Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine
Episode
Particulars: S3EP26, “The Adversary”
Standalone
Thoughts: Unlike the paranoia that surrounded “Whispers”, the atmosphere in
this episode is very effective. A lot of it is accomplished through lighting,
camera angles, and music, but the acting certainly helps contribute to it too. There
are some great moments of tension, like the two scenes where tests are run, and
the pace is very good. Really, that kind of sums up the episode; if you like
tension or paranoia elements, this episode will be right up your alley. If you
don’t, I don’t think it’s unbearable to watch, either. And the final scene
offers up a lot of promise, though I said the same thing about “The Jem’Hadar”,
and that turned out to only be semi-successful. But at least this episode is
good in its own right, and is a good one to close the season on.
How it Relates to
the Whole: Well, the very end of the episode suggests the trajectory of
subsequent stories, so while we haven’t fully entered the main story arc of the
show, we’re getting there. Also, while I don’t remember all the details, I’ve
gotten reminders from The DS9 Companion that
Odo’s actions will have consequences for him later on, so there’s that to keep
an eye out for. Finally, while I don’t think it has any serious bearing on the
show, there is a small beat near the climax of the show that will wind up
feeling oddly familiar two seasons from now. I doubt that was intentional, but
on a rewatch, you can’t help but raise your eyebrow.
Other: *One
small but noteworthy point crops up in this episode. While fending off
questions about his relationship with Captain Yates, Sisko says that he’s
barely had time to inform his father about his Captaincy, much less Kasidy. The
thing is, there were a lot of suggestions in previous seasons to suggest that
both of Sisko’s parents were dead. There’s even an exchange where he talks
about his father being sick and Sisko feeling helpless to stop it, with a line
delivery that implied that the illness was a fatal one. This isn’t a
straight-up retcon, as he never outright states that his father is dead, but it
can be a little confusing if you were paying attention to previous episodes.
*So what did I think about this season as a whole? I’d
say it was generally much stronger than the first two seasons, with only two
episodes that really bugged me. They
also set up a lot of things for future seasons, though I’m disappointed they
didn’t do more with it. Really, after “The Search”, the Founders and the
Dominion were only really relevant for four episodes, six if you include having
it as the motivation behind “The House of Quark” and part of the reason for the
communications array in “Destiny”. Even so, the stories were generally strong,
most of the actors have settled into their roles and are doing well, and the
supporting characters are beginning to be fleshed out too. It’s very
encouraging, and given what’s coming tomorrow, I’m hoping we’re on the cusp of
the moment when the show really took off. But we’ll all have to wait and see on
that.
Best
Line/Exchange: This was another one where it was hard to find something.
The lines are decent, there’s just not much that jumped out at me. So I guess I’ll
pick;
(There are two Odos
in the engine room, where O’Brien is trying to solve the problem)
Odo 2: You’d
better make a decision, we’re running out of time!
O’Brien: (Looks
between them) Look, I have more important things to do than play “Choose
the Changeling” (Speaking to a security
officer) Keep the phaser on both of them. (Gets up and continues his work)
This is a great example of understated awesomeness. O’Brien
knows there’s a problem, but gives it a temporary solution so he can work on
the real problem. Furthermore, he’s
turned his back on both changelings, leaving him vulnerable, but he does it
anyway because fixing the ship is more important. Anyone can do the heroic
sacrifice or daring rescue, but this is a different kind of bravery. And I’ll
give O’Brien a lot of credit for having it.
End of Season
Fashion Roundup: Once again, I’ll close out the season by showing some of
the more notable fashion choices on display, both the good and the bad. So let’s
get started with the very first episode…
(The Search)
I’m not going to judge the pattern of Jake’s shirt too
harshly, because it’s an ok look and because it may be intended to give off an
African tribal feel, which would be appropriate in the context of the scene.
The plaid highlights, on the other hand, absolutely need to go. What’s wrong
with having a slightly darker shade of blue instead?
