Deep Space Nine 5.24, 5.25
I think the Trek franchise does horror quite well and “Empok Nor” is certainly no exception. This is a situation where obvious red shirts are used in the best possible way: their deaths help to ratchet up the suspense. I also find it intriguing that the two of the three main characters of the episode aren’t even in the main credits! Prophets I love this show for developing its secondary and tertiary characters to that degree. 'I'm not a tailor. Not for the moment anyway.''>
I like the development that is given to both O’Brien and to Garak in this one. We learn a bit more about Miles’ time on the Cardassian front and we learn that Garak has subconscious issues with that. It’s interesting to have Garak be fully aware of the fact that he’s being affected by a drug, and yet still go on to be completely affected by the drug. He doesn’t stop himself in the nick of time. He kills Amaro. I think it’s telling that O’Brien is the one to assure Garak that he wasn’t himself, that he was under the influence, but that Garak isn’t so sure. It’s unsettling and vague and a very DS9 way to leave things.
“In the Cards” is one of my absolute favorite Nog-Jake Consortium episodes. I love it to bits.
I find it interesting that such a major plot, the Dominion trying to get Bajor to sign a non-aggression treaty, is actually the background story. It allows for strange character combinations. Kai Winn is still an ally to Sisko here and it’s fascinating watching her interact with Weyoun. She doesn’t trust him and I have to wonder if it’s more because she recognizes her own talent for deception, than because Benjamin doesn’t like the Vorta. Despite that she tells Weyoun to his face that she is nothing like him.
Regardless, the best part is the serious of odd jobs, strange requests, and outright thefts that Jake and Nog go through to acquire the Willie Mays card. It’s great how they play to each other’s natural strengths, like Jake’s talent for writing going to Kira’s speech, and Nog’s excellent hearing to clear up Worf’s opera recordings. But the best, of course, is Dr. Elias Giger. I will never, ever, ever get enough of his immortality theories, his cellular regeneration and entertainment chamber, and most of all his disdain and fear of the soulless minions of orthodoxy. The very best moment is when Weyoun hops into the chamber. "He's harmless, he's just working on a way to become immortal."
"Really? I have a background in, shall we say, creative genetics. I'd be most interested in hearing your theories."
I like the development that is given to both O’Brien and to Garak in this one. We learn a bit more about Miles’ time on the Cardassian front and we learn that Garak has subconscious issues with that. It’s interesting to have Garak be fully aware of the fact that he’s being affected by a drug, and yet still go on to be completely affected by the drug. He doesn’t stop himself in the nick of time. He kills Amaro. I think it’s telling that O’Brien is the one to assure Garak that he wasn’t himself, that he was under the influence, but that Garak isn’t so sure. It’s unsettling and vague and a very DS9 way to leave things.
“In the Cards” is one of my absolute favorite Nog-Jake Consortium episodes. I love it to bits.
I find it interesting that such a major plot, the Dominion trying to get Bajor to sign a non-aggression treaty, is actually the background story. It allows for strange character combinations. Kai Winn is still an ally to Sisko here and it’s fascinating watching her interact with Weyoun. She doesn’t trust him and I have to wonder if it’s more because she recognizes her own talent for deception, than because Benjamin doesn’t like the Vorta. Despite that she tells Weyoun to his face that she is nothing like him.
Regardless, the best part is the serious of odd jobs, strange requests, and outright thefts that Jake and Nog go through to acquire the Willie Mays card. It’s great how they play to each other’s natural strengths, like Jake’s talent for writing going to Kira’s speech, and Nog’s excellent hearing to clear up Worf’s opera recordings. But the best, of course, is Dr. Elias Giger. I will never, ever, ever get enough of his immortality theories, his cellular regeneration and entertainment chamber, and most of all his disdain and fear of the soulless minions of orthodoxy. The very best moment is when Weyoun hops into the chamber. "He's harmless, he's just working on a way to become immortal."
"Really? I have a background in, shall we say, creative genetics. I'd be most interested in hearing your theories."