Deep Space 9 Superior

[USS Defiant]

Accession -- The story's conclusion, however, does not feel quite right. Sisko doesn't want to challenge Akorem's claim, as that would divide Bajor and cause chaos. Instead, Sisko and Akorem go into the wormhole to ask the Prophets who is really the Emissary, and if they intended Akorem to bring the d'jarras back. The wormhole aliens answer the question with a variety of intriguing but ultimately incomprehensible riddles (it boils down to "no"), and they are able to send Akorem back to the century he came from.

This is simply too easy. It's evident the wormhole aliens have no clue or care about Bajoran politics or religion. Yet, with a convoluted explanation, they are able to convince Akorem that he was making a false presumption that really had no basis, while simultaneously telling Sisko that he is the real Emissary since he taught them the meaning of linear time. It took me a while to put my finger on why I didn't find
this completely satisfying, but I think it's because the aliens' answer seems too arbitrary. Instead of working the problem at hand, the writers use this device to simply delete the problem to a point where one would almost never know it existed in the first place.

In fact, it surprising how little this all affects the series or the characters. Based on the subject matter, the episode initially appears to be headed for a major series self-statement. Instead it's almost a Reset Button Plot that ends up right where it starts. Take, for example, the moving but overstated and oversimplified scene where Kira tells Sisko that she plans to resign her post to move back to Bajor and follow her d'jarra. Would she really give up everything in her life to be a sculptor simply because the new Emissary says so? The episode says yes, but other elements of the show cast doubt. Odo's line "Your faith seems to have led you to something of a contradiction" is a very relevant comment, and, in retrospect, the way Kira shrugs it off is simultaneously an interesting truth about faith and a puzzling oversimplification that disregards common sense. The conclusion should have seriously taken a look at this side of the show. Instead, the issue rides on a single decision by Sisko, which is made too easy with the cut-and-dry ending.

The only real consequence of the show is Sisko finally coming to terms with his role as Emissary. While I do like this, I really hoped for more large-scale development from the episode - which, because of the ending's ineffectiveness, we don't really get much of. Still, "Accession" made me think hard on numerous occasions (this review feels more like a discussion than most I've written), which is a most definite plus.

[Starbase]

Accession

Although it had more impact on Kira, this was really a Sisko episode, and a terrific one at that. It reminded me of Emissary and the early episodes with Bareil and Winn, when our commander was trying to decide how to balance his responsibilities to Starfleet and the Prime Directive with his unique obligation to Bajor and its prophets. I loved him at the beginning with the new Emissary - thought it made sense that Sisko would trust a revered Bajoran poet whom Kira had heard of, particularly as he wanted off the hook so badly himself.

Watching this skeptical man trying to balance his distrust of spiritual phenomena with his growing sense that he may have a role to play was a Bajoran spiritual leader was moving and illuminating. This was the first episode about Bajoran spirituality that I can remember which took it completely seriously, and in which Sisko took it completely seriously as well.

I also think this was the strongest Kira episode of the season. I would not call Kira a wimp for falling prey to religious fervor any more than I'd characterize my religious friends that way, even when I want to scream at them for trying to interpret the Bible as a blueprint for American society. Yes, Kira was awfully passive for a lot of this episode, but she's been passive under the guidance religious leaders before; she even went along with Bareil when he suggested that she try nurturing her artistic side, way back in the "The Circle." I wish she were the kind of person who questioned more - she told Bareil that she was, but maybe his death really did change her.

I did have a bit of the problem with Bajor having had such a strict cast system - on the one hand that explains how Cardassia was able to conquer so easily, given that there must have been underlying resentment and people in the wrong positions for their talents, but on the other hand I don't understand how so many centuries of achievement and enlightenment could have come out of such repression and prejudice.

The subplot provided much-needed humor; Quark's comment that he thought females bore human young, Worf's terror at being told that Keiko was going to have another child, and the overabundant male bonding between O'Brien and Bashir - first the holosuite gets used as an excuse for Kira and Dax to dress like bimbos, now it's an excuse for Miles and Julian to forsake real relationships in favor of Let's Pretend!

