Quick Reference Guide

Rated Quick Reference Guide

Sixth Season

A Time to Stand

Sisko and his crew embark on a secret mission in a captured Jem'Hadar warship.
In brief: I didn't *love* it, but I definitely liked it a lot -- and it shows a nice trend.
Nutshell: Wow. A brilliant start. Extremely dark and compelling.

Rocks and Shoals

Sisko and his crew are stranded on a remote planet with a dying Vorta and a small group of Jem'Hadar.
In brief: Another strong offering, though again the station-side part is the strongest.
Nutshell: Excellent. Powerfully envisioned and executed drama. The trend continues.

Sons and Daughters

Worf must face his failures as a father when his estranged son volunteers for duty aboard a Klingon ship.
In brief: A middle-of-the-road entry; not particularly unpleasant, but not particularly compelling either.
Nutshell: Definitely not of the same caliber of the season's first two outings. Not bad, but not particularly compelling, especially under the circumstances.

**1/2

Behind the Lines

While Sisko's promotion takes him away from the Defiant, Odo's loyalties are tested by the arrival of a fellow shapeshifter.
In brief: Not quite perfect, but stellar work.
Nutshell: A solid installment with a very brave twist at the end. I don't know how the writers are going to get themselves out of this one, but I'm definitely interested in finding out.

***1/2

While Kira prepares for the destruction of the minefield that protects the Federation, Sisko hatches a daring plan to retake Deep Space Nine.
In brief: Good in many spots, but a feeling of moving chess pieces around more than anything else.
Nutshell: Whew. Another powerhouse. Talk about covering some serious ground.

The Sacrifice of Angels

With the minefield that protects the Federation soon to be demolished, Sisko leads what appears to be a suicide mission to take back Deep Space Nine.
In brief: The epitome of frustration: many things done and done well, but many things undone or turned completely back.
Nutshell: Very entertaining ... but also quite contrived. I'm thinking some interesting things will come out of this episode, but I'm also thinking some other things will go unrealized.

You are Cordially Invited...

Worf's plans for a traditional Klingon wedding are threatened when Martok's wife refuses to accept Dax into their family.

In brief: A typical Trek-wedding show: cute moments combined with typical cliche.
Nutshell: Pleasant, but predictable. Par for course as wedding "event" shows go.

**1/2

The alternate universe double of Kira's slain love requests asylum on Deep Space Nine.
In brief: Long on character, but a bit too short on plot and far too prone to excess.
Nutshell: Some very good moments, but the storyline is somewhat slow, predictable, and even kind of pointless.

**1/2

Statistical Probabilities

Genetically-engineered savants under Bashir's supervision predict doom for the Federation.
In brief: Occasionally a bit shallow, but interesting and quirky.
Nutshell: A problematic final sequence of events, but otherwise an intriguing and very effective story about the dangers of megalomania.

The Magnificent Ferengi

Quark leads a Ferengi mission to rescue his mother from the Dominion.
In brief: Dreadful. Awful. Annoying. Pathetic. Did I mention I didn't care for it?
Nutshell: Silly, slight, and extremely low on plausibility, but a fresh and enjoyable comic piece nonetheless.

After their ship is destroyed, Sisko is stranded on a distant planet with an increasingly disturbed Dukat. Has Sisko's arch enemy saved him--only to kill him?
In brief: A few minor missteps, but generally a very nice piece of
Nutshell: A little too extreme at times, but mostly a very, very intense and gripping hour.

***1/2

Who Mourns for Morn?

When Morn is believed dead, Quark claims his fortune, but he's getting in to more trouble than it's worth.
In brief: Lots of hit-or-miss anarchy, with a few more hits than
Nutshell: Quite enjoyable, but also wholly forgettable, with characterizations and plot turns that can be predicted a mile away.

**1/2

Far Beyond the Stars

Sisko envisions he is a science-fiction writer encountering racism in 1953 America.
In brief: A compelling first four acts with a so-so fifth.
Nutshell: Wonderful, classic Trek. A socially aware issue episode that's also an engrossing reflection upon Trek's own spirit.

One Little Ship

Hidden on a shrunken Runabout, Dax, O'Brien, and Bashir are Sisko's only hope when the Jem'Hadar overtake the Defiant.
In brief: Some bad thinking, but entertaining work with a particularly goofy premise.
Nutshell: Totally absurd, but very amusing ... and surprisingly engaging.

Honor among Thieves

The Orion Syndicate has joined the Dominion, and is planning to assassinate Chancellor Gowron in order to incite another Kling Civil War. O'Brien must infiltrate it to stop them.
In brief: A fairly pedestrian story, but the two principal actors carried it very well.
Nutshell: Not the most original of plots, but extremely well acted.

A Change of Heart

When Dax is seriously injured during a crucial mission, Worf must question his priorities.
In brief: Thin, but with a lot of good moments.
Nutshell: There certainly isn't much here, but what we have is pleasant.

**1/2

Wrongs Darker than Death or Night

Kira learns that her mother was once Gul Dukat's mistress.

An internal investigation indicates Doctor Bashir may be a Dominion spy.

In the Pale Moonlight

Sisko attempts to trick the Romulans into declaring war against the Dominion.

A Kira/Odo episode written by Ron Moore.

Hans-Wolfgang Loidl <hwloidl@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk>

Last modified: Sat Mar 21 23:20:51 1998 Stardate: [-30]0884.86