“WHEN IT RAINS”
Bugs eyes vs blind eyes.
Following the dramatic payoff of the previous episode, we’re back to setup territory, and although I like the ideas and twists we get here, there’s something a little “off” with the execution. I think it may be down to directing. Michael Dorn does a proficient enough job behind the camera, but he’s no directorial master, and, as a result, “When It Rains” pales in comparison to its preceding and succeeding episodes—which are both directed with immense flair and finesse by Mike Vejar. For the most part, “When It Rains” is interesting stuff, aside from the Ezri and Bashir fluff, but nothing really grabbed me by the throat. Things just kind of drift along until the episode comes to a startlingly abrupt end seemingly mid-scene.
First of all, it does boast one of the most INSPIRED twists of the show’s entire run: Kira agreeing to go to Cardassia and share the skills she learned as a resistance fighter. The irony is delicious and it truly is a brilliant way to end her character arc; by seeing her actually have to teach the enemy she fought so hard against the very skills she used to defeat them. As for the Cardassians, they’re definitely reaping some kind of cosmic karma, now having a taste of the struggles and horrors they themselves inflicted on Bajor. I like the fact there’s animosity and distrust on both sides. That’s only right—and I’m glad that Kira mentions Damar’s murder of Ziyal, something that she’d never be able to forgive or forget. There’s so much potential for drama here, and the addition of Garak in the mix is most welcome. That said, things don’t quite ignite in this episode. We get a bit of bickering and some awkward moments, but, as with most the plots started here, we’ll have to wait until the next episode before things get truly juicy.
Another major element that comes to the fore here is the mysterious illness ravaging the Great Link—which, it transpires, was actually created by Section 31, who used Odo as a carrier. It would seem they infected him way back in the fourth season’s “Homefront” episode, which certainly means this virus has an incredibly long incubation period. Ironically, in that time, Odo was also deliberately infected by a virus by the Founders, at which time he also inadvertently infected them with the Section 31 virus. What can I say, linking is obviously a high risk activity.
I’m not entirely sure why this disease began affecting the rest of the Founders long before Odo, but he finally begins showing symptoms of it here. This is going to be a tough storyline for me to watch. The scene where Bashir tells them the news over subspace was a real kick in the gut. I’ve seen the very expression on Kira’s face on my own family’s faces as I’ve had to deliver bad news to them about my health. It’s the worst thing in the world. I can also very much relate to Odo’s decision to push it aside and minimise the drama, just getting on with the task at hand. It’s very well played here; subtle yet heart wrenching.
We also get another plot strand involving Gowron and his jealousy of Martok’s valour and reputation. Sounds about right for petty politicians, who’d happily put their own ego ahead of the good of an entire empire. Still, it’s nice to see Gowron back again, although it’s all just laboured setup and nothing really jumps off the screen. Fortunately, I can happily say that everything well and truly lands in the following episode, “Tacking Into the Wind”, for which this lays the groundwork.
Last but not least, we also get to check in on Winn and Dukat and I love how the revelation of Dukat’s true identity has the power dynamic between them. I’m glad to see that, in spite of her conversion to the Pah-wraiths, Winn can’t forgive Dukat for his past and is, in fact, revolted by his presence and the fact she shared a bed with him. It’s rather wonderful seeing Dukat lose the upper hand, and even be punished by the Pah-wraith for sneaking a look at the Kosst Amojan text. The sadistic delight with which Winn turfs the blinded Dukat onto the street to teach him “a lesson in humility” is strangely satisfying to watch. Man, what a heinous pair these are. Of course, this is the last time we’ll see them until the final episode, and I know this story thread gets a lot of hate from many fans, but I’ve found it captivating viewing throughout, and both Louise Fletcher and Marc Alaimo have been at the top of their game. I guess a of fans aren’t keen on the show’s more fantasy-based elements, but I’ve found it a brilliant character study of two very different villains.
Overall, a fair episode—some brilliant, inspired storylines, along with some only marginally interesting ones. Oh, and there’s also the Ezri and Bashir stuff, which is pure soap opera fluff and either cute or irritating depending on your perspective. The execution is definitely weaker this time around—the directing is adequate but no more; it’s talky, the pace is slack, the staging of certain scenes seems a little stiff (note the opening scene where everyone sits down at the table and J.G. Hertzler seems awkwardly late in his cue to deliver a line of dialogue). I’m also not a huge fan of Paul Baillaergeon’s wishy-washy score. I’m also always surprised when the episode abruptly ends in the middle of a conversation between Bashir and O’Brien. Yup, there’s definitely some weird pacing here. But, no matter—it leads us to what, if memory serves me, definitely ranks among the finest episodes of the show’s entire run. Rating: 7
Bugs eyes vs blind eyes.
