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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Amph To Boldly Trek Where Many Geeks Have Gone Before- VOY: Drive, Repression & Imperfection

Discussion in 'Community' started by The2ndQuest , Jun 25, 2006.

  1. halibut

    halibut Ex-Mod star 8 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Aug 27, 2000
    That's part of the reason why it's the best. For me (and Gene Roddenbury), Star Trek is about life and humanity in the future, and the episodes and films which hold truest to that vision are those that examine the human condition. Generations has that in abundance. Data's exploration of emotions. Picard facing his mortality. Soran's refusal to accept the inevitable drives him to evil/insanity. Sacrifice. It's all there and it's wonderful to watch.

    Of course if you prefer things blowing up, watch First Contact :p
     
  2. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051114082609/memoryalpha/en/images/2/2a/Odo_and_garak.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051114080853/memoryalpha/en/images/8/87/Odo_investigates.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051114081040/memoryalpha/en/images/b/bd/Tain_and_garak.jpg]
    DS9 320: Improbable Cause
    -Premise: Odo begins an investigation after a bomb destroys Garak's tailor shop.

    -T2Q Comments: Garek, huzzah!

    "Are you sure that's the message?"
    "Of course, what else could it be?"
    "That you should never tell the same lie twice."

    "Who do you think he's going to lead you to?"
    "If I knew that, I wouldn't have to follow him."

    Interesting complications of adding Romulans as possible suspects- keeps things a wild card.

    "Why would the Romulans want Mr. Garek killed?"
    "I don;t know- considering their uniforms, you'd think they'd appreciate a decent taylor."

    Neat scene with Odo's "deep throat" contact.

    "...it doesn't matter. I'm back."

    Didn't realize this was a two-parter! Good follow-up with Etain and the secret ships being constructed by the Obsidian Order, and a nice concept of someone bypassing Starfleet to make a first strike against the Dominion, not to mention answers about Garek's past. Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: This was originally a stand-alone episode, which would have ended with Etain being forced to free Garek and Odo else he risk the information on the road he told Bashir about be given to Starfleet, but this was felt to be an unsatisfactory ending. Michael Pillar's final decision as executive producer was to suggest they turn it into a two-parter, combined with The Die is Cast, which was also intended to originally be a single episode.

    It was Ronald Moore's suggestion to overhaul the Romulan unfiform design: "I hated, underline hated, the Romulan costumes. Big shoulder pads, the quilting, I just loathed it. I begged, insisted, screamed, pleaded.".

    The first two-parter with different names for Part I & Part II. Also the first two-parter/multi-part story arc to be directed by a cast member (Avery Brooks). The BBC broadcast this in a feature-length format for it's first airing.



    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080327222440/memoryalpha/en/images/9/9d/Cardassian_and_Romulan_fleet.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060622134843/memoryalpha/en/images/a/a0/Lovok_and_tain.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080327222439/memoryalpha/en/images/d/d6/Cardassian_and_Romulan_fleet_open_fire.jpg]
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    DS9 321: The Die is Cast
    -Premise: The Cardassian-Romulan fleet enters the Gamma Quadrant. Sisko tries to rescue Odo.

    -T2Q Comments: Cardassians with cloaking technology, dunt-dunt-dah! Awesome shot of the mixed leet of Romulan Warbirds and Cardassian Whatevers just ignoring DS9 as they pass by. This is the first time that I've seriously considered skipping past the opening titles- not because I've grown tired of the intro (still not gonna happen!), but rather this is the first teaser that has made me want to see what happens next immediately.

    The half-betrayal of this one officer seems kinda obvious since he's only just appeared now (unless he was in previous episodes and I'm forgetting?).

    Love Odo's delivery- "Oh, no- you're going to torture me, aren't you? How I've been dreading this.". Just noticing this, but these (presumably) newer "black" (probably just the lighting) Romulan uniforms look much better than the standard issue shoulder pad ones (thank you Ronald Moore!). Ooh, Odo's decomposure is more gruesome than I expected.

    Though the result of the attack plan is somewhat what i expected, there is a good twist or two involved.

    Raise shields
     
  3. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100213132948/memoryalpha/en/images/1/19/Neelix_medicine_wheel_cathexis.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080813115141/memoryalpha/en/images/5/59/Corridor_out_of_body_experience_cathexis.jpg]
    VOY 113: Cathexis
    -Premise: When Voyager attempts to investigate the force that made Chakotay brain-dead, an unknown entity keeps turning them back.

    -T2Q Comments: Did we really need the whole "Sometimes it's good to get away from all that Captaining" stuff to setup her participation in a holonovel? The holo lady here is played by B5's "scorched earth" Senator from their Endgame.

    I've noticed Kes's powers seem to include Permanent Sexy Voice.

    I think that's now two consecutive commercial breaks that have ended on a push-in close-up on Janeway looking worried/baffled.

    The whole conversation in sickbay reads as a stereotypical Trek scene, but at least their reaction to it is quick enough and the notion of transferred command to the Doctor is different.

    The guy with Kim here is the same actor who most recently played the detective on Caprica.

    Oh, another glowy energy being that can pass through bulkheads- two in a row, Voyager!

    BTW, this almost comes across as a retread of TNG's Power Play, with a dash of that electrical being from TNG Season 1 (where they killed Picard and essentially replaced him with the copy of Picard who stayed with us for the rest of the series...).

    ...wait, how could the alien get out through the shields if the shields are keeping his friends out?

    So Chakotay does some of his most interesting stuff here while brain dead... poor SOB, that's just not a good omen for your character's development.

    There's stuff here in this episode that's kinda interesting, but other aspects are somewhat ridiculous and just accentuate the rest that is sorta neutrally bland.

    Average Episode.

    Trivia: Janeway's holonovel was originally filmed for an earlier episode and was transplanted here.

    BTW- I know I quote and image link the hell out of their site, but a big Frack You to Memory Alpha, who has way too many spoilers in their episode guides- every now and then it wasn't so bad, but, counting the next 2 episodes, I think that makes at least 4 in a row have given away character fates in upcoming episodes/seasons (or, in this case, the very next episode). Seriously, there's absolutely no reason for having that info in that episode's entry! You put it in the guide for the episode where that character dies and say "he first appeared in the previous episode". Arg.



    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080612002036/memoryalpha/en/images/3/3c/Belanna_human-klingon%2C_faces.jpg]
    VOY 114: Faces
    -Premise: The Vidiians capture B'Elanna Torres and split her into two people, one fully Klingon, and one fully human.

    -T2Q Comments: "Deactivate the Genitron". Genitron? Really? You're gonna go with "Genitron"? Ok.

    "Breadcrumbs. Got it."

    Vidians return. Though I get what it's trying to convey, Torres' full-Klingon slow speaking doesn't come across well in execution as it might have seemed in concept.

    I briefly dwell on Starfleet flashlights- TNG had those square "badge" lights which would seem easy to drop/lose your grip on, here they have these wrist/forearm-mounted ones- i wonder if they are actually an improvement over the standard flashlight (hands are free is a plus, but you might lose more delicate angles for close-inspection, also slower to turn off or dim since your finger isn't right by the switch).

    Human Torres now...I dunno, it's always risky to take your alien actor out of his/her makeup- especially as the same character whose already near-human. Can kinda break the illusion. You'd never see Dorn play a human Worf, for example.

    I like Durst, be nice if he sticks around for a -oh crap! (just kidding- I knew about this thanks to Mmeory Alpha!) Well, that explains why the same actor played both parts, [face_laugh].

