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
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