Deep Space Nine - Progress

Like the last episode its another dual narrative episode with one story featuring Jake and Nog while the other story features Kira. Unlike the last episode this one works on almost every level imaginable. Jake and Nog have a fun Only Fools and Horsesesque story about selling and trading that includes various cast members. It shows what its like living on the station for kids and takes the viewer on a fun ride.

Kira's story has a lot of character development, we've touched on her past before and through the series up to this point we've learnt about her present. Her fight against the Cardassians is over and she must deal with what comes next, whilst helping Bajor and herself to move on. 

Both stories counterbalance each other, one is a fun ride played for laughs and one is an emotional rollercoaster and a pivotal episode for the growth of Kira.

Brilliant stuff and  9/10  from me, also a very good example of how to balance the cast on an ongoing show.

Deep Space Nine - The Storyteller

I have already forgot most of this episode.

The Jake and Nog stuff is cute while the O'Brien and Bashir stuff is interesting from a looking at the genesis of their relationship POV. 

Its a reluctant 2/10 from me, I feel like I'm watching an episode pitch that hasn't been fully written up. There are a lot of good ideas and Nogs "oatmeal" trick is actually very funny, no doubt there is the seed of a good episode in here. The only suggestion I have is that maybe it should have been pushed back and given more time in pre production.

Deep Space Nine - Battle Lines

Its an odd episode this week as some long term beats in the opus that is Deep Space Nine are introduced albeit in a song that isn't very good. We see more of the Kai this week and through her and Kira we are introduced to the religion of Bajor. However bar the three regulars who carry the meat of the episode everything else is bad or just doesn't work.

The script is perhaps the worst we've seen yet, most of the guest cast feel like their not trying and the main problem where this episode fails is that it writes out a character who hasn't been properly written into the show yet. In order for the viewer to care about Kai Opaka we need to have seen more of her - from memory I don't think she's shown up since the pilot. This could have been done anywhere up to this point, she could have been a guest speaker at the school or maybe an early victim of the Babel plague.

Its a very rare 1/10 from me.

Deep Space Nine - Vortex

Its another Odo episode so obviously its brilliant. We're about twelve episodes in and some characters are carving out their own niches and corners of the show with so far Odo being the most successful. Not only are his own episodes distinctive he fits in so well in other characters episodes. A more solid reason why this story is so enjoyable is the rule we've all heard before that science fiction is at its best when its trying to be something else. This story wants to be so many things, noir, a crime thriller, a story of salvation and hope.

Odo's backstory is one the defining arcs of the show and seeing the start of it is enjoyable on almost every level. An aspect of this story is the direction and writing, Odo is constantly preoccupied with Croden and becomes more obsessed with him as the episode goes on. As such we're given some swerves at points it looks like various regulars are going to be getting more screen time but as soon as Odo is done with them its straight back to Croden. It puts over the idea that Odo is alone and lonely but he could so easily not be if he opened up.

In short a fantastic early episode and has the feel of a must watch for Odo's character as well as the series, 9/10.

Deep Space Nine - The Nagus

Not only a Quark episode but we finally get our first Ferengi episode with the introduction of Grand Nagus Zek who is well played by Wallace Shaun. Theres a good bit of fun fluff with the Zek faking his own death and we get a good comedic episode.

The main part of the story watching in hindsight however is Jake and Nogs developing friendship - seriously I started this episode delighted to see Zek yet as it goes on I wanted to see more of Jake and Nog. This relationship between Nog and Jake is one of the centre-point relationships of the show and seeing it start from nothing is beautiful. Of note is Sisko's reaction both to Nog as a bad influence and the ending when he finds out what the pair have been up to.

In short, a delightful little comedy and character episode thats important to the show in multiple ways, 7/10. 

Deep Space Nine - Move Along Home

This episode is without doubt crap but its fun crap. I love the concept that anything can come through the worm hole and a group of aliens who want to play games in Quarks rather than make first contact is bags of fun. Plus its an ensemble episode where most of the cast is involved and I like these kind of episodes.

To put it politely the game element of the story to put it politely feels like it was written by Chris Bulis - if your in the mood you're in the mood if not its lame. The various characters in the maze do well, Sisko is the defiant leader, Kira is not in the mood and didn't sign up for this ****, Bashir is at his comedic best while Dax is sadly still a vacuum. Outside the game Quark and Odo are loads of fun while Jake gets some good growing pains scenes with his dad.

Its another episode that benefits from its position, DS9 would get better however this episode is early enough to be a banter. Low level its also building up the importance of the worm hole for the series, its not front and centre every week but its in a good position to cement its importance to the show 7/10. 

Deep Space Nine - The Passenger

Theres not a lot to say about this episode, coming into it I had no memory of it and doubt I'll remember anything in a weeks time. Its another ensemble episode showing off various members of the cast that we're still getting to know. We get some good character stuff such as Sisko backing Odo against Starfleet security which has the extra flavour of Odo being so used to working with people who are against him he's endlessly trying to confront Sisko despite him backing him up. We also see Quark in both his fluffy and criminal mode which is fun. 