    What I said earlier about actors going out of makeup can sometimes go for actors goi
     
  4. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080425014651/memoryalpha/en/images/5/5f/Bajoran_lightship_%28aft%29.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060504203830/memoryalpha/en/images/e/ea/Benjamin_Sisko_goatee.jpg]
    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060806015337/memoryalpha/en/images/1/13/Obrien_and_Bashir_drunk.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100120210934/memoryalpha/en/images/1/13/Bajoran_lightship_fireworks.jpg]
    DS9 322: Explorers
    -Premise: Sisko builds a replica of an eight hundred-year-old Bajoran spaceship, and tries to use it to prove that Bajoran explorers could have made it to Cardassia without developing warp drive.

    -T2Q Comments: "Go Away" [face_laugh]

    Goatee Sisko.

    Ha, that's funny- I was just browsing a Starships of the Line book yesterday and they had a picture of this Bajoran solar sailor in it.

    You know, i mean it's obvious ever since they were announced, but datapads are sooo an ipad/kindle/nook.

    I see that they're still doing the ship/station divide on the uniforms here. Not the best of drunk scenes, but certainly fitting TOS's Scotty scenes.

    "Hammock time!" please tell me that wasn't an attempt at a "hammer time!" reference. Because that would mean popular historical works of music for Starfleet personnel would include Mozart, Bach... and MC Hammer.

    You know, this whole time i was thinking how much this felt like a Season 1 or 2 episode in terms of a quiet little adventure without the threat of war- and while it's still a little odd having this directly follow a major war episode, Dukat's semi-friendly nature in this at the end kinda pays off the increased shared experiences he and Sisko have had over the past season or so- the fireworks are completely unexpected, and yet it kinda fits as showing even the Cardassians are willing to (grudgingly) celebrate the aspects of exploration.

    Overall, a nice filler episode with some decent character work for Sisko and Jake. The Bashir plotline is a little less successful, but no harm done.

    Good Episode, But Not Necessarily Essential.

    Trivia: The conversation between Bashir and Lense may be actually commenting on the differences between TNG & DS9: "Bashir believes Lense "must've had quite an adventure out there... exploring uncharted space, meeting fascinating new races with fascinating new diseases" aboard the USS Lexington, but she instead describes how bored she got between discoveries. The message especially comes through when Lense claims, "I really envy the opportunity you have to work on that kind of long-term project. On the Lexington, it was collect your samples and then on to the next system.").

    The song sung by Miles and Julian was chosen by Colm after the producers were unable to get the rights to Louie, Louie, Rocket Man or Space Oddity.

    And again, Memory-Alpha spoils something unnecessarily regarding Leeta. It's relatively minor, but still- why?


    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071010224043/memoryalpha/en/images/8/82/Ma%27Bor_Jetrel_and_Neelix.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060808083141/memoryalpha/en/images/a/a9/Palaxia.jpg]
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100205142034/memoryalpha/en/images/1/15/Rinax.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060130112932/memoryalpha/en/images/e/eb/Talaxian_victim.jpg]
    VOY 115: Jetrel
    -Premise: The scientist who developed a weapon that killed 300,000 of Neelix's people in a war fifteen years ago boards Voyager, claiming that Neelix is terminally ill.

    -T2Q Comments: Hmm, at least there's something of interest here with the backstory to Neelix's people- that's not something I remember coming across before. If the Talaxians were conquered 15 years ago, it's not so surprising that Neelix would be willing to drop everything and be willing to get out of dodge with Voyager...

    So the Talaxian situation seems to be a Hiroshima/atom bomb type scenario. Actor playing Jetrel is familiar.

    "I surrender, heh." That's about as dark as Neelix's humor has, or probably
     
  5. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050926083630/memoryalpha/en/images/0/06/Bajoran_farm%2C_Shakaar.jpg]
    DS9 324: Shakaar
    -Premise: Kira's old Resistance leader refuses a government order to return some farming equipment.

    -T2Q Comments: Kira praying for Bareil- I'm guessing this will be the last we hear of him...ok, they mentioned him again, heh. Kira does visit a lot of remote farmers that are being uncooperative with a government, doesn't she? Hey, didn't they use this hillside area to film parts of Insurrection?

    Not much to say about the episode- it's pretty straight forward. The resistance stuff wasn't too bad. Depending on how important Shakaar ends up being (or, at least how important his introduction is to his subsequent appearances) will ultimately determine this episode's fate but for now we'll say Potentially Essential- always nice to see Kai Wynn lose one.


    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100119084013/memoryalpha/en/images/a/ad/Odo_as_Curzon.jpg]
    DS9 325: Facets
    -Premise: Dax performs the Trill zhian'tara ritual, which allows her to meet her previous hosts.

    -T2Q Comments: Continuation of Nog's efforts to get into Starfleet. Leeta pops up again. Reference to the killer host of Dax's past. Is this thing really gonna work on Odo? You know it's kinda funny- this episode is doing for Dax almost what Faces did for Torres in a sort of literal dividing of personalities or components of a person. Also kinda funny that some of the producers would do an episode like this after being iffy about doing so on Voyager.

    Kira's character is almost played like an old woman- it borders on characiture but she does pull off something more natural ultimately. Sisko's bit is appropriately creepy.

    "I like the beard."

    The one flaw to this Quark prank of Curzon/Odo's is he should be able to figure out what's going on since he was in on the whole personality transfer procedure and Odo's involvement in it.

    Ok, I'll admit- how they did Odo/Kerzon's change of clothes I have no idea. It's a flawless effect.

    Nice twist with the more benevolent "friend" personality that we know about being the one that wants to stay in his host body when earlier in the epiode you'd assume it would be the killer personality that would escape with Sisko (granted, he tried, but still).

    Nice to see Rom confronting Quark- it is consistent with that last ferengi episode in that Rom obviously values family above all else, so at least they're consistent with that (except when trying to throw Quark out the airlock in Season 1... ;)).

    One little scripting nitpick- why do they have to call it the "spatial orientation test" every time they talk about it? ("You reconfigured the holosuite so that Nog would fail the spatial orientation test!") After the first time, can't they just say "You reconfigured the holosuite so that Nog would fail the test!"?

    Throwback to Quark's line in an earlier episode about Nog's efforts being the end of Ferengi civilization.

    Well, that was amuch better episode than I had feared based on the concept. One could even get by without having seen that killer/music episode, shy the one reference- though its not necessarily enough to force that episode to a better quality ranking. Still, a very good Dax episode with some good Odo moments and the Nog plotline is significant, so, Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: Inspired by the 1976 TV movie Sybil. Originally the 3rd female host was going to be given to Keiko, but the actress was unavailable, so they had to use Leeta, Dax's sudden friendhsip with which they admit was shoehorned in to work.

    The scenes with Sisko as Joran had to be reshot because the producers felt that Brooks' first performance was too creepy, speaking in an almost inaudible whisper that "literally sent shivers up your spine".

    Odo/Curzon requests tranya in Quarks- the same drink from The Corbomite Manuever. The formula that Dax mentions in regards to Miles/Tobin was previously attempted by Picard in TNG's The Royale.


    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/
     
  6. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070303023923/memoryalpha/en/images/0/06/Barclay_3.jpg]
    VOY 203 ("117"): Projections
    -Premise: The Doctor is informed that he is actually Lewis Zimmerman, the creator of the EMH, he is trapped on a holographic Voyager on Jupiter Station, and his whole Voyager experience was on a holodeck.

    -T2Q Comments: Barclay's appearance spoiled by credits. Having watched Endgame before, I know Barclay becomes involved with Voyager down the road, but I had no idea he was utilized (albeit in a different capacity) as early as Voyager's (technically) first season.

