Garrett Wang acted? 
Revisiting DS9...
- Thread starter Warped9
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"The Passenger" **
A criminal manages to escape his death by moving his consciousness into another living person.
When you consider the idea of the story it doesn't sound bad for science fiction. And this episode isn't bad in the early goings. But the moment Dax figures out how Vantaka escaped his "death" we make the easy connection as to where he "went" so to speak---who he escaped into.
And then it slides downhill and I have to say a lot of it is due to Bashir's terrible performance. It's such a hack job that it's cringe inducing. Dax is used to good purpose here, but I still find her to be such a bland character. Even Rene Auberjunois' performance seems forced here at times. That said I did rather like his initial friction with Starfleet security officer Primmon.
But after all is said and done I was just disappointed with this episode.
A criminal manages to escape his death by moving his consciousness into another living person.
When you consider the idea of the story it doesn't sound bad for science fiction. And this episode isn't bad in the early goings. But the moment Dax figures out how Vantaka escaped his "death" we make the easy connection as to where he "went" so to speak---who he escaped into.
And then it slides downhill and I have to say a lot of it is due to Bashir's terrible performance. It's such a hack job that it's cringe inducing. Dax is used to good purpose here, but I still find her to be such a bland character. Even Rene Auberjunois' performance seems forced here at times. That said I did rather like his initial friction with Starfleet security officer Primmon.
But after all is said and done I was just disappointed with this episode.
"The Passenger" is a good example of the missteps of season 1, but even by season 2 they generally limited the bad episodes to one per season. Even "Meridian" which IMO is very bad, does have a wonderful guess star that will get your creep meter to 11.....
Oh, the Bashir-as-Vantika acting was totally horrible--I agree. (Remember, this is the episode I warned you about. 
) But I also think you're right about the Primmon part being interesting to watch, and keeps the episode from being a complete disaster.
You'll get to see one more true Bashir hamfest this season in "Move Along Home," but at least that episode is a light one, which makes it more forgivable--just part of the camp. (I actually think that episode will remind you of some of TOS' campier episodes. A lot of people hate it, but I have a soft spot, in part because I saw it as a child and I am still able to see it with a child's eyes. Which rather fits the episode...)
) But I also think you're right about the Primmon part being interesting to watch, and keeps the episode from being a complete disaster.You'll get to see one more true Bashir hamfest this season in "Move Along Home," but at least that episode is a light one, which makes it more forgivable--just part of the camp.
(I actually think that episode will remind you of some of TOS' campier episodes. A lot of people hate it, but I have a soft spot, in part because I saw it as a child and I am still able to see it with a child's eyes. Which rather fits the episode...)
It's probably "If Wishes Were Horses" for me. But "The Passenger" isn't too far behind.
S1 is hideous of DS9 I enjoy TNG, VOY and ENT more. Crap like "The Storyteller", The Passenger, Q-Less, Move Along Home, Dramatis Personae. There are only a few that are watchable.
I'm just revisiting DS9 as we speak I've watched the 1st 3 seasons just started on the 4th season and one of my all time favorite stories.I'm talking about Way Of The Warrior what a great story and loads of action .!!
Hideous is overstating it, I think. It's mediocre overall, but it doesn't fall flat on its face quite so often as TNG season 1. Most episodes are just guilty of being a bit dull, and there's enough of a smattering of solid episodes (namely "Captive Pursuit," "Vortex," "Progress," "Duet," and "In The Hands of the Prophets") to elevate it above a complete waste of a season.
“Move Along Home” **
A new race introduces Quark to an unusual game.
This is one screwey episode. And folks think TOS' "The Alternative Factor" is weird and hard to follow???
Of course it isn't until the end that we learn that this "game with living pieces" is all fake jeopardy and no one is ever really at risk. But as things unfold we're wondering if the Wadi are more than they seem and with something of a dark streak to them to sacrifice unwitting people just for the sake of a game.
When I first saw this episode oh so many years ago I was actually rather intrigued with it. But now it just doesn't work anymore. This is one of those episodes where if you already know the ending there's no remaining enjoyment in watching the mechanics of it in progress. It just doesn't have any real watchability.
