Day 30: DS9, Rivals

Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine

Episode Particulars: S2EP11, “Rivals”

Unfortunately, I can't have multiple cuts, but I kept my word and included my rant on DS9's fashions in today's review. Just scroll down to the bottom of the review if that's more interesting to you.

Summary: Odo, on a patrol of Quark’s bar, interrupts conman Martus Mazur (Chris Sarandon) as he attempts to claim another mark. Martus is thrown in the brig, where he meets another alien who has a little pocket gambling device. When the alien dies of unexpected (but apparently natural) causes, Martus takes the device for himself, and starts to experience incredible strokes of good luck after playing with it for a bit. He parlays that into opening up a casino, to Quark’s increasing fury. He’s not the only one getting frustrated; O’Brien is annoyed by how easily Bashir beats him in racquetball, and keeps demanding rematches. Naturally, Quark sees this grudge match as just the sort of thing to get people back in his bar…

Standalone Thoughts: While this episode is yet another “slice of life” episode, it’s far more entertaining than the last two have been. I think that’s because it’s not trying to take itself too seriously, which encourages the audience to relax, have fun, and not worry too much about plot issues. While things move a little fast and the explanation for what’s going on is ridiculous even by technobabble standards (and not very well explained, either), the episode has a light, breezy feel that allows me to forgive its sins and just enjoy the ride.

About the only other thing worth noting is that the episode probably devotes at least half its runtime to Martus’ antics, generally without any of the main characters interacting with him. It’s unusual when a guest character gets that much screentime, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, he’s only going to be in this one episode (I think), but Sarandon has the right “charming scoundrel” attitude to make him fun to watch, and since he is just in this one episode, he doesn’t overstay his welcome. I definitely wouldn’t encourage this sort of episode all the time, but as a palate cleanser between more serious fare, it’s just the sort of thing DS9 needs.

How it Relates to the Whole: Other than continuing to gradually develop the friendship between Bashir and O’Brien, this episode is a one-off. Still a lot of fun, though.

That being said, I think there was a bit of cross-promotion going on. We’re told that Martus is an El-Aurian, who are famous for listening. Star Trek; Generations, the first Next Generation movie, would come out ten months later, and featured El-Aurian characters. I can’t help but feel like this isn’t a coincidence, though at the moment, I have no proof of it.

Other: *There’s not a lot worth mentioning here today, except for one thing; Bashir’s character continues to improve in lots of little ways. Specifically, he doesn’t automatically drink the liquid Quark offers him, and instead runs a test on it to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with. It says something about his characterization in Season One that I was half-convinced that he would just down it without a second thought. Fortunately, he seems to have moved past that point, and that’s all to the good.

Best Line/Exchange: I feel like I have to pick this bit, solely because of continuity;

(Quark is attempting to complain to Sisko about Martus’ casino)

Quark: I have a contract, for which I paid considerably. All gambling at DS9 happens at Quark’s, or it doesn’t happen!

Sisko: A few bribes to the Cardassians when they ran this place doesn’t constitute a contract, not in the eyes of the Federation.

Quark: He’s a con artist, a crook.

Sisko: One more won’t make much difference.

(The two of them ride an elevator to the ground floor, with Quark making muffled protests the whole way)

Quark: You owe me! You begged me to stay here when you first came on board, and I did! Against my better judgment…

Sisko: I didn’t beg, I blackmailed you, and don’t pretend it hasn’t paid off for you, either. (Walks off)

Considering that the scene where Sisko blackmailed Quark took Best Exchange in my very first review, acknowledging the callback seems like the natural thing to do. Plus, Sisko’s matter-of-fact, “I’m not putting up with this” attitude is very entertaining. Kind of in keeping with the whole episode, really.

After the Fact Update: I was half-right; while the episode had no direct connection to Generations, it is the first time the species name “El-Aurian” is heard. So if anything, DS9 influenced Generations. I can definitely get behind that. Also, apparently this episode wasn’t very popular at the time, though the crew enjoyed it. My track record of going against the opinion of the majority continues.

And Now For Something Completely Different: So now for that promised screed on 24^th century fashion. I got lucky in that today’s episode has a lot of options to choose from, though I’ll be supplementing it with material from other episodes.

                                                 

I think my issue with the outfits of the 24^th century is that it feels like everybody collectively lost their sense of taste. A lot of the outfits we see either have impractical elements, bizarre lines, or bright colors that absolutely do not go well together. Behold, for example, Sisko’s bathing suit in “Emissary”;

What is with the brown and gold pattern in the middle of the shirt? Why does it have such a deep neckline? Why do the swimming trunks almost but not quite match the shirt? So many questions, and no answers.

Or take Jake’s three toned V-neck jumpsuit that must be a pain to deal with when he needs to go to the bathroom;

Yeah, it’s got a recurring motif, but why not have three different shades of green, instead of this random blue. Plus, it looks like wool, so it almost looks like Jake is a teenage boy walking around in onesie footie pajamas. Just what all the cool kids are wearing, right?

Sad to say, Bashir is one of the worst offenders. Two of his outfits are infamous in fandom, and one of them appears in this episode;

Though to be fair, it’s mostly infamous because of this;

Ability to frame buttocks aside, just look at that thing. How is that even remotely comfortable to wear, especially as a workout outfit ? It’s absurdly shiny, looks way too thick, and definitely doesn’t look like it breathes. And the shoes appear to have been spray-painted silver and/or covered in duct tape. Plus, who would design a jumpsuit so it looks like the pants go up to your nipples?

Now, I tend to give Quark a pass, because while his outfits are often garish, they suit him, both in terms of coloring and personality. This episode, however, does inadvertently call attention to his clothes. While he’s chatting with Martus, he cites the 47^th Rule of Acquisition; “Don’t trust a man wearing a better suit than your own”. And he’s kind of right. While their suits share a similar pattern, Martus’ is probably one you’d be more likely to see in the real world;

However, please note that when Martus’ casino becomes successful, the tastefulness of their outfits swap;

I’m not sure if that was deliberate on the part of the costumers, but I thought it was very appropriate.

And then there’s Garak. Keep in mind, he’s supposed to be a tailor, and this is what he wears in his first appearance;

Horizontal stripes and vertical spots? It’s not “clash day” on DS9, Garak, so what made you think this was a good idea?

Now, as befitting a good tailor, at least Garak offers up some variety;

But if my memory serves me right, his outfits are generally more on the ugly side. It got to the point that my family developed a theory that Garak became a tailor in order to deliberately make hideous fashions, though we haven’t fully decided why (“demoralizing the Federation” is a popular thought). But even if that’s not the case, what hope does the 24^th century have if even the tailors can’t make clothes that look good?

I’ve just offered up a sample, but hopefully you can see my point. I will continue to point out particularly egregious examples of the form (especially when we get to Bashir’s other infamous outfit), but I’ve said my piece and gotten the worst out of my system. So I’ll close this review out with a few other awkward pieces;

I don’t actually mind the outfit itself, because it’s supposed to be alluring and sexy to draw in the customers. The hairstyle, on the other hand…I can tell it’s trying to look like a crown, but it just looks weird.

Who needs an asymmetrical collar that high? Eating food or raising your arm must be a nightmare.

Is that a dress, or a jumpsuit? Couldn’t the tailor make up their mind? It does have good coloring, though, so it could be a lot worse.

And finally, let’s end with the queen of strange Star Trek costumes, Lwaxana Troi;

I think the picture speaks for itself. See you next episode, where hopefully nearly everyone will be in uniform.