    Why does the Doctor react in fear to the knocking at the door? He can make himself insubstatial as a hologram if he were to be attacked.

    "Well...it's bigger than I thought."

    "Shut down all holographic systems throughout the ship." I swear the Dcotor goes crosseyed here.

    As of now Voyager has been stranded for 6 months.

    "Computer: Delete Paris."

    So Barclay basically points out that what the Doctor tried to do would never have worked- could have mentioned that earlier instead of wasting everyone's time.

    Interesting to note that Barclay was involved in the Doctor's programming- which means Barclay had stopped serving aboard the Enterprise-D at least months before it crashed (as opposed to being relocated due to the crash).

    The fake-out ending feels slightly cheap but does get a little freaky at least. I liked the episode, but the trouble with these sorts of episodes is you never quite know 100% if the ending was real or if it's still just a hologram (amusing, as Dwight was also involved with an SG-1 episode that had a similar ending).

    Good Episode, But Not Necessarily Essential (given Barclay's holographic nature here, his later appearances do not reference these events)

    Trivia: Directed by Frakes- this episode was one of a few episodes Paramount reviewed when considering Frakes' ability to handle directing First Contact.

    They originally planned to have La Forge be the TNG character involved, before settling on Barclay. Of all the Season 1-produced episodes, this was Braga's favorite and considers this episode a cross between TNG's The Measure of a Man and Frame of Mind.


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    VOY 204 ("118"): Elogium
    -Premise: Voyager encounters a swarm of spaceborne aliens, while Kes and Neelix must decide whether to have a child.

    -T2Q Comments: Seen in this order, the "Neelix gets jealous easily" thing is setup by the previous episode. The recycled shot of her grabbing the bugs amuses me- I wonder if they simply needed a cut-away for the editing, or if she didn't want to do more than one take of it.

    Pon Far Kes. Mention of Breen.

    "It appears we have lost our sex appeal, Captain."

    Pregnant crewmember's husband is on DS9...that'd have been an interesting crossover connection to make if they had touched upon him on an episode of DS9.

    I like that the idea that Voyager may have to become a generational ship is brought up- though their reluctance to raise a kid on a starship seems an odd contradiction to TNG where kids and families were commonplace. Now, granted, an Intrepid-class isn't a Galaxy-class when it comes to "hotel in space" accommodations, but it's not that far off given the smaller crew aboard.

    Also, the general discussion of questions regarding parenthood is handled well. However, I think the mating alien swarm issue detracts from the rest of the episode- it just wasn't needed.

    As a Kes episode, it's not bad- her plotline could have been downright awful, but, again, is handled well (except, of course, that if Kes mates through her hands and carries on his back, then that would suggest she's not compatible with humans in a way that Paris would like or that Neelix should be jealous of...).

    Potentially Essential.

    Trivia: The writing of this script assignment led to Ken Biller being brought onto the fulltime writing staff.

    Amusingly, given the focus on procreation/parethood/mating, one el
     
  7. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050902181853/memoryalpha/en/images/7/76/Kar.jpg]
    VOY 202: Initiations
    -Premise: Chakotay becomes caught up in a young Kazon's rite of passage.

    -T2Q Comments: Kazon return. Kid Kazon sounds like he is Nog's actor (yep!). Just a thought- but you know what would have been a great idea for them to do? Instead of just recycling the same intro each year, instead, they should have updated it each season so that perhaps the planets/formations Voyager passes by at the start of the current sequence are dropped, the latter ones are brought forward, and new ones are added to the end, to suggest a progression of Voyager's journey. They wouldn't really even need to redo many of the ship shots, just insert it into new backgrounds, for the most part- and some of those could be worlds they already rendered for the previous season, so the cost would be minimal.

    Seems like this shuttlecraft is much more capable than previous types. Chakotay sure does take his time trying to raise Voyager- you'd think he'd have sent them a "have been engaged by Kazon" status at least.

    God they are such Klingon-lite-wannabes, sheesh...the big ship design has potential, though- if only those who commanded them were a valid threat.

    The creepy light with this angle is effective...has a certain Mola Ram vibe...if they had taken that angle with the Water Klingons, they might have been interesting- a death cult military? That'd be creepy (and perhaps have beaten the Reavers to the punch to a degree), though it might draw comparisons to the Shadows a bit.

    Filmed on that rock mountain Trek always uses-Vaquez Rocks National Area Park.

    "You can count on me to keep those nefarious Kazon at bay!" ugh.

    Shuttlecraft #1 destroyed.

    The cave scene is actually quite good- for both Chakotay and the Kazon Kid (oh, man, there has to be a spin-off one day titled "Chakotay and the Kazon Kid"!).

    Kazon hair/coral/bones...I suspect there isn't one person on this planet that has any idea just what the hell is going on up there- if you cleaned, trimmed, groomed and styled a Kazon's head, I can guarantee what is underneath doesn't make one lick of sense.

    Nice to see Neelix used well for once. Be kind of interesting if Kazon Nog was a recurring cast member...to have him be such on two shows simultaneously could have been interesting (and manageable, given his spaced appearances).

    Dammit, these Kazon look ridiculous- I swear one is a ********* over-sized Oompa Loompa.

    Unsure how i feel about the resolution, but that has more to do with the Kazon than anything else. Also, it's too obvious that it's Nog playing the Kazon Kid (even though he plays the part differently most of the time). Good Chakotay material though- he's used well here.

    Good Episode, But Not Necessarily Essential.

    Trivia: Michael Piller returned as Executive Producer around this time and made an effort to motivate the writing of the second season. In particular he realized the Kazon were coming across as "warmed-over Klingons" instead of the allegory to in-fighting LA street gangs that they were intended to be. As a result of Piller's directions, Biller began researching street gangs more and formulated a document on the history and customs of the Kazon to help the writers be on the same page if they were to dedicate almost a whole season to the Kazon (T2Q: crap!). Taylor said the document was "thoughtful and very well worked out" and that the Kazon "looked quite interesting in that paper" ...of course, on paper you don't see their hair and oompa loompa pants).

    The director found the episode problematic as he was hoping the writers would play up the Maquis angle more than the Indian angle in Chakotay's character and felt their choice to go with the latter never paid off. A new model of tricorder and phaser first appear in this episode, but how Voyager got them is never explained. Chakotay's medicine bundle is lost in this episode. He used what must be a second, or replicated, bundle at the end.

    The producers ultimately agreed
     
  8. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    <img src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090214140144/memoryalpha/en/images/5/5a/Way_of_the_Warrior_promo_art.jpg" width="576" height="358">
    DS9 401/402: The Way of the Warrior
    -Premise: When a Klingon fleet under General Martok arrives at the station ostensibly to protect the Alpha Quadrant from the Dominion, Sisko recruits Lt. Commander Worf to discover the Klingons' true intentions. (Season Premiere)

    -T2Q Comments: Did not realize this was a two-parter/feature-length episode going into it- a pleasant surprise. I guess it kinda makes this a 2nd pilot in a way. New theme, new cast, new-looking Captain, new momentum forward.

    This Changeling sweep drill is a neat follow-up to the events of The Adversary. Quark looks different here- I think they did something with his nose or eyebrow region differently. Sherri Palmer returns- don't trust her Sisko- even if she doesn't turn out to be a Changeling, she's worse!

    Wooooooooahhhh! Even though we had that Romulan/Cardassian fleet shot last seaosn, this reveal of the Klingon fleet still has a big impact.

    New theme song rendition...I like the war drums addition to the start, but I'm not as sold on the synth-sounding beat underneath the rest...combined with the quicker horns, it actually makes the real instruments sound a little faker...as if it were a high quality MIDI file. Not terrible (certainly adds a B5 vibe to things), but I still liked the more majestic nature of the original.