I get a weird feeling hearing the prophets tell Benjamin, "You are the Sisko" - shades of "You are the Picard" from TNG, and "You are Kirk" which got Captain Kirk in a lot of trouble. I had a nagging feeling that the Prime Directive should have been bothering Sisko, but, like that aliens said, he IS part of Bajor now - He IS involved, whether he likes it or not. And I'm glad he's taking that responsibility seriously. Great episode!

[USS Defiant]

Rules of Engagement

This is an episode like many in the second half of DS9's fourth season have been. It's a small, mostly-contained story that tries to work in elements of the larger-consequence, long-term story arc of the Klingon/Federation political situation. Consider "Return to Grace" and "Sons of Mogh," for example. Both had something worthwhile to add to the canvas, while neither were really that pressing on their own. "Rules of Engagement" is another that falls into this "relevant but not compelling" category, but it's probably the least urgent and impacting of the three because its plot really doesn't have very far to reach.

It's simultaneously a Trek Courtroom Drama, a Worf Episode, and a Web of Conspiracy. And while it's a decent, solid episode with the expectedly up-to-par performances and some nice director touches, these elements simply don't come together that well. Really, the biggest problem with this episode is that we've already dealt with most of the issues in "Sons of Mogh." Again, we have the Federation and the Empire clashing their agendas, and, again, we have Worf on the fence, proclaiming to be a Klingon at heart with duty and loyalty to the Federation. Again, we have Klingons coming forward and telling Worf that he doesn't fit in anywhere, and, again, we have Worf proving that he can indeed maintain ties with both sides, even if he and others aren't happy with the fact.

Meanwhile, we have the extradition hearing, in which Ch'Pok uses sensational tactics to pressure Worf into active loss of his temper, much to the ire of Vulcan T'Lara, the extradition arbitrator who ultimately holds Worf's fate in her hands. The courtroom situations are adeptly written by Ronald D. Moore, and director LeVar Burton successfully pulls off an interesting technique in which flashback is used in a cross between diegetic and non-diegetic senses, as the characters in the flashback actually speak to the camera as witnesses on the stand. Still, despite these strengths, Star Trek is not Law & Order no matter how hard it tries; and sometimes "Rules of Engagement" seems to be trying almost too hard-Sisko shouts "Objection!" a little bit too emphatically on occasion, making the drama feel just a tad overly theatrical.

[the Fifth Race]

Honestly you guys asking me to slow down had very little to do with it. Other issues arose that made me slow down.

It's ok to do us a favor brother jelgate.

Its Artie. Saul Rubinek is awesome as an actor. Unless certain characters decide to take a ride on the zip line.

Artie is a great character. I was just watching Saul Rubinek play Daphne's finance on Frasier the last few nights. He has quite IMDB.

[the Fifth Race]

Accession -- I did have a bit of the problem with Bajor having had such a strict cast system - on the one hand that explains how Cardassia was able to conquer so easily, given that there must have been underlying resentment and people in the wrong positions for their talents, but on the other hand I don't understand how so many centuries of achievement and enlightenment could have come out of such repression and prejudice.

It does kind of explain how the Bajorans were conquered rather easily. We know that Bajor was struggling with there "old ways" and the "caste system" at the time the occupation started. So maybe the Cardassians saw them as ripe for the picking so to speak. I always find this part of Bajoran history fascinating.

[the Fifth Race]

Rules of Engagement -- Meanwhile, we have the extradition hearing, in which Ch'Pok uses sensational tactics to pressure Worf into active loss of his temper, much to the ire of Vulcan T'Lara, the extradition arbitrator who ultimately holds Worf's fate in her hands. The courtroom situations are adeptly written by Ronald D. Moore, and director LeVar Burton successfully pulls off an interesting technique in which flashback is used in a cross between diegetic and non-diegetic senses, as the characters in the flashback actually speak to the camera as witnesses on the stand. Still, despite these strengths, Star Trek is not Law & Order no matter how hard it tries; and sometimes "Rules of Engagement" seems to be trying almost too hard-Sisko shouts "Objection!" a little bit too emphatically on occasion, making the drama feel just a tad overly theatrical.

