Deep Space Nine 4.05, 4.06, 4.07
It’s getting to the point where I can no longer exclaim, “I can’t believe this one is so soon!” Because really, we’re approaching the halfway mark. But seriously, I can’t believe that “Indiscretion” is the one where we get Ziyal. I really thought that was later. 'Only a Cardassian would call this hellhole invigorating.''> I do enjoy the scene where Dukat has the splinter in his ass cheek and Kira loses it laughing at him. Not because I think they need to develop any kind of non-antagonistic relationship but just because it’s a good way to let them both drop the usual facades they use with each other. They are so mannered and formal in their supposedly casual interactions and it’s a good reminder that they’re both real people and actually on the same side. For the moment. Kind of.
I also like the way that Sisko’s relationship with Kasidy gets developed thanks to her job offer. Thank the Prophets the writers let her be a normal woman that isn’t going to sit around and angst about what her boyfriend will think. She makes the decision based on her career development, Benjamin’s hemming and hawing be damned. And good for her! Why not? It’s a great job.
“Rejoined” is another Dax episode that I actually like. It’s so tragic. It’s utterly and completely devastatingly heartbreaking. I think it’s a good way to look at once of Dax’s previous hosts in depth but still keeping it moored in the present.
Lenara Kahn is simply gorgeous. She’s got a very strong presence and can keep up with the imposing figure cut by Jadzia Dax. I’m fascinated by the idea that Lenara is the very next host after Torias’ widow. You’d think she would have stronger feelings being around her late husband’s new host, and yet it’s Jadzia that initiates their rekindled relationship and Jadzia that can’t let go and is willing to defy cultural taboo. Is it thanks to Curzon’s influence? Or is that because Nilani had a lifetime to mourn and Torias moved on to another host? I like that we don’t get an answer. So, so sad. Some of Terry Ferrell’s best work.
I also like how utterly confused Kira is about the whole reassociation thing. It’s a complete non-issue to her that both symbionts are now hosted by women. But the blocking in her scene with Bashir is really odd. First of all, I don’t like the way they’re standing in the doorway. Aren’t people going to be using the passageway? Second, the reclining position as she leans up against the frame behind her seems really forced and not natural.
Finally, there’s just *something* about the posture between Nerys and Julian that screams the real-life relationship between Nana Visitor and Alexander Siddig. Mr. b summed it up thusly, “Oh wow. You can totally tell they’re fucking.” And strangely, that chemistry was never there in any of the previous forced make-out scenes between the two characters so I’m not sure why this was so different.
A couple other tidbits. I like that the old man scientist is totally squicked out just by being in the same room as two hosts that were previously married. And nothing had even happened yet! A great way to show the power of the taboo. Something I did not like: Lenara and her brother dressing alike. OK yes, they were technically different fabrics but they were identical shades of the same colors, laid out in the same shapes on their dresses, with the same collars and piping along the edges. What are they, the Bobsy Twins? But I did love Lenara’s many earrings, and the fact that they changed every day. Sure her hairstyle was the same but she usually changed her outfit and she always changed her jewelry. That’s better than Trek normally does for civilians. I need some nice chandeliers like the Klingon ones she gave Jadzia.
“Starship Down” is a fantastic submarine movie episode. It really has all the elements: being cut off from the engine room, modifying torpedoes, an injured captain, and civilian bravery. I mean, what more do you need? 'I thought you said you'd never sold substandard merchandise... It was supposed to explode on impact, wasn't it?''>
It’s great fun seeing Zefram Cochrane in his Karemma make-up, interacting with Quark. I love their little mini-arc onboard the ship. Quark was so non-apologetic about trying to cheat him! It was a great contrast between two different styles of capitalism and then you throw bomb-defusing and gambling on top for extra good times.
The Julian and Jadzia shivering in the elevator shaft was probably the weakest of the various disaster movie elements. I just didn’t buy their heartfelt conversation about how the old Julian used to fantasize about getting her alone. *yawn* I much preferred Nerys and Benjamin on the bridge. It was so great that she started praying for the Emissary. A fabulous continuation of her previous declaration of religious belief, also on the bridge.
