Btw, since Ferengi females are forbidden to leave their homes as well as talk to strangers, that makes dating impossible which means that dating isn't a Ferengi custom so it makes Nog's behavior in "Life Support" all the more incomprehensible. Marriages on Ferengenar are nothing more than business arrangements, there is no dating or effort to seduce a future mate. Plus Nog wasn't like that with the girl we saw him previously with. That is why I rate that episode (Life Support) very low.
My DS9 Rewatch Odyssey
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And gives it the perfect tone, the perfect mix of seriousness and jokey stuff. The treknobabble isn't too excessive, it's actually thought out, and the 1947 stuff is played out great. Including a twist that was hidden in plain sight but they pulled it off spectacularly... Few 4th wall nods, but much wit that flows with the script, which wouldn't have worked if they did the 4th wall routine as constantly as they potentially could have. It's an easy go-to episode to rewatch.
“FACETS”
“Psychopath? Who—me?!!”
Of the three Dax stories this season, “Facets” is by far the most successful and is perhaps second only to “Rejoined” as my favourite Dax episode. It’s an insightful and inspired episode, rather quiet and low-key, yet thoroughly engaging and compelling throughout.
The concept of the Trill’s Zhian’tara rite of passage is faintly reminiscent of a psychological technique called Voice Dialogue, in which we actually create a dialogue and interact with the various aspects of our personality. Although, as human beings, we have an inherent sense of being a singular, distinct entity, neuroscience has revealed that we don’t actually have one, specific, unchanging “self”; but rather a collection of various programs, ideas and identities, some of which are even contradictory and in conflict with each other. So, psychic transference aside, the zhian’tara ritual is more rooted in science than you might first think.
This is definitely one of the most insightful episodes for Jadzia, even though my hopes weren’t altogether high to begin with. The first few hosts we meet only briefly, and while it’s always fun to see the main cast branch out and play different characters, it does slightly veer into caricature territory. That said, because we literally only get a couple of minutes to meet each past host, it would be hard to create a particularly three-dimensional sense of character. Instead, the episode takes a light-hearted tone, and it’s certainly fun to get a glimpse into Dax’s past lives, with Colm Meaney being particularly amusing as the jitterish Tobin. Quark as Audred is definitely played for laughs, but this leans a little too heavily on the notion that a man acting in a feminine way is in itself funny. Also, if I’m to get on my soapbox, I think I’ve reached a point in the series where I’m finding the references and frequent demonstrations of Oo-mox a little...icky. Given that Oo-mox is pretty much the Ferengi equivalent of a handjob, I felt a little awkward watching Jadzia manipulate Quark into taking part by rubbing his ears and acting solicitously in front of everyone else in the wardroom. I mean, imagine if O’Brien or Bashir had wanted a favour from Jadzia and started fondling her breasts? I know you can’t take this shit seriously, but there are definitely some aspects of the show that haven’t aged terribly well.
It also seems a little sad that, of DS9’s extended cast, the only other female character eligible for the ritual female ritual apart from Kira, is Keiko, who has more or less disappeared this season (apparently due to Rosalind Chao’s unavailability). Sure enough, I don’t suppose Kai Winn would have been particularly happy to join in. So, the writers bring back Leeta, who made her rather forgettable debut in “Explorers”, and try to shoehorn in a friendship between she and Dax, even though I don’t think we ever see them exchange a word any episode hence. Unfortunately, Chase Masterson doesn’t seem to even try to differentiate Emony Dax from Leeta in terms of personality or speech patterns.
Things take a sharp tonal shift around halfway through the episode, when Sisko volunteers to embody Joran the murderer. I have to say, Avery Brooks is utterly terrifying as Joran, depicting his as pretty much the Trill equivalent of Hannibal Lecter (and apparently they even re-shot this scene because Brooks’ first take was even more disconcerting). I’m not sure quite why Joran is SO unhinged that he even tries to murder Jadzia (and therefore, in a way, himself) although I don’t suppose psychosis ever much adheres to logic. It’s a superb, tense and eye-opening scene and nicely executed. Joran immediately hones in on Jadzia’s insecurity and plays on it mercilessly, perhaps representing that critical, destructive part of our mind which tends to turn on itself and cause so much suffering.