    The addition of the ships coming and going are a nice improvement though (but one or two feel shoe-horned in), making DS9 feel like a busy place and not just a model alone by itself. The subtle improvement to the background starfield is also welcome. The Defiant's presence is also welcome. The "guys in spacesuits do repairs" thing adds a nice scale but one can't help but draw a comparison to B5's opening titles for it's first two seasons. Slightly different font and letter coloring too. A shame they spoil Dorn's addition to the cast here though.

    Garek! Huzzah!

    "I didn't know you spoke Klingon."
    "Oh, you';d be surprised at the things you learn from doing alterations."

    Klingons keep cloaking and decloaking to deter people from getting an accurate count of how many ships they have there, heh- that tactic never occurred to me before but that's a good one...at the very least it's almost the cloaking technology equivalent of flipping the bird... of prey (sorry, couldn't resist ;)).

    Even though it violates Bajoran space..what the Klingons are doing is pretty much what should probably start being done by everyone, really- at least in areas of high risk to filter out possible Changeling infiltrations.

    Nice touch that it's Miles that greets Worf. Also interesting that Worf is once again meeting a bald Captain.

    First reference to the loss of the Enterprise-D.

    I forget if I mentioned this awhile back or not, but I tried prune juice for the first time a few months ago- ack! that crap tastes like raisin juice. Now, I like raisins, don't get me wrong...but not in liquid form, yelch! [face_sick]

    Another nice background touch with Morn leaving his bar stool when the Klingon that harassed him arrives.

    Skeletor returns! [face_laugh] Callbacks to Dax's klingon history, as well as "Emperor Kahless". Dukat's makeup looks different here too- i wonder went on between seasons?

    Disbanding of the Federation/Klingon treaty as Gowron and his baby blues returns.

    "There was nothing we could not do."
    "Except keep the holodecks working right."
    [face_laugh] [face_laugh] [face_laugh]

    "I know how much you miss the Enterprise- but I'm sure they'll be building a new one soon."
    "It will not be the same. The Enterprise I knew is gone. Those were good years."

    Lyta! Wonder if she's the same character who got tossed around on the Enterprise, or if she's here to help steal the Defiant.. ;)

    "never been on a Federation ship with a cloaking device" well, technically you had the Pegasus phase cloak that one time on the Enterprise...

    Arm quantum torpedos..is this the first time they've been ment
     
  9. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050825182916/memoryalpha/en/images/a/af/Old_Jake_Sisko.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071126194828/memoryalpha/en/images/5/5a/Sisko_in_temporal_displacement.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060710025525/memoryalpha/en/images/d/d8/Jadzia_dax_future_the_visitor.jpg]
    DS9 403: The Visitor
    -Premise: After a freak accident in the engine room of the Defiant apparently claims the life of Benjamin Sisko, Jake lives out his life in an endless quest to locate his father.

    -T2Q Comments: Tony Todd as Old Man Jake Sisko. Another core ejection system is offline- holy crap, that's the second worst piece of technology in the future after the holodeck. The "I'm dying" cliffhanger resolution is such a cheap trick! (at least at first).

    A nice coincidence that DS9 runs an episode about a (presumably) alternate timeline near to one on Voyager- I like that thematic synchronicity. However, one minor problem about showing as one possible future is that it does take away from some storylines like Nog getting into Starfleet, since we're sort of spoiled the impact of seeing him in the uniform for the first time (not to mention, knowing the uniforms to come, it's technically the wrong uniform ;)).

    Also I know it's the actor's height, but having a shorter man play a teenage alien works better than trying to have him pass as an adult- what lets him pass as a younger Ferengi doesn't translate with just the makeup, since there's no indication to suggest Nog is small for a Ferengi.

    In the scene where Sisko appears to adult Jake, Todd does a great job of incorporating some of Jake's acting ticks, it's actually kinda eerie. Future uniforms reused from All Good Things but kinda feel like TOS uniforms more than they did there.

    The old age makeup on Dax is actually quite good. Getting pulled into subspace looks a lot like a place Q hangs out in on occasion when offering It's a Wonderful Life journeys.

    "Thank you for everything"... including that last bit that you mentioned which involves erasing my existence from the timeline and causing a major war that is otherwise seemingly averted. She ain't much of a survivalist, folks.

    An interesting what if scenario, though it kinda makes Jake a little pathetic (though that could be the result of the recurring nature of the trauma- he seems to do ok after he gets past it initially). But, still, an excellent episode. Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: A 1996 issue of TV Guide, this episode was voted the best Star Trek episode ever. Brooks, Lofton, Behr and director David Livingston also rank this among their favorite episodes.

    This was originally going to be directed by Rene but a last minute switch the production schedule to accommodate Colm's film schedule swapped the episodes that Rene and Livingston worked on.

    The design of Jake's house is based on the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. The concept of a fan visiting a reclusive writer who hasn't published in years is based on a 1980 interview with JF Salinger to a high school student tat showed up at his door. In the alternate timeline of this episode, the Dominion War did not happen (as of the 2390s).

    The shot of Jake and Kira in the upper pylon apparently predicts the final shot of the series (erg, minor spoilrs). Kira debuts a new uniform in this episode, though one that wasn't popular with the fans, who feared they were trying to turn Kira into a Baywatch Babe. This episode was nominated for a Huge Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, but lost to Babylon 5.


    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100124100660/memoryalpha/en/images/2/25/Paris_and_hair_pasta.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051013072455/memoryalpha/en/images/9/9b/Repto-humanoid.jpg]
    VOY 207: Parturition
    -Premise: A trip to "Planet Hell" proves therapeutic for Tom Paris and Neelix.

    -T2Q Comments: Simulation through wormholes and against Dominion ships. "Planet Hell", ha- horray for in-jokes (Planet Hell is the nickname to Paramount Stage
     
  10. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    Star Trek Online's Winning Entry For the Enterprise-F

    I'll reserve judgement until a better rendering is made, but while I don't dislike it, I'm not blown away either- it seems to reverse the trend of the ships getting sleeker/fatter (with the Enterprise-J being the end of that evolution) but popping the neck up and bringing the front belly down again.
     
  11. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050504201120/memoryalpha/en/images/5/5c/Razka_Karn.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060916213157/memoryalpha/en/images/6/6b/Sisko_overwhelmed_indiscretion.jpg]
    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921051058/memoryalpha/en/images/6/60/Kira_and_Dukat_look_for_wreckage.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060916214609/memoryalpha/en/images/b/b9/Dukat_pledge_bracelet_indiscretion.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060916220941/memoryalpha/en/images/2/2d/Ziyal_rather_die_indiscretion.jpg]
    DS9 405: Indescretion
    -Premise: Kira and Dukat search for the six-year-old crash site of a Cardassian freighter that was carrying Bajoran prisoners.

    -T2Q Comments: "She's serious." Seems like they're setting up a Dukat/Kira buddy ep, should be amusing despite the implausibility of Dukat being sent. I know we're already about halfway through the episode, but I can't help but feel they find the ship too early- like the search should have lasted longer. Seems to be a lot of effort to "humanize" Dukat here- but I don't mind, as that's something the actor has often managed to achieve in the past without a plot to fully support it.

    The sunset shot is rather lovely. The whole gag over Dukat's injured butt is...funny, yes, but it kinda borders slapstick towards the end and kinda takes me out of the character's reality.

