Woot Worthy

Favor the Bold

So much was going on this episode, it’s hard to decide what to write about!  But man, this is some of the best television I have ever watched- it’s so entertaining!

So many story lines...where to start...

I’ll begin with Odo.  You can see in this episode that he is struggling with his loyalties to the Federation and Bajor and with his newfound sense of self, that the female Changeling has brought him.  You can see it in his face. He does realize what he has done and he tries to apologize for it.  I loved Kira’s response to his apology “We are way, way past sorry.”  It was a very powerful line and you understand just how hurt Kira is.  Odo knows what freedom means to the solids and he knows how they respond when it is taken away.  You can see he is torn between what the female Changeling thinks is best for the solids, and what he knows they feel is best for them.  You can see that he wants the solids to be free; he just doesn’t know how to make that happen. 

Quick question- did I misunderstand or did Odo get it on with the female Changeling?

Oh and Dan, after watching this episode and reading your last comment, I have one thing to say to you:  Hey!  “You are a Changeling.  You are timeless”.  You line stealer!  ;)

I will now move on to Kira and what it must be like for her to live on that station, surrounded by Cardassians and Dominion soldiers every day.  I mean, to be wrapped up in a world where you fight your own beliefs, your own values on a day to day basis.  What kind of strength does it take to keep quiet and not say anything?  To have to silence yourself for fear of execution.  To go through that struggle every day and still get up in the morning- now that takes one strong person.   Also, to feel so betrayed by your best friend, I just can’t imagine.  This episode really showcased just how far her limits are being stretched.  She did stand up to Damar (at great risk to herself), not only beating the crap out of him but with one of the best lines of the episode:   “You don’t like my attitude Damar?  You’re welcome to try and change it.”  I let out a “fuck yeah”- I couldn’t restrain myself.

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again- there seems to be a small but noticeable dissidence between the Founders and their Dominion soldiers.  There is noticeable dissension between the ranks.  I could see an uprising or a movement to overthrow the Founders in the future. 

I am including the Vorta in with the soldiers because, while they may not fight, they are the ones behind the scenes pulling the strings.  Even as Weyoun states, “Gods don’t make mistakes”, he also doesn’t fully believe it.  That is evident in his next line “Though ...sometimes... I think it would be nice to be able to carry a tune.”  If he truly believed they made no mistakes, he would not think it might be nice to be able to carry a tune, he would just accept it-he would not question the Founders.  When he talks about being genetically engineered, it is not with reverence and awe but with a slight resentment.  He tends to point out where the Founders have failed- the Vorta have no sense of aesthetics, they have poor eye sight.  Weyoun does not keep it a secret that he wishes there were parts of him that were better.  If you take into account the questioning on behalf of both the Vorta and the Jem’Hadar, you begin to see a different side of the Dominion.  I see them less as evil servants but more as victims of cruel genetic engineering.  It’s hard to pity the enemy... but sometimes I do. 

While I’m on the subject of dissidence, I noticed in this episode, more than previous ones, how much resentment the Cardassians have for the Dominion.  I have a feeling that we could see a huge struggle for power between the two.  The Cardassians want to rule the Alpha Quadrant and the Dominion wants to rule the whole galaxy (or so it seems).  I can see some issues there.  I’m not sure who would win that fight but I have a sneaking suspicion that it wouldn’t be the Cardassians. 

There are a few relationships that I would like to comment on, Quark and Rom and Dukat and Ziyal.  I have always loved Quark and Rom’s relationship.  They genuinely love each other and it’s just so cool and humorous when the writers focus on their relationship.  The way in which those two actors respond to one another, is just great.  Their timing is just so dead on and hilarious.  The scene in the holding cell is funny and moving.   “Isn’t your life worth two years?”- HA!  Quarks insistence that he will get Rom out, no matter what it takes, is just so telling of his feelings for Rom.  I’d do the same for any one of my siblings.

Dukat and Ziyal on the other hand have a rather tumultuous relationship. “I love you.  No wait...I hate you.”  I’m not sure how this relationship will turn out but I fear it won’t end well.  I like Ziyal and I was kind of happy that she walked away from her father in this episode, but I have a feeling that it won’t last.  And even if it does, Ziyal is still going to be extremely hurt by it all.

