Rhonda Lancaster

Serious title for a buddy comedy

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.13: “Armageddon Game” This episode has such a serious title for what is essentially a buddy comedy! (Yeah, yeah, O’Brien almost dies and that’s serious too, but his interactions with Bashir are full of humor.) “Armageddon Game” refers to the reason Bashir and O’Brien are off station. They are on aContinue reading “Serious title for a buddy comedy”

“The Alternate”: An extended metaphor on parenting

Rhonda’s Take on 2.12 “The Alternate” We’ve mentioned before that Deep Space Nine is about fathers and sons. Here we get yet another view of parenting as the scientist tasked with raising Odo arrives at the station and Odo is less than pleased to see him. Any of us who’ve reached adulthood know exactly howContinue reading ““The Alternate”: An extended metaphor on parenting”

“Rivals” develops characters

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.11: “Rivals” “Beware the Gansian wine” should be a warning for visitors to Deep Space Nine. That’s what Alsia blames for her confessing her secret plans for investment to Martus. Yet, it is Martus who will be hoodwinked. But, wait, I’m getting to the end and that’s the least interesting aspectContinue reading ““Rivals” develops characters”

Giving Bajor its sense of place

Rhondas’s Take on Episode 2.10: “Sanctuary” We often talk about character development on this website, but “Sanctuary” is very much an episode about place. The Skrreea have been displaced by the Dominion conquering their planet. (Did you catch this second reference to the Dominion? New viewer, are you sensing something is brewing?) Yet, it isContinue reading “Giving Bajor its sense of place”

A light on Sisko’s character

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.9: “Second Sight” I’m not sure I agree with the title for this episode. The term “second sight” refers to “the ability to perceive future or distant events; clairvoyance.” While the woman at the center of this episode can project herself as energy, it isn’t really an ability to perceive events,Continue reading “A light on Sisko’s character”

On the List of Favorite Episodes

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.8: “Necessary Evil” I’m all about making lists: To Do, Wish, Future Plans, Pros/Cons, Gift. Odo would not be surprised by my penchant for making lists, as he has observed that humans have a tendency to create them for everything to a degree that means they have to create new waysContinue reading “On the List of Favorite Episodes”

Gender Politics: Love or Profit?

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.7: “Rules of Acquisition” The title says it all, “Rules of Acquisition.” This is going to be an episode about Ferengi and a Ferengi episode on Deep Space Nine is a Quark episode. Expectations for humor and hijinks are high. Wallace Shawn as Grand Nagus Zek delivers the humor. Armin ShimmermanContinue reading “Gender Politics: Love or Profit?”

Bashir wins us over

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.6: “Melora” There are moments in pop culture (whether television, movies, books, or music) that live inside of the audience long after the initial experience. “Melora” is one of those episodes for me. It’s probably been two decades since I’ve watched this episode, but the moment my husband announced it wasContinue reading “Bashir wins us over”

Complicated matters strongly developed

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 5: “Cardassians” We open on Bashir and Garak bumping into each other in the Replimat, but it is clear this isn’t only the second time (the first on screen being in Season 1, Episode 2, “Past Prologue”). They know each other’s drink orders and they pleasantly banter over whether “plain, simpleContinue reading “Complicated matters strongly developed”

Why is Jadzia sidelined?

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 2.4: “Invasive Procedures” Why do episodes about Dax always sideline Jadzia? Seriously, last season the episode titled “Dax” kept her silent. This episode she’s lying on a gurney in Bashir’s infirmary. Yes, we get a brief moment to see who Jadzia is without the symbiont Dax and we get a trulyContinue reading “Why is Jadzia sidelined?”