Day 50: DS9, Second Skin

Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine

Episode Particulars: S3EP5, “Second Skin”

 Summary: Kira gets a message from a researcher for the Bajoran Central Archives, wanting to ask about her time in Elemspur Prison during the Occupation. Only problem; Kira was never in Elemspur Prison. When a former prisoner confirms that she was there, however, Kira decides to head down to Bajor herself to investigate. Instead, she wakes up on Cardassia Prime, looking like a Cardassian and being informed by Entek (Gregory Sierra), a member of the Obsidian Order, that she’s actually a Cardassian sleeper agent named Iliana Ghemor, brought back to Cardassia so they can pump her for info about DS9. Kira naturally refuses to believe it, so they leave her in the care of Iliana’s father, Tekeny Ghemor (Lawrence Pressman), who loves his daughter very much and wants to look out for her, even if she doesn’t recognize him. As Kira slowly starts to question reality, her friends at the station (and a helpful but increasingly exasperated Garak) do what they can to find her and get her back. You can insert a comment about genetic and found families here if you wish.

Standalone Thoughts: I like this episode a lot, though it doesn’t quite tip over into great for me. The story is interesting and the acting is great, but it’s just missing that spark that got me gushing over, for example “Necessary Evil”. Even so, it’ll probably be in the top five by the end of the season, so no complaints there.

The problem is, the episode is good enough that I’m not entirely sure what to say about it. Visitor plays Kira’s growing conflict well, we get to see that not all Cardassians are militaristic and nasty, and the concept is a good one that probably could have been explored with a little more depth, but is still handled nicely. Plus, Garak is in it. At this point, I don’t think I need to say any more than that.

How it Relates to the Whole: Ghemor will return for another episode later down the line, but it won’t have any major ramifications for the show. We also get a very brief line from Garak that will come into play later, but I’m not sure the writers had any long-term plans when they first wrote it. So this episode is semi-relevant, but not in a big way. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Other: *This episode contains several dramatic camera zooms that end in closeups on people’s stunned faces. It’s shaky, it’s distracting, and it’s pointlessly overblown. The music, writing, and acting are selling this well enough, cinematographers; we don’t really need your input on this.

*You know, for all I mock the 24^th century aesthetic, I’ve got to give it up to at least some Cardassians;

…They have good decorative skills. That rainbow vase on the left is pretty, the glass flowers are nice, and the whole room just looks tidy, colorful, and cozy. I think I’d enjoy having a hotel room like that. Hmm, a Star Trek themed luxury hotel…maybe that’s something some entrepreneur should look into.

Best Line/Exchange: Have you ever had to take a moment to pause a DVD and flail around because the lines and acting are just that good? I have, and it’s for moments like this;

(Sisko is “persuading” Garak to come along to help rescue Kira)

Garak: Why should I care what the Bajoran government thinks of me?

Sisko: I don’t know. But it seems to me if someone were in trouble with the Cardassian Central Command, a Bajoran space station under Federation control might just be the safest place in the galaxy.

Garak: Commander, this is extortion.

Sisko: Hmmm…(Thinks for a moment) Yes it is.

(Garak looks annoyed. Odo smirks.)

Sisko: We’ll be travelling under false transit documents prepared by Starfleet Intelligence. Mr. O’Brien has reconfigured the shield harmonics on the Defiant so that on long-range sensors, we’ll appear to be a Kobheerian freighter. (He offers Garak a padd. Garak makes a face and takes it brusquely.) We leave in three hours.

(As Sisko starts to leave, Garak stands up)

Garak: I’ll go along on your fool’s errand. But I want one thing to be perfectly clear. I have no intention of sacrificing my life to save yours. If it looks like we’re in danger of being captured, if there’s any sign of trouble at all…you’re on your own.

Sisko: Mr. Garak, I believe that’s the first completely honest thing you’ve ever said to me.

Garak (smiles and half-bows): How perceptive of you, Commander.

(Sisko half-smiles back, nods to Odo, and walks away)

I think this is a scene you have to see for yourself to fully appreciate. But the acting in this scene is amazing, the line deliveries are perfect for the characters, and just look at Garak’s face;

Andrew Robinson maintains that face for about six seconds, and it gets more and more amusing the more I watch it. Is it because he kind of looks like he’s pouting? I don’t know, but I love it anyway. Please keep being awesome, Garak; I enjoy the opportunities to geek out for a few seconds.