Things relax a little yet take an interesting twist when Odo hosts Curzon and the two personalities somehow merge into one. Rene Auberjonois is utterly wonderful as the gregarious, larger than life and somewhat domineering Curzon. He really steals the show, and I love that the first thing he does is go to see Sisko, giving us a taste of the undying bromance we’ve long heard about but never got to see. Curzon/Odo (Curdo?) lights up the screen with such wonderful exuberance and yet it’s clear he’s being just a tad disrespectful of Jadzia, until he comes out and admits that he didn’t consider her a worthy initiate. It’s worth noting that Terry Farrell is excellent throughout the episode, and more than holds her own even as she plays across a captivating Auberjonois. She conveys Jadzia’s sense of insecurity and unworthiness quite beautifully—something I suspect just about all of us have experienced at some time or another. She’s charming, yet vulnerable and particularly wonderful in her closing scene with Odo, where her smile and the warmth in her eyes is heart melting.
The revelation that Curzon was ashamed for falling in love with Jadzia is actually quite poignant, thanks largely to the heartfelt performances of Auberjonois and Farrell and some gorgeous music by Dennis McCarthy. I did wonder how, given that Curzon’s memories were part of the Dax symbiont, Jadzia didn’t have any knowledge of his feelings, but the psyche is admittedly a complex thing and it’s possible that such feelings were deeply buried. There’s something quite beautiful about the way Jadzia’s sense of unworthiness is resolved by what I guess you could say is self-love.
The sub-plot extends the theme of overcoming self-doubt and proving one’s worthiness to succeed. It’s wonderful to see follow up on Nog’s journey to becoming a cadet, and it’s particularly noteworthy for Rom’s jaw-dropping reaction when he discovers that Quark sabotaged Nog’s test. Max Grodenchik is simply wonderful here, and I find myself really beginning to love what originally started off as a fairly one-note character. Overall, a fun and engaging episode with some great character insight. Rating: 8
“Psychopath? Who—me?!!”
Of the three Dax stories this season, “Facets” is by far the most successful and is perhaps second only to “Rejoined” as my favourite Dax episode. It’s an insightful and inspired episode, rather quiet and low-key, yet thoroughly engaging and compelling throughout.
The concept of the Trill’s Zhian’tara rite of passage is faintly reminiscent of a psychological technique called Voice Dialogue, in which we actually create a dialogue and interact with the various aspects of our personality. Although, as human beings, we have an inherent sense of being a singular, distinct entity, neuroscience has revealed that we don’t actually have one, specific, unchanging “self”; but rather a collection of various programs, ideas and identities, some of which are even contradictory and in conflict with each other. So, psychic transference aside, the zhian’tara ritual is more rooted in science than you might first think.
This is definitely one of the most insightful episodes for Jadzia, even though my hopes weren’t altogether high to begin with. The first few hosts we meet only briefly, and while it’s always fun to see the main cast branch out and play different characters, it does slightly veer into caricature territory. That said, because we literally only get a couple of minutes to meet each past host, it would be hard to create a particularly three-dimensional sense of character. Instead, the episode takes a light-hearted tone, and it’s certainly fun to get a glimpse into Dax’s past lives, with Colm Meaney being particularly amusing as the jitterish Tobin. Quark as Audred is definitely played for laughs, but this leans a little too heavily on the notion that a man acting in a feminine way is in itself funny. Also, if I’m to get on my soapbox, I think I’ve reached a point in the series where I’m finding the references and frequent demonstrations of Oo-mox a little...icky. Given that Oo-mox is pretty much the Ferengi equivalent of a handjob, I felt a little awkward watching Jadzia manipulate Quark into taking part by rubbing his ears and acting solicitously in front of everyone else in the wardroom. I mean, imagine if O’Brien or Bashir had wanted a favour from Jadzia and started fondling her breasts? I know you can’t take this shit seriously, but there are definitely some aspects of the show that haven’t aged terribly well.
It also seems a little sad that, of DS9’s extended cast, the only other female character eligible for the ritual female ritual apart from Kira, is Keiko, who has more or less disappeared this season (apparently due to Rosalind Chao’s unavailability). Sure enough, I don’t suppose Kai Winn would have been particularly happy to join in. So, the writers bring back Leeta, who made her rather forgettable debut in “Explorers”, and try to shoehorn in a friendship between she and Dax, even though I don’t think we ever see them exchange a word any episode hence. Unfortunately, Chase Masterson doesn’t seem to even try to differentiate Emony Dax from Leeta in terms of personality or speech patterns.
Things take a sharp tonal shift around halfway through the episode, when Sisko volunteers to embody Joran the murderer. I have to say, Avery Brooks is utterly terrifying as Joran, depicting his as pretty much the Trill equivalent of Hannibal Lecter (and apparently they even re-shot this scene because Brooks’ first take was even more disconcerting). I’m not sure quite why Joran is SO unhinged that he even tries to murder Jadzia (and therefore, in a way, himself) although I don’t suppose psychosis ever much adheres to logic. It’s a superb, tense and eye-opening scene and nicely executed. Joran immediately hones in on Jadzia’s insecurity and plays on it mercilessly, perhaps representing that critical, destructive part of our mind which tends to turn on itself and cause so much suffering.
