Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine
Episode
Particulars: S5EP10, “Rapture”
Summary: When
the Cardassians finally return a piece of art detailing the lost Bajoran city
of B’hala, Sisko becomes intrigued by the markings on an obelisk painted in the
center (it’s said that deciphering the markings on all four sides will lead to the
location of the city). As he’s trying to piece things together in a holosuite, a
bolt of electricity zaps him, but initially, he doesn’t show any damage, just
some heightened senses. However, while the rest of the station is preparing for
the ceremony that will officially allow Bajor into the Federation, Sisko
remains obsessed with finding B’hala, compounded by the fact that he swears he’s
having visions. A lot of Bajorans (including Kai Winn) take him at his word,
but Starfleet’s a little more concerned about his physical and mental health. It’s
not that they think he’s crazy; it’s that the electricity is having a gradual
but severe impact on his brain. But Sisko is convinced these visions are
important, and isn’t about to let a little thing like impending death get in the
way. Points for persistence, I guess…?
Standalone
Thoughts: While I do respond positively to this episode, it’s more for the
promise it contains (see the next section) than for the actual content. Most of
the episode consists of Sisko acting odd, people worrying about him, and a few
dramatic events scattered throughout. It all fits together reasonably well, but
it’s not always the most engaging material to watch. Furthermore, Avery Brooks’
performance is mostly fine, but there are moments, especially near the end,
when it starts to veer into overacting, which can be distracting. Not to
mention the fact that there are quite a few exchanges that feel vaguely
preachy, covering such matters as the nature of faith, devotion to duty, and
that doctors have to abide by what the patient wants. If I was seeing this
episode for the first time, I probably wouldn’t be all that impressed by the
end of it (though I’d probably be somewhat invested for most of it as I waited
to see where things were going). That being said…
How it Relates to
the Whole: I can’t help but feel like this is the episode where it’s all
starting to come together. There’s blatant foreshadowing for future events
(some of which I’m pretty sure will take place this season), Sisko seems to be
openly embracing being the Emissary instead of just accepting it (which is also
laying some groundwork for later), Kai Winn looks like she’s gaining some
complexity, Kasidy Yates has reentered the picture…something just feels like
the writers are poised to kick off the big story. I don’t think they’re ready
just yet—if memory serves, they’ve got some loose ends to tie up first—but I
think it’s all going to start this season. And I’m beginning to get really
excited for that.
Other: *The
thing that’s actually most notable for me about this episode isn’t the plot
(although as you saw above, that’s clearly important), but the change in
uniform. We’ve gone from this;
To this;
…without any warning. This is the sort of change I’d
expect to be introduced at the start of a new season, or perhaps at the
midpoint of this season. Furthermore, I’d have expected some attention to be
drawn to it, because it’s such a major change from what’s come before (there
was a similar change in uniforms over the course of TNG, but it was less glaring than this). Instead, the best we get
is Bashir asking Sisko if his uniform seems brighter, when, ironically, the
colors have actually gotten darker. As with all changes, I know I’ll eventually
get used to the new outfits, but frankly, I liked the old ones better. These
may be more practical (they appear to be a jacket, vest, pants, and shirt
combination instead of a jumpsuit), and the darker shade fits the impending
increasing darkness of the show, but it just seems to be missing something now.
But at least we’ve got good stories to make up for it.
*Part of the way Sisko cracks the code of the obelisk is
by unconsciously cutting up and rearranging pieces of fruit on his plate. If
that wasn’t a Close Encounters of the Third
Kind reference, I’ll bite my shirt (look, I’m covering my bases in case I’m
wrong, and I’m not stupid enough to try to eat a hat).
*Sisko has a monologue at one point about how, when Jake
was a baby, Sisko held him and felt like he could see Jake’s future all laid
out for him, and that now, he feels like he can do the same thing with the
universe. It’s supposed to be profound, but I’m afraid all I could think was
that he sounded like he was stoned off his gourd. That sounds exactly like the sort of thing you’d
hear from someone who just woke up from a vivid dream or who has been taking
drugs. I’m sorry if I’ve spoiled the moment, writers, but it just didn’t click
the way it was supposed to.
Best
Line/Exchange: This was another hard one. Sisko’s speech about holding the universe
like a baby was memorable, but not in a way that makes me consider it the best.
So I guess my choice is;
(The crew in Ops is
fretting over Sisko’s health)
Kira: Chief, I
know you’re worried, but the Prophets are leading the Emissary on this path for
a reason.
Worf: Do not
attempt to convince them, Major. They cannot understand.
Dax: Since when
did you believe in the Prophets?
Worf: What I
believe in is faith.
He continues on from there, and the scene becomes more of
your standard “faith gives you strength” discussion, but I specifically liked
this bit because of the solidarity between Worf and Kira. They have different
faiths and believe in different gods, but they understand each other because
they both know what it means to believe in something intangible. I don’t know,
it just jumped out at me, maybe because in the real world, people of different
faiths are more likely to disagree than agree with each other. Maybe I just
appreciate the fact that that aspect of things seems to have toned down
somewhat in the Star Trek future.
After the Fact
Update: The DS9 Companion says
that any connection between the fruit scene and the scene in Close Encounters “isn’t entirely
coincidental”. So no clothes eating for me today. Although speaking of clothes,
the uniform thing was explained. It
seems that the new uniform style was actually designed for the movie Star Trek: First Contact, and this was
just the first time they were making their debut for the TV show. Still wish
they could have dropped a proper explanation in, though.
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