And now I will just comment on a few of the smaller parts of the episode that I noticed.

 

I see Garak is getting a taste of his own medicine.  Apparently, it isn’t so much fun being interrogated.   Hmm...I wonder if he will be influenced by this turn of events or not...?   

Here are a few of the “woot” worthy things I noticed.  Nog is an ensign now- woot!  I’m so happy for him!  Way to go Nog!  Sisko's back on the Defiant- woot!  I’m happy to see our captain back on his ship, he looks good there. 

I love the screen shots of all the ships- they never cease to amaze and enthral me.  There is something about seeing that many ships, that just gets the heart pounding and your pulse racing.  Does it to me every time.   Love it.

Also- who knew Morn would become so vital without ever muttering a word?!?!  Pretty cool.

I thought it was an interesting plot point to fit in just how much Sisko loves Bajor.  It really becomes clear that he isn’t just fighting for the Federation, or for Earth, or for Jake, but for something that also means so much to him- Bajor.  With all that to fight for, he won’t stand to lose.  Really gives the viewer a sense of renewed confidence that Sisko will win this war.  

I do have one question at the end of all this:  Why don’t we see much of Julian?  He’s had what, three or four lines the entire episode?  He also hasn’t had much in the way of lines or screen time in the last three episodes.  Was anything going on at the time that prevented Alexander from acting?

And to cap off this ridiculously long review, I’d like to leave you with my reaction to the opening scene where the Klingons destroy the Jem’Hadar:

Fist pump, little dance.. . “Ooooo, go Klingons, it’s your birthday- save the Defiant, destroy the Jem’Hadar.”  It’s not exactly in tune but I like it.

Oh and Dan, I’m sure you can just imagine my reaction to seeing this at the end of the episode.  BAH!

LLAP

-B

Kanar with Damar... Hey that rhymes!

Behind the Lines

Oooo Rom, you sneaky devil you.  Stealing Damars padd, tsk, tsk.  I love it!  And then leaving it for the Jem’Hadar to find, absolutely brilliant!   It would appear that Rom has successfully driven a rift between the Cardassians and the Jem’Hadar.  My fondness for that Ferengi grows all the time.

Weyouns one line reminds me of that song Dori sings on Finding Nemo- “Just keep smiling, just keep smiling”...  I pictured him breaking out into that song and bobbing around.  It was a welcome sight in my mind, I laughed. 

I was a little shocked to see the female changeling.  It must be really hard for Odo to have to choose between who he really is and who he has become.  To have that constant need for something that the solids can’t offer him.  To have such a strong experience through the link and not have anyone understand.  “A drop becomes the ocean.  The ocean becomes a drop.”  It must be so powerful for him.  I can somewhat understand why he'd long to be a part of the link and why it is so attractive to him.

Odo’s words hit a little close to home. 

Female changeling: “You love her.”

Odo: “I wish I didn’t.  I’m so vulnerable to her.  All she has to do is smile at me and I’m happy beyond reason.  A minor disagreement between us and I’m devastated.  It’s absurd.  Sometimes, I wish I could reach inside myself and tear out my feelings for her.  But I can’t. ”

I’ve been there.  I've experienced those feelings and it’s horrible.  I really feel for Odo.

I wish Sisko was going with the rest of the crew on the Defiant- I like it when they’re all together.  I'm a little sad that he was reassigned.  He looks almost sad when he says goodbye to the crew and he stays behind.  He looked a little more content at the end of the episode when Dax carried out the same ritual he had been performing.  I think that’s an awesome ritual, it helps to keep the crew morale up.

Ha! I like drunk Quark.  Kanar with Damar- that rhymes!  I love it!

I’m really looking forward to the whole crew being all together again.  This going back and forth between Starfleet and DS9 is starting to bug me.  However, I do remember Dan telling it wouldn't happen right away, so I guess I'll just have to wait.

  

I have a hard time believing that Odo has just quit caring all together.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the female changeling has done something to him.  The Odo I know would never let Rom get caught.