The only bright spot---in an amusing way---was at the beginning when Sisko is trying to put his best foot forward and all the Wadi want to do is go to Quark's bar.
After that it's all downhill...
A new race introduces Quark to an unusual game.
This is one screwey episode. And folks think TOS' "The Alternative Factor" is weird and hard to follow???Of course it isn't until the end that we learn that this "game with living pieces" is all fake jeopardy and no one is ever really at risk. But as things unfold we're wondering if the Wadi are more than they seem and with something of a dark streak to them to sacrifice unwitting people just for the sake of a game.
When I first saw this episode oh so many years ago I was actually rather intrigued with it. But now it just doesn't work anymore. This is one of those episodes where if you already know the ending there's no remaining enjoyment in watching the mechanics of it in progress. It just doesn't have any real watchability.
The only bright spot---in an amusing way---was at the beginning when Sisko is trying to put his best foot forward and all the Wadi want to do is go to Quark's bar.
After that it's all downhill...
I'd give it 1 lone star. The acting by the principles is atrocious. The Gamma Quadrant aliens suck--they are unimaginative both as a species and with regards to their design. The big reveal that it was all just a game was stupid. I can't stand Primmin. I think the only thing I liked was seeing the DS9 cast in their dress uniforms.
You didn't like the interplay between Quark and Odo? Watching Odo put the verbal thumbscrews on Quark and get him to cringe and beg like that was hilarious.
As for the meat of the episode itself...well, I would certainly deduct for another case of bad Bashir acting (the screaming scene), but honestly, even when I rewatched it I could still see why I'd liked it, what drew my eye the first time around. (I actually think I watched it multiple times, as a child, and then again, when I was older and doing a rewatch.) I wonder if there is something different because of the age that I was when I first saw it, but it's still fun. Not a serious episode and not meant to be taken that way, in the end--but I would give it 3 stars. Not one of the top examples of the series, but not the bad episode most people seem to think it is.
As for the meat of the episode itself...well, I would certainly deduct for another case of bad Bashir acting (the screaming scene), but honestly, even when I rewatched it I could still see why I'd liked it, what drew my eye the first time around. (I actually think I watched it multiple times, as a child, and then again, when I was older and doing a rewatch.) I wonder if there is something different because of the age that I was when I first saw it, but it's still fun. Not a serious episode and not meant to be taken that way, in the end--but I would give it 3 stars. Not one of the top examples of the series, but not the bad episode most people seem to think it is.
Someone mentioned upthread that the reveal that it's all a harmless game was something of a letdown. I think that's true. Up to that point there's something kind of sinister and creepy about the Wadi and this whole thing...and then the reveal undermines all that. Meh, doesn't work for me.
Yeah, Bashir in these earlier episodes is embarrassing for the most part.
Yeah, Bashir in these earlier episodes is embarrassing for the most part.
Bashir thankfully becomes MUCH better, and I have to agree, the Wadi go from "Kinda creepy cool" to "stupid" in about 3 seconds in that reveal.
I find "Move Along Home" to be just awful enough for it to become entertaining, anyway. I mean, its got Hopscotch in SPAAAAACE and Flying Death Triangles!
Last time I rewatched it as Camp, and I found it to be brilliantly campy.
"Alamarain, count to four, Alamarain then three more"
Yes, early Bashir wasn't very good. Even O'Brien didn't like him
I don't know if it was the quality of his acting or his portrayal of a young naive irritant that grated on the nerves of Kira and O'Brien. In some respects, he was written that way.
But at least he has somewhere to come up from.
He ends on a considerably better note and it wouldn't really be possible for that growth if he didn't start from somewhere. All the DS9 characters really start from one place and grow through a lot to end up changed in major ways. One of the unique hallmarks of the series.
I don't know if it was the quality of his acting or his portrayal of a young naive irritant that grated on the nerves of Kira and O'Brien. In some respects, he was written that way.
But at least he has somewhere to come up from.
He ends on a considerably better note and it wouldn't really be possible for that growth if he didn't start from somewhere. All the DS9 characters really start from one place and grow through a lot to end up changed in major ways. One of the unique hallmarks of the series.
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