Vic Fontain

[Nakita Akita]

justbwatched the one last night where, unfortunately, we "get" to meet Vic Fontain
Odo wants to get with Kira and wants Vic to help him.(eye roll)
Okay I get it that Odo wants to be with Kira.
And the sort of mixup thing in the Holodeck is cute, but listening to that guy sing and tell bad jokes for almost the entire episode ( that's what it seemed like)
Well, it's just too much.
I would have been okay if Odo had thought that Kira was a holodeck character but there needed to be a better way to do it.
There was just way too much time devoted to that guy performing in that club.
There are even more episodes I know with Vic being central in them. I might just have to skip them.
What's the thought on these episodes?
Vic as a plot device? Over used?
Totally boring?
Or just plain horrible?

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

I haven't watched DS9 straight through in a very, very long time, but I remember thinking Vic was super annoying and was used too often as a kid. I dunno... I've seen a few episodes here and there as an adult and whenever I see him now I kinda feel okay about him, I guess? He was never the worst thing ever, nor is he now the best thing ever either. He's just kinda...there.

That being said, I hated how much time the books had devoted to him (and sometimes devoted to being adjacent to him without him actually being a proper character in the story!) in the later run.

I'll vote him overused either way. I find the idea that a civilization three or four hundred years our senior would be so enamored by a Vegas singer from the 60's. That would be like me and a group of friends being really, really into the musical stylings of Louis XIV's court of entertainers.

 

[Kor]

I love old-school vocal lounge music. To me, it's the absolute pinnacle of human culture and civilization.

So I'm just fine with the character of Vic Fontaine.

Kor

 

[Relayer1]

I love old-school vocal lounge music. To me, it's the absolute pinnacle of human culture and civilization.

So I'm just fine with the character of Vic Fontaine.

Kor

Absolutely loved Vic.

Great Rat Pack vibe and a couple of my very favourite (very different) episodes - It's Only A Paper Moon and Badda Bing Badda Bang.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I hated Vic, I thought he was cheesy and it never made sense to me how obsessed everyone became with him. Maybe you can convince me that lounge style music could make a comeback, but his entire personality is contrived and cheesy and they use him as a 'Magical hologram'.

 

[Armus]

I originally hated Vic but he's really grown on me. Now I understand the characters dependence on a holographic 20th century lounge singer for entertainment, solace, and guidance. He was a great singer, performer, and the characters wanted a fantasy guru from a comforting reality. Vic added a different flavor to the show. Star Trek has always done that. TOS had Nazis, 20th century Rome, and 20's gangsters, TNG had film noir detectives, Robin Hood, and the Old West, DS9 had Vic.

 

[urbandefault]

Vic is exactly like Guinan (if Guinan had been played by Dean Martin).

James Darren, in case you were wondering, had semi-ties to Trek via TJ Hooker.

 

[Gavin70]

That would be like me and a group of friends being really, really into the musical stylings of Louis XIV's court of entertainers.

You mean you're not? What's wrong with you?

 

[TheSeeker]

I haven't seen any of the Vic Fontaine episodes since they aired, but I recall not enjoying them.

 

[Sophie74656]

I loved Vic! I actually wish there was a place near me where we could go that would be just like this

 

[XCV330]

I always liked the Vic episodes, and he's one of my favorite non-Starfleet characters in Trek. A hologram that is self aware but doesn't feel especially limited by those "constraints" or in some Pinocchio crisis, he knows what he's there fore and he enjoys what he does. So what if he's programmed to enjoy it?

 

[Bad Thoughts]

There are only three episodes in which Vic is a featured character, and if two are forgettable, one is clearly exceptional. On top of that, there are scenes in which I think he helps to push the story forward or underlines the mood of the episode. "Here's to the Losers" was one of the better parts of Jadzia's farewell. In the end, I try not to let my dislike for Italian crooners get too much in the way of my appreciation of any particular episode.

 

[Kor]

I loved Vic! I actually wish there was a place near me where we could go that would be just like this

Yep. If there was a place like this in my neck of the woods, I'd be there every night after work!

Kor

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I also think that fans clearly differ on the value and quality of "holodeck episodes." I try not let my dislike of them color my opinion.

 

[Kytee]

I thought Vic worked well, I liked how the actor came across , he felt warm and genuine whenever he was speaking.

Him being a hologram and living in a make believe world was a critical catalyst to one of the best Nog episodes ever. I remember thinking they needed to give Nog more to do after seeing Its Only a Paper Moon. The actor clearly had the skills, when he was taking to Vic about his fears , I really felt for him.

Badda Bing Badda Bang was all sorts of fun and it was a nice break from the war story, still one of my go-to episodes when I'm feeling like a light episode that brings the whole band together

That being said , I think if they had doubled his appearance's he might have worn out his welcome for me. Early on I also found it odd that folks primary entertainment was going to the bar, so they can rent a holosuite, so they can......go to the bar....

 

[saladdays]

By the way, James Darren isn't just some "Vegas lounge singer" or something. He is a successful actor and singer, and was even in the "teen heartthrob" category when he was younger.

 

[Kilana2]

I loved Vic! I actually wish there was a place near me where we could go that would be just like this

Vic is the reason why I'm currently waiting for the next German translation of a certain DS9 novel featuring his fate. Vic became an importan part of DS9. Holograms and artificial intelligences as friends of beloved characters. Vic is great in giving prudent advices and is a reliable friend in times of crisis. He was important for the crew during the Domion war. The episode with Kira and Odo was really nice, but not the best Vic episod IMO.

 

[Timewalker]

I also found it odd that folks primary entertainment was going to the bar, so they can rent a holosuite, so they can......go to the bar....

When Kirk wanted a drink, he'd go to McCoy (because apparently Sickbay is where the Saurian Brandy is kept).

When Picard wanted a drink, he had Ten-Forward.

On DS9, the only place for a drink was Quark's. It's not too surprising to me that some of the people would want a different option. And with centuries of inspiration, why not choose an establishment like Vic Fontaine's? I can't recall anyone getting up in Quark's to sing, and some people like music.

On Voyager, there were a couple of options, both created by Tom Paris: Sandrine's and Fair Haven. Sandrine's was based on a place Tom used to frequent when he was younger, and Fair Haven was based on a stereotypical folk fantasy.

In all cases, the bartender was also an advice-giver and confidante.

By the way, James Darren isn't just some "Vegas lounge singer" or something. He is a successful actor and singer, and was even in the "teen heartthrob" category when he was younger.

My teenage self enjoyed watching him in Time Tunnel.

I liked the Vic Fontaine episodes, and found them a welcome break from the other types of episodes.

 

[dub]

For me, Vic is one of the warm and fuzzy highlights of the series. He broke up the tension on the series. To me, there is something magical and mythical about that sort of musical style and the culture surrounding it. It's also silly in a way -- and we need silly, especially during very serious times. And things were quite serious when Vic was introduced. In that sense, he was sort of a sanity anchor for the crew. And he humanized the characters and made them less stiff. I felt the cast sort of getting into a nice groove in those later seasons, and Vic was definitely part of that. I was pleased that the crew kept coming back to him. I like consistency. I'm also glad he was included in the finale. Plus one for Vic.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Vic's cool. Only squares don't like him.