(The Search)
Another new outfit for Garak, but this one isn’t
terrible. It very much follows the 24th century pattern of weird
cuts and inserts, but in this case, it kind of looks like it’s mirroring the Cardassian insignia, so I’m thinking that was a deliberate choice on Garak’s
part.
(The House of Quark)
I have to admit that I like Grilka’s outfit. The gold
chains make nice accessories, and the dress has a nice coloring and fit. I
wouldn’t have expected that of Klingon fashions, but there you go.
(Equilibrium)
It appears that someone finally got the memo about
dressing Jake in more sensible clothes. That top is perfectly fine. As for Kira
and Sisko, they don’t really do anything for me, but there’s nothing really
wrong with them, either. I’d say the costume department is finally starting to
learn their lesson, but I have my doubts on that score.
I’m not sure if this next one is a fashion commentary or
a character commentary…
(Equilibrium)
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Bashir’s pajamas,
and while it’s not too bad here, I’ve always had the distinct impression that
they’re just a little too big for him. And maybe it’s just me, but that
particular look/color just doesn’t suit him. Dax, on the other hand, is wearing
something that could double as a dress, and is much more fitted and flattering
in every way. I feel like that says something about their characters, though
I’m not entirely sure what. Or maybe the costume department just liked the
excuse to put Dax in something more girly.
(The Abandoned)
It might be hard to tell, but the top of that outfit is
almost certainly made with Argyle patterns. Somehow, that is not a look I
expected to see in the 24th century. Not that the outfit the guy
wears when he grows up is much better…
From a distance, it appears to be a mesh shirt. Up close,
it’s purple with some odd black pattern. The design itself isn’t so bad, but
the far away effect is a little…distracting.
(The Abandoned)
Never mind the fact that Mardah is practically falling
out of her dress (given that she’s a Dabo girl, that’s probably the whole
point), but why would you make a large skirt and then give it a cut that
literally goes up to her crotch? It stops looking alluring and starts looking
like a sparkly trash bag.
(Meridian)
And you thought Quark’s
outfits were garish. At least his outfits tend to be relatively consistent
patterns; this just looks like the costume department cobbled the suit together
out of whatever scraps they had lying around. Though oddly enough, the back
isn’t horrible. Doesn’t make up for the rest of it, though.
(Meridian)
That headscarf there is curious. I like the effect (kind
of an ocean wave look), but it doesn’t seem very practical. But I’d be willing
to try something like that for a formal affair.
“Fascination” turned out to be a treasure trove of
outfits, both good and bad. Let’s go through them, shall we?
Lwaxana’s outfit is very…Christmassy. Even her jewelry
reminds me of Christmas lights and ornaments. Given that the holiday in the
episode seems to be a cross between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mardi Gras, I
guess that’s appropriate.
Then we get Kira’s outfit, and I like this one. It looks
very elegant and soft, the colors blend well (and I note that they’re orange
and green, like the outfit she wore in “The Homecoming”. I wonder if those are
her favorite colors), it flatters her, and there’s no weird cuts or noticeable
asymmetrical lines. Chalk that one up for the “I’d wear it” list.
Next, Dax’s outfit. I like the color, and it looks pretty
good when she’s sitting down, but…
…upon standing up, it just seems a little too short for a
dress of that design. Something knee to floor length would probably have been
better.
Lwaxana’s second, main dress is a bit of a mess. I don’t
think the wig she’s wearing does the outfit any favors, but even if it did, the
weird ruffles and bunches just look frumpy. At least the first outfit had some
color going for it.
I have my issues with Keiko, in general and in this
episode, but I’ll acknowledge that this dress is good. The asymmetrical skirt
is actually interesting instead of distracting, the contrasting reds work well,
and it’s pretty without being overly formal. Another good job by the costumers.
And finally, we get to the person I have the most vested
interested in seeing look good…
In other circumstances, I think I’d hate this.
Asymmetrical neckline, one blue sleeve and one purple sleeve, the fact that the
blue and purple aren’t evenly spread across the shirt...it’s exactly what I
talk about when I say 24th century fashion designers lost their
minds. And yet…it’s ok here. I’m still not fond of the neckline, but I can
tolerate everything else. I’m going to chalk my response up to hormones and
move on.
