The Way of the Prune Juice (it requires a strong stomach)

This story just gets better and better with age.

I got so swept up in it that I said "sod it" with taking notes, but prior to that I made some anyway.

The opening credits spoil the big plot point of Michael Dorn as Worf staying, as opposed to a guest star status to keep people guessing for that premiere. Not a big thing, but I'm trying to remember if season 4 was being given hype by his full-time inclusion. Either way, it doesn't spoil too much.

They already did the "Worf's loyalties" shtick in TNG "Redemption", but it's re-use is given a more exciting and well thought-out, action-backed theme than soap opera complete with "symphony of flatulent frogs".

The pre-opening credits scenes start the episode with a confident new tone, complete with weapons designed to get Changelings to show themselves. No worries, they're promptly ditched post-opening credits and there are two scenes where having them might have been a decent payoff for their introduction. But I don't make television and they had to pad out scenes with blood tests or otherwise staining all that furniture with blood drips and those still worked, so it's not that bad. But it would have been a time saver for the crew in-universe...

Also, in the pre-credits bit, Odo slinks along and neither Kira nor Sisko sees the blob squishing along the floor despite being there in plain sight, before turning into an owl - who didn't give a hoot when killing Bashir before the simulation ended.

Not sure which double-act fares better in this story: Odo/Garak or Dax/Kira. Both have great moments. Maybe Odo/Garak get the nod because Odo describes his thoughtfulness of social customs in a way that's truly alien yet oddly relatable, and because Dax convincing Kira to get jiggy with a holographic image just seems a tad creepy.

Brownie points for the Garak/Dukat and Garak/Quark scenes. Heck, seeing a 2 hour event of Garak just sitting there making conversation with that cloying root beer would actually remain compelling, don't ask how.

Not sure how war stories get banter, but Worf sneering over how they lost the cloak when Dukat, laden with hubris, opines they should use it led to a chuckle that flows with the story wonderfully. Seriously, the script writing for this premiere is magnificent.

The prune juice twist between Worf/Quark (who we needed more interaction with) was a lovely slice of continuity as well as another well-placed comedic moment (that also works with the story's flow for its sake, yet it was nice to see old characters reunite to help bridge the gap and it's largely excellent. Though the brief moment with Worf/O'Brien about being assimilated felt borderline forced, but it's not anywhere as grating as when VOY's "Scoprion" wallows and even 4th walls it by having Chakotay and Janeway go on about the greats of the past with Picard. Loved the darts playing between them and Bashir - double acts are one thing but they missed out in not making a triple act, which would be hard to do, much less sustain.

Also, quantum torpedoes get a mention long before 1996's STFC had. Woot!

Still, Kira reports Starfleet is coming with... six... ships and yet the Klingons have a rather larger backup fleet approaching, which leads to the next and most important point:

Whenever you're asked "Kirk or Picard?" Just say "Sisko" and be done with it because this story is one of many that exemplifies the fact that Sisko is the best.


10/10, with utter and effortless ease. Any plot hole or nitpick just dissolves quickly as the setup and follow-through for this story is just spectacular, steeped in witty and urbane dialogue, slathered in a verve and confidence that was quick to prove to those on the fence like me that 90s Trek had life to it. I missed a lot of DS9 early on, but gave season 4 a chance and I'm so glad I had at the time...

 

Sisko is definitely the most well rounded Trek captain, the most multifaceted, and the most human. He's a very solid choice for that question.

 

"Prune Juice" a warrior's drink... As Worf said the first time he drank one. Well, you'd better drink it AFTER the battle is over than before, if you see what I mean.

 

It cracks me up that the context sensitive ads that come up on this page are for prune juice.

 

I think that at some point in DS9's run, the writers wanted to "Klingonize" Worf... he stopped drinking prune juice and switched to blood wine.

 

It seems to me that Worf has always been more Klingon than the Klingons themselves.

 

When Worf was introduced to prune juice in TNG it never seemed like it was the only thing he ever drank. I thought it was weird when DS9 decided that was the case.

 

It would be interesting to know what all Worf drank. Maybe prune juice in the morning and on duty, just to "keep things moving" (when you approach age 50, you gain an appreciation for that). And blood wine after hours when he's chilling with his pals (can't say "mates", since in Klingon culture that means something completely different).

 

I just think it's interesting that the lousier something tastes, the more of a "warrior's drink" it's supposed to be.

I mean, prune juice tastes like ass and everyone knows it, but somehow that means it's for warriors? What, people can't fight and also enjoy a drink that tastes GOOD?

"Man, I've been on the battlefield all day and I'm hella exhausted. So why don't I drink something that tastes like diseased battery acid? Much better than a nice cold beer, isn't it?"

 

Guinan said that he can't get enough of it, though.

 

Remember what humanized/solidified Odo said about blood Wine: "It's really not that bad... except for the taste."

 

I'm curious if there's a list of Starfleet personnel and their "signature" foods or beverages. Troi and chocolate, Picard and Earl Gray, Janeway and coffee, etc.

 

Trip and Catfish, Reed and Pineapple, B'elanna and banana pancakes, Phlox and egg drop soup, Tom Paris and pizza, Spock and Plomeek Soup.

 

Kira and raktijino.

 

Quark and tube grubs (live ones).

 

Kirk and what looks like sticks of aquarelle paint.

 

Seriously, what the hell is that?

 

^^this x1000

Going from memory, "Emissary" really got to me when comparing his scene w/Picard to his scene w/Quark later on. That instant alone with Quark and getting him to work with the crew worked on so many levels. DS9 was ahead of its time.



I can't see Picard selling that scene. Kirk, maybe, but not Picard.

ROTFL!!!!!

Actually, in real life, some foods act differently between species. You or I could eat a giant chocolate bar and enjoy the sugar high rather easily. Don't feed it to a dog as its digestive and endocrine systems are rather different... To cut a long story short, prune juice might have beneficial effects for Klingon anatomy if drank before a battle. Like improving coagulation as well as being the breakfast drink of champions.


Also,


Best. Song. Ever.

 

It's called gristhera.

 

Marshmallows with food coloring?