Ok, i thought i'd get this thing started. Here's my thoughts on DS9's pilot "The Emissary". Note that my review contains spoilers for that episode.
Synopsis:
A Starfleet crew under Commander Benjamin Sisko are assigned to occupy Deep Space Nine, a Cardassian space station damaged during the Federation’s war with Cardassia. When Sisko discovers a powerful space anomaly,, and its even more powerful inhabitants, the race to take control of it leads to an escalation of tension.
Review:
As a pilot for Deep Space Nine I think “Emissary” does a pretty good job. The beginning of the episode is very powerful and action packed and takes the viewer to one of the most memorable moments in Star Trek up until this episode, by showing us a bit of the battle at Wolf 359. This sequence is perfectly realized and the effects was for me at that time first rate. I still find that the image of a shocked Sisko wathing the final moments of U.S.S. Saratoga from the escape pod shooting away from the ship is one of Deep Space Nine’s greatest moments. Kudos to the SFX team for this sequence.
Arriving at Deep Space Nine we get to meet the strong-willed Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) who I think makes a very good first impression. Being opposed to the affiliation with the United Federation of Planets is both logical given Bajor’s past experiences and presents us with a potential tension between the commanding officer and his second from the beginning. This is one of the first indications that everything is not perfect in the world of Deep Space Nine. Moreover the scene indicates that political themes (as well as religious) will form an important undercurrent in the show.
Except for the beginning another high-point to me in this episode is the meeting between Sisko and Picard on the Enterprise. This scene is very strong and especially Stewart delivers a top-notch performance (as usual) when Sisko tells him that they met in battle at Wolf 359. Picard is clearly shaken by this and it takes him some time to find his footing again. I also think that this scene risks a lot by having the ‘leading man’ of Deep Space Nine having being somewhat hostile towards Picard which at this point in time was Treks leading captain and extremely popular with the fans. The tension between Sisko and Picard here is also a indication that everything is not black and white in Deep Space Nine – that a lot of what is to come will be within the ‘grey’ area in between. Something I always felt was missing from trek and therefore a welcome addition to the universe.
Another standout scene was the meeting between Sisko and the wormhole aliens which I think is well written and executed as well. Siskos attempt at explaining linear time while at the same time being stuck in the past himself is neat concept, and the scene is well executed. The lightning, music and sound comes together well in these scenes and gives it a very theatrical and somewhat dream-like feel.
Of course the episode ends with some action as we see the Cardassians take on the station, and a neat resolution as the commander rides in with Gul Dukat in tow and saves the day. The conclusion is perhaps a little to ‘neat’ for my taste. The Cardassians attacking the station is very serious and I don’t see that they would break off so easily just because Dukat tells them to. Especially given the power the wormhole can potentially come to represent.
I’m not sold on Avery Brooks acting at this point either. In certain scenes he comes of as a little ‘wooden’ to me, and he has a manner and a way of talking I’ve always felt takes a lot of getting used to. This is a minor point though, as every series usually takes some time before the actors become comfortable with their roles.
Since this is a pilotes and we’re introduced to many of the shows characters I’ll end on a few notes concerning some of them:
- Quark: I was never fond of the Ferengi on TNG. But I like Quark a lot. Firstly because I think that Armin Shimmerman is a great actor, but I also like that Quark comes off as a little more confident and ruthless in spite of what we’re used to in the ferengi.
- Marc Alaimo as Gul Dukat is simply fantastic. A great villain.
- Dr. Bashir: I know that many didn’t like Bashir in the beginning. But I do. I think it’s a great character and I love every scene with him in “Emissary”. He seems like a wannabe hero that has a great deal of arrogance and his character simply strikes a chord with me.