    Breen... ya tay, ya tay, yo-toe.
    [image=http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/en/images/8/83/Breen2372.jpg] [image=http://trevmurphy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ebay_aceo_boushh.jpg]

    Dukat's dilemma seems to be resolved too easily. Rhe Sisko subplot is ok, and not as distracting or cheesy as other relationship subplots tend to be. Seems to be relatively important in the development of Kira/Dukat's interactions as well as Dukat, so we'll go with Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: The series of changes on Cardassia were modelled after the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union. First appearance of the Breen after numerous references on TNG. Their voices were inspired by guitar feedback on the Lou Reed album Metal Machine Music. Directed by Levar Burton .


    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050409185851/memoryalpha/en/images/e/e8/Two_trill.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921042314/memoryalpha/en/images/7/75/Lenara_Kahn_and_Jadzia_Dax_kiss.jpg]
    DS9 406: Rejoined
    -Premise: Dax is reunited with the Kahn symbiont, a wife of one of her previous hosts, and must decide whether or not to ignore Trill taboo and continue their relationship.

    -T2Q Comments: Never let your past lives interfere with your job? Wouldn't that whole Klingon revenge assassination thing qualify? This whole anti-reassociation rule seems odd when we've seen Dax meet up with, work with or fight alongside people from past lives such as Sisko or the Klingons.

    Be nice if they would have maybe namedropped a Voyager connection to the development of this artifical wormhole...but I guess Voyager hasn't made contact yet to let them know where they are so that wouldn't make sense at this point.

    "What do Klingons dream about?"
    "Things that would send cold chills down your spine, and wake you in the middle of the night. No, it is better that you do not know. Excuse me."
    "I can never tell when he's joking."

    A little creepy with the dude watching them right over their shoulder, ha. A significant kiss for the time.

    Wormhole plotline feels like a distraction from the main story- one of those obligatory "we need to make the episode more sci-fi-y" subplots.

    The thing with making the story be (at least partially) a parable/analogy to homosexuality is the behavior of the characters who have to be against reassociation come across as not just homophobic but an odd investigative homophobia (what with the "he saw you holding hands" "how long were you in her quarters?" type questions and even the "what about the consequences?" comments from Sisko) that makes the episode not age well, even if the kiss itself is sign
     
  12. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050504205535/memoryalpha/en/images/7/79/Defiant_Starship_Down.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921050536/memoryalpha/en/images/f/f4/Defiant_dodges_a_missile.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050504204228/memoryalpha/en/images/5/52/Worf_Starship_Down.jpg]
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050504203630/memoryalpha/en/images/0/07/Bashir_and_Jadzia_Starship_Down.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20061004213324/memoryalpha/en/images/1/11/Hanok.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050504202946/memoryalpha/en/images/c/ce/Quark_and_Hanok_Starship_Down.jpg]
    DS9 407: Starship Down
    -Premise: Sisko defends a Karemma ship when it is attacked by the Jem'Hadar. Meanwhile, Quark and the Karemma trade minister argue about the value of dishonesty in trading.

    -T2Q Comments: Followup on Ferengi trade in Gamma Quadrant. Looks like they're going for a submarine-type story here.

    "If we don't seal that deck off now we'll lose the ship" well good thing you can do that and still use transporters to get people out of there. Now I'm trying to remember- is this guy played by Rene or Cromwell? (it's Cromwell). Their little debate over commerce philosophies is kinda neat actually, since it's playing off Quark's passion with it's antithesis. Juluan/Dax.

    Engineer #1: "We'll worry about the mess tommorow."
    Engineer #2: "That's easy to say, it's your day off"
    O'Brien: "Don't count on it."

    I do enjoy the image of Kira and Sisko wearing baseball caps, ha. Submarine stories are something Trek tends to do well- I don't think you absolutely need to see this one but I think it's very good nonetheless so I'll upgrade it to Definitely Essential- all the various mini subplots work well here, from Worf's command style to Julian/Dax, etc.

    Trivia: Inspired by submarine thrillers, particularly Das Boot. The original concept for this episode was more inspired by The Poseidon Adventure and had the Defiant sinking into the sea of an alien planet with the crew trying to escape before the ship is crushed under water. Odo would dive into the water and seep into the ship through damaged hull areas to help. This idea was abandoned for budgetary reasons. The switch from water to gas was not seen as fully successful by the production staff, as scenes like shuttinga hatch against a rush of water became less effective when replaced with gas.

    In the TNG episode Disaster, which has some similarities to the A plot of this episode, Riker says everyone on the bridge is likely dead, but Miles is among few survivors on the bridge. In this episode, it's Miles who says the bridge crew is likely dead. Last credited appearance by Cromwell on a Trek show (his next appearance would be in First Contact, and his cameos on Enterprise were uncredited).


    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070605035405/memoryalpha/en/images/b/bb/Chahmoozee.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100814000816/memoryalpha/en/images/b/b7/DocSick.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071013192106/memoryalpha/en/images/2/2b/Sky_Spirits.jpg]
    VOY 209: Tattoo
    -Premise: Chakotay investigates mysterious symbols and visions that are remarkably similar to one of his childhood experiences.

    -T2Q Comments: Looks like we're getting some of Chakotay's backstory here, whoch probably explains the title.

    "I don't have a life. I have a program."

    Captain Sulu, eh?

    The way this is structured...have to say it kinda reminds me of Lost, being focused on a particular character's backstory told through flashbacks that (usually) relates to mysteries being encountered in the strange "present" world.

    Chakotay ass crack was not on the list of things I was looking forward to in this series.

    Was just thinking about sets recreating rainforests...never quite work, yet the artificial lighting flashes have their own appeal, so it's a doubleedged sword.

    The makeup on this alien guy seems to stop just before the hairline, in which in
     
  13. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080813120245/memoryalpha/en/images/8/8e/Suspirias_array.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070516170627/memoryalpha/en/images/3/32/Tuvok%27s_blood_boiling.jpg]
    VOY 210: Cold Fire
    -Premise: While attempting to make contact with the Caretaker's mate (who may have the ability to send Voyager home), the crew discovers a colony of Ocampa whose representative has an interest in Kes and helping her explore her telepathic powers.

    -T2Q Comments: Woah, this is weird- this is the first "Previously On..." we've ever seen that A) Is not a "Part II" and B) Does not begin with "Previously On...". This is almost like a stand-in for a revised title sequence or opening premise narration. Almost makes you wonder if the show might have found more focus if it had it's opening sequence begin with an evolving narration over the nature of their mission as an audience hook and something to build towards/upon...but i suppose at the time it would seem like too much of a B5 thing perhaps?

    Worth noting that it's been 10 months since the events of Caretaker.. shouldn't that one crew member have had her baby by now?

    "Lots of people but so little life" see that's when you play the "ship runs on bio-tech" card to shut him up.

    Seems like the Caretakers have a bit of a Shadow/Vorlon philosophical disagreement.

    "Vulcans make the worst patients."

    Some of the "Kess join the darkside" training works, some of it is a bit too much and drags some. Having the girl with the deeper voice comes across a bit Corbomite Manuever-esque.

    Not a great episode but not bad. with the developing of Kes's abilities and the followup of the female Caretaker plot, I suppose this one is Definitely Essential in what arc progression the series has currently- but since Suspiria doesn't show up or play a factor again it kinda makes the series look bad, or at least the characters- Janeway didn't even take tim to explain what happened to the Caretaker after Suspiria was captured (and no longer attacking them out of anger), so it makes Janway's decision at the end seem even more stupid.

