Might be fluff, but it isn’t burnt toast

Rhonda’s Take on Episode 9: “Move Along Home”

This episode is universally panned as a stinker for Deep Space Nine, but if “Move Along Home” is as bad as it gets, we should feel pretty good about what we have to look forward to in the coming seasons. After all, it took TNG three years to hit its stride, so we can allow DS9 a few early stumbles.

I feel like the writers were very clear about their main characters from the launch, but they weren’t sure about what was on the other side of the wormhole in the Gamma Quadrant. I’m sure they didn’t mean this connection, but the two alien races we spend time with—Tosk and The Hunters in “Captive Pursuit” and the Wadi here—both love games! It particularly struck me after Tosk’s admonition to O’Brien that they have too much leisure time in the Alpha Quadrant.

If Q’s exchange with Sisko, “Picard never hit me,” stole the “Q-Less” episode, then Quark’s begging until he is literally under the table steals this episode. Within the game we see heightened versions of our main cast: Bashir cries out in a whiny, high-pitched scream; Kira throws an entire plate of hors d’oeuvres in a pique of anger; Sisko and Dax argue over who is willing to sacrifice their life to save the other. Despite having built Sisko as our strong, no nonsense leader, he isn’t above playing hopscotch and reciting the “Allamaraine” rhyme and neither are his officers, although Kira maintains her look of disdain throughout.

Let’s visit the B story for a moment: We don’t see Nog, but it is clear that the friendship between Jake and Nog is budding. They work together on school projects and Nog is teaching Jake about women. Unfortunately, Sisko’s “damage control” conversation doesn’t happen because he’s been kidnapped. When Jake reports his missing father to Odo he tells Odo where he will be, and it is true, but Odo knows the deeper truth: “You mean to look at the girls.” Cirroc Lofton’s smile is adorable!

So, “Move Along Home” could’ve been an episode for any of our series and it might be inconsequential to the story arc, but it’s a fun episode. In the days of 26 episodes a year, we sometimes got a little fluff. At least this fluff tastes like cotton candy and not burnt toast!

Return to Episode 9 Guide

Return to Jim’s Take: “Less than essential, but still fun”

Continue to Ray’s Take: “Widely panned episode provides nuanced perspective of crew”

Skip to Matt’s Take: “Unrealized Potential”