Why Bother Introducing Ezri Dax in Season 7?

[{ Emilia }]

I agree with Miss Farrell that she should've gone out in a more worthy manner than just getting blasted in the chest by Dukat for the simple reason that she was in the way.

I actually liked the fact that she died such a pointless, unspectacular, un-heroic death. Makes a nice change from the usual pathetic Hollywood crap.
Death is just like that sometimes and war doesn't always make sense.

Regarding Ezri I have to admit that she annoyed me at first. I never really cared much about the Dax character as such (probably because I think Farrell isn't a particularly good actress) and when Ezri was introduced I just wanted them to focus on the main story arc instead.
In the end I got used to her. I have no particular dislike for her.

 

[David cgc]

No offense, Rush, but I think you've simply analyzed Ezri more because you like her more - which is fine, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that I think Jadzia's a deeper character than you give her credit for. That's just my opinion, though, you're welcome to differ.

Well, to be sure, "types/flats" can be, and often are, given complexity. I'm just saying that, in the end, her characer is simply a new take on a typical "mold".

I have to agree with TiberiusMaximus that you're giving one's character development more credit than the other's because you like that character. If a character is complex, then, by definition, they cannot be a flat character. That's not what "flat" means, and the fact that you can assign a particular stereotype to Jadzia proves nothing. Someone can absolutely be just as reductionist with Ezri as you were with Jadzia. Say, that Erzi was just a variation on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She pulled Sisko out of his funk, taught Bashir how to love... you yourself said one of the primary thematic purposes of the characters was to be the bright ray of sunshine in everyone else's war-torn, tragic lives.

 

[Thestral]

I really like Ezri myself. Part of that's Nicole de Boer - she might be the first actor/actress I could say "Oh I remember her from thus and such" (Cube and Mission Genesis specifically). Part of it's eye candy I'll freely admit as much, but part of it's the variation on Dax she brought. While I can understand people saying "Oh it would've been good to just have a couple guest episodes and then not try and establish a new character" the idea of Dax as a new/old person really appealed to me.

If the reason they introduced Ezri was because they needed another female lead why not just promote Chase Masterson or Louise Fletcher to regulars?

Ehh... all respect to Chase, but the character of Leeta worked best in small doses and I didn't need to see much more of her. Especially by that point when she'd been reduced to simpering over Rom; the best Leeta story was part of the Relaunch, not on the show. And Kai Winn, while great, is like Dukat - best to be not wasted.

If you were gonna add another female character but not Dax, I'd go with Senator Creetak.

...almost like Doctor Who in a way.

The similarities (and differences) between Joined Trill and the Doctor is one of the most fascinating things to me about them, and I wish the show had spent more time with the Trill for that reason, in retrospect. It was with them as a background that I had a really easy time understanding the Doctor.

I actually liked the fact that she died such a pointless, unspectacular, un-heroic death. Makes a nice change from the usual pathetic Hollywood crap.
Death is just like that sometimes and war doesn't always make sense.

It is a bit uncomfortably similar to Yar's demise though...

Though in fairness, while it was pointless and unspectacular, it's not as though she didn't face her opponent or didn't step in the way of the Orb, as I recall.

Say, that Erzi was just a variation on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl.

I can definitely see an argument for Ezri as a MPDG - which is probably one reason she appeals to me, if I'm honest.

 

[RandyS]

I agree. Why bother?

We all know about the Dax symbiont living and moving on to another host. We didn't need to see the next incarnation to know it. When a host dies and the symbiont moves on, you gotta expect not having them around anymore.

I can see maybe an eps or three to show the new Dax and get an idea. But a full-time regular? This late in the series?

And it's not as if Ezri Dax was some outstanding compelling all-time great character. DS9 already had dozens of much better characters in the stable to finish up with in the last season. They had plenty to work with, didn't need to bring in Ezri.

Yeah, why bother?

Why bother? Because since Jadzia was gone (which I hated, her being gone, that is), we got Ezri (which I loved, her being there, that is). Personally, I liked both women, and was glad we had them.

 

[TiberiusMaximus]

No offense, Rush, but I think you've simply analyzed Ezri more because you like her more - which is fine, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that I think Jadzia's a deeper character than you give her credit for. That's just my opinion, though, you're welcome to differ.

Well, to be sure, "types/flats" can be, and often are, given complexity. I'm just saying that, in the end, her characer is simply a new take on a typical "mold".

I have to agree with TiberiusMaximus that you're giving one's character development more credit than the other's because you like that character. If a character is complex, then, by definition, they cannot be a flat character. That's not what "flat" means, and the fact that you can assign a particular stereotype to Jadzia proves nothing. Someone can absolutely be just as reductionist with Ezri as you were with Jadzia. Say, that Erzi was just a variation on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She pulled Sisko out of his funk, taught Bashir how to love... you yourself said one of the primary thematic purposes of the characters was to be the bright ray of sunshine in everyone else's war-torn, tragic lives.

Most characters of any kind start out as a certain stereotype - the devil's in the details. It's the little nuances and twists and quirks that you add that makes them unique.

Jadzia had six whole seasons of character development - whether you like the direction it was taken or not - so I really wouldn't say she was a flat character.

Ha ha...Reservoir Dax is an awesome title, Rush!

 

[Rush Limborg]

No offense, Rush, but I think you've simply analyzed Ezri more because you like her more - which is fine, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that I think Jadzia's a deeper character than you give her credit for. That's just my opinion, though, you're welcome to differ.

Well, to be sure, "types/flats" can be, and often are, given complexity. I'm just saying that, in the end, her characer is simply a new take on a typical "mold".

I have to agree with TiberiusMaximus that you're giving one's character development more credit than the other's because you like that character. If a character is complex, then, by definition, they cannot be a flat character. That's not what "flat" means, and the fact that you can assign a particular stereotype to Jadzia proves nothing. Someone can absolutely be just as reductionist with Ezri as you were with Jadzia. Say, that Erzi was just a variation on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She pulled Sisko out of his funk, taught Bashir how to love... you yourself said one of the primary thematic purposes of the characters was to be the bright ray of sunshine in everyone else's war-torn, tragic lives.

I wouldn't call Ezri "Manic", though. (Not exactly sold on that one...once could easily fit Jadzia into that particular "type"--focusing her efforts on getting Worf to "loosen up", wacky, etc.)

As for "flat", that was simply Forster's term. I prefer "types", myself--for the reasons you mentioned (namely, "flat" sounds like we're calling the person stereotypical--that they have no complexity). Actually, the reference book I got the terms from included Don Corleone, Sonny, and Michael among examples of "types"--and Michael, at least, is certainly complex.

Ha ha...Reservoir Dax is an awesome title, Rush!

Thanks! Now, just picture all nine hosts walking in slo-mo, the camera focusing on each one, to the tune of "Litte Green Bag"....