Overall: 5.0
Um, yeah. This one's definitely a fail. I'm tempted to copy SABR Matt's ZZZZZ-point-ZZZZZ joke, actually.
Plot Synopsis:
Memory Alpha has a recap here.
The Skinny:
You know how some people say that zombies can make any story better? Well, normally speaking, there's a similar rule of thumb that applies to DS9. To put it succinctly: you can instantly improve an episode by adding more Garak because Garak is just that awesome. I'm sure you all have noticed that we here at Right Fans consider Garak to be one of the best recurring characters Trek ever managed to produce.
So why, despite the presence of Garak, does this episode fail? After all, at the start, the premise seems promising. With their supply of Cardassian parts now cut off thanks to Dukat's alliance with the Dominion, it makes perfect sense that DS9's engineering team would be forced to scavenge for the doodads necessary to keep the station in working order. Early on, we're also treated to some nice interplay between O'Brien and Garak that takes advantage of O'Brien's war record. Unfortunately, as soon as O'Brien, Nog, Garak, and O'Brien's crew of hapless red shirts board Empok Nor, things really go down hill.
Given that O'Brien and the others eventually find they have become prey for a couple of hopped-up Cardassian ex-popsicles, you wouldn't think this episode would be boring. But it is. Sadly, it is. Moments that should be suspenseful just aren't. Why? Because the writing is incredibly cliche, particularly when Garak falls under the influence of the so-called psychotropic drug and consequently loses all of his wit and finesse. (Seriously? Garak's master plan is to taunt O'Brien by stringing up his dead friends? How over-the-top can you get?) Basically? This is a plot we've seen many, many, MANY times before, and Hans Beimler simply doesn't put a new spin on it.
Writing: 3.0
As I said, the writing is a huge disappointment. Garak definitely deserves better.
Acting: 6.0
Even the usually outstanding Andrew Robinson has trouble overcoming the mountains of cheese in the script.
Message: 6.0
Is there a message here? If so, I certainly don't see it.
Hans Beimler is a largely unskilled, unsuccessful Trek contributor. His career started on TNG...here's a list of every episode for which he has screenplay or author credit and my rating of the episode:
ReplyDeleteTNG 1:22 - Symbiosis (F) - horrible abuse of the Prime Directive
TNG 2:20 - The Emissary (C) - Unbalanced script and the good parts were all personal stuff involving Warf.
TNG 2:22 - Shades of Grey (F) - Worst. TNG. Ever.
TNG 3:4 - Who Watches the Watchers (F) - Horrible arrogance mixed with bad morality and ridiculous, cliched script writing and a senseless plot.
TNG 3:15 - Yesterday's Enterprise (B+ - But...he was one of SIX! authors for this...I'm guessing he wrote like two lines.
TNG 3:18 - Allegiance (C) - Par for the course...some very awkward dialogue though.
DS9 4:8 - The Sword of Kahless (C-) - A rather tough sell, this one...the plot is goofy and slow.
DS9 4:11 - Paradise Lost (B) - BUT...the second part is nowhere near as good as the first and guess who has his name on JUST the second part.
DS9 4:13 - Return to Grace (B) - Hey...a decent one on his resume. How odd.
DS9 4:19 - Shattered Mirror (D) - One of the lamer Crossover episodes.
DS9 4:24 - Body Parts (B+) - He's got THIRD billing with a list of writers who are all second-stringers...DS9 lucked its' way into a good substitution apparently.
DS9 5:2 - The Ship (B+) - A very good episode and he's third billing again...and against it's third to a couple of freelancers.
DS9 5:6 - Trials and Tribbleations (A) - But...a cast of thousands including all the bigshots
DS9 5:10 - Rapture (A) - Hmmmm...maybe he improved with age?
DS9 5:20 - Ferengi Love Songs (F) - NOPE!
DS9 5:24 - Empok Nor (D) - Blah...
DS9 6:1 - A Time to Stand (A-) - This was mostly Ira Steven Behr
DS9 6:5/6:6 - Favor the Bold / Sacrifice of Angels (B) - Great ongoing plots limited in potency by hammy, over the top conclusion.
DS9 6:10 - The Mangificent Ferengi (C+) - A stupid Ferengi episode that actually kind of worked.
DS9 6:13 - Far Beyond the Stars (F) - Fandom loves this episode...RightFans HATES it and part of the problem is an over-written cliched script.
DS9 6:17 - Wrongs Darker than Death or Night (C) - A par DS9 episode that had the potential to be OH SO MUCH more.
DS9 6:20 - His Way (D+) - A subpar episode that should have been more meaningful...the plot is goofy, but DS9 does goofy well...something was missing in the words, I think.
DS9 6:23 - Profit and Lace (F) - Worst. DS9. Ever.
DS9 6:26/7:1/7:2 - Tears of the Prophets / Images in the Sand / Shadows and Symbols (A) - Ira Steven Behr was lead author and this was definitely in his style, but Beimler appears to be strongest on this show at least when paired with Behr and working on Bajoran mysticism.
DS9 7:8 - The Siege of AR558 (A+) - Ira Steven Behr as lead again...hmmm...
DS9 7:12 - The Emperor's New Cloak (F) - the worst of the crossover plots.
DS9 7:15 - Badda Bing Badda Bang (B-) - good fluff...but definitely still fluffy
DS9 7:20 - The Changing Face of Evil (B) - I think Behr CARRIED this guy...I kid you not.
DS9 7:25 - What You Leave Behind (B)
DS9 staffers figured out how to get something out of him when paired with Behr...when he's on his own or working with leser talent..his work was usually rather bad.