Day 153: DS9, Chrysalis

Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine

Episode Particulars: S7EP5, “Chrysalis”

 Summary: The genetically engineered patients from “Statistical Probabilities” returns to the station under false pretenses, but they did it with good intentions; Bashir has been working on a way to possibly help the nonverbal Serena to talk and interact with others. Sisko agrees to this, and Bashir performs the surgery. It takes a while to take effect, but when it does, Serena blossoms. In fact, Bashir finds himself falling for her, because she understands what he’s gone through. But the new sensations and feelings, combined with no longer quite relating to her old friends, are making things difficult for Serena. At least, that’s the theory.

Standalone Thoughts: I was wary about watching this episode, because I didn’t remember enough of it to recall if it was going to be as unbearable as “Statistical Probabilities”. Thankfully, it’s nowhere near as bad as that, but that doesn’t mean it’s all that great either. At best, you can say it’s tolerable but is taking time away from the Dominion War plot. At worst, it’s a pointless episode that might have been stronger if it went in an entirely different direction.

You see, a lot of this story very much reminds me of the novel Flowers for Algernon, which is a well-written if very depressing tale. The episode even seemed to be heading down the same path, but veered back at the last minute and instead pulled out a different reason for the conflict that kind of made sense but just didn’t feel as plausible as the Algernon direction. It honestly wouldn’t have changed all that much; the episode would still end on a sad or bittersweet note, only now it would have fit in much more with DS9’s grey morality and might have actually done something interesting with Bashir’s genetic engineering. This is one episode where I’ll be particularly fascinated to see what the DS9 Companion has to say, because I’m curious to see what the thought process was here.

On the whole, though, most of the episode is ok. Our exposure to the other genetically engineered patients is kept to a minimum, as is any preaching about medical treatments/conditions. Bashir does somewhat fall back into the “I’m superior” mindset like he did in “Statistical Probabilities”, but it’s not as bad this time, especially since others (O’Brien in particular) seem willing to call him out on it. Salie does a good job playing Serena learning to adapt to her new situation, so you sympathize with her, which is essential for the episode. Leaving out the plot development, the only major complaint I have is a scene where the other patients try to help Serena learn to talk better via singing (I’m not saying that it makes sense in context, but it doesn’t feel as weird as it does just reading about it). It goes on for at least a minute, which does nothing except allow for some nice musical harmonies. I enjoy music as much as the next person, but this absolutely wasn’t necessary. Although it does make for a good metaphor for this episode’s place in Season Seven…

How it Relates to the Whole: Like I said, this episode doesn’t do much in the grand scheme of things. None of the genetically engineered patients return (which is for the best), which means that nothing directly related to the plot ultimately matters. About the only thing I can think of that might be carried forward is that Bashir feels lonely, something that will at least somewhat be addressed by the end of the season. Although for all I know, there wasn’t a deliberate connection. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Other: *I have to admit that I was amused by the tactic the genetically engineered patients used to avoid being questioned; just have Patrick (disguised as an Admiral) angrily repeat “That’s a stupid question!” over and over again. I highly doubt that would work in real life, but as a satire of people in high positions of power, it works. I can see that being used in Dilbert to great effect.

*I’m a little baffled by Bashir’s argument to Sisko in order to get the group out of trouble for impersonating Starfleet officers. “They wanted to help their friend and I’m really close to a breakthrough” doesn’t seem like it would be good enough, even though it does, in fact, work. Later on, Bashir mentions that having them around might be good for Serena because she’s familiar with them—surely that might have carried more weight?

*I give the episode enormous credit for having Bashir go to O’Brien first when he needs help recalibrating one of his medical tools so he can do a proper operation on Serena. He didn’t just go straight to the other genetically engineered patients (as I suspect he would have done in “Statistical Probabilities”), he went to O’Brien first, possibly because he knows O’Brien is capable of doing amazing engineering feats. I appreciate the subtle hint that Bashir might have learned a lesson from last time. I also like that scene because it includes O’Brien saying “I can’t break the laws of physics”, which I am almost positive is a Scotty reference. And as you know, I love nods to previous Star Trek shows almost as much as I love in-show continuity.

*Check out the alien in the background of this shot;

He’s got a strand dangling from his nose that’s the exact same size, color, and shape as the ones on the back of his head. It’s consistent, sure, but I once again must ask what sort of conditions exist to make something evolve that way. Something like that would probably be a nuisance more than anything else.

*Ezri has a discussion with Bashir at one point that I cannot parse for the life of me. Bashir is lamenting the operation’s apparent failure to her, and after she tries to reassure him with the “You did everything you could” line, something that may be accurate but doesn’t always feel helpful in the heat of the moment, she continues with “Obviously you want to punish yourself. Do you want help? Because I’m really good at punishing myself.” She then goes on to list all the negative emotions Bashir’s probably feeling, and when he confirms it and offers a sarcastic thank you, she says “Glad I could help”, with no indication that she was then going to try to help him stop punishing himself (granted, they were interrupted by the sight of Serena, but I think my point still stands). If this is how Ezri treats patients, then she’s clearly unfit to be a counselor. If it’s meant to be the Jadzia in her teasing Bashir in the hope of snapping him out of his funk, then that was a bad way to go about it (although in keeping with what we saw of Jadzia in prior seasons). About the only thing that I like in this conversation is Ezri saying “I’m really good at punishing myself” because it fits with what we’ve seen of her character. But other than that, it needed to be significantly reworked.

Best Line/Exchange: Even if this episode wasn’t as bad as “Statistical Probabilities”, I was grateful for the humorous scenes to lighten the mood. So it stands to reason my choice would be from one of those scenes;

(Bashir is introducing Serena to his friends, including O’Brien, who she met back in “Statistical Probabilities”)

Serena: I remember you. You’re Julian’s best friend.

O’Brien: Well, we get on all right.

Bashir: For the most part.

Serena (looking between them): Why are you pretending that it’s not true?
Ezri: Because they’re men, and men have trouble expressing their feelings.

Serena (looking over at Odo): You don’t.

(Cut to Kira and Odo holding hands)

Kira: Oh, are you kidding? Odo never talks about his feelings.

(Odo looks at her, semi-wounded)

Serena: He took your hand. He’s showing you his feelings.

(Odo looks down at their hands, then smiles at Serena)

Odo: Thank you.

O’Brien: Julian, why don’t you show everybody how much you love me and order the next round?

First off, this just adds way more fuel to the fire to any O’Brien/Bashir shippers (and in turn lays the groundwork for a scene near the end of the show that I’ll make sure to discuss when the time comes). But if you see it in a purely platonic way, there’s still fun to be had here. Teasing banter between friends, cute fluff between Kira and Odo, and an overall relaxed atmosphere that helps ground the episode and keep it from feeling too cliché or preachy. There probably isn’t room for scenes like this in every episode, but I like having them pop up whenever possible; they help flesh out the characters and make us appreciate them even more.

After the Fact Update: The second draft of the story (The first involved Section 31, which I actually would have been entirely on board with) was about Jack, not Serena, being treated and becoming “normal”. In fact, Flowers For Algernon was the inspiration for it. Then the writers decided that would feel too much like glamourizing mental illness, and eventually changed it to Serena instead. Why they didn’t realize that the Flowers For Algernon plot would actually work with her situation doesn’t come up, and just reminds me once again that they kind of missed an opportunity.