Overall Rating: 8.7
This is a wonderfully heartfelt little episode...despite it being a bit of a "space danger of the week" (which are usually not all that deep and meaningful), this episode actually manages to advance the relationships between several characters, entertain us and advance the long-running Dominion war arc as well.
Plot Synopsis:
A full recap may be found here courtesy of the DS9 Encyclopedia.
The Skinny:
We have four main plots going on at the same time in this "ship nearly blows up" space adventure. It's actually written with a similar style and direction as the Next Generation episode "Disaster." We have a crew member learning something new about Command in a crisis (Worf trapped in the engine room with a bunch of junior engineers learning how to manage rather than micro-manage vs. Troi on the bridge learning about the pressure of command), crew members trapped and vulnerable (Dax and Bashir cut off from the crew in a room that's getting cold very rapidly vs. Crusher and LaForge in a cargo bay with lethal radiation about to make a very large boom), a command level officer seriously injured (Sisko with a busted head vs. Picard's multiple leg fractures having to climb up a turbolift shaft), and a comedic side plot (Quark and Hanok trying to disarm a dud missile while haggling over Quark's chicanery vs. Warf in 10-forward giving birth to Keiko's first born).
DS9 rises above its' predecessor, however, by giving us real, lasting character development from Dax and Bashir, Kira and Sisko, and even Worf. Where TNG offered us a whiny cry-baby attempting to handle command, DS9 offers us a seasoned veteran teaching a superior officer the ropes in a very even-handed way. Where TNG offered a bunch of technobabble and an admittedly clever solution to Crusher and LaForge's dilemma, DS9 offered us the coming together of two friends and a very mature long term resolution to the question of whether they should become a romantic item. Where TNG offered us Picard learning to handle children (admittedly a worthwhile character development), DS9 offers the hope of faith and the opportunity for increased friendly intimacy between our heroic captain and his first officer. Kira's prayers on the bridge as Sisko lies there near death are among the most moving lines she'll ever utter and her being forced to admit that she cannot separate her faith from her job where the Emissary is concerned will have a permanent and deeply rewarding impact on the rest of the franchise's evolution.
The power of characters who are multifaceted (unlike Troi, who is most assuredly not), enriched with a deep moral compass and spirituality that is proudly on display rather than left to the imagination, and on the whole, entirely likable (even Hanok - a servant of our enemy, though likely not a willing servant - is enjoyable to watch as his character grows in the space of 45 minutes)...yes, this show is filled with real-feeling people doing their best in a bad situation and letting events change them for the better. That's great television. I pushed for this episode as a borderline feature-candidate, but will grudgingly admit it's probably just a shade below the cut for lack of dialogue that sticks with you (other than Kira's prayer).
Writing: 8.5
The plot is thoroughly ordinary and yet thoroughly enjoyable, the characters evolve before our eyes, and the dialogue is technically solid, though lacking in lasting appeal (with the exception of one big scene).
Acting: 8.5
Avery Brooks weakened the impact of Kira's emotional confessions and prayers...he was definitely a bit over the top with his acting out the injury. That said, Nana Visitor was fantastic despite Brooks' efforts to kill their scenes one delicious bite at a time. Meanwhile, Colm Meaney talking authoritatively to a senior officer (and being the better man for it) was fun to watch, Armin Shimerman's portrayal of the Ferengi spirit of tenacity and self-preservation was equally amusing, and watching Alexander Siddig get better with every passing episode is a thing to behold.
Message: 9.0
I love...LOVE...how respectful DS9's writers are to the concept of religious faith. Kira continues to wear her beliefs on her sleeve and the writers continue to portray her as a strong, rational, and morally sound individual while she remains steeped in her faith. Contrast this with Stargate, where every time religion is mentioned, the believers are starting unnecessary wars or impeding progress or just generally being ridiculed. I also enjoy that DS9 is willing to allow for the possibility that a man and a woman can be intimate, good friends even while one of them harbors an ongoing unrequited love for the other (a love that is known by both sides). In this case, Bashir and Dax are placed in a situation where the sci-fi tropes all lead us to believe they will wind up doing the horizontal hokey pokey (emphasis on the pokey. :) ) and the result is a mature discussion full of real emotion and a friendship that grows even stronger...without any poking. That is quite a twist.
Highlights:
DAX: Want one?
KIRA: I'm fasting. Today is Ha'mara.
DAX: Ha'mara?
