Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine
Episode
Particulars: S2EP6, “Melora”
Standalone
Thoughts: This episode is pretty much a mindless piece of fluff. That’s not
necessarily a bad thing—it’s good to have lighter episodes between the heavier
material—but it does mean that there’s not a lot to say about it. It’s a
romance episode, so the relationship between the characters will generally wind
up feeling rushed and then arbitrarily be given a reason to be pulled apart. It’s
even worse in this case, because Melora has had her back up for so long that
her almost immediately letting Bashir past her defenses because he understands
her doesn’t seem like something that would actually happen. I suppose a case
would be made that she latched onto him because he was the first person to
truly “get it”, but even so, it doesn’t feel like a natural development. Maybe
if they’d suggested she’d been around for longer than three days…
The episode also kind of teeters on the brink of preachy
territory, since there is no way you can avoid drawing comparisons to people
with disabilities. If the wheelchair, braces, and cane weren’t enough, some of
the word choices are particularly pointed as well. It does manage to avoid
feeling like a message episode, though there are moments in the first act where
it’s touch-and-go. Still, if you don’t like that sort of thing, you might want
to steer clear of the episode.
About the only other thing I can say about this episode
is that there’s a subplot about Quark being threatened by an old business
associate he put in jail that really isn’t necessary. Yes, it winds up tying
into the main plot at the very end, but before that, it just felt like a
pointless interruption. There were ways they could have made Melora’s
anti-gravity experience come in handy (a crisis on the station, perhaps) without
having to bring in this subplot. Sure, it gives Quark and Odo something to do,
but I don’t think that’s a good enough reason. Still, it could have been worse,
and like I said, the episode is ok, so I’m not going to come down too hard on
it.
How it Relates to
the Whole: A quick check of Memory Alpha confirms my vague memory that
Melora doesn’t return, meaning that pretty much nothing we see here will be
relevant later on. Although it does add
to my growing pile of “so close, and yet so far” evidence about Bashir’s later
character development.
Other: *I can’t
help but notice that the moments that lead us into the commercial breaks are
less dramatic than they normally are. Sure, Bashir finding a way to allow
Melora to walk without assistance is neat, but his and Melora’s reactions are
so understated that it doesn’t feel like a good place to break off. There’s
also a moment that could be interpreted as a fade-to-black sex scene, but
again, the way it’s shot makes it more weird than interesting. I don’t know,
maybe I’m just used to dramatic music and worried faces before a commercial
break.
*Sometimes, I wonder about the alien makeup designs these
shows come up with…
While it makes them look different, it also makes no
sense. How on earth would having something connecting your nose to your chin be
practical in any way? It’ll get in the way when you eat, if nothing else. It’s
not a big deal because this is just for one episode, but it’s not something you
should think about for too long.
*Bashir and Melora have a dinner date at a Klingon
restaurant at one point, complete with racht,
aka worms. We even see Bashir eat one. While it’s kind of disgusting for the
audience, I do have to applaud the creators for showing that the world of Star Trek is more than open to the food
of different planets, to the point where they actually seek it out and don’t
just eat it because they feel obligated. It’s a nice bit of worldbuilding.
*At one point, Dax brings up the tale of “The Little
Mermaid”, comparing it to Melora’s situation. When Melora asked if she lived
happily ever after, Dax stays silent. While I get the intent, I think it would
have been much more interesting if Dax had answered “it depends on the
storyteller”. It would have made Melora’s decision have a little more weight.
Best
Line/Exchange: You want proof that Bashir’s finally undergone some
character development? Here you go;
Melora: Doctor,
if you came for an apology…I apologize.
Bashir: Apology…
Melora: My
speech wasn’t intended to attack you personally.
Bashir: I’m
sure you never set out to attack anyone personally. But you do seem to attack a
lot.
Melora: That’s rather
insensitive of you, Doctor.
Bashir: Julian.
I’m no longer your doctor.
Melora: I see.
You’ve decided I need a friend.
Bashir: Ooh.
Was that an attack? You see, you do it so well with such…charm, it’s hard to
tell.
Melora (laughs/scoffs):
I really don’t mean to…
Bashir: Sure
you do.
Melora: I beg
your pardon?
Bashir: Of
course you mean to. All of these broadshots you fire, it’s just your way of
keeping the rest of the universe on the defensive. It has to be; you’re too
good at it.
Melora: Well, I…it
always seemed to work pretty well. Until now.
Bashir: Well
that is the nicest thing you’ve said to me. Or anybody else.
Season One Bashir would have been left floundering in the
wake of Melora’s cutting remarks, complete with a lot of stammering and “ums”.
He also probably wouldn’t have been this perceptive about the fact that this is
her way of coping with the situation. Sure, the tone in his voice during this
scene fluctuates between gentle understanding and knowing sarcasm, but it’s way
better than the Bashir we saw in Season One, or the smugness we saw on display
in “The Passenger”. He probably could have been a bit more tactful about
things, but then again, maybe he wanted her to know that he understood. Or he
was responding in kind. Either way, progress is progress.
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