Well said. I found the ending a little problematic where it seems Ch'Pok may be on his way to a victory until along comes the reliable deus ex machina - Odo finds a record that proves, in fact, that the ship destroyed was not carrying innocent people; the passenger manifest is identical to that of a ship that crashed months ago. What does this mean? It means that the entire situation was staged by the Klingons in an attempt to force Starfleet from abandoning its relief effort of escorting Cardassian convoys. Uh-huh. This "revelation" is awfully unlikely and contrived for starters, and also seems rather dishonorable and "un-Klingon-like" to me. It's also an all-too-easy way of resolving the episode using a conjured plot manipulation instead of basic story strength or character truths. At least it gives Sisko the chance to put Ch'Pok on the stand and grill him with a hypothetical situation game, which turns out to be an absolute delight thanks to Avery Brooks' delicious performance as a bombastic lawyer.

There's also a very welcome reflection scene between Sisko and Worf after the hearing is resolved. Sisko points out that Worf did indeed make some big mistakes in his command decisions, and he offers some advice. I particularly like Sisko's response to Worf's brooding behavior: "Part of being a captain is knowing when to smile." (I think it's about time Worf lightens up.) The final exchange is also nicely put:

Worf: "Life is a great deal more complicated in this red uniform."
Sisko: "Wait until you get four pips on that collar."

[jelgate]

Well said. I found the ending a little problematic where it seems Ch'Pok may be on his way to a victory until along comes the reliable deus ex machina - Odo finds a record that proves, in fact, that the ship destroyed was not carrying innocent people; the passenger manifest is identical to that of a ship that crashed months ago. What does this mean? It means that the entire situation was staged by the Klingons in an attempt to force Starfleet from abandoning its relief effort of escorting Cardassian convoys. Uh-huh. This "revelation" is awfully unlikely and contrived for starters, and also seems rather dishonorable and "un-Klingon-like" to me. It's also an all-too-easy way of resolving the episode using a conjured plot manipulation instead of basic story strength or character truths. At least it gives Sisko the chance to put Ch'Pok on the stand and grill him with a hypothetical situation game, which turns out to be an absolute delight thanks to Avery Brooks' delicious performance as a bombastic lawyer.

There's also a very welcome reflection scene between Sisko and Worf after the hearing is resolved. Sisko points out that Worf did indeed make some big mistakes in his command decisions, and he offers some advice. I particularly like Sisko's response to Worf's brooding behavior: "Part of being a captain is knowing when to smile." (I think it's about time Worf lightens up.) The final exchange is also nicely put:

Worf: "Life is a great deal more complicated in this red uniform."
Sisko: "Wait until you get four pips on that collar."

While its probably not the most most creative resolution its a not a deus ex machina. Deus ex machina solutions come out of nowhere at the climax while in Rules of Engagement their was Odo looking into it for the whole episode we knew he would find one in the whole episode. The episode was just an insight into Worf and his feeling about the ordeal with the Cardassian-Klingion War

[Starbase]

Not the whole deus ex machina debate again

The episode was just an insight into Worf and his feeling about the ordeal with the Cardassian-Klingion War

IMHO It is so much more!. The Rules of Engagement is a truly great Sisko episode. He come across so strong and captain-like, he is at his most impressive when he's defending a friend and comrade in arms. Avery Brook's was off the hook great in this episode. The Klingon Ch'Pok was also great (I just love the Klingon's sometimes). And even though Worf didn't get a whole lot to say, we learned some inside stuff about him that we rarely or never saw before.

I rewatched it the other night with brothers Fifth and USS Defiant and we were all enthralled with it, none of us said a word through the whole episode. I will post my review tomorrow.

[jelgate]

Not the whole deus ex machina debate again

I blame too much time on the Stargate forum seeing the words plot hole and deus ex machna and jumping the shark throwing around without thinking what the terms mean. And besides to quote Linda, "I'm always right."

[Alan Wake]

On a side note, and completely unrelated... I find your avatar very sad The Fifth Race. Such a good character, such a sort time on the show.

[Weyoun]

On a side note, and completely unrelated... I find your avatar very sad The Fifth Race. Such a good character, such a sort time on the show.