I could almost feel Kira’s rage.  I’ve been angry at characters before, but I’m not sure I’ve ever been this angry.  I wanted to scream at Odo.  Nana Visitor is such an amazing actress!  And Rene Auberjonois is also amazing.  The two of them together in that last scene is just wonderful.  

Directed by LeVar Burton- I had a feeling from the moment I saw that credit, that this was going to be a good episode.  And it was!

So far, I’ve really been enjoying season 6.  I may only be four episodes in but if it keeps going like this, I can tell I’m really going to love this season.  I even sit through all the opening credits just to get a longer experience.  I was trying to explain DS9 to a TNG fan the other day.  I found myself getting all worked up and I had to apologize.  She laughed at me and said it was cool, she could tell I was passionate about it.  Who knew that would happen?!?!  I blame Dan. 


LLAP
-B

Kirkaturk Reviews TNG: The Mind's Eye (4x24) (2/2)

The crew brings back one of the Federation phasers that were employed by the Klingon rebels to test its authenticity. Seems like a pretty good idea, you want to make sure these guns aren't just forgeries, right?

Geordi LaForge, chief engineer of the Federation flagship and Data, lieutenant commander with an IQ of, like, a hojillion, are obviously the resident weapons experts and therefore the best choice to dick around with a space gun. The Hardy Boys shit out a bunch of technobabble about phase variances and efficiency ratings, and eventually realize that the weapon was built by the Romulans. Totally out of left field!

They present their claims to the skeptical Klingon governor and Geordi creepily leers at everyone. Picard seems to be in this scene, and every other in this particular episode, because they didn't have anything else for him to do and it would seem strange if he just spent the episode jerking off in his office. My favorite instance of this is during the climax of this episode where he just drones on in the background while the plot races to its conclusion.

Oh also there's a minor plot thread about some E-band transmissions or something, obviously commands being sent to Geordi's VISOR. Data can't seem to figure out where they're coming from and presents a possible fix. Riker, feeling like he hasn't really done anything over the past few days, aggressively tells data to "Do it." and then thumps off to go shove his sexual predator hands down some shirts in Ten Forward.

We now finally get to see the results of the mental conditioning the Romulans forced Geordi through as he shoves a bunch of Bic lighters into a hockey card tray. Apparently that's how you delete computer logs. Then he transports some phasers down to the Klingon colony to further disrupt relations between the Empire and the Federation, and then strolls up to the bridge as if nothing happened. The Klingon governor is pissed, and the vagina on his forehead is just throbbing when he calls up the Enterprise on his electric picture phone. A few Klingon ships show up and menacingly sit in a row. Tension!

The bridge crew figures out that someone did, in fact, transport some shit from the Enterprise and attempts to track it. They finally get some use out of that big ass display of the Enterprise layout in engineering by showing the power distribution across the ship. If you look closely, you can spot the only toilet on the ship. Blind Sherlock and White Sherlock race down to Cargo Bay 4 to run a level motherfuckin' 1 diagnostic on some computer panels and see who perpetrated this nefarious crime. Turns out hiding a transport is some pretty hard shit and only four people know how to do it. Everyone capable lays down a pretty solid alibi except Geordi, but he's not questioned further because Worf is fucking stupid along with everyone else involved in that conversation. Geordi and Data poke their noses back into the isolinear chip closet and murmur about how they're gonna get out of this pickle!

Wait, hold up a second.

You've got like fifty gold shirts in Cargo Bay 4 climbing over everything and stumbling around like toddlers, waving around little magic wands and hootin' about a bunch of chips getting fucked with. I realize this show isn't exactly CSI but it's called motherfucking finger prints, you assholes. And what the hell kind of ship is this that it doesn't have video camera logs that can be deleted ONLY by command staff? Go fuck yourself, Enterprise. You were designed by morons, for morons and this is exemplified by your lack of a decent pub that isn't full people wearing dinner plates on their heads as hats.

