderful and I love it but I have to admit, I love people more- they can be wondrous at times.

And now for a few random thoughts:

1.) The actors who played the DNA patients were wonderful.  The actor who played Jack was just great.  I really like Patrick too.  I loved how he danced around the room by himself, it made me laugh.  I also loved the one comeback line Jack had:

“I turned you down didn’t I?” “And you’re still regretting it!”- HA, I loved it.  I want to use that one day.

I actually really loved the celebration scene- I felt so bad for Patrick when he was crying.  And I loved how O’Brien pretended to be there to fix a power coupling because he missed Bashir.  I think I am going to pretend that I have a meeting or appointment in GP just so that I can go visit my friends!

2.) Damar is in charge!  And Weyoun still gives me the creeps!  I wonder how that relationship will work out...  I am also curious as to what has become of Dukat...

3.) Jacks theory that it was better to lose 2 billion rather than 9 billion people just didn’t sit right with me.  I’m glad his plan was thwarted.

4.) I kind of hope that the DNA patients do come up with something that will help the Federation defeat the Dominion. 

Also: OMG A BASHIR EPISODE!!!  It feels like forever since we’ve had one!  I missed him, he’s so delicious.  HA!

LLAP

-B

An unfortunately timed episode...

DS9 - 6x08 - "Resurrection"

And, one week later, I finally respond!  I apologize for taking so long, this week has been crazy-busy.

KIRA: "I take it you like him."
QUARK: "Let's just say I like the idea of you with him. But I'll tell you one thing, Major. You'd better brace yourself. You're in for a rough ride."

Ah, "Resurrection."  A somewhat weak link after a string of episodes that make up the epic "Dominion War" arc.  However, I firmly believe that any episode that follows immediately after that arc has an immediate handicap.  The first six episodes of the season flow so well, one into the next, each building on what came before, followed by the wedding episode that had been promised to the audience from the beginning of the arc... and then we get back to one-off episodes.  It's no wonder that many fans felt a little let down.  I think it was inevitable.

That said, there is much that redeems this episode.  As has been stated by Miramanee, Nana Visitor's acting is top notch, and I think that she has really found the 'voice' of Kira by this point in the series.  Also, it was very nice to see Bariel again, even if he's not 'our' Bariel.  Philip Anglim's portrayal of the alternate Bariel Antos was also very good, making the audience believe that this double of Vedek Bariel was a completely different person.

What the writers attempted to do with this episode was ambitious.  Up until now, the mirror universe episodes have followed a certain formula: one or more of our heroes are accidently thrown/intentionally lured into the alternate universe, and they have to figure out how to get back/earn their freedom to return.  This one, however, is unprecedented in that it is actually the mirror universe that is invading our own.  While certainly a unique take on the idea, it felt off, and I felt unable to suspend my disbelief as easily as I was able to with other mirror universe episodes.  Also, as Miramanee demonstrated, there are many that feel the mirror universe idea is a somewhat tired one.  I for one loved the last mirror universe outing ("Shattered Mirror"), and needless to say, Enterprise's two parter "In a Mirror, Darkly" is one of the finest couple of hours of Trek produced since Deep Space Nine went off the air.  However, I can understand the frustration with the alternate universe episodes, especially when there is so much story to explore in our own universe.  There will be only one more DS9 sojourn into the mirror universe, season seven's "The Emperor's New Cloak."

All in all, not a terrible episode, just not one of my favorites, which may be judged harshly due to its position relative to other episodes.

Short and Sweet

Resurrection

I apologize for the large gap in reviews!  I’ve been a little preoccupied as of late with a little game called Left 4 Dead (1&2).  Since I am trying to balance school, finding a job, watching Star Trek and playing Left 4 Dead, sometimes I get behind in one or the other.  But I finally watched this episode and I am ready to comment.

Kertrats, I see what you mean when you say this isn’t one of your favourites.  I found the episode kind of slow and not as exciting as the previous episodes in the season.  I was excited to see that LeVar Burton directed this episode.  I was not as excited that it was another alternate universe episode.  I thought one was cool.  I thought two was kind of neat.  But now it feels drawn out and not as unique.  It was kind of interesting that they brought back Bareil though.  I never thought I’d see him again! 

I was excited that we finally got to see inside of the Bajoran shrine.  I kept waiting for that moment when we’d get to see inside and I was really happy that this episode did that. 

I really enjoy the friendships that have developed on this show.  I really enjoy Dax and Kira together.  Their conversations feel so real.  They actually talk about things that girls talk about.  I find that a lot of shows get the relationships between girls wrong and it bothers me.  This relationship just feels real and I really enjoy watching them together.  I also enjoy Kira and Bashir’s relationship.  I thought it was hilarious that Bashir was inquiring about Kira’s night with Bareil.  I probably wouldn’t think it was as funny if Kertrats had not informed me that the two were actually dating in real life at the time.  It adds a little humour to the situation.

I like Quark, I really do.  This episode highlighted the fact that he’s not just a latinum hungry Ferengi.  He’s so perceptive at times and I think it adds so much to his character.  I love how the writers have developed his character into something so much more than a bar owner. 

I was a little unsure of how I felt about Kira’s relationship with the Bareil from the other universe.  It felt kind of creepy at first but then it almost felt right.  I just thought it was kind of creepy how immediate her strong attraction to Bareil was.  Just because she had dated the other Bareil and he was dead and it kind of felt like she was attracted to him because of her feelings for the old Bareil.  I am sure this probably played a part but as the episode progressed it felt more like she liked him for who he was and not because he looked like the dead Bareil.  I don’t know if I’ve explained myself properly, and I just want to make sure that it is understood that I wasn’t judging Kira for her actions. 

Anyways, I know this is short but I can’t think of much to say about this episode.   It wasn’t a terrible episode, just slower than the ones previous.  I liked it just fine.