Things relax a little yet take an interesting twist when Odo hosts Curzon and the two personalities somehow merge into one. Rene Auberjonois is utterly wonderful as the gregarious, larger than life and somewhat domineering Curzon. He really steals the show, and I love that the first thing he does is go to see Sisko, giving us a taste of the undying bromance we’ve long heard about but never got to see. Curzon/Odo (Curdo?) lights up the screen with such wonderful exuberance and yet it’s clear he’s being just a tad disrespectful of Jadzia, until he comes out and admits that he didn’t consider her a worthy initiate. It’s worth noting that Terry Farrell is excellent throughout the episode, and more than holds her own even as she plays across a captivating Auberjonois. She conveys Jadzia’s sense of insecurity and unworthiness quite beautifully—something I suspect just about all of us have experienced at some time or another. She’s charming, yet vulnerable and particularly wonderful in her closing scene with Odo, where her smile and the warmth in her eyes is heart melting.
The revelation that Curzon was ashamed for falling in love with Jadzia is actually quite poignant, thanks largely to the heartfelt performances of Auberjonois and Farrell and some gorgeous music by Dennis McCarthy. I did wonder how, given that Curzon’s memories were part of the Dax symbiont, Jadzia didn’t have any knowledge of his feelings, but the psyche is admittedly a complex thing and it’s possible that such feelings were deeply buried. There’s something quite beautiful about the way Jadzia’s sense of unworthiness is resolved by what I guess you could say is self-love.
The sub-plot extends the theme of overcoming self-doubt and proving one’s worthiness to succeed. It’s wonderful to see follow up on Nog’s journey to becoming a cadet, and it’s particularly noteworthy for Rom’s jaw-dropping reaction when he discovers that Quark sabotaged Nog’s test. Max Grodenchik is simply wonderful here, and I find myself really beginning to love what originally started off as a fairly one-note character. Overall, a fun and engaging episode with some great character insight. Rating: 8
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I agree that this is one of the best of the Jadzia episodes.
I didn't know about the Voice Dialogue that you mentioned. I always thought this episode was inspired by "DISTANT VOICES", with the concept of different people representing different aspects of your personality. "FACETS" felt like a natural extension of that idea with the previous Dax hosts.
Regarding Curzon, I never thought it a cheat that Jadzia never knew or felt his love while carrying his memories. There's 8 lifetimes of people there... that can't be easy to sift through, even with training and practice. Plus, as you stated, one can fool oneself into thinking things... and I'm talking about humans with just their own mind to deal with.
And yes, Brooks was creepy and terrifying as hell. I truly wish the clips of his first take were around. I actually want to be even more disturbed by him. (Does that make me a masochist?)
The Nog story was great, and it arguably was more about Rom than Nog. Ben Sisko is an excellent example of a great father, but Rom is no slouch, either. He clearly loves and supports his son, putting his own wants and needs on the back burner for Nog's sake. DS9 had no shortage of good father figures in the franchise.
And Nog just going with it and wearing the Academy uniform... Nog is a much sweeter character than people give him credit for. Plus, who can't chuckle at what O'Brien said about immediately calling Nog 'sir' when he graduates?
Great review, as usual.
I didn't know about the Voice Dialogue that you mentioned. I always thought this episode was inspired by "DISTANT VOICES", with the concept of different people representing different aspects of your personality. "FACETS" felt like a natural extension of that idea with the previous Dax hosts.
Regarding Curzon, I never thought it a cheat that Jadzia never knew or felt his love while carrying his memories. There's 8 lifetimes of people there... that can't be easy to sift through, even with training and practice. Plus, as you stated, one can fool oneself into thinking things... and I'm talking about humans with just their own mind to deal with.
And yes, Brooks was creepy and terrifying as hell. I truly wish the clips of his first take were around. I actually want to be even more disturbed by him. (Does that make me a masochist?)
The Nog story was great, and it arguably was more about Rom than Nog. Ben Sisko is an excellent example of a great father, but Rom is no slouch, either. He clearly loves and supports his son, putting his own wants and needs on the back burner for Nog's sake. DS9 had no shortage of good father figures in the franchise.
And Nog just going with it and wearing the Academy uniform... Nog is a much sweeter character than people give him credit for. Plus, who can't chuckle at what O'Brien said about immediately calling Nog 'sir' when he graduates?
Great review, as usual.