Anyway, guys can't figure shit out cause they suck and the situation worsens. Then we're treated to the plot twist:

Geordi shows up at Ambassador Kell's quarters where Kell commands him to assassinate the Klingon Governor when he comes to visit the ship in a short while. Kell is working for the Romulans! Crazy, I pegged him as a guy that would be staunchly against enormous shoulder pads. Geordi understands, leaves, and Kell settles into his delicious looking meal of spiders and the grease generated by two hogs fucking or whatever it is that Klingons eat. I loved whenever the Star Trek writers tried to throw down a little more flavor about Klingon culture because it seemed like they just prefixed 'Blood' to a word and called it a day. Wanna get drunk with some Klingons? Order up some bloodwine. Want to relax with some Klingons? Head to the holodeck and shout "Computer, Blood Tennis. Four players. Final Destination.".

Next up, Geordi is in bed, looking all frail and curled up like some sort of fetal leaf. He calls up Chief O'Brien upon waking up and then realizes he can't quite enunciate the deep, throbbing attraction he has for the man. It seems the Romulans loaded him down with more than just Assassinry 101...

Geordi heads to sickbay and Crusher runs her little flashlight over him and then tells him to chew some valerian root and get some rest. Go fuck yourself, Beverly. I realize that doctors in the 21st Century can only prescribe some aspirin and rest when they don't know what the hell is wrong with someone, but I'd like to think that in the 24th century the medicine of insomnia has progressed a bit little beyond "Deal with it you whiny piece of shit.". Beverly: Your mincing son can model a fucking brain becoming addicted to a shitty ultimate frisbee game inside of the computer, and you can't figure out why this guy is broken? You are a bad doctor and you should feel bad about your shortcomings. I guess she didn't have Ashley Judd to help out but that's still pretty weak, Crusher.

The Klingon governor shows up and they head over to Cargo Bay 4. Meanwhile, Data tells Riker that the E-Band emissions are coming from onboard the shiiiiip. Data adorably doesn't put all of the ongoing current events together and has to have Commander Beard put two and two together for him. Data realizes the emissions are brain wave patterns that could be picked up by Geordi's VISOR and, of course, heads to see Geordi in order to confr- wait, no, he goes to the shuttle bay and starts tearing apart the shuttle Geordi used to go to Risa. Stupid, but I guess it was necessary to cause some tension in the next scene: We see Geordi menacingly walking to Cargo Bay 4 through a fisheye lens (The official lens of insanity), ready to pop a cap into the Klingon governor.

But he's interrupted by Chief O'Brien, that lovable Irish scamp! This buys Data the agonizingly long time he needs to figure out that yes, god damnit, you need to call up security and have them lock up Geordi. Oh wait, that's not what he does - he tries calling up Geordi for like five fucking minutes. Geordi doesn't respond! Oh shit! Data then gets Worf, who tries to stop Geordi. All this time Geordi has been slowly shuffling his feet toward the governor like the expert assassins of Geriatrica II, preparing to strike. At the last moment, Picard swoops in and stops the phaser blast. Suspicion is cast upon Ambassador Kell and, like a Scooby Doo villain, he's seized by a couple Klingon cops and goes "Wuh Woh!" while looking at the camera.

Picard delivers an awesome line at this point and basically condemns Ambassador Kell to be tortured for the rest of his life. Stone cold, Picard. Stone cold.

Finally, Counsellor "Tube Top" Troi sits down with Geordi and tries to help him reconstruct his memories of being abducted and reconditioned. They make a little progress and Geordi cries a little bit under his VISOR because it strikes him that his little nerd dick did not, in fact, get sucked.

In the end, Geordi has to deal with this terrible burden of not being able to trust his own memories and the Enterprise cruises on through space. Geordi, a command officer aboard the flagship, can no longer be trusted and is taken off active duty, transferred to Starbase 364, and undergoes intensive therapy. His future career in Starfleet is left in doubt.

Haha, just kidding. Two weeks later he's still in charge of engineering and has access to all sorts of sensitive information. Starfleet is the fucking worst and this episode is a 7.65/10.

Final Verdict: Pretty Good, I Guess, If You're Into That Sort Of Thing, You Know, Science Fiction.

