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 EPISODE REVIEWS | ||
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Let He Who Is Without Sin... Airdate: Week of
November 11th, 1996
Written by: Ira
Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Directed by: Rene
Auberjonois
Brief Summary:
Worf and Dax decide to take a vacation on the pleasure planet
Risa, but it turns out to be a disaster for Worf. Beginning with
the tagging along of Bashir, Leeta, and Quark, things only gets
worse when he finds himself actually on the planet. Worf is
repulsed by the morality of the planet and soon joins a group
known as the Essentialists, who feel that the Federation must
return to their ways. He puts his relationship with Dax at risk,
though, when he helps the group enact a dangerous plan.
This might
surprise many of you, but, in a strange way, I kind of enjoyed
this episode. I don't know if it was because of the scantily clad
women or the humor or just because it was fluff. Whatever it may
have been, I found myself entertained at times.
With that said,
I'll be the first to admit that it was a failure. Well, not so
much a failure as a misguided attempt. The use of
Risa and the concept of a group dedicated to returning the
Federation to its original moral fiber are good ideas on their
own, but something didn't quite click.
Was it the acting?
No, not as far as I can tell. Some of the acting, at times, was
lacking, but Michael Dorn and Armin Shimmerman were pretty
strongl. Was it the directing? Once again, that was something
that didn't really seem to hurt the episode. So what are we left
with? Basically, the writing. Don't get me wrong. I found much of
the dialogue, especially the comical scenes, was fine but there
was something missing from the overall picture. In other words, a
good story.
Despite hearing
the negative opinion on this episode from various people, I kept
my mind open when I finally got a chance to see it. And for the
first fifteen minutes or so, I really wondered if people had seen
the same episode that I had in front of me. The teaser and the
scene in the runabout were very funny and entertaining. Even the
scenes when the crew first beams down to Risa were interesting.
Then came the part
about the Essentialists. This is where the episode started to
drift. A decision should have been made here by the writers.
Should we remain lighthearted and fun, or do we get serious?
Unfortunately, they tried to do both and that is where the
failure comes in. It reminded me of the problems with last
season's The Muse, although this was not as dull and
boring as that episode was.
The idea of the
Essentialists was (and still is) a valid one, but it just wasn't
right for this episode. The idea should have saved for another
episode, perhaps aboard the station. Somehow, it wasn't right for
this particular story. This is one of the main problems with the
episode.
Yet, despite these
problems, some parts did come off well. Worf, for instance, had
some character building moments, such as when he told the story
about how he killed a human boy during a soccer (Soccer? Isn't
football or hockey a better sport for a Klingon?) match. It gives
the viewers a little more insight into why Worf acts like Worf.
The whole restraint issue is something that has been touched upon
in the past, but not fully explained until now. Probably the
highlight of the episode for me.
But was it in
character for Worf to join the Essentialists and help them with
their plan to shut down the Weather Control system? Yes and no.
Yes, it would be like Worf to support the group. No, he wouldn't
be one to break a planet's laws over something like this, no
matter how much he supported this cause. I think that this is
where the writers really screwed up. If you can say anything
about Worf, it is that he is honorable and dedicated to his duty.
Then why did the writers have him to something so out of
character?
Before I get off
the subject of misusing characters, I want to ask a question. Why
was Vanessa Williams in this episode? The producers manage to get
ahold of a *name* actress and they waste her in such a minor
role? Although she did fine in this episode, I would rather have
seen her in a different story.
Overall, a
mediocre episode. While this is in no way one of DS9's best, I
won't say it is one of their worst either. I will look upon it as
a good attempt, but ultimately, a failed one. But DS9 fans, don't
worry. We still have the majority of the season to look forward
too.
Some other notes:
- The ceremony in
which Leeta used to break up with Bashir was goofy, but Quark's
reaction to it was great. If I had known it was going to be
so *civil*, I never would have agreed to it.
- And, speaking of
Leeta, she chose Rom?! Rom?! Well, this might be interesting to
watch in the future. This is another great reaction, from both
Bashir and Quark. How much of an insult to Bashir must that be,
to be dumped for Rom?
- The scene in the
runabout with Worf and Quark really mad me laugh. It was like
being in car with children who constantly ask if they're there
yet. Great interaction between these two. Quark: What's he
going to do? Turn around and take me home? Ruin everyone's
vaction? Worf: Coming about. Setting a course for
Deep Space Nine.
- Curzon Dax died
during Jamaharon with Vanessa Williams? Well, that is
not the worst way to go... :)
- Dax really hits
Worf below the belt with a couple of her comments. I've
spent more time with Klingons than you ever have. Ouch...
- *Morn* has got a
girlfriend?! And she's in Starfleet, no less. I love Sisko's
reaction as he stare after them. :)
- Another good
scene was between Bashir and Quark, discussing why they have
stopped chasing her. It is a great scene for long time fans, who
remember when they used to sulk about her in the bar.
To sum it all up:
Writing: Behr
& Wolfe are very good writers. Perhaps it was an off day for
them.
Acting: No major
complaints. Dorn and Shimmerman were pretty entertaining to
watch.
Directing: Rene
Auberjonois didn't have much to work with, but handled what he
did have with skill, especially during the storm scenes.
Conclusion: The
third light episode of the season. From the look of
things ahead, there aren't many more of these in the immediate
future. Maybe it is for the best.
Rating: 6.1
Next Week: The
crew gets trapped between realities and the only answer for it
lies in a dark secret in Odo's past...
Copyright 1996,
Bill Synnamon. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced,
edited, or used for any commericial reason without my permission.
Tell the
Ferengi to return to his cabin. Now!
- Worf to Dax
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