- Jake: I’m not a fan of kids in sci-fi, but I liked Jake here. He seems introspective and different from what I’m used to in TV
Summary:
A great pilot that sets up many of the storylines in the upcoming series neatly. I have some minor issues with some of the acting and an ending that is a little to neat for my tastes. 3/4
Regards,
Jonz
Synopsis:
A Starfleet crew under Commander Benjamin Sisko are assigned to occupy Deep Space Nine, a Cardassian space station damaged during the Federation’s war with Cardassia. When Sisko discovers a powerful space anomaly,, and its even more powerful inhabitants, the race to take control of it leads to an escalation of tension.
Review:
As a pilot for Deep Space Nine I think “Emissary” does a pretty good job. The beginning of the episode is very powerful and action packed and takes the viewer to one of the most memorable moments in Star Trek up until this episode, by showing us a bit of the battle at Wolf 359. This sequence is perfectly realized and the effects was for me at that time first rate. I still find that the image of a shocked Sisko wathing the final moments of U.S.S. Saratoga from the escape pod shooting away from the ship is one of Deep Space Nine’s greatest moments. Kudos to the SFX team for this sequence.
Arriving at Deep Space Nine we get to meet the strong-willed Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) who I think makes a very good first impression. Being opposed to the affiliation with the United Federation of Planets is both logical given Bajor’s past experiences and presents us with a potential tension between the commanding officer and his second from the beginning. This is one of the first indications that everything is not perfect in the world of Deep Space Nine. Moreover the scene indicates that political themes (as well as religious) will form an important undercurrent in the show.
Except for the beginning another high-point to me in this episode is the meeting between Sisko and Picard on the Enterprise. This scene is very strong and especially Stewart delivers a top-notch performance (as usual) when Sisko tells him that they met in battle at Wolf 359. Picard is clearly shaken by this and it takes him some time to find his footing again. I also think that this scene risks a lot by having the ‘leading man’ of Deep Space Nine having being somewhat hostile towards Picard which at this point in time was Treks leading captain and extremely popular with the fans. The tension between Sisko and Picard here is also a indication that everything is not black and white in Deep Space Nine – that a lot of what is to come will be within the ‘grey’ area in between. Something I always felt was missing from trek and therefore a welcome addition to the universe.
Another standout scene was the meeting between Sisko and the wormhole aliens which I think is well written and executed as well. Siskos attempt at explaining linear time while at the same time being stuck in the past himself is neat concept, and the scene is well executed. The lightning, music and sound comes together well in these scenes and gives it a very theatrical and somewhat dream-like feel.
Of course the episode ends with some action as we see the Cardassians take on the station, and a neat resolution as the commander rides in with Gul Dukat in tow and saves the day. The conclusion is perhaps a little to ‘neat’ for my taste. The Cardassians attacking the station is very serious and I don’t see that they would break off so easily just because Dukat tells them to. Especially given the power the wormhole can potentially come to represent.
I’m not sold on Avery Brooks acting at this point either. In certain scenes he comes of as a little ‘wooden’ to me, and he has a manner and a way of talking I’ve always felt takes a lot of getting used to. This is a minor point though, as every series usually takes some time before the actors become comfortable with their roles.
Since this is a pilotes and we’re introduced to many of the shows characters I’ll end on a few notes concerning some of them:
- Quark: I was never fond of the Ferengi on TNG. But I like Quark a lot. Firstly because I think that Armin Shimmerman is a great actor, but I also like that Quark comes off as a little more confident and ruthless in spite of what we’re used to in the ferengi.
- Marc Alaimo as Gul Dukat is simply fantastic. A great villain.
- Dr. Bashir: I know that many didn’t like Bashir in the beginning. But I do. I think it’s a great character and I love every scene with him in “Emissary”. He seems like a wannabe hero that has a great deal of arrogance and his character simply strikes a chord with me.
- Jake: I’m not a fan of kids in sci-fi, but I liked Jake here. He seems introspective and different from what I’m used to in TV
Summary:
A great pilot that sets up many of the storylines in the upcoming series neatly. I have some minor issues with some of the acting and an ending that is a little to neat for my tastes. 3/4
Regards,
Jonz