Kirkaturk Reviews TNG: The Mind's Eye (4x24) (1/2)

"The Mind's Eye" is one of those episodes that, at first glance, seems like a complex mystery plot with a dash or two of political intrigue. When we examine it a bit more closely, however, it's pretty damn simplistic and practically yells the plot out to the viewer. There is one plot twist, but it's not that big of a deal. That's not to say it isn't a good episode - how could an episode about a blind guy with Asperger's Syndrome not be great?

So check it - Picard has sent Geordi LaForge, chief engineer of the Enterprise, to an artificial intelligence seminar on Risa. Why he's sending the chief engineer and not, for example, the artificial intelligence acting as Lieutenant Commander on his ship is a mystery to me. Picard told Geordi to get there a few days early in order to enjoy himself and maybe stop obsessing about warp engines for a little while.

We join Geordi as he relaxes onboard a shuttle and slams back a few drinks, listening to some totally boss spanish guitar. Geordi calls up Majel Barrett on the computer and asks what the weather is like on Risa, and is informed that the weather there is climate controlled and quite awesome.

Risa is the number one tourist and shore leave destination in the entire Federation. Everybody busts ass all year onboard their respective ship just so they can get a couple of free lovin' days on what they may as call Eroticon VI. It's pretty telling of Geordi's nerd-dom if he knows absolutely nothing about it. Geordi is the sort of guy that, if he were alive today, would Google "what is a cover charge?".

Anyway, a Romulan warbird shows up and Geordi clumsily pounds on his control panel in an attempt to escape. His shields fail (No, they aren't shot at, they just... fail.) and he's whisked aboard the IRW Fuckboat. Roll opening credits.

Meanwhile, in the sub-plot...

So the Enterprise is giving a ride to a Klingon Ambassador Kell over to the Kriosian system, which is right on the border between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. They're trying to gain independence because blah blah oh my god who cares. The long and short of it is that the governor of the colony thinks the Federation is feeding the rebels weapons and whatnot, and Kell is heading over to ease some tensions. As a side note, Kell has the body of the Michelin Man.

Back to Geordi. As a trained military man, Geordi knows what to do when captured by enemy forces - writhe around like a child and crack really awful jokes when you're trapped into a torture chair. They jack his VISOR and plug him into their little neural viewfinder. Geordi says "Oh my god everything is pictures of C-Sections why are you doing this to me?", while the Romulan officer strokes his Fu Manchu and cackles about Flash Gordon. Oh and they send a duplicate Geordi to Risa to get laid in his stead. I hope this doppleganger has an equally extensive knowledge of Warhammer figurines!

As he's torturing Geordi, the Romulan officer kindly explains to the viewer at home (Represented here by Tasha Y- Uh, I mean Sela.) that he's going to use Geordi as an untraceable assassin through the use of his neural implants. Okay, so hold up here... is this the Romulan dude's first pitch to his superior officer? Was he like "Hey, I have a great idea on how to assassinate someone, but you gotta capture this blind guy first."? It seems like this is his first time explaining the plan to Sela... the IRW Fuckboat must be a pretty lax ship. And Sela is a bit overly critical about the whole thing, as if she's expecting him to trip and fall over his shoelaces at any moment. This is not a good military operation.

Anyway, the scene ends with Geordi being shown more scat porn.

Back on the Enterprise, Kell and Worf butt heads about the Federation possibly supplying the rebels in the Kriosian system. They also make some references to other episodes about Worf and his dealings with the high council. Alright whatever.

Next up, Geordi gets back from his vacation! Wait a minute, what are Romulans doing in Ten Forward? Oh, I see - it's a simulation! Oh ho ho, you Star Trek writers know how to fake a guy out. The Romulan dudes command Geordi to shoot Chief O'Brien and, after some hesitation, totally blows his phaser-wad all over Colm Meaney's chest. And then he sits down with the two men O'Brien had been enjoying a drink with, who don't seem phased at all by what just happened. I like to imagine that's how they would actually react in real life, since the bridge crew on the Enterprise seems to get away with all sorts of awful shit.

