How would Dax's S7 gone if TF had stayed?
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I would have liked to see Dax's career accelerate, creating marital problems with Worf. I liked that she was made CO of the Defiant and I think the broader implications for their relationship could have been explored more if she were given a permanent command. Many of the plot specifics of the "Final Chapters" involving Ezri and Worf could be maintained by changing the dialogue to reflect the changing fortunes in their careers. I suspect that Behr et al were not interested in exploring divorce, so some explanation would have to be reached that would explain why Worf finally forsakes his Klingson roots.
BTW, great question.
BTW, great question.
Their attempts to have a baby would not have been part of S7. That was blatantly only written in to make Jadzia's death more tragic. I think Ira Behr said he would have been okay with Terry Farrell being in less episodes but was unaware that was an option due to Rick Berman telling her no straight off the bat. With that in mind I think the best option would have been to promote Dax straight to captain and send her off on her own ship. She could come back as and when Farrell was available. There's no reason Worf and Dax would have to end their marriage. Jadzia should never have been killed off with only one season to go.
Amen
I imagine it would have run about the same only they would have found a different way for Damar to communicate that he's on their side. They might have done a pregnancy arc for her during the war just because it would increase dramatic tension in dangerous situations, but they always tended to keep Dax's development kind of encapsulated.
I could see Jadzia giving birth in the finale, just to heighten the dramatic tension. Voyager did that with B'Elanna in their finale a couple of years later.
A pregnancy during wartime would've been interesting, revealing both hope and fear for the future.
I think Jadzia being promoted to captain while Worf's career wasn't going so well would've been interesting. Jadzia seemed just slightly subordinate to Worf at times in how she was written, always giving in to Worf's demands even if she made a lot of noise about it. I don't think Farrell portrayed Jadzia as subordinate mind you. I think her performance rather redeemed her against the writing for her to exist to further Worf's storyline.
A pregnancy during wartime would've been interesting, revealing both hope and fear for the future.
I think Jadzia being promoted to captain while Worf's career wasn't going so well would've been interesting. Jadzia seemed just slightly subordinate to Worf at times in how she was written, always giving in to Worf's demands even if she made a lot of noise about it. I don't think Farrell portrayed Jadzia as subordinate mind you. I think her performance rather redeemed her against the writing for her to exist to further Worf's storyline.
There was no way Terry was going to return, that was made clear enough. She and TPTB couldn't work out a deal, so it was the end. If the character wasn't killed, but Terry had still left the show, then what?
Divorce? Fans would have hated it.
Transfered to another posting, without Worf and it was to be a long distance relationship? Fans would have hated it.
Have her AND Worf leave for a difference posting? Fans would have hated it.
And before people say, leave the character alive AND keep her on the show.... Simply not an option. Interviews with Farrell have made it clear that the only way she could have remained on the show was in a capacity that the producers were not happy with.
So, no matter what, there is no way there could have ever been a season 7 with Jadzia.
That's not strictly true.
Rick Berman is the only producer who had any issue with Terry taking a backseat in the final season. Ira Behr assumed Farrell outright quit and didn't discuss the matter with her. He found out years later she offered to stay on the show in a reduced role and said he'd have been happy to allow her to do that. So it was was extremely possible Jadzia could have remained part of the show until the finale if there had been more communication between Farrell and Behr.
When I wrote my response, I assumed nothing about the situation with the actress. I assumed Jadzia would have been available for 25 episodes. To that end, Worf s deep turn to traditional Klingon culture would have created marital tension.
As for ISB: Bermano led him to believe negotiations with Farrell were fruitful, so he had no idea she might seriously walk away. I don't think Berman would have allowed ISB to treat Jadzia as a recurring role.
As for ISB: Bermano led him to believe negotiations with Farrell were fruitful, so he had no idea she might seriously walk away. I don't think Berman would have allowed ISB to treat Jadzia as a recurring role.