KIRA: It's the anniversary of the Emissary's arrival. We fast to show our gratitude to the Prophets for sending him to us. Last night, there was a Festival of Lights in the Capital.
DAX: Sounds beautiful. Sorry we missed it.
KIRA: Something tells me the Captain scheduled these negotiations so he wouldn't have to attend.
DAX: Benjamin's never been one for ceremonies, especially where he's the center of attention.
KIRA: Oh, I understand how the Captain feels. Still, it would have meant a lot if the Emissary had been there. (this was a pretty smart little insertion to remind us of the tension between Sisko's Starfleet calling and his spiritual significance to Kira)
DAX: After being stuck in the mess hall all morning with Quark and Hanok, I bet he wishes he had gone.
QUARK: We're gaining altitude.
HANOK: How can you tell?
QUARK: I've got the lobes. You've got them, too. It's an old Ferengi expression. Usually when we say that someone has the lobes, we mean that they have a keen business sense. That's you. I'll admit it. You fooled me. I thought you were just another easy mark. But you saw right through my little scam, and taught me a thing or two about doing business in the Gamma Quadrant. I guess I've gotten lazy. I'm used to dealing with the Federation. If you thought I was cheating you, oh, you have no idea what I was doing to them and they still haven't caught on. If someone like me can put one over on them, think what someone like you could do.
HANOK: Someone with my lobes?
QUARK: Exactly. And I'm just the man to help you do it. we could become rich, rich beyond our dreams.
HANOK: You are despicable.
QUARK: I hate the Gamma Quadrant. (LOL)
KIRA: (regarding Sisko's concussion and sub-cranial bleeding) I'm afraid if he loses consciousness he may slip into a coma, but I don't think I can risk using a stimulant on him.
WORF: You have to keep him awake. Talk to him. Give him something to focus on.
KIRA: All right.
WORF: I will attempt to reach to the Engine Room and take over the ship from there.
KIRA: Good luck. (Worf exits) Captain. Everything's going to be all right but you have to try to stay awake for me. I'm just to keep talking, all right, but you have to listen. It's very important that you listen to me, because there's going to be a test later. (heh...the awkwardness grows...this is very well done)
DAX: Is there anything else I should know?
BASHIR: We only have a few hours of breathable air.
DAX: Thanks, anyway. For trying to rescuing me.
BASHIR: Lot of good it did you.
DAX: I mean it. It's funny. A year ago if you'd have done something like this, I would've thought you were just trying to be a hero.
BASHIR: And now?
DAX: Now that I know you better I realise it was just a really stupid thing to do. (LOL!)
BASHIR: You're welcome. (heh)
KIRA: So I was thinking we could go on a four shift rotation, because that would give people a little more flexibility with their time. There is a downside because that would mean that every shift would have to. What am I doing? I'm supposed to keep you awake, not bore you to tears. I'm sorry. I don't know why this is so hard for me. All I have to do is talk to you. I mean, what do we usually talk about?
SISKO: (painful whisper) We talk about work.
KIRA: You're right. That is what we usually talk about. Even when we're not working. I get the feeling it's not that way between you and Dax, or you and Chief O'Brien. But then, you're not a revered figure in their religions. I know you don't like it when I talk about you as the Emissary, but that's how I think of you. And maybe that's why sometimes it's hard for me to relax around you. (honest, meaningful...I like it)
SISKO: Nerys? (this is an old writer's trick...but a good one...suddenly, the Captain is on a first name basis with his first officer...it shows a new level of intimacy and changes the dynamic)
KIRA: Yes, sir?
SISKO: Tell me a story.
KIRA: All right. All right. Do you know the one about the three brothers who go to Jo'kala?
SISKO: No.
KIRA: They were kava farmers, and one day they go into their field and they see the biggest kava root they'd ever seen. It's as big as a house. That's going to make us rich, said the oldest. So they decided to sell it in the city. (this whole story-telling thing just seems really sweet to me)
WORF: Mister Stevens, recalibrate the structural integrity field to minimise the strain caused by the torpedo.
STEVENS: The field generators are already at their limit compensating for the hull breach on deck two.
WORF: I am aware of the situation. If you cannot carry out my orders, I will find someone who can.
STEVENS: That won't be necessary, sir.
O'BRIEN: Can I have a word with you, sir?
WORF: Of course.
O'BRIEN: With all due respect, I think you're riding the men a bit hard. You have to understand, they're out of their element. They're not bridge officers, they haven't been to Starfleet Academy. They're engineers. They're used to being given a problem to solve, then going out and figuring out how to do it.