So Geordi gets back to the Enterprise with no idea that he's been tortured for the past few days. We're treated to a hilaaaarious scene between Geordi and Data where Data doesn't get a joke and awkwardly reiterates how it could be construed as funny. Really, Star Trek writers? Still pulling out that chestnut in Season 4? Alright whatever. Geordi hits up the bridge, meets up with the A-Team and Ambassador Kell, and then totally brags to Counsellor Troi that he got his geeky dick sucked on Risa. And that's how you know his story was a fabrication!

During this whole scene Geordi is carrying his little duffelbag and I really wish the producers had been brave enough to go with their original plan of him wearing a Hawaiian shirt the whole time. Instead, we're stuck with boring ol' gold.

So now Picard and Riker are down on the Klingon colony and the governor is losing his shit about finding Federation weapons on some rebels. Picard plays it off cool and says "Hey, listen, we ain't involved in this shit. I don't hang out with those dudes.", but the Klingon governor says he lies like a Tah-Keck, which is the Klingon word for 'woman'. Picard spits that shit back in his face and cusses him out like a Klingon-Italian and things settle down a bit. Sure whatever.

Back on the Enterprise, Geordi is back in the saddle and annoying the shit out of his engineering by constantly cracking jokes about how he was JUST ON RISA, GUYS! OH MAN I SHOULD GO BACK AND LIVE THERE, HAHA. Anyone who has ever had a friend go on vacation has experienced this, and it's infuriating to listen to. Yeah, you got your chest licked by some Risian ladyboy, we get it, sir. If Geordi ever becomes cool enough to smoke weed or, heaven forbid, sip some of his dads beer, he's going to call up everyone he knows to let them know just how high and/or drunk he is right now, man.

He then heads over to Ten Forward and, in some sort of Freudian drink-slip, spills his booze all over... Chief O'Brien! There's some weirdness going on here! What's gonna happen next? A staff briefing? Perhaps... a level 3 diagnostic?

Continued in Part 2

Understanding and Predictability.

Sons and Daughters

Aww, I love Jadzia and Worf!!  They are so good together!

It took me a minute to realize they’d be rescued.  I totally forgot that the last time I saw the DS9 crew they were stranded on a remote planet.  It’s been a few days since I watched that episode and I am tired.

Alexander is back!  It’s too bad he doesn’t look the same.  I have a question; did the timeline jump ahead a lot?  Alexander just seems too old already. 

There was a moment when Kira, Odo, Jake and Quark are all gathered around the table at Quarks, when I felt like there was a deep understanding of the situation between all four characters.  Now I know that they all understand what is going on but it just felt different this time.  When Quark tells Kira that Dukat will be arriving soon and there is look on everyone’s face of dread, stress and a tiredness that I can’t quite explain.  I don’t know, maybe I’m way out to lunch but it just felt good to see them all together and kind of having sympathy and understanding for each other.   You also get to see just how much Dukat is wearing on Kira and I can’t help but feel sorry for her.  I can’t imagine being in that situation.

Ziyal reminds me of an abuse victim who keeps going back to her abuser because she believes he has changed.  I realize that it must be hard to believe that your father could be a horrible person (or in this case, a Cardassian) but she seems to be setting herself up to be hurt all over again. 

That was quite the look of horror on Kira’s face when she realized she actually liked Dukats dress.  I think she handled the situation quite well.  Oh what a creep Dukat is.

I enjoyed the story with Worf and Alexander, although I felt it was quite predictable.  I was hoping it wouldn’t be and that something totally unexpected would happen, but no.  It was still interesting to watch them reunite after so much time apart.  I am looking forward to seeing how their relationship will develop over the course of the rest of the season.  That is of course, assuming that this won’t be another Star Trek introduction to a storyline only to never be mentioned again.  This episode reminded me of the episode where Alexander returns to the past to try to make sure that Alexander becomes a warrior.  I think he might be pleased with how things appear to have turned out.

Over-all an okay episode.    

LLAP

-B

Anger and Sadness

Rocks and Shoals

The poor Defiant crew, they just can’t seem to catch a break!  I was not expecting any of the main characters to get hurt during the encounter with the Jem'Hadar, so I was a bit shocked when Dax was hurt.  I'm glad she wasn't hurt too bad.

