Friday, July 23, 2010

Classics: DS9 4:3 - Hippocratic Oath

Overall: 7.5

A solid showing that is a bit marred by some uninspiring acting on the part of the guest stars.

Plot Synopsis:

A summary of this episode can be found here courtesy of Memory Alpha.

Writing: 8.5

What should you do when an enemy soldier approaches you and shows signs that he is thinking of betraying his nation? Do you take him at his word? Or do you distrust his sudden show of good will? That is the very interesting question upon which the main plot of this episode is based, and I generally like the way the writers tackle it. I think it makes sense, number one, that O'Brien, the seasoned soldier, would choose suspicion - and he's not exactly unreasonable in making such a choice. It is not unheard of for enemy soldiers to wave the white flag of surrender as a ploy to lure the good guys to their certain deaths. On the other hand, it also makes sense for Bashir, the fresh-faced physician, to choose the optimistic course - and he is no less reasonable in doing so. After all, quite a few enemy soldiers have indeed crossed over in good faith. No matter which side a viewer supports when it comes to Bashir and O'Brien's debate, it is difficult for said viewer to deny that both viewpoints are presented fairly and with careful attention to the habits of mind of the established characters.

I also like the subplot of this episode, as I think it demonstrates the real potential of throwing Worf - who has led a relatively spoiled life on the Federation's flagship - into DS9's fray. Basically, Worf is the city-slicker who has been thrown into a border town that operates on the principals of frontier justice rather than Federation justice; it's no wonder, then, that he's experiencing a little culture shock.

Acting: 6.5

Unfortunately, the Jem'Hadar actors in this episode are, on the whole, pretty wooden. This early on, the guest cast hasn't really discovered how to portray the Dominion's canon fodder in a way that's emotionally interesting. That doesn't start to happen until latter this season.

Message: 7.5

SABR Matt and I tend to lean toward the O'Brien side of the argument - we see no reason to trust the Jem'Hadar at this point in the game - but we appreciate that the writers never clearly stake out a position. I suppose you could argue that the script favors Bashir just slightly, but it should be emphasized that there is no evidence whatsoever that Bashir was actually close to discovering a solution to the Jem'Hadar's addiction to ketracel white - nor is there evidence that all of the Jem'Hadar would've abandoned the Dominion if they were cured of their addiction.

Highlights:

O'BRIEN: Keiko only spends a few days at a time on the station. I'm the one living in those quarters, and if I want to set up a little workshop in the bedroom...
BASHIR: You set up a workshop in the bedroom?
O'BRIEN: Yeah. (A beat) I don't use it when she's visiting.
BASHIR: Of course not.
O'BRIEN She says I'm trying to live like a bachelor again - that I'm expressing a subconscious desire to push her out of our quarters.
BASHIR: Now that is ridiculous!
O'BRIEN: That's what I said!
BASHIR: I mean, if anything, by spending your free time in the bedroom - a place you intimately associate with Keiko - you are actually expressing a desire to be closer to her during her absence. It's quite touching, really.
O'BRIEN: Exactly! Exactly! See, you understand. Now, why can't she see that? Why can't she be more like... (He trails off, suddenly realizing where this conversation is headed.)
BASHIR: More like?
O'BRIEN: (awkward) Well, a man. More like a man.
BASHIR: So you wish Keiko was a man?
O'BRIEN: (suddenly irritated) I wish I was on this trip with someone else. That's what I wish! (LOL!)

BASHIR: He's beginning to question everything he's been taught: blind obedience to the Founders, killing without remorse and the devaluation of other sentient lifeforms. He's developing his own moral structure. It's incredible!
O'BRIEN: Or maybe that's what he wants you to believe. Think about it, Julian: What did he say to you? Federation doctors are trained to feel compassion and sympathy. He's manipulating you! He wants you to work hard and stop trying to escape.
BASHIR: What about saving the life of the wounded Jem'Hadar? I saw the look on their faces. They were shocked at his behavior. I'm telling you, he's changing.
O'BRIEN: All right. Let's say you're right and he's turning into a nice guy. What are you getting at?
BASHIR: I think we should cooperate with him - help him in what he's doing.
O'BRIEN: What?
BASHIR: What makes Goran'Agar different from the others? He's not addicted to the drug. Now if we can get the other Jem'Hadar soldiers off the drug, they may go through a similar change. And with the Jem'Hadar soldiers thinking for themselves, the Founders may suddenly find themselves without an army to give orders to.
O'BRIEN: You're just guessing. You don't know how the other Jem'Hadar will react when they're off the drug. They may go marauding through the galaxy on their own. At least now the Dominion keeps them on a short leash.
BASHIR: They're not animals. They're people being used as slaves. And this is their one chance at freedom.
O'BRIEN: And what are they going to do with that freedom? Stop being so naive, Julian, and look at them for what they are. They're killers. That's all they know how to do. That's all they want to do.
BASHIR: But they have the potential to be so much more. Goran'Agar has shown them that. They just need our help.
O'BRIEN: Well then they should have asked for our help instead of shooting us down and threatening to kill us.
BASHIR: But they didn't know why we were coming. They probably thought we were trying to attack.
O'BRIEN: I can't believe you're making excuses for them!
BASHIR: I'm trying to make you understand there are larger issues here. We're dealing with a complex situation.
O'BRIEN: No, it is not complex. It is simple. Those men out there are Dominion soldiers. We help them, we may end up unleashing the Jem'Hadar against the Federation, and that is a risk I am not willing to take. (A very interesting scene.)

WORF: Captain, there is some information I would like to add to Security Chief Odo's last report. He did not feel it was necessary to include the details of my involvement, but I think you should know that I hindered his investigation.
SISKO: Yes, I heard about what happened. Please, sit. Word gets around in a place like this. It's one of the things you have to get used to.
WORF: One of many things, it seems.
SISKO: Starfleet officers often have trouble learning the unofficial rules of the station. There's no manual to study. You have to learn things as you go. A little different than life on a starship.
WORF: When I served on the Enterprise, I always knew who were my allies and who were my enemies.
SISKO: Let's just say DS9 has more shades of grey. And Quark definitely is... a shade of grey. He has his own set of rules and he follows them diligently. Once you understand them, you understand Quark. I'd say that's true for everyone here. You'll fit in, Commander. Just give it time. (Heh. Yes - this frontier life isn't exactly pristine and orderly.)

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