    Trivia: Suspiria's concept was included in the pilot as a "get out clause" (a means of changing Voyager's format) for the studio, who were wary of reaction to the lost-in-space concept. The use of Suspiria here without sending Voyager home indicates an increased confidence in the notion since the plot was produced. The director (who had previously worked with guest star Gary Grahm on M.A.N.T.I.S.) felt that both he and Gary could have done better on the episode. Suspiria is never seen again on the series and is only vaguely mentioned once more in the series.


    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20061126025105/memoryalpha/en/images/6/66/Korworf.jpg]
    DS9 409: The Sword of Kahless
    -Premise: Klingon Dahar Master Kor, Jadzia Dax, and Worf search for the fabled Sword of Kahless on a remote planet in the Gamma Quadrant.

    -T2Q Comments: Kor returns, Worf references him and Kirk on Organia. That Lethian species attacks Kor with that psychic attack...has more impact after having seen that awful Bashir episode. Kor tells a good story. House of Duras's Torall returns from TNG Redemption. I think this is the first episode to reference back to the Emperor being a clone of Kahless.

    Slight editing error- the wide shot shows Dax raising her weapon at Worf and Kor, then goes to closeups for tension where she hasn't raised her weapon yet, then they go wide again and have her raise it again to fire.

    This one is basically a sequel to Blood Oath, with throwbacks to the Kahless clone of TNG and the overall Gowron stuff going on in DS9 with Worf, so we'll go Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: Directed by Levar Burton. This was the first episode of the 4th season, outside of Way of the Warrior, to have been written after Worf joined the show- as such, it's the first post-WOTW episode to fully integrate him into the show beyond B-stories. Initial fan reaction to this episode was less-postive than expected, as they app
     
  14. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/en/images/2/23/Caylem.jpg]
    VOY 212: Resistance
    -Premise: In order to free her imprisoned crew members, Janeway accepts the help of a delusional resistance fighter.

    -T2Q Comments: It's a curious opening sequence- it's played like it's the end (or, at least, middle) of a big story or movie...it does add some punch, though the tension is kinda lost since the problem is essentially resolved 2 minutes after the audience first experiences it, so the desperate situation never feels that desparate to us (but the characters do convey this at least). Still I think I would have liked to see this concept expanded upon- Big Bad Voyager and it's Federation tech failing it's crew, placing them at the mercy of a lesser race to obtain the material they need to fix it. The idea of potentially stranding them without warp drive certainly has appeal.

    Another lazy alien design- even the Bajorans have more nose ridge makeup than these guys!

    Though it seems silly at first, the actor playing this unwell man pulls it off in a very sad way.

    Aaron From 24.

    The smile Janeway gives in response to "I like this strategy" is fun. Isn't it kinda curious for the main pilot of the ship to be leading a strike team? They have 30 seconds to get down there before they fire- yet Paris walks to the transporter room. Shouldn't they be going site to site?

    Maybe instead of trying to throw off their sensors you should try MOVING.

    This episode was actually a lot better than I thought it would be- the only major flaw is that it requires the crux of this race being practically all human for it to work, which gives it a bit too much of an Alpha Quadrant Story tang...other than that, Good Episode, But Not Necessarily Essential.

    Trivia: The initial pitch of this Don Quixote concept involved Torres and a Kazon. A different writer pitched a very similar story two days after the writers did- had they waited, the other writer would hav gotten the job.


    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921222429/memoryalpha/en/images/e/e3/Julian_Bashir%2C_secret_agent.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921223358/memoryalpha/en/images/3/38/Obrien_as_Falcon.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100810213713/memoryalpha/en/images/4/49/Anastasia_Komananov.jpg]
    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100812192215/memoryalpha/en/images/b/be/Honey_Bare.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051030020331/memoryalpha/en/images/9/97/Hippocrates_Noah_with_guns.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921222951/memoryalpha/en/images/e/e2/Duchamps.jpg]
    DS9 410: Our Man Bashir
    -Premise: A transporter accident replaces the characters in Bashir's secret agent holosuite program with the physical forms of the station's senior staff.

    -T2Q Comments: Did they really just end the teaser with a "What could possibly go wrong?" line? ugh.

    The Bond-esque holo program works when juxtaposed against Garrak (oh, I forgot- Garrak! Huzzah!), "I think I joined th wrong intelligence unit".

    The warp core ejection system isn't responding...what. a. ****ing. shock.

    I wonder if Eddington is thinking, after seeing the whole command crew essentially vaporize in front of him, "Well, that's ONE way to get a promotion"

    Ok, with Russian Kira we officially know this will be a silly, silly episode.

    So the goon who wasn't affected by the earring flashbomb decides that, rather than shoot at Bashir, he'll charge at him.

    "It's behind the spatula".

    A somewhat amusing spoof/homage to 60's spy films, but the whole concept to make it happen feels really forced and holds me back from being able to embrace it and full enjoy it but for what it is, not bad- just not good enough for me to really recommend it on those grounds. I think if Bashir or Garak had actually just programmed the characters into looking like crew members instead of forcing the whole transporter/holodeck malfunction angle into things to make it happen, I would have found it much more enjoyable.

    Avera
     
  15. halibut

    halibut Ex-Mod star 8 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Aug 27, 2000
    Everything Joel Grey touches turns to gold.
     
  16. Django211

    Django211 Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Mar 6, 1999
    Garak is just a terrific character. He always made an episode better. Andrew Robinson really brought him to life and I loved how Garak & Bashir played off each other.
     
  17. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050724024251/memoryalpha/en/images/b/b6/StarfleetHeadquarters2372.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050921052622/memoryalpha/en/images/0/02/Benteen_and_Leyton.jpg] [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060115204160/memoryalpha/en/images/d/d8/AntiChangelingPhaserDevice.jpg]
    DS9 411: Homefront
    -Premise: Sisko is recalled to San Francisco after a terrorist bombing reveals that Changelings have reached Earth.

    -T2Q Comments: Tholian observer- how hot. Changelings on Earth. Brock Peters from Star Trek 4 & 6 as a different character... "No, Sisko, I AM your father!" ;). General Hague...I'm assuming this is the episode that created the doublebooking that lead to his B5 character being killed offscreen and JMS's subsequent revenge on the set of Jeremiah. Not-Dr Leah Brahms. Nog returns.

    I have a suspicion regarding a twist I sense coming... hmm, no, the timing with the Admiral/pidgeon incident and Sisko/his father doesn't work- I really thought the father had been replaced by a Changeling (not eating, not seeing a doctor, etc)...unless there are two Changelings... ha, at least the episode is addressing up the theory.

    It's interesting to see them addressing the notions of paranoia and the utopia of Earth- it calls back to the whole "It's easy to be a saint in paradise" speech by Sisko earlier in the series. I don't think it has a huge amount of weight to it yet, but Part II could resolve that- still, advances the Dominion War plotline. Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: This episode was originally developed as the 3rd season finale, with the Changelings destabilizing the Federation to the point of civil war, making the Vulcans withdraw from the Federation and the cliffhanger being a Starfleet ship opening fire on a Vulcan ship near Earth.

    When Paramount told them not to do a cliffhanger finale, they did The Adversary instead, and intended to make Homefront the 4th season opener. However, Paramount's further instructions to shake up the show between seasons led to the introduction of the Klingons and Worf, which pushed Homefront back to mid-season.

    This episode was an intentional misdirection to convince the audience that martial law was a good thing, then show them how wrong that feeling is in part II. This is the first time we see Sisko wearing a TNG style uniform since the pilot. There was disappointment that they didn't have the necessary money for this two parter (but would have, had it not been Way of the Warrior).