Yes, regarding oomax. It's a sex act and engaging in it in public, and to manipulate someone makes me uncomfortable rather than amused or titilated.
The first take for Brooks playing Joran would have been really interesting to see on the DVD bonus features. Maybe if they ever do a blu ray.
Jadzia Dax finally got a really good episode about her backstory!
Great review as usual! Have you thought about publishing these as a collection?
The first take for Brooks playing Joran would have been really interesting to see on the DVD bonus features. Maybe if they ever do a blu ray.
Jadzia Dax finally got a really good episode about her backstory!
Great review as usual! Have you thought about publishing these as a collection?
You mean like in TNG's "Frame Of Mind"?
I think they overdid the Joran thing... There's a difference between someone who killed... (once according to Equilibrium, or three times in "Field Of Fire") ... and some beast who'll kill everyone in sight for no reason... Plus Brooks' Joran is not consistent with the one we see later.
Plus I find it hard to believe that they would have joined someone who was THAT deranged... You'd think they would have spotted him during the selection...
Great review. I'm not necessarily a big fan of the entire episode as it feels like several of the actors went too campy in their portrayals of Dax (although I think that Brooks was pretty good). Auberjonois does steal the show, upstaging everyone. Yes, Farrell shows a lot of presence, but I never sense that she was acting as Dax minus one personality.
As you write, the psyche is complex, and I have never been bothered by the fact that Jadzia was not aware of how Curzon had felt for her. However, it would be nice to have a psychological explanation. Had this episode aired after Rejoined, the regret over Dax's behavior with regard to Kahn might easily have been said to overwhelm or interfere with other memories. On the other hand, Curzon died old and was very indulgent. He could have had any number of regrets regarding women, and his memory may have degraded over time. It's only when confronted in the context of the Zhiantara that the memory comes to life.
As you write, the psyche is complex, and I have never been bothered by the fact that Jadzia was not aware of how Curzon had felt for her. However, it would be nice to have a psychological explanation. Had this episode aired after Rejoined, the regret over Dax's behavior with regard to Kahn might easily have been said to overwhelm or interfere with other memories. On the other hand, Curzon died old and was very indulgent. He could have had any number of regrets regarding women, and his memory may have degraded over time. It's only when confronted in the context of the Zhiantara that the memory comes to life.
Not to impugn the episode itself which is more than adequate but I am still troubled by the whole Joran thing. I mean why wasn't the Dax symbiont held accountable for the murders. Joran only killed people WHILE joined not before so it's not clear which part (symbiont or host) is more responsible. For all we know, Joran somehow triggered a murdering urge in the symbiont and would never have gone overboard without the joining. Plus in the case of "reassociation", the symbiont is condemned to death, even though he may not be responsible, after all it could be that the sexual urges of the host are overwhelming and force him to have sex with a previous partner.
So if I get it correctly, have sex with someone ---> Symbiont is held responsible and virtually put to death
Kill people ---> Symbiont is transferred to another host, no questions asked.
The Trill society is weird!!!
So if I get it correctly, have sex with someone ---> Symbiont is held responsible and virtually put to death
Kill people ---> Symbiont is transferred to another host, no questions asked.
The Trill society is weird!!!
Dax in any host OTHER than Joran has not murdered anyone.
He was, however, violent before joining, according to his brother. I'm sure others would have said the same.
Well, then maybe being joined is what pushed him over the edge.
So, who is more responsible then? Joran or Dax? Perhaps the joining basically induced a psychotic break, amplifying the self-hating part Joran may have already possessed.
That's a definite possibility. The point being that they dismissed it along with other possibilities and placed the symbiont in another host while if instead of killing people Joran had slept with a person having had sex with a previous host the symbiont would have been sacrificed.
That's what I find a little crazy.
Yes, what the commission did was literally prejudicial. They held back the case from legal authorities in order to protect their own prerogatives.
Every society has its rules.
It's been my assumption for awhile now, assuming this doesn't conflict with events-as-shown, that Dax was fundamentally stable, and Joran may have been unbalanced but not pathologically so, but the joining unbalanced both of them. Dax was fine afterward, Joran was...well, not long for this world after Dax was removed.
Is it possible that the different 'versions' of Joran we've seen are due in part to him being 'brought forth' through different methods/perspectives?
Is it possible that the different 'versions' of Joran we've seen are due in part to him being 'brought forth' through different methods/perspectives?
That's a good point.
Joran basically inhabited another person with Sisko, while he was basically a hallunication for Ezri.
Joran basically inhabited another person with Sisko, while he was basically a hallunication for Ezri.
I suppose the one that was joined for a day, doesn't count.
