Ben Sisko suffers loss…again in this heartrending episode

Jim’s Take on Episode 2.9: “Second Sight”

Poor Benjamin Sisko just can’t get a break. His life has been full of turmoil, crushing despair, and a myriad of challenges that would destroy a lesser man. His strength, resolve, and courage have allowed him to meet all of these challenges head-on and come out on top. He is truly a great man and deserves more respect when we think of Starfleet’s most epic heroes. But sometimes the universe just pulls some ridiculously unfair tactics to rain on Sisko’s metaphorical parade. In “Second Sight” he is having a rough few days dealing with the fourth anniversary of the battle at Wolf 359 and, thus, the fourth anniversary of the death of his beloved wife, Jennifer. (Looking at you, Jean-Luc Picard!) 

He’s feeling a bit introspective and maudlin, but still finds time for some quality bonding and commiserating with Jake (Awww!). But THEN the universe decides that what he really needs is to meet his perfect dream date: Fenna is a beautiful, mysterious, flirtatious vision, in a gorgeous outfit very reminiscent of an Original Series William Ware Theiss creation. She’s even filmed with a slightly soft focus and accompanied by ethereal music! All of which would be an uplifting and wonderful experience for Sisko…if she was real! Seriously. This is a low blow, universe. Is Q lurking behind the scenes again? This petty cruelty seems like a Q kind of thing.

Poor Ben Sisko. He was offered just some comfort and happiness, only to have it cruelly taken away and forgotten.

Watching Sisko being all happy and love-struck is pretty strange. It actually freaks Kira out while Jake and Dax, who know him best, quickly figure out what’s up. His exchange with Jake is wonderful, especially the side-eye Jake gives his dad when he says they can’t meet yet because she keeps disappearing. Any scene where Dax and Sisko get to spend a little quality time together is guaranteed to be outstanding, and that definitely holds true for their scenes together in this story. Especially excellent is the scene where she is pumping him for details about this mystery woman, and is amused to think he’s more shy with her because of her current gender. Even better is the reveal of “Fenna” being the wife of egomaniacal terraformer Gideon Seyetik when Dax turns to him and says, “NOW we have something to talk about.” Her sly smile and that sardonic sense are such important elements of her character. (In case you’ve forgotten: Jadzia Dax is the greatest single character in the history of the Star Trek franchise. That’s just science.)  

Moving right along, Gideon Seyetik. This guy is just awful. Actor Richard Kiley does a wonderful job of thoroughly chewing the scenery in this role, but this hubristic, arrogant, conceited, self-centered man is utterly terrible. Could anyone stand to be in a room with him for more than about ten minutes before thoughts of escape or assault come to mind? The desperation and disbelief in Kira and O’Brien’s eyes as they suffer through a dinner with him is palpable. We’ve had a lot of discussion about our varying loves for Julian Bashir here, and the fact that Julian finds him entertaining…is not a mark in his favor. 

It is eminently understandable that Seyetik’s (ninth?) wife Nidell, who culturally is unable to leave him no matter how much she wants to, dreamed up Fenna as a way to escape from what can only be an absolutely hellish marriage with this paragon of hubris. It doesn’t make it any better for Sisko, though, when he realizes his dream woman is just that…a passing dream that will be forgotten by the dreamer. This can’t possibly be helping him cope with his grief and loss. 

By the way, even when Gideon decides to sacrifice himself so his wife can be free of him, he does it with enough arrogance and theatricality that no one cares. Has a group of people ever been less sad about a noble self-sacrifice? “No. Don’t do it. You have to turn back. Oh, well. It’s too late. Meh.” 

Poor Ben Sisko. He was offered just some comfort and happiness, only to have it cruelly taken away and forgotten. Next anniversary he gets two things to feel sad about. And when he tries to explain to Jake why he never did meet Fenna…there might not be enough eyerolls for that conversation.