In terms of plot this is a story that swings for a boundary but at best goes for ones or twos and at worst loses its stumps. All the way through I'm enjoying the episode but there was a lot of muttering along the lines "oh no" or "don't do that." Due to the character stuff I'm behind this episode and will give it 6/10 as there is still novelty in watching an early DS9 episode as it becomes DS9. 

I'm going to have to turn into a fan producer for this one as this episode could have been saved so easily. Have the cold open shown from Kira's point of view, showing it from Bashir's gives to much away. Also towards the ending they should have let Alex Siddig go proper OTT.

Deep Space Nine - Babel

Here I am a walking Primrose. To eat the large tree with the slightly muddled bloomers. Always going forward because we can't find reverse as we watch them all fall down. Hanging around the place when I heard the hurdle scream and decided it was time for a change. Your going to need a sandwich with that versatility. Greenhorn of plenty is by no means tapping a head with the broom of destiny as we pogo the windows. But what shall the tally be if we forsake the duck.

Maybe next time I'll take a ride on by when your near. There are many veterans as we let the prizes float on out of the window. However can we really believe the perks if the moon strikes under six. Too many of our time can even out every single weeks. To decide to go when you are visible every single day from the cross of the tigers. Listening to a strange progression on the internet is the way forward, 8/10.

Deep Space Nine - Past Prologue

My Deep Space Nine watch-a-long continues at a slightly out of order pace due to Netflix as we move through the opening episodes of DS9. While this is certainly a Kira episode the star of the show is most certainly the debuting Garak. We also see more of the shows culture developing and theres a sense that this corner of Star Trek is most certainly going to be fun.

Lets start with Julians ongoing chaser storyline, it takes the obligatory step forward as he meets up for dinner with blatant homosexual Cardassian Garak. These scenes are wonderfully played as gay dates with Julian being unsure of himself during them (and boasting about them later to his friends) while Garak blatantly has intentions of taking him under his wing. At this point all we're missing from this storyline is a dream fantasy sequence involving Dax and for Garak to disappear for an extended sequence before popping up again and acting like he never left.

The majority of this episode is about Kira and her relationships with the Bajoran Government, Starfleet and her older more extreme colleagues from the resistance. Emotionally she's thrown from pillar to post and for the majority of the episode we don't know whose side she will choose. Also her relationship with Ben Sisko at this point is wonderfully spiky.

Garak is already loads of fun, I like the guest appearance by the Klingon sisters who help bed in the show to remind us we're in the same fictional universe as Star Trek Next Generation. Nana Visitor is proper intense in every scene and has a lovely moment where Ben informs her not to go over his head again and the soldier inside her cringes at being chewed out by her commanding officer.

In terms of main cast relationships the relationships Kira has with Starfleet and Odo are established and Julian has been given a wonderful situation to dive into with Garak. It says so much that so many of the main cast haven't really done a lot yet and this is going to be the third high ranking episode in a row, 9/10.

Deep Space Nine - A Man Alone

After the extended opening episode Emissary its time to jump full throttle into the show with the second episode, which isn't the second episode as Netflix have the episodes in the wrong order! Hopefully this is a one off or things are going to get confusing. Right that's the admin done where was I? Oh yeah, A Man Alone! Whereas the opener was concerned with setting up a number of things this episode is concerned about life aboard DS9 while at the same time there's a good little mystery.

This episode makes very good use of the ensemble cast, its an Odo episode but he's not to far at the front of proceedings. Its also about the other characters relationship with him, most of them have only just met him, he seemingly has only one ally in Kira and supposedly an enemy in Quark. We have to talk about this relationship between Quark and Odo as already its one of the best things about the show. The scene in Odo's office as Quark arrives and tells him he hasn't found any information on the murdered Bajoran is the best of the episode.

Moving on to Jadzia, this episode examines the Trill and their relationships with other races after changing host. We're in transgender territory and largely the subject is treated well, in particular Bens reaction and later acceptance that their relationship is going to have to change. Julian however is written as a chaser and comes across as creepy every time he's in a scene with Jadzia. This is an aspect of transgender life that the show doesn't really need to be going into as the majority of viewers today don't understand what a "chaser" is let alone when it was broadcast.

The plotline with the school is perhaps the most satisfying it brings together a group of the supporting characters in Keiko, Jake, Nog and Rom. I'm watching this with my sister whose viewing it for the first time and it is so satisfying watching these characters start out while she has no idea how they'll grow.

Summing up this is a 9/10 episode from me as the establishment of daily life on the station combined with the setting up of the Odo / Quark relationship is completely my kind of jam. It loses a point for the Julian Bashir is a chaser stuff and an odd scene where Rene Auberjones genuinely looks like he's not aware the camera is rolling, he's saying his lines not acting them and looks like he's trying to block his movements out for when the camera starts rolling.

A good start to the series proper.

