Classics: DS9 4:9 - Our Man Bashir

Overall: 9.0

Never let it be said that we don't appreciate a fun homage here at Right Fans - particularly one that involves pushing Bashir to the moral edge (within the relatively safe bubble of a fantasy world, of course).

Plot Synopsis:

Memory Alpha has a summary here.

The Skinny:

Stephanie S.: Why does this episode work for me while Little Green Men does not? Both are intended to be lighthearted shout-outs to old films, but I believe Our Man Bashir succeeds where Little Green Men fails because it avoids judging. Garak's snarky comments about the decor and the unrealistic scenarios aside, the overall attitude projected by this episode is one of acceptance. Indeed, Garak explicitly acknowledges the value of Bashir's fantasy by the closing credits. I like that; nothing peeves me off more than a critic dismissing pulpy fiction as mere "escapist commercial lit." Sometimes we need that escape!

So, yes - as SABR Matt says below, this episode is fun. But because this is DS9 - and because this episode features Garak in a prominent role - the writers incorporate some darker elements that are also worth noting. I find it interesting, for example, that Bashir is pushed to the point of shooting Garak to accomplish his objective. Then there's the fact that Bashir decides - again in the service of saving his colleagues - to fall in with "Dr. Noah" and destroy his holonovel world. This episode may be entertaining filler, but it hints at the writers' willingness to explore moral and ethical gray areas.

SABR Matt: This is not a deep episode. The message (don't forsake your imagination and your deeper fantasies and stick with utilitarian, linear thinking...that is in fact one of humanity's great strengths...our dreams of grandeur lead to all of the progress we've ever made as a species) is not meant to be all-reaching or fancy. This show is just...FUN! And, as I've said before...fun is just as valid a goal as enlightenment when it comes to television, and especially science fiction (our works of escapism!). In this case, the fun is the lighthearted poke at the spy genre (particularly James Bond, though Bond ripped on Bond much better in its' 10th release: Moonraker - I *highly* recommend you watch that movie...it's PRICELESS!). Most high concept spoofs don't work in Trek, but the DS9 writers always seem to pull them off. Why? Because they can freakin' WRITE! Their use of language is equally skilled in comedic timing and panache as it would be in the best dramatic episodes.

Writing: 9.5 / 10.0

The script for this episode does not excite me quite as much as the script for, say, Duet in terms of its plot, characterization, concepts, and language, but it is great good fun. Garak's "real spy" perspective in particular is used to excellent effect. Whether he's pressuring Bashir to consider cutting his losses or rolling his eyes over Bashir's seduction of Honey Bare (ha, what a name!), Garak consistently proves that his presence in the narrative is justified.

SABR Matt Chimes In: You gotta love this script - I especially love how Bashir uses Garak's (misguided) speech as he plunges Earth into ruin - what perfect symmetry. :D The "badness" of this episode is clearly intentional at all times. The goofy, Bond-esque one-liners, ridiculously bad science, and poorly conceived romantic interludes all remind us of Bond at it's best. And we here at Right Fans *love* Bond (in an ironic, comedic sort of way). I'll admit...this is a different kind of ten...but a ten nonetheless.

Acting: 9.0 / 8.5

This is one of the only times I will gleefully accept Avery Brooks' tendency to chew scenery. This is also the only time I will ignore bad Russian accents. The holonovel acting is supposed to be bad. That's the point.

In the meantime, Andrew Robinson is fantastic in his role as the amused outsider. When Garak encourages Bashir to whip out another bottle of champagne and shoot him, the wicked gleam in Robinson's eye pretty much makes the entire episode worth it.

SABR Matt Chimes In: Andrew Robinson is an AWESOME!!! straight man. I love him in that role playing off of Bashir's flamboyant personality. Siddig and Robinson make a great team...Nana Visitor was..well...not so good...when she started trying to do a Russian accent (oh mon dio!), and I was pretty unimpressed with Michael Dorn's appearance. But otherwise...the acting was solid.

Message: 8.5 / 8.5

An episode that argues that escapist literature is empowering and encourages genuine creativity? I'll take it!

SABR Matt Chimes In: The message here is simple - our fantasies are (a) critical to our advancement as a species (b) not to be taken too seriously and (c) larger than life and yet echoing our true core identities...all of which, we should keep in mind when watching a Bond movie or a piece of science fiction. Relax and enjoy...and don't get caught up in over-analyzing the deeper inner meaning on this summer's blockbuster. I see a lot of critics panning Bond movies, for example, because they claim Bond is sexist or unrealistic or not serious enough...those critics are missing all the fun of being human. Lighten up...engage your brain in a game of "what if I could?" That's how we got to the moon...by asking that question. Seek out your desires and engineer a way to attain them.