My favorite of course was Worf and O’Brien. I liked not only that Worf was so gruff with the engineering nerds, but that he was willing to listen to Miles. O’Brien knows how to handle Worf and he knows how to handle his lads and he’s just such a patient and natural leader. As wooden as Muñiz Stevens are in their first scenes, I really get their delight in problem solving when Worf gives them the torpedo assignment. But the funniest was Worf’s look back at the bar when O’Brien cuts their allotted repair time down and declares that you can’t let them slack off. Heh.
I also like the way that Sisko’s relationship with Kasidy gets developed thanks to her job offer. Thank the Prophets the writers let her be a normal woman that isn’t going to sit around and angst about what her boyfriend will think. She makes the decision based on her career development, Benjamin’s hemming and hawing be damned. And good for her! Why not? It’s a great job.
“Rejoined” is another Dax episode that I actually like. It’s so tragic. It’s utterly and completely devastatingly heartbreaking. I think it’s a good way to look at once of Dax’s previous hosts in depth but still keeping it moored in the present.
Lenara Kahn is simply gorgeous. She’s got a very strong presence and can keep up with the imposing figure cut by Jadzia Dax. I’m fascinated by the idea that Lenara is the very next host after Torias’ widow. You’d think she would have stronger feelings being around her late husband’s new host, and yet it’s Jadzia that initiates their rekindled relationship and Jadzia that can’t let go and is willing to defy cultural taboo. Is it thanks to Curzon’s influence? Or is that because Nilani had a lifetime to mourn and Torias moved on to another host? I like that we don’t get an answer. So, so sad. Some of Terry Ferrell’s best work.
I also like how utterly confused Kira is about the whole reassociation thing. It’s a complete non-issue to her that both symbionts are now hosted by women. But the blocking in her scene with Bashir is really odd. First of all, I don’t like the way they’re standing in the doorway. Aren’t people going to be using the passageway? Second, the reclining position as she leans up against the frame behind her seems really forced and not natural.
Finally, there’s just *something* about the posture between Nerys and Julian that screams the real-life relationship between Nana Visitor and Alexander Siddig. Mr. b summed it up thusly, “Oh wow. You can totally tell they’re fucking.” And strangely, that chemistry was never there in any of the previous forced make-out scenes between the two characters so I’m not sure why this was so different.
A couple other tidbits. I like that the old man scientist is totally squicked out just by being in the same room as two hosts that were previously married. And nothing had even happened yet! A great way to show the power of the taboo. Something I did not like: Lenara and her brother dressing alike. OK yes, they were technically different fabrics but they were identical shades of the same colors, laid out in the same shapes on their dresses, with the same collars and piping along the edges. What are they, the Bobsy Twins? But I did love Lenara’s many earrings, and the fact that they changed every day. Sure her hairstyle was the same but she usually changed her outfit and she always changed her jewelry. That’s better than Trek normally does for civilians. I need some nice chandeliers like the Klingon ones she gave Jadzia.
“Starship Down” is a fantastic submarine movie episode. It really has all the elements: being cut off from the engine room, modifying torpedoes, an injured captain, and civilian bravery. I mean, what more do you need? 'I thought you said you'd never sold substandard merchandise... It was supposed to explode on impact, wasn't it?''>
It’s great fun seeing Zefram Cochrane in his Karemma make-up, interacting with Quark. I love their little mini-arc onboard the ship. Quark was so non-apologetic about trying to cheat him! It was a great contrast between two different styles of capitalism and then you throw bomb-defusing and gambling on top for extra good times.
The Julian and Jadzia shivering in the elevator shaft was probably the weakest of the various disaster movie elements. I just didn’t buy their heartfelt conversation about how the old Julian used to fantasize about getting her alone. *yawn* I much preferred Nerys and Benjamin on the bridge. It was so great that she started praying for the Emissary. A fabulous continuation of her previous declaration of religious belief, also on the bridge.
My favorite of course was Worf and O’Brien. I liked not only that Worf was so gruff with the engineering nerds, but that he was willing to listen to Miles. O’Brien knows how to handle Worf and he knows how to handle his lads and he’s just such a patient and natural leader. As wooden as Muñiz Stevens are in their first scenes, I really get their delight in problem solving when Worf gives them the torpedo assignment. But the funniest was Worf’s look back at the bar when O’Brien cuts their allotted repair time down and declares that you can’t let them slack off. Heh.