The DVD Archives: Star Trek Voyager Season 2

My watch through of Star Trek Voyager continues and strap yourselves in and prepare for my thoughts on season 2;

The 37's: Interesting start to the second series and a good coda of reminding the viewers of the journey to Earth. Shame none of the guest characters joined the crew. 7/10

Initiations: A rather fun examination of the Kazon with Chakotay getting a lot to do. 9/10

Projections: A very very enjoyable episode and a good way to get the Doctor out of sickbay. One of those episodes where you'll never forget watching it for the first time. 10/10

Elogium: One of those strange science/life form stories that were about at the start of last season. Alright episode. 5/10

Non Sequitur: Harry Kim is the main character in another dull episode. 0/10

Parturition: A fun episode with lots of character stuff. 6/10

Persistence of Vision: A very good story that gets darker, the crew being taken out one by one would become a trope with this being one of the best examples. 10/10

Twisted: More fun science as the inside of the ship is twisted out of shape, a personal favourite. 10/10

Tattoo: Dull but worthy. 5/10

Cold Fire: A big episode, with elements of the story reaching a climax and Voyagers one known escape route crashing in on their heads. 8/10

Manoeuvres: A strange episode that doesn't quite gel, I can't decide if Chakotay is acting out of character. 8/10

Resistance: A strong episode with Janeway getting in some good character beats while separated from the crew. 10/10

Prototype: A fantastic episode with the robots coming across as a well defined alien race. 10/10

Alliances: Interesting but I can't help feeling the end is telegraphed and lacking. 4/10

Threshold: This is just muck. -10/10

Meld: A very very interesting twist on the Vulcan mind meld. 10/10

Dreadnought: Blatant reworking of Prototype but still a good-un. 8/10.

Death Wish: Lots of fun with Q and surprisingly very deep. 10/10

Lifesigns: The Vidiians are one of the most interesting aliens in Star Trek, I wish they would appear more often. 9/10

Investigations: The conclusion of an ongoing plot is tied up well with an interesting use of Neelix. 9/10

Deadlock: An interesting and fascinating episode which includes a few swerves. 10/10

Innocence: A rather good episode about alien culture. 7/10

The Thaw: A really dark story with The Clown being one of the most memorable one off characters in Star Trek. 9/10

Tuvix: Outstanding episode showing this show is more than shooting monsters of the week. 10/10

Resolutions: A lot of interesting things going on and rarely on the show there isn't enough time for everything. Perhaps this should have been two episodes long. 8/10

Basics: Very good stuff, with a slow build as its all about the pay off of the crew being stranded. 8/10


The difficult second season is an improvement, theres the odd duff episode but the show is growing in courage.

The DVD Archives: Star Trek Voyager Season 1

Good afternoon ladies and gentle readers, in my random DVD viewings I ventured onto season 1 of the Star Trek spin off Voyager season 1. So without further ado here's my opinion of the individual episodes:

Caretaker: A good start with a story which introduces the characters, the ship and the situation with ships in a certain section of space being randomly pulled across to the other side of the universe against their will. A really good point is that this actual event is dangerous and a good few members of the crew who loom like they are being set up and introduced as regulars are killed twenty minutes into the first episode. The main characters introduction is staggered throughout the two episodes with a few swerves thrown in. The end situation with two crews thrown together to pilot an undermanned star ship is possibly the most intriguing of any Star Trek pilot. 6/10.

Paralax: A very good episode showing the two crews aren't quite getting along and choosing Torres to get the first character centric episode is a good way to bring in the supporting cast and give a good share of the action to Chakotay and Janeway. Also a very good situation for the episode. 8/10.

Time and Again: Tepid timey wimey rubbish. 0/10

Phage: A brilliant alien race, a fantastic plot and an absorbing episode. 10/10.

The Cloud: A proper good one off nail the story to the plot episode. 8/10.

Eye of the Needle: A good little character episode with a few intriguing twists. 7/10.

Ex Post Facto: A good little whodunit and an interesting take on first contact with a new species. 6/10.

Emanations: Dull but worthy, Kim is a decent supporting character but his first centric episode doesn't hold my interest. 5/10.

Prime Factors: Good stuff and interesting to see characters entering a situation with no right or wrong and wrestling with their consciouses. 6/10.

State of Flux: A very good episode making full use of a supporting character (up to this point) and placing the rest of the cast in a situation where not everyone can be trusted. 9/10.

Heroes and Villains: Interesting use of the holodeck and nice to see The Doctor get an episode to shine. 9/10.

Cathexis: Absolute fantastic plot with twists and turns, by far one of the best episodes. 10/10.

Faces: Good to see the Vidiians reappear, they are being turned into a big threat to the Voyager crew. Interesting chaarcter examination of Torres by splitting her in two. 8/10.

Jetrel: Possibly one of my favourite episodes of this show, Neelix is a more interesting character and nice to see shades of grey developing for what looked to be a black and white character. 10/10

Learning Curve: Nice to see that some of the crew are having trouble adapting to star fleet rules and a good way of fleshing out some background characters as Tuvok trains them. But it feels out of place, this should have been the 4th or 5th episode and as such it doesn't quite work. 6/10.


A very good first season with a lot of interesting characters and new aliens introduced, only niggle is I'd like to see more edge between the two crews.