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Rhonda’s Take on Episode 8: “The Passenger”

I am well aware that this episode predates the Dexter series (book or TV), but as we were preparing to rewatch “The Passenger,” I couldn’t stop thinking about Jeff Lindsay’s serial killer’s Dark Passenger. Not surprisingly, the concept was remarkably similar in that a character carries a “passenger” who controls their actions.

This episode gave Alexander Siddig (billed as Siddig El Fadil in the early seasons) an opportunity to show his acting range from his arrogant, upstart Julian Bashir to the sinsterly possessed Rao Vantika.

The opening scene features Bashir recounting his recent victory over death for a patient. Kira praises his actions, but then Bashir once again takes it too far. Instead of thanking her for the comment that she was “very impressed,” he replies, “As well you should be,” and then goes on to say, “Fate has granted me a gift, a gift to be a healer.” We disappointingly don’t get to hear Kira’s telling off because it is interrupted by a distress signal.

Bashir can only save one of the three passengers on the damaged ship, which feels like fate slapping back at his arrogance. As the story progresses and it becomes clear that Vantika has somehow made his way off the burning ship and onto DS9, the audience begins to wonder why no one suspects that Bashir is the carrier. Kira was right beside him when Vantika declared, “Make me live!” When Dax is breaking down how Vantika could’ve transferred his consciousness through his fingernails, I had to wonder: Didn’t anyone read the field report? Vantika grabbed Julian’s neck with his dying breath! Kajada as the carrier is too obvious a red herring to ever be convincing.

When Bashir is finally revealed as Vantika, Siddig’s acting is almost comical in its precision. Can. We. Say. Slow. Talker?

While this is definitely Bashir’s episode, once again our ensemble is not overlooked, especially Odo and Quark. Mid-episode we get what has already become a staple of the show. The duo argue about the benefits of keeping to oneself versus the need of companionship as well as Odo’s spartan life versus Quark’s constant desire to pursue things he cannot have. The addition of a Starfleet security chief in the shape of the sardonic Lt. Primmen throws Odo into a bit of a snit about his worth to the station, which Sisko quickly stifles by saying that Odo is in charge.

There are a few weak aspects to the episode’s plot. There’s the lack of suspicion on Bashir and then Kajada, who has spent her life tracking Vantika, is sidelined for the third act only to come back on screen to summarily execute Vantika. This doesn’t seem very Starfleet! Finally, Quark seems to escape any punishment for arranging middle men to help Vantika steal the deuridium shipment. These feel like ends left untied by a 45 minute runtime. 

Return to Episode 8 Guide

Return to Jim’s Take “Bashir has it all, except social graces”

Continue to Ray’s Take: “Technological possession ends in technological exorcism“

Skip to Matt’s Take: “Tolerable watch, but problematic“