Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine
Episode
Particulars: S7EP21, “When it Rains…”
Standalone
Thoughts: While there’s a lot of interesting ideas at play, this is another
episode that’s all about setup. Characters are being moved into position, some
in ways that make sense immediately (Kira, Garak, and Odo), others in ways that
are clearly going somewhere but aren’t well-explained in this particular
episode (Gowron). It juggles the plot threads fairly well, reminding us of the
established ones even as they shake things up by introducing new ones, but much
like “Image in the Sand”, there’s no definite payoff here. There’s enough here
to make you want to see what happens next, especially in Bashir’s plot, but the
episode on its own isn’t the strongest on a rewatch.
This is not helped by the revelations regarding the
changeling disease, which work from a storytelling standpoint because it
creates tension and gives more characters things to do, but raises some points
I’m not entirely sure the writers thought through. I’m going to hold off on
really digging into this until we have all the facts (which will I think be two
episodes from now at the latest), but suffice it to say that while it makes
sense from an overarching continuity perspective, some of the smaller details
wind up muddling the issue.
If I had to sum up the individual threads seen in this
episode, I guess I’d describe it as follows. The Gowron thing currently feels
like it serves no purpose, though at least we can tell it’s going somewhere.
The Pah-Wraith plot has thrown in a new wrinkle that seems completely pointless
and was mostly added for the sake of drama, although I will admit to being
wrong if it actually becomes important. The Cardassian resistance is an
excellent idea, but the show hasn’t done much with it at this point. And the
changeling illness is the one that has the most meat to it, but also has the
most problems, as I hinted at above. It may be a necessary episode, but it’s
also a hard one to talk about because it requires more context. Well, at least
we’ll be getting that context soon.
How it Relates to
the Whole: We’ve got three new plot threads now in addition to all the
others. There’s Kira, Odo, and Garak helping the Cardassian Resistance; Bashir
struggling to find a cure for the changeling disease; and Gowron taking command
of the Klingon forces. None of these things necessarily seem to tie into each
other, and maybe there won’t be a direct connection between all of them, but it
all has to do with the war effort, and that’s what really matters.
Other: *Bashir
gets a few great moments this episode, from being authoritative when necessary
to delivering the line “I need to borrow a cup of goo” in a straight-faced way
that nevertheless makes the viewer grin to asking “Please?” in an oddly
adorable voice. Even though he’s entwined with the changeling illness plot, those
little bits ensure I have no complaints about Siddig’s performance.
*Why exactly did Sisko and Admiral Ross have to cut their
hands during the Klingon medal ceremony? Was everybody in the room going to
have to do it, or is it because they’re Martok’s superiors and this is a way to
show their respect for him? Again, one line of dialogue is all we need here. It’s
interesting sometimes to see what is and isn’t considered necessary exposition.
Best
Line/Exchange: Nothing really jumped out at me today. The thing that came
closest, bizarrely enough, is one that’s only half about words;
(After having a
snide conversation about the Bajoran occupation with some Cardassians, Kira and
Odo retreat to their room, where an angry Kira starts knocking over the various
boxes and barrels that are there)
Odo (mildly): Well, I’m…glad we’re in agreement.
Kira: You want
to knock over some supplies, be my guest.
It’s both a fine example of deadpan humor and being true
to character. Odo’s much more likely to be outwardly calm, while Kira’s temper
can sometimes get the better of her. Sure, the “character trashes a room in
anger” is cliché, but when it works, it works. That’s why they become clichés,
after all.
No comments:
Post a Comment