    The fans and producers were not fond of how the Federation president came across here, with the latter seemingly unhappy with the performance. The writers saw him as a Jimmy Carter type character. The president makes reference to there not being a state of emergncy on Earth in a century, with exception to the Borg incident. This could refer to either the V'Gar incident or the Whale Probe attack. Rene, Dorn and Peters all appear in this episode and all played supporting characters in Star Trek 6.


    [image=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080919220606/memoryalpha/en/images/5/50/USS_Lakota_fires_on_the_Defiant-3.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060917164428/memoryalpha/en/images/7/74/Sisko_asks_odo_hides_paradise_lost.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060917170455/memoryalpha/en/images/0/02/Sisko_false_positive_paradise_lost.jpg]
    DS9 412: Paradise Lost
    -Premise: While Starfleet tightens security measures on Earth, Sisko and Odo discover that Admiral Leyton is deviously plotting to take over the planet.

    -T2Q Comments: The Starfleet intrigue is an interesting addition..I almost think this conversation should have been the cliffhanger moment. Excelsior vs Defiant- nice. The coup plotline is much more interesting than Part I, though I'm glad they made it a two-parter and didn't try to rush it- though it's unfortunate we have yet another Starfleet Admiral-Gone-Bad.

    The coup plotline is a bit of a diversion from really addressing the security vs freedom question it's
     
  18. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050827203903/memoryalpha/en/images/7/75/Pralor_3947_eng.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070215185531/memoryalpha/en/images/4/4d/3947.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050829091335/memoryalpha/en/images/2/2f/BElanna_and_3947_workshop.jpg]
    [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050829171809/memoryalpha/en/images/d/d2/Pralor_ship_from_viewscreen.jpg] [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050829091257/memoryalpha/en/images/4/4f/Pralor_vs_Cravic.jpg]
    VOY 213: Prototype
    -Premise: A sentient robot enlists Torres' help to make it possible for it to construct new members of its race.

    -T2Q Comments: The POV shot intro is pretty neat. "This looks like some kind of programming center" you mean the part that is obviously a head and face? nahh...

    Wow, this thing looks really cheap- it's like a bad halloween mask. It's like something TOS would have used- though the facial design evokes the protoype C-3PO.

    "I shouldn't have to remind you that I'm a doctor-"
    "-not an engineer"

    Did Tuvok just say "Our Tarkin sensors cannot penetrate it"?

    I like the inclusion of the Data references- almost makes you wish such a crossover was possible.

    "I'm going to try adjusting the flux capacitors.."

    There;'s something about the delivery of "Is it possible we've stumbled into some kind of...robotic war?" thats just a bit too goofy.. add in Torres full-on "My god, what have I done?!" and, yeah... I don't know what to say about this episode... even though the Classic Cylon backstory machines-keep-on-fighting story is overused these days, it's still a good one- and there's a lot to like about this episode (and the battle with the Ha'tak-looking Destiny hybrids is more extensive than one would antiticpate...but the cheese kinda kills it with the cheap costumes and corny cliched lines. Yet there's enough good here that I wouldn't mind watching this one again down the road.

    So, I guess Good Episode (barey), But Not Necessarily Essential.

    Trivia: Final Trek episode directed by Frakes, who shot scenes in ways that would make the eye slits in the robot masks unnoticeable. One of the robot arms seen on the table is that of Johnny Five. The Pralor internal comm beep uses the same sound used in the Terran campaign briefings in Starcraft.


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    VOY 216 (214): Death Wish
    -Premise: A member of the Q Continuum comes aboard Voyager, seeking asylum so he can commit suicide. Q arrives onboard to stop him, leaving Captain Janeway to mediate a moral dilemma.

    -T2Q Comments: NOTE: Stardate indicates this takes place after 213: Prototype.

    Another Q- a dysfunctional one at that. Janeway thinking he's "the" Q is a nice touch, and I like Q2's non-chalant "oh well" attitude to wiping out Voyager's male crew members by accident and being unable to remember how to undo it. Real Q arrives (though wearing the Voyager uniform- would have been nice if he had the old style).

    "Oh, well I guess that's what we get for having a woman in the Captain's seat. You know, I was betting that Riker would get this command." [face_laugh]

    "Did anyone ever tell you angry when you're beautiful?"

    Oh, wait-crap, I just realized this is turning into a Starfleet trial episode... my spidey sense is tingling... but then Q calling himself to the witness stand is hilarious ("Vulcans.."), so I'm at ease for the moment.

    Riker brought in among others..though he seems all too calm about the notion of Q wiping his memory.

    "Without Q there would have been no Wlliam T Riker at all. And I would have lost at least a dozen REALLY good opportunities to insu
     
  19. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100123114760/memoryalpha/en/images/7/76/MabusJanewayKazons.jpg] [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060220171415/memoryalpha/en/images/4/49/Sobras_surface.jpg] [image=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050205050004/memoryalpha/en/images/3/39/Michael_jonas.jpg]
    VOY 214 (215): Alliances
    -Premise: Janeway tries to form an alliance with the Kazon.

    -T2Q Comments: It would have been nice if we had gotten to know this crewmember or seen his friendship with Chakotay prior to this episode so that his death would have more impact. It's good that they're exploring Federation principles in more depth... that's not something I was anticipating anything outside of DS9 doing much of, and the comparison to the Klingon/Federation alliance is valid to some degree (and amusing, given the Water Klingon nickname).

    Seska returns. Another nose/forehead alien race- could have just given them a cool visor or eyewear to achieve a similar, if not superior, effect. One thing about this episode, though- they went awfully quickly from "we have only thrusters and will be lucky to get warp drive working again" to "business as usual".

    The (re)introduction of the Trabe puts a new spin on the Kazon...but the Trabe seem to be pretty well known, at least to Neelix...so why didn't he make a big deal about the "Kazon stole from the Trabe" angle before?

    Kinda funny, given their shared "trying to get to Earth" plotlines, that Janeway's initial proposal would sorta make Voyager the equivalent of Galactica (albeit amongst a more heavily armed convoy). Also interesting that the Trabe potentially suggest a new Federation of sorts.

    Would be nice if the Trabe's betrayal, as witnessed by the Kazon that Janeway saved by warning them, actually led to some Kazon tribes being more lenient towards Voyager.

    Janeway's speech about Federation principles and alliances is all well and good..until you start thinking about the eventual Borg "alliances" of sorts to come (and the speech is kinda preechy and comes across as a tacked-on lesson too).

    So this episode was pretty major, I think- besides the Seska subplot (and the apparently recurring crewmember traitor linked to her) and overall Kazon material, this is one of the first episodes where you get the feeling things could have a major, major impact and plausibly change the status quo by building something meaningful. In that regards, the Trabe betrayal, though portrayed well, feels conceptually cheapening- as if they had to force a reset button in there, no matter how much the show would have trmendously benefitted from the script succeeding.

    So, one of the few Voyager episodes to seize upon something great- and though it sadly pulls back at the end from achieving that greatness out of necessity (presumably), to it's credit they pull things off in a way that success seems actually plausible (as opposd to one of those pre-ordained "of course you know this'll all go away/not happen by episode's end" vibe similar situations in Trek tend to have)

    Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: Originally, Culluh was to die in this episode.



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    DS9 414: Return to Grace
    -Premise: Kira and Gul Dukat chase the Klingon Bird-of-Prey that destroyed a Cardassian outpost where Cardassian and Bajoran representatives were holding a conference.

    -T2Q Comments: Continuation of Duhkat's daughter subplot- not surprising that it's another Duhket/Kira episode. I forget if I commented on/noticed this before in a previous Duhkat episode, but Duhkat's makeup looks different now.

    "I can just imagine that Klingon Captain explaining this to his superiors."
    "He won't get the opportunity."
    (kaboom!)
    "Was that necessary?"
     
