Headscratchers from "The Search"

[Unimatrix Q]

In the simulated reality of that episode, we hear about the Jem' Hadar eating and drinking at Quark's, which doesn't make any sense in-universe. Considering that they only need Ketracel White.

Why would they change the behavior of the Jemmies and/or their metabolism for a simulation about how the main characters would react and deal with the situation of the Dominion slowly taking over the Federation?

Especially considering that Ben and the others were captives and most likely about to be replaced by changelings. In the case they were to be released, the contents from the simulation could have been easily get mindwiped from them.

I'm actually puzzled why the Vorta didn't do this at the end of the episode. Makes absolutely no sense to let the Federation know about how the Dominion operates.

 

[Tosk]

In the simulated reality of that episode, we hear about the Jem' Hadar eating and drinking at Quark's

Do we though? I don't recall any dialogue regarding that, and all the Jem'Hadar standing around Quark's seem to have zero drinks in hand. Quark says they gamble, but doesn't (IIRC) mention food or drink.

Even if they do, one might argue that the Founders decided not to reveal any info about the White so early. There's nothing to be gained from giving that info away.

That said, there is of course a reference to eating in Hippocratic Oath.

 

[at Quark's]

Do we though? I don't recall any dialogue regarding that, and all the Jem'Hadar standing around Quark's seem to have zero drinks in hand. Quark says they gamble, but doesn't (IIRC) mention food or drink.

Even so, I wouldn't expect 'real life' Jem'Hadar to be consumed by any passion other than fighting and loyalty to the Founders. I think the Dominion would have seen to that when they designed the race.

 

[Dukhat]

Just looked at the script. There’s no reference to the Jem’Hadar eating or drinking at Quark’s, just gambling.

 

[flandry84]

Which or whether,sole dependence on the white is a weakness.
Best not to reveal any inherent weaknesses in your frontline weapons systems.

 

[Tosk]

Even so, I wouldn't expect 'real life' Jem'Hadar to be consumed by any passion other than fighting and loyalty to the Founders.

Quite possibly.

If I were the one designing the fake reality, I might cook up an excuse to make sure the Jem'Hadar were in the same place that others congregate (but without seeming like quite so much of a looming threat, the way they would if they simply stood and stared) so as to see what effect the lower-case-o occupation might have on the inhabitants.

It's a stretch, but it's important to stretch before exercise.

 

[Unimatrix Q]

Do we though? I don't recall any dialogue regarding that, and all the Jem'Hadar standing around Quark's seem to have zero drinks in hand. Quark says they gamble, but doesn't (IIRC) mention food or drink.

Even if they do, one might argue that the Founders decided not to reveal any info about the White so early. There's nothing to be gained from giving that info away.

That said, there is of course a reference to eating in Hippocratic Oath.

Just looked at the script. There’s no reference to the Jem’Hadar eating or drinking at Quark’s, just gambling.

Thank you for making this clear. Seems like I was right with my memories about the episode in the Lit forum:

"Maybe I've forgotten something, but I just remember the Jem'Hadar standing and sitting around at the bar, not eating and drinking. Kinda like in the beginning of the sixth season."

 

[Lynx]

In the simulated reality of that episode, we hear about the Jem' Hadar eating and drinking at Quark's, which doesn't make any sense in-universe. Considering that they only need Ketracel White.

Why would they change the behavior of the Jemmies and/or their metabolism for a simulation about how the main characters would react and deal with the situation of the Dominion slowly taking over the Federation?

Especially considering that Ben and the others were captives and most likely about to be replaced by changelings. In the case they were to be released, the contents from the simulation could have been easily get mindwiped from them.

I'm actually puzzled why the Vorta didn't do this at the end of the episode. Makes absolutely no sense to let the Federation know about how the Dominion operates.

At that point, the Dominion maybe still hoped that the Federation would join them peacefully. That might have been the reason why they let Sisko and the others get away, despite that the simulation failed to prove that the Federation would joinn peacefully.

 

[Dukhat]

Thank you for making this clear. Seems like I was right with my memories about the episode in the Lit forum:

"Maybe I've forgotten something, but I just remember the Jem'Hadar standing and sitting around at the bar, not eating and drinking. Kinda like in the beginning of the sixth season."

Isn’t that the opposite of what you wrote in the OP?

 

[Unimatrix Q]

Isn’t that the opposite of what you wrote in the OP?

I wasn't sure then because it's been a while since my last rewatch and relied on what others in that thread said:

https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/whatever-happened-to-diane-carey.41869/page-10

 

[Tosk]

I wasn't sure then because it's been a while since my last rewatch and relied on what others in that thread said:

https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/whatever-happened-to-diane-carey.41869/page-10

From that thread:

To talk about her DS9 novels, while I actually liked her novelization of "The Search", despite the strangeness of reading about Jem' Hadar eating and drinking at Quark's

I just had a look at the novelization of The Search, and I can't find a reference to the Jem'Hadar eating or drinking in there either.

 

[Unimatrix Q]

From that thread:

I just had a look at the novelization of The Search, and I can't find a reference to the Jem'Hadar eating or drinking in there either.

Been awhile but I remember reading about bar fights initiated by some drunk Jem'Hadar.

 

[Tosk]

Been awhile but I remember reading about bar fights initiated by some drunk Jem'Hadar.

I just read the scene where the Jem'Hadar assaults Miles, no mention there, and nothing in the scenes immediately following either, not that I can see...and a word search says "drunk" is not in the book at all. (I know that it might be another word, it's just FYI. )

 

[at Quark's]

I suppose the real reason was that the Jem'Hadar as a species weren't fully fleshed out yet, but I agree that you'd also want an in-universe explanation.

 

[Unimatrix Q]

Yep.

Especially because of the simulation putting the Dominion into a bad light, something that couldn't be what they wanted.

 

[at Quark's]

hmmm...

In-universe, they already had shown they had a hostile attitude towards the Federation, at least towards the Federation being present in the Gamma Quadrant. Also, after a few tiny Jem'Hadar ships heavily damaged and then destroyed that Galaxy class ship, I don't think the Dominion thought too much of the Federation's military capabilities (and therefore how the Federation thought about the Dominion might not have interested them at that point, not even taking into consideration the general contempt the Founders have for solids to begin with).It was only later they learned the Federation was more dangerous than it looked, with its amazing ability to 'tech up' and adapt.