I am a grown man and "The Visitor"makes me cry everytime.

[BobR]

I agree with majority opinion here. Just rewatched it myself and it is a good one. I don't try to rank the best of the best against each other, I like having multiple favorite episodes.

 

[unimatrix7]

I really want to like this episode, but for me it seemed to miss the mark:

1. Sooo muuuuch technobabble
2. Reset button
3. Avery Brooks' acting

I love Avery Brooks when he's exerting a kind of understated energy. I like him a lot less when he's somewhat more emotional.

I respect what they were going for. I really, really do. But for me it just didn't work.

I recognise this puts me in the minority, so don't shout at me.

 

[JasonJ]

It's one of my favorites, Tony Todd is a very versatile actor and deserves a number of awards and especially for this episode, but one thing bugs me:

How come Jake is so certain he has to kill himself at the right time and the lady he's discussing his plans to doesn't bat an eyelid? Nor does Ben? Jake discusses what is at best a theory.

Despite that, there's a ton to really appreciate in that story, especially about obsession, but the notion of "If I kill myself at the precise moment then history will not have happened" -- it's a trifle convenient and very lucky he was right.

The episode makes me cry as well, proving that plot convenience or rushing to get to the 43 minute mark doesn't necessarily ruin a story, but the "suicide will make it all right" notion still stands out in a bad way for some reason.

Unless I misinterpreted that?

That is certainly one way to interpret it, however I don't feel it is the most accurate. I see it not as much as suicide as a sacrifice to save another. I know it's a fine line between allowing oneself to die to save another, and killing oneself to do the same, but ultimately I am not sure I see the former as being more justifiable, or more acceptable than the other. To me, at least, both are sacrifices.

 

[Captain Robau]

First time seeing the episode as a teenager = tugged at emotional heart strings.
Seeing the episode about 4 years after my first son, Jake (Jacob), was born = cried like a baby.
Love this episode and how great it is on all levels and even in all genre.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

my first son, Jake (Jacob)

Coincidence? (I won't believe you if you say no.)

 

[Voth commando1]

I honestly got bored watching this.

 

[Betelnut]

Eh, since I figured it would all "reset" in the end, I wasn't that emotionally blown away by it. I'm not saying it's not a good episode but it does tend to take away from the emotional impact when you know all that went before essentially won't happen.

I'm more saddened when characters I like actually DO die.

 

[Farscape One]

A true reset is when no one remembers anything. Sisko remembers those times he visited hos son throughout his life.

And it clearly shows in his reaction that he remembers at the end back on the Defiant.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Considering Jake's downward spiral, not Sisko's death, is what is at stake, the fact that there may be some sort of reset is a non-issue.

 

[Soopfly]

Agreed, it’s such a moving episode, I lost my father a few years back and the relationship between Ben and Jake is portrayed perfectly; including the frustration and pain of not being able to be with the person that you would do anything to have back.

 

[Sophie74656]

this is one of my favorite episodes. Very emotional

 

[Artoo Atari]

First time seeing the episode as a teenager = tugged at emotional heart strings.
Seeing the episode about 4 years after my first son, Jake (Jacob), was born = cried like a baby.
Love this episode and how great it is on all levels and even in all genre.

Know what you mean. As a father with a son, the episode hits on a whole deeper level.