Snakespeare: I do agree with you on Zek. Wallace Shawn happens to be my best friend's third cousin twice removed or something like that, so it's pretty cool to see him in things, especially Star Trek. I'm not anti-Ferengi episode either, but as of now, Quark has been a more compelling character when he's somewhat of a guest and helps the other characters figure out things.
Dukat: I agree with you. I've seen a lot of Trek and none of these episodes have really compared to some of the worst has to offer. Even The Passenger, my least favorite episode thus far doesn't stack up to things like Code of Honor, Hide and Q, Homesoil, Heroes and Demons, and Time and Again. Also, the weak episodes (Save The Passenger) say something interesting about humans, Bajorans or something to that effect. If people say the show gets better, then I'm pumped.
***
Battle Lines:
"
A runabout carrying Kai Opaka crashes on a planet of eternal war, where it is impossible for the combatants to die"
A pretty classic heavy handed Trek-Message episode in same same vein of Let This Be Your Last Battlefield. Regardless, I really enjoyed this one. It's upsetting that the Kai is gone now, I was starting to enjoy her character, but I guess she needs to make way for Winn somehow.
While, I did like this episode, it highlights one of my problems with the show. Sisko seems like he's more of a role than a character. Not since Emissary has he gotten an episode devoted to him and most of what he's done so far is arbitrate disputes, run the station, and be a parent to Jake. Even in ensamble episodes like this one, he almost plays second fiddle to the other characters, in this one it's Kira who gets major character moments while Sisko tries to arbitrate between the people.
Favorite Character moment: Any scene with Opaka and Kira. Kira is starting to become a very compelling character and this is the first season where all characters are usually cardboard cutouts.
Annoying Character Moment: Both leaders of the tribes were comic book villain-esque and played in archetypes rather than characters, something Trek usually avoids when it comes to specific characters (not so much races)
Final Score: 7.5/10. Really solid, but the message felt extra-heavy handed this ep.
***
The Storyteller
"Chief O'Brien is appointed spiritual leader of a Bajoran village. Meanwhile, Nog and Jake try to help their new friend settle a struggle between two Bajoran villages."
I'm going to admit it, I liked this episode. The O'Brien plot was wonderful in its sheer ridiculousness and I loved his interactions with Bashir. Yes, I said I liked something that had to do with Bashir.
However, the plot that I found to be the most enjoyable was the plot between Jake, Nog and Varis Sul. I hated Wesley and while cute, Naomi Wildman somewhat annoyed me, so needless to say children on Trek aren't my favorite. However, Jake and Nog are exceptions, because they're, dare I say it, real people. And in this episode, I really believed their friendship with Varis Sul and I even recognized a little of myself, awkwardly trying to impress a girl, who is no one more than someone who just walked passed you.
I hope Varis Sul makes appearences later on, but I know she won't. I know DS9 is good with reoccuring characters (so far we have Rom, Nog, I know Garak and Dukat becomes one, and of course Morn), but I doubt they are this good. No, she played her role and now she's gone. Oh well, she was cool while she lasted.
Favorite character moment: Jake, Nog and Sul dangling their feet over the Prominade acting like kids, albiet kids with issues. Such a new ground for Trek.
Annoying character moment: Every Bajoran in the village. Star Trek has done a very good job at not making the Bajorans religious whack jobs... they failed here.
7/10: Very enjoyable despite bad reputation.