  20. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060902041051/memoryalpha/en/images/e/e6/Sons_of_Mogh.jpg]
    DS9 415: Sons of Mogh
    -Premise: Worf's brother Kurn arrives on the station, and asks Worf to kill him.

    -T2Q Comments: Worf's black robes here with the grey stripe evokes the B5 Army of Light uniforms (but not so much so that I'll add it to my list). Worf/Dax teased. Worf's brother Kurn returns.

    "Tell me, Worf, does Starfleet ever make mistakes- even in their furniture?"

    "I have never asked you for anything" actually, I'm pretty sure you asked for a hell of a lot back in those TNG episodes.

    The runabout chairs recline, for some reason, that's nice to know, ha. The scene where Sisko reprimands Worf illustrates a big difference between Picard and Sisko- I think Picard, while not approving, would have discussed or debated the issue- Sisko just gets mad and says "No! End of story!"

    "He'll be alright...again" Bashir's medical care is kind of a running joke here this episode so far as Kurn is concerned.

    "There..very ugly. Well, uglier....joke."
    "I got it."

    Mine field detontation a neat shot. "Just like flushing quayle"

    Well, that was an unexpected way to tie off that character/plotline- always figured they'd just regain their house after this Klingon conflict ended. Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: While hinting at Worf/Dax, Moore originally wanted to insert a line that Worf was no longer involved with Troi but was unable to find an appropriate place for it. The exchange between Kurn and Worf about the comfort of Worf's quarters echoes a similar conversation from Kurn's first appearance in TNG: Sins of the Father.



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    VOY 216 (217): Meld
    -Premise: Tuvok is plagued by the senselessness of a murder aboard Voyager.

    -T2Q Comments: "I will not rest until I see you smile."
    "Then you will not rest."

    Wait...the dead body guy's name was "Mr. Darwin"? For real?

    Interesting- watching this back to back with Sons of Mogh, an episode that dealt with a mindwipe, here we have the guest actor, Brad Douriff, who underwent death of personality/mindwipe on B5.

    Not unexpectedly, going by the title of the episode, here comes a mind meld.

    "Try your luck again- tommorow you could be a winner"

    God, please punch Neelix in the face, just one little omniscient jawcracker is all I ask. That'll do, Vulcan, that'll do.

    So, this ends up being a pretty decent episode- though more on the strength of the guest actor than Tim Russ (who isn't bad either) or the plot, though the Paris gambling subplot doesn't really go anywhere, even though they hinted at something between Paris and Chakotay. Good Episode, But Not Necessarily Essential/Potentially Essential (it's final state will depend on Brad's character's recurring appearances).

    Trivia: The original pitch from a writing intern involved Tuvok melding with a racist alien serial killer, which would lead to Tuvok venting repressed feelings regarding humans. At this point in the production they were under a "great time crunch" and were writing shows as quickly as possible to get them "up on their feet" because they were unsure what the next show was going to be.

    A psychiartrist was hired as a consultant on the script and Tim Russ consulted with two doctors for insights into the criminal mind. A cut scene involved Chakotay "dressing down" Tuvok for not knowing about Paris's gambling operation. This was Braga's favorite episode from Season 2. The scene where Tuvok loses control in Sickbay was included in a performance reel Tim Russ showed when seeking acting work.



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    VOY 217 (218): Dreadnought
    -Premise: Voyager encounters Dreadnought, a Cardassian missile that B'Elanna Torres reprogrammed during her time in the Maquis. Even though lost in the Delta Quadrant, the missile still believes it is on a Maquis mission in the Alpha Quadrant, setting an int
     
  21. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    Looks like Paramount is close to announcing the first TNG HD Blu-Ray sampler set that will probably be hitting around xmas. It's supposedly going to include Farpoint, Inner Light and Sins of the Father.

    Should be interesting to see the finished product, since they'll have had to reconstruct each episode from scratch due to the film-to-video conversion done originally.
     
  22. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    And they did announce it shortly after my last post. Let me just repost my two posts from elsewhere on the matter:





    Back to the episodes!


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  23. Nevermind

    Nevermind Jedi Knight star 6

    Registered:
    Oct 14, 2001
    I see I missed a lot by not continuing to watch this series...
     
  24. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    Which one? Or are you referring to Trek as a whole? If you have Netflix, both TNG and DS9 are on instant streaming now.
     
  25. The2ndQuest

    The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2000
    [image=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050709182551/memoryalpha/en/images/6/60/A_briefing_with_neelix.jpg]
    VOY 220: Investigations
    -Premise: Neelix searches for a traitor aboard Voyager using his morning news program.

    -T2Q Comments: Neelix's show is kinda annoying, but then that could be said for any morning show, i suppose. "I'm a Doctor, not a performer."

    This whole speech by Neelix is good, but diminished from knowing Paris is not leaving the show...and would diminish any future episode that would legitimately deal with a Paris departure. Seska returns.

    Neelix's adamant enthusiasm for journalism and journalistic integrity wouldn't ring so hollow if they had established it as a trait of his earlier in the series... and not from a single brief conversation with Harry Kim earlier in this episode.

    I can't help but feel disappointed that they killed off Jonas... I think having him be captured and interrogated, be able to explain his motives and plans, etc would have been more satisfying. Where's THAT Starfleet courtroom episode? Speaking of unsatisfying.. where is our closure on the spy? We don't even get a final Janeway speech?

    Since this resolves the ongoing spy subplot and is surprisingly good despite being a Neelix episode, Definitely Essential.

    Trivia: This episode was originally going to be enturely from the POV of Neelix's show, but after production on the episode began, the studio told them to change that so that the action sequences with Tom being a hero could be seen. This episode features a cameo by King Abdullah bin al-Hussein of Jordan as an extra.


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    VOY 221: Deadlock
    -Premise: While trying to avoid Vidiian territory, Voyager is nearly destroyed by proton bursts coming from an unknown source.

    -T2Q Comments: She's finally having a baby after, what? a year and a half? ok, so the father wasn't human, so I suppose that could explain the extended gestation period. Fetal transport- I guess that would replace a c-section, wouldn't it?

    I like the "TNG: Disaster" nature of the action so far- and addressing the cons of having your doctor powered by the ship's power systems is also a nice touch as well.

    You know, they REALLY need to get some ***damn surge protectors on their consoles- in this franchise, computer terminals are more dangerous than handheld weapons!

    Btw, it''s funny that even newborns get crappy forehead ridge makeup on this show. Clever blocking and camera tricks to duplicate Kess in non-bluescreen/splitscreen shots. Vidian ship is pretty big.

    In either phase, Janeway is really set on blowing up her ship, ha. You know- instead of just Kim and the baby, why not send all 10 or so people that the rift can handle and save as many lives as possible?

    Self-destruct attempt #2- a successful one, so, Voyager Death #1.

    "Mr. Kim, we're Starfleet Officers. Weird is part of the job."

    We need to stress this point again: HARRY KIM IS DEAD AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A "DUPLICATE"/TWIN/ALTERNATE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SERIES. I suspect the show never brings that up again, much like how something similar that happened to Picard in early TNG.

    Although they seem to glance over what seems like should have been a lot of casualties as just injuries, as well as a lot of damage to the ship that reset, but other than that- Good Episode, But not Ncessarily Essential. However, it is good to see the Vidians presented as a larger scale threat like this.

    Trivia: Developing episode concepts featuring duplicates of the ship run back to TNG, where the script got bogged down with trying to give everyone and their duplicate a story arc, instead here, they found taking a high concept action approach as a solution.


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