WORF: What are you suggesting?
O'BRIEN: Give them a little slack. Ease up on the reins. Let them do what they're good at, and give them a little encouragement now and then. (nicely said)
BASHIR: When I first got to the station, I used to have this fantasy that you and I went off on a runabout together on some mission. Something went wrong with the ship and we ended up drifting around for a few days until they sent someone to rescue us.
DAX: If you don't mind my saying, Julian, that's a very strange fantasy.
BASHIR: It seemed the only way you and I could spend time alone together. You were always avoiding me.
DAX: It's just you came on so strong. You never really gave me a chance to get to know you.
BASHIR: You're right, I didn't. Well, don't worry, Jadzia. It's been a long time since I had that particular fantasy.
DAX: Oh?
BASHIR: You sound disappointed. (LOL!)
DAX: Julian!
BASHIR: That's right. You enjoyed being chased and now you miss it.
DAX: That's preposterous. And if you start chasing after me again
BASHIR: Don't worry, Jadzia. Now I know you liked it, I don't need to, do I? (heh)
KIRA: So the three brothers started arguing about how to divide the money for the kava root. The oldest said that he should get more because it was his idea to sell it in the city, and the youngest objected, saying he was the one to till the...(she sees Sisko slipping into unconsciousness and begins to panic) This can't happen. You can't die. You're the Emissary. There's still so much for you to do. I don't know if this is the right thing to do or not but I'm going to give you a stimulant. Captain, I know my beliefs make you uncomfortable around me sometimes, and that maybe that's why you keep me at arm's length. But I don't care about that right now and I am going pray, because I don't know what else to do. I'm losing you and I can't let that happen. Jia kaja, tre nu tola rem lapor. Ilani kor. Inar tanatali nor. (wow...)
HANOK: One of these diodes connects the warhead to the power source. The other one is the firing mechanism.
QUARK: How do you know that?
HANOK: I saw a design schematic once.
QUARK: Where?
HANOK: At the Ministry of Trade on Karemma. We sell these torpedoes to the Jem'Hadar.
QUARK: I thought you said you never sold substandard merchandise. This was supposed to explode on impact, wasn't it?
HANOK: Maybe I should offer them a refund. (ROTFL!)
KIRA: Jiakaja, tre nutola rem. Lapor ilani kos. Inar jiakaja tre
SISKO: Major?
KIRA: Yes, Captain?
SISKO: What happened?
KIRA: The Jem'Hadar hit us pretty bad and Worf went down to the Engine
SISKO: No, no. What happened to the three brothers?
KIRA: They gave all the money away and went back to the farm where they belonged.
SISKO: It's good. Major?
KIRA: Sir?
SISKO: Tell me another story.
KIRA: I'd love to, sir. (awwww...)
STEVENS: Excuse me, sir. Here's the repair schedule we drew up for the Defiant. With your approval, we thought we'd start by tearing out the ODN lines. They're shot. It'll be easier to get to the manifolds that way. And then we figured we'd
WORF: Proceed at your discretion, Mister Stevens.
STEVENS: Thank you, sir.
WORF: How long will the repairs take?
STEVENS: Sixteen hours.
O'BRIEN: Oh, you can do it in twelve.
STEVENS: Twelve. Sure. No problem.
(Stevens leaves, looking slightly worried.)
O'BRIEN: See? You can give them a little of slack, but you can't take your hands off the reins. (ha! aweomse)
KIRA: The Karemma transport will be here at eighteen hundred hours tomorrow, and the Defiant should be ready to escort them back to the Gamma Quadrant.
SISKO: Good. Major, it occurred to me that we might consider going to a four shift rotation. I think the crew might appreciate more flexibility in their schedules.
KIRA: I'll look in to it first thing in the morning.
SISKO: Major, what are you doing for the next few hours?
KIRA: I'm going off duty, so I thought I'd just relax.
SISKO: Would you like to go to a baseball game?
KIRA: I'd love to, sir.
SISKO: Good. Meet me at holosuite three in half an hour.
KIRA: I'll see you there.
SISKO: Nerys. (Sisko tosses her a baseball cap with a G on it. He puts on the Pike City Pioneers cap.)
SISKO: You'll need one of those. You can get the hot dogs from Quark.
KIRA: Hot dogs?
SISKO: He'll know. (it's just a feel-good episode all around. :) )
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