I think this is one of DS9's finest moments, despite not quite loving it as much as I used to on previous viewings. This show has the awkward task of bringing some pretty deep religion into Star Trek, and here (as often) it handles it pretty much flawlessly. As an agnostic myself, I really like the way the show allows for all points of view to be valid, and allows for faith vs. science.
This is demonstrated in a very strong scene in ops between Kira, Dax, O'Brien and Worf as they discuss their conflicting points of view without it interfering with their characters or relationships. Kira and Worf are the believers - despite the fact that they believe in different things - and their faith allows their worries to not wear them down. Kira even completely stands behind Jake's decision to let Bashir operate on his father, because she trusts that whatever happens is what her Prophets willed.
Avery Brooks really is the star of this episode though as he portrays Sikso going on a real journey and completely accepting the role of Emissary. I love Bajoran culture and the way the show integrated it, and found myself falling in love with Bajor over the course of the show in the same way that Sisko did. While some of his "visions" are clichéd and standard TV-tropes, it works. We even get given some hints about things to come further down the line. Brooks gives an emotional performance that is in danger of gonig over-the-top but is just restrained enough to be believable. When you consider this after the events of 'The Visitor', the Sisko/Jake scenes are even more powerful. I love the suggestion that Kassidy is now a part of their family too.
I have to also mention the best moment of the episode, which is the conversation between Kira and Kai Winn. Winn is a hateful character that is just about impossible to feel sympathy for, and yet Louise Fletcher manages it here as she reveals what she went through during the Occupation and puts Kira in her place. It's just superb.
One nitpick: we're supposed to believe that nobody has ever noticed the reflection in the painting for 20,000 years? Also, the Admiral is a poorly written character and not the best performance.
Big future Doctor Bashir spoiler: a later episode would seem to suggest that Bashir has been replaced by a Changeling by this point. That's impressive if he managed to do brain surgery on Sisko!
Review by LeftHandedGuitaristBlockedParent2018-01-29T17:34:56Z— updated 2023-05-29T19:42:12Z
I think this is one of DS9's finest moments, despite not quite loving it as much as I used to on previous viewings. This show has the awkward task of bringing some pretty deep religion into Star Trek, and here (as often) it handles it pretty much flawlessly. As an agnostic myself, I really like the way the show allows for all points of view to be valid, and allows for faith vs. science.
This is demonstrated in a very strong scene in ops between Kira, Dax, O'Brien and Worf as they discuss their conflicting points of view without it interfering with their characters or relationships. Kira and Worf are the believers - despite the fact that they believe in different things - and their faith allows their worries to not wear them down. Kira even completely stands behind Jake's decision to let Bashir operate on his father, because she trusts that whatever happens is what her Prophets willed.
Avery Brooks really is the star of this episode though as he portrays Sikso going on a real journey and completely accepting the role of Emissary. I love Bajoran culture and the way the show integrated it, and found myself falling in love with Bajor over the course of the show in the same way that Sisko did. While some of his "visions" are clichéd and standard TV-tropes, it works. We even get given some hints about things to come further down the line. Brooks gives an emotional performance that is in danger of gonig over-the-top but is just restrained enough to be believable. When you consider this after the events of 'The Visitor', the Sisko/Jake scenes are even more powerful. I love the suggestion that Kassidy is now a part of their family too.
I have to also mention the best moment of the episode, which is the conversation between Kira and Kai Winn. Winn is a hateful character that is just about impossible to feel sympathy for, and yet Louise Fletcher manages it here as she reveals what she went through during the Occupation and puts Kira in her place. It's just superb.
One nitpick: we're supposed to believe that nobody has ever noticed the reflection in the painting for 20,000 years? Also, the Admiral is a poorly written character and not the best performance.
Big future Doctor Bashir spoiler: a later episode would seem to suggest that Bashir has been replaced by a Changeling by this point. That's impressive if he managed to do brain surgery on Sisko!