Berman was stupid. Everyone knew Season 7 was the last. There were only 25 episodes to go. How many of those would Jadzia have had a major role in anyway? A lot of the time a cast member would have a couple of brief scenes per episode unless it was a centric episode for them or an ensemble episode. Often major characters would appear on screen for as little as 30 seconds. DS9 was the one show that could easily have gotten away with a main cast member being recurring due to the vast array of supporting characters. Hell there was an episode of Season 7 that revolved around Nog and Vic with minimal involvement from the main cast.
Berman treated DS9 like the red headed stepchild of the franchise. He may have created it but Behr and Moore were the brains behind the operation. If Behr thought he could have worked around Farrell's absences then that's good enough for me. All that said, I did enjoy the opportunity it gave us to see a new Dax host but I'd sooner Jadzia have lived and appeared sporadically until the finale.
Berman treated DS9 like the red headed stepchild of the franchise. He may have created it but Behr and Moore were the brains behind the operation. If Behr thought he could have worked around Farrell's absences then that's good enough for me. All that said, I did enjoy the opportunity it gave us to see a new Dax host but I'd sooner Jadzia have lived and appeared sporadically until the finale.
I suppose the powers that be could have sent her character away, only to have her return with super powers, all angry and vengeful and stuff.
I'm sorry. Wrong Trek. Same executives. Surprised Ezri didn't wear a catsuit.
Immediately above the show producer level sat a dopey bunch- to my mind not much better than the Roddenberry merry go round that came before.
Some folks are not able to do a win-win in their heads. To that crowd life is a zero sum. Her moving to Becker (must have seemed prudent to her agent at the time) was "an insult". Looking back- I really think that's how Berman/Braga operated.
About her death though- usually there is this thing that there is no sense of jeopardy 'cause none of the beloved principals in a Trek drama ever die. Perhaps the loss of Jadzia added a bit of reality to the show. (Although she went out like a punk)
Another issue I've had- Why wasn't Worf focused on Vengeance? He's a Klingon! Like, a resign, find Ducat and cut pieces from him level of vengeance. Then sign on with Martok.
The problem is that Worf would then have been an StarFleet outcast- and No movies for him.
Ok so there it is- the moment Jadzia was killed off stupidly, was the moment Trek jumped the shark - because at that moment- the good of the franchise became more important then good of the story. Season 7 writers did yeoman's work in tidying up the ends- but I remember at the end of season 6 feeling something SNAP in my head. Like- This is some Bull*&$! right here.
Bah. Moore should have just gone on and done his own thing. Behr too.
Oh that's right- they did.
Anyone returning Berman's calls these days?
I'm sorry. Wrong Trek. Same executives. Surprised Ezri didn't wear a catsuit.
Immediately above the show producer level sat a dopey bunch- to my mind not much better than the Roddenberry merry go round that came before.
Some folks are not able to do a win-win in their heads. To that crowd life is a zero sum. Her moving to Becker (must have seemed prudent to her agent at the time) was "an insult". Looking back- I really think that's how Berman/Braga operated.
About her death though- usually there is this thing that there is no sense of jeopardy 'cause none of the beloved principals in a Trek drama ever die. Perhaps the loss of Jadzia added a bit of reality to the show. (Although she went out like a punk)
Another issue I've had- Why wasn't Worf focused on Vengeance? He's a Klingon! Like, a resign, find Ducat and cut pieces from him level of vengeance. Then sign on with Martok.
The problem is that Worf would then have been an StarFleet outcast- and No movies for him.
Ok so there it is- the moment Jadzia was killed off stupidly, was the moment Trek jumped the shark - because at that moment- the good of the franchise became more important then good of the story. Season 7 writers did yeoman's work in tidying up the ends- but I remember at the end of season 6 feeling something SNAP in my head. Like- This is some Bull*&$! right here.
Bah. Moore should have just gone on and done his own thing. Behr too.
Oh that's right- they did.
Anyone returning Berman's calls these days?
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Berman was mostly responsible for what happened, particularly the necessity of killing off the character. He had few good relationships with actors and creators in the franchise, and it affected the quality of the franchise as a whole approaching 2000. That said, as the man holding the purse strings, he had to be concerned that the outside work of the talent did not conflict with the production of episodes. When and how often Farrell would have been needed was not something he could have known a year ahead of time.