I felt kinda sorry for Aron Eisenberg.  It must have been so hard to swim with all that make-up on.

This may sound really bad, but I thought the scene where they show the ship sinking looked pretty damn cool. I also really enjoyed how, in such a trying situation, they were able to laugh over something as simple as pants being ripped.

I like Garak and Nog's scene.  I laughed just watching Garak freak out a little while Nog purposely stayed behind him.

You get to really see the slight breaks within the Jem‘Hadar in this episode.  They are beginning to question more and more.  They are breaking more orders and it feels like the Vorta and the Founders are losing control over them.  I’m hoping the reliance on the white will help to cause a bigger rift between the Founders and the Jem‘Hadar.  Especially since their main supply was just blown up.  Obedience brings victory. Or not. 

I love how Sisko handles situations.  Sometimes I find myself holding my breath when he talks.  I just get so caught up.  The way he handled the Third Jem’Hadar was just awesome.

I feel sorry for Kira.  This must seem very similar to the Cardassian occupation and she feels so helpless.  I can’t imagine how she must feel...especially after what the Vedek did.  My mouth fell open and I had to pause the episode.  I'm not very good with suicide scenes.

   

The damn Vorta are evil.  Keevan knew exactly what he was doing- asking Sisko to set aside his morals in order to protect his men.  That must be so hard.  Kind of creeps me out how Garak was so willing to do what he was told without a second thought.  I wish the Jem‘Hadar weren’t bred to be so loyal.  There was no need for them all to die.  It makes me so sad and damn angry.  Sisko showed such restraint not killing Keevan, and true character when he ordered a burial for all the Jem’Hadar soldiers.  Good man.  This may make me a bad person, but I kinda hoped that Sisko would shoot Keevan.  I actually wanted him to but at the same time knew that he wouldn't.  I was so angry at that point though, I just wanted to punch Keevan in the face. More than once.  

I really liked this episode.  No, actually, I loved it.     

LLAP

-B  

We're not on DS9 anymore!

A Time to Stand

I'm just going to take a minute, before I begin, to point out one important fact.  Today was the first time I watched an episode of DS9 without Dan and it just isn't the same.  There was no one to pause the episode and give me little bits of extra information.  I miss that!!  I'll take Dan stopping to tell me something and then apologizing for it, any day over no Dan at all!  Anyways, on to A Time to Stand!  

They may not be on DS9 anymore, but I'm happy to see that the Starfleet crew are all still together!!  I got a little giddy when Sisko announced they would all still be together.  Well, with the exception of Worf of course, but he's still kind of part of the crew.  I'm also happy to see that Kira and Odo are speaking and laughing together again!  And who knew Quark would be the one making sense of the Cardassian occupation of DS9?!?!  That guy surprises me all the time, I love him!  I will admit to having a little crush on that Ferengi.  I'm also happy to see that Jake is still alive and not imprisoned. 

Gul Dukat has reached new levels of creepiness.  I actually felt nauseous watching his scenes with Kira.  I can't wait for his downfall.  Creep.  I did laugh when Kira insulted his breath- go Kira!  Did anyone else notice his apparent obsession with Sisko's ball?  

I'm not really fond of what they've done with Bashir's character in this episode.  He appears cold and unfeeling.  I hope the writers fix this.  He did, however, look rather delicious in this scene! 

I really like the conversation that Sisko had with his father.  Sometimes this show makes so much sense and I wish everyone would watch it.  Why the Dominion feels the need to exert its power throughout the Alpha quadrant has always confused me.  What exactly do they want there?  

Anyways, I enjoyed this episode and look forward to watching the rest of season.  I'm excited for Worf and Dax's wedding!  And to see just how everything will turn out.  I have all the faith in the world that O'Brien will fix the warp drive or that someone will rescue the somewhat stranded crew.  I would have gone straight on to the next episode but Dan made me promise to only watch one episode at a time.  I would like to point out Dan, that I'm showing great restraint in keeping this promise.  It's not easy just watching one episode at a time!  You owe me when you get back.  This has been my first reviewing attempt, so if it sucks, just let me know.

LLAP

-B