Highlights:

BASHIR: Breaking into a holosuite during someone's program is not only rude - it's illegal. I should call Odo and have you arrested.
GARAK: What an extreme reaction that would be! You must be very embarrassed by this program.
BASHIR: I'm not embarrassed. I'm annoyed that you have intruded into my privacy.
GARAK: Privacy, indeed. I think it goes far deeper than that, Doctor. Ever since you received this new program, you've spent virtually every free hour in the holosuite. But you haven't told anyone what the program is.
BASHIR: Am I supposed to?
GARAK: No, no, no. But you're such a - forgive me - a talkative man, and it's so unusual for you to have secrets.
BASHIR: I must have picked up that habit from you. Now, if you will excuse me...
GARAK: Is this fantasy of yours really truly revealing of your inner psyche?
BASHIR: What?
GARAK: Is that why you're so protective? Are you afraid that I'll find out some humiliating secrets about the real Julian Bashir?
BASHIR: This is a fantasy. I'm not hiding anything.
GARAK: Well, if you've nothing to hide, then why not let me stay?
BASHIR: All right. Now I have to be at work in two hours and I'd like to enjoy myself, so keep quiet and don't rain on my parade.
GARAK: Your parade?
BASHIR: Never mind.
GARAK: Don't worry, Doctor. I can be quite discreet. You'll barely know I'm here.
BASHIR: Good.
GARAK: But if I may make one observation.
BASHIR: Garak...
GARAK: I only want to point out that your lovely companion is leaving. Odd. She seemed so interested in your advances just a moment ago. I wonder what scared her away? (Bashir shoots Garak a Look.) Oh, no. I do apologize. You must be incensed. (And here, Garak does a very poor job of hiding his amusement, which is hilarious.) In fact, if I were in your shoes, I would grab a bottle of champagne and shoot me.

GARAK: I take it your character is some kind of rich dilettante with a fascination for women and weapons.
BASHIR: Actually, my character is far more disreputable. I'm a spy.
GARAK: A spy? And you live here?
BASHIR: Yes. I work for one of the nation states of this era - Great Britain - which is battling various other nations in what is called the Cold War. This apartment, my clothes, weapons, and even my valet were provided to me by my government.
GARAK: I think I joined the wrong intelligence service. (Indeed!)

BASHIR: We can't kill him.
KIRA/ANASTASIA: Julian, what are you saying? He's been trying to kill you for nine years!
GARAK: I wouldn't dismiss her idea so quickly, Doctor.
BASHIR: But that's Miles.
GARAK: No. As you pointed out, he's Falcon, a hired assassin who's going to do everything he can to kill you. And without the holosuite safeties in place, he may do just that.
BASHIR: What do you want me to do? Kill him?
GARAK: I want you to stop treating this like a game where everything's going to turn out all right in the end. Real spies have to make hard choices. You want to save Dax? Fine. But you may not have the luxury of saving everyone. (Interesting scene.)

GARAK: Another decorator's nightmare. This era has a distinct lack of taste. (Leave it to Garak to notice the stylistic elements of Julian's fantasy.)

BASHIR: (to Dax/Honey) What a waste. That no one can see what a beautiful woman you are.
GARAK: (disbelieving) Is that your plan?
BASHIR: (to Garak) Shut up. (to Dax/Honey) Noah only wants you for your mind. He can't appreciate the woman inside you. Honey, would you grant me one last request and take off those glasses?
(Garak groans and rolls his eyes.)
DAX/HONEY: Like this?
BASHIR: You know, your hair would look so much better if it were free.
GARAK: I must say, Doctor, this is more than I ever wanted to know about your fantasy life.
(Dax/Honey unpins her bun.)
BASHIR: There. That's the last thing I want to remember before I die.
DAX/HONEY: Thank you.
(Dax/Honey starts to leave, then turns back and kisses Bashir passionately.)
GARAK: I'd give you both some privacy if I could.
(Dax/Honey leaves)
GARAK: Great plan. Now can we call Eddington?
BASHIR: That will not be necessary. (He unlocks his handcuffs.) Honey has given me all we need.
GARAK: Kiss the girl, get the key. They never taught me that in the Obsidian Order. (Classic!)

GARAK: You expect to take on Noah and his men with that?
BASHIR: It's my fantasy. Trust me.
GARAK: No! This has gone far enough. It's time to cut our losses.
BASHIR: We can't do that. Kira or Dax might --
GARAK: Yes, they might be killed, and that is unfortunate. But there comes a point when the odds are against you, and the only reasonable course of action is to quit!
BASHIR: Quit?
GARAK Yes.
BASHIR: Is that what they taught you in the Obsidian Order? To give up when things get tough?
GARAK: As a matter of fact, they did. That's why I've managed to stay alive while most of my colleagues are dead. Because I know when to walk away. And that time is now. And you'd know that, Doctor, if you were a real intelligence agent. (Ouch.)

BASHIR: Don't.
GARAK: Or what? You'll kill me?
BASHIR: If you call for the exit, you might kill Sisko and the others, and I'm not prepared to risk that.
GARAK: I'm afraid I don't believe you'll pull that trigger.
BASHIR: I wouldn't be so sure about that.
GARAK: It's time to face reality, Doctor. You're a man who dreams of being a hero because you know, deep down, that you're not. I'm no hero either, but I do know how to make a choice, and I'm choosing to save myself. Computer, show me the mechanism --
(BANG! The bullet grazes Garak's neck)
BASHIR: You'll be fine. It's just a flesh wound.
GARAK: That was awfully close. What if you'd killed me?
BASHIR: What makes you think I wasn't trying?
GARAK: Doctor, I do believe there's hope for you yet.

GARAK: Interesting. You saved the day by destroying the world.
BASHIR: I bet they didn't teach you that at the Obsidian Order.
GARAK: No, no. There was a great deal they didn't teach me. Like the value of a good game of chance - or how indulging in fantasy keeps the mind creative. (Yep!)