(Past Tense)
Yes, this is 21st century fashion rather than
24th century fashion, but I think it’s worth noting anyway, in part
because I like it. You’ve got the flapper feather decoration reminiscent of the
1920’s, and a suit jacket that wouldn’t be out of place in the 40’s, and the
whole thing is very striking and nice.
Unfortunately, then Dax takes off the jacket, and…
What the hell is even going on here? A mini-skirt and a
vest that kind of looks like it was put on upside down? Who thought that was a good idea?
(Life Support)
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen these surgery
outfits in Star Trek, but they are
the first time they’ve appeared on DS9,
and they’re still baffling. Why head coverings but not face masks? Why are they
red? Is it to hide blood? Not to mention the fact that everybody who wears them
winds up looking like some sort of chess piece or cultist. Sure, we should be
looking at function over form, but since this is a TV show and not a real
medical situation, surely they could have designed the outfits to be a little less ridiculous?
(Life Support)
Leanne’s dress reminds me of the style I see in 50’s
movies; poofy at the waist with a tight top. It’s not a bad look, though it is
curious that the costumers chose that particular style. Leftover pattern from a
movie, perhaps?
(Heart of Stone)
While Nog’s outfit is typical of Ferengi clothing
(bright, clashing patterns, somewhat garish), I actually kind of like the
design of the shirt proper. The swirls on the arms are neat, and I like the
shiny quality to it. I wouldn’t mind having a dress or a shirt in that
material.
(Heart of Stone)
This is probably more of a makeup thing than a fashion
thing, but I’m impressed with the work on the alien in the back there. That
prosthetic is long and was probably difficult to make and attach, but it’s
definitely more creative than the usual “glue something to the head” alien
makeup, and for a background character, no less. Props to the makeup
department.
(Destiny)
The pattern of Gilora’s outfit isn’t bad—the streaks of
purple give it a nice feminine touch—but I do question the hairstyle a little.
The tuft on the top of the head just seems like it would be both a pain to do
in the morning and doesn’t look very flattering. Well, at least it’s
eyecatching…?
(Distant Voices)
The outfit itself has its issues—it almost looks like a
tiger skin outfit that’s either been strategically torn or become threadbare in
select places—but what really gets me is the hair. Even though this was made in
the 90’s, that looks like a major throwback to the 80’s to me. I’m not sure why
that’s the most ridiculous part to
me, though. Maybe I’m starting to get inured to the strange outfits on this
show.
(Through the Looking Glass)
Not only do I like the color and fit of Dax’s top, I like
the new hairstyle. I’d actually take it over the ponytail she normally wears.
Oh well, you can’t have everything.
(Through the Looking Glass)
While I kind of hate the double asymmetrical cut of the
dress (or is it a jacket and skirt with the same cut?), I do like the fit and
the color. Get rid of one of those cuts, and you might have something there.
(Improbable Cause)
I’m mostly interested in the hair here. It’s like some
combination of curlers and small Christmas ornaments. It works in making this
guy look alien, but once you see the curler look, it’s hard to unsee.
(Improbable Cause)
I don’t know what to make of this outfit. On the one
hand, it’s kind of reminiscent of the Starfleet uniforms Kirk and his crew wore in the Star Trek movies, so there’s a
bit of a nostalgic callback. On the other, the moiré effect on the shoulders
can be distracting. I think I’d like the outfit better if the shoulders were a
solid color, like a darker red.
(Shakaar)
I don’t actually have a problem with this outfit’s color,
cut, or design. No, my problem is the amount of cleavage on display. Why would
you want to display that much skin if you’re a farmer, especially in a hot
climate? Surely the more covered up you are, the better.
(Facets)
I like this outfit, actually. The pattern on the
shoulders is nice, and while this isn’t the best screenshot, I like the shade
of purple, too. It’s not something I think should be worn all the time, but
it’s not bad for a one-off appearance.
Surprisingly, the good or decent outweighed the bad this
time around. Maybe there’s still hope for the 24th century
designers.
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