Jim’s Take on Episode 5: “Captive Pursuit”
Tosk: “I am Tosk!”
Odo: “I’m sure you are.”
That exchange pretty much says everything you need to know about “Captive Pursuit,” but I should probably elaborate further. This is a perfect example of a fun episode of Star Trek that isn’t full of universe-shattering high stakes or character defining traumas, but is exactly the kind of thing that Star Trek always set out to do. Our heroes meet a new life form with different ways of looking at the universe and they learn to understand each other by offering the hand of friendship. Perfect! Despite the lack of imminent threats to the universe as we know it, it’s an episode I still remember very clearly from the first time I saw it in 1993. Tosk just sticks with you, that cute little guy.
Heart of the Show Miles O’Brien truly takes center stage here, in a way that again highlights the ensemble nature of DS9. Any one of the cast can be the most important player in any given episode. It’s a neat feature of this show, like a low-stakes problem to solve, that really may never exist again in modern Trek. The limited number of episodes in today’s streaming format means that each one has to be essential and epic, so there isn’t as much time to chill with Miles and his buddy Tosk. I would absolutely watch more of the adventures of Tosk and Miles. They don’t really know each other, yet they form such a cute bond. “Die with honor, O’Brien.” Aww, how sweet!
Tosk is definitely a little out of place on the station, not understanding the seemingly purposeless, laid-back lifestyle of his new Alpha Quadrant buds. They have time to play games, eat food, and sleep for eight hours a day! Madness, surely. He’s a little bit of a close talker and he doesn’t understand Federation social graces, but that just makes him even more lovable. I especially love his encounter with Quark. “I have no vices for you to exploit.” If you throw down a challenge like that to our beloved barkeep…uh, I mean host, he is going to do his best to find a way to tempt you with something.
“Die with Honor, O’Brien!”
~Tosk
Commander Sisko gets a few great moments in “Captive Pursuit” as well. I love his understated, yet seriously intimidating, way with words. This is a leader who is not going to take any of your nonsense, so you would be wise not to even start with him. When the Hunters of Tosk show up and start telling people what to do, Sisko’s “I’m not inclined to take orders from you,” is priceless. His rage when he sees a sentient being who is, as far as Sisko is concerned, being treated as “lesser” is also intense and forthright. “I comprehend just fine! I have no tolerance for the abuse of any life form!” It’s clear that the Hunters are no match for the Commander’s disdain.
My favorite Sisko moment in this episode is when he calls O’Brien on the carpet for ignoring Starfleet protocol and, even worse, ignoring him to assault the Hunters and release Tosk. He is clearly not pleased with O’Brien’s insubordinate behavior, while also clearly being pretty satisfied with the results of the Chief’s actions. It’s a great moment between the two of them in which Sisko manages to convey both his approval and a threat not to try that crap ever again. I would not ever want to disappoint Ben Sisko, and that’s a fact.
There are a couple of fun little moments that really spoke to my own interests. First, when Quark is ticking off O’Brien and points out, “Your face gets very pink when you get aggravated,” I can so relate! Irish heritage problems! The struggle is real. As a Doctor Who fan, the moment when O’Brien says that the Hunters “reversed the polarity” of their shields made me happy. I hope that was an intentional reference. I’m going to believe it was, regardless. Also, Odo’s slow walk and look of uncertainty when Sisko told him that he didn’t have to be in any hurry to catch Tosk and O’Brien. It’s hilarious!
“I am Tosk!” In the end, aren’t we all Tosk? Of course we are. Survive until you die with honor, my friends. Survive until you die with honor.
Return to Episode 5 Guide
Continue to Rhonda’s Take
Ponderings from the Promenade: A Journey through Star Trek Deep Space Nine 
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