From: Michael S. Shappe <mss1@cornell.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Shappe's Deep Spoiler Review: DS9 - 'Past Prologue'
Date: 11 Jan 1993 22:00:11 GMT
Organization: Cornell University
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Shappe's Deep Spoiler Review
_Star Trek: Deep Space Nine_
"Past Prologue"
Story by Kathryn Powers
Teleplay by Peter Allan Fields

Warning: Spoiler Containment has ruptured. Spoilers in 25 lines.


























"Live, for one night, and one night only, back by popular demand, it's,
the DURAS SISTERS! Singing their latest tunes of deceipt and treachery,
this pair of wacky Klingon women are a must-see! Tonight at the Promenade
Coffee House!"

Hee hee. Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Anyway, yes, you read that right. In addition to the (excellent) main
plot of a hard-line Bejoran terrorist threatening to collapse the
entrance to the worm-hole, our favorite pair of sneaky Klingons, L'ursa
and B'etor, are back!

I must say, the writers did a good job with them, too. In fact, they did
a good job with *everyone*. Even Bashir. Now, yes, I know he's still a
little bit wimpy, but he's young and foolish. Give him time :-) I think
he'll surprise us yet.

Kira and Sisko continue to fight it out, which is a good thing. I was
concerned that Kira was going to capitulate entirely to Sisko after
"Emissary", and that would be the end of conflict amongst the cast.
Fortunately, they seem to have other plans for her. It's fairly clear
that Sisko and Kira still don't entirely trust each other, don't entirely
like each other, and don't see anywhere near eye-to-eye on nearly
*anything*. I *like* that. We haven't seen this sort of fundamental
difference of world-view since McCoy started baiting Spock! :-)

The plot itself we've seen before, on both TNG and TOS -- a man of
dubious background tries to convince the crew that he's gone straight,
and just when he's got them convinced enough to help him, turns out to be
even crookeder than they thought before. But in this new setting, the
plot comes alive again. We see that there are a lot of problems still to
be solved before Bejor will be whole again, and that, when all is said
and done, if some people get their way, the Feds are going to get kicked
out.

Odo continues to fascinate, but the writers have to be careful. He's
clearly there for many of the same reasons Data and Spock were there --
to be the 'outsider' looking in and commenting on human nature; but they
must be careful not to make him too Data- or Spock-like. At least they
didn't over-use his shape-shifting abilties...I thought the rat was a
nice touch :-)

The Cardassian clothier, Garrik (just plain Garrik :-) could be an
interesting recurring character, if the Powers that Be pay attention.
He's the first adult Cardassian we've seen not directly associated with
the Cardassian Guard. He *may* provide us some interesting insights into
Cardassi culture.

L'ursa and B'etor are still slime. 'nuff said :-)

Still neither hide nor hair of Keiko, neither have we seen much of Nog.
On the other hand, we also didn't see Kai Opaca again, so there are some
mercies in the world :-)

I'm concerned that the runabouts may be get over used very quickly. If
you really want to go places, put them on a starship! :-) On the other
hand, they're sweet-looking shuttles :-) I want one.

[Before they announced the name of the third runabout (Ganges; the other
two are the Rio Grande and the Yang'tse Kian -- all rivers), I was hoping
it would be the Volga. Then they could have an long-since-retired Chekov
guest star and pilot the thing, and call the episode 'The Volga
Boatman'... sorry, I know. Awful].

Overall, I'd say that they're off to a very good start. Give this one a
9.5 out of 10 and get them someone new to do their incidental music!
Bleah.

Next week: How do you stone a man who is made of jello, anyway?

Uncle Mikey
From: paul@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Paul Beatrice)
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 22:09:05 GMT
Subject: Re: Deep Space 9 - Boston area- anybody know what channel and when?
Organization: the HP Mtn.View Resp. Cntr.