Following the dramatic payoff of the previous episode, we’re back to setup territory, and although I like the ideas and twists we get here, there’s something a little “off” with the execution. I think it may be down to directing. Michael Dorn does a proficient enough job behind the camera, but he’s no directorial master, and, as a result, “When It Rains” pales in comparison to its preceding and succeeding episodes—which are both directed with immense flair and finesse by Mike Vejar. For the most part, “When It Rains” is interesting stuff, aside from the Ezri and Bashir fluff, but nothing really grabbed me by the throat. Things just kind of drift along until the episode comes to a startlingly abrupt end seemingly mid-scene.
First of all, it does boast one of the most INSPIRED twists of the show’s entire run: Kira agreeing to go to Cardassia and share the skills she learned as a resistance fighter. The irony is delicious and it truly is a brilliant way to end her character arc; by seeing her actually have to teach the enemy she fought so hard against the very skills she used to defeat them. As for the Cardassians, they’re definitely reaping some kind of cosmic karma, now having a taste of the struggles and horrors they themselves inflicted on Bajor. I like the fact there’s animosity and distrust on both sides. That’s only right—and I’m glad that Kira mentions Damar’s murder of Ziyal, something that she’d never be able to forgive or forget. There’s so much potential for drama here, and the addition of Garak in the mix is most welcome. That said, things don’t quite ignite in this episode. We get a bit of bickering and some awkward moments, but, as with most the plots started here, we’ll have to wait until the next episode before things get truly juicy.
Another major element that comes to the fore here is the mysterious illness ravaging the Great Link—which, it transpires, was actually created by Section 31, who used Odo as a carrier. It would seem they infected him way back in the fourth season’s “Homefront” episode, which certainly means this virus has an incredibly long incubation period. Ironically, in that time, Odo was also deliberately infected by a virus by the Founders, at which time he also inadvertently infected them with the Section 31 virus. What can I say, linking is obviously a high risk activity.
I’m not entirely sure why this disease began affecting the rest of the Founders long before Odo, but he finally begins showing symptoms of it here. This is going to be a tough storyline for me to watch. The scene where Bashir tells them the news over subspace was a real kick in the gut. I’ve seen the very expression on Kira’s face on my own family’s faces as I’ve had to deliver bad news to them about my health. It’s the worst thing in the world. I can also very much relate to Odo’s decision to push it aside and minimise the drama, just getting on with the task at hand. It’s very well played here; subtle yet heart wrenching.
We also get another plot strand involving Gowron and his jealousy of Martok’s valour and reputation. Sounds about right for petty politicians, who’d happily put their own ego ahead of the good of an entire empire. Still, it’s nice to see Gowron back again, although it’s all just laboured setup and nothing really jumps off the screen. Fortunately, I can happily say that everything well and truly lands in the following episode, “Tacking Into the Wind”, for which this lays the groundwork.
Last but not least, we also get to check in on Winn and Dukat and I love how the revelation of Dukat’s true identity has the power dynamic between them. I’m glad to see that, in spite of her conversion to the Pah-wraiths, Winn can’t forgive Dukat for his past and is, in fact, revolted by his presence and the fact she shared a bed with him. It’s rather wonderful seeing Dukat lose the upper hand, and even be punished by the Pah-wraith for sneaking a look at the Kosst Amojan text. The sadistic delight with which Winn turfs the blinded Dukat onto the street to teach him “a lesson in humility” is strangely satisfying to watch. Man, what a heinous pair these are. Of course, this is the last time we’ll see them until the final episode, and I know this story thread gets a lot of hate from many fans, but I’ve found it captivating viewing throughout, and both Louise Fletcher and Marc Alaimo have been at the top of their game. I guess a of fans aren’t keen on the show’s more fantasy-based elements, but I’ve found it a brilliant character study of two very different villains.
Overall, a fair episode—some brilliant, inspired storylines, along with some only marginally interesting ones. Oh, and there’s also the Ezri and Bashir stuff, which is pure soap opera fluff and either cute or irritating depending on your perspective. The execution is definitely weaker this time around—the directing is adequate but no more; it’s talky, the pace is slack, the staging of certain scenes seems a little stiff (note the opening scene where everyone sits down at the table and J.G. Hertzler seems awkwardly late in his cue to deliver a line of dialogue). I’m also not a huge fan of Paul Baillaergeon’s wishy-washy score. I’m also always surprised when the episode abruptly ends in the middle of a conversation between Bashir and O’Brien. Yup, there’s definitely some weird pacing here. But, no matter—it leads us to what, if memory serves me, definitely ranks among the finest episodes of the show’s entire run. Rating: 7
Thanks.