I dunno, I don't see losing Farrell as such a terrible thing. I think we got more good moments with Ezri than we would have with Jadzia in season 7. Yes, Jadzia's death could have been better, although DS9 is grown up enough to acknowledge that sometimes you get a meaningful death that sends you straight to Stovokor and sometimes you don't. Yes, it's too bad there were no flashbacks of Jadzia in the finale, and the hurt feelings that led to that were unprofessional on Star Trek's part. However, they did some very good work with Ezri and I think it was more interesting that another season of Jadzia esp. when Farrell would be just phoning it in.
If this is true, then it's a shame things didn't turn out this way. Dax was the least popular character on DS9. The only thing that was even going for her was the marriage to Worf thing, and honestly I never even cared much about that. Having her in a reduced role would have worked out just fine, and would have spared the production the need to introduce a brand new character and have to deal with all her backstory just for one season.
S7 would have been a lot less cute, in both good and bad ways.
I just finished the series for the second time, and didn't care much for the adolescent BS with Bashir/Ezri taking up valuable screen time. Painful, saccharine, reminiscent of Wesley Crusher trying to ask out a nerdy girl.
But, I did find Nicole de Boer's acting very good, fitting in very well with the cast, and the layers with Worf worked well IMO - also worked into the overall plot in a way that was more integrated.
I think S7 with Jadzia, especially "in a reduced role" as mentioned, might have allowed for a more focused run-up to the finale.
I just finished the series for the second time, and didn't care much for the adolescent BS with Bashir/Ezri taking up valuable screen time. Painful, saccharine, reminiscent of Wesley Crusher trying to ask out a nerdy girl.
But, I did find Nicole de Boer's acting very good, fitting in very well with the cast, and the layers with Worf worked well IMO - also worked into the overall plot in a way that was more integrated.
I think S7 with Jadzia, especially "in a reduced role" as mentioned, might have allowed for a more focused run-up to the finale.
Here's my episode by episode account of Season 7 Jadzia Dax if Farrell's role remained as it was in Season 6:
Image in the Sand/Shadows and Symbols: Martok's mission will just be a big battle, and he'll bring Worf, O'Brien and Bashir with him. Dax won't accompany Sisko to Tyree (Farrell wilts in the sun). Instead, she stays on the station, pressuring Ross and Cretak not to provoke Kira.
Afterimage: Bashir takes the role of treating Garak. Ross, impressed with Dax, gives her command of a ship (perhaps even the Defiant).
Take Me Out to the Holosuite: No real change, although I suspect Farrell would have been the better infielder over Visitor.
Chrysalis: No real change. Episode still sucks.
Treachery, Faith ...: No real change. Still an awesome episode.
Once More Unto the Breach: Dax doesn't join the Ch'Tang. Worf and Jadzia discuss Kor's situation at length
Siege of AR-559: Dax wouldn't make much sense. Yates is the only half-way decent replacement (some engineering skill, no combat experience).
Covenant: No change.
It's Only a Paper Moon: Bashir takes the counseling role.
Prodigal Daughter: Given that this episode was thrown together at the last minute, it could have been about anything. I doubt anyone wanted to meet Jadzia's family.
Emperor's New Cloak: I have no clue what to do with this one. Maybe we would get MU Tora Ziyal.
Field of Fire: An episode with Jadzia dealing with the murderous impusles of her past hosts would be awesome. It would be better because Jadzia was expected to be closer to the fighting. And if she had her own command, it could take place aboard that ship.
Chimera: No change.
Badda Bing: No change.
Inter Arma: No change.
Penumbra: Worf and Jadzia switch places: her ship is lost in the Badlands, and Worf commandeers a runabout to go after her. It's their first reunion in months, and some tensions have emerged in their marriage.
Til Death: Jadzia and Worf argue, but work out their problems. Jadzia doesn't reveal any secret crushes. Worf reveals discomfort with his Klingon turn, and they talk about life together after the war.
