This story just gets better and better with age.
I got so swept up in it that I said "sod it" with taking notes, but prior to that I made some anyway.
The opening credits spoil the big plot point of Michael Dorn as Worf staying, as opposed to a guest star status to keep people guessing for that premiere. Not a big thing, but I'm trying to remember if season 4 was being given hype by his full-time inclusion. Either way, it doesn't spoil too much.
They already did the "Worf's loyalties" shtick in TNG "Redemption", but it's re-use is given a more exciting and well thought-out, action-backed theme than soap opera complete with "symphony of flatulent frogs".
The pre-opening credits scenes start the episode with a confident new tone, complete with weapons designed to get Changelings to show themselves. No worries, they're promptly ditched post-opening credits and there are two scenes where having them might have been a decent payoff for their introduction. But I don't make television and they had to pad out scenes with blood tests or otherwise staining all that furniture with blood drips and those still worked, so it's not that bad. But it would have been a time saver for the crew in-universe...
Also, in the pre-credits bit, Odo slinks along and neither Kira nor Sisko sees the blob squishing along the floor despite being there in plain sight, before turning into an owl - who didn't give a hoot when killing Bashir before the simulation ended.
Not sure which double-act fares better in this story: Odo/Garak or Dax/Kira. Both have great moments. Maybe Odo/Garak get the nod because Odo describes his thoughtfulness of social customs in a way that's truly alien yet oddly relatable, and because Dax convincing Kira to get jiggy with a holographic image just seems a tad creepy.
Brownie points for the Garak/Dukat and Garak/Quark scenes. Heck, seeing a 2 hour event of Garak just sitting there making conversation with that cloying root beer would actually remain compelling, don't ask how.
Not sure how war stories get banter, but Worf sneering over how they lost the cloak when Dukat, laden with hubris, opines they should use it led to a chuckle that flows with the story wonderfully. Seriously, the script writing for this premiere is magnificent.
The prune juice twist between Worf/Quark (who we needed more interaction with) was a lovely slice of continuity as well as another well-placed comedic moment (that also works with the story's flow for its sake, yet it was nice to see old characters reunite to help bridge the gap and it's largely excellent. Though the brief moment with Worf/O'Brien about being assimilated felt borderline forced, but it's not anywhere as grating as when VOY's "Scoprion" wallows and even 4th walls it by having Chakotay and Janeway go on about the greats of the past with Picard. Loved the darts playing between them and Bashir - double acts are one thing but they missed out in not making a triple act, which would be hard to do, much less sustain.
Also, quantum torpedoes get a mention long before 1996's STFC had. Woot!
Still, Kira reports Starfleet is coming with... six... ships and yet the Klingons have a rather larger backup fleet approaching, which leads to the next and most important point:
Whenever you're asked "Kirk or Picard?" Just say "Sisko" and be done with it because this story is one of many that exemplifies the fact that Sisko is the best.
10/10, with utter and effortless ease. Any plot hole or nitpick just dissolves quickly as the setup and follow-through for this story is just spectacular, steeped in witty and urbane dialogue, slathered in a verve and confidence that was quick to prove to those on the fence like me that 90s Trek had life to it. I missed a lot of DS9 early on, but gave season 4 a chance and I'm so glad I had at the time...
I got so swept up in it that I said "sod it" with taking notes, but prior to that I made some anyway.
The opening credits spoil the big plot point of Michael Dorn as Worf staying, as opposed to a guest star status to keep people guessing for that premiere. Not a big thing, but I'm trying to remember if season 4 was being given hype by his full-time inclusion. Either way, it doesn't spoil too much.
They already did the "Worf's loyalties" shtick in TNG "Redemption", but it's re-use is given a more exciting and well thought-out, action-backed theme than soap opera complete with "symphony of flatulent frogs".
The pre-opening credits scenes start the episode with a confident new tone, complete with weapons designed to get Changelings to show themselves. No worries, they're promptly ditched post-opening credits and there are two scenes where having them might have been a decent payoff for their introduction. But I don't make television and they had to pad out scenes with blood tests or otherwise staining all that furniture with blood drips and those still worked, so it's not that bad. But it would have been a time saver for the crew in-universe...
Also, in the pre-credits bit, Odo slinks along and neither Kira nor Sisko sees the blob squishing along the floor despite being there in plain sight, before turning into an owl - who didn't give a hoot when killing Bashir before the simulation ended.
Not sure which double-act fares better in this story: Odo/Garak or Dax/Kira. Both have great moments. Maybe Odo/Garak get the nod because Odo describes his thoughtfulness of social customs in a way that's truly alien yet oddly relatable, and because Dax convincing Kira to get jiggy with a holographic image just seems a tad creepy.
Brownie points for the Garak/Dukat and Garak/Quark scenes. Heck, seeing a 2 hour event of Garak just sitting there making conversation with that cloying root beer would actually remain compelling, don't ask how.
Not sure how war stories get banter, but Worf sneering over how they lost the cloak when Dukat, laden with hubris, opines they should use it led to a chuckle that flows with the story wonderfully. Seriously, the script writing for this premiere is magnificent.
The prune juice twist between Worf/Quark (who we needed more interaction with) was a lovely slice of continuity as well as another well-placed comedic moment (that also works with the story's flow for its sake, yet it was nice to see old characters reunite to help bridge the gap and it's largely excellent. Though the brief moment with Worf/O'Brien about being assimilated felt borderline forced, but it's not anywhere as grating as when VOY's "Scoprion" wallows and even 4th walls it by having Chakotay and Janeway go on about the greats of the past with Picard. Loved the darts playing between them and Bashir - double acts are one thing but they missed out in not making a triple act, which would be hard to do, much less sustain.
Also, quantum torpedoes get a mention long before 1996's STFC had. Woot!
Still, Kira reports Starfleet is coming with... six... ships and yet the Klingons have a rather larger backup fleet approaching, which leads to the next and most important point:
Whenever you're asked "Kirk or Picard?" Just say "Sisko" and be done with it because this story is one of many that exemplifies the fact that Sisko is the best.
10/10, with utter and effortless ease. Any plot hole or nitpick just dissolves quickly as the setup and follow-through for this story is just spectacular, steeped in witty and urbane dialogue, slathered in a verve and confidence that was quick to prove to those on the fence like me that 90s Trek had life to it. I missed a lot of DS9 early on, but gave season 4 a chance and I'm so glad I had at the time...
