Elements of film noir utilized to reveal secrets

Ray’s Take on Episode 2.8: “Necessary Evil”

I love the Noir Detective vibe of this episode. The Femme Fatale, the Hardnosed Gumshoe (Tracer Bullet?), murder, an affair, a shooting and the Damsel in Distress are so classic and well played.

Rom demonstrates that he is more talented than his brother/boss ever knew. Quark had to be justifiably horrified, especially after years of underestimating his sibling.

Odo and Sisko play Good Cop/Bad Cop well together. You have to empathize with Rom, he’s being pulled in so many different directions. 

We get a peek into Odo’s past interactions with Dukat (charming as always) and his first meeting with Kira, as a suspect. 

Blackmail is pretty common in Noir Detective stories, as are knives and pillows.

Rom saves the day, much to his chagrin. He was in a bit of a Kobayashi Maru scenario, anyway.

Kira was and has been guilty all along. I wonder when her keeping it secret went from desire to not be found out to respect for Odo and valuing his opinion and friendship. A decade old secret revealed might cause a change in the dynamics of their relationship. 

Last thing on this Episodes: Odo would out Bat Man the Bat Man…