Strange Bedfellows: Continues from the previous episode.
Rest of the series: Jadzia and Worf regret being apart. Worf spends more time with Martok, but becomes cynical about Klingon politics. If Jadzia does not get another ship, she helps Bashir and O'Brien cure Odo.
What You Leave Behind: Worf and Jadzia leave Starfleet, retire to Trill.
Image in the Sand/Shadows and Symbols: Martok's mission will just be a big battle, and he'll bring Worf, O'Brien and Bashir with him. Dax won't accompany Sisko to Tyree (Farrell wilts in the sun). Instead, she stays on the station, pressuring Ross and Cretak not to provoke Kira.
Afterimage: Bashir takes the role of treating Garak. Ross, impressed with Dax, gives her command of a ship (perhaps even the Defiant).
Take Me Out to the Holosuite: No real change, although I suspect Farrell would have been the better infielder over Visitor.
Chrysalis: No real change. Episode still sucks.
Treachery, Faith ...: No real change. Still an awesome episode.
Once More Unto the Breach: Dax doesn't join the Ch'Tang. Worf and Jadzia discuss Kor's situation at length
Siege of AR-559: Dax wouldn't make much sense. Yates is the only half-way decent replacement (some engineering skill, no combat experience).
Covenant: No change.
It's Only a Paper Moon: Bashir takes the counseling role.
Prodigal Daughter: Given that this episode was thrown together at the last minute, it could have been about anything. I doubt anyone wanted to meet Jadzia's family.
Emperor's New Cloak: I have no clue what to do with this one. Maybe we would get MU Tora Ziyal.
Field of Fire: An episode with Jadzia dealing with the murderous impusles of her past hosts would be awesome. It would be better because Jadzia was expected to be closer to the fighting. And if she had her own command, it could take place aboard that ship.
Chimera: No change.
Badda Bing: No change.
Inter Arma: No change.
Penumbra: Worf and Jadzia switch places: her ship is lost in the Badlands, and Worf commandeers a runabout to go after her. It's their first reunion in months, and some tensions have emerged in their marriage.
Til Death: Jadzia and Worf argue, but work out their problems. Jadzia doesn't reveal any secret crushes. Worf reveals discomfort with his Klingon turn, and they talk about life together after the war.
Strange Bedfellows: Continues from the previous episode.
Rest of the series: Jadzia and Worf regret being apart. Worf spends more time with Martok, but becomes cynical about Klingon politics. If Jadzia does not get another ship, she helps Bashir and O'Brien cure Odo.
What You Leave Behind: Worf and Jadzia leave Starfleet, retire to Trill.
I thought Farrell the weakest actor in the cast, so I didn't lose any tears about her leaving.
Farrell has sensitive skin and can't be in direct sunlight for any length of time, so she might not have been in the episode at all.
And they weren't supposed to be good players anyway. Max Grodenchik had played semi-pro, so he had to play left-handed to avoid Rom being competent.
Farrell has sensitive skin and can't be in direct sunlight for any length of time, so she might not have been in the episode at all.
And they weren't supposed to be good players anyway. Max Grodenchik had played semi-pro, so he had to play left-handed to avoid Rom being competent.
I admire this list. Comments:
I don't see Bashir as a very sympathetic counselor or even all that good a listener.
Images in the Sand - Kira should go to Tyree. The Emissary's mission is of great religious significance and Kira would feel compelled to go. She could leave Dax as acting commander of the station.
Penumbra - could be interesting if they played it as Dax commanding the Defiant lost her with many of the crew lost or missing, including Worf. Dax could take a shuttle against orders and go looking for him. Dax's turn to rescue Worf, after Change of Heart. Dax would be motivated both by saving Worf in particular and saving someone under her command in general. Dax would suffer professionally for it, and it would be a source of tension between Dax and Worf.
Dax was the least popular? Even less popular than Jake?
I loved her but I did love the majority of the DS9 cast including the recurring players so I have no complaints about her. I even liked Ezri although I'd have preferred Jadzia to stay.
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