L.J. Writes

Another Trek episode, another game-breaking alien species. This one was mainly interesting for the new depth it added to Quark's character in his pivotal scene. It was sort of a bummer that this game-obsessed species don't show up anymore (at least not as of early Season 5, which is where I'm at), there seemed to be some interesting statements in their story about gaming and honesty and stuff. And Jesus, it was a shock to come back from Season 5 and see Jake Sisko as a 14-year-old boy. They sure change in four years, don't they.

The awesome fairladyz2005, who introduced me to DS9, also sent me a list of TNG episodes that were relevant to DS9. One of them was "The Host," a Season 4 TNG episode that first introduced the Trill. The DS9 episode "Dax" is in many ways an inversion of "The Host." Where the Trill character in "The Host" had to prove himself to be the same guy as a previous incarnation in order to gain the trust of warring factions, the titular Trill in "Dax" must prove herself a different person in order to get away from the crime a past self is accused of committing.

That question, the meaning of identity, is the central subject of "Dax" much as it was in "The Host." However, the understanding of that question, along with the setting information on the Trill, has become a great deal more sophisticated since TNG. Much like the changes in the Ferengi since their first appearance (TNG 1.05 "The Last Outpost"), it shows the evolution of Trek writing.

( On the law, and what really matters )

"Dax" may not have had the most original or unexpected resolution, but the abovementioned subtlety in the writing still drew me into the story and made me think. The episode was also a smart legal drama with an appealing sense of humility that a court is not always the final arbiter of truth, and the real story happens with the choices of men and women in their lives. The courtroom is a forum where some very interesting issues are laid bare, though, and the courtroom scenes were worth it for that reason.

It's not often that a science fiction TV episode gets my academic side berserk with excitement. I mean, even I have to admit a TV show about aliens and spaceships that goes on and on about theories of law and economics and social justice would be dull.

"Captive Pursuit," however, is notable for punching me right in the ivory tower without being dull at all. Hoo boy, is it not.

( Let's see if I can make the review not-dull as well. )

Though this is very much an O'Brien episode, the rest of the regular cast played lively supporting roles. I particularly liked how the script built up to Sisko's crucial assist of O'Brien by showing the Commander's sense of timing beforehand. It was as though the station were a symphony, an endeavor of cooperation and trust conducted by a virtuoso. That trust didn't budge even when Sisko chewed O'Brien's head off at the end for his actions. If the result of such ability and camaraderie is an episode like "Captive Pursuit," that's certainly the kind of music I'd like to hear more of.

I know these are coming at sort of a frenetic schedule, but I'm on a dopamine rush from starting something new (and a Real Life Responsibility I'm procrastinating on, in case you couldn't tell), so might as well use that energy while I have it. Besides, I'm impatient to move on and write about 1.06 "Captive Pursuit," which rocked my world for reasons I will discuss.

( How to host a murder mystery... IN SPACE! )

Overall "A Man Alone" is a good standalone episode and that further develops the setting, characters, and character relationships. Much like "Babel" after it it's not particulary memorable, but was solid and enjoyable. I'd put this one in the second tier when it comes to Season 1 episodes.

Beware of Pity is the only completed novel by Stephen Zweig, an Austrian novelist, playwright, and biographer. I never heard of the guy before a French friend mentioned the book in an e-mail, but evidently he was hugely popular in the 1920s and 1930s. I was glad to have discovered his novel, which is a psychological epic, high drama, and nail-biting suspense all in one. I have read the new Anthea Bell translation, which I highly recommend.

( Ruminations on the paradox of liberalism, power, selflessness and more in one spoiler-free package )