Sometimes old friends pop up in new and unexpected ways, and Bashir deals with this problem, in “Chrysalis”. Then, in “Treachery, Faith, and the Great River”, an old enemy pops up and Odo has to deal with it.
Trekabout Episode 226: Chrysalis/Treachery, Faith, and the Great River
Mindy
-Yeah, Bashir is a bit creepy in “Chrysalis”. But, at least Miles calls him on it, and Bashir (mostly) realizes where his error was. It was a bit of a backslide for Bashir, but I feel like the whole season is a backslide for him. I did like seeing Patrick, Lauren and Jack again. They are fun characters.
“Treachery, Faith and the Great River” is actually one of my favorite DS9 episodes. Not top 10, but maybe top 20. It is fascinating learning that the Changelings are sick, and also trying to figure out if this is what prompted Weyoun 6 to defect. Love hearing the Vorta origin story. Would love to know how much of that is even true. I’m not convinced that the Jem’Hadar weren’t actually created from almost nothing by the Changelings. Just them fiddling with genetic engineering until they got something they like. But, I feel the Vorta story might have a kernel of truth, that the Changelings elevated this prey species, but genetically modified them to do their bidding. The death scene is kind of gruesome and doesn’t do anything to make the Dominion seem more sympathetic.
I also love the reveal that Damar likely killed Weyoun 5. “Transporter accident”. LOL. That is a very subversive action for him to take. I think he’s lucky that the Changeling is ill and distracted.
I also like the b story with Nog and O’Brien. I’m not sure the Great Material Continuum is really a new concept for the show. There was the S1 plot about the self-sealing stem bolts that Richard mentioned, and then we also saw Nog use a similar tactic in “In the Cards” with Jake in order to get the baseball card. For all we know, Nog already mentioned this idea to Jake in one of those episodes. Seems a common tactic for Ferengi, and maybe the myth just grew around the cultural practice.
Looking forward to next week’s podcast. Those are two good episodes.
Eric Brasure
-“but I feel like the whole season is a backslide for him.”
Yeah, I never really realized that, but you’re completely right–the seventh season is pretty bad for Bashir.