I agree! The lovely Bajoran ensign Sito Jaxa was such a strong and likable character (you got to love those Bajoran women) Lower Decks is one of favorite TNG episodes.

I remember brother Fifth Race once talking about how they almost wrote Sito Jaxa into a DS9 storyline.

[Alan Wake]

I agree! The lovely Bajoran ensign Sito Jaxa was such a strong and likable character (you got to love those Bajoran women) Lower Decks is one of favorite TNG episodes.

I remember brother Fifth Race once talking about how they almost wrote Sito Jaxa into a DS9 storyline.

I'm glad they didn't. It would have really cheapened her death... and that episode.

That's one of TNG's strongest episodes... because the good guy doesn't live in the end. That hardly ever happens in these shows.

[Weyoun]

Accession

Once again the Emissary arc astounds me. It's kind of a shame the writers limited it to one episode per season as there was so much to explore but I guess I'm happy with what we got.

Accession is an instant classic Trek episode. Character development is the main reason it works. At the start he's the reluctant Jesus. He doesn't like his position as Emissary but goes along with it as to not upset anyone. But after Akorem Laan claims to be the Emissary bringing chaos to Bajor, Sisko takes action and by the end he finally realises this is what he is. All of it is done skillfully and tastefully with a slow but engaging pace. B-plots involving Kira having a religious crisis and O'Brien missing his 'true love' Julian were just as good. A 5 star classic.

[Weyoun]

Rules of Engagement

This episode is remarkable in that the Klingon prosecutor is a fantastic guest star. Only a Klingon lawyer would thirst for battle... in the courtroom! The directing is also remarkably interesting. Such as Dax describing Worf's demeanor whilst in a flashback fighting him. And Sisko explaining why he selected Worf for this mission whilst in a flashback. Quark gets a similar scene, but he can't get it right. O'Brien gets one too, set during the battle. Worf as well. One problem with the episode though is the seeming hypocrisy of the Klingon prosecutor's entire argument. Klingon history honors conquerors who murder civilians, yet it is illegal for Worf to murder them now? What's the bloody difference? Well, Klingons are very... odd. And the Federation has to respect their... odd laws. I'm not willing to mark this is a technical problem because of this, but it walks the line.

The ending is superb, Sisko's last minute new evidence was fantastically presented, leaving us with an original question... why was Sisko defending Worf in the first place? Why, he even chewed Worf out for his decision in the end! Sisko defended him blindly. Awesome.

[Starbase]

Rules of Engagement

I'm a sucker for courtroom drama, and I'm often drawn in by Klingon episodes even when they start to get redundant, so there was a lot I liked about this episode. In addition to showcasing both Brooks and Dorn as orators, it had interesting direction. I liked the past-tense narration, which made the show a lot less static than either voice-overs or just jumping back and forth between the trial and the events it described.

But such a setup deserved a story worthy of it, without a cheat or typical ending. I really disliked listening to both Dax and O'Brien testify.As an officer, she should know that sharp, incisive responses to legal queries rather than long, sensitive looks in the defendant's direction would be more useful. And O'Brien's testimony, while presented well, brought up a very annoying question of consistency: why was O'Brien, an enlisted man, next in line to take over command of the Defiant when Kira was on the ship? I understand that she's Bajoran and the Defiant is a Starfleet vessel, but it's not clear how O'Brien fits into the chain of command at all. If Kira has no place commanding the ship, why would Sisko have risked sending her on the mission at all?

Other than that quibble, I think it's fair to say that this was one of Sisko's better episodes from season 4. He comes across as more captain-like than ever before, and the mixture of sarcasm and deep emotion he manages to bring to his performance before the advocate was very effective. I think he let Worf off the hook too easily on the decision to fire - in fact, he seems to let Worf off the hook too easily - but I like his growing comfort level with the crew and his increasing self-assuredness when making speeches. The ending was predictable - Odo's not looking terribly clever as a security officer these days, though I'll concede that he's better than Tuvok on Voyager - and I'm not sure what the point was: that the Klingons are sneakier and possibly less honorable than we'd suspected? That Worf is more important than Gowron led him to believe, and they won't